Cheap DIY 20,000 lumens projector brightness testing, comparsion

I used 4 Epson 1960 projectors (5,000 lumens each) with my cheap DIY projector rig to test and compare of image brightness. Keep in mind that one 20,000 lumens projector will cost you around $45,000.
Click on the link below to see how to build this DIY cheap projector stacking rig.
• DIY cheap way to build...
Epson 1960 LCD projector
tinyurl.com/nc6...
5,000 lumens to 10,000 lumens = 100% Increase in brightness
10,000 lumens to 15,000 lumens = 50% Increase in brightness
15,000 lumens to 20,000 lumens = 33% Increase in brightness
To build this rig you need
Four 1/2-13 threaded Rod 12 inches
www.amazon.com/...
Sixteen ½-13 hex nuts
www.amazon.com/...
Sixteen ½ inch washers
www.amazon.com/...
12X48 Black Shelf board (I cut into two 12X20 pieces)
www.amazon.com/...
Projector mounting screws for Epson 1960 projector screw size is eBay link M4X0.70mm, Length 30mm
www.ebay.com/it...
Large Venue Projector
Super bright DJ projector
3D mapping
3-D projection system
review, projector, powerlite home cinema, Epson,

[@patches242]

Can you show how the pictures look using the projector by sunlight?

[@beforebefore]

The very last image was the most useful... true side-by-side comparison. Nice work! Cameras don't respond to variances in light like our eyes, but it's clear the most significant was going from 1 to 2... with the 4th adding little to the 3. Wouldn't it work best to keep the stacking space as little as possible, so that you have to use the least amount of digital image correction? Maybe another comparison would have been interesting... 1:2, 2:4 (binary) to see if the doubling from 2 to 4 had as much effect as 1 to 2.

[@vasili1207]

Now time for 8 projectors

[@obvious_humor]

Vasili next step would be either 6 or 9 projectors. the difference in dimensions can't be more than 1, in order to minimize distortion. this means a 2x3 setup or 3x3 setup will work but a 2x4 will lead to too much distortion along the long axis. Remember that all projectors need to be aligned, so you can't go past the max keystone angle.

[@pooyamz]

I have a suggestion, maybe this method will be better by separating image to R G B channels and send each to 1 projector and 4th channel would be grayscale image on top of this projected channels, maybe the quality will be better, please test this if you can.

[@gertvanderpaelt]

Like the idea, but this would probably void the purpose of the setup. The total amount of light would most likely be no different to dual projectors with all three channels turned passing light.

[@simonmikkelsen]

I agree with Gert. That will just make each projector output less light as it dont output 2 of 3 colors. Adding a 4th with greyscale will just wash out the colors. The idear sounds like you would treat ink or print but light is different.

[@darrickgeorge3180]

Tim.... Brilliant. If I was your neighbor Id bug you all the time asking you what you thought about stuff all the time.

[@ViciousXUSMC]

Very nice controlled experiment. Locking the exposure on the camera was a smart way to show the differences where most people probably would have used video and the auto exposure element would have given false results.

[@Dankonen]

Wauw! This actually works! This is amazing! The rig is exactly what a friend of mine was looking for! I'll refer hi to your channel! Thank you for making these video's!

[@DerekIwasiuk]

I wanna do this for Halloween house projection. 1 never enough but hard to line up

[@dk4wncp]

Stunning, the improvement at each new unit added.

[@yeezywesty3651]

not only the brightness improves the colour richness improves too.. not saturating... enricheningnngngingn

[@vitravaah8735]

Great job. I am getting two Sony VPL-FH36 and going to have it stack to see if I can get a nicer picture for home use. Will probably use your idea and see if it work.

[@publicmail2]

What about sync of each unit, I would think that would be a problem? This reminds me why the old big screens used 3 crt's RGB for cumulative light.

[@dk4wncp]

AD, what kind of sync do you mean? Temporal?

[@masterlup]

How can you align 4 image sources absolutely pixel perfect??? One little bumb must destroy the alignment

[@officialyourdad2342]

This was helpful for me, I like seeing things in practice and appreciate your time to make it

[@tatawaki]

FYI due to the way light travels when you stack projectors: 1 projector: 5000 lumens 2 projector: 10000 lumens 3 projector: 12500 lumens 4 projector: 13750 lumens

[@bluebill3]

Hi, I actually had the same impression, but could you tell me how did you came to these numbers?

[@tatawaki]

Physics! inverse square law.

[@albertobu]

Jeremy Choy lololz.. Lumens are a quantity of light. Hence they add up but what you meant to say is the eye does not perceive linearly hence 4x lumens is probably perceived as 2x brighter.

[@TheXergon]

@@albertobu 100% correct

[@russellgrant1797]

Can you also use software to help blend the projectors? Wondering if anyone has experimented with this.

[@3rdeyemediacapetown144]

Illuminating Magic makes a valid point, it definitely works what you are doing and I am definitely going to put this into practise so thank you for sharing. But if you could make a comparison video and it stood up against the high end projectors... then I think you could probably sell your design as a product on the internet and people would buy it from you. Seriously think about it and you can give some of the money to help your church. or is there already a projector stacker product out there for this? Sorry i am from South Africa so I don't get to see all the cool products that are available.

[@cesarfabianalonso]

Incredible!!!!! amazing the idea that you had many thanks for spreading greetings from Argentina my friend

[@chrisburke3578]

Nice comparrison, great to see the differences side by side. Was wondering do you experience issues with image alignments shifting over time due to heat or colour correction issues running your stacked projectors?

[@Running1226]

Chris Burke I only use this setup for large performance events during typical 3+ hours per events I have not run into problems with alignments shifting due to temperature changes. Small alignments shifting can be corrected less than 30 seconds using projector’s build in corner key stone function. I have not notice any color temperature problems.

[@shyamdpatel]

Hello Tim, I want to reach 10,000 lumens and i like the idea of using 2 x 5000 lumen projectors. Few doubts, Does it really reach 10,000 lumens intensity ? I actually need to project in a room with daylight condition and hence wanting to see if you have images of the projection in daylight condition. Thanks much

[@nituaero1843]

stacking of 4 projector Epson 1960(5000 lumen) brightness = Single projector Epson EB-L20000U (20000 lumen) brightness ? Tell me Sir Please

[@Running1226]

Hi yes. Just like Epson product link below Epson sells two 3000 lumen projectors stack = 6000 lumen. epson.com/For-Work/Projectors/Classroom/PowerLite-W16SK-3D-3LCD-Dual-Projection-System/p/V11H494020

[@ddgo8744]

The video is great and helpful. As a short question, it seems that LCD typed projectors can't make complete black background color on the screen, but it is rather gray. Do you think stacking multiple projectors make the black color more gray? Thank you in advance for your answer.

[@Running1226]

Correct stacking multiple projectors will make the black color more gray.

[@premierdenvereventrentals9401]

you can't project black. black is just the absence of light. to get the blackest blacks, you need a pitch dark room.

[@nextstorming3908]

to get almost true black, you have to have a dlp projector because the tiny mirrors inside the dlp can stop the light reflecting at a specific spot and effectively make black

[@stereopath9028]

brilliant video, do you ever experiance any lag between video playback? Do you use an hdmi splitter for this? or just daisy chain from projector to projector.

[@Running1226]

Jason Benham I never experienced any lag during video playback using this method. I always use daisy chain from projector to projector via VGA cables.

[@guajiromotherfcker]

nice work tim! well done (y) i have two questions .... will this setup work for a home theater video playback? and whats the máximum screen projectable size ?

[@Running1226]

Juan Crisostomo This will work for home use movie play back also. The projected image size is only limited by distance of your projector lens type, screen/wall and the brightness. You can use this great projector calculator to estimate the distance, image size and brightness. @projection-calculator-pro.cfm

[@noahmonaghan8349]

how large of picture are you able to achieve?

[@Running1226]

I have project video onto a build external wall 40 feet X 30 feet before, I don't see any issue projecting to very very large building or large theater screen. You only limited by placement of projector (limits your projection image size) and limit by bright ambient light condition.

[@illuminatingmagic800]

Thank you for posting, i watched your stacking video in the past, the question i always wondering is how they match up to a true 10K or 20K out put projector? do 2 stacked 5ks look just as bright as a single 10K? do you have access to a 10K for that comparison?

[@Running1226]

illuminating Magic Sorry, I don’t have access to a 10K projector.

[@outbackatl]

+illuminating Magic Even if it does not compare with a single 10K projector you save lots of money and most 10K's require 220 power which if you ever need to take the rig elsewhere you will have a problem finding 220 outlets.

[@Running1226]

+Scott Sawyer Thanks for the 220V requirement info I did not know that because I never can afford to work with 10K projector. One of my friend is thinking about renting 10K projector for a show she is working on I will tell her to look out for the 220V issue.

[@disconappeteable]

most 10k projectors have a variable power supply 110v-250v. Its only when you get into the 15k+ that you will need 208v unless its a really really old crappy projector. ALSO, stacking projectors does not double, your effective lumens. Lots of misinformation here.

[@knguyen3348]

thanks , I'll check on that, great video

[@knguyen3348]

hi your ideals is amazing, how do you do the one output to all four projectors? or if i use a laptop, there is only one output from the laptop.thanks

[@Running1226]

+K Nguyen Hi all good projectors have VGA input and VGA output (computer input, output) . I use the free setup I connect from projector 1's VGA output to projector 2's VGA input then output to projector 3's input and so on. If you want to use HDMI then you can buy a low cost HDMI 1 to 4 device like this one amzn.to/1XBhjlR

[@NightLifeEventos]

+K Nguyen You can use one vga or hdmi splinter or interconnect one by one from the output signal connection, all the alignment is by the projector, the signal is the same from all those projectors. cheers

[@abecoulter18]

wont be 20k lumens

[@samhdz2385]

hi tim, im planning on getting stacked two 4500 lumen sony vlp fw41 projectors, for community open air cinema, what do you think of this setup, these projectors can go up to 600 inches , but i doubt they can pull it off to max size.. do you think i can reach 400-500 inch within fair quality of image, brightness, contrast, etc?

[@Running1226]

I don’t see any problem projecting 600 inches as long as you can control the ambient light. You must do the event after the Sunset in very dark environment. Do a testing first you will be amazed by the quality of the image it much better then you think at normal viewing distance. Have you been to NYC Times Square? If you look closely at those great displays they are created with giant light bulbs.

[@aky2872]

Hi, do you think you could use such a setup for an outdoor event ? Great job by the way :)

[@Running1226]

AK Y Thanks, you can use this setup for outdoor or indoor events just make sure you double check the images alignment before the event starts.

[@aky2872]

ok thanks, but my q was more: do you have experience with outdoor envents? :)

[@Running1226]

AK Y I don’t have experience with outdoor event using this setup. You still going to have problem under super bright sun light.

[@plavix2215]

HEllo you idea seems great. But how did you synch the 4 projectors?

[@oscarm4154]

@@plavix2215 you dont sync them you just split the output

[@raafeekhan1342]

what is the max distance for the projection? can this put large images up on walls from dusk to dawn?

[@Running1226]

Hi you can project onto very large building. You only limited by how much distance you have between the wall and projector (to create large image). But you can solve the image size issue by short throw projectors or using projectors blending method.

[@raafeekhan1342]

are there programs that can adjust the projects image degradation from the keystone effect?

[@raafeekhan1342]

thanks for the info! how many lumens would an outdoor projector need? also, is there a special paint that can mimic a screens quality of absorbing and reflecting color light better than a bare wall?

[@Running1226]

No, all projection images alignment programs are doing digital images alignment which will change the quality of the projected image very slightly.

[@Running1226]

Only for dusk to dawn - if you don’t have the budget I would say 3000 with minimum street lights but try to go for 5000 to 10000 if you have the budget.

[@RageAZA]

TLDR: just buy more projectors

[@csp070789]

Who knew, 4 projectors pointed at the same spot with the same image would be brighter. Why was this video made?

[@dropfry]

Because there's a difference between reading something and actually looking at it.

[@dk4wncp]

Theory now proven.

[@jagmichaelgilbert8523]

Where's your 66k view video?