Hi all,

I'm brand new to the forum, trying to design a projector that I can use both inside and outside at night on occasion. I'm planning on modding an old overhead projector, due to the ease of adjusting the screen size, as compared to the smaller, more commercial-like projectors. It seems like in order for this to work it will need to throw a HUGE amount of light. So far the most promising lamps I've found are the 1000W Metal Halides on this site:

http://www.elights.com/methallam.html

Does anyone have experience with these kinds of bulbs? It seems like a CRI of 65 is really low compared to the bulbs that everyone prefers. I've read that Xenon bulbs are really good for this sort thing, too, but I can't find any that bright, except for maybe headlights. Has anyone out there modded car headlights successfully? How bright do they get, and how much work is it to mod them?

This place:

http://www.xenonbulbs.com/

seems to have perfect lamps, but they're super expensive. Bummer.

Please leave any thoughts on these bulbs (especially the 1000W halides), the overhead mod, and outdoor projection in general.

Thanks,
Jed

The Megawatt A 1,200 Watt Projector, 17" LG LCD, 18" triplet, MHI 1200 watt lamp, two ballast - A build by arizonavideo.

Thanks, that build is really helpful (especially for solving heat problems, which I know I'll have), but those bulbs are over $250. I couldn't find any CRIs for them, but similar models on the Philips website have 85-90, and the bulb he uses is made for (among other things) projection. The CRI for the cheaper bulbs ($50/each) I hope to use is only 65, and they're made as grow lights for indoor gardening. I'll probably give the cheap bulbs a try and see how it goes... another benefit of modding the overhead is that I can test run everything relatively quick-snap.

-Jed

I believe you'll want to have a CRI of 85+.

I know that it doesn't mention any bulbs over 400W, but you can read more about bulb types in the Best Bulbs Chart. Hmmm... the attachments don't seem to be working. Perhaps you can PM sensibull and have him fix it. Maybe once a thread is closed, the attachments can no longer be opened.

sensibull said:

I'm pretty certain that this would apply to any bulb, regardless of wattage.

They're working for me.

But you're a Mod.

I get: "Sorry, but you do not have permission to use this feature. If you are not logged in, you may do so using the form below if available."
And I'm logged in.

Well log in.

Yea we'll get someone on that