Short Throw Projector Suggestions

We have several older Viewsonic and Epson projectors, and I'm unable to fill the screen in the chapel with any of them.

The only place we have to put the projector is behind the speaker by the controls for the podium; where the chorister would normally stand. This is not far enough away from the screen to fill it. The screen is high up but not too far away. I have to use a music stand to get the angle required to hit the screen, and then a bunch of keystone adjustments to square the picture up. That leaves about two feet on each side, left and right, of the screen with no picture.

Are there any projector suggestions for this situation?

I kind of wish they would install a projector that matched the screen but that is a no go.

I usually set up the projector beside and possibly a little in front of the podium. I've seen some units use a A/V cart to give it some height while still being floor standing. I usually don't fill the screen by choice - the bigger the picture, the dimmer the picture. I usually keep the image on the smaller side to make sure it can be seen.

In a former Stake, they had a wooden stand built that fit over the back of a pew and they would put the projecter over the 2nd or 3rd pew (if I recall correctly). They ran the cables over the privacy screen from the podium and taped them to the floor to reduce the trip hazard. The person controlling the projector could sit in the audience next to it. That got it back far enough (and at a low enough angle) that size and keystone were not issues.

It seems the ideas presented so far assume there is no one speaking at the podium, but I need to setup the projector assuming someone is speaking. Stake Conference for example. I can't project from out in the audience or beside the podium, as that would be way too distracting for the speaker and everyone else around it.

I definitely want to fill the whole screen, as that is the point of the projector in the first place, so people in the back can see. It actually is kind of on the small size. If it is too dim, a better projector is needed. It seems that 3000+ lumens works good, but the more the better.

wright_left wrote:It seems the ideas presented so far assume there is no one speaking at the podium, but I need to setup the projector assuming someone is speaking. Stake Conference for example. I can't project from out in the audience or beside the podium, as that would be way too distracting for the speaker and everyone else around it.

Beside the podium is how we've done all of ours. The screen itself can be an issue, but the projector is not. I've seen others do it from a cart. I don't find it distracting as long as it's low enough not to block anyone's view.

When you say "stake conference" which meeting are you referring to? Unless it's been a broadcast, we've never done an AV presentations on Sunday.

I have seen some cases were a projector was used by a speaker during the Saturday Afternoon leadership training, but that has always been a small enough audience that only the chapel was used so screen size was not an issue. A small table was placed next to the podium for the projector.

We used a screen in the chapel, behind the speaker, and a screen in the gym. This allowed people in the back to actually see the speaker. We did this for both the general and evening sessions of stake conference.

Our stake purchased a Hitachi CP-BW301WN almost 2 years ago. We have been happy with it. It can adjust for horizontal as well as vertical keystone. This allows the projector to be placed off center with respect to the screen, with the projected image squared off and centered on the screen.

danpass wrote:Our stake purchased a Hitachi CP-BW301WN almost 2 years ago. We have been happy with it. It can adjust for horizontal as well as vertical keystone. This allows the projector to be placed off center with respect to the screen, with the projected image squared off and centered on the screen.

The Epson projectors the church has been buying lately will do the same. It give added flexibility in placement of the projector.

We have installed an Epson 700U short throw projector in the HC room. It has a 4000 lumen output and is creating a 100+ inch image. The distance from the lens to the screen is less than 24 inches. (really). It takes care to locate the projector but the picture is amazing.

In our stake center, there is an acoustic cloud feature in the center of the room along the ceiling, we hid a 5000 lumen short throw Epson projector in there, It is able to project onto the back wall (slanted wall designed for projecting from the pulpit) and FILLS it entirely from side to side. The projected image is 18 ft across and about 14 ft tall. Very nice when used for large gatherings. (Such as stake conference.) The projector is fixed mounted at 23' from the floor and completely obstructed from view.

rl_albright wrote:In our stake center, there is an acoustic cloud feature in the center of the room along the ceiling, we hid a 5000 lumen short throw Epson projector in there, It is able to project onto the back wall (slanted wall designed for projecting from the pulpit) and FILLS it entirely from side to side. The projected image is 18 ft across and about 14 ft tall. Very nice when used for large gatherings. (Such as stake conference.) The projector is fixed mounted at 23' from the floor and completely obstructed from view.

That sounds like a good solution. We've been told very sternly that no permanent installation will be allowed, which is a bummer. They should design buildings with this in mind. A hidden projector, permanently installed, would look much better than the stuff I cobble together to make it work (this stacks of hymn books and slanted music stands).

wright_left wrote:

rl_albright wrote:In our stake center, there is an acoustic cloud feature in the center of the room along the ceiling, we hid a 5000 lumen short throw Epson projector in there, It is able to project onto the back wall (slanted wall designed for projecting from the pulpit) and FILLS it entirely from side to side. The projected image is 18 ft across and about 14 ft tall. Very nice when used for large gatherings. (Such as stake conference.) The projector is fixed mounted at 23' from the floor and completely obstructed from view.

That sounds like a good solution. We've been told very sternly that no permanent installation will be allowed, which is a bummer. They should design buildings with this in mind. A hidden projector, permanently installed, would look much better than the stuff I cobble together to make it work (this stacks of hymn books and slanted music stands).

The way it has been phrased to me, and I live by in our buildings, the stake president is in charge of the building. He requests from the FM group what is needed for the building, and (barring any policies that state otherwise), they are to work together to get it done. I have a wonderful Facilities Manager who is willing to work with us. I also have talent in my stake from various vendors and whatnot in the electronics/AV world that donate time/labor for these type of projects. The long and short of it is, (quoting a former member of my stake presidency) "It is much better to be aesthetically pleasing to the eye, than to have something in the chapel that just works." (I may have butchered what he said, but it is close enough.)

I have also purchased a "non standard" short throw projector for our stake at our stake president's request. It has enabled me to place it in a location that is less of a hazard or a distraction, away from the pulpit. As it uses a very bright laser light source we don't need to turn very many lights off to make the image visible in our chapel. Our FM group has denied our request to permanently install it on the ceiling, stating that it will "detract from the spirit" in our sacrament meetings.
I have performed "bootleg" technology installations in buildings in my stake such as cameras for streaming etc., but the problem with doing that surfaces when sound systems are upgraded or replaced, which occurs from time to time. The bootleg installation isn't considered when these upgrades are designed and installed, possibly leaving the additional equipment disconnected and abandoned in place. This has happened in one of our buildings requiring me to string a bunch of additional cable due to the relocation of the AV cabinet. As for projector installations, they can be done in a manner that renders them unobtrusive, and not visible by the congregation if planned correctly. I agree with previous posts stating that this should be a standard feature in new stake centers.

An inexpensive option is an Epson 595Wi short throw for about $250 used. 3,000 lumens and a 100 inch diagonal picture. Filling the screen is great but the brightness falls off as the picture gets bigger. Always trade offs but no blinding light in the speakers eyes.