Topic: Ideal lumens (brightness) of a projector for a totally dark room

[DanDon]

I just read desray's blog on his new sony projector and he metioned that ideal lumens should hover around 1000-1300. Lumens beyond 2000 would have eye fatigue.

Previously I used Optoma HD70 and has 1000 lumens. Screen from projector is about 3.2m and I had no eye fatigue.   

As I will be getting a new full hd projector and have lumens of 1800, I'm not sure would this brightness cause eye fatigue.

Hope to get some comments from users who use 1800 lumens projector. 

[alf]

Having eye fatigue has more factor than just the lumen output from projector, the screen size, distance of view, screen gain , the screen characteristics type of source playback , time spent on using and human facial built on the different diopter's.

These will be the factors that might or will cause eyes fatigue .

Basically during the design process of your home theatre set up , there basic factors to consider .

A) Room size
B) Room environment and aesthetics.
C) Screen size and propertie.
D) Sitting distance
E) Type of projector
F) Source most played or viewing .

Hope that helps

 

[desray]

I just read desray's blog on his new sony projector and he metioned that ideal lumens should hover around 1000-1300. Lumens beyond 2000 would have eye fatigue.

Previously I used Optoma HD70 and has 1000 lumens. Screen from projector is about 3.2m and I had no eye fatigue.   

As I will be getting a new full hd projector and have lumens of 1800, I'm not sure would this brightness cause eye fatigue.

Hope to get some comments from users who use 1800 lumens projector. 

It should be okay as long as the projector is meant for Home Theater viewing...just curious what projector are you using that have a published lumens of 1800? 3LCD?

[desray]

Having eye fatigue has more factor than just the lumen output from projector, the screen size, distance of view, screen gain , the screen characteristics type of source playback , time spent on using and human facial built on the different diopter's.

These will be the factors that might or will cause eyes fatigue .

Basically during the design process of your home theatre set up , there basic factors to consider .

A) Room size
B) Room environment and aesthetics.
C) Screen size and propertie.
D) Sitting distance
E) Type of projector
F) Source most played or viewing .

Hope that helps

 

Thanks alf for filling in the void on this projector lumens segment.

[DanDon]

It should be okay as long as the projector is meant for Home Theater viewing...just curious what projector are you using that have a published lumens of 1800? 3LCD?

Thanks for the reply. I'm looking at DLP projector.

[DanDon]

Having eye fatigue has more factor than just the lumen output from projector, the screen size, distance of view, screen gain , the screen characteristics type of source playback , time spent on using and human facial built on the different diopter's.

These will be the factors that might or will cause eyes fatigue .

Basically during the design process of your home theatre set up , there basic factors to consider .

A) Room size
B) Room environment and aesthetics.
C) Screen size and propertie.
D) Sitting distance
E) Type of projector
F) Source most played or viewing .

Hope that helps

 

Thanks for the info.

It would be used in a delicated room 2.5m x 3.6m for home theater. Sit 2.8m away from the screen of 80" size. DLP projector mainly for blu-ray movies.

[desray]

Thanks for the reply. I'm looking at DLP projector.

Cool...I bet its a 3D projector? No?


FWIW 1800 lumen is the best figure under certain conditions - for instance, engaging Dynamic or Living Room modes that produces the brightest and the most vivid colors...BUT that does not necessary mean it is the BEST for your viewing, right? More often than not, after proper calibration, you will find that the lumens will be subdued to a fair extent...if I were you, I will not be too concerned here...Cheers!~

I'm quite certain that you will squint your eyes a little especially if you have a dedicated HT room with full control over lighting. Look forward to your comment.

[desray]

Maybe just to emphasize that when I said that the ideal lumens for a home theater projector should hover around 1000 - 1300 lumens, I'm talking about 2D viewing. 3D is a totally different ball game. As mentioned in my article, 3D on projectors came into the market in late 2010 with JVC, Mitsubishi and SONY at that time. The article focused on DiLA and SXRD which have a published lumens of 1000 to 1300 lumens. Even the latest model of JVC still hovers around 1200 - 1300 lumens and same goes for SONY's latest model, VW95ES...DLP and 3LCD 3D-capable projectors will usually have a high lumens - making 3D viewing very ideal.

[DanDon]

Cool...I bet its a 3D projector? No?

No lah! Only a budget 2D dlp projector. 

[alf]

Thanks alf for filling in the void on this projector lumens segment.

Cheers , it is one of the most miss out during the planning of HT video set up .

Best to be able to view the physical size , products and sitting at the planned spot to have the optimal result .

Enjoy the set up

[hermanL]

On brightness also guys, I seat infront on 50inch screen n play racing game 1 meter away. Though a old LCD bro projector I also find abit bright to my eye. Now for same distance I put a 37 inch LCD n my eye lagi pain! I guess LCD is 2x brighter than projector? No wonder my friend always say LCD full had nicer pic than my old projector. My room is dim with orange lighting

[alf]

These are very common as most people perceive brightness to sharpness and it is a better picture compare to projection .

If you are having pain or strain on watching TV , the basic issue is the mode setting might not be suitable for you . My suggestion is to calibrate the TV to suit your room condition and application .

Hope that helps

[DanDon]

I find my new pj is too bright. I played around with the adjustment of the brightness and contrast and found that it only helped a bit.

Is there any alternative to reduce the brightness?

I read that some users used a ND2 filter to bring down the brightness. Anybody here is using this? 

[desray]

I find my new pj is too bright. I played around with the adjustment of the brightness and contrast and found that it only helped a bit.

Is there any alternative to reduce the brightness?

I read that some users used a ND2 filter to bring down the brightness. Anybody here is using this? 

Haha...just as I suspected. I assumed you are already using the low/eco mode? ND2 does help to reduce the brightness output but you may not like the 'overall' effect it has over the projected image. Can your projector close the IRIS all the way down?

[DanDon]

Haha...just as I suspected. I assumed you are already using the low/eco mode? ND2 does help to reduce the brightness output but you may not like the 'overall' effect it has over the projected image. Can your projector close the IRIS all the way down?

Although the spec mentioned that the lamp has 2 modes, standard or boost mode. But I can't find anywhere in the manual mentions these modes.

I'm not sure what is IRIS. I don't see any mentioning of IRIS in the manual.