My friends and I are ready to purchase the supplies necessary to construct a standard 15' projector. The placement requirements, however, are somewhat specific:

-The wall we have available can hold an image up to 8.5 ft. tall

-The projector must be at least 12 feet away from the screen.

Assuming the projector is 12 feet away, projecting a 14 ft. diagonal image (11.3 ft. x 8.5 ft.) would the standard LL 1023 S400DD Lamp be bright enough? Though the LL bulbs are currently unavailable (I'd like to get building done before school starts and eats up my time), i was considering a bulb like this one . Would this bulb fit the LL ballast?

Also, does anyone know whether the screen door effect from a 15" LCD will ruin the image at such a large screen size?

Everything is appreciated, thanks for helping a new guy

Just get the Venture bulb. At that size, you will be happier. The venture setup (bulb/ballast/socket) on HIDirect is under $100 shipped (if you use a credit card). It is also WAY brighter, so a big image will be nice and bright. You can find the Venture bulb/ballast/socket at HIDirect (my PLOG has part #'s).

Most people suggest that the ushio is brighter than the venture. I have the ushio, but I do not have the venture to compare it. I would, however, say that 14' is too big with any of the available bulbs. Your brightness will definately suffer, as it is already the weakest part of these pj's. I would try to stick around 12', which should be the correct size at 12' from the wall anyways.

The bulb you listed actually does not look bad, and I believe that a 135 will work with the LL ballast, but I would double check that. For the cost of the bulb, you could actually just use that one until the LL ones come in so you do not have to wait.

I second the Venture...and recommend a smaller screen.

I do not know if any bulb will suffice for a 14' screen, unless your room is completely dark.

I do have to say that I have not used the ushio, but more people here end up switching from the ushio to the venture than the other way (that I know of). Make sure it is the ed28 pulse strike bulb, whichever one you choose.