-IS- 250W enough or is 400W really really much better?

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Hello!
I know there are a lotta topics about bulbs in all kinds of Wattages but I couldn't find a satisfying answer to this question:
Is 250W MH (or HQI-> I heard its the same thing) bright enough for the standard 15" LCD setup? I know it depends on what you demand of your setup but let's say I'd like an image I could enjoy without having to think "wow this is too dim!"
Is it possible to leave a (very) dim backlight on during viewing without totally messing up the contrast?
Is a 400W bulb -that- much hotter? Or is it not really a big problem?

I'm just trying to sort out wether a 400W MH (HQI) is worth the extra investment (those bulbs dont come cheap here!) over a 250W
thanx!
 
Most people have had better results with a 250w. The problem with the 400 watt setup is that the bulb is so big you loose a lot of the light. The 250w is much smaller, so the light is a lot easier to direct where you want it. If you get the icecap ballast it's also a lot smaller than the 400 watt ballast. Alan over at www.diylabs.org has proved that a good reflector can substantially improve the power of any bulb. He has some pictures of a 250w projection with the lights on, and the image is still watchable.
 
his probably can covers more, but not all light reflected can get to the condensor or fresnel.

the only one 'near lossless' reflector design I saw in this forum was the one combining a Parabolic reflector and a spherical with condensor lens on its bottom. But nobody reported to have made it.
 
why bigger is not always better:
 

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Thats the same how the ohp ones work, every single ray of light should be strait, the presision ones i have reflect perfectly the light back in strait rays in turn giving u a brighter more intense light and a hell sharp image, also a cooler lcd beleive it or not and cooler frensel.

Trev
 
declined said:
Hello!
I know there are a lotta topics about bulbs in all kinds of Wattages but I couldn't find a satisfying answer to this question:
Is 250W MH (or HQI-> I heard its the same thing) bright enough for the standard 15" LCD setup? I know it depends on what you demand of your setup but let's say I'd like an image I could enjoy without having to think "wow this is too dim!"
Is it possible to leave a (very) dim backlight on during viewing without totally messing up the contrast?

declined
heres a pic of a 250W and a 15" lcd with the sun coming in
the window in my basement i think the 250W is plenty for your
requirements
 

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