EIKI LC-300 Video Projector

See also:
LC-300 Operator's Manual (link)

                                  EIKI LC 300

How to Tell the Difference Between (regular) 8mm and Super-8mm

Super 8 has noticeably smaller sprocket holes to allow for larger images on the film.  By-the-way, the film is literally 8mm from side-to-side.

                                                                (click on pic to enlarge)
There is a difference in the reels for the two.  The Center Hub diameter is larger on the Super 8.  Most dual 8 projectors (projectors that can play both versions) had separate or integral hub adapters.

                                                                (click on pic to enlarge)

Change the Bulb Safely

When removing the bulb, use the base – don’t pull on the glass. This goes for all types of bulbs.  For the ones with little, ejector arms (like in a Kodak slide projector), use the ejector to do most of the work, but go slow and don’t use a lot of force.  If the bulb is really stuck, you may have to try to rock it back & forth – but use a shop cloth or some kind of hand protection between the glass and your fingers.
Also, when seating the bulb, make sure that the prongs / contacts are fully seated.  If it is not fully seated and there is a gap between the base and a contact, the electricity will arc at that spot instead of flow, and that can cause the bulb to blow.
If you haven’t been around one, a bulb blowing-up sounds like a firecracker and explodes like one too (not to mention all those little, shards of glass . . . )

Clean the Bulb

If possible, wipe down the bulb with rubbing alcohol – and let it dry before putting in the projector.  If rubbing alcohol isn’t available, just try to wipe off any fingerprints before installing it.
The glass is thin and expands & contracts with its own intense heat it generates.  Under these conditions, simple dirt, grease and even fingerprints can potentially lessen the life of a bulb greatly.

Unplug the Projector

Always unplug the projector before changing the bulb.  Most projectors are lower voltage models, but some lightweights are lighter because they don’t have a transformer & use straight, line-level voltage.  Either way, you can get quite a shock in there!

Viewing Double-Sprocket Silent Films

If showing a double-sprocket silent film (i.e. an old high school basketball film), turn the sound all the way OFF, or it will sound like a machine gun! (the outside row of sprockets will run across the sound drum fooling it into playing it).

Show Close to Screen

8mm Projectors have deliberately low wattage bulbs as the film can burn easily.  With this in mind, place the projector as close to the screen or wall as you can.  This way you will see a smaller, but more concentrated image which will better approximate what you would see on a TV screen (from a film-to-DVD transfer).