Film-Tech Forum ARCHIVE: Which non-dcp projector for large auditorium?

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Posted by Louis Bornwasser (Member # 3063) on 05-18-2018, 09:29 AM:

Asking the brain-trust which projector?
--non dcp; blue ray only.
--auditorium is about 1200 seats
--throw about 130 feet; width 40 feet picture
Used is OK if supported; new is good if priced right.

Old films used when organ is played. Organist is retired Union projectionist. Would like picture to be decent and reliable.

Posted by Carsten Kurz (Member # 5396) on 05-18-2018, 04:07 PM:

40ft - that calls for something like 10.000 - 15.000 lumens - 2kW-3kW xenon, depending on screen gain and aspects like calibration loss. Not really cheap. Not even cheap to get second hand. I often find installation/AV projectors usually more expensive than DCI gear.
Any idea how much he is prepared to spend?

The throw is well within common zoom lens specs.

A Christie Roadster HD12k would be a suitable machine.

- Carsten

Posted by Kenneth Wuepper (Member # 1174) on 05-18-2018, 05:20 PM:

Please note that the images in the silent era were not "big screen" events.

The images were small and therefore the organist could easily see the whole screen to follow the action from the corner of the eye.

The picture sheet (no perforations) for a 2200 seat theatre was only 20 ft wide. It was painted white on a canvas drop with black framing and the remaining drop was painted to match the red stage curtains.

Some of the old silent films look pretty blurry when enlarged too much.

Perhaps the image would be better if it was only part of that 40 ft screen. Also the image ratio was from the non soundtrack days.

Posted by Scott Norwood (Member # 30) on 05-18-2018, 07:20 PM:

Is the 40' width for a scope screen, or is the 1.33:1 image really 40' wide?

Agreed with the notion that a DCI Barco or Christie (without an IMB or server, but with DVI inputs) might actually be cheaper than a typical "rental-and-staging" machine, since the DCI units lack some of the features (rigging points, handles, and the ability to project at any angle) that the non-DCI machines have. It would also allow upgrading to DCP projection later.

Anything that you get that is suitable for this size screen will require at least 220v single-phase power.

Does the person/venue actually need to buy this? It might be more economical to rent it through VER or a local company on an as-needed basis.

I should add that the Christie HD12K is an excellent machine, but the list price on that one was nearly six figures when it was new. I don't have a sense of the used market, but they are probably still not cheap.

Posted by Carsten Kurz (Member # 5396) on 05-18-2018, 07:38 PM:

I just picked a few sample offerings up on ebay and was surprised for how little money they are offered. Techwise, they are not far away from DCI DLPs.

- Carsten

Posted by Sean McKinnon (Member # 612) on 05-21-2018, 07:39 AM:

Barco makes good staging projectors we have 2 of the RLS versions, and the Christie Roadies are also s good choice.