> If you're seeing lines on the edges of the frame, I'd wonder also if the > blacks aren't really very black at all.
Careful there, though, Scott. You’re not going to get black blacks out of any brand new ‘affordable’ video projector. I have an Epson VS335W, which I bought in 2014 (~$525 at the time), which I’d guess would be similar to what Shumona’s host have provided for her installation. There’s no condition where a black projected frame does NOT appear gray in comparison to the ‘black’ of the rest of the screen in a darkened room. That’s just how most video projection is. That said, I’m quite happy with the image overall, considering what it cost. And I’ve never seen it produce those disconcerting edge color effects Shumona describes. As you’d expect from a projector in this range, the VS335W has menu controls for Brightness, Contrast, Saturation, and Tint. The Brightness control, more or less Black Level, is basically useless. Boost it all, the image washes out. Drop it at all, it just all gets dark. What does affect apparent brightness is the Contrast setting (sometimes labeled ‘Picture’ on other devices). If the image seems ‘weak’ that’s what gets cranked up. It’s a ‘usable’ control though, in that small changes aren’t too dramatic, and different folks could diasgree on what setting looks best for any given material and environment. I wouldn’t at all be surprised if any projector Shumona might obtain produces some white blow out at any setting usable in an installation environment. But it shouldn’t be too much: the sort of thing that would be obvious and distracting to the museum/gallery public. They’re not image purists, and they’re probably fine with things that would make you or me cringe or scream. Video installations in museums are in dark projection rooms sometimes, but other times out in more open gallery space which, even made as dim as possible, still has a fair amount of ambient light. Even for shows of celebrated artists at prestige museums — where you know they have the budget for higher end gear — I’ve never seen projection in that kind of installation I considered any better than ersatz for any work that was intended for conventional projection (as opposed to something more ‘sculptural’, integrated with other physical elements of the installation). I mean, i might find it too painfully to even look at, but the other visitors would be stopping, watching, commenting on the content… So, “it is what it is”, and that’s probably okay, IF the projector isn’t total garbage, and IF it’s working properly, and IF the settings are tweaked for the best, considering the particulars... _______________________________________________ FrameWorks mailing list FrameWorks@jonasmekasfilms.com https://mailman-mail5.webfaction.com/listinfo/frameworks
