[IMC-Video] pedalpower / backpack cinema

[Ben]

Please forward this to anyone who may be interested...

A projector costing under 400 pounds new (including VAT) is now  
available that runs on 12 volts and uses white LED 'bulbs'. Unlike a  
normal projector, the bulb will last for tens of thousands of hours  
and not cost several hundred pounds to replace. This makes it a  
tempting proposition on it's own but more importantly is it's  
extremely low energy consumption, under two amps!

One person can easily generate the power to run this projector with a  
simply pedal power generator. Alternatively, it is such low power  
that a small battery capable of providing several hours of viewing  
could easily be carried in a backpack with the projector and toped up  
during the day with lightweight solar panels if required.

The LED light source will not be damaged by getting knocked about  
while hot which has always been a major issue with normal projectors.

The model is a Toshiba TDP FF1 LED Projector costing £ 394.47 (inc.  
VAT.)
http://www.eatay.com/viewbyproduct.php? 
product_id=2949&source=PRICEGRABBER

Here are the important specs...

Resolution is SVGA 800x600 (fine for any application)
Contrast Ratio: 1500:1 (this is good)
Brightness (ANSI): 400 lux (this is low, not good)
Life of Lamp: over 10,000h (amazing, more than enough)
Fixed Zoom - Projection Distance (m): 0.4 - 2.5 m(1.31-8.2ft)   
(limiting in some applications)
Picture Size (Diagonal): 0.27-1.72m(11.0 - 68") (not huge but enough)
Weight: 565g(w/o Battery)
Power Source: DC 15V  (perfect ;-)
Power Consumption (W): 18W (tiny! 1/10th of a typical small projector)

Lets be clear, it is NOT very bright but it is very quiet and  
economical.

The fixed zoom might be annoying in some applications but that's true  
of many cheap projectors these days.

Anyone thinking of purchasing a projector for communal projects might  
want to think about this...

It is probably NOT a good projector for general use in large rooms  
with poor blackout in social centres. It MIGHT make a good loan  
projector dispite it's limitations as it should be harder to damage  
than normal projectors. It is NOT a good projector for trying to  
splash a huge screen full of propaganda onto the walls of corporate  
headquarters from the back of a bike - it is far to dim. It IS a good  
projector for bike tours, small dedicated cinema rooms, gimmicks yet  
to be considered and off grid missionary expeditions ;-)

The power consumption is a tenth of that of a typical small projector  
and lower than many laptops so you can guess how long a battery would  
last. A typical 7 amp hr lead get battery used in burglar alarms etc  
should last for about 4 hours. One person pedaling could generate  
three times the required power comfortably so could actually power  
both the projector and the video source and the audio. This makes  
pedal powered cinema a piece of cake compared to what we used to do.  
No heavy batteries, no need for four people to pedal all the time. Joy!

Next we need somebody to invent a pocket blackout tent.

Ben


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