I am very new to this so please be patient, but I am now hooked on projection.

I recently saw images from "Jonjandran" on this site and was very impressed with what I saw. But not having much experience(having a 11-year-old Sanyo PLC 700 m that was lent to me for comparison) I really don't know what I'm looking at.
Jonjandran stated that the cost to build his projector was $1300.

QUESTION: How much would cost to buy a commercial projector with the equivalent image?
My goal is to have a amazing image (for movies) as large as possible in my apartment. I would appreciate any information that can bring me up to speed.

his projector uses a WUXGA LCD panel with resolution 1920x1200, capable of displaying 1080p content. 1080p commercial projectors will run well over $3000, but they will be brighter with higher contrast.

a projector capable of displaying 720p content using a 17" LCD panel can be done for $500-900.

Here is a sony 1080p for 9k

Optoma 1080p for 7k

1080p projectors are expensive.
I am sure you could find one cheaper that what I linked to but still much more than the cost of DIY

Does that still make his an exceptional projector? I think I understand the contrast issues making a huge difference but how important is the brightness issue, I plan to watch mine in a dark room. Am I safe to assume that I can't come close to that quality with used machine.

contrast isn't that big of a deal.. all that ends up happening is your blacks won't be completely black, but with a nice black border around the screen, you won't care. Brightness isn't a big deal either when watching in a dark room.. but ambient light KILLS diy projections. When a room is completely dark other than light from the projection (reflected light from the screen really does light up the whole room), you won't need the image any brighter.

Thanks tameone, your feedback is appreciated.
I really want to build a kick ass projector. I have all the skills that are needed to do it(I restore exotic cars ) but i'm starting on the zero side of video knowledge. I apologize in advance if my questions seem stupid.

Is the sharp W. U. X. G. A. 15 inch screen the ideal LCD?

I recently looked up the new DIY haas box and even though it's not cheap I think a lot of time and effort would be saved by purchasing one, what are your thoughts?

jonjan used the monster triplet ,Is that the way to go

Is there a list that you know of for the best possible components to build my projector(better triplet or Fresnel etc.)


And last but not least, who has built the best projector that you know of, and can you tell me how to view it.

What it really comes down to for me... when my friends see my PJ and ask if it was worth it/if they should build one... is this:

DONT build a DIY projector if you just want a good projector. You can get a 720p PJ now for fairly cheap. You have to want to DIY for it to be worth it. There has to be pleasure from biulding it yourself. That is why we build these. To say: "I made that, and it (moslty) works awsome". I know i could have dropped another $400-$500 down and gotten a great HD projector but mine works just fine (especially now with dalite HP) and I know how it works, and I can fix it, and bulbs are cheap. If you really have that DIY spirit and want the benefits of knowing how your pJ works and be able to cheaply fix it then I say go for it.

Otherwise you can spend $1000 - $1500 and get a much better (subjective of course) PJ. The only downside being bulb cost.

Anyhow.. I hate to turn people away but I am seeing more and more completed PJs being sold and it makes me think people either had unrealistic expectations going in or didnt really want to DIY and just got overhyped at the idea of a big screen.

Brian

Aye, I do think the biggest factor is that we can say we built it, and it works to our liking. For me, it was no question as to go with DIY or comm, Because mine will be used 10+ hours a day. (Not all me.. lol)
So, at $200-$300 a bulb for comm, it would take anywhere from a year to two years for the DIY to pay off from bulb cost alone.

So, that is the reason i'll be going with DIY.

-Aaron

That is the best overall I think. Highest resolution, most input options, reasonable size

If you are looking at a WUXGA panel it is not cheap but if it is say $1500 for the build it still saves a lot compared to a commercial 1080p PJ



I'll say it again for $1500 you can setup ad 1080p beauty. That is way cheaper than prebuilt. Choice seems obvious to me. Plus it gives me something to do. I love messing with stuff, building stuff, modding stuff.

I really appreciate all this feedback
I love to create and build things.... maybe a little too much. I am constantly reengineering and modifying my cars and motorcycles and I'm staring at a 1980 ducati super sport frame at this very moment(wondering when I will get to it) so presently I'm a little top-heavy in the" create a new thing" department. However, I love the idea of building a projector from scratch. Typically when I modify a car or motorcycle my spare time equates to many thousands of dollars saved and the pride of accomplishment. Most of my projects can only be done by me or someone with an endless bank account that can hire whomever they want.
My main goal here, if possible, is to have an ultrahigh def projector at a fraction of the cost(sweat equity).
Is a 1080p pj image that much better then a 720p image? Although $2-$300 for bulb replacement is a total drag, it is not the deciding factor for me. Assuming I spend approximately $1300 for my PJ(jonjandran pj) do I have the equivalent of a 5,6 or $7,000 projector? If not, can someone point me in the right direction of the projector I should be looking at in the $1300-$1500 price range that would be the equivalent of jonjandran's pj

So so confusing. My lack of experience in this area is really starting to p--s me off. On the other hand, having all you guys out there and this forum is an unbelievable experience. I wish I had this much help with my other projects

From my searching you are not gong to be able to touch 1080p for less than around $2500. $5000 would get you a pretty top-of-the-line PJ these days. So to answer your queston simply, if 1080p is what you want then DIY is going to be at least 1/2 the price if not more. The thing is... you can get a 720p PJ for around that $1300 - $1500 price range that will look great. It will be brighter and likely higher contrast than your DIY 1080p... but it will be lower resulotion. And then you have the lamp cost.

So it really comes down to weighing the pros and cons and comparing that to your budget. On the DIY side you have lower startup and maintenance cost and higher resolution; but also a huge box, high heat output, lower luminesence. In a commercial you are paying for small size, high brightness, easy usability; but at your price range won't get 1080p and will have high long term maintenence costs.

For me my DIY is great and will tie me over for the next few years but at some point I will want something nicer looking and smaller and will probably go commercial (also I should have a good job with steady income at that point).

Having said all that I may be experimenting with a DIY DLP PJ this winter/spring and so smaller size may be possible afterall.

At this point I hope someone with a DIY 1080p will step forward and tell you how awsome it is because that, sadly, is not something I have first hand experience with (only got my measly 1080i).

The reasons I choose DIY over commercial:


Overall cost is less and you get higher res.

Bulb cost less.

I can fix it myself.

Easily available repair parts.

THE BIGGEST REASON IS!

That it is very easy to upgrade. If I want a higher res I just replace the lcd, if I had a commerical unit I would have to buy a new one. Thats a big avantage for me. The DIY design gives you a lot of flexibility. It's pretty easy to apply new technology to it when it comes available, again with a commericial unit you have to buy a new one.

Guess I have to go to the local video projection place and do little comparison shopping. Once you get the projection bug it's hard let go. I have a 36 inch 1080 I sony XBR that I bought about four years ago. Good to have around as an extra anchor(it weighs 250 pounds) and has a good picture but it's not 10 feet wide and almost obsolete.
How does the EVO that sells for $500 compare with your 1080 I? I would imagine it's apples and oranges

Haven't really looked into that Evo.

If u currently have HD.. your not going to want to step down. So at least stick with 720p/1080i. Don't let me talk u out of DIY 1080p....it sounds like you have the will and technical know-how to pull off an excellent build

what are your thoughts on prebuilt boxes & giant triplets