Hey all,
I just decided to buy the guide and now that Im looking at it... good god. Of course it sounds like a nice projector because the parts are very very expensive. Anyways, what would you say is the cheapest route to having a projector that will work with my PC and my RCA inputs?

I should be able to provide all the tools and such (saws, etc).

Thanks!
Josh

Welcome Krazyjosh5
How much are you looking to spend on the projector? If you read through and find a compatible lcd, you can look on ebay for one that is used. Sometimes you can even get a good price on a ballast there. As far as the len's go, I dont think your going to find any cheaper on your own then what is in the lumenlab store. There are a few people selling parts in the trading post section. There should be no reason why you cant build this for under $400 if cost is your driving factor. If you want the projector for much under that you need to be a good patient shopper.

the most expensive part is the lcd - but you can find them reworked - ebay - ubid that kinda stuff - as far as the inputs - it sounds like you want to hook up your pc and a dvd play, gaming system, ect -

you best bet for that would probably be the viewsonic N6 or something similar -


the stuff is really not that expensive when you look at the "big picture" here - compared to store bought projectors - and in the long run this projector wont cost as much to maintain -

Keep your eyes open on Ebay for a LCD with a bad backlight,I got mine for 63.00.

It takes alot of patience as others have said,but eventually one will pop up.

This is not so simple.

If you want to build something just in order to say "I did it, and it works. Next!.", then I believe you can do it for $300 USD or so, if you search real hard and have patience, and assuming nothing goes wrong when you build it.

If you want to build something in order to live with the picture you get, then I suggest that you go and see with your own eyes the LCD panel you are going to buy. If you won't be able to live with the pic it produces as a monitor, this won't change when the size will be zoomed. A good LCD panel will cost you ~$250 USD.

Also, if you can't use the pj as a coffee table or ceiling mount, you'll need to go with the Zoom lens, which will add another $200 to your bill.

All in all, for most people (who can not ceiling mount it or use it as a coffee table, and don't find a real cheap good LCD on ebay) if done right, this project will cost around $700 USD. $700 sounds like a lot, but it shouldn't, I know a few people who tried to go the cheapest route, and at the end found themselves spending more than that.