What is the lowest number of lumens required for outside viewing with an HD DLP projector?

Question

I want to purchase a HD DLP projector to view movies outside during the summer months. It will be approximately 25 - 30 feet away from the screen that I will be projecting on. With this in mind, what is the lowest number of lumens that I can get away with - without really degrading the picture. I was told 2000, but I found a really good one with 1800 lumens... will 200 lumens really make that much of a difference? Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

Answer 1

Lumens are subjective. Contact the manufacture and with the display size and distance measurement get the information in LUX

Answer 2

It will really depend on how much light you still have after dark from street lights, neighbors, etc.  I've had my HD Outdoor Theater up for a couple of years now and I use 1200 Lumen and throw the pic about 40 feet to fill my 30 foot screen.  The picture is outstanding but I have no other lighting to speak of other than the moon and it is pretty dark at night.

One thing I have noticed which is just as important outside is your contrast ratio.  When throwing the pic that far it can sometimes be hard to see the "dark" scenes without decent contrast.

Let me know the brand your looking at and I'll see if I can help.  I love my Outdoor Theater and even using it in the Winter around a roaring fire for Sports.

weeder