My ProView 15.4" 1280x800 HD project...

[TaskMaster]

I didn't see any of the glass type material you mention, but I did see the spheres inside the arc tube. It was explained by ACE that these are vaporized upon the first firing of the bulb forming the halide gasses inside the arc. I can confirm after I fired the bulb they were gone.

[Guy Grotke]

>Once you strip the LCD you'll notice that the backlight snaps into place with a white plastic "square ring" into the frame. You should be able to pop this ring out and remove the backlight while leaving the LCD in this metal enclosure. My *guess* is that after the backlight is removed, you could replace this "plastic ring" and have a perfectly good protective mount.

That's what I did with my Proview 566s: The LCD and backlight assembly was held by a plastic injection molded part that covers the entire back surface. I took it all apart with a Philips 00 screwdriver. The plastic part can be lifted off the LCD, while the LCD remains loose in the metal frame. Then I cut the center portion of the plastic out, so it would not block the light. I put the plastic back in the frame around the LCD. Eight of the tiny screws hold the plastic into the metal frame. The metal frame has nice mounting tabs on both sides, so it is easy to fasten that to an aluminum angle frame. I surrounded that with a wooden frame so I could hold the flopped driver boards in stable positions without any strain on their flex cables.

[Jl2]

Hi guys, Im in with this project. I found here in Italy the proview at a very decent price (185 EU), so Im ordering it soon.

I'd like to know what's your actually planned setup for the optics. I think that the best choise is to go for the DIYCOMP. long throw kit, cause i think that 15.4 is too much for the standard 80mm triplet. Ill then cut the frenel lenses to match the panel size. I'm also ready to buy the 400w HQI from exclusiv, with 5200K temp for colour, and they give you also a UV/IR filter, do u think that will be enough for potection? Will my fresnel condenser melt?

I will share any experience I'll once I receive the items, but before I go for 'em I'd like some opinions of this setup.

Thank you & GL.

John

[Abner78]

Wow... an Italian guy finally. I was beginning to think that none was.

I went for the OHP method and ... wow, never thought it could be so good! I used a Benq 557 v2 , as many others.

But I'm very curious about a total DIY approach... so let me know how yours turns out. Maybe one day ...

P.s. My OHP has a 80 mm triplet and works very well... why use a long throw?

[Jl2]

Hi abner, I was going for the OHP method but after I changed my mind cause i'd like to integrate a motherboard with 5.1 audio output and a whole operating system along with the projector. It'll be an awesome machine I think. Here in Italy I didn't have luck with the materials. No one selling optics or complete light kits as I know

If u have any online supplier let me know before I place the orders.

I live in Rome, maybe we could share information and experiences on this project. I'd like, if my costruction is successful, begin to sell this prototypes... could be an idea...

I think that the long throw is the best with the proview panel cause that optics are brighter, u can place the pj behind the viewer, and cause of the diagonal of the panel (15.4) is a better choice IMO (often 80mm is good up to 15" lcds).

Let me know.

John

[Abner78]

Originally posted by Jl2
Hi abner, I was going for the OHP method but after I changed my mind cause i'd like to integrate a motherboard with 5.1 audio output and a whole operating system along with the projector. It'll be an awesome machine I think.

It surely would!
I stayed with the OHP method because I already have a dvd/divx standalone player and a 5.1 system.

Originally posted by Jl2
Here in Italy I didn't have luck with the materials. No one selling optics or complete light kits as I know

Well, not in Italy, but in Germany and France there are (Italy sucks as always... a step behind everyone).
I'm going to use www.gadaffy.ch.vu or www.izzotek.com . Got these links from www.allinbox.com and www.diy-community.de
Too bad I don't know French or German...

Originally posted by Jl2
I live in Rome, maybe we could share information and experiences on this project. I'd like, if my costruction is successful, begin to sell this prototypes... could be an idea...

I live near Milan... why your location is Milan if you live in Rome?

Bye!

[albystarvation]

Hi JL2, glad to see some Italian is reading this forum beside me!
Just out of curiosity: where do you have found the Proview for such a measly price? I've just found a 3m OHP, and I'm thinking about building something for my HT room/home office, and the Proview will fit the bill nicely.
Thanks.

[Inkog]

Hi all,

It is good to see some more people giving the ProView a shot. I'm glad it appears to be available on that side of the pond also. I believe it is currently the best true HD capable widescreen LCD available to us DIYers. I only wish it had a DVI input

As for a update to my project...

I was involved in a car accident last Friday and managed to break both of my feet . Fortunatly, no one else was hurt, and I am OK otherwise. I am still going forward with my project, and plan on starting to build my box as soon as my optics arrive.

It has been almost a full month and I have yet to receive my fresnels and triplet from DIYProjectorCompany. Alan stated that he received the backordered fresnels last Wendsday and was shipping orders out. Allthough, as of today (1 week later), my order still has not shipped. His website states he will not be shipping orders this week at all. This pretty much ****es me off that he did not ship out all of his backorders before he went on holiday or what ever he is doing this week. Not very good buisness practice in my opinion. Unless he has a very good excuse for this, I will no longer be doing, or recommending doing buisness with DIYPC.


On a lighter note, I should now be able to devote quite a bit of time on this project as I'll be off of work for a while. Granted this is if I get my optics before my feet heal up


Anyone else moving forward with their projects?


Jl2,

I'm not sure what type of UV and IR filter you would be getting with that bulb, or if it is built in. You would almost certainly want a piece of glass inbetween your bulb and fresnels to create a thermal barrior to keep the hot air off your optics. A good peice of IR reflecting glass would be ideal.

[Jl2]

Hi alby, I'm glad too to see other italians on this forum and in these projects.

I found the proview in different shops, but I'll buy here: Primestore (+2eu more than lowest price found) cause I already bought from them and they're very serious and fast.

About your project be careful: this lcd is a 15.4" and aspect ratio is 16:10. I dont think it'll fit in your OHP. Again, it is better to build a custom enclosure for this type of panels, also because of the rapid developments of lcd panels (I have heard that several factories are developing HDTV in the 15.4" format), you'd like in a near future to upgrade your panel, and you'll just have to substitute the lcd from your box, and in this type of configuration it will even fit a 17" if you want. That's why I'll buy the long throw optics, cause they can work nicely also with such diagonals.

If you like to go for it along with me we can share very useful info. Let me know. Also abner could be interested. Italy seems very far from building a good community of DIY PJ, and for selling parts in general: by now italians are too busy in being fooled by the ebay's big screen scam!!!

[Abner78]

Originally posted by Jl2
Italy seems very far from building a good community of DIY PJ, and for selling parts in general: by now italians are too busy in being fooled by the ebay's big screen scam!!!

Eh eh eh ...

Ah, what a lovely and full of idiots place to live