dead? i dont know about the rest of the people here but i just started building and not in the hopes of building one to save$. im building one just to learn and just maybe find a new hobby i can have fun doing.
This "premade" projector they sell is Ally, here is a manufacturer website:
http://www.ally3.com/
Some opinions about this projector from Polish DIY site:
- very, very noisy - the first thing people recommend is to tinker inside with fans to bring the noise down a bit
- low brightness, about 300lm, nowhere near the rated brightness
- unacceptable brightness falloff towards the corners
- lack of image sharpness (now guess why they show such small screens on LL site)
- terribly overpriced, considering the quality
Here is a shot of the corner of the screen:
http://www.ally3.com/
Some opinions about this projector from Polish DIY site:
- very, very noisy - the first thing people recommend is to tinker inside with fans to bring the noise down a bit
- low brightness, about 300lm, nowhere near the rated brightness
- unacceptable brightness falloff towards the corners
- lack of image sharpness (now guess why they show such small screens on LL site)
- terribly overpriced, considering the quality
Here is a shot of the corner of the screen:
Attachments
It's nothing new. You can find the same thing on ebay. It's a low resolution commercial projector, that just happens to have a less expensive replacement bulb.
I definitely don't think DIY is dead. Most projectors here have higher specs and cost much less than that one.
I definitely don't think DIY is dead. Most projectors here have higher specs and cost much less than that one.
> Hey Pepe have you a link to those reviews and comments on the ally ptv01b
Yes, but it is a "restricted" forum, something like a "private" section of LL.
http://www.projektorium.pl - and it's semi-dead now, no new messages for months
Regards
Yes, but it is a "restricted" forum, something like a "private" section of LL.
http://www.projektorium.pl - and it's semi-dead now, no new messages for months
Regards
You all make valid arguments...
However... the HAND WRITING is on the Wall...
As with everything, the 1st one or 2 models suck... but then they get better, and cheaper. All tech companies work this way... they sell you the crap first, to recoup R&D, and because they are under the radar of the big boys... then they slowly give you a better product in drips and drabs.
Id only start a new DIY projector if I was planning to build a HD version because it will take several years before the low cost projectors are there resolution wise.
However... the HAND WRITING is on the Wall...
As with everything, the 1st one or 2 models suck... but then they get better, and cheaper. All tech companies work this way... they sell you the crap first, to recoup R&D, and because they are under the radar of the big boys... then they slowly give you a better product in drips and drabs.
Id only start a new DIY projector if I was planning to build a HD version because it will take several years before the low cost projectors are there resolution wise.
itsonlymoney said:
The same thing has'nt happened with speakers, you know. I'm building a set of PVC speakers that should, in theory, sound better than the ones they sell for 150$ a set at the local audio store. Total cost to me? 30$. The same applies to top-of-the line single-driver designs; for 300$ I can get a a pair of world-class speakers, albiet ones that won't actually fit in my room. Or, take the Gainclone; CarlosFM's designs can be assembled for under 200$ for top-quality parts on both channels, and will outperform in some areas a 3000$ Gaincard setup.
I'd also like to point out a few things about the nature of projectors.
1. LCD's. The only reason we can build projectors for less than 500$ is because we can get our LCD's from used and partially-working sources. They have to buy them new, and in bulk.
2. Reliability. DIY lcd projectors are prone to odd problems from time to time, and are often large, bulky objects. To make them smalller would make them easier to produce and sell better, but making them reliable is another headache in itself. I would'nt be surprised if these stopped working relatively quickly.
3. Color temperature.
There's a reason why ordinary lightbulbs are cheap.
pepe303 said:
Thanks Pepe, I registered but can't figure out the language barrier, my polish leaves alot to be desired! Anyway, if I com across any other reviews I'll post.
Spasticteapot said:
Very true... however, what most people dont realize is you really cant build a commercial quality projector with all the bells and whistles for under 500.00 . Sure you can come close, and even outperform when it comes to Picture Resolution if you use a higher resolution LCD, but, a commercial projector is more than a light, lenses, and an imaging system. Its a complete video projection system with call kinds of technology crammed in there. Things like remote control, auto off, bulb life counter, OSD, Auto Keystone, Multiple Video Input Source capability, etc. can be added to a DIY projector, but there goes your 500.00 price tag, and your construction complexity goes through the roof.
What I think is going to happen is this, over the next few years low cost projectors will get better. Good enough for the Big Boys to take notice, and try to compete. I dont know whether it will be low cost bulbs or LED projectors that will win in the end, but low cost high quality commercial projectors arent far off. I mean, projectors arent like PDAs where you can just keep making them more and more powerful in order to justify the price tag, the only thing they can do to compete in the home market is either A) Higher Resolution (which is limited) B) Longer bulb life, or C) Lower cost.
The 1st company that comes out with an HD projector for under 1000.00 that has a light source that last 10K hours or more and cost 100.00 or less to replace will rule the home projector market.
itsonlymoney said:
DIY is far from dead if your judging your assessment on that "ALLY" projector. Did you see the resolution? 320 x 240 for $599. You can get twice the resolution or more by purchasing a projector panel and a OHP. Sure the bulbs only last 75 hours but even at $5 a pop you could go thru 100 of them before you would reach $600 assuming you purchased a panel and OHP for <$100. No wonder they list it as a TV projector, I wouldn't want to project an image larger that a 27 inch tv or I would get a headache from all the pixelization. lol, jk.
itsonlymoney said:
Half those things, like a remote, OSD, and multiple video inputs are available now if you pick the right LCD. Those other things are just a google search away for most of us and have already been implemented in a few of the other DIY'ers. No one said DIY is quick and easy. It's all about the hunt and assembly to some people.
That's the beauty of DIY. We can have HD resolution, a light source that lasts >10k hours and only costs ~$40, right now. No need to twiddle our thumbs while we wait for a commercial company to make one. It's all available right now with a little ingenuity, creativity and some elbow grease.
just my two cents.
Zaner21
I'd also like to point out all those "tricks and features" of a high priced commercial projector can be done if you know how to program. And the additional cost for all the computing is not expensive. Yes more time. Yes more knowledge. But like was said before, it's DIY.
It's much more satisfactory to sit in a room and watch a movie on your high res computer controlled projector if you built it. 🙂
It's much more satisfactory to sit in a room and watch a movie on your high res computer controlled projector if you built it. 🙂
The Lumen Lab model states a Native Res of 800x480... for 599.00 must be a different model.
All Im saying is that there is a shift occuring in the Projector Industry towards cheap, projectors. The march has begun away from the high priced, expensive bulb models towards long lasting low cost bulbs/etc. As this march progresses... the reasons for building a DIY projector will continue to be reduced. I believe that given the options of A) Building a Projector from scratch, and B) Buying one that gives at least 800x600 res with Bulbs that last 10K hours and cost 50 bucks to replace, with all the bells and whistles commercial projectors offer... MANY DIY builders would choose option B. I know I would... I built a PJ based on a 15" BenQ monitor. I would trade it in a second for a commercial PJ if the specs/price were right.... I mean... lets face it... I just want to watch TV on a big screen for a good price.
It's not only money. 🙂 Sorry had to throw that in there. For a lot of people tinkering with things is a hobby to an obsession. There is something to be said about building your own things, knowing how they work, if something goes wrong you know how to fix it, and learning about the machine. It's not a job or a chore to build these, it's a fun activity that allows you to practice different skills (woodworking, metal working, electrical, optics, physics, thermal dynanics, etc). To me, the actual act of building the projector is as rewarding as the final product.
Commercial projectors still have to lower their initial costs, their bulb costs, and repair costs. Right now, even if I got a commercial proj for free, 5000 hours down the road, I'm going to have to dump $300 - $500 for a bulb. And again. And Again. Companies like to make money and if their products don't cost a lot, repairing or maintaining them will. Printers for example. Cheap for a new one. $60 (ish) to replace the ink each time.
Commercial projectors still have to lower their initial costs, their bulb costs, and repair costs. Right now, even if I got a commercial proj for free, 5000 hours down the road, I'm going to have to dump $300 - $500 for a bulb. And again. And Again. Companies like to make money and if their products don't cost a lot, repairing or maintaining them will. Printers for example. Cheap for a new one. $60 (ish) to replace the ink each time.
Well said.
Not that I don't like commerical project, I like them, I like all the features in a small box, but the fact that knowing for the price of two replacement bulbs, I could have a brand new projector, that doesn't make too much sense to me.
Not that I don't like commerical project, I like them, I like all the features in a small box, but the fact that knowing for the price of two replacement bulbs, I could have a brand new projector, that doesn't make too much sense to me.
itsonlymoney said:
I would agree. I have been slowly gather the parts to make a 15"-17" 1080p projector but I think I spend more time looking for a good, used 720p or higher commercial projector that I could retro fit with a longer lasting bulb. And the industry is defiantly shifting. Look at all of the native 16/9 projectors that are on the market now. You could probably count them on one hand 4 years ago. To me thought it's not the projector manufactures that are holding back the longer bulb life. It's the physics of how a short arc lamp works. Unless someone finds or creates a metal that can withstand the heat inside the bulb envelope. A short arc lamp just can't last that long before the electrodes incinerate, hence the shift to LED's. I'm sure there are still people doing R & D on HID bulbs but I would guess it is far less than what people are putting into LED technology. So many new innovations, if only we had world peace, this would be a fantastic time to be alive for all. lol
Zaner21
The DIY Projector involves assembly of components like LCD, fresnels and bulbs which are mass produced. If the assembly is properly done, the results are comparable with commercial projectors with added advantages of much overall costs, cheaper bulbs as well as much longer bulb life. With suitable modifications, the results could be even superior due to customization. Hence the diy projector building will continue. Even if these advantages go away in future, the diy projector building still will continue due to the reason of owing a self made product. Just like howsoever cheaper and better commercial food products may be, the home cooked food items will continue. This is based on my own personal experience. Our DIY Projector is loved by all members of the family and no other item in home gets so much affectionate feelings.
DIY projectors are far from dead. We have made great strides in DIY projector building lately that have improved our image quality greatly, such as a pro reflector, HD quality 17" panels, new pro lenses that yield picture quality that is nothing short of stunning, and also the anti-glare removal technique that greatly enhances color vibrance and contrast. DIY projectors are at their prime as far as I'm concerned, commercial projectors with equal quality still cost and bit more and the bulbs still run out in 1/16 the time that ours do. We have bulbs that last 20,000 hours in comparison to 2000-4000 hours. Also, considering the fact that commercial projector bulbs cost hundreds more I'll take a DIY any day.
Add to all that the fact that you can actually upgrade your DIY projector as new technology developes, unlike ANY other display device. For example; when higher quality LCDs, lenses, and bulbs come out you can just swap the old ones out for the new ones, good luck doing that with any commercial display device of any kind. Plus, when all is said and done, it is just SO much more fun building and tweaking your own, and far FAR more impressive to boot. What sounds more impressive, "hey guys I just bought this projector from the store, cool huh?" or "hey guys I actually built this thing myself"? There is definitely a MUCH bigger "WOW" factor from friends and family. 😀
Oh also, the projector I am building right now only cost me $500 to make, good luck getting these type of results in a commercial projector for that amount of money. 😉
And the feeling of self accomplishment is unbeatable as well. 🙂
(my buddy savo's DIY projector results)
Add to all that the fact that you can actually upgrade your DIY projector as new technology developes, unlike ANY other display device. For example; when higher quality LCDs, lenses, and bulbs come out you can just swap the old ones out for the new ones, good luck doing that with any commercial display device of any kind. Plus, when all is said and done, it is just SO much more fun building and tweaking your own, and far FAR more impressive to boot. What sounds more impressive, "hey guys I just bought this projector from the store, cool huh?" or "hey guys I actually built this thing myself"? There is definitely a MUCH bigger "WOW" factor from friends and family. 😀
Oh also, the projector I am building right now only cost me $500 to make, good luck getting these type of results in a commercial projector for that amount of money. 😉
And the feeling of self accomplishment is unbeatable as well. 🙂
An externally hosted image should be here but it was not working when we last tested it.
(my buddy savo's DIY projector results)
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