I am a long time case moder and have just recently got intrested in projectors. Instead of going out and buying one for like 2 grand i wanted to see if i could actually build one. My question is though would i get a better picture with something that puts out 350 lumens or one of these DYI projectors?
Thanks for the help guys.
Also if the DYI is better could someone point me in the best direction I have been searching here for hours and have found many different ones and not to sure which is the best to go with. Maybe just a link to a schematic or a tutorial.
Thanks for the help guys.
Also if the DYI is better could someone point me in the best direction I have been searching here for hours and have found many different ones and not to sure which is the best to go with. Maybe just a link to a schematic or a tutorial.
Alden, the best results I have seen are obtained by using an OHP and a stripped 1024x768 LCD panel on it. Also, retrofitting the "stock" OHP bulb with a new Metal Halide bulb will improve brightness greatly. 350 Lumens is not a whole lot of light output. typical setups like the above put out around 500-1000 lumens I believe. Most of the information I know was uncovered by lots of searching on this site. Even though I couldn't find info after searching, it seemed that i wasn't searching using the right terms, or that info was "hidden" under a diffrent thread topic. Here are a few members of this board who have retrofitted thier OHP's like stated above, this might get you a little more info.
http://www.diyaudio.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=16752
http://members.cox.net/rolm/update/
http://www.diyaudio.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=16752
http://members.cox.net/rolm/update/
thx for the help snootch appreciate it alot. Just curious though I emailed diylabs.org about the MkII projector kit he has and he said it would be around 400 bucks for everything i need. Should i go with this or just use the old OHP idea. Just trying to figure out the prices and the best results.
Thanks,
Thanks,
Using a stock OHP and an LCD Projection Panel is the Cheapest, Easiest route to take. I have this setup, and it produces a surprisingly good image. The panel I have is 640*480, 12-Bit color. It's great for watching movies and good for lots of games. For PC use(web browsing, graphicx, etc.) the resolution is too low. No, it's not as good as a $1000 dollar projector, but it's pretty damn good. I paid about $130 in all, including shipping. A Good 4,000 Lumen OHP will cost you about $60-$70 shipped, and a projection panel anywhere from $40-$200 depending on quality. FXL bulbs are whiter than ENX bulbs, so be sure to get a projector that takes them. My pannel was only $60 including shipping. For one with 1.2 million or 16.7 colors expect to pay around 100 bucks plus 15-30 in shipping. Most people achieve this method for under $200.
For the Retrofitted OHP+LCD Monitor method, it'll cost you a lot more but have image quality a lot more similar to a commercial projector. $200 for the Monitor. Maybe you can get a projector with a broken lighting system for cheap, say $40-$50 including shipping. A metal halide ballast costs around $150, and the 250 watt bulbs can be had for $30. It adds up quickly. When you add everything up you may find you spent $500 on it. At this point it might be better to buy an InFocus X1 DLP projector in my opinion. They cost $900-$1000 generally, and from what I've heard blow almost all DIY setups away.
For the Retrofitted OHP+LCD Monitor method, it'll cost you a lot more but have image quality a lot more similar to a commercial projector. $200 for the Monitor. Maybe you can get a projector with a broken lighting system for cheap, say $40-$50 including shipping. A metal halide ballast costs around $150, and the 250 watt bulbs can be had for $30. It adds up quickly. When you add everything up you may find you spent $500 on it. At this point it might be better to buy an InFocus X1 DLP projector in my opinion. They cost $900-$1000 generally, and from what I've heard blow almost all DIY setups away.
man I have looked on ebay for the last 3 days and searched everywhere but cant find these lcd panels. Is there a direct site to buy them from?
also remember that with a o.e. projector you can place it where you want (very small compared to a diy projector) and it will give you the best picture for the specs.
with a diy you will always be tweaking it because you want a better and better and better picture. so by the time you are done with your diy pj you'll have spent enough to go buy a good used one on ebay.
on ebay you can get a 500+ lumen 200 - 400 contrast svga for around $400.00. i got me an epson 7500 800 lumens 300 contrast xga projector for $400 with 300 hunder hours on the lamp and it works PERFECTLY. Got me a replacement lamp for $55.00 so im set.
some people have dropped the diy route and have gone with a o.e. projector to simplify things.
once again to all those of you that are making your own, great!! but i think, my opinion, o.e pj is the way to go if you are serious about putting together a small home theater.
ap0
with a diy you will always be tweaking it because you want a better and better and better picture. so by the time you are done with your diy pj you'll have spent enough to go buy a good used one on ebay.
on ebay you can get a 500+ lumen 200 - 400 contrast svga for around $400.00. i got me an epson 7500 800 lumens 300 contrast xga projector for $400 with 300 hunder hours on the lamp and it works PERFECTLY. Got me a replacement lamp for $55.00 so im set.
some people have dropped the diy route and have gone with a o.e. projector to simplify things.
once again to all those of you that are making your own, great!! but i think, my opinion, o.e pj is the way to go if you are serious about putting together a small home theater.
ap0
I think trying to build a DIY setup to be the equivalent of a manufactured LCD/DLP projector is pointless. Like you said ap0the0sis, by the time your done you could have spent the same amount and gotten a much better projector.
You can still "build" a decent looking projector for a fraction of the cost of even a used LCD projector. An OHP and Projection Panel work fine for most video/tv/gaming applications. For setting up in a den or a game room or something, it's fine. If you want something you can stick out of the way that won't look out of place in your living room, get a manufactured projector.
You can still "build" a decent looking projector for a fraction of the cost of even a used LCD projector. An OHP and Projection Panel work fine for most video/tv/gaming applications. For setting up in a den or a game room or something, it's fine. If you want something you can stick out of the way that won't look out of place in your living room, get a manufactured projector.
Yes, a OE LCD projector is smaller, and offers better picture quality than a DIY projector. BUT, is is entirely more expensive, and the bulb prices are astronomical (unless you run across a rare killer deal like ap0the0sis did.) Building an entire projector is a route I did not take, because to offer equivalent performance to an OE unit, it would have to be pretty large. This is mostly because of the LCD's. Most people here pay around $200-$300 for a 15" diagonal LCD to use for their projector. Finding a small LCD with a 1024x768 resolution to fit in a small DIY projector is possible, but will cost you $1000. For that price, you can buy an OE projector, and be done with it. All DIY'ers you will find on this forum are involved with this due to one (or more) of several reasons:
1. Due to money issues.
2. They like tinkering with electronics
3. Both
I personally am going with the OHP/LCD monitor setup because:
1. I want to play UT2003 in my office at home on a huge screen, and five channel sound.
2. Spending $1000-$1500 on a projector, plus $300-$400 on a replacement bulb is a little too expensive for me. Hey, I work for the government. 🙂
3. I don't mind the appereance of an OHP in my office.
4. I'm in an electronics career field, I like tinkering, and taking things apart.
That's it in a nutshell, I mean if you like the way a modded case looks, you could always spend the extra $$ and buy it that way, or you could save some and do it yourself.
1. Due to money issues.
2. They like tinkering with electronics
3. Both
I personally am going with the OHP/LCD monitor setup because:
1. I want to play UT2003 in my office at home on a huge screen, and five channel sound.
2. Spending $1000-$1500 on a projector, plus $300-$400 on a replacement bulb is a little too expensive for me. Hey, I work for the government. 🙂
3. I don't mind the appereance of an OHP in my office.
4. I'm in an electronics career field, I like tinkering, and taking things apart.
That's it in a nutshell, I mean if you like the way a modded case looks, you could always spend the extra $$ and buy it that way, or you could save some and do it yourself.
lol yea im in the military and not to rich either. Thats why i was looking on building one plus in in the electronics/ computer field too and wanted something to play around with. Thanks for input guys
Alden, hmmm... Abu Dhabi.... Air Force, or Army? I'm in Iraq right now, and I can't wait to get back home to start on my projector! 
I'm in air force stationed at keesler afb in mississippi now but i was in bahrain during operation enduring freedom very hot place 🙂
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