Hi newbie here,

I have be looming for sometime; researching, enjoying every one's PJ results and ideas. I became as I've sourced some parts (lcd and tv box) but can't afford the rest yet. So out of desperation I purchased the ebay (scam) 150" tv plans. Yes I know but I just wanted to experiment and to experience a bigger screen.


What a picture hey
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Well in the limited space of my dinning room, some packing tape, cardboard, a stanley knife, some black emulsion I fashioned a tube (of sorts) and a focus board and was able to project approx 36" diag. The quality is rubbish and I cant really focus much of the image at all. But hey I know that was going to happen. I am so please with what I got though, I came up with a plan .

Parts:

15" crt monitor ( 1280*1024@60hz max)
LCD TV box Dazzle series ( Composite/areial/s-video) + remote
285mm * 285mm VR X-long focus 432mm fresnal lens ( optical acrylic)

I plan to re-house the monitor in a new enclosure ( will use threaded rod design) and my fresnel will be mounted to draw runners for focusing. Much of my plan is taken from others in the forum ( thanks all ). I already know of some draw backs to this method but any and all advise is welcome

Haha, nice. I always wondered what those ebay scam things would look like. If I recall correctly, aren't they just fresnel lenses? If so, can you use them for your real PJ?

Hi stoanhart

Yes they are just fresnel lens; no you cant because their are really really bad quality; ( as you can see from my first pic) and I would not have bought one if I'd not been so desperately short of funds.

I have purchased a better one off ebay. Here's a pic of my experimental setup


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I'm looking forward to a much improved picture from this new lens.

Here's another picture of my experiment and I was quite surprised that I was able to see some projected image even with the light on.

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Haha. Daron, I bought those same crappy lenses a year and a half ago off ebay and used them with a regular magnifying glass to see what it would look like.

It was terrible obviously, but still cool. I found these forums a few days ago and realized THIS is how it's done so I ordered the lenses from lumenlab and a 15 inch cmv lcd from newegg so I can get started building my projector.

If you're really hurting in the money department, try getting the lumenlab lenses and an lcd off ebay, there are plenty with bad backlights for $10-90.

I did the Toms Hardware thing which is how I killed my first lcd which was the cmv 522a watch out for your ffc cables.

Sorry, how'd you kill it? And what do you mean watch out for the ffc cables, I thought the 522a didnt' have an ffc issue (that's what the lists on this site said).

D: you've got me worried, can you please clarify?

My original panel was the cmv522a. The ffc cables are pretty short only about 3 inches long which means your control board is close to the lcd (there isn't an ffc issue becuase it doesn't block the panel but they are short)
Do not take the screen apart until you are ready to at least make the frame for it to go in. It's a great panel but I was careless and mishandled the lcd the ffc's are really thin and the first time I had a small tear still got an image but it couldn't be fixed.

The metal frame that the lcd comes in is perfect for supporting it when you start your final frame you can silicone it into the frame the place that onto a wooden frame for support. Since the ffc's are so sensitive you will want to snap them of the control board whenever you are moving it. There is also a certain lifespan on the ffc connections meaning that if you were to keeping taking it in and out of its clamp it would be worn out and usless about about 40 inserts.

I'll gladly help with any questions you have it's a great panel just needs to be handled with care. Just PM me or keep posting your questions there are alot of guys in here who have completed panels with the 522a.

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Hope this helps.

It does, thanks! Should be getting it anytime now - then I'll start my plog.

so how are the results in dardk with this setup ?

FW

hi guy's

thanks for your replies.

My pj has evolved and I'm at the stage of installing the lamp and control gear . Today I purchased the following:

1 * 250watt tempesta 2 floodlight (included) 1 venture hit 250w/u/euro/4k lamp 50.00GBP


This was the most cost effective way for me. I was very surprised by the size of the lamp and HEAT really does concern me. I had planned on useing 2 * 90mm fans (which I have removed from PC PSU's). These are mounted above the lamp (externally mounted) but I'm not sure if they'll provide enough air flow, your thoughts and experience would be most appreciated.

PS: I can't spend anymore money on my pj this year so I really don't want to melt or kill any of the other components.