sracer

I have an old battleship video projector, a Kodak LC-500. I bought it used 2 years ago on eBay and it has served me well. (mostly movies in the backyard) But I'm looking to upgrade to something newer and maybe a bit brighter. I don't use it enough to justify spending $800+ nor am I inclined to press my luck and spend a few $100's on a used projector on eBay with the potential of dishing out $300-$500 for a new bulb (or a unit with picture quality problems).

The thing I really like about the Kodak is that it has manual controls for color, brightness, contrast, and volume. Replacement bulbs are only $7. I've used it for about a dozen films and still on the original bulb.

Although it suffers from the "screen door" effect, it isn't enough to be distracting.

I've got my eye on this projector:
http://www.firstsing.com/products/PC/PC0264.htm

Unfortunately I can't find any specs for the Kodak LC-500 so that it is a bit difficult to compare the Kodak to this projector. But for some reason 150 Lumens comes to mind (as the brightness of the Kodak).

Does anyone have specs for the Kodak LC-500 or have any first hand experience with this "game projector"?

D_N_G

You could always try building your own:

www.lumenlab.com

www.diyprojectorcompany.org

sracer

Thanks, but no thanks. Those projects cost way too much and the result is some MacGiverish kludge.

renaldow

Another option is to watch woot.com daily. It seems like at least once a month they have an inFocus 480x (Maybe 4800) for $499. They run deals on other ones too, but that one seems to be the cheapest.

sracer

After scouring the 'net and not really finding any substantive reviews of the projector, I decided to buy one anyways... $210 for a brand new projector w/remote and spare bulb. As soon as I receive it and have a chance to try it out, I'll post a review.

But I'm not expecting much.

Spiky

As long as you don't mind the low resolution. It's certainly priced right.

sracer

That's my thoughts exactly. My Kodak LC-500 is probably about 150 Lumens and with a low resolution that causes the "screen door" effect. So if this is just a bit brighter then I'll be happy with it...

The funny thing is that i can afford to drop $2K-$3K on a higher quality projector (and I may do that sometime in the future), but the Kodak serves my current needs. My less-affluent friends are quite happy with the quality of that Kodak and would gladly pay the money ($100 for the Kodak, or $200 for a new HX-1111) So I guess I'm doing "product evaluation" for them.

Spiky

Get them to get these VHS PJs, then go get yourself an HD one. The balance of power will remain.

cornucopia

Someone in our church just received a donation of the Kodak LC 500 Video Projector. We also see this "screen-door" effect. We don't have a manual. So, 1) are you sure the screen effect is just the result of low lumen bulb?, 2) did you ever look into upgrading the bulb? and 3) did you ever find a manual that might indicate how to resolve the screen effect? We would like to use this for some church-related events.

Thanks,

Cornucopia

sracer

The "screen-door" effect is simply due to a limitation in the LCD panel used inside. (keep in mind that this projector is approximately 20 years old) The density of the pixels is far less than that of new projectors. There is no "fix" for it. Just like there is no "fix" to make a B/W TV display in color.

Depending upon how you are going to use that projector, it will be fine. I wouldn't use it for IMAG for service (eg. lyrics, scripture verses, announcements, etc.) But it works fine for secondary ministry events like movies, children's ministry, classes, etc.

I use mine for our backyard Drive-in church events that we hold at our house, and as an emergency projector for our movie nights when "emergencies" arise and the projector in our ministry room has been "borrowed".

Dead

Was it the HX-7111 that you bought? If so, what do you think of it?

clemente

Yeah, I'm quite curious. It's cheap enough where it might be fun to have (knowing full well that its not near the quality of even the lower end LCD projectors.)

sracer

Yes, that's the one... though it goes by 5 or 6 different names.

I haven't had a chance to run it through its paces, but I'll set aside some time tonight and do it and I'll post a review (in a new thread).

Savarak

I'm highly curious about this projector, please update this thread with the link to your new thread whenever you get it up!!!

sracer

Okay, I just posted a review here -> Mega Pro HX-7111 Projector review