Goes back to which modes the dealer was showing it in and whether the iris ('aperture' in the menus) is set to same level on both projectors: With these projectors it could be very easy to set them up to favour one over the other if the viewer isn't familiar with the settings.
No, it's not the dealer. It's AVS forum's member's recommendation. But the dealer, then, did say that there is a lumen difference between X30, 70, and 90 and that dis decreases as contrast increases. He also confirmed that the X9 was even dimmer than today's X90.
Forgive my ignorance... but, in principle, does a dark room require more or less lumens?
I was using my old HD350 in high lamp mode, but also at minimum zoom (which gives the least light output due to the way the lens works) and I had plenty of spare 'clicks' on the iris t make it brighter as the lamp aged, but even with 250 hours on it (initial dimming should have occured) it was still capable of hitting 12fL. The newer X9 should give more output than my old HD350 in the same settings, so it shouldn't really be an issue, ...
Well, our rooms' brightness, size and viewing distances may differ. I'm going to install black curtains all around but, as of now, it's a shiny white all around, including ceiling and carpet! So my lumens needs may change after I darken the room.
Today Lens distance is 4.9 (mounted behind the wall).
Viewing distance is 4.7 but across a 3.6 arc.
Room size 4.9x3.6x2.4
All in metric
I would want to know that it has the newer design of lamp fitted as X9s and X90s (and all derivatives) had issues with early lamp dimming, which was resolved with an improved lamp.
If I remember correctly the consideration are base on past season's lamp debates between x9 and X3 etc.
So it would be nice to understand (and I will ask) if lumens output considerations are based on the past, troubled, lamps or if it is inherent to the design.
@ Soupdragon,
I'm interested in your X3/X9 comparison bcs I guess it was made with the old lamps, right? Do you know if the new lamps have increased the lumens output?
I am not worried by 10/100/1000 lumens difference (I can't do the maths factoring in room's brightness, size etc). I'm concerned whether the X9 light output inferiority will or will not make viewing enjoyable.
And, to work this one out, Kelvin's advice is the best so far:
measure what I'm used to now.
... The extra lumens on the x models ...
Sorry, the extra lumens of the X model compared to which other models? The HD series or the X30/70 with X3/7/9?
I just found out why the sudden questions about brightness: The OP has a similar thread on AVS
Yes, exactly. I was super worried!
Honestly, what I'd do is buy a basic lux meter and ... cut ... is very useful and helps cut through the varying opinions.
Yes. Will do it today! Excellent advice! Thanks. I have a Minolta Flash Meter V from my photography days. Would this work? It's flash meter not continuous light meter.
A few years ago I remember a lot of people on avs saying how they prefer a bright image without actually knowing what they had.
The
whole point why I'm here, and why I'm so grateful everyone helping me, is because the only thing that I know very well is not to assume that I know anything very well! Not even what I want.
You're all saving me lots of money but, more important, you're helping me to
first understand and define
what I want and
then buy the best instruments to get it with my "limited" budget. Limited is a euphemism considering that many, whole, HT are built with much less!
So, next step, get a light meter and find out what I like.