DIY Projectors - Anyone know someone that builds em?

[jmolayal]

Anyone do this themselves or know someone that does? I want a projector, but I lack the skill and Testicular Fortitude to try it myself...

-Jaison

 

[KoolAidKid]

I'm trying it out. I have nearly gathered all of the parts for a 17" HD projector. I don't think that I would be comfortable building one for someone else, though.

EDIT: If you don't want to build one, you should really think about buying a commercial projector. If you buy decent optics and lighting for a DIY projector it's unlikely that you will pay less than $400 for parts, possibly considerably higher. Unless you really want an HD projector, or if you really like DIY projects, I would at least think about an Infocus X1 or something along those lines.

 

[jmolayal]

Bumpage...

No one in all of ATOT land knows someone that does this?

 

[YOyoYOhowsDAjello]

You might get a better response asking in the DIY area of AVSforum.

 

[Ryuson99]

or the DIY projector forum. I'll try to get you a link when I'm done eating.

 

[RossMAN]

http://forums.anandtech.com/messageview.aspx?catid=38&threadid=1502926

 

[Viper GTS]

If you don't have the time/skill/tools/whatever to do it yourself you're probably better off buying a commercial projector. DIY is great for those with more time than money, or the skill to produce a final product better suited for their needs than a commercial project. If neither applies to you, a commercial projector is probably your best bet.

Right now the ONLY advantage DIY has over commercial is (potentially) resolution (using 1900x1200 laptop panels). TI has a 1080P DLP chip that should be out shortly, it won't be long before commercial products will be out.

Viper GTS

 

[YOyoYOhowsDAjello]

Yeah, if resolution is your thing, then it's a good idea, but you're going to get better image quality, settings, color, portability, mounting options, etc. from a real projector.

I was planning on trying out making one if I could get a used LCD from a friend and a good deal on an overhead projector just to try it out, but I got hooked on the idea and read a lot about projectors and ended up with an Infocus 4805 (and I'm very happy with it).

 

[Ryuson99]

Bulbs are cheaper with DIY

 

[YOyoYOhowsDAjello]

Originally posted by: Ryuson99
Bulbs are cheaper with DIY

I thought they were cheaper but didn't last as long... does it work out cheaper in the end?

 

[ribbon13]

1080P projector you say?

I'd be all over that action.

 

[Ryuson99]

Originally posted by: YOyoYOhowsDAjello

Originally posted by: Ryuson99
Bulbs are cheaper with DIY

I thought they were cheaper but didn't last as long... does it work out cheaper in the end?

Yeah it does since DIY use Metal Hilades bulbs (AKA the ones you use for reef tanks). The bulbs themselves cost about $75.00 and they last about 14 months using them daily for about 10 hours on a reeftank. So you do the math.

 

[YOyoYOhowsDAjello]

How's the lumen output on them once they go through an LCD panel and some lenses? I just read about people using halogen bulbs.

 

[Ryuson99]

Metal Halides (sorry I was spelling it wrong the whole time) are the brightest lights you can buy.

Heres a list of lumen output:

1000 Watt Horizontal, 117,000 Lumens

400 Watt Horizontal, 40,000 Lumens

250 Watt, 21,000 Lumens MH Universal

175 Watt, 12,000 Lumens MH Universal

of course it also depends on the type and maker so just take my number as an educated guess.

 

[Goosemaster]

My question would be, how are the blacks? ASs someone else made clear, 1080p is VERY tempting.

 

[Ryuson99]

Black are great, you really can't tell a diffrence but it's setting it up to be perfect thats time consuming.

You have to adjust the lens and the light real good as to cover the screen exactly or else you will see brighter spots.

 

[YOyoYOhowsDAjello]

Originally posted by: Ryuson99
Black are great, you really can't tell a diffrence but it's setting it up to be perfect thats time consuming.

You have to adjust the lens and the light real good as to cover the screen exactly or else you will see brighter spots.

Do you have any pics of yours? (If you made one)

 

[aircooled]

http://www.lumenlab.com/

 

[Ryuson99]

Originally posted by: YOyoYOhowsDAjello

Originally posted by: Ryuson99
Black are great, you really can't tell a diffrence but it's setting it up to be perfect thats time consuming.

You have to adjust the lens and the light real good as to cover the screen exactly or else you will see brighter spots.

Do you have any pics of yours? (If you made one)

Currently I don't since I just got some new lens for it but here's some pics of others:

Text1
Text2
Text3
Text4
Text5
Text6

 

[YOyoYOhowsDAjello]

Originally posted by: Ryuson99

Originally posted by: YOyoYOhowsDAjello

Originally posted by: Ryuson99
Black are great, you really can't tell a diffrence but it's setting it up to be perfect thats time consuming.

You have to adjust the lens and the light real good as to cover the screen exactly or else you will see brighter spots.

Do you have any pics of yours? (If you made one)

Currently I don't since I just got some new lens for it but here's some pics of others:

Text1
Text2
Text3
Text4
Text5
Text6

Looks pretty nifty... and looks like they're in bad need of a screen on that wall

 

[Ryuson99]

Originally posted by: YOyoYOhowsDAjello

Originally posted by: Ryuson99

Originally posted by: YOyoYOhowsDAjello

Originally posted by: Ryuson99
Black are great, you really can't tell a diffrence but it's setting it up to be perfect thats time consuming.

You have to adjust the lens and the light real good as to cover the screen exactly or else you will see brighter spots.

Do you have any pics of yours? (If you made one)

Currently I don't since I just got some new lens for it but here's some pics of others:

Text1
Text2
Text3
Text4
Text5
Text6

Looks pretty nifty... and looks like they're in bad need of a screen on that wall

Lol yeah they need a screen. but as you can see the blacks are great and the whites are also very good.

 

[KoolAidKid]

1080p is not currently possible for a DIY projector. The 1920x1200 LCD panels from laptops are not easily used for this application, although I know of one guy who is in the process of trying. Desktop LCDs are much easier to deal with, but the optics that are currently available for DIY projectors will not work with any LCD bigger than 19" 4:3. So if you can find an LCD under that size limit that does 1920x1200 native, you could build yourself a 1080p projector. Otherwise, you're stuck with 720p.

 

[jmolayal]

Argh...

Yeah I've read about constructing them.. And Tried it with a 5" PSone LCD.. Crashed and burned..

Some definite advantages to the DIY model.. Most mentioned before, but lap is cheaper, and COST!!...

Still looking for someone looking to make a few bucks. Thanks!

-Jaison

 

[sharkeeper]

Yeah it does since DIY use Metal Hilades bulbs (AKA the ones you use for reef tanks). The bulbs themselves cost about $75.00 and they last about 14 months using them daily for about 10 hours on a reeftank. So you do the math.

The spectral output of these lamps will shift considerably from cool to warm as they age. It makes a tremendous difference in the whites if not automatically compensated for. There are charts for popular brands such as Iwasaki, Venture, Philips, Osram, etc. that show this.

If the lamps aren't properly cared for, they can suddenly rupture creating a hazardous condition without warning. Risks include burning, fires, electrical shock, eye and skin damage from UV-C radiation, headaches from ozone.

Additionally, if you use a switching driver, harmonics can cause communication problems with line sharing devices and cause non current carrying conductors to overheat. (in the case with multiple devices)

 

[Ryuson99]

Originally posted by: sharkeeper

Yeah it does since DIY use Metal Hilades bulbs (AKA the ones you use for reef tanks). The bulbs themselves cost about $75.00 and they last about 14 months using them daily for about 10 hours on a reeftank. So you do the math.

The spectral output of these lamps will shift considerably from cool to warm as they age. It makes a tremendous difference in the whites if not automatically compensated for. There are charts for popular brands such as Iwasaki, Venture, Philips, Osram, etc. that show this.

If the lamps aren't properly cared for, they can suddenly rupture creating a hazardous condition without warning. Risks include burning, fires, electrical shock, eye and skin damage from UV-C radiation, headaches from ozone.

Additionally, if you use a switching driver, harmonics can cause communication problems with line sharing devices and cause non current carrying conductors to overheat. (in the case with multiple devices)

I concur.

Also remember with DIY the bigger the LCD the bigger the projection will be. I recommend sticking with a mini DIY projector one that uses a 7" or 9" (creates a screen about 60-70") LCD that way your image won't be to big unless you have a huge wall.