I was hoping some of you can help me choose a projector for my church. Basically, this is what we are looking for:

-Has to be bright. There are too many windows and too much light.
-Budget no more than $2500
-Projected on a roll down screen
-Used mostly with PowerPoint presentations

Anything else that you want to know please ask.

Thanks for your help.

Go here for good recommendations on any and all projectors. From what I've read for your needs, the InFocus X1 might be it for you.

Ugh, windows make it very difficult. Very very difficult.

Here are 2 you may want to consider:

Boxlight CD-726c. Price: under $2399 (click on their "request our best deal" button or call them and tell them it's for a church).

http://www.boxlight.com/projectors/p...OJECTORS&X=160

XGA native DMD (12 degree DDR DLP)
2500 ansi lumens on high, 2000 on low
1800:1 contrast
7.5lbs

or

Dell 4100MP. Price: $1994 shipped, may be less if you have a coupon
http://www1.us.dell.com/content/prod...=19&l=en&s=dhs

XGA native DMD (12 degree DDR DLP)
2200 ansi lumens on max, ? on low
2000:1 contrast
6.5lbs

I'm such a nerd... I was wondering why on earth the Windows Operating System would make it so difficult?!? Then I remember that we have windows in REAL LIFE also...

Anyway...

We've been installing some new projectors in our classrooms lately. We used to have Sony's, then Infocus units (around 300 lumins era that is ) before that.

Currently we're installing these:

http://www.projectorpeople.com/proje...chi+CP%2DX328W



Resolution: XGA (1024 x 768)
Display Type: LCD; 0.7” polysilicon active-matrix TFT x 3
Brightness: 2000 lumens
Weight: 6 lbs.
Contrast: 350:1

Nice and bright for the price... we've been happy with them as both mounted and/or portable projectors for checkout.

How come I never hear about Proxima projectors? That's all my past and current school use for their classroom projectors.

Proxima (actually Infocus, who owns them) does make good projectors. They just tend to be overpriced in the current market. They're solid though, and their support is excellent (important for schools).

Exactly my thoughts too. Although, at our training center here, we used to use Proxima. Now we use Sanyo models since they are a bit more cost effective (and sexy as hell)

Thank you for all of your comments.

Is there a minimum as far as lumens that I should be looking at? How about contrast ratio?

Thanks again.

I wouldn't buy anything that puts out less than 2000 lumens; which isn't difficult in your price range.

Remember the InFocus machines from years ago? How you had to turn off ALL the lights in the room, and put up with a grainy, dull image? Those were running at around 300 lumens, just to give you an idea of how much brighter today's LCD projectors are...and how much cheaper!

Minimum lumens depends on your screen size, type, and ambient lighting control.

I'd say 2000 ANSI lumens or so would be a bare minimum. One thing to keep in mind is that LCD projectors tend to appear a bit brighter than DLP projectors at the same rated brightness.

In terms of contrast, that's not as important for PowerPoint. However, higher the better. With high ambient light, the difference between 1000:1 and 5000:1 will be negligible though.