How do I pick a projector based on brightness?

While the brightness of your digital scenery depends on a number of factors, but our general recommendations – based on standard projection surface widths – are listed below.

Broadway Media's StageProjectors:

• Economy - 5,000 lumens; .24 throw
• Basic - 7,000 lumens; .35 throw
• Plus - 12,000 lumens; .35 throw
• Premium - 15,000 lumens; .35 throw

Up to 28’ wide - Economy

If you have a stage that can keep the light consolidated to a smaller area such as this you’re going to get a lot more out of your projector than others. Since there is so much less surface area to cover you can achieve good results with a lower lumens count.

28’ to 40’ wide - Basic

This middle tier covers most of the stages we work with. This space is definitely still conducive to projections, but due to the large size, you’ll need to select a projector with a higher lumen count to ensure the brightness is something you will be happy with. Depending on your ambient light and ability to map your stage lighting (without losing details from your actors) you will need to determine how many lumens are needed to execute your vision for digital scenery in your show.

Over 40’ wide - Plus or Premium

This highest tier covers fewer stages we work with, but it is definitely not uncommon for a stage to be this size. For optimum projection integration in a large stage environment, we recommend utilizing legs and/or travelers  to make the upstage projection area smaller if possible; otherwise, the scale of the content can appear too large. However, filling a space this size will still work. Even with a super short throw lens, you will need to place your projector further away from your surface to achieve a size this large, so you will need a high-powered, high lumens projector.