ISEN-ASTC-L is a service of the Association of Science-Technology Centers
Incorporated, a worldwide network of science museums and related institutions.
*****************************************************************************

Hi Debbie

The LCD panels in projectors burn out within a few years of continual use.
they get what we called the "blue amoeba of death" - blue splotches. Routine
maintenance (vacuuming or replacing the filters and changing the bulbs on
schedule) is essential for prolonging their lifespan. DLP projectors are a
good alternative in that many of them have "sealed optics" to keep out dust,
and they are supposed to have a longer bulb-life. There are trade-offs,
however, in terms of brightness and image quality, though these are becoming
minimal as DLP technology matures.

For projectors, plan on a bulb budget of $400-500 every 5-6 months.

LCD monitors will likely last a lot longer with a lot less fuss, but the
trade-off, of course, is size and impact on the visitor - a video the size
of a wall has quite a bit more than even a 42" screen! A grid of LCDs, of
course, might be something to consider, though probably pretty pricey. I
dont recall being partial to a particular brand, although I'm sure some
people swear by one. We did have some relatively large Viewsonics, 2 of
whose power-supplies died after about 3 years. But we had bought them
refurbished to begin with, so that might have been part of it.

The Imaging Station facility at the Exploratorium has a number of large
Plasma screens. I think they are Pioneer's. Charlie Carlson would have more
detail on them.

best,

Ted Koterwas
WDIL.org
http://www.wdil.org

On 8/16/07, Ami Dror Gmail <[log in to unmask]> wrote:
>
> ISEN-ASTC-L is a service of the Association of Science-Technology Centers
> Incorporated, a worldwide network of science museums and related
> institutions.
>
> *****************************************************************************
>
> Hi Debbie,
> My recommendation will be to combine few LCD monitors. This solution will
> have low maintenance and will be low-cost.
>
> The 2nd best is DLP projectors - keep in mind that you will have high
> maintenance cost (lamp replacement)
>
> The 3rd option will be a big LCD screen - they are very expensive and
> limited life time (when looping a show)
>
> RGDS
> Ami Dror
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Informal Science Education Network [mailto:
> [log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Debbie Colodner
> Sent: Wednesday, August 15, 2007 11:01 PM
> To: [log in to unmask]
> Subject: large screens/monitors
>
> ISEN-ASTC-L is a service of the Association of Science-Technology Centers
> Incorporated, a worldwide network of science museums and related
> institutions.
>
> *****************************************************************************
>
> Hello all,
>
>
>
> I'm looking for advice on large (>60") monitors or projection systems
> for continuous play of video in a small exhibit hall. Does anyone have
> advice regarding the durability, reliability, up-front and maintenance
> costs of  LCD monitors vs. LCD projectors vs. plasma monitors?
>
>
>
> Thank you,
>
> Debbie
>
>
>
>
>
> Debra Colodner, Ph.D.
>
> Associate Director
>
> Center for Sonoran Desert Studies
>
> Arizona Sonora Desert Museum
>
> 2021 N Kinney Rd.
>
> Tucson, AZ 85743
>
> 520-883-3021
>
>
>
>
> ***********************************************************************
> For information about the Association of Science-Technology Centers and
> the Informal Science Education Network please visit www.astc.org.
>
> Check out the latest case studies and reviews on ExhibitFiles at
> www.exhibitfiles.org.
>
> The ISEN-ASTC-L email list is powered by LISTSERVR software from L-Soft.
> To learn more, visit
> http://www.lsoft.com/LISTSERV-powered.html.
>
> To remove your e-mail address from the ISEN-ASTC-L list, send the
> message  SIGNOFF ISEN-ASTC-L in the BODY of a message to
> [log in to unmask]
>
> No virus found in this incoming message.
> Checked by AVG Free Edition.
> Version: 7.5.476 / Virus Database: 269.11.19/953 - Release Date:
> 14/08/2007 17:19
>
>
> No virus found in this outgoing message.
> Checked by AVG Free Edition.
> Version: 7.5.476 / Virus Database: 269.11.19/953 - Release Date:
> 14/08/2007 17:19
>
>
> ***********************************************************************
> For information about the Association of Science-Technology Centers and
> the Informal Science Education Network please visit www.astc.org.
>
> Check out the latest case studies and reviews on ExhibitFiles at
> www.exhibitfiles.org.
>
> The ISEN-ASTC-L email list is powered by LISTSERVR software from L-Soft.
> To learn more, visit
> http://www.lsoft.com/LISTSERV-powered.html.
>
> To remove your e-mail address from the ISEN-ASTC-L list, send the
> message  SIGNOFF ISEN-ASTC-L in the BODY of a message to
> [log in to unmask]
>

***********************************************************************
For information about the Association of Science-Technology Centers and the Informal Science Education Network please visit www.astc.org.

Check out the latest case studies and reviews on ExhibitFiles at www.exhibitfiles.org.

The ISEN-ASTC-L email list is powered by LISTSERVR software from L-Soft. To learn more, visit
http://www.lsoft.com/LISTSERV-powered.html.

To remove your e-mail address from the ISEN-ASTC-L list, send the
message  SIGNOFF ISEN-ASTC-L in the BODY of a message to
[log in to unmask]