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.

[jimi]

Dan, have you calibrated the PJ? Might be surprised with the results. 

Also what screen and what gain is urs? Maybe can get a grey screen with low gain to give u nice blacks and reduce the overall glare.

Other than that you might need ur cataracts done *joke*

[desray]

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.

What is the make and model of your new DLP projector? There is only a few options and you should be able to easily get to the Lamp mode settings. Make sure its in Std mode. Should be easy lar...

[DanDon]

Dan, have you calibrated the PJ? Might be surprised with the results. 

Also what screen and what gain is urs? Maybe can get a grey screen with low gain to give u nice blacks and reduce the overall glare.

Other than that you might need ur cataracts done *joke*

Not calibrated and I find the colour out of the box is good as compared to my previous pj. I had tried to learn on how to calibrate a pj but cannot grasp the understanding of it using a DVE calibration disc.

Screen is 85" 1.3 gain matt white. I understand a grey screen would reduce the brightness and increase the black level. But not sure by how much. 

[desray]

Not calibrated and I find the colour out of the box is good as compared to my previous pj. I had tried to learn on how to calibrate a pj but cannot grasp the understanding of it using a DVE calibration disc.

Screen is 85" 1.3 gain matt white. I understand a grey screen would reduce the brightness and increase the black level. But not sure by how much. 

A greyscreen in your case won't help to bring down the brightness level except to enhance the black levels. A gain of 1.3 is common for most Matte White screen...a properly calibrated projector will usually reduce the output by a fair margin.

I think you should get the ND2 filter if you dun intend to do any calibration. Even if you perform the basic DVE calibration...chances are it may still be too 'bright' for you...as you need to play with the bias and gains of the RGB spectrum.

[DanDon]

A greyscreen in your case won't help to bring down the brightness level except to enhance the black levels. A gain of 1.3 is common for most Matte White screen...a properly calibrated projector will usually reduce the output by a fair margin.

I think you should get the ND2 filter if you dun intend to do any calibration. Even if you perform the basic DVE calibration...chances are it may still be too 'bright' for you...as you need to play with the bias and gains of the RGB spectrum.

Thanks for the info and advice. 

I checked that my lamp is in standard mode. I'll play around with the adjustment of other parameters and see if it would help.

My guess is that I'll get the ND2 filter.

[TheMachinist]

Aiyoh you still haven't calibrated your PJ yet. Then I am sure it is trowing all its power in the Standard mode. 
I guess yours is the BenQ W1200 as it is the only new full HD non 3D DLP PJ at 1800 lumes, searched by ProjectorPeople.com   

You try the calibration here http://www.projectorreviews.com/benq/w1200/calibration.php. I am using User3 with BC off, and gives me very good natural color and brightness image. No eye strain. I also noticed that if the Gamma is turned up to 2.0 it starts to make the edges and white spots brighter and hence the over all contrast gives me eye fatigue. But at Gamma 2.2 it settles to natural image with no eye stain.

[jimi]

Not calibrated and I find the colour out of the box is good as compared to my previous pj. I had tried to learn on how to calibrate a pj but cannot grasp the understanding of it using a DVE calibration disc.

Screen is 85" 1.3 gain matt white. I understand a grey screen would reduce the brightness and increase the black level. But not sure by how much. 

Sorry to be misleading, I didn't mean that a grey screen in itself reduces the brightness- it is the gain that is important. Was just thinking that if u had some room lights on the screen would not seem so glaring as your pupil would be more closed down (basic physiology) so the grey screen would help with the black levels with the room light on-- sorry I didn't write that more clearly.

Color calibration, as others have suggested, is important. Des knows far more about this but colours and contrast and brightness are intimately related. After calibrating my PJ the brightness dropped quite a bit, but when the room is pitch black then it all makes sense.
You can borrow my calibration disc- dead easy to use (and hence v crude) but it will get you in the ballpark to give you an idea.

[alf]

How best to do this , is to share the brand and model of your projector. The screen brand and model also ,
guys here will have some experience to share .

Base on the lumen alone will not be able to know the key function on the menu of the projector . The screen gain on a Matt white generally should not be that high .
 
The player that you are using will be also critical on the whole set up .

Enjoy your set up
 

[DanDon]

You can borrow my calibration disc- dead easy to use (and hence v crude) but it will get you in the ballpark to give you an idea.

Which calibration disc is that? Hope it's user's friendlier than DVE.

[jimi]

Think it's spears and M.

You have the DVE? Wouldn't mind trying it out.

[DanDon]

Think it's spears and M.

You have the DVE? Wouldn't mind trying it out.

I have DVE. Will try it out. 

[alf]

Which calibration disc is that? Hope it's user's friendlier than DVE.

There only a few calibration disc available ( bluray type ) , Spear & Munsil , Disney wow , THX in Teminator 2 Sky net edition all this using a blue filter only .DVE is in bluray and it comes with 3 colour filter RED , GREEN & BLUE . The basic calibration needs only five steps :

A) Brightness
B) Contrast
C) Colour
D) Tint
E) Sharpness

The older DVE ,  Avia I , Avia II , Monster are in DVD which are not ideal for bluray calibration .

I have all the disc and found that the DVE bluray version is the most easy to use .

Hope that helps

[DanDon]

There only a few calibration disc available ( bluray type ) , Spear & Munsil , Disney wow , THX in Teminator 2 Sky net edition all this using a blue filter only .DVE is in bluray and it comes with 3 colour filter RED , GREEN & BLUE . The basic calibration needs only five steps :

A) Brightness
B) Contrast
C) Colour
D) Tint
E) Sharpness

The older DVE ,  Avia I , Avia II , Monster are in DVD which are not ideal for bluray calibration .

I have all the disc and found that the DVE bluray version is the most easy to use .

Hope that helps

Thanks for all the info.

I had tried to use DVE blu-ray disc to calibrate my previous projector but I just couldn't understand the procedure. Anyway, I'll try to use it again.

Cheers!

[alf]

We are blesses to be caught in the Analogue or film like picture ( American preference ) and Digital picture ( Japanese and Korean preference )

That's why you look at the different mode set up by the projector manufacturer on the projector side .

Select one of the mode that you most preffer and start from there .

If it is still not to your visual preference than check the blu player set up mode and try the diffrent set up .
The mid level unit might just have 2 to 3 that you can select . Those higher end will have the individual just like projector menu .

You have to go back and re check all the same steps again once to change the bluray setting .

The DVE with the tri colour filter will let you have better control over the colour setting .

Generally after i use the basic set up , i will use the advance to double . Usually it will be almost there .

Fiddle around and see the difference .

Enjoy your set up

[DanDon]

After using the projector for a few discs, I seem to get use to the brightness. Since I have an existing UV filter and bought a ND2 filter, I tried them out to see the effect.

Hope my findings are useful to the users who have high lumen projectors. 

Without any filter


With UV filter: the brightness decreases a bit without affecting the white and details


With ND2 filter: the brightness decreases substantially and increases the black level but it affects the white and some details are lost

[desray]

After using the projector for a few discs, I seem to get use to the brightness. Since I have an existing UV filter and bought a ND2 filter, I tried them out to see the effect.

Hope my findings are useful to the users who have high lumen projectors. 

Without any filter


With UV filter: the brightness decreases a bit without affecting the white and details


With ND2 filter: the brightness decreases substantially and increases the black level but it affects the white and some details are lost

I think you should just forget about the filter...your eyes will slowly adjust to it.

[jimi]

i prefer no filter based on those pics.