Hey everyone,

I, like many, have been scouring these forums for several weeks/months soaking up information in preparation for a projector build. I've got a good bit of wood/metal working experience, so I'm looking forward to a fun and challenging project.

Tons of questions in my mind, but finding the right LCD is my primary concern right now. I think I am essentially settled on a 720p projector, as going to 1080p just gets so expensive for, what seems to be, a relatively small jump in noticeable quality.

Although there are numerous resources on the site for LCD specifications, there doesn't seem to be a listing of the monitors that are best if purchasing new. I'm interested in what LCDs others have used, found to be cheap and have great performance.

I am considering creating a small website for this, if others find it could be useful. Essentially a top 10 list of monitors under different categories "15in, 15.4 wuxga, etc" and places to buy.

In the meantime, what are some LCDs those making 720p projectors have had good experiences with?

Thanks guys, this place is amazing.

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage.jsp?sk...d=1138083976018

1400:1 CR, 4ms Response time, 1280x1024

Hahahahahahahhahaa.

Are you joking?

Don't waste money on that thing. Never shop retail. You get raped.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?...N82E16824009070

There's an Acer, 500:1, and 8ms response. 173 shipped.

I'll assume he was just linking to the monitor, not necessarily suggesting it be purchased from best buy. That LG monitor is available numerous places.

Anyway, its not truely 1400:1 contract. 1400:1 is a dynamic number which is primarily attained through backlight output modulation.. the static number, which is all we are concerned about in a PJ, is probably closer to 500 or 600:1.

I dunno... 240 isn't so bad. $70 isn't worth the extra 900:1 CR and 4ms?

Seems like it could be. That monitor is listed other places for upwards of 280 as well.

Ahh, that answers that.

Can't really go wrong with Samsung monitors. I don't think any of them have FCC issues, and they all strip easily. Good specs, good picture. Some report problems stripping the AG, but others have no problem.

I'm using an Asus PM17TU since it doesn't have anti glare. Not too bad to strip & no FCC issue. I bought it for just under $200 shipped, but I don't think its available for that cheap anymore.

Tameone hit it on the nose!

I haven't bought anything from Best Buy in years, if your really looking for good deals on LCD monitors check out www.slickdeals.net or http://techbargains.com/ both have some pretty good deals now and then for LCD monitors.

Order magnavox from http://www.outlet.philips.com/b2c_redesign....do?shop=OUTLET.
Cant beat the price. I ordered 15PF5120/28B from the site. still waiting for delivery.

Broken Link :/

Anyone know the fixed link to philips's monitors? I couldnt find 'em

Try this link.

Nice find!

Too bad they don't have a Canadian Outlet.

infinityPlusOne link points to the model I ordered. There are other cheaper models available. Mine has a HDCP compliant DVI input. I would be connecting this via HDMI-DVI plug to Dish PVR.

Hopefully the AG is easy enough to remove. I haven't seen anyone on these forums or on diyaudio.com forums using this display. Hopefully there are no FFC issues either. Good luck with this vham and let us know how it goes!

I have the LG LCD Everything is good about it. I think the 700 to 1 LG is the exact same panel with out the backlight power adjustment.

Easy strip , only FFC on the botom none on the sides just glass, antiglare strips easy too ,unlike alot of the Samsungs.

Even the OSD is good with a auto white ballance.

The controler has a long enough wire to allow you to mount it on the side of the box and the OSD buttons are even longer.

It is only a 5% LCD but I think all the 700 to 1 LCD's will be the same.

Try the 700 to 1 panel be the first.

I would be using phillips lcd in vertical design, where AG layer faces towards triplet. Should I still bother removing AG.

I would suggest trying it first without removing the AG, then if you want to tweak, and aren't too afraid, go ahead and remove the AG. Maybe before you go and do that, you might want to consider polishing the AG with Mother's Polish as some have done. Then if that still doesn't cut it for you, attempt the AG removal.

With the AG removed you are allowing more light to pass through the LCD. From what I've read, it increases the brightness and the colors quite dramatically.

vham... that display has got me very excited but also very frustrated (since I can't get one in Canada without paying a ridiculous sum). 450:1, 16ms, hd component out and above all HDCP compliant over DVI-I on a 15" monitor is unheard of! And for $200 (regular prices ranging from $300 to $400)!!! I want! I want!

The only thing that concerns me is that CrystalClearIII technology they're using. Apparently it sounds like they implement a variable contrast ratio to get a great picture.

From their site:

"Crystal Clear III combines a whole range of enhancements to provide a better picture. They include a 2D Comb filter, Dynamic contrast, Blue stretch and Green enhancement so that you always get the most natural looking colors."

Hopefully there is an option to turn that off. It might become a problem with your projector since the backlight in our pjs cannot go brighter or dimmer on the fly. Just the one setting: SUNLIGHT.

Again great find. Forum members in the USA should definitely consider this one.

I'm going to try to out. Has everything I want in a 15". $190 worth of risk... If I bite it, so be it.


pray for me...

How about this one: Magnavox LCD

Comes down to $154 shipped for me after the $30 off coupon.

I doubt you'll be interested since you're buying new, but I can get refurbished LG monitors for next to nothing. I have been using 2 19" 1280x1024 1400:1 8ms monitors for a few months now with no problems. One of the monitors has a stuck pixel but the other is perfect. I could assure you it'll last a while I paid $95 each for my 19" monitors and tomorrow am getting a 20" 1660x1050 2000:1 5ms monitor for $101+tax.

I know you're probably still going to buy something new, but thought I'd throw this option out there.