Hey
I'm just curious how much money each of you guys spent on you diy projectors?
This should be interesting
My personal experiance is 400 so far
Shipping really kills me since I live in Canada plus stupied customs fee's
I'm just curious how much money each of you guys spent on you diy projectors?
This should be interesting
My personal experiance is 400 so far
Shipping really kills me since I live in Canada plus stupied customs fee's
Nview Viewframe Spectra C Projection Panel - $63 Shipped
Apollo AI-1000 Overhead Projector - $48 Shippied
1 OHP Bulb From Staples Because I Cant Wait - $20 Picked Up
2 OHP Bulbs From Online - $20 Shipped
Total Cost So Far - $151
For my screen right now I have a bed sheet hanging from piece of wood. I have a real nice looking image I measured to be a little over 7 feet. On the list is a $180 metal halide retofit for the projector, and a nice high gain screen. I am very happy with the image quality as it is! I just watched 24 tonight and was amaized at how much my twenty somthing inch tv sucks! I think Once I wear down this Nview Panel, I will buy a nice sharp (around the QA-1500) panel. No regrets about the nview for the price though.
This Link Is Kind of My Progress Althogh I still need to get some pictures up.
Apollo AI-1000 Overhead Projector - $48 Shippied
1 OHP Bulb From Staples Because I Cant Wait - $20 Picked Up
2 OHP Bulbs From Online - $20 Shipped
Total Cost So Far - $151
For my screen right now I have a bed sheet hanging from piece of wood. I have a real nice looking image I measured to be a little over 7 feet. On the list is a $180 metal halide retofit for the projector, and a nice high gain screen. I am very happy with the image quality as it is! I just watched 24 tonight and was amaized at how much my twenty somthing inch tv sucks! I think Once I wear down this Nview Panel, I will buy a nice sharp (around the QA-1500) panel. No regrets about the nview for the price though.
This Link Is Kind of My Progress Althogh I still need to get some pictures up.
I have:
Sharp qa-1150...........$70 shipped
Dalite Porta Scribe 4k lumens i think......$65 shipped
2-600 watt DYS bulbs.......$15 shipped
All above item bought on ebay
Ac adapter for panel.......$20 at Radio Shack
I made my screen from blackout cloth....$20 at Joanns
Some materials for screen frame....$15 at Builders Surplus
Grand total=$205
Im happy with this setup to watch tv but computer out is not that great, but my 25 inch tv cost more than that so its all good!
Sharp qa-1150...........$70 shipped
Dalite Porta Scribe 4k lumens i think......$65 shipped
2-600 watt DYS bulbs.......$15 shipped
All above item bought on ebay
Ac adapter for panel.......$20 at Radio Shack
I made my screen from blackout cloth....$20 at Joanns
Some materials for screen frame....$15 at Builders Surplus
Grand total=$205
Im happy with this setup to watch tv but computer out is not that great, but my 25 inch tv cost more than that so its all good!
OHP- 95.00 shipped
sharp 1650- 274 shipped
150w metal halide ballast- 30.00 shipped
total so far- 399
sharp 1650- 274 shipped
150w metal halide ballast- 30.00 shipped
total so far- 399
Get ready to be sick.
3M 9850 OHP. $400, plus $120 to ship from Canada (known after I won the auction).
NEC 1545 - $250 - broke this one
NEC 1545 - $250
Viewsonic n6 (video processor) - $400
Wood - $40
Flat Black Spraypaint - $10
Blackout Cloth - $15
3 bottles of Gesso - $60
Fans - $30
So I've spent..... $1250! But I shouldn't count the N6 or the moniter I broke, so $600 total.
3M 9850 OHP. $400, plus $120 to ship from Canada (known after I won the auction).
NEC 1545 - $250 - broke this one
NEC 1545 - $250
Viewsonic n6 (video processor) - $400
Wood - $40
Flat Black Spraypaint - $10
Blackout Cloth - $15
3 bottles of Gesso - $60
Fans - $30
So I've spent..... $1250! But I shouldn't count the N6 or the moniter I broke, so $600 total.
Umm lets see.
$50 bucks for MH ballast
$30 for bulb and socket
$30 for fresnel
so theres $110 down the drain
then start over with
$0 for free 3M 9075 4000 lumen OHP
$15 for bulb from ebay
$230 for I-O Data desktop lcd
$5.00 for shower curtain for screen
$20.00 for blackout cloth
so grand total is. $380 btw is anyone looking for a 400w MH setup with a reduced jacket BT28 bulb?
to everyone here, I just want to thank you for all the help..I must say I am pretty happy with the projector
$50 bucks for MH ballast
$30 for bulb and socket
$30 for fresnel
so theres $110 down the drain
then start over with
$0 for free 3M 9075 4000 lumen OHP
$15 for bulb from ebay
$230 for I-O Data desktop lcd
$5.00 for shower curtain for screen
$20.00 for blackout cloth
so grand total is. $380 btw is anyone looking for a 400w MH setup with a reduced jacket BT28 bulb?
to everyone here, I just want to thank you for all the help..I must say I am pretty happy with the projector
apples to oranges? some people use their computer to generate the vga signal, and they don't include that cost even though there may indeed be a reason to include at least some cost for doing that.
let me begin by saying i first got interested in DIY LCD projectors due to reports of people building them for $300. I soon found out that those $300 projects weren't up to my quality standards. so here is what I am spending (not done building it yet):
all prices include shipping.
elmo hp-a305 solar deluxe 7300 lumens = $200
NEC 1545 15" LCD, 300:1 contrast = $260
VB50HRTV (scales any video source to 1024x768 XGA) = $118
materials for building a cabinet around assembly = $20
So I have/will spend $600 on the basic projector, but from what I've seen it will be one of the better DIY projectors and I won't need a PC for it. Then I figure $150 for a projection screen if I buy one rather than DIY. Then I want surround sound, thinking getting a decent sub-$500 system for that. Then I may even want to get a new couch for the room... $250 estimate.
let me begin by saying i first got interested in DIY LCD projectors due to reports of people building them for $300. I soon found out that those $300 projects weren't up to my quality standards. so here is what I am spending (not done building it yet):
all prices include shipping.
elmo hp-a305 solar deluxe 7300 lumens = $200
NEC 1545 15" LCD, 300:1 contrast = $260
VB50HRTV (scales any video source to 1024x768 XGA) = $118
materials for building a cabinet around assembly = $20
So I have/will spend $600 on the basic projector, but from what I've seen it will be one of the better DIY projectors and I won't need a PC for it. Then I figure $150 for a projection screen if I buy one rather than DIY. Then I want surround sound, thinking getting a decent sub-$500 system for that. Then I may even want to get a new couch for the room... $250 estimate.
Cost of working setup
cost of panel ASK 24 $70
Portascribe projector $55
DYS light $ 5
Sears 40" screen $30
total 160
now this will make lifter sick
first junk panel $15
second junk panel $25
first junk LCD(from laptop)$15
second junk LCD $15
third panel-Sharp qa-1500 panel $59 (from dude in canada that never made it to me also this was the first bad ebay experience for me)
final panel another sharp qa1500 $60
so that's $180 that i shouldn't have spent, at least lifter was in battle when wounded
Total was $340
cost of panel ASK 24 $70
Portascribe projector $55
DYS light $ 5
Sears 40" screen $30
total 160
now this will make lifter sick
first junk panel $15
second junk panel $25
first junk LCD(from laptop)$15
second junk LCD $15
third panel-Sharp qa-1500 panel $59 (from dude in canada that never made it to me also this was the first bad ebay experience for me)
final panel another sharp qa1500 $60
so that's $180 that i shouldn't have spent, at least lifter was in battle when wounded
Total was $340
3M 9700 OHP: $150, eBay
Sharp QA-1650: $100, eBay
DaLite 70x70 matte-white tripod screen: $79, AllPro Sound
3M Zoom Lens for 9700OHP: $30, Some online retailer
50ft Gold Plated S-Video Cable: $7, eBay
50ft Gold Plated Composite Video cable: $10, RadioShack (I really needed it)
FXL replacement lamps: $0, Mom's Christmas gift to me ($9 at Buy.com)
Speaker Brackets to mount left and right speakers to joists in the drywalling in my basement bedroom: $30, eBay (I'd have never mounted them if I never had a projector)
Grand Total: $406
But I want more.
TV-4000 (for when/if I upgrade to a better panel), $130+s/h
Sharp QA-2500 (if I can find the guy that offered it to me after I bought the QA-1650), $140+s/h
Metal Halide ballast and lamp and lens and reflector, $I have no idea.
Of course, I'll buy those things in that order... if the TV-4000 doesn't please me enough, I'll get a new panel (I don't feel like buying a monitor and taking it apart... For that, I could have just bought a real projector and threw in cheaper lamps). If the panel doesn't please me, I'll move up to metal halide. Most likely, I'll forget about this when I'm at work and realize that I make $8.25/hr and don't even have a car yet.
Sharp QA-1650: $100, eBay
DaLite 70x70 matte-white tripod screen: $79, AllPro Sound
3M Zoom Lens for 9700OHP: $30, Some online retailer
50ft Gold Plated S-Video Cable: $7, eBay
50ft Gold Plated Composite Video cable: $10, RadioShack (I really needed it)
FXL replacement lamps: $0, Mom's Christmas gift to me ($9 at Buy.com)
Speaker Brackets to mount left and right speakers to joists in the drywalling in my basement bedroom: $30, eBay (I'd have never mounted them if I never had a projector)
Grand Total: $406
But I want more.
TV-4000 (for when/if I upgrade to a better panel), $130+s/h
Sharp QA-2500 (if I can find the guy that offered it to me after I bought the QA-1650), $140+s/h
Metal Halide ballast and lamp and lens and reflector, $I have no idea.
Of course, I'll buy those things in that order... if the TV-4000 doesn't please me enough, I'll get a new panel (I don't feel like buying a monitor and taking it apart... For that, I could have just bought a real projector and threw in cheaper lamps). If the panel doesn't please me, I'll move up to metal halide. Most likely, I'll forget about this when I'm at work and realize that I make $8.25/hr and don't even have a car yet.
nview z350 -300.00 decent
tv-3000 - 95.00 nice
3m 9550 -100.00 decent
yamaha ht-300 -299.00 awesome w/ dts
speaker wire(160') - 50.00 24 gauge is plenty
speaker mounts(6) - 84.00 very nice
diy screen - 50.00
perfect size for image,plastex,wood,carpet- looks great
3 cherry tables for ht - 100.00
nice cherry futon -160.00
still need to paint and decorate room....
tv-3000 - 95.00 nice
3m 9550 -100.00 decent
yamaha ht-300 -299.00 awesome w/ dts
speaker wire(160') - 50.00 24 gauge is plenty
speaker mounts(6) - 84.00 very nice
diy screen - 50.00
perfect size for image,plastex,wood,carpet- looks great
3 cherry tables for ht - 100.00
nice cherry futon -160.00
still need to paint and decorate room....
elmo hp-a305 solar deluxe 7300 lumens = $175.00
Spectra C = $99.00
Screen = as monster garage says "Freebie"
Having fun eating pizza and watching movies with friends = Priceless
Spectra C = $99.00
Screen = as monster garage says "Freebie"
Having fun eating pizza and watching movies with friends = Priceless
1st project--
150" bigscreen lens& plans =$20
wood,paint,tape =$20
screen =$20
total =$60
result= smoked
2nd project--
nec 1545v = $300
3m 9800 = $150
plexiglass,paint,screws,wood,sheetmetal = $15
fresnel form elmo 305sd = $free buy and sell baby
total =$465
result =damn thing sold before i could get it set up in my room
sell price =$750
im up =$285
used $140 to buy 6'X8' rear projection screen for next project nice🙂
used $35 for new fresnel also for next project
the last $110 used for pizza,alcohol,smoke while watching movies,tyson,roy jones jr,and ultimate fighting on my 6'x8' rear screen at my friends house with this project and all i can say is WOW!!! the next project will be "OUT OF CONTROLL"
150" bigscreen lens& plans =$20
wood,paint,tape =$20
screen =$20
total =$60
result= smoked
2nd project--
nec 1545v = $300
3m 9800 = $150
plexiglass,paint,screws,wood,sheetmetal = $15
fresnel form elmo 305sd = $free buy and sell baby
total =$465
result =damn thing sold before i could get it set up in my room
sell price =$750
im up =$285
used $140 to buy 6'X8' rear projection screen for next project nice🙂
used $35 for new fresnel also for next project
the last $110 used for pizza,alcohol,smoke while watching movies,tyson,roy jones jr,and ultimate fighting on my 6'x8' rear screen at my friends house with this project and all i can say is WOW!!! the next project will be "OUT OF CONTROLL"
Money Spent
Let's see: Dalite Porta Scribe Overhead $10
Nview Spectra C $55
TV-3000 $105
Blackout Cloth $20
Cheap Velvet and foam for mask $25
Total $215
Then decided I liked the HTPC route and used an old computer I had lying around. Bought a used hard drive for it... $20, used an old Voodoo 3 graphics card I had, bought a good sound card for it..$50, and bought a WinDVD software package for $40. I run all this through my older surround sound system (Pioneer/Infinity) and have it set up in a spare room. The HTPC gives me upgradeability as well as allows me to gather all my music in one dedicated place. I can "jukebox" all my music now and play it through the surround sound system. It has definetly become our "media" center. I very happy with the whole system (but that doesn't keep me from constantly tinkering with it!) I've still got a lot of "finish" work to do....stain and varnish my "box", build a permanent solid projection screen, ect...but we're watching movies now with full surround sound and an 85 inch diagonal screen (when in widescreen). Not counting the old computer and old graphics card, I'm probably in for over $300, but consider it WELL worth it. Next projects...permanent screen and build some massive subwoofers....
Let's see: Dalite Porta Scribe Overhead $10
Nview Spectra C $55
TV-3000 $105
Blackout Cloth $20
Cheap Velvet and foam for mask $25
Total $215
Then decided I liked the HTPC route and used an old computer I had lying around. Bought a used hard drive for it... $20, used an old Voodoo 3 graphics card I had, bought a good sound card for it..$50, and bought a WinDVD software package for $40. I run all this through my older surround sound system (Pioneer/Infinity) and have it set up in a spare room. The HTPC gives me upgradeability as well as allows me to gather all my music in one dedicated place. I can "jukebox" all my music now and play it through the surround sound system. It has definetly become our "media" center. I very happy with the whole system (but that doesn't keep me from constantly tinkering with it!) I've still got a lot of "finish" work to do....stain and varnish my "box", build a permanent solid projection screen, ect...but we're watching movies now with full surround sound and an 85 inch diagonal screen (when in widescreen). Not counting the old computer and old graphics card, I'm probably in for over $300, but consider it WELL worth it. Next projects...permanent screen and build some massive subwoofers....
This is a great thread! Can we make it Permanent? I guess from crunching all these numbers, the average cost for a diy projector is get ready for this:
$378
🙂
$378
🙂
My signature shows the cost.. but
here's what's left out:
Screen = Free (Bright White Wall already painted)
Three FXL bulbs = $26
2.1 Altec Lansing AVS300 Speakers = $25
I officially just count the Panel and OHP.. since everything else I had already (the PC etc)... I didn't buy it for the projector.
So for $160 I think I made a killing.
Try buying a 27' TV for that price...
the rest is below..
(prices are after shipping)
here's what's left out:
Screen = Free (Bright White Wall already painted)
Three FXL bulbs = $26
2.1 Altec Lansing AVS300 Speakers = $25
I officially just count the Panel and OHP.. since everything else I had already (the PC etc)... I didn't buy it for the projector.
So for $160 I think I made a killing.
Try buying a 27' TV for that price...
the rest is below..
(prices are after shipping)
Sharp Qa-1800 = $230 shipped from ebay
10' X 8' screen = $2.50 at local auction
Old 3m Projector = $2.00 at local auction
5.1 Dolby Digital Surround = $65.00 from a little bit of everywhere
----------------------Surround Broken Down----------------------
----------Sony STR-471 = $52.00----------
----------Speakers = $13.00----------
--------------------4 10" woofers----------
--------------------2 10" subwoofers----------
--------------------2 surround speakers----------
--------------------1 Center with 2 4" woofers and 2 tweeters----------
Total = $299.50
Results = 96" diagonal tv with 5.1 surround sound.
10' X 8' screen = $2.50 at local auction
Old 3m Projector = $2.00 at local auction
5.1 Dolby Digital Surround = $65.00 from a little bit of everywhere
----------------------Surround Broken Down----------------------
----------Sony STR-471 = $52.00----------
----------Speakers = $13.00----------
--------------------4 10" woofers----------
--------------------2 10" subwoofers----------
--------------------2 surround speakers----------
--------------------1 Center with 2 4" woofers and 2 tweeters----------
Total = $299.50
Results = 96" diagonal tv with 5.1 surround sound.
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