Projector location in a theater

[ruinexplorer]

Originally Posted by BillESC

You might want to look at BenQ's MP771 projector.

It is an ultra wide angle projector capable of a 74" diagonal image at one meter! With 3000 ANSI Lumens and a 2000 to 1 contrast ratio the MP771 has plenty of punch.

BenQ Global - Consumer Electronics

Problem with this projector as a replacement is the throw distance (tech2000 is throwing 70'). Based on the specs, it has a throw range of 1.6-13.3 feet (Image Size 67" to 300", Throw Ratio 74"@3.3 feet). Anything outside that range would result in a poor focus. For a smaller space it probably wouldn't be a bad investment.

Davin

[museav]

I've used just about every concept noted so far and then some all depending on the specifics of the application, I believe it is critical to know what you are trying to do before deciding how to do it. So a wild idea here, but how about defining the application as completely as possible first? How are you going to use projection? What type of sources and media will you be presenting? Would any install need to be permanent or, conversely, does it need to be portable? How large is the room and do you actually need viewing in all of it or only part of it? Do you have a full fly tower where you could fly out a truss type screen? All of these factors and others may be relevant to determining the approaches that are optimal or even practical.

I typically avoid mounting projectors on battens. Not only are there potential issues with movement as already noted, but depending on the line set spacing there can be clearance issues. I have often used battens to hang a truss type screen and masking, sometimes with the ability to tie down the screen or batten to the floor to limit movement.

[Sayen]

The use needs to be somewhat flexible. The room is frequently used for meetings, with PowerPoint and basic videos shown for training and what have you. During some music performances we've experimented with showing slides of student created art. I would like a semi-permanent installation, with the ability to move the projector only when necessary.

The room seats 800 with the midhouse curtain open, and around 350 with it closed. I'm honestly not sure on dimensions. We have a full fly tower, and currently are projecting either on the cyc - not my first choice - or on a rear projection screen flown off a downstage pipe.

Part of my goal is labor saving. As an example, Tuesday I was notified of a meeting that night that needed to be set up for. While I usually get more notice, this isn't uncommon. No crew, and I'm trying to teach classes while scrambling to set up a working rig.

edit - Oh, and I'm curious what options might exist out there. For example, I've never seen a retractable scaffold like the one posted in this thread before. I figure it's worth seeing what other theaters/auditoriums do.

[ruinexplorer]

You could always mount it in the FOH booth and force the issue that if they want projection, they don't get the mid-house drape. It would be the cheapest and easiest for your installation (and easiest for the person running the projections). Also, if you need to move it for other projects, it should be more accessible. If you use the FOH mount by Draper that I suggested earlier, I would recommend a second projector (or a rental) if you need one in a different location. It sounds like you have a smaller theater that could easily accomodate the projector being positioned in the booth though and that would probably be your best bet.

Do you have to set up the screen each time or is it permanently hung and flown in?

[Sayen]

I leave the screen hung, unless I need the batten.

I'm getting good at labor saving tricks. I have the pipe marked with paint for exactly where the screen goes, and dark black squares on an already black stage to mark ideal projector positions. I started realizing how much time I waste setting up for non-theatrical events last year, and I'm trying to redirect energy.

I'm usually the one who wants the curtain closed. Our auditorium is a monument to inefficiency and poor upper management. The acoustics are so bad through the house that you can't understand a speaker with a mic. The curtain helps with some of that, and I can drape old curtains on the sides of the walls in the lower half of the theater. The room is worse than some gyms I've been in. And if you want some real fun, after I pointed out that the room was too live after construction, and needed sound dampening, the powers that be added reflective panels, actually making the room worse. Your tax dollars at work!

This is the tip of the nightmare that has become my space, and why I keep looking for ideal workarounds.

[ruinexplorer]

After working in many ballrooms, I understand your challenges. Obviously we need to address your sound issues as well. Maybe we can take that over to the sound forum to discuss what you have and how to make it better with the limitations you face.

Do you have a budget for your projection install yet? If possible, I recommend that you keep the projector separate from the installation on the budget.

[Sayen]

The building was technically finished a year ago. I think we have a good handle on most of the problems, now it's just down to us teachers to solve the problems and keep the Powers That Be out of my space. Another audio fun would hanging a center cluster of speakers in such a way as to prevent the use of any microphone near the stage apron.

You should hear the doozy they did to my lighting too. About 50% of the FOH throw is obstructed by bad architecture. Not to mention my previous lament that they wired ethernet ports for lighting everywhere except the electrics.

On topic - I'm good at the money game, and I've priced a few projectors, depending on location. I have a great local dealer who has been offering consulting for me. When it comes time to purchase I have explored several options to ensure that we do this right. Everyone at the school level is awesome and willing to work with me, it's just the construction management that has become a joke. I probably just need to suck it up and establish a cart system/back wall combination. But like any good theater tech, I keep thinking there has to be a better way.

[ruinexplorer]

Do you have the space to mount it on the back wall without obstruction (cyc)? Although not as good for show operations, rear projection is preferable for light competition.

[museav]

A lift can be a good option and there are other lift manufacturers such Display Devices and SVS. Lifts are not cheap but then neither are many long throw lenses. Lifts are also not usually a good candidate for DIY installations.

In looking at projection systems I usually start with ascertaining some functional issues such as whether everything is, and will be, 4:3 video or if widescreen 16:9 or 16:10 formats are desired? Might the screen be used for lectures or other more standard presentations? Would you ever use a projected image as an effect or part of a set? How large a screen do you need to support the desired media, format and viewing area? Is there room to have a presenter to the side of teh screen or does the screen need to be above or behind presenters or actors? These types of questions usually start to define a desired screen size and whether front or rear projection would be the best solution. Then with that identified I start looking at where the projector needs to be, which then gets into what practical physical locations are possible and how you can get power and cabling to those locations. Limitations here may send you back to reassessing some of the desired functionality and thoruhg the process again until I find the best balance of desired functionality that can be physically implemented.

There are sometimes other considerations. For example, I had one theatre that wanted to be able to easily use the screen and projector in another space as well.