Set Projector for Two Different Screen Sizes (1 Viewer)

[White Pawn]

[New member, first post in forum]

I have been using a projector for my home theater system for several years now, and am due upgrading to a new projector. My system is fairly automated, and I always think about innovative ideas to add new capabilities to my system.

Lately, I have been thinking about the possibility of setting the projector to remember two different screen sizes (zoom positions). The idea is to have a smaller projection area when previews are playing, and then make it bigger when the movie begins. Obviously, the first requirement is to choose a projector with motorized zoom. I need some suggestions/answers to some questions about the whole idea:

1. Does any projector have settings to remember two different zoom positions to switch between them with one click? A crude way to do this of course is to send the zoom IR signal (using remote or automation) repeatedly, but I was wondering if there was a nicer way.
2. Does zooming in and out everyday affect wear and tear? Of course it does, but what I mean to ask is - if the zoom mechanisms of projectors are not meant to handle daily operation.
3. Is there any other way to achieve this effect without using zoom? I know I can manipulate the screen size in software, but I use a dark room for my projector, and you can see the actual projection size if you artificially make the image size smaller in software.

 

[DaveF]

Some projectors have zoom memory, and people use them as you’re describing to be a budget approach to dealing with 1.77 vs 2.35 content.

 

[Mark-P]

Actually it’s called lens memory. BenQ was the first brand to use it. Panasonic does is very well with the ability to memorize 10 different positions.

 

[White Pawn]

Thanks a lot for the responses. I had no idea such a feature existed. This is very helpful.