are video projectors replacing laser projectors for graphics?

[norty303]

^^ regarding this, I've been avoiding the topic of abstracts in this discussion, as you point out, they are something unique to a scanning system and modulation characteristics.
I've been assuming we're not really talking about abstracts in the context of this thread.

[JohnYayas]

We think differently, that's fine, but to me what you said is irrelevant to the question in my opinion, anyone having interest in the science, technology behind lasers, lasers being cool, how laser shows started doesn't change the answer to the question of can video projectors look as good for graphics projected with laser projectors.

The question wasn't whether or not video can look as good as lasers but whether or not video will replace lasers.

[flecom]

congrats I guess?

[digiassn]

Well then, now that it's settled, we can get back to the debate if Crayons are better than Macaroni Art. =D

[absolom7691]

Well then, now that it's settled, we can get back to the debate if Crayons are better than Macaroni Art. =D

Water colors FTW. And by that, I mean the coloring books that already have the watercolors embedded in the pages and all you do is wet them. Instant artist!

[TechJunkie]

holy shit a forum dedicated to lasers and such is biased towards LASERS?!? SAY IT AINT SO!!!

I don't go onto a Corvette forum and say "are Corollas replacing Corvettes?" because 1) it makes no sense, and 2) it's trolling

Maybe I'm mistaken, but, doesn't most DLP projectors contain lasers? Well over 20W in some units?

And if I went to a Corvette forum and told them I stuffed a ZL1 in a Corolla I think most members would appreciate it. Even if it didnt make much sense.

Once again, I dont think it will replace the commercial market. I do think it may have an impact in the hobby end of it.

I hear all your points, and they are valid, but so are mine.

1. No variances.
2. No import issues.
3. No need of highly complicated expensive software.
4. No Dac, or extra expenses.
5. No tuning.
6. EYE safe.
7. You can do beam shows, and animation, plus more.
8. It plays movies!!!

[JohnYayas]

And if I went to a Corvette forum and told them I stuffed a ZL1 in a Corolla I think most members would appreciate it. Even if it didnt make much sense.

Try it an see. I bet you would get about the same response you are getting here.

[TechJunkie]

Try it an see. I bet you would get about the same response you are getting here.

You're talking to a gear head. Gear heads appreciate anything mechanical. Especially anything with a ZL1 motor.

Just like most laserist are suppose to appreciate anything light and art related.

[planters]

Tech,

I'm going to focus only on the trade off with scanned lasers and a video projector. I have both and at the Boston get together the year before the one you attended, we compared the two running the same graphic shows. Pangolin's Beyond allow you to do this easily. Because the video used roughly 2 million pixels running in parallel it has something like 120,000 Kpps! As the complexity of the graphics increases this becomes increasingly valuable while the laser increasingly struggles. However, a 4,500 lumen projector puts out about 7W of white light when the entire screen is a featureless white. Each pixel averages .7m rad with a HD projector and that's about the state of the art with a good laser projector. So, a tight, white beam out of a 3W RGB projector is, well 3W, but the same tight beam out of the video projector is 3.5uW!

Both sources are improving and I like to mix the two. If you use a long throw lens and keep the video projection area small compared to the laser this helps to compensate for the brightness. Also, projecting the laser in one direction and the video to another screen allows you to enhance the show without forcing these sources to compete.

[TechJunkie]

Thanks for the explanation Eric. Once again you have expanded my intelligence, and are one of the few members here that keep the spirit of experimentation alive.

For me I think video is my best option. I live in a condo, and I suspect a >1W laser projector will be too much. I still have my projector parts tho. I might build a small TTL .5W projector to experiment with. If I go TTL my cost for the rest of the parts I need should be under $100. Now I have to save up for a video projector.