Hi,

As my first post I want to know about the lighting factor of projectors.

I am a student planning to build a projector as a school prestigous project..

And I just got my hands on a samsung syncmaster 15" lcd.

Now about lighting, here's what my local electronics supplier offers...

This I think is the one everyone advises, or something similar:
http://www.rshongkong.com/cgi-bin/bv/brows...atoid=-86316436

But as a student and not being able to afford the ballast and actual bulb etc, I wondered if
this alternative is possible?
http://www.rshongkong.com/cgi-bin/bv/brows...atoid=-86304196

It does not need a ballast but a transformer making it cheaper and also quicker to strike

would this still be better than constructing an LED board for 15"?

THanks,
Ash

Ash,

I can't bring up those links.

Basically, We use a metal halide bulb because it gives the highest light output and lasts longest. If you use a halogen the light output will be lower and the life of the bulb much lower.

If you try a halogen bulb your picture may be very dim and you may end up going with a metal halide bulb, anyways. So in the long run, it may be cheaper just to go straight with a metal halide bulb.

This is a OHP lamp

http://cgi.ebay.com/FXL-410-w-82-v-Overhea...itemZ7595542335

The cheepest thing to do is buy a OHP from ebay thayt has a scrach or dent on it. They sell for cheep and will give you all the parts to get started on your PJ. You can use the lamp that comes with the PJ and it will work just fine for your project.

If the OHP has a fan make sure you new box has the same airflow.

The halegen lamps make lots of heat and have a short life of around 100 hours. If you bump them when they are on they will often fail. You might want to have a spare for the big day. You might think of using a unsplit setup it will run cooler.

Use a smaler screen and you will get a lot better brightness for day time use. If ther is going to be lights overhead projecting on the inside of a box might be a good idea.

Have fun