diy projector or crt/dlp/lcd

[JC-21]

Originally posted by 18wheeler
The kit is for DIY TV not DIY projector. the panel is too large (19") to find any reasonable price fresnel.

Yes, the rest of the site has several different sizes available.

I have a couple of e-mails in to them as well, for pricing.

I am hopeful. Looks very good, and if I am going to try this - it will have to be levels above what I can already get (used albeit) for $500.00

-Jayson-

[echow87]

seems like no one is talking about crt projectors.

Well I just ordered a pretty good model - 8" Barco Data 800.

I will post pics later on when the item arrives and I will tell also tell you the difference between:

My DIY Nec 1545V, contrast 250:1

Dell 2100MP - Very similar to the Infocus X1, contrast 1800:1

Barco Data 800 CRT 8", contrast 20,000:1

[diylabs]

whoa! how did you get one of those CRT projectors?! In my personal opinion, it just doesn't get any better than CRT. I know that sounds very old school to a lot of people, but if you compare the picture quality of a well-calibrated CRT to any LCD or DLP projector, my guess is that the CRT will win in quality even though they tend to be much more expensive per performance characteristics (lumens, conrast ratio, etc.).

Let me know how it goes. I've heard some negative things about the Dell, but for the money you can't really complain too much. But man - I envy you with your CRT projector!

[faithblinded]

I've regularly seen Barco 800's and 808's going on eBay for under 800 bucks, depending on the hours. I've been wanting a Barco 808 for sometime, and was ready to buy one until I came across these forums. Undoubtedly, CRT's provide something LCD and DLP projectors won't, TRUE black. Not to mention when it comes to a projected image, colors tend to be more vivid and realistic on analog equipment. A well configured CRT will please any video enthusiast.
Having said all that, the cons of CRT are keeping me away until I can really afford to build a real theater room around a CRT. Until then I think that a DIY LCD projector is the way to go.
1. CRT projectors can easily weigh upwards of 150 lbs. This factors in particularly if you can't find one locally. Also this means you pretty much lock into position and never move it.
2. They require convergance. With some projectors this is easier than others, but it is a time consuming tedious task regardless of the projector. This is one more reason the projector can't be moved. If you move it, you have to reconverge it. Not necessarily a bad thing if you have a good location where it can be permanently, but for us DIY types, portable or at least semi easily relocateable is a good thing, since most of us don't have a dedicated theater room.
Those are my biggest beefs with crt pj's. I will most certainly have one someday, but not until I can build a room to properly display it's beautiful picture, and have it permanently mounted.
Until then I'm gonna start my LCD pj.
Besides, for the engineering inclined, what could be more fun than ripping apart an LCD and turning it into something so much better.

Haven't started my pj yet, but I'm scouting for parts. Plan on building something along the lines of the Aluminum MK project on the forum. Some modifications will be made, but my frame will be similarly constructed.
While we're on the CRT subject, has anyone tried to use a CRT pj lens in a DIY LCD pj? I wonder if they are color filtered or clear.. Anyone tried this? I've seen them go for under 40 bucks a few times on eBay....

[diylabs]

I think you'll be happy with your CRT pj as long as you can get it calibrated correctly - I had forgotten how much of a pain that can be. Another con, I just remembered, is that there are several controller boards inside and some of those tend to wear more quickly than you'd like.

As for using those lenses for a DIY pj, you can and cannot. Those lenses have an increadibly short focal length, so the LCD has to be nearly in contact with the rear of the lens. For this reason, the LCD has to be smaller than the inside diameter of such lenses, which usually means using a crappy auto LCD. Be careful what you get for a CRT lens though - some are made for curved CRT's while others are made for flat (That's the type you want). I know from experience that Delta 20's and Fujinon IV lenses work well. The Delta 20 was my preference because of size and because it had a built-in focus slide that was easy to adjust, whereas the Fujinon was a fixed lens and very heavy. Both gave great images, though the Delta gave a smaller image that was more easily managed. If I could find a good small LCD panel (high resolution and easily modified) then I'd start making smaller projectors - there are fewer ways to lose light when you do that, in my opinion.

I, too, will be trying to build a Mk II in aluminum. I just purchased a rivet gun and about 100 rivets online. Just in case anyone is wondering, I only ordered it online because another tool that I had to get online came from a store that has a minimum order amount. Wouldn't ya know it - I was about $2 shy of their min order, so I picked up a cheapo rivetter. Oh well..

[ace3000_1]

I think alot of us have been in here long enough to understand that nothing compares to a film projector, the only down fall for film is that films are no longer sold for the home user and the noise these things put out, u just cant beat film. Weather its crt, dlp or lcd and even film projectors, at the end of the day lets face it u get what u pay for, dont expect to get real cinema quality for under 20k, even 50k, as for dlp vs lcd, lcd is the winner, why? ever heard of lcos? (liquid crystal on silicon), these have very good black levels with contrasts out doing crt, they are the new future for super high reso and contrast projectors and they arent cheap, they are also reflective lcds not transmisive, with that being said here money is an issue, these are by all means not cheap, but will replace, dlp, lcd and crt portable projectors within the next 15years, getting back to the tech of today, dont be too picky with your image guys, as i said u get what u pay for, tech has limitations for what money can buy even in the high up gear, its the nature of projection, hell even tv's still have a crap reso that looks like ****, and plasma wont do it for me either hence its problems vs price. Nothing is perfect.

Trev