diy projector or crt/dlp/lcd

[echow87]

Note:

I have tried DIY projector with a NEC 1545V but the thing is the contrast ratio is just too low. Of course the picture quality was good but during dark scenes in movies, it is hard to see the background.

If you do want a really great picture, get a crt projector that would cost about the same as a DIY projector with a 15" lcd screen.

-or-

You can get one of those X1, which is pretty good for the price since it has 1000:1 contrast ratio and its way much brighter than a DIY projector.

DIY projector:

Pros
Image is quite decent
You built it urself
Learned about lighting/lens/fresnels

Cons

OHP or retrofitted one (bulb is usually 250 watt to 575 watt) cost a lot more to operate than a LCD or DLP projector.
When add up all the parts used for a DIY projector, it can exceed over 500, which is enough for a CRT projector or a LCD projector.
Takes a long time to build if you use a 15" lcd screen (time consuming)
80-90% of light is lost from passing through the lcd. Image not too bright.

I am not telling you that DIY is not good, but trust me, if you havent seen one in action, then go buy some parts and make one. It is comparable to a $1000+ lcd projector that has contrast ratio of 400:1.

Also, I am not going to quit the DIY projects. I am just waiting for a way much higher contrast ratio 15" lcd screen. If anyone knows where to get one, please link me.

[mhelin]

Running with 250W metal halide lamp is actually cheaper than using LCD or DLP. Actully you can almost build the whole DIY projector for the price of a spare lamp. You are right with the black level issue, maybe there is some way to make the black more black, like with some filters.

[echow87]

Originally posted by mhelin
Running with 250W metal halide lamp is actually cheaper than using LCD or DLP. Actully you can almost build the whole DIY projector for the price of a spare lamp. You are right with the black level issue, maybe there is some way to make the black more black, like with some filters.

Also,

Some ppl might not realize this but some lcd panels/monitor's default contrast is probably around 65%. If you upped it to the max, the picture quality would be much brighter.

[diylabs]

There are 2 things that have kept me from buying a professional projector. The lamps are still WAY too expensive for any respectable projector, and also I love doing stuff myself. There are many other reasons I'm sticking to this project, but those are the top two.

I've recently decided that I don't like most DLP projectors. They suffer from making the screen movement choppy during scenes where the camera pans quicky or a car drives quickly across the screen. I had the chance to see a very expensive DLP and a medium priced LCD projector side-by-side recently, and this phenomenon was very obvious - now I have a hard time not seeing it anymore. The X1 undoubtadly suffers from this, which is not to say that it isn't a cool projector for the price, but I just don't want to spend $1000 bucks on a projector that has a pretty severe flaw like that in its design.

There are LCD panels out there that have 500:1 contrast ratio. They cost about $250 I think. So that should mostly fix the black level and contrast ratio problems. And also, the condenser lens that I'm having made for DIY Labs should greatly increase the overall output of your DIY projectors as long as you are using a bulb that you can put this lens near to (within about 1-2" of the light source).

Hopefully it doesn't seem like I'm trying to lead you guys down a path here - I think the X1 is great for the money, but I still think that I like my DIY projector for $400 instead (especially since it costs $35 to replace its bulb instead of $400 for the X1).

[MSman]

Hi, echow87

I know you posted sometime back, but maybe this information is still interesting to you and others.

Yow where saying that the contrast rate for LCD's where too low and you're looking for higher rates, then maybe this will help.

True Resolution: 1280 x1024
Contrast Ratio 700:1

viewing Angle 170° horizontal, 170° vertical
Response time 16ms Rise, 9ms fall
CVBS composite signal
S-Video Y/C signal
and more... interested?

[QUOTE]

These guys are offering complete DIY Kits TFT Panel and Controller included with TV Tuner and Remote Control as option.
Only thing is they do not state a price, I've emailed them last week asking for more info, but as yet no answer

[MSman]

Seems I goofed,
the url doesn't seem to appear, so I'll give it here:
http://www.umec-web.net/products/web...diy/tvdiy6.htm

[18wheeler]

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

[PaulH_1980]

Originally posted by DIYlabs:

I've recently decided that I don't like most DLP projectors. They suffer from making the screen movement choppy during scenes where the camera pans quicky or a car drives quickly across the screen. I had the chance to see a very expensive DLP and a medium priced LCD projector side-by-side recently, and this phenomenon was very obvious - now I have a hard time not seeing it anymore. The X1 undoubtadly suffers from this, which is not to say that it isn't a cool projector for the price, but I just don't want to spend $1000 bucks on a projector that has a pretty severe flaw like that in its design.

I have also noticed something similar to what you are referring to. With the Compaq MP2800 I noticed if I moved my eyes from one spot of the screen or moved my head suddenly, I would see a flash of RGB blocks, or lines for some reason. I asked a friend who was standing next to me if he saw this also, and he confirmed it, but decided it was because he was drunk. *heh* Well I know I did see this, and it was distracting as it made me feel slightly like I was experiencing motion sickness whenever it happened. I did not notice this with the other projector which was an LCD Epson Power Light 7300 but this projector also suffered from issues with tracking/interference lines, and some color issues. I would say every projector has it's pros and cons. For a similar thread of what Alan is referring to please check my post:

Ultimate LAN-Party: DLP vs. LCD [Split Screens & Dual View]

It is an interesting comparison between commercial DLP and LCD projectors. Hope this helps...

-Paul-

[MSman]

Wheeler u must take a look at the whole homepage, ther are diffrent sizes of panels there is 7",10,4",15" 19" and bigger

[diylabs]

Someone mentioned a DLP vs. LCD comparison a couple of entries ago. I have to warn people about DLP projectors for a moment. Even though they typically have much higher contrast per dollar spent than LCD projectors do, DLP still isn't a perfect technology. I know that some people have complained about the "rainbow effect" with DLP's, but they also have a more fundamental problem for projection that applies to everyone.

DLP projectors give a flickering sensation during scenes with a lot of motion, like a train wizzing by really fast or when the camera pans one way or the other really quickly. I hadn't ever noticed it before, but then I saw a side-by-side with a high end DLP and an entry level LCD projecor recently, and the flickering/jittery motion was really noticible in the side-by-side, and ever since then I always notice it on DLP projectors. Some LCD projectors also do this, but most do not. That could actually be because the pixels don't have enough time to change states quickly enough to cause the flickering.

Anyways ... I'm not trying to say that DLP projectors are crap - I still like them. But do take a look at the projection on each model before buying one - each one is a little different and you may notice stuff like this on some models, but not on others. Just food for thought.