Anyone using 2.35:1 screen setup with the Anamorphic lens?

Hi all,

Just curious if any of our members is having a projector with the 2.35:1 screen using Anamorphic lens.

In fact, this is in my dream for long and still not made me settle for one due to budget constraints. But have already started to save fund towards my dream and hopefully of making it happen within 6 months.

If you members have this kind of setup, I have some doubts to make myself clear about the whole thing.

1) Does anamorphic lens works for Bluray with the 2.39:1 ratio inside the 1.78:1 ratio.
2) Since bluray 1080p has black bars on top & bottom for a 2.35/2.39: 1 ratio movies. How will the anamorphic lens stretch the image to the full width of the 2.35:1 screen size.
3) Or, like Iam doing now - downloading mkv formats 720/1080p with the aspect ratio of 1280 x 544 or 1920 x 816 etc. Will these be the perfect companion for projecting it thro' the anamorphic lens and the image projected to fill the 2.35:1 screen perfectly.
4) Kindly suggest me some decent 1080p projectors (LCD or DLP - which is best?) around 1.5L and also any specific brands for anamorphic lens (and price) which is compatible to the projector.

Thanks in advance...

Congrats n best of luck for your HT build. For anamorphic projection, you need to buy a PJ w/ vertical stretch (since horizontal stretch anamorphic lenses are common) or stretch using some external processor or an HTPC. For this, the content w/ maximum vertical resolution most preferred. The lens cost will be towards North from 2000$. (The best VFM lens will be the MKIII from Cavx, is compared to some >4000$ lenses.). Moreover try to build a curved screen so that in 2.35:1 stretching the most flaws comes at the borders. The curve will cover up these flaws and will give you a different visual experience, almost similar to theater screens.

For those who are interested in anamorphic lens, read through the following article:
http://www.zuggsoft.com/theater/prism.htm
This article discusses about the DIY option also.

I think sajith is getting ready for 2:35:1 , he has done lot of research...thanks good info !

As i told in one thread, i would have gone for it very early if I had started constructing my house instead of going for an apartment. I was into DIY projector building and had made it using Lumen Lab lens. During that research I had gone through this topic also. Since the box size is a constrain in my living room eventually I had settled for a ready made projector, from Canada (720p native and accepts till 1080i) which is based on the same DIY design (Reflector > HID Lamp > Condenser Lens > Fresnel Lens > 5" lcd > Fresnel Lens > Triplet PJ Lens.) I had to spend only 16.5k including an extra bulb and HDMI cable. Eventhough it cannot be compared to high end projectors, it should perform reasonably well with HD and DVD content w/ HTPC using some video scalars like FFDShow. Its still with my friend, I will be getting it by tonight.

chk the reviews for mitsubishi HC 3800, says anamorphic lens support ,mode1 /mode2 (16:9 /2.35:1 ) without the need for external sled

"... The HC3800 projector however has two anamorphic modes, the usual, designed to work with the lens for Cinemascope movies, and the second mode, so you can watch everything else without removing the anamorphic lens. In other words no motorized sled needed). "

You dont have to buy an expensive motorised lens kit. Motorised kit will work based on the format being played. As per the review, Mode 2 can be used to view all kind of formats w/o removing the lens from the light path. In this case a manual lens will be enough. But i am not sure about any picture difference in mode1 and mode2. Also make sure what does the mode1 and mode2 does to the picture technically.

HI,
I have also read lot of review and DIY of PJ's on lot forums,but seems to most of the people are not happy with that same.. I look forward to recieve the results what you are acheiving...Interesting one.. do post some pics...by the by where you are living?

You got some answers from Cmsajith.

For Q4) Best bet for anamorphic setup is PanaAE4000.. Still any PJ will do with anomorphic lenses, since because or feautures i am suggesting this..

Panasonic AE4000 -- Home Theater Projector Review

Thanks to all for responding, unfortunately Iam accessing net from outside since Iam on business tour. So frankly not visited the valuable links provided by you all. I will definitely have a thorough study about these. Meanwhile can you suggest me some compatible projectors (1080p with approx price) with these anamorphic lens.

Thank you once again.

was reading posts in one of the forums (audioholics , i guess) in that there is a guy who has an awesome 2.35:1 screen with a hd65 optoma pj , he bought the anamorphic lens @ e bay for 200$

on chking ebay there are plenty of lenses for sale @ 200 to 500$
is this possible , if so what is the kind of lens needed 35mm /16mm

any suggestions