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Topic: Dual Projector DLP
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Randy Stankey
Film God
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Posts: 6539
From: Erie, Pennsylvania
Registered: Jun 99
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posted 03-20-2012 10:31 AM
Why don't you just spend twice as much on one projector and get twice the bang for your buck?
A 4K projector puts out a decently bright picture for office/board room use. Unless you want to be able to see the picture in full room light or unless you have a really big wall to cover, that ought to be enough light. I used to cover a 12 foot tall screen with a 3K projector. It was dim in room light but it was acceptable with the lights out. Yes, we were under gunned but it worked. I can't imagine how a projector that's brighter and shooting on a smaller screen could produce a lower quality picture.
Instead of spending $1,800 apiece on two projectors, why not spend $3,600 on one projector. You'll probably get a better picture and you won't have to fuck around getting them lined up and you won't have to continuously fuck around with them to keep them lined up.
Not to mention the fact that you will only have one lamp to replace and one projector to repair when it malfunctions. (Not IF it malfunctions. WHEN it malfunctions. You should always assume that every piece of technology WILL malfunction and plan for it from the start. As they say, "Plan for the worst but hope for the best.")
I'm not saying that multiple projector setups are bad. Places do it all the time. The Met Opera does it for their stage performances and it looks really good. On the other hand, they have people who get paid thousands of dollars for EACH PERFORMANCE to make those projectors work and to keep them working. You, on the other hand, are one guy who gets paid peanuts to do the job of two people. The people around you are proverbial idiots and, when problems occur, they will be looking to YOU to come solve all their problems.
Why not just save yourself all those headaches and all that trouble right now? Spend more money on one projector and be done with it.
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Marcel Birgelen
Film God
Posts: 3357
From: Maastricht, Limburg, Netherlands
Registered: Feb 2012
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posted 03-21-2012 08:19 AM
I agree with Randy that a single projector solution will probably get you into the least amount of headaches and it can probably also done for the same budget.
Although, the dual projector setup has one real advantage: redundancy, if one lamp or projector fails, you still have picture, although with highly reduced brightness.
I also hate color wheels, but the more recent models have improved them by adding more colors or more of the same colors, so the rainbow effect isn't as noticable as before. Additonally, the new LED based DLP projectors do not use a color wheel, so the refresh rate is not limited by the speed of the color wheel and the rainbow effect seems to be gone entirely.
It will be interesting to see if future D-Cinema equipment based on laser technology will be using single or 3 chip solutions.
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Randy Stankey
Film God
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Posts: 6539
From: Erie, Pennsylvania
Registered: Jun 99
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posted 03-22-2012 10:18 AM
Definitely do what you think is best and definitely consider what the customer wants. No doubt there.
However, when making your cost analysis, consider the wiring, mounting and infrastructure needed to support a second projector.
You need a good, solid mounting bracket. Don't let them suspend it from a drop ceiling! Connect it to a steel beam. I would never allow somebody to do anything less. Depending on the structure of the building, you could get away for a few bucks or it could cost $100.
There's an extra set of signal cables, power and control cables. Depending on the length of the run, that could add up. Easily $50.
What about the HDMI splitter? How much does that cost? (I don't know exactly. I'm only pointing it out.)
I'm just saying that the cost of the second projector is not the only cost you have to bear. Also, don't forget maintenance. There's a hidden cost in keeping the projector clean and working well. This does not consider that you now have to keep two spare lamps on hand instead of just one.
Finally, if there ever comes a time when one of those projectors is removed in favor of just one, all the expense of installing the second becomes a "sunk cost." (Money that's basically thrown away.)
If there really is a need for two projectors, I'm all for it. Do what you think is best and do what the customer wants.
However, unless there is some overriding need, I still think the money would be better spent on buying one, bigger, better projector.
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