Advice pls new Projector for Bar

[limblee]

Hi all

I've today been tasked to provide 3 quotes for a new projector for a small/meduim size bar. It will mainly be showing Football/Rugby via Sky (Standard) with the occasional Wii or xb360 hour or two. I would also prefer it FreeSat proof too. (It will also need to be bright enough to show sport during the height of summer (no blinds))

I'd like the image size to be around 12ft-16ft wide and be +720p res.

Can you firstly direct me in the right direction on what type of of projector I should be looking at

Secondly, how far away will I need the projector to get 16ft-ish image

Thirdly, Where will I get a 16ft-ish screen from?

Last but not least, (warranty) does anyone provide a 3-5 year maintence contract.

I need the name of 3 projectors and/or companies for quotes.


Please help I'm well out of my depth !!!!!!!!

Oh and I need the info by the Saturday 2nd Feb 08

[limblee]

Just got back from the bar - 12ft is far too big.

Update - need a projector for 8ft (width) screen.
Ceiling mountable

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I've read the thread on HD65, sounds ok but worried the 4000:1 contrast isn't enough, would I see much colour banding ?

[limblee]

I think I'll go for the Themescene HD65, from all the reviews I've read on here I surely can't be too far off the mark.
However I have been recommended the Planar PD7010 at Creative Audio.

I will be using Sky+ as my primary viewing, but would like it "all channel stereo", I've looked at Onkyo 505 but don't see how to connect them all together.

HD65
Onk 505
SKY+

any ideas?

[xs2man]

Sky+ connect with copmosite? (Scart to reg, white and yellow leads) into amp. 360 either component, or preferably HDMI into amp. HDMI from amp to HD65.

Best way to connect.

As for amp, I got the onkyo 705. Costs a little more, but you get 3 x hdmi inputs, and 7 channels at 175 watts. would probably be better having the extra power in a bar

[Tony Hoyle]

Originally Posted by limblee

It will also need to be bright enough to show sport during the height of summer (no blinds)

It's not a question of brightness... You can't project black, so in a day during the height of summer you'll struggle to see the screen at all.

Projectors really like dark or at least dim rooms. I suggest investing in some simple blinds for when the projector is in use.

If it's going to be used in a light room all the time you might even be better looking at data projectors, or those specifically designed for bars (which I assume exist) - since they're better at holding an image in the light. Even for those sunlight is going to kill it completely.

[Toonaroond]

My two pennies worth is just to say avoid DLP models like the HD65 - a small percentage of people suffer from the rainbow effect from these PJs and that would mean that some of your customers would have an unenjoyable watching experience or even get headaches in worst cases.

[limblee]

Toonaroond, This small percentage of people that get effected, do they happen to be colour blind or something?

[limblee]

Toonaroond, I've also just found that we have been using the Benq PB6200 (DLP) for a couple years and no one has mentioned the rainbow effect.
Is the Benq DLP technology vastly different from the Themescene HD65?

[xs2man]

Well, I aint colourblind, but i am still affected by RBE. However, I dont find it too bad, and can live with it coz i do enjoy my hd65, but toon is right, there is a percentage of pop, and I would think he'll have more ppl passing through his pub than your house.

As its in a commercial environment, I reacon you'd be best off with a LCD

[Toonaroond]

Thinking a bit more about it maybe the RBE isn't as pronounced in a bar-type environment.

I'm no expert, but I believe that it mainly occurs when there's a big contrast between dark and light sections on the screen and also when you are closer to the screen as it's caused/exacerbted by rapid eye movement from one part of the action to another - neither of these would really occur when watching sports content at a distance in a fairly ambient light...

hmmm, I'd be interested to hear what anybody else thinks about this....

[Toonaroond]

oh - and a lot of LCDs are brighter than DLPs - especially when you look at Data PJs....(although the HD65 is very bright by all accounts )