[tech] Potential club LCD TV purchase

[Andrew Adamson]

I agree that TV's are in general better than projectors - dollar for 
dollar they have better image reproduction in terms of resolution and 
lifetime. However, I think a projector is better for UCC for the following 
reasons:

- The projector is easier and more practical at events such as 
lans, tech talks, the camp, and other events outside the clubroom. We need 
a projector for these events even if we have a TV in the clubroom.
- The projector is occasionally borrowed by members who wouldn't otherwise 
have access to one
- The projector screen is of a size that allows it to be seen easily from 
most points in the clubroom as well as from the loft

Now I realise that our current setup isn't ideal - it's difficult to turn 
the projector on and off without climbing up on the bench, the resolution 
isn't great, and we don't have a screen that can be watched without 
developing a crick in your neck. The first two problems can be solved by 
buying a better projector, and the third can be solved by buying a 
projector screen that is mounted on offset brackets and drops down in 
front of the shelves. The "looking nearly straight up to see the screen" 
problem won't be solved by putting a TV up there.

I would say that we want a better mount for the projector as well because 
the current one is nigh impossible to adjust. We can buy that with a new 
projector or I can whip something up through work.

In terms of looking at projectors, in the past I've found that Harris 
Technology has one of the better ranges with decent prices. See 
http://www.ht.com.au/N/Displays-Projectors/list.hts for more on that. It 
may also be worth looking at a rental option as that reduces the upfront 
cost and means we can get cover for accidental breakage (a big plus if 
members will be borrowing it).

Andrew Adamson
bob at ucc.asn.au

|"If you can't beat them, join them, and then beat them."                |
| ---Peter's Laws                                                        |

On Sun, 10 Nov 2013, Andrew Gozzard wrote:

> The idea was not initially mine, though I think it a good one. The idea is more that when we next replace the projector, we should strongly consider getting a monitor instead. I raised it when I did simply to maybe make use of the good deal on that 40 inch screen.
> 
> Current thinking is that we should put more time and thought into the purchase and be willing to spend more to get something bigger and better when the time comes.
> 
> The idea is indeed to replace the projector (for use in the clubroom at least, can't beat the projector for large screen portability). The screen would likely go on top of the shelving where the projector is currently aimed.
> 
> Open to suggestions for other screens we could get. Alternatively a decent projector.
> 
> Gozz
> 
> Andrew Adamson <bob at ucc.gu.uwa.edu.au> wrote:
> 
> >I realise I'm a little late to this conversation, however I have a couple 
> >of questions:
> >1. What problem are you trying to solve by replacing the projector with a TV?
> >2. Where do you want to put the TV in the clubroom?
> >3. What use cases are you targeting (and will a TV be able to fully 
> >replace the role of the projector)?
> >
> >Andrew Adamson
> >bob at ucc.asn.au
> >
> >|"If you can't beat them, join them, and then beat them."                |
> >| ---Peter's Laws                                                        |
> >
> >On Thu, 7 Nov 2013, Andrew Gozzard wrote:
> >
> >> Hi all,
> >> 
> >> It has been suggested in the past that it may be worth the club purchasing 
> >> a largish LCD television, given how cheap they are becoming. Such a screen 
> >> would probably serve much the same purpose as our current digital 
> >> projector, but is inarguably better than a projector in almost every way 
> >> (image size and viewing angle being the notable exceptions, with the 
> >> latter being hardly and issue anymore).
> >> 
> >> Office Works currently has an Akai 40 inch full HD television on sale for 
> >> $300. I bring this to the lists looking for alternatives or reasons to 
> >> reconsider or forego this idea.
> >> 
> >> As a minor secondary note, a relative of mine has offered me a number of 
> >> LCD monitors he has recently received. They are ex-enterprise and 
> >> reportedly in good nick. From what he was saying I believe at least one of 
> >> them to be 24 inch, thought I do not know about the rest. I have already 
> >> accepted the offer, as we can keep any we want and donate/dump the rest.
> >> 
> >> Regards,
> >> Gozz
> >> Unsubscribe here: http://lists.ucc.gu.uwa.edu.au/mailman/options/tech/bob%40ucc.gu.uwa.edu.au
> >> 
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