Chuck,
For what it's worth, I've been thinking that a laptop LCD is the way to, but I think it puts you out of the $200 projector catetory.
The problem seems to be driving the signal. This is the type of product I've found that may suit, but I've priced them out at about $450 Canadain.
http://www.digitalview.com/products/controllers/info2.php?ControllerModel=AVT-1024
That combined with a scaler to pump an XGA signal (like the XGA Theather box, at $129 US) start to add up.
Assuming this is the way to go, the outstanding bridge to gap is the cabling that takes the signal from the controller card to the panel. I've seen on (at least, some) laptop lcds, there's a circuit board portion that flops over and would cover part of the screen. To move it out of the way, you'd need some sort of pass-through, extender cable, but I don't know how to source one.
(been lurking here for many weeks, learned a lot, but haven't contributed much)
dave.
For what it's worth, I've been thinking that a laptop LCD is the way to, but I think it puts you out of the $200 projector catetory.
The problem seems to be driving the signal. This is the type of product I've found that may suit, but I've priced them out at about $450 Canadain.
http://www.digitalview.com/products/controllers/info2.php?ControllerModel=AVT-1024
That combined with a scaler to pump an XGA signal (like the XGA Theather box, at $129 US) start to add up.
Assuming this is the way to go, the outstanding bridge to gap is the cabling that takes the signal from the controller card to the panel. I've seen on (at least, some) laptop lcds, there's a circuit board portion that flops over and would cover part of the screen. To move it out of the way, you'd need some sort of pass-through, extender cable, but I don't know how to source one.
(been lurking here for many weeks, learned a lot, but haven't contributed much)
dave.
AHH!!
Okay. I received my 400W metal halide setup. I started doing some tests late Friday evening. Marklar, I noticed that you wrapped your bulb in aluminum foil, so, I decided, as a temporary reflector and easy way to test, I'd do it too.
I had a box fan blowing on my whole contraption. I had a beautiful image of CRAZY TAXI 2 off my dreamcast on my wall, and ran to go get my camera. I came back, and noticed that there was a lot of light around the room from the bulb, and I should put soemthing around the sides of everything. problem is, I didnt really think about it, the air from the fan wasn't getting to the bulb after I did. So, within 2-3 minutes of making this change, and as I was still google-eyed over the image on my screen, and I picked up the camera, pointed at it, and was about to click, my bulb just fizzled out.
YES, I BURNT OUT A $25 400W Metal Halide BULB!!!
so, just as a warning, unless you've got 15 fans pointed at a bulb, don't wrap it in aluminum foil! I baked it like a baked potato. Marklar, I would even recommend changing your setup even if it is not burning up, it must be hard on the bulb.
It was a Philips bulb. I was talking to a guy at the local electronics supply store, and he said they suck. So, I won't be getting a philips next time. I sure as hell hope that it is in fact the bulb, and not the capacitor or ballast. I'm about 90% sure its just the bulb though..
UGH
what a downer, I'm still trying to recover emotionally. hehe.
Okay. I received my 400W metal halide setup. I started doing some tests late Friday evening. Marklar, I noticed that you wrapped your bulb in aluminum foil, so, I decided, as a temporary reflector and easy way to test, I'd do it too.
I had a box fan blowing on my whole contraption. I had a beautiful image of CRAZY TAXI 2 off my dreamcast on my wall, and ran to go get my camera. I came back, and noticed that there was a lot of light around the room from the bulb, and I should put soemthing around the sides of everything. problem is, I didnt really think about it, the air from the fan wasn't getting to the bulb after I did. So, within 2-3 minutes of making this change, and as I was still google-eyed over the image on my screen, and I picked up the camera, pointed at it, and was about to click, my bulb just fizzled out.
YES, I BURNT OUT A $25 400W Metal Halide BULB!!!
so, just as a warning, unless you've got 15 fans pointed at a bulb, don't wrap it in aluminum foil! I baked it like a baked potato. Marklar, I would even recommend changing your setup even if it is not burning up, it must be hard on the bulb.
It was a Philips bulb. I was talking to a guy at the local electronics supply store, and he said they suck. So, I won't be getting a philips next time. I sure as hell hope that it is in fact the bulb, and not the capacitor or ballast. I'm about 90% sure its just the bulb though..
UGH
what a downer, I'm still trying to recover emotionally. hehe.
daveb:
I do not need a hardware scalar or analog video connections (just VGA). I plan to run the LCD from my computer and do scaling in software.
CR
I do not need a hardware scalar or analog video connections (just VGA). I plan to run the LCD from my computer and do scaling in software.
CR
Undream,
All I have is a 80mm fan blowing on my bulb and I have watched many movies like this about a total of 12 hours. Friday night we watched tv for about 3 hours on it then I smelled something I was like OMG!! its burning so I ran around to check it and the ballast was hot as hell I think I will be putting some heat sinks on it and ading a extra fan to blow on the ballast.
Anyone,
The lens I posted earlier Im trying to find the focal length of it. The normal OHP lens assembly has a 327mm focal length when I add this lens it has a 280mm focal length. I tryed that formula but I donno if I did it right I came up with that small lens having a focal point of about 2010mm. Could someone give me a second openion on that. And if I get a concave lens with a -2010mm focal lens it would have the opposite effect right?
All I have is a 80mm fan blowing on my bulb and I have watched many movies like this about a total of 12 hours. Friday night we watched tv for about 3 hours on it then I smelled something I was like OMG!! its burning so I ran around to check it and the ballast was hot as hell I think I will be putting some heat sinks on it and ading a extra fan to blow on the ballast.
Anyone,
The lens I posted earlier Im trying to find the focal length of it. The normal OHP lens assembly has a 327mm focal length when I add this lens it has a 280mm focal length. I tryed that formula but I donno if I did it right I came up with that small lens having a focal point of about 2010mm. Could someone give me a second openion on that. And if I get a concave lens with a -2010mm focal lens it would have the opposite effect right?
Undream,
Whoa! Sorry to hear about that. It sounds like it blew on the first run, but did you try it without the foil? I really like your DIY screen on your website. It looks good!
Marklar,
It sound like you MH setup is working out for you. Do you have any movie screenshots using the setup? Just curious. Have you tried it without the foil? How does that compare? Is there just too much light scatter?
later,
f4
Whoa! Sorry to hear about that. It sounds like it blew on the first run, but did you try it without the foil? I really like your DIY screen on your website. It looks good!
Marklar,
It sound like you MH setup is working out for you. Do you have any movie screenshots using the setup? Just curious. Have you tried it without the foil? How does that compare? Is there just too much light scatter?
later,
f4
Yeah, this was first run in conjunction with the other components of my projector. however, I let the light burn about 10 minutes two times before this run.
total time it burned was about 30 minutes. I don't know, who knows, maybe I got a bum bulb?
total time it burned was about 30 minutes. I don't know, who knows, maybe I got a bum bulb?
Question...
Hi, i have purchased an InFocus 7600w LCD projection panel, and it has a 1024x768 resolution, but i am worried about the fact that it has a PASSIVE MATRIX display, and some panels have an ACTIVE MATRIX, will it make any difference?
aleksey
Hi, i have purchased an InFocus 7600w LCD projection panel, and it has a 1024x768 resolution, but i am worried about the fact that it has a PASSIVE MATRIX display, and some panels have an ACTIVE MATRIX, will it make any difference?
aleksey
Aleksey,
I'm not sure what implications that might have, but I would think that a higher-end panel with a resolution that high would be also have adequate video capabilities. I wish I could tell you something more definite.
Well, to possibly give this project a little pep-rally, I am including this link:
http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?s=&threadid=139122
This is a thread on avsforum.com about the most-popular low-priced LCD projector right now, the Panisonic AE-100 ($1400 USD is the lowest price found, I think). Many owners brag about the picture quality (which I'm sure is nice), but this thread tells of the many failures seen with this projector so far. Many complaints seem to come from the bulb, and as we all know, these are VERY expensive (over most DIY projector budgets!).
I just thought that it would be nice to compare the best "budget" projector out there to what we are shooting for here. At least when something fails with our projectors, we can fix it ourselves! And once the metal halide issue get worked out, I will challenge any commercial projector to beat it in longevity (hopefully we can go longer than 30 minutes....sorry Undream 😉 ).
Good luck, everybody!
f4
I'm not sure what implications that might have, but I would think that a higher-end panel with a resolution that high would be also have adequate video capabilities. I wish I could tell you something more definite.
Well, to possibly give this project a little pep-rally, I am including this link:
http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?s=&threadid=139122
This is a thread on avsforum.com about the most-popular low-priced LCD projector right now, the Panisonic AE-100 ($1400 USD is the lowest price found, I think). Many owners brag about the picture quality (which I'm sure is nice), but this thread tells of the many failures seen with this projector so far. Many complaints seem to come from the bulb, and as we all know, these are VERY expensive (over most DIY projector budgets!).
I just thought that it would be nice to compare the best "budget" projector out there to what we are shooting for here. At least when something fails with our projectors, we can fix it ourselves! And once the metal halide issue get worked out, I will challenge any commercial projector to beat it in longevity (hopefully we can go longer than 30 minutes....sorry Undream 😉 ).
Good luck, everybody!
f4
im interested in another light source.....
i see that LED lights arent quite feasable as a light source, and MH lights are so hot AND expensive. I've got another idea.
how about an automobile headlight? these can be found in pure white and are reasonably bright. maybee more than one would be required but if a three screen setup were used then they would be plenty bright and newer bulbs run relatively cool COMPARED to a MH bulb.
if not car sizes lights, then the type used on heavy equipment may be better, for instance CAT makes a light bulb for their Big dump trucks that MUST be near 5000lumens!, these things hurt to look at from 1/4 km away.
i dont know about price or availability but it could be something to look into.
i see that LED lights arent quite feasable as a light source, and MH lights are so hot AND expensive. I've got another idea.
how about an automobile headlight? these can be found in pure white and are reasonably bright. maybee more than one would be required but if a three screen setup were used then they would be plenty bright and newer bulbs run relatively cool COMPARED to a MH bulb.
if not car sizes lights, then the type used on heavy equipment may be better, for instance CAT makes a light bulb for their Big dump trucks that MUST be near 5000lumens!, these things hurt to look at from 1/4 km away.
i dont know about price or availability but it could be something to look into.
I think you would find that car headlight bulbs would run fairly hot also in an enclosed box. You would also absolutley need a reflector on it to get any real light thru the lcd.
Metal halide really is an amazing light source. My 400w MH does not produce anywhere near the heat that the 600w DYS quartz halogen bulb it replaced produced. That sucker was a space heater. Metal halide takes a bit more space and components, but it is the easiest way to "brute force" the maximum amount of light with the minimum amount of heat, even without a reflector
Pod
Metal halide really is an amazing light source. My 400w MH does not produce anywhere near the heat that the 600w DYS quartz halogen bulb it replaced produced. That sucker was a space heater. Metal halide takes a bit more space and components, but it is the easiest way to "brute force" the maximum amount of light with the minimum amount of heat, even without a reflector
Pod
i bought a 50,000 lumen bulb high presure sodium bulb. my friend work in green houses and told my that its whiter light than mercry
and MH, but i just read the post, myren said something that it had bad tone. should i take it back and get the mh 36,000 lums
also i got just the socket for these type of bulb for 14 bucks powers striat from the wall wil it work dose anyone know if these light need a special transformer to work it😕 😕 😕 😕
and MH, but i just read the post, myren said something that it had bad tone. should i take it back and get the mh 36,000 lums
also i got just the socket for these type of bulb for 14 bucks powers striat from the wall wil it work dose anyone know if these light need a special transformer to work it😕 😕 😕 😕
Hi all
Sorry to skew the topic slightly back to LCD panels, but i just wondered if anyone had ever come across either of these two items. I'm from the UK and i've had little joy finding kit to use...
This 4" TFT panel from Maplin electronics, which is described here and here in more detail. It's got a composite video input but i don't know wether or not i can remove the back panel and backlight to get a lamp to shine thru it. Most likely i'll just go down to Maplins in Manchester and take a look at one.
There's also this which is a full unit rather than just a module. Again, no idea if this can be dismantled or not, so i'll have to ring them.
Much respect 🙂
Jernau
Sorry to skew the topic slightly back to LCD panels, but i just wondered if anyone had ever come across either of these two items. I'm from the UK and i've had little joy finding kit to use...
This 4" TFT panel from Maplin electronics, which is described here and here in more detail. It's got a composite video input but i don't know wether or not i can remove the back panel and backlight to get a lamp to shine thru it. Most likely i'll just go down to Maplins in Manchester and take a look at one.
There's also this which is a full unit rather than just a module. Again, no idea if this can be dismantled or not, so i'll have to ring them.
Much respect 🙂
Jernau
Jernau...the problem with those screens is that the resolution is quite poor (273x234 and 383x234). So even if you can take them apart and get a clear path for light you will be stuck with a VERY low resolution image.
I wouldnt suggest anything under 640x480 and I personally would take anything under 1024x768 (but thats just me and my demanding standards). If you do decide that you can live with this resolution then make sure you also find out what the contrast ratio and response time are...these can also make quite a difference in you projected image.
Good luck,
Dave
I wouldnt suggest anything under 640x480 and I personally would take anything under 1024x768 (but thats just me and my demanding standards). If you do decide that you can live with this resolution then make sure you also find out what the contrast ratio and response time are...these can also make quite a difference in you projected image.
Good luck,
Dave
no progress😕
Well...I am sad to say that I have made noooooooo progress on my projector. I have been insanely busy lately and have had no time to work. Plus....I ordered a dukane 680 and I am waiting for it to get here so I can tear it apart....but damn I am going to have a good light source and nice optics....I hope it gets here soon.
I do have some thoughts and questions on lighting. Before I ordered the dukane I was going to go buy my 450W MetalHalide like others but I was upset at the size of the bulbs. I am getting a 575 watt MH bulb from my Dukane and it should have the reflector already built in. This will focus something like 7000 lumens. The bulb itself throughs out some insane number...but I just dont think I could build a reflector to do a better job on a LARGE bulb. I still plan on trying though, but I needed to get something up and running cuz I'm getting itchy to watch something.
If anyone knows where/how to get high wattage MH ballasts and bulbs that arent SOOO large I would appreciate the info (as would everyon else I'm sure). And if I am mistaken about the dukane's bulb not being as big as those HUGE store bought MH bulbs let me know.
Good luck and I'll get back to you guys once I tear apart my Dukane.
Ohhh...I gave my camera to my Bro...so I am hoping to also get a new digital camera befor I tear apart my new projector...If I do I will take many pictures and post them online.
Later,
Dave
Well...I am sad to say that I have made noooooooo progress on my projector. I have been insanely busy lately and have had no time to work. Plus....I ordered a dukane 680 and I am waiting for it to get here so I can tear it apart....but damn I am going to have a good light source and nice optics....I hope it gets here soon.
I do have some thoughts and questions on lighting. Before I ordered the dukane I was going to go buy my 450W MetalHalide like others but I was upset at the size of the bulbs. I am getting a 575 watt MH bulb from my Dukane and it should have the reflector already built in. This will focus something like 7000 lumens. The bulb itself throughs out some insane number...but I just dont think I could build a reflector to do a better job on a LARGE bulb. I still plan on trying though, but I needed to get something up and running cuz I'm getting itchy to watch something.
If anyone knows where/how to get high wattage MH ballasts and bulbs that arent SOOO large I would appreciate the info (as would everyon else I'm sure). And if I am mistaken about the dukane's bulb not being as big as those HUGE store bought MH bulbs let me know.
Good luck and I'll get back to you guys once I tear apart my Dukane.
Ohhh...I gave my camera to my Bro...so I am hoping to also get a new digital camera befor I tear apart my new projector...If I do I will take many pictures and post them online.
Later,
Dave
Xterrian,
Up to 1000 hour lamp life. My lamp lasts about 20,000 hours :/
Biteon,
Some bulbs are what is called self ballasted and can be hooked to normal line voltage but most HID lamps require a seperate ballast. I would check with the manufacture to see what it is.
Up to 1000 hour lamp life. My lamp lasts about 20,000 hours :/
Biteon,
Some bulbs are what is called self ballasted and can be hooked to normal line voltage but most HID lamps require a seperate ballast. I would check with the manufacture to see what it is.
OOOO!!!
Oh...I almost forgot. I finally got my DSL worked out at home and I registered diyprojector.com
I hope to have something up within a week or two with details on my progress and links to a bunch of info. I am unfortunately limited to 128 upstream bandwith so it might be a little slow for a while. The good thing is that it will be running on my own server which has about 160GB of free space right now. So... once I get it up and running I will be happy to post anyone elses progress, designes, or pictures.
I would like to get this site up a lot faster but I am currently working on a new project for work and will be focussing a bit of time on that project. So...I will let you guys know when I have something up.
Later and good luck,
Dave
Oh...I almost forgot. I finally got my DSL worked out at home and I registered diyprojector.com
I hope to have something up within a week or two with details on my progress and links to a bunch of info. I am unfortunately limited to 128 upstream bandwith so it might be a little slow for a while. The good thing is that it will be running on my own server which has about 160GB of free space right now. So... once I get it up and running I will be happy to post anyone elses progress, designes, or pictures.
I would like to get this site up a lot faster but I am currently working on a new project for work and will be focussing a bit of time on that project. So...I will let you guys know when I have something up.
Later and good luck,
Dave
SuperDave:
I just got my Dukane 680 a few days ago. It uses a reflector and a lens (in front of the bulb) to shape the light. There is also a mirror at 45 degrees before the fresnel. The whole thing runs <b>really quiet</b>. There is no way I could do such a good job for $150.
CR
I just got my Dukane 680 a few days ago. It uses a reflector and a lens (in front of the bulb) to shape the light. There is also a mirror at 45 degrees before the fresnel. The whole thing runs <b>really quiet</b>. There is no way I could do such a good job for $150.
CR
Chuck...my understaning is that the bulb is quite a bit smaller thant the DIY bulbs that others(including myself) have been using...is that true?
The bad side of our Dukane projector approach is that the bulbs dont last NEARLY as long and are A LOT more expensive to replace. So I want to use this as a temporary solution and maybe even go through a bulb or two while I work on building my own bulb/reflector system. The problem is that I dont think I will be able to do better, but I should be able to do similar and cheaper. That will be my goal.
But...with the 575 only producing 7000 lumens of focussed light that it does not look promising for me and the 450W MH bulb. I want a picture I can watch in a moderately lit room...I will have to wait to see what I get with my dukane and go from there...How bright is you image Chuck? Is it watchable with moderate ambient light? I sure hope so...I really dont want to have to try and cool a 1000W MH monster.
Later,
Dave
The bad side of our Dukane projector approach is that the bulbs dont last NEARLY as long and are A LOT more expensive to replace. So I want to use this as a temporary solution and maybe even go through a bulb or two while I work on building my own bulb/reflector system. The problem is that I dont think I will be able to do better, but I should be able to do similar and cheaper. That will be my goal.
But...with the 575 only producing 7000 lumens of focussed light that it does not look promising for me and the 450W MH bulb. I want a picture I can watch in a moderately lit room...I will have to wait to see what I get with my dukane and go from there...How bright is you image Chuck? Is it watchable with moderate ambient light? I sure hope so...I really dont want to have to try and cool a 1000W MH monster.
Later,
Dave
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