If you look at the wall space in the photo that shows the HT layout it looks like most of the wall can be utilized with a 2.35:1 aspect ratio image. But it seems like that with a 16:9 image the total size will have to be made smaller because of the heigth of the TV. I have come up with a new integrated TV stand center channel design that is somewhat lower. Here is a solid model mockup of the design. It is similar to the old one but has some tweeks and is based on a two way driver system.
Hezz
Hezz
Attachments
Your project is really cool in general, but that piece is especially awesome. Good work hezz ... I vote for the biggest fanciest screen you can stuff into your box btw 😉Hezz said:
Thanks for the good words Ghetto. Unfortunately I may have to lower my high expectations for the time being and go with the Proview 1280 x 800 LCD which is 15.4. The 15.4 LCD will be necessary and the super high res LCD and controller I can't afford right now.
This will be a good LCD to strip for the first time for experience. I have also talked to the significant others in the house and it may be that if the projector comes off well enough that I can relocate this 27 inch Mitsubishi TV to another location and have the DIY projector be the only viewing source in this room. If that happens I am going to build three identical Wilson Sophia clones for the front three channels.
I have determined that I am going to have to get a new A/V receiver as the current one does not interface with the HTPC very well as it has no digital input and no multichannel analog inputs which are needed for gaming. This project just keeps getting bigger in some ways and smaller in others (like the LCD resolution).
Hezz
This will be a good LCD to strip for the first time for experience. I have also talked to the significant others in the house and it may be that if the projector comes off well enough that I can relocate this 27 inch Mitsubishi TV to another location and have the DIY projector be the only viewing source in this room. If that happens I am going to build three identical Wilson Sophia clones for the front three channels.
I have determined that I am going to have to get a new A/V receiver as the current one does not interface with the HTPC very well as it has no digital input and no multichannel analog inputs which are needed for gaming. This project just keeps getting bigger in some ways and smaller in others (like the LCD resolution).
Hezz
Update 3/2/05,
I purchased the Proview 15.4 1280 x 800 widescreen LCD this week. I have it hooked up and running in it's own case right now. The monitor does not have very good clarity untill you run it at the native resolution and it has one bad pixel. I am debating returning it but at this price point these LCD's monitors are bound to be grade B and many units will have a bad pixel.
The onboard controller does not do a good job of scaling from other resolutions and leaves a significant ghosting effect around text images. This completely vanishes when driven at native resolution and timing.
Once I had powerstrip installed and set the resolution to the native the pixels are very clear and defined. For text it would actually be better for some kind of anti-aliasing to be going on.
I think that this will be an acceptable LCD until I can get something better. Right now this is the only desktop LCD monitor in 15.4 inch size that I am aware of except for a sililar MAG unit.
Hezz
I purchased the Proview 15.4 1280 x 800 widescreen LCD this week. I have it hooked up and running in it's own case right now. The monitor does not have very good clarity untill you run it at the native resolution and it has one bad pixel. I am debating returning it but at this price point these LCD's monitors are bound to be grade B and many units will have a bad pixel.
The onboard controller does not do a good job of scaling from other resolutions and leaves a significant ghosting effect around text images. This completely vanishes when driven at native resolution and timing.
Once I had powerstrip installed and set the resolution to the native the pixels are very clear and defined. For text it would actually be better for some kind of anti-aliasing to be going on.
I think that this will be an acceptable LCD until I can get something better. Right now this is the only desktop LCD monitor in 15.4 inch size that I am aware of except for a sililar MAG unit.
Hezz
I'm wondering if the MAG version is just for the European market as I don't see it on the website.
This is a pretty good little desktop monitor for the price when run native and using a little larger font.
But it seems like the contrast or something is a little off. Guy, didn't you mention in another thread that this LCD looked better with the projector light engine than the internal backlight.
I guess I am a little disappointed with the picture after watching DVD's on 1600 x 1200 CRT's. The action scenes seemed slightly sluggish and the screen door is noticable but not too bad. Overall the color rendition is good but I think I am going to have to get used to those square pixels.
Maybe it was the lower contrast ratio that I really noticed compared to the CRT.
Hezz
This is a pretty good little desktop monitor for the price when run native and using a little larger font.
But it seems like the contrast or something is a little off. Guy, didn't you mention in another thread that this LCD looked better with the projector light engine than the internal backlight.
I guess I am a little disappointed with the picture after watching DVD's on 1600 x 1200 CRT's. The action scenes seemed slightly sluggish and the screen door is noticable but not too bad. Overall the color rendition is good but I think I am going to have to get used to those square pixels.
Maybe it was the lower contrast ratio that I really noticed compared to the CRT.
Hezz
different model
I'm projecting a 15" XGA Proview 566s. And yes, it does look much better projected than it did with the backlight. With the backlight the brightness was uneven if you sat too close to it, just because of the different viewing angles. Not really too bad to watch, but you could see it.
You are looking at a different model, but they may be using the same backlight and diffusers, etc. I think you will be much happier with the projected image.
I'm projecting a 15" XGA Proview 566s. And yes, it does look much better projected than it did with the backlight. With the backlight the brightness was uneven if you sat too close to it, just because of the different viewing angles. Not really too bad to watch, but you could see it.
You are looking at a different model, but they may be using the same backlight and diffusers, etc. I think you will be much happier with the projected image.
Condenser Lenses
Hezz or Guy or anyone at all,
Do you know where I can get my hands on a pair of condenser lenses?
From my research so far I know that I am looking for a condenser around the 100mm diameter mark, made from pyrex, and if I was incredibly lucky: with an anti-reflective coating.
Are these only available from places like Edmund Optics (US$170 each), or is there somewhere a little more down market that will take the heat and do the job?
I have to admit Australia is a difficult place to buy anything at all that has been highly manufactured.
Thanks in advance,
😎
Hezz or Guy or anyone at all,
Do you know where I can get my hands on a pair of condenser lenses?
From my research so far I know that I am looking for a condenser around the 100mm diameter mark, made from pyrex, and if I was incredibly lucky: with an anti-reflective coating.
Are these only available from places like Edmund Optics (US$170 each), or is there somewhere a little more down market that will take the heat and do the job?
I have to admit Australia is a difficult place to buy anything at all that has been highly manufactured.
Thanks in advance,
😎
Goemon1966,
Edmonds is usually quite expensive. You can try DIYprojectorcompany.com and lumenlabs. They both sell condensers at around the focul lengths that you would need for a diy projector and they are cheap enough that even with freight to Australia it would probably be cheaper than Edmonds. If they don't have the sizes that you need you will probably have to search for companies on the net that sell them.
IF you look in the optics and lighting threads there are some posts to sites. Also I think there are some posts higher up in this thread to some companies that sell condensers.
Good luck,
Hezz
Edmonds is usually quite expensive. You can try DIYprojectorcompany.com and lumenlabs. They both sell condensers at around the focul lengths that you would need for a diy projector and they are cheap enough that even with freight to Australia it would probably be cheaper than Edmonds. If they don't have the sizes that you need you will probably have to search for companies on the net that sell them.
IF you look in the optics and lighting threads there are some posts to sites. Also I think there are some posts higher up in this thread to some companies that sell condensers.
Good luck,
Hezz
BRILLIANT!
Hezz-
Just wanted to say that I think your design is OUTSTANDING... INSPIRING, even.
The conventional thinking says that our DIY projectors are ugly and should me made as small as possible so we can hide them when they're not in use. Stick it on a cart and hide it in a closet or build it into the attic...
I realize that your original intent was to put this on a mobile base and tuck it away somewhere when not in use, but I think your design opens a new way of thinking about all this...
Given the proper room configuration, your design could actually be a striking design element - a permanent fixture. Of course, this approach is not for everyone - in order to create a permanent fixture that's harmonious/complementary/decorative, you'd obviously need something with a long throw so that it could reside behind the seating area.
People walking into a room for the first time would see it and point and ask, "What's that?" The proud, unashamed response would be, "That's my video projector - I made it myself. You should *see* the picture it puts out!"
As a paradigm, consider some of the high end speakers out there. For example:
Huge, ugly things that would have a very low WAF (Wife Acceptance Factor) if not for (A) their stellar performance (but do we not have that covered?) and (B) they're shape is intriguing and they're covered in a beautiful Brasilian Rosewood or Bubinga or some other exotic veneer. People proudly display them in their living rooms, and rightly so.
It's not clear to me whether you intended to take this approach, but my hat is off to you regardless. I really look forward to seeing the finished product.
Hezz-
Just wanted to say that I think your design is OUTSTANDING... INSPIRING, even.
The conventional thinking says that our DIY projectors are ugly and should me made as small as possible so we can hide them when they're not in use. Stick it on a cart and hide it in a closet or build it into the attic...
I realize that your original intent was to put this on a mobile base and tuck it away somewhere when not in use, but I think your design opens a new way of thinking about all this...
Given the proper room configuration, your design could actually be a striking design element - a permanent fixture. Of course, this approach is not for everyone - in order to create a permanent fixture that's harmonious/complementary/decorative, you'd obviously need something with a long throw so that it could reside behind the seating area.
People walking into a room for the first time would see it and point and ask, "What's that?" The proud, unashamed response would be, "That's my video projector - I made it myself. You should *see* the picture it puts out!"
As a paradigm, consider some of the high end speakers out there. For example:
An externally hosted image should be here but it was not working when we last tested it.
Huge, ugly things that would have a very low WAF (Wife Acceptance Factor) if not for (A) their stellar performance (but do we not have that covered?) and (B) they're shape is intriguing and they're covered in a beautiful Brasilian Rosewood or Bubinga or some other exotic veneer. People proudly display them in their living rooms, and rightly so.
It's not clear to me whether you intended to take this approach, but my hat is off to you regardless. I really look forward to seeing the finished product.
DonnyB,
You hit the nail on the head. I felt there was no way that I could make a large format DIY projector attractive. I though well I could make a nice good looking stand to put it on but then I have this ugly monstrosity sitting on top of that. Another approach that I liked was to build it into a end table but that didn't work with my design ideas.
In the end I decided that there was no way for me to make a size attractive project with anything other than a 7 inch or smaller LCD so I thought well why not try to make the big thing look kind of designed in addition to being functional.
You are right about the comments I get. Even in it's current unfinished state everyone wants to know what it is. I really want to buff it all up and leave it open and unenclosed except for the top which I may use some dark translucent plastic for stray light control.
Hezz
You hit the nail on the head. I felt there was no way that I could make a large format DIY projector attractive. I though well I could make a nice good looking stand to put it on but then I have this ugly monstrosity sitting on top of that. Another approach that I liked was to build it into a end table but that didn't work with my design ideas.
In the end I decided that there was no way for me to make a size attractive project with anything other than a 7 inch or smaller LCD so I thought well why not try to make the big thing look kind of designed in addition to being functional.
You are right about the comments I get. Even in it's current unfinished state everyone wants to know what it is. I really want to buff it all up and leave it open and unenclosed except for the top which I may use some dark translucent plastic for stray light control.
Hezz
The other day I was browsing the AVS forum and saw this link to the Prismasonic adjustable anamorphic lens. It looks like someone finally took the adjustable anamorphic idea to heart and has designed a modern equivalent.
I think I will in the end try and build a copy of something like these. And adapt them to the large lens of my projector. If you go to the web site you will see that they have several different models with the deluxe one having acromatic (doublet) prisms for better picture quality.
Here is a picture. They make a vertical squeeze model and a horizontal stretch model.
Hezz
I think I will in the end try and build a copy of something like these. And adapt them to the large lens of my projector. If you go to the web site you will see that they have several different models with the deluxe one having acromatic (doublet) prisms for better picture quality.
Here is a picture. They make a vertical squeeze model and a horizontal stretch model.
Hezz
Attachments
Condenser lens
Hezz,
Thanks for the advice. I guess you were thinking about fresnells and I was thinking about the PCX ones.
I only say this because I worry that I missed something at LL and DIYcompany as I don't think I have ever seen them sold there.
I"ll have a hunt around for the posts you mentioned re the optics.
Thanks again for your kind help with this.
G.
Hezz,
Thanks for the advice. I guess you were thinking about fresnells and I was thinking about the PCX ones.
I only say this because I worry that I missed something at LL and DIYcompany as I don't think I have ever seen them sold there.
I"ll have a hunt around for the posts you mentioned re the optics.
Thanks again for your kind help with this.
G.
Goemon,
Sorry for misleading you. At one time both DIYprojectorcompany and Lumenlabs were selling condenser lenses but now I see that neither of them have them in stock right now. You might try DIYbuildergroup.com and see if JCB is selling condensers at the present time.
Because condenser lenses are so easy to damage by heat from the light and inadequate design they may have found condensers too difficult to stock or cover by warranty.
I thought someone had posted some links to commercial lens sights that sold condensers but it must have been in another thread.
Keep looking.
Hezz
Sorry for misleading you. At one time both DIYprojectorcompany and Lumenlabs were selling condenser lenses but now I see that neither of them have them in stock right now. You might try DIYbuildergroup.com and see if JCB is selling condensers at the present time.
Because condenser lenses are so easy to damage by heat from the light and inadequate design they may have found condensers too difficult to stock or cover by warranty.
I thought someone had posted some links to commercial lens sights that sold condensers but it must have been in another thread.
Keep looking.
Hezz
condensor lenses
Rolyn Optics has some big heat-resistant condensor lenses for sale. I don't know if they appear on their website, but you can do a search for the part number:
part diameter fl
25.0100 114.3 mm 165 mm $66.20
25.0105 . 190 $67.25
25.0110 . 229 $68.41
25.0120 . 305 $68.47
25.0140 152.4 mm 305 $84.20
25.0150 . 406 $84.97
All are Pyrex or equivalent borosilicate glass PCX.
Prices are US dollars and don't include shipping.
Rolyn Optics has some big heat-resistant condensor lenses for sale. I don't know if they appear on their website, but you can do a search for the part number:
part diameter fl
25.0100 114.3 mm 165 mm $66.20
25.0105 . 190 $67.25
25.0110 . 229 $68.41
25.0120 . 305 $68.47
25.0140 152.4 mm 305 $84.20
25.0150 . 406 $84.97
All are Pyrex or equivalent borosilicate glass PCX.
Prices are US dollars and don't include shipping.
Guy & Hezz,
Thanks for your help with this.
Does this mean I can use something with a 25mm diameter?
G
Thanks for your help with this.
Does this mean I can use something with a 25mm diameter?
G
Guys,
Sorry about that last dumb question - I was clearly looking at the part number... DOH!
Thanks very much for the information.
Sorry about that last dumb question - I was clearly looking at the part number... DOH!
Thanks very much for the information.
Another dumb question
Is it true that beter results are obtained with a matched pair back to back?
Thanks
Is it true that beter results are obtained with a matched pair back to back?
Thanks
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