look at the subject
Hey if you don't have anything constructive to say then shhhhhhh.
I built my own theater room and the screen and the speakers and the amps. Is that enough DIY for you.
Hey if you don't have anything constructive to say then shhhhhhh.
I built my own theater room and the screen and the speakers and the amps. Is that enough DIY for you.
Glad you built that stuff but..
Why not go to Best Buy for your 'screen, speakers and amps' then? hehe...
Why not go to Best Buy for your 'screen, speakers and amps' then? hehe...
Sheesh
OK um brainchild 🙄
I did build a projector as well. I used a NEC 1550 lcd monitor. I build it with a 3M 9550 OHP that I modified. It looked like the lock ness monster in my room. Decent image probably on par with what has been accomplished on this forum. It was big and bulky, and my wife laughed at it on a regular basis.
With speakers and amps and even projector screens you can achieve exceptional results that are many times better than what you can purchase for the same investment by going the DIY route.
I think that given the price/performance/size comparison of the X1 to DIY designs you will most likely fail in besting the X1.
The cost of a messed up lcd panel (easy to do) will set you back an additional $200+ Not to mention the cost of a proper cooling and lighting arrangement.
I support everyone trying to make a high resolution design, but I think that for most people this will be a costly unsuccessful endeavor, save the cheap panel to ohp designs.
Finally, If you buy speakers other than a computer setup from Best Buy, you should have your diyaudio.com access revoked.
OK um brainchild 🙄
I did build a projector as well. I used a NEC 1550 lcd monitor. I build it with a 3M 9550 OHP that I modified. It looked like the lock ness monster in my room. Decent image probably on par with what has been accomplished on this forum. It was big and bulky, and my wife laughed at it on a regular basis.
With speakers and amps and even projector screens you can achieve exceptional results that are many times better than what you can purchase for the same investment by going the DIY route.
I think that given the price/performance/size comparison of the X1 to DIY designs you will most likely fail in besting the X1.
The cost of a messed up lcd panel (easy to do) will set you back an additional $200+ Not to mention the cost of a proper cooling and lighting arrangement.
I support everyone trying to make a high resolution design, but I think that for most people this will be a costly unsuccessful endeavor, save the cheap panel to ohp designs.
Finally, If you buy speakers other than a computer setup from Best Buy, you should have your diyaudio.com access revoked.
all good points
I'm not arguing with you about your points, it's just that this IS a forum for people who DIY, not a place to sing the praises of a commercial projector. Epinions.com might be a better place for that sort of thing. The only reason progress will ever be made in the DIY projector arena is because people are willing to keep trying, perfecting, innovating. Being told 'it's not worth it' stifles that enthusiasm a bit.
~cheers
I'm not arguing with you about your points, it's just that this IS a forum for people who DIY, not a place to sing the praises of a commercial projector. Epinions.com might be a better place for that sort of thing. The only reason progress will ever be made in the DIY projector arena is because people are willing to keep trying, perfecting, innovating. Being told 'it's not worth it' stifles that enthusiasm a bit.
~cheers
Huh?
Brain:
Sorry, but I disagree......
I built a premium component DIY setup, so I know of what I speak. It was very educational and I do get a good picture....but after spending around $600 I still have a behemoth noisy furnace sitting in FRONT of my seating position, and the picture is still way too big. If the X1 was available for $999 when I started the project I would have bought one then. Currently I'm waiting on my new X1 to arrive....and I will post comparison screenshots.
From what I've learned, I will have better brightness, blacks, contrast ratio, less heat, a smaller picture, and of course the tiny box on the shelf BEHIND my seating area.
Now if you guys can duplicate the Korean DIY projectors , have a long throw lens, and do it for under $400, and sell a kit version, you'll have something!
But if you don't mind the box in front of you, I'll soon have some juicy bits for sale.
Good Luck and keep on building!
(think smaller, brighter, cooler, quieter)
Brain:
Sorry, but I disagree......
I built a premium component DIY setup, so I know of what I speak. It was very educational and I do get a good picture....but after spending around $600 I still have a behemoth noisy furnace sitting in FRONT of my seating position, and the picture is still way too big. If the X1 was available for $999 when I started the project I would have bought one then. Currently I'm waiting on my new X1 to arrive....and I will post comparison screenshots.
From what I've learned, I will have better brightness, blacks, contrast ratio, less heat, a smaller picture, and of course the tiny box on the shelf BEHIND my seating area.
Now if you guys can duplicate the Korean DIY projectors , have a long throw lens, and do it for under $400, and sell a kit version, you'll have something!
But if you don't mind the box in front of you, I'll soon have some juicy bits for sale.
Good Luck and keep on building!
(think smaller, brighter, cooler, quieter)
Re: Huh?
You disagree that this is a forum for people who want to build their own projectors? I never argued that home-made projectors were better...
proto5 said:
You disagree that this is a forum for people who want to build their own projectors? I never argued that home-made projectors were better...
Huh?
Brain:
Sorry I wasn't clear-
I meant to say that this forum needs input from us that have done BOTH DIY and commercial projectors. That way the forum can know how their setups stack up against the real deal. Hell...I feel I've gotten my money's worth out of my DIY setup just from watching my friend's jaws drop at the sight of a 12 foot screen in action!
But there will come a time when alot of DIY's will cave and buy a little magic box like I'm doing. Now if you're using a $75 OHP and a $100 panel with composite video & you're happy, then more power to you. But after spending big $$$ remodeling my living room into a home theatre, the "Battlestar Galactica" projector has got to go!
Peace.
Brain:
Sorry I wasn't clear-
I meant to say that this forum needs input from us that have done BOTH DIY and commercial projectors. That way the forum can know how their setups stack up against the real deal. Hell...I feel I've gotten my money's worth out of my DIY setup just from watching my friend's jaws drop at the sight of a 12 foot screen in action!
But there will come a time when alot of DIY's will cave and buy a little magic box like I'm doing. Now if you're using a $75 OHP and a $100 panel with composite video & you're happy, then more power to you. But after spending big $$$ remodeling my living room into a home theatre, the "Battlestar Galactica" projector has got to go!
Peace.
Different Thought.
I think this could be compared in parallel to making own PC and buying Dell PC. Dell makes pcs so cheap that building ones own is no more useful but still over clockers and those who just get kick out of it do make their own.
LCDs are going to be bigger not better at same size except in Japan where small is equally good. Once you have zeroed on to one setup it is easy to replicate and improve upon.
I have been playing with PCS now from last 11 years my first one assembled in India in 1992.
I think this could be compared in parallel to making own PC and buying Dell PC. Dell makes pcs so cheap that building ones own is no more useful but still over clockers and those who just get kick out of it do make their own.
LCDs are going to be bigger not better at same size except in Japan where small is equally good. Once you have zeroed on to one setup it is easy to replicate and improve upon.
I have been playing with PCS now from last 11 years my first one assembled in India in 1992.
Got my X1........OMG.
Ordered the X1 on Tuesday from 1shopdirect.com. $940 with free shipping and it arrived today!
After a 5 minute setup I fired up the DVD player and.....
Oh my freakin God.
You guys have seen the great Harry Potter shots I have in the results thread, right? Well they now can be officially called "crappy" in comparison to the X1 images I'm looking at now.
It's so damn bright!!!!!!!!! and this with only 1100 lumens???? Geez, my 575w MH 49,000 lumen bulb must have only been getting about 600 to the screen, cause the X1 is easily twice as bright as my DIY setup. Beautiful, bright, great colors, contrast, etc.....
I'll post some screenshots later.....but consider the following up for grabs:
NEC 1545v XGA panel mounted & ready to use- $250 O.B.O.
ELMO SD 575W MH OHP with 5 new bulbs- $250 O.B.O.
email to: schlupsa31@mchsi.com
Ordered the X1 on Tuesday from 1shopdirect.com. $940 with free shipping and it arrived today!
After a 5 minute setup I fired up the DVD player and.....
Oh my freakin God.
You guys have seen the great Harry Potter shots I have in the results thread, right? Well they now can be officially called "crappy" in comparison to the X1 images I'm looking at now.
It's so damn bright!!!!!!!!!
and this with only 1100 lumens???? Geez, my 575w MH 49,000 lumen bulb must have only been getting about 600 to the screen, cause the X1 is easily twice as bright as my DIY setup. Beautiful, bright, great colors, contrast, etc.....I'll post some screenshots later.....but consider the following up for grabs:
NEC 1545v XGA panel mounted & ready to use- $250 O.B.O.
ELMO SD 575W MH OHP with 5 new bulbs- $250 O.B.O.
email to: schlupsa31@mchsi.com
I had the same experience when I bought mine back in December. Only I had to pay $1600 for mine back in those days. I'm no expert on light output in lumens, but I think the X1 actually shoots 1100 lumens onto the screen. These other figures like the 7300 lumens that my old Elmo/Z115 system had are different. I don't know how lumens are figured, but I do know that a lot of the light from an OHP is lost in the transition from bulb to stage to LCD panel to mirror to focusing lens. My X1 quite a bit brighter than that old system and definitely brighter than my old CRT pj. I'm not knocking diy, it was just a stepping stone for me. I actually had a nice setup and then I bought a really nice CRT but it was just too freakin big! I'm definitely sold on diy speakers and if any of you guys have ever thought of that, I say go for it. You will need some woodworking skills.
jeff
jeff
DAMNIT! im sooo ****ed, i was on the verge of buying one from best buy but said damn if only it were 100$ cheaper.. (im cheap like that).. And i was having projection withdrawels (the death of my ctx commercial projector, and the murder of my craptastic ohp), so i went on ebay and bought a compaq mp1400. Damnit i wish i woulda waited till i saw this. O well when i get the compaq i will see if its suitable ( i only paid 375$, so i got a good deal), and if its not i will sell it and try to make more off of it, then buy the x1. The specs are something like 700-800 lumens, and 400:1 contrast ratio... and its tiny. Oh and another thing, everyone is talking about the price of the x1 bulb... doesnt it come with one?
Man i'll take FIVE! HaHa i wish that's a deal. that's just what i'm looking for. But ya just like $100 tomuch.. and if you have to buy a bulb..? that would't be fun. ya if i only had the money.. that's the thing GO DIY but that's so dame nice...
Guys, since this is a diy site, I'll make this my last comment on the X1: It is still available for less than $1k. However, InFocus is losing money at this price and it is being discontinued. It will be replaced by the X2 which will not have the Faroujda Processing Chip and I think a couple of other minor differences. If you use your Progressive Scan DVD player, you probably won't notice the absence of the Faroujda Processing. I'm not sure if there will be a difference in contrast ratio. I can say that the 2000:1 X1 is very good.
The ScreenPlay 4800 will be the version similar to the current X1. But, I've heard that is will be between $1500 and $2000. If you go to: www.avsforum.com and look at the forum for digital projectors under $5k, you'll see literally hundreds of posts about the X1. Most of them are from very happy owners and some who hate it because they can't tolerate rainbows. If you are considering a DLP, go to home theater dealer and look at a couple of DLP projectors on good screens. This way you'll know if you have a problem with rainbows. I, my family nor any of our guests have had a problem but for some it is a problem that can cause headache or eye fatigue and even the $10,000 DLPs can have rainbows. Don't go to Best Buy to demo an X1, I've heard that they keep them in the computer dept and actually use clipboards or boxes to project onto.
I've had mine since December, 2002 and it is still GREAT!
Jeff
The ScreenPlay 4800 will be the version similar to the current X1. But, I've heard that is will be between $1500 and $2000. If you go to: www.avsforum.com and look at the forum for digital projectors under $5k, you'll see literally hundreds of posts about the X1. Most of them are from very happy owners and some who hate it because they can't tolerate rainbows. If you are considering a DLP, go to home theater dealer and look at a couple of DLP projectors on good screens. This way you'll know if you have a problem with rainbows. I, my family nor any of our guests have had a problem but for some it is a problem that can cause headache or eye fatigue and even the $10,000 DLPs can have rainbows. Don't go to Best Buy to demo an X1, I've heard that they keep them in the computer dept and actually use clipboards or boxes to project onto.
I've had mine since December, 2002 and it is still GREAT!
Jeff
just a couple of points to ponder.....
i have both a diy and an x1 so i can speak objectively here.
lifter feel free to comment..............
1. x1 comes with bulb. replacement bulb is only 240.00 USD,
"real" contrast is not 2000:1, more like 800:1,"real" lumens not 1000 (only when using vga in(stupid analog)) its more like 500.
still picture and ease of setup,portability is great
2.my biggest complaint against my fabulous x1 is lack of true digital input. only analog via component to vga cable (which you have to order, found it for 8.00) or analog via component to s-video cable (included)
either way your digital data is converted to analog then leaves your dvd player, then sent to x1. 🙁
3. EVERYONE CAN SEE RAINBOWS, YOU JUST HAVE TO LEARN HOW TO LOOK FOR THEM!!!!!! DART YOUR EYES AROUND THE SCREEN AND THERE THEY ARE, FOCUS ON THE PICTURE AND THEY ARE GONE, BIG DEAL
4. the coolest thing i have cme across lately are the new cheaper dvd players with NOT VGA OUT, BUT DVI OUT!!!!!! awesome and as low as 189.00, but what we need are diy projectors and HTPC with DVI input or commercial projectors with DVI in...
Still looking. anyone know another way to use DVI inputs/outputs with what we have now?
i have both a diy and an x1 so i can speak objectively here.
lifter feel free to comment..............
1. x1 comes with bulb. replacement bulb is only 240.00 USD,
"real" contrast is not 2000:1, more like 800:1,"real" lumens not 1000 (only when using vga in(stupid analog)) its more like 500.
still picture and ease of setup,portability is great
2.my biggest complaint against my fabulous x1 is lack of true digital input. only analog via component to vga cable (which you have to order, found it for 8.00) or analog via component to s-video cable (included)
either way your digital data is converted to analog then leaves your dvd player, then sent to x1. 🙁
3. EVERYONE CAN SEE RAINBOWS, YOU JUST HAVE TO LEARN HOW TO LOOK FOR THEM!!!!!! DART YOUR EYES AROUND THE SCREEN AND THERE THEY ARE, FOCUS ON THE PICTURE AND THEY ARE GONE, BIG DEAL
4. the coolest thing i have cme across lately are the new cheaper dvd players with NOT VGA OUT, BUT DVI OUT!!!!!! awesome and as low as 189.00, but what we need are diy projectors and HTPC with DVI input or commercial projectors with DVI in...
Still looking. anyone know another way to use DVI inputs/outputs with what we have now?
infocus x1 vs diy projector
Ok,
If possible can you ppl post up results that you got from the x1.
Also, I started the DIY projector awhile ago, and the results I had from a NEC 1545v was pretty great. One reason why lcd or dlp projectors are much brighter is that the lcd size is about 1" to 2" and the output of the light from the bulb is probably around 12,000 lumens or so from 150 watt bulb. Instead of spreading the light onto the fresnel then to the big lcd panels or monitors, the light is focused right at the tiny lcd which makes the image quite clear and bright. BUT....still the X1 contrast ratio is much more higher than any 15" lcd monitor.
Even though X1 is better, DIY projectors could possibly outbeat it if people help by searching for better lcds with higher contrast ratios and maybe even very thin lcds, which will block out less light.
Ok,
If possible can you ppl post up results that you got from the x1.
Also, I started the DIY projector awhile ago, and the results I had from a NEC 1545v was pretty great. One reason why lcd or dlp projectors are much brighter is that the lcd size is about 1" to 2" and the output of the light from the bulb is probably around 12,000 lumens or so from 150 watt bulb. Instead of spreading the light onto the fresnel then to the big lcd panels or monitors, the light is focused right at the tiny lcd which makes the image quite clear and bright. BUT....still the X1 contrast ratio is much more higher than any 15" lcd monitor.
Even though X1 is better, DIY projectors could possibly outbeat it if people help by searching for better lcds with higher contrast ratios and maybe even very thin lcds, which will block out less light.
Re: infocus x1 vs diy projector
OK, here is my site with my home theater which is almost finished. I will soon have a diffuser wall behind the seating and some new love seats.
http://home.mindspring.com/~jhovis/cobble_creek_cinema001.htm
OK, here is my site with my home theater which is almost finished. I will soon have a diffuser wall behind the seating and some new love seats.
http://home.mindspring.com/~jhovis/cobble_creek_cinema001.htm
echow87 said:
Jhovis...umm....and I quote from your site..."This is just a simple place where me, my sister and our kids can watch a movie..."
Um...err...uhhh...Jerry Jerry!
Um...err...uhhh...Jerry Jerry!
I hope everyone realizes that is a scene from "Deliverance". I know there were no sisters in the movie, but I just couldn't bring myself to say my little pig;-) I guess it's a Georgia joke.
Sir_Vival said:
HAHAHAHA to funny. Ok now for the seriousness kinda. Im pretty sure the projector i bought has dvi in or atleast i think i read it someplace. It is the compaq mp1400 and there are a few on ebay for pretty cheap right now. I actually had to buy and adapter for about 145$ to convert composite and svideo to the dvi input it has. (or if its not dvi, whatever input it has).
- Status
- Not open for further replies.