The thread on lcd panels is providing some great information of lcd transmission. The big breakthrough is that the lcd has a REAL transmission variability between 3-9%. This means that a 9% transmission lcd will be more than 3 times brighter than a 3% transmission lcd.

This should be an even larger factor in deciding on which lcd to purchase than the FFC issue, since the FFC issues can be circumvented with extensions.

Unfortunately, not everyone is going to have a luxmeter to do a direct measurment of their lcd transmission.

However, we may be able to get a general feel for the high transission lcds by a roll call of everyone's experience with their builds.

Simply stated, if everyone provides the following information then we may start seeing patterns that will point us in the right direction for an lcd purchase. As time moves on we will start getting direct measures of these lcds, but until then this would provide a general guide on successful lcds.

Provide:
1) panel type and make
2) system light output (250 watts or 400 watts)
3) visual brightness satisfaction quotient (i.e. it sucks, very good, etc.). Keep in mind that everyone will always want a little more brightness for their projection, but your general satisfaction with the brightness will gives others an idea of wether your lcd transmits a lot or a little.

I'll start
1) CMV-529A
2) 400 watt Pulse start (approx. 40,000 lumens)
3) Good brightness. I watch TV with controlled lighting on in the room (four 60 watt lightbulbs).

phutton: Could you please link within this topic the "thread on lcd panels" that you refer to above? Thanks!

Never mind - I believe this is it? "LCD Transmission Measurements, the most supra panel ...."

400W S400DD lamp + Ikea reflector:
Panel: CMV 529A
Brightness: Satisfactory. Moderate ambient light acceptable

Panel: "Metro" 15"
Brightness: Satisfactory. Some abbeint light acceptable

Panel: LG 1750 17" (PRO lenses)
Brightness: Acceptable. Best results in controlled lighting.

Ushio 400W PS lamp + PRO reflector:
Panel: LG 1750 17" (Pro lenses)
Brightness: Satisfactory. Moderate ambient light acceptable

Panel: Samsung 740N (PRO lenses)
Brightness: Excellent. I turn the brightness down in DVD playback software for controlled lighting conditions.

All cases screen size is 90-100" diagonal

Ratings:

Unacceptable: Panel/lamp/lens not suited to this screen size. Smaller screen size needed.
poor: strict lighting control needed, contrast and colour lacking. Smaller screen size recommended.
Acceptable: Picture is good in controlled lighting conditions.
Satisfactory: Picture will stand up to enough light to read the DVD cover in without losing much contrast and detail.
Excellent: More brightness than needed for controlled lighting conditions.
Exceptional: Where did I leave my sunglasses?

Holy cow Supra! You starting a business or something!? That's 5 panels you tested there.

I like your metric from Unacceptable to Exceptional.

I would call mine satisfactory also. My screen size is 72" (that's what fit my game room) so it provides good brightness with lots of ambient lighting.

The LG got used with 2 separate lamps, so it's 4 panels.

Man, I may just have gotten lucky here, but I have never thought that my projection was dim. I am throwing a 130" diagonal with ambient lighting, and the image is still very viewable. At 100" or less, the image is BRIGHT, almost too bright.

BENQ 567Sv2 - 557 controller/power supply
Ushio sdd-400 / eballast / ikea reflector
Antiglare stripped
Standard LL lens set

http://www.lumenlab.com/forums/index.php?s...ic=6202&st=420#

Note: this is WITHOUT a/g stripped.