Projector Advice

...sorry if this is the wrong forum, I couldn't decide where to put this.

I am about to order a projector for work and have a couple questions.

How important is the difference between SVGA & XGA
1600 & 2000 ANSI Lumens
(800X600) & (1024X768)
1 -for viewing finished photos
2 -for viewing daily stuff (websites, ppt. presentations, etc.)

I know which one I'd prefer, but if I can save enough on the projector, I can order the G5 instead of the S1IS...

...just looking for people's opinions here who've used both types. I use the better of the two and love it, but I don't know if it's $800 better than the alternative.

thanks,
daniel

Depends on what you're looking at, and why, and what the viewing conditions are. For critical viewing, I'd go with XGA or better.

Room size? how well can it be darkened? That's what you'll need to worry about there.

That's SVGA vs. XGA, in that order. See above.

dsze wrote:
1 -for viewing finished photos
2 -for viewing daily stuff (websites, ppt. presentations, etc.)

I know which one I'd prefer, but if I can save enough on the projector, I can order the G5 instead of the S1IS...

...just looking for people's opinions here who've used both types. I use the better of the two and love it, but I don't know if it's $800 better than the alternative.

thanks,
daniel

You left out LCD or DLP, as well. IIRC from the recent review (PC Photo) LCD has the better saturation while DLP has better contrast and is less expensive.

For finished photos, go with the 1024x768. If it's going to be used for day-to-day PowerPoint and web surfing, a cheaper lamp may be the deciding factor (you can get lenses for less than most of those lamps!)

I'd stay away from SVGA (800x600). The price is attractive, I know, but the XGA (1024x768) is 25% more resolution, and if you plan to show on a large screen (mine is 120" diagonal), you will be able to see more pixelization unless you are sitting 30 feet away. If you are only going to use a portable 60-80" screen and are 10-15' away or more the SVGA might be ok then.

The difference between 1600 and 2000 lumens might be noticeable if you cannot completely darken the room. Mine is 1400, and the room has to be pretty dark for it to look good, yet we have a 2000 lumen here at the office that is very bright even with the office fluorescents on.

Big thing to look at is contrast ratio, too. Some of the cheaper projectors are like 400:1 or 500:1, while the better ones are 1000:1 or higher now.

Also, check the price of replacement bulbs. They range from like $250 - $600, and roughly last 1000 hours.

Here's an old shot from when I initially setup my system a couple of years ago, and projected a 4MP picture taken with my Coolpix on the screen. The screen picture was also taken with the Coolpix. This is a 1400 lumen 1024x768 DLP projector.

...cool, thanks. I ordered a Panasonic XGA and had to drop to the A75 instead of the S1 camera, but I think the projector had to be. Oh well...its still fun spending other people's money!

-daniel

Which Panasonic model did you order?

Let us know how it is. I've been looking to upgrade myself. This technology changes almost as fast as digital SLRs.

Its the Panasonic PT-LB10V XGA. ....about $1300.

-daniel