Rob-F
Likes Leicas
I think I'm in danger to giving in to digital--The post office saying they delivered all my slides from Colorado, when they didn't, is pushing me in that direction.
So what projector(s) are sufficiently high grade to be worthy of slides shot with Leica and Nikon digital cameras and lenses? Let;s say the budget is, I don't know, $2000? What if I make it $3000, or $4000 (I'll stop there).
Is it a good idea to buy a used projector, or should that be avoided?
Anybody out there using a good projector for looking at their digital files?
I'd like to project an image about 48" by 72" or larger, from a 13 foot distance.
OR: should I just try hooking up my computer to my 50" plasma screen and be done with it. I have not even tried this yet!
So what projector(s) are sufficiently high grade to be worthy of slides shot with Leica and Nikon digital cameras and lenses? Let;s say the budget is, I don't know, $2000? What if I make it $3000, or $4000 (I'll stop there).
Is it a good idea to buy a used projector, or should that be avoided?
Anybody out there using a good projector for looking at their digital files?
I'd like to project an image about 48" by 72" or larger, from a 13 foot distance.
OR: should I just try hooking up my computer to my 50" plasma screen and be done with it. I have not even tried this yet!
ptpdprinter
Veteran
If your TV does not have a casting app built in, you can get a Chromecast and cast your images from the Google Chrome browser.
Bill Clark
Veteran
Yes. That should work.
Rob-F
Likes Leicas
But getting back to my main question, who is using a digital projector to show their digital images? Any recommendations?
pyeh
Member of good standing
Rob-F, I use a so-called pico projector sometimes, for my digital images. Pico projectors are cheap but dim and short-throw (less than 6 feet). They work great for projecting in a small room on a white wall, or better on a screen. I wouldn't call them the equivalent of a slide projector, but they are very convenient.
I am not sure how much a proper projector costs, but last time I looked they were very expensive. Also their resolution is based on video projection so not super great unless you go for high-end latest tech home cinema gear. Digital projectors also come with different signal processing and different lamp technology and are quickly superseded.
As you can tell, i am not a fan. I'd say the TV idea is better.
I am not sure how much a proper projector costs, but last time I looked they were very expensive. Also their resolution is based on video projection so not super great unless you go for high-end latest tech home cinema gear. Digital projectors also come with different signal processing and different lamp technology and are quickly superseded.
As you can tell, i am not a fan. I'd say the TV idea is better.
Rob-F
Likes Leicas
Is there a cable to go from the computer's USB jack to the HDMI input on the monitor? And how do you get the images, say from Aperture, to output to the USB jack? Or can you?
RichC
Well-known
I got a used LG PA70G for £200 and couldn't be happier even though it's not the latest model (which presumably are even better)! My first projector...
A friend was using one to review his photos, and I was impressed by the quality of the projected images on a white-painted wall. He prints as well but says that projection gives another dimension and is different from seeing them on a computer screen - I agree.
He told me it was a mid-range LED projector, so I checked what was available on eBay and what online reviews said - and ended up with the LG. One using an LED lamp is the way to go - compared with a traditional lamp, they're quieter, run cooler, use less electricity, and the lamp lasts forever (normal lamps die quickly and are very expensive).
The LG doesn't need a computer to show photos or videos - it can use a USB drive: convenient! Talking about convenience, the LG projector is small(ish) and portable - unlike plasma screens...! I didn't get a "pico" size projector because there were too many compromises trading off image quality and size for portability.
A friend was using one to review his photos, and I was impressed by the quality of the projected images on a white-painted wall. He prints as well but says that projection gives another dimension and is different from seeing them on a computer screen - I agree.
He told me it was a mid-range LED projector, so I checked what was available on eBay and what online reviews said - and ended up with the LG. One using an LED lamp is the way to go - compared with a traditional lamp, they're quieter, run cooler, use less electricity, and the lamp lasts forever (normal lamps die quickly and are very expensive).
The LG doesn't need a computer to show photos or videos - it can use a USB drive: convenient! Talking about convenience, the LG projector is small(ish) and portable - unlike plasma screens...! I didn't get a "pico" size projector because there were too many compromises trading off image quality and size for portability.
Rob-F
Likes Leicas
Thanks for that, Rich! What is the resolution of the LG?
RichC
Well-known
https://www.lg.com/us/home-video/lg-PA70G-micro-portable
It's been superseded but I'd be happy with any projector with these specs. I deliberately brought second hand as a projector is something I'd only use occasionally. Don't forget you can also use it to watch movies at a huge size as well as photos...!
Larry Cloetta
Veteran
I’ve used a digital projector in the past, but these days, I would say you would be better served by using a 4K tv for everything, or your existing plasma. Easier and higher quality for less overall money at current pricing. Update your receiver to one that processes and accepts a USB thumb drive loaded with 4K resolution photos, either singly, or in a 4K slideshow easily created by one of the available computer programs. No cables. It’s just sharper, better color, easier, less cumbersome, with no downsides relative to a projector these days in my opinion. Google one of the home theater review sites, and do some research there on modern receivers, as I can’t go into all the possibilities here. Would also be less expensive than the amounts you were considering for a nice projector. Not telling you what to do, I just don’t think digital projection makes sense any longer.
Best wishes with your experiment, it’s worth it.
Best wishes with your experiment, it’s worth it.
RichC
Well-known
Except portability - I do use my TV for photos, but I've taken my projector to friends, to my studio, and to the spare room when the TV's in use, and used it in exhibitions for projected images.
If portability isn't an issue, then a decent TV does make sense...
Bill Clark
Veteran
You can get mad at what I’m going to say but I’m sticking my oar in only to offer what I see as current technology today.
I own a very large screen 4k Sony T.V. that I could use for projecting photographs if I wanted to. It is set up with my wifi and I could connect one of my Mac computers and/or iPads to show stuff on them with wifi. If I had a newer DSLR what I would buy is one that is wifi capable. No cords just simple with wifi.
When I was in business, anywhere I went to with my MacBook I could connect into their system and show stuff. I once taught a Photoshop class as a voulunteer at Edina high school and had no problem. All the pro photographers I know hooked their computer(s) into a TV for projection. Most have cut the cord and use their own wifi.
At any rate, my opinion, take it and for what you want with it, using a digital projector is kinda like looking for a good VCR.
Your choice.
I own a very large screen 4k Sony T.V. that I could use for projecting photographs if I wanted to. It is set up with my wifi and I could connect one of my Mac computers and/or iPads to show stuff on them with wifi. If I had a newer DSLR what I would buy is one that is wifi capable. No cords just simple with wifi.
When I was in business, anywhere I went to with my MacBook I could connect into their system and show stuff. I once taught a Photoshop class as a voulunteer at Edina high school and had no problem. All the pro photographers I know hooked their computer(s) into a TV for projection. Most have cut the cord and use their own wifi.
At any rate, my opinion, take it and for what you want with it, using a digital projector is kinda like looking for a good VCR.
Your choice.
Rob-F
Likes Leicas
Bill, that is exactly what I have done--maybe as a first step, or maybe it's all I need. I went to Best Buy and got a six foot cord that connects the computer's display port with my 50" plasma screen's HDMI port. It looks pretty good, but maybe a little soft, not quite detailed.
When I looked at online tutorials about projectors, I saw that many of them have 1080 by, (I believe) 760. That's the same as the screen in my laptop, and it only takes about 2 megapixels to fill the screen at that resolution. And I suspect the display port may only be outputting at that level; furthermore, that is probably all my plasma screen is capable of displaying.
But some projectors output at much higher resolution, that would be commensurate, I believe, with perhaps 8mp; still not taking full advantage of the resolution of my M9 or D700, but certainly better. And that seems worth looking into.
Here's a question: how do you transmit the computer's image to the monitor screen? I'm unfamiliar with that. I didn't even know there was a display port until they told me at Best Buy. I wondered for years what that little jack was for. I'd love to connect by wireless, but I don't know how.
When I looked at online tutorials about projectors, I saw that many of them have 1080 by, (I believe) 760. That's the same as the screen in my laptop, and it only takes about 2 megapixels to fill the screen at that resolution. And I suspect the display port may only be outputting at that level; furthermore, that is probably all my plasma screen is capable of displaying.
But some projectors output at much higher resolution, that would be commensurate, I believe, with perhaps 8mp; still not taking full advantage of the resolution of my M9 or D700, but certainly better. And that seems worth looking into.
Here's a question: how do you transmit the computer's image to the monitor screen? I'm unfamiliar with that. I didn't even know there was a display port until they told me at Best Buy. I wondered for years what that little jack was for. I'd love to connect by wireless, but I don't know how.
RichC
Well-known
Wireless is straightforward using your WiFi. You need a Google Chromecast - you can pick one up for $25-35 - and something portable with WiFi like a laptop or Android/Apple tablet or phone.
If you're unfamiliar with Chromecast, its a round thingie that plugs into the back of your TV and basically links your portable device with your TV via WiFi, and once connected your device kind of acts like a remote control. Most people use it to watch online TV or movies (e.g. Netflix) but all kinds of apps are compatible with Chromecast - which includes photo apps, allowing you to "cast" your photos to your TV.
Much simpler to use than to explain! One method: https://support.google.com/photos/answer/6295590?co=GENIE.Platform%3DDesktop&hl=en
If you're unfamiliar with Chromecast, its a round thingie that plugs into the back of your TV and basically links your portable device with your TV via WiFi, and once connected your device kind of acts like a remote control. Most people use it to watch online TV or movies (e.g. Netflix) but all kinds of apps are compatible with Chromecast - which includes photo apps, allowing you to "cast" your photos to your TV.
Much simpler to use than to explain! One method: https://support.google.com/photos/answer/6295590?co=GENIE.Platform%3DDesktop&hl=en
Paul T.
Veteran
Personally, when I stayed in a flat with a good projector, I was blown away by how great the picture was, compared to TV, using a good Blue-Ray source.
It's a very different look; and I happen to hate a lot of the over-sharpening and poor image processing many large TVs, especially Samsungs. It's personal preference, of course.
It's a very different look; and I happen to hate a lot of the over-sharpening and poor image processing many large TVs, especially Samsungs. It's personal preference, of course.
ptpdprinter
Veteran
The reason that TV looks as bad is it does is the massive compression cable companies use to transmit a thousand channels down a wire. A good Blu-ray source will show you how good your TV can actually look.
Bill Clark
Veteran
Rob,
Best Buy is where my wife and I bought our, I guess we could say T.V. But it’s much more than that. I subscribe to DirecTV and use their DVR and connect it to my Sony with HDMI. The screen we view is pretty darn sharp. I can notice even a better quality picture with some of live broadcasts like sports. It is wifi capable and we watch a few movies every once in a blue moon as we have Amazon Prime. The problem I have is falling asleep midway through a movie!
I haven’t tried the TV with any iPad or iMac yet. Maybe I will just to see how it looks.
My wifi is with Comcast.
I’m anxious to see how 5G changes all of this.
Here is a stock I own that is involved with 5G and other infrastructure:
http://www.crowncastle.com
Thought it may be of intterest with you.
Maybe Best Buy could help you with some possibilities.
Best Buy is where my wife and I bought our, I guess we could say T.V. But it’s much more than that. I subscribe to DirecTV and use their DVR and connect it to my Sony with HDMI. The screen we view is pretty darn sharp. I can notice even a better quality picture with some of live broadcasts like sports. It is wifi capable and we watch a few movies every once in a blue moon as we have Amazon Prime. The problem I have is falling asleep midway through a movie!
I haven’t tried the TV with any iPad or iMac yet. Maybe I will just to see how it looks.
My wifi is with Comcast.
I’m anxious to see how 5G changes all of this.
Here is a stock I own that is involved with 5G and other infrastructure:
http://www.crowncastle.com
Thought it may be of intterest with you.
Maybe Best Buy could help you with some possibilities.
Paul T.
Veteran
I've been unimpressed by some of those, too. Especially Samsung. I've not done a controlled test, but they can produce horrible pictures from Blueray.
Rob-F
Likes Leicas
Bump. Any updates on this topic?
jszokoli
Well-known
I sell Samsung panels as part of professional AV systems, and with consumer panels it's super important to turn off ALL processing that is done by the panel. Yes under certain circumstances you will see artifacts but that's because there are present in the signal.
Once you get everything turned off you will be much happier with the quality. (Of both still and video signals)
Joe