i don't doubt it, i'm patient enough with searches and search terms. But as i stated before, i admittedly wanted more of a cookie-cutter design, some may call it "taking the easy way out" 😉. Most everyone at LL knows the answers to my questions, since many are running the same basic design and have ran into the same issues.ace3000_1 said:
But its all good, this site is a tremendous DIY resource that i'm grateful for having stumbled onto. The info found here will help build PJ #2 😎 (either a mini 8" Hami PJ or maybe some HD setup)
I've seen the LL guide and it does leave quite a bit to be desired... there's really nothing more in it than what you can find by spending a week looking at pictures of other folks' projectors. I'm planning to write my own guide with good illustrations and construction pictures and release it to the public domain when I get a chance to do so. I have yet to see an all-in-one guide that fully explains all details of building one of these projectors.
By the way, I talked to Alan today and he was very nice and let me cancel my order since I'm going to be using a large piece of blackout cloth for my screen rather than the 7.5 ft. screen he sells. I didn't realize the projected image was gonna be so huge! That's one of the things that I'll be sure to discuss in the guide 😉
By the way, I talked to Alan today and he was very nice and let me cancel my order since I'm going to be using a large piece of blackout cloth for my screen rather than the 7.5 ft. screen he sells. I didn't realize the projected image was gonna be so huge! That's one of the things that I'll be sure to discuss in the guide 😉
My opinion on the LL guide is it out dated. The parts referrenced in the guide are not even for sale at their site any more. And I particularly have a problem with the statement about the guide
My .02 is the guide AND protected forum access should be granted to any one who places an order with them. The guide should NOT be a $20 charge. A $20 publication should be a LOT more professional and up to date than that one is. It should just simply be a "free download" for anyone who makes a, say $25 or more purchase (which is pretty much any order given the items for sale).
Other than that, The guide "combined" with all the protected forums is a good pool of information to build a good DIY projector. I did. 🙂
This is simply not 100% true. You have to comb through hundreds of threads on top of the guide in order to accomplish this. 😉
My .02 is the guide AND protected forum access should be granted to any one who places an order with them. The guide should NOT be a $20 charge. A $20 publication should be a LOT more professional and up to date than that one is. It should just simply be a "free download" for anyone who makes a, say $25 or more purchase (which is pretty much any order given the items for sale).
Other than that, The guide "combined" with all the protected forums is a good pool of information to build a good DIY projector. I did. 🙂
Yep, that's the same way I feel 😀
Most suckers will buy everything from him anyway so he probably figures that there's really no reason to give people an incentive to buy from his site.
I did happen to see the LL guide on p2p so the $20 is really only getting you access to the protected forums 😉
ace3000_1 said:
Honestly, though I love this site, it's far less helpful in teaching a newbie how to build a projector than the lumenlabs guide+forum compendium is. And while Lumenlabs has most people sticking tightly to their guide, this site is far more of a sandbox for new ideas. Many of them have no hope of working, but still, I appreciate both of them, and I think they're BOTH required reading if you want to make a good qual 15" projector.
Well, speaking as a relative n00b to diy projection, but having some background information on lenses and optics...
Nothing in the LumenLab guide is revolutionary, or even terribly complex. It's a very basic step-by-step guide that anyone competent to handle power tools can use to build a working projector. (Being competent to wire up 120/240V is helpful, too
)
The LumenLab forums is where the more interesting design stuff takes place. There's a large community of people willing to share ideas and plans with varying levels of tools and skills.
I've learned a lot from hanging around here. And I've learned a lot from hanging around there.
It's been suggested that the LumenLab people shouldn't be charging for the guide, or just "throw it in" with a purchase. Actually, I'd rather pay for it separately than have it "included" with the price of lenses or other products. If it were included in the purchase, the price would most likely go up. I've now bought the guide, and I'd hate to think that I was paying for it again if I went back and bought more stuff later. $20 is cheap enough, and I feel that I received reasonable value for my money. This also gave me the chance to look elsewhere for my lenses and bulbs without being forced into buying from them. I appreciate that. (I bought my lenses from them anyway.)
I haven't looked much at diyprojectioncompany. At this point, I'm not "shopping around" anymore, I'm getting started on building. I've made my choice, and I'm satisfied that it's a good one.
Nothing in the LumenLab guide is revolutionary, or even terribly complex. It's a very basic step-by-step guide that anyone competent to handle power tools can use to build a working projector. (Being competent to wire up 120/240V is helpful, too
)The LumenLab forums is where the more interesting design stuff takes place. There's a large community of people willing to share ideas and plans with varying levels of tools and skills.
I've learned a lot from hanging around here. And I've learned a lot from hanging around there.
It's been suggested that the LumenLab people shouldn't be charging for the guide, or just "throw it in" with a purchase. Actually, I'd rather pay for it separately than have it "included" with the price of lenses or other products. If it were included in the purchase, the price would most likely go up. I've now bought the guide, and I'd hate to think that I was paying for it again if I went back and bought more stuff later. $20 is cheap enough, and I feel that I received reasonable value for my money. This also gave me the chance to look elsewhere for my lenses and bulbs without being forced into buying from them. I appreciate that. (I bought my lenses from them anyway.)
I haven't looked much at diyprojectioncompany. At this point, I'm not "shopping around" anymore, I'm getting started on building. I've made my choice, and I'm satisfied that it's a good one.
Well, what we have here is a simple lack of competition. In the real world, other people would write better guides and charge the same price for it, thus forcing the LL guide to either be improved or fall through the cracks. It seems this might soon be the case as I noticed a couple days ago that DIYBuilder.com has their own guide for purchase, which also gives you access to their member forums. I haven't looked around their site much but it seems fairly robust. Let me know if you guys know anything about that site or their guide... I saw a thread on there about having a custom WUXGA controller built, so they seem to be very serious about their DIY projectors 😀
😀Diy Labs
Alan at Diy Labs is an incredible person. I live in Brazil and Alan assisted me very well, highly I recommend Diy Labs. Thanks Alan!
Alan at Diy Labs is an incredible person. I live in Brazil and Alan assisted me very well, highly I recommend Diy Labs. Thanks Alan!
He's a member of LL as well. Thats an interesting project he has on his hands, can't wait to start seeing results 🙂rth said:I saw a thread on there about having a custom WUXGA controller built, so they seem to be very serious about their DIY projectors
The WUXGA kit is not associated with any of the DIY websites, I have posts going everywhere about them, more recently the LL public forums since DIYBuilder locked up their forums (practically).
Anyone can be apart of the wuxga kit buy, details are here:
http://members.cox.net/minoten
And yes it should be interesting
Anyone can be apart of the wuxga kit buy, details are here:
http://members.cox.net/minoten
And yes it should be interesting
I started at this site, and moved into the lumen labs forum. Was going to build an OHP LCD...that is until I discovered the LL site. I find that the charge is perfectly acceptable, considering the info you get from the forums once logged in. If you designed a guide and saw that you could make a few bucks out of it, wouldent you sell it? Hell yeah. And considering the guide explain how to build a high quality projecter for under $700 AUS, i think thats fantastic value. (my pj is going to cost $640!~!!)
I think its worth noting that Brainchild, from LL is also an incredibly nice guy. He will answer you pm withing 12 hours most times, and never judges you no matter what the question. He seems very passionate about his design, and products, and supports them, and ll members 100%. My father and I are going to build a LL projector, and based on the results, and our skill level, im sure it will turn out supurb. Anyway I will be sure to post my results here once finished. Just my 2c. Chao!
I think its worth noting that Brainchild, from LL is also an incredibly nice guy. He will answer you pm withing 12 hours most times, and never judges you no matter what the question. He seems very passionate about his design, and products, and supports them, and ll members 100%. My father and I are going to build a LL projector, and based on the results, and our skill level, im sure it will turn out supurb. Anyway I will be sure to post my results here once finished. Just my 2c. Chao!
I dont see how brainchild is over looked so much ..... Alot of people here critisize his charging of the plans and what not. But from what Ive seen DIYprojectioncompany has way over priced lighting equipment. Therefor the cost is elevated and then some. If im not mistaken the LL lighting rig also has a higher lumen output on the bulb, and a better color temp.
Setting that aside, us at LL that pay the $20 also gets contributed here. In case alot of people miss that top of the screen on the home page here, its reads " Proudly Supported by Lumenlab" .... Im not sure what percentage of the hosting fees brain pays around here, maybe all for all I know .... but to critique him for charging customers a fee for the plans when you are riding the free wave he provides/or takes part in providing for you. Not to discredit DIYprojectorcompany, but i do not see proudly supported by them on the home page .... with that said, some of you veterns around should show a little more respect towards brain and LL ....
and for the person that intiated this thread, you can see my results posted here. The $20 is eleviated in the cost of the materials I assure you.
Setting that aside, us at LL that pay the $20 also gets contributed here. In case alot of people miss that top of the screen on the home page here, its reads " Proudly Supported by Lumenlab" .... Im not sure what percentage of the hosting fees brain pays around here, maybe all for all I know .... but to critique him for charging customers a fee for the plans when you are riding the free wave he provides/or takes part in providing for you. Not to discredit DIYprojectorcompany, but i do not see proudly supported by them on the home page .... with that said, some of you veterns around should show a little more respect towards brain and LL ....
and for the person that intiated this thread, you can see my results posted here. The $20 is eleviated in the cost of the materials I assure you.
I am buying the 400w MH kit and spare bulb from LL and think that for over 220 bucks I should get access to his forums.
I actually attempted to become a member for a week straight but his email verification system would never send me a email. I gave up and said forget it. I could not even post in his support forums to let him know because they are member only. Go figure.
I would not have purchased this setup from LL because of these facts, but I just can't source the parts anywhere else within the timeframe I'd like to get them. I bet he looses a lot of buisness because of this. I'm sure most people are not as stubborn as me.
I have nothing personal against the guy, I just don't agree with him on paying 20 bucks to access the forums, even if your a paying customer.
I actually attempted to become a member for a week straight but his email verification system would never send me a email. I gave up and said forget it. I could not even post in his support forums to let him know because they are member only. Go figure.
I would not have purchased this setup from LL because of these facts, but I just can't source the parts anywhere else within the timeframe I'd like to get them. I bet he looses a lot of buisness because of this. I'm sure most people are not as stubborn as me.
I have nothing personal against the guy, I just don't agree with him on paying 20 bucks to access the forums, even if your a paying customer.
Inkdog .... you live minutes from me .... my PJ is currently set up in Lagrange, and I will show you personally why LL is at value.
The email verfication is unknown to me, no body is reporting problems ..... do you have a spam filter for email that auto sorts unto a junk folder?? If so check that, or turn your spam filter off.
As for the lighting rig, he seperates server fees, from product fees. Over on DIYprojectorcomp the lighting rig, with ONE bulb is $220 bucks. From LL thelighting righ is $150, if you want you can throw in the $20 for a total of $170. Now you would have access, and a lighting rig for $50 cheaper and that is rated a 1000 more lumens and that is rated at a color temp of 5200K (compared to DIYPC's 4200K) .... So there is your difference, Obviously DIYPC is selling their store product at a higher fee in order to offset server/internet cost
Is it in the mindset that your paying $20 itemized for forum access that bothers you?? Does it matter how it is itemized on the reciept. So what LL has $20 fee for plans, DIY charges more for their products, so in the end the cost is similar. On the plus though you get access to LL forums, which is where I really learned how to build my PJ
Here are my results ....
http://www.diyaudio.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=52796
The email verfication is unknown to me, no body is reporting problems ..... do you have a spam filter for email that auto sorts unto a junk folder?? If so check that, or turn your spam filter off.
As for the lighting rig, he seperates server fees, from product fees. Over on DIYprojectorcomp the lighting rig, with ONE bulb is $220 bucks. From LL thelighting righ is $150, if you want you can throw in the $20 for a total of $170. Now you would have access, and a lighting rig for $50 cheaper and that is rated a 1000 more lumens and that is rated at a color temp of 5200K (compared to DIYPC's 4200K) .... So there is your difference, Obviously DIYPC is selling their store product at a higher fee in order to offset server/internet cost
Is it in the mindset that your paying $20 itemized for forum access that bothers you?? Does it matter how it is itemized on the reciept. So what LL has $20 fee for plans, DIY charges more for their products, so in the end the cost is similar. On the plus though you get access to LL forums, which is where I really learned how to build my PJ
Here are my results ....
http://www.diyaudio.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=52796
Yeah... I started out here, mostly for audio research. I had no plans on building a projector at all. I say the diyprojection thing, and more or less dismissed it. It was looking at LL (through the "upported by" link -- I guess that advertising worked...) that convinced me to build, as the startup costs seemed far more reasonable from there.
The guide was interesting reading, and is an introduction to making a basic projector. The forums are where the real gold is, and I do not begrudge a single penny of the money that I've spent at LL.
The guide was interesting reading, and is an introduction to making a basic projector. The forums are where the real gold is, and I do not begrudge a single penny of the money that I've spent at LL.
This is in response to those people in this thread that have doughts about lumenlabs or to people that don't like them. What you do not realize that what comes with the $20 guide is the restricted forum access, the amount of information and help you get in there is phonomenal, seriously, I do like diyprojectorcompany, but the lumenlab help and support is just unsurpassed, no one comes even close.
Don't overseel the LL site. I like it is great and i think it's worth the $20 but there is more info here in many ways. The people here are really knowledgable and have probably been the source on many ideas that end up at LL. The support by LL of this site is beneficial to both sites.
The big advantage of the LL site is the project pages. People have many pictures of their project which lets you build your ideas off theirs in leapfrog manner. I'm happy to contribute to both sites because I have benefitted from the shared input.
For people that lurk and don't help others I will say its good not everyone is like you because we'd still be chasing animals with sticks to catch our dinner. People may have different ideas sometimes, but If you are here you share a common interest and should try to be part of the community.
😎
The big advantage of the LL site is the project pages. People have many pictures of their project which lets you build your ideas off theirs in leapfrog manner. I'm happy to contribute to both sites because I have benefitted from the shared input.
For people that lurk and don't help others I will say its good not everyone is like you because we'd still be chasing animals with sticks to catch our dinner. People may have different ideas sometimes, but If you are here you share a common interest and should try to be part of the community.
😎
I ordered some of my stuff from lumenlab for the main reason that delivery is alot cheaper to the uk, i was looking at $140 for delivery and $80ish for the stuff i wanted just didnt quite work for me.
Wish the access to lumenlab was free, as i like the layout of the site.
Anyway all the info is here, just need around 60hrs to read it all
Wish the access to lumenlab was free, as i like the layout of the site.
Anyway all the info is here, just need around 60hrs to read it all
This one, LL and DIY web pages all have great information. I payed the $20 for LL and I would do it again just to see all the different ideas in the protected forums.
If you want to spend money and get little or no value...try DiyBuilder group. Now there's a big waste! I paid the fee and it was the worst $20 spent so far. Store has been down too long and not many posts compared to the others mentioned. Not too much else to say.😡
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