[djdube525]

Hoping someone might have some insight... I'm doing some investigation for my wife...

At her work, they are looking to replace an old projector that's used in a very large conference room (~100 person capacity). Currently, the projector projects onto a 4:3 screen (72" x 96"). Connection to the screen is either through vga or s-video (I'd have to look).

Looking to see if there's a large enough TV that could be used in place of a new projector which is used in full light, and has a rather long throw.

I see Sharp has a 90" LED TV... is there anything else out there that should be considered? Is there anything in the 100-110" range that doesn't break the bank?

[srb]

I don't think so.  Sharp's 90" LED is a bargain for large TVs at ~ $9K+, while Panasonic's 85" Plasma is $20K+ and their 103" Plasma is ~$50K.

Steve

[bpape]

Pretty tough to compete when you can get a decent PJ and 120" screen for under $5k

Bryan

[djdube525]

Yeah... the application is the big issue (big room with lots of light)...

The NEC PX800X might be a possibility... 8000 lumens with lens, running about 10K

Their existing projector is a Proxima DP9350L (5000 Lumens, XGA projector) with a 120" screen (painted wall - 4:3 format)

Which brings up a good question... are there better paints that can be used for a screen? That might also help. I suspect they used a typical flat white.

Dave

[coke]

Multiple smaller screens is an option to investigate.  They could possibly be placed around the room in multiple locations if it fits the application, or with the right hardware, combined to form 1 large screen.

[bpape]

Check this screen out - http://www.screeninnovations.com/

Designed to work in higher light environments.

Bryan

[djdube525]

I did find this one option... Panasonic 152" Plasma...

MSRP is $500,000  Wonder if the street price is down in their price range. 

-DD

[mhconley]

Here is another option in that size: $103" Beovision 4.  And it's only $93,050.00!

Martin

[jackman]

Costco has a Sharp 80" that is really nice.  It's only $4,300 and very cool looking - i've seen it in store.  If that's not big enough, I'd look at a new projector.  They are much brighter and will probably work in that envt.  80" seems to be the upward limit or sweet spot of reasonably priced large screens. 

http://www.costco.com/Browse/Product.aspx?Prodid=11758383&whse=BC&Ne=5000135+4000000&eCat=BC|90607|2341&N=4047300 4294891953&Mo=26&No=0&Nr=P_CatalogName:BC&Ns=P_Price|1||P_SignDesc1&lang=en-US&Sp=C

I'd still look at a good projector.  If they used an older one, the brightness of a new one will most likely shock them.

[djdube525]

At the time they purchased their projector, it must have been pretty darn near the top of the heap... 5,000 lumens for a 10 year old projector is not shabby.

I did pass along some suggestions by NEC (PX700W and PX800X)... Their existing screen is 120" with a 4:3 Aspect Ratio... they do have room to go wider... from basic calculations, the PX700W could throw up a ~135" image onto a 16:10 aspect ratio screen (They have a height restriction)... get much brighter, more contrast, etc at a "reasonable" cost (similar to the Sharp 90" LED set).

You're right though... the 80" Sharp is not a bad price at all...

Dave

[djdube525]

Here is another option in that size: $103" Beovision 4.  And it's only $93,050.00!

Martin

Panasonic had two 103" Plasmas... one had a MSRP of $65,000... the other $50,000. I passed those along as well.

Dave

[Bob in St. Louis]

has a rather long throw.....100-110" ..........range that doesn't break the bank?

- What is considered "rather long"?
Us home theater guys might consider a long throw to be 20'.

- 100"-110" is childs play.

- "doesn't break the bank"
Again, by what standards? How many dollars?

But it sounds like a projector would fit the bill nicely.

Bob

[djdube525]

- What is considered "rather long"?
Us home theater guys might consider a long throw to be 20'.

The current projector has a 47' throw... There's another projector (same model) in the auditorium... That's well over 100 feet...

[Bob in St. Louis]

Yea, that's long! 
But at a 100' away, a 100" screen wouldn't be visible by the folks in the last row anyway, right?
There's an area on ProjectorCentral.com that allows you to enter the desired specs, including price, and it'll give you PJ units that "fit the bill".
Have you seen that?

Bob

[djdube525]

Yea, that's long! 
But at a 100' away, a 100" screen wouldn't be visible by the folks in the last row anyway, right?
There's an area on ProjectorCentral.com that allows you to enter the desired specs, including price, and it'll give you PJ units that "fit the bill".
Have you seen that?

Bob

I'm sorry... I'm mixing applications... 

Council chambers is 120 inch screen (currently)...
Not sure how big the auditorium screen is... It is much bigger than 100"...

Given the age of the projectors, they are investigating replacements... This year it may just be the one in the council chambers. My recommendation was stick with a projector (nec) and widen the current screen (keep the same height, but convert to 16:10 aspect ratio. I think they are keen on a TV though... They are going to put a mock up of a 90inch screen and try to imagine if that'll be good enough from the back of the chambers (up to 60ish feet away).

I was contending the projector in the council chambers could be a test for the auditorium. Would just need a different lens.

Dave

[djdube525]

Hi Bob,

Almost forgot... Projector Central led me to the two nec models from the configurator you mentioned.

Dave

[Bob in St. Louis]

They are going to put a mock up of a 90inch screen and try to imagine if that'll be good enough from the back of the chambers (up to 60ish feet away).

My house is 60' long. I couldn't imagine looking at a 90" from that far away. But I'm half blind anyway.