Projector for a "Sports Bar"

[Randy]

Anybody have any ideas? I am looking at projectorpeople.com as I have had good luck with them in the past, I just haven't kept up with models.

I have to finalize what he wants as far as screen size, lighting control, source (resolution), and budget. But, I thought some of you guys might ahve a couple of ideas.

I know there have been some projects goin on here lately.

 

[Flint]

Don't buy consumer class stuff. It will cost less to acquire, but it won't last as long and he will eventually want professional features like management capabilities and remote control via Ethernet or RS-232.

I'd look into NEC and Barco. Barco is the best, by far, and will cost less over 10 years.

 

[Randy]

I can almost guarantee that they will never car about those options and if I tried expalining the pros and cons of them I would surely be met with the same deer in the headlights look I got when explaining throw distance vs screen size. He can't for the life of him believe that you can't just put one anywere.

They only want it for the occasional fight or big football game, so hopefully it will not see a lot of hours. I kinda think a pull down screen will work best for this reason, along with making it harder to vandalize than a fixed screen. You know, out of sight out of mind.

He also can't imagine this could cost more than $2000.00 because the guy at Best Buy told him he could sell him a "GREAT PACKAGE" for less than that.

 

[Flint]

Then I recommend the cheapest projector money can buy which is bright enough for the screen size they need. In my experience selling commercial and industrial audio systems, there are three types of buyers:

1) A buyer who is willing to pay for the most appropriate solution for their need and recoginizes the acquisition cost may be higher for reliability, easier and cheaper maintenance, and performance for the application. This class of buyer tends to run the most successful businesses.

2) A buyer who is loath to spend any money and wants to claim a feature or capability to the customer at the lowest possible initial expense This class of buyer spends more money repairing and replacing stuff and their customers have to deal with broken down and poor performing technology.

3) A buyer who just wants to best in order to brag and prefers brands which are relatively well known to the general public. This class of buyer tends to lose money on their business.

It sounds like your buyer is of the second category.

 

[Botch]

Or, just offer more "early drink" specials...

 

[Randy]

Flint, you have found buyer #2. They are still pretty new and trying to keep costs down while still finding the right mix of entertainment to bring customers in.

I told him we could make a screen to save some money and put the savings into a better projector and he brought up the Best Buy thing again.

I am going to hate myself for getting involved in this.

 

[AndySTL]

Tell him to go back to Best Buy and remove yourself from the purchase.

 

[heeman]

Tell him to go back to Best Buy and remove yourself from the purchase.

I agree 100%.................this can only lead to problems.

If this was their home system, then maybe continue, but NOT as a business consultant.

:twocents-mytwocents:

 

[mzpro5]

Tell him to go back to Best Buy and remove yourself from the purchase.

I agree 100%.................this can only lead to problems.

If this was their home system, then maybe continue, but NOT as a business consultant.

:twocents-mytwocents:

:text-+1:

They will make your phone # the first one on speed dial.

 

[Flint]

MZPro is right. The cheap buyers always blame their source for advice whenever anything goes wrong. That's why I dismiss myself when I am asked for computer advice and one of the biggest requirements is some insanely low price comparable to something they saw on TV for a joke of a computer with no warranty or support contract.

 

[Randy]

You guys are probably right and I knew this going into it. My biggest fear is that I will actually invest some time in the project and they will go to Best Buy anyway.

On the bright side it is for the bar that my wife has been working part time at and if they get pissed at me then maybe they will fire her which will tickle me pink cuz I ain't all that jazzed about her working there anyway and we don't NEED the money.