8mm Forum: Light spill

This is topic Light spill in forum 8mm Forum at 8mm Forum.

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Posted by David Pannell (Member # 300) on May 06, 2009, 11:36 AM:

I don't know if this topic has been raised before, but I couldn't find anything specific under 'search'.

For a long time I have felt that the light spill from the various lamphouses on my projectors can be somewhat objectionable when screening films; unless one is fortunate enough to have a projection room!

Short of having such a room, or painting the lounge ceiling and walls matt black, (to which my lady wife would object most violently), has anyone come up with a suitable baffle/louvre arrangement for their machines to either reduce this light spill, or else to eliminate it altogether?

Clearly, one must be careful not to impede the air flow. On most of my projectors, there seems little room to achieve this inside the casing, and any baffle/louvre arrangement on the outside must be carefully designed and built so as not to detract from the overall appearance of the machine - it must look 'part of it'.

I am currently researching this and carrying out various temperature tests, but if anyone has any thoughts on the subject, or actually has a tried and tested solution, I should be most interested to hear them.

This obviously applies equally to 16mm machines!

Cheers.

Posted by Steven J Kirk (Member # 1135) on May 06, 2009, 01:13 PM:

Room light certainly DOES make a difference. I've blocked off light from my Blu-ray player with black tape. I also use a piece of matt black hardboard on a stand, like a scope stand and position that to stop light coming forward. Yes, I have black carpet and dark red walls also!

Posted by Michael O'Regan (Member # 938) on May 06, 2009, 01:39 PM:

I'm not sure how much room you have there Dave.
What I'm contemplating doing is constructing a removeable screen with some ports to erect in front of the projector(s) - sort of like a projection booth front wall, if you like.

It'll not only help with light spillage but, also reduce projector noise.

-Mike

Posted by David Pannell (Member # 300) on May 06, 2009, 02:42 PM:

That sounds like quite a scheme that could just work, Mike.

Be interested to hear how it pans out, though as you say, space might be an issue.

Posted by Stewart McSporran (Member # 128) on May 06, 2009, 03:37 PM:

I found the light spill from my 16CL to be quite intrusive in a small room. So I got a square of black card, about the size of a CD box. One edge is taped to the handle, the other protrudes over the top of the lamp house, but several inches above it. I stuck a couple of coins onto the card so that when the machine runs the card is blown horizontal.

This cuts out about 80% of the light spill and has no noticable effect on the running temperature of the machine.

Stewart

Posted by Steven J Kirk (Member # 1135) on May 06, 2009, 07:02 PM:

The 'front wall' is an idea I've considered. It could be the kind of thing I see used in educational campuses as a message board or room divider. This is free-standing with feet but is only an inch thick. 'Portholes' could be cut in it. These even have cloth covering on both sides so would reduce noise.

Posted by David Pannell (Member # 300) on May 07, 2009, 02:37 AM:

Several ideas here. Thank you. My thoughts were revolving around making up a metal louvre which could be screwed into place either above or below the existing one. I'll continue to experiment with the various ideas. The only disadvantge with my scheme, is that it would entail making a bespoke louvre for each projector! [Eek!]

Posted by Michael O'Regan (Member # 938) on May 07, 2009, 03:25 AM:

Steven,

Thats exactly what I had in mind. But, having it in mind and actually getting it done are two different things!!!

One of these days..... [Smile]

-Mike

Posted by Steven J Kirk (Member # 1135) on May 07, 2009, 01:58 PM:

Michael,

Take a look at this supplier of all things useful:

www.furnitureatwork.co.uk

try a search on 'display' that will keep you busy for a few hours.

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