Hi! I've been using these boards since I began my DIYP project... I've succesfully stripped my lcd, extented an FCC connection, but now I'm stucked and confused when it comes to actually projecting the image.
Here is a quick list of what I'm using:
> 500W 8500 lumens halogen bulb w/ *rectangular* reflector. ( it's a yellow painting/contruction lamp I found for cheap, I have spare bulbs )
> 15'' LCD Fujitsu 16ms 300:1 contrast ratio Panel
> Lens kit from lumenlab.com (2 fresnel + proj. lens)
Here is a small ASCII plan of my actuall setup:
<Lamp+Reflector> 22 CM <Condensor fresnel> 2CM <lcd panel> 2CM <field fresnel> 35CM <LENS or test paper>
So here are my results:
nothing, I tried switching fresnel positions, distances, lamp distance, lens/paper position... notjing actually got me ANY picture >_<
the ONLY way I actually got anything was from putting a white paper in front of the LCD with the light on, I got a direct copy of the lcd, but duh, this just proves that some light passes in the LCD panel...
I'm guessing it might be my reflector that's not round in shape? but damn why is there absolutly NO signs of ANY projection, ... I'm getting a bit crazy as this project took me to much time as it is... I'm desperate for your inputs.
Thanks for reading!
Here is a quick list of what I'm using:
> 500W 8500 lumens halogen bulb w/ *rectangular* reflector. ( it's a yellow painting/contruction lamp I found for cheap, I have spare bulbs )
> 15'' LCD Fujitsu 16ms 300:1 contrast ratio Panel
> Lens kit from lumenlab.com (2 fresnel + proj. lens)
Here is a small ASCII plan of my actuall setup:
<Lamp+Reflector> 22 CM <Condensor fresnel> 2CM <lcd panel> 2CM <field fresnel> 35CM <LENS or test paper>
So here are my results:
nothing, I tried switching fresnel positions, distances, lamp distance, lens/paper position... notjing actually got me ANY picture >_<
the ONLY way I actually got anything was from putting a white paper in front of the LCD with the light on, I got a direct copy of the lcd, but duh, this just proves that some light passes in the LCD panel...
I'm guessing it might be my reflector that's not round in shape? but damn why is there absolutly NO signs of ANY projection, ... I'm getting a bit crazy as this project took me to much time as it is... I'm desperate for your inputs.
Thanks for reading!
Ok fair enough. I have never built my own projector or done the maths so I'll leave that to others; I just thought it would be helpful to someone who knows what they're talking about, to have something about which to talk.
BTW, you don't have any of the lenses reversed, do you?
BTW, you don't have any of the lenses reversed, do you?
Just to let you know, that halogen is nowhere near powerful enough to be a light source for a 15" PJ. You need at least a 250W MH. I am trying to get rid of a 400W MH bulb and ballast, and that would definitely be what you are looking for.
Just to give you an example of your problem: I am using a 175W MH bulb that has around 10,000 mean lumens. It is just good enough for a 5-7" PJ. Your 500W halogen only produces 8500 lumens. A 400W MH gives roughly 30,000 lumens if I remember correctly.
Just to give you an example of your problem: I am using a 175W MH bulb that has around 10,000 mean lumens. It is just good enough for a 5-7" PJ. Your 500W halogen only produces 8500 lumens. A 400W MH gives roughly 30,000 lumens if I remember correctly.
The diagnal of your lcd makes little difference, it is the size of your projection that affects brightness.
shardian said:
mmm... look at this thread. http://www.diyaudio.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=64351
what are the ambient lighting conditions? Can you post a picture of your current setup?
Something may not be lined up correctly, but in daylight I couldn't tell how bright my Metal Halide was and thought I'd screwed something up.
Something may not be lined up correctly, but in daylight I couldn't tell how bright my Metal Halide was and thought I'd screwed something up.
Hi! I've tried with virtually no light, I still don't get any results...
here's a pic:
like I said I tried putting both fresnels on each side, at multiple distances, maybe someone could tell me their exact ones?
so, it seems that my super hot light does not really suffice - crap. I'll search for another one, but those light kits at lumenlab are way to pricey for me, 150$+ without a relector? o rly.. 🙄
here's a pic:
like I said I tried putting both fresnels on each side, at multiple distances, maybe someone could tell me their exact ones?
so, it seems that my super hot light does not really suffice - crap. I'll search for another one, but those light kits at lumenlab are way to pricey for me, 150$+ without a relector? o rly.. 🙄
Your setup....
First, I assume that you have some kind of video signal going to your lcd and can see it when you turn on your projection lamp.
Second, get a couple of more pieces of cardboard that will reach from the lamp to the lcd so that no light from your lamp will go around the lcd. Just lean the cardboard against the lcd and lamp on the sides and the top to make sort of a tunnel for the light to go through. Keep in mind that the cardboard is just temporary and could catch on fire if you leave the light on for more than a few minutes.
If you have something else you can use that won't burn easily please use it instead.
Third, get rid of the test paper, it looks useless. Put the projection lens where the test paper is in your picture.
Fourth, from the focal lengths you gave, it looks like you need 3 or 4 meters from the projection lens to the wall, screen, whatever that you are projecting the image onto.
Fifth, make the room fairly dark, maybe one small light as far away from your screen as possible.
Now, switch on the LCD, switch on the video input, switch on the fan and then switch on your projection lamp.
Look at the LCD (be careful, it's going to be bright) and check that the LCD is showing video and isn't just blank.
If the wall/screen isn't showing a projected image of some kind, not even a big blurry bright spot, then I'm out of ideas or suggestions.
If you have a big blurry bright spot on your screen, move the projection lens slowly toward the LCD or away from the LCD to get the image in focus.
Finally, go turn off the projection lamp before it catches the cardboard on fire!
Good Luck,
TGreenwood
First, I assume that you have some kind of video signal going to your lcd and can see it when you turn on your projection lamp.
Second, get a couple of more pieces of cardboard that will reach from the lamp to the lcd so that no light from your lamp will go around the lcd. Just lean the cardboard against the lcd and lamp on the sides and the top to make sort of a tunnel for the light to go through. Keep in mind that the cardboard is just temporary and could catch on fire if you leave the light on for more than a few minutes.
If you have something else you can use that won't burn easily please use it instead.Third, get rid of the test paper, it looks useless. Put the projection lens where the test paper is in your picture.
Fourth, from the focal lengths you gave, it looks like you need 3 or 4 meters from the projection lens to the wall, screen, whatever that you are projecting the image onto.
Fifth, make the room fairly dark, maybe one small light as far away from your screen as possible.
Now, switch on the LCD, switch on the video input, switch on the fan and then switch on your projection lamp.
Look at the LCD (be careful, it's going to be bright) and check that the LCD is showing video and isn't just blank.
If the wall/screen isn't showing a projected image of some kind, not even a big blurry bright spot, then I'm out of ideas or suggestions.
If you have a big blurry bright spot on your screen, move the projection lens slowly toward the LCD or away from the LCD to get the image in focus.
Finally, go turn off the projection lamp before it catches the cardboard on fire!
Good Luck,
TGreenwood
i think it's because the thing you're projecting on is a see though plastic or paper? or is that just plain white paper?
first of all, that light is going to be so yellow, that i don't even see the point of using it.
first of all, that light is going to be so yellow, that i don't even see the point of using it.
Just plain paper, and the light isn't so yellow, trust me, it's still quite powerfull.snortonnorton said:
Re: Your setup....
First, I assume that you have some kind of video signal going to your lcd and can see it when you turn on your projection lamp.
>Yes I play media from my primary PC
Second, get a couple of more pieces of cardboard that will reach from the lamp to the lcd so that no light from your lamp will go around the lcd. Just lean the cardboard against the lcd and lamp on the sides and the top to make sort of a tunnel for the light to go through. Keep in mind that the cardboard is just temporary and could catch on fire if you leave the light on for more than a few minutes. If you have something else you can use that won't burn easily please use it instead.
>Yes I'm using some sort of cartoon for the sides, but my structure is weak, I'd need a better system
Third, get rid of the test paper, it looks useless. Put the projection lens where the test paper is in your picture.
>Yes, I've tried that but I got no projection, so I put a simple paper sheet to see if ANY picture at all got too the lens
Fourth, from the focal lengths you gave, it looks like you need 3 or 4 meters from the projection lens to the wall, screen, whatever that you are projecting the image onto.
>mm... I don't get this, can't I change the projection distance by just moving the projection lens & fresnels?
Fifth, make the room fairly dark, maybe one small light as far away from your screen as possible.
>ok!
Now, switch on the LCD, switch on the video input, switch on the fan and then switch on your projection lamp.
Look at the LCD (be careful, it's going to be bright) and check that the LCD is showing video and isn't just blank.
If the wall/screen isn't showing a projected image of some kind, not even a big blurry bright spot, then I'm out of ideas or suggestions.
If you have a big blurry bright spot on your screen, move the projection lens slowly toward the LCD or away from the LCD to get the image in focus.
>of course there is video, I've tried too many times to project the image, I'd be so dumb to not try and project 'blank' like you say...
Well I'll try some of your recommendations, and, btw, do you know any light kit that you'd suggest me that's less ($) than lumenlab's?
Many thanks for your reply
tgreenwood said:First, I assume that you have some kind of video signal going to your lcd and can see it when you turn on your projection lamp.
Second, get a couple of more pieces of cardboard that will reach from the lamp to the lcd so that no light from your lamp will go around the lcd. Just lean the cardboard against the lcd and lamp on the sides and the top to make sort of a tunnel for the light to go through. Keep in mind that the cardboard is just temporary and could catch on fire if you leave the light on for more than a few minutes.
Third, get rid of the test paper, it looks useless. Put the projection lens where the test paper is in your picture.
Fourth, from the focal lengths you gave, it looks like you need 3 or 4 meters from the projection lens to the wall, screen, whatever that you are projecting the image onto.
Fifth, make the room fairly dark, maybe one small light as far away from your screen as possible.
Now, switch on the LCD, switch on the video input, switch on the fan and then switch on your projection lamp.
Look at the LCD (be careful, it's going to be bright) and check that the LCD is showing video and isn't just blank.
If the wall/screen isn't showing a projected image of some kind, not even a big blurry bright spot, then I'm out of ideas or suggestions.
If you have a big blurry bright spot on your screen, move the projection lens slowly toward the LCD or away from the LCD to get the image in focus.
Finally, go turn off the projection lamp before it catches the cardboard on fire!
Good Luck,
TGreenwood
First, I assume that you have some kind of video signal going to your lcd and can see it when you turn on your projection lamp.
>Yes I play media from my primary PC
Second, get a couple of more pieces of cardboard that will reach from the lamp to the lcd so that no light from your lamp will go around the lcd. Just lean the cardboard against the lcd and lamp on the sides and the top to make sort of a tunnel for the light to go through. Keep in mind that the cardboard is just temporary and could catch on fire if you leave the light on for more than a few minutes.
If you have something else you can use that won't burn easily please use it instead.>Yes I'm using some sort of cartoon for the sides, but my structure is weak, I'd need a better system
Third, get rid of the test paper, it looks useless. Put the projection lens where the test paper is in your picture.
>Yes, I've tried that but I got no projection, so I put a simple paper sheet to see if ANY picture at all got too the lens
Fourth, from the focal lengths you gave, it looks like you need 3 or 4 meters from the projection lens to the wall, screen, whatever that you are projecting the image onto.
>mm... I don't get this, can't I change the projection distance by just moving the projection lens & fresnels?
Fifth, make the room fairly dark, maybe one small light as far away from your screen as possible.
>ok!
Now, switch on the LCD, switch on the video input, switch on the fan and then switch on your projection lamp.
Look at the LCD (be careful, it's going to be bright) and check that the LCD is showing video and isn't just blank.
If the wall/screen isn't showing a projected image of some kind, not even a big blurry bright spot, then I'm out of ideas or suggestions.
If you have a big blurry bright spot on your screen, move the projection lens slowly toward the LCD or away from the LCD to get the image in focus.
>of course there is video, I've tried too many times to project the image, I'd be so dumb to not try and project 'blank' like you say...
Well I'll try some of your recommendations, and, btw, do you know any light kit that you'd suggest me that's less ($) than lumenlab's?
Many thanks for your reply
You won't get any picture at all without the projection lens.
Put the projection lens where the test paper is in your picture.
Hey one last question, on the picture I posted, you can see a ribon coming out of the bottom circuit of the LCD to the main board, it looks like it would be impossible for me to place the board in the case without folding that 'ribon' (it's orange and contains many bus)
is it safe to actually fold it like the fcc extension?
is it safe to actually fold it like the fcc extension?
Get a piece of cardboard and cut out a hole to slide your PJ lens into. This will let you see where your light is actually hitting. Plus, it will block the excess light from washing out whatever image you may be projecting.
We have undergone all these things in our diy projector project vide details on our web page www.drtsolutions.com/Projector.htm
Based on our own experience, foolproof troubleshooting is as under:-
(1) The space around lamp and fresnel be enclosed so that light comes out of the fresnel only.
(2) Fresnel be adjusted for maximum light on the sheet held at its focal point
(3) Projection lamp be adjusted by placing between the fresnel and focal point for getting maximum light on the screen
(4) Ensure that there is video picture in the LCD
(5) LCD be placed near to the fresnel and then adjust the projetion lens for clear picture on the screen
(6) The space between the fresnel and projection lens be enclosed so that light comes out of the projection lens only.
(7) For further improvement, place the second fresnel and carry out above steps again.
Based on our own experience, foolproof troubleshooting is as under:-
(1) The space around lamp and fresnel be enclosed so that light comes out of the fresnel only.
(2) Fresnel be adjusted for maximum light on the sheet held at its focal point
(3) Projection lamp be adjusted by placing between the fresnel and focal point for getting maximum light on the screen
(4) Ensure that there is video picture in the LCD
(5) LCD be placed near to the fresnel and then adjust the projetion lens for clear picture on the screen
(6) The space between the fresnel and projection lens be enclosed so that light comes out of the projection lens only.
(7) For further improvement, place the second fresnel and carry out above steps again.
If you lenses' centers aren't lined up, your picture will be dark. Judging by the picture of your setup, the centers aren't lined up. 8500 lumens is another one of your problems. The bulbs that most people use have 22,000 - 36,000 lumens. 8500 is nice to work under a hood with, but it won't light up a 15" LCD worth a darn. Don't go to LL for lighting. Get a ballast and bulb ($55 + $37 + shipping) from a vendor. You'll save 20% by using a 400W bulb instead of your 500W bulb on your electric bill. That could, in time, make up the difference. 🙂
Also, make SURE your numbers are right. Fresnel distances, throw, LCD to projection lens, fresnel to projection lens. Make sure the fresnels' ridges are point towards the LCD.
Also, make SURE your numbers are right. Fresnel distances, throw, LCD to projection lens, fresnel to projection lens. Make sure the fresnels' ridges are point towards the LCD.
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