For sake of being completely honest I'll insert the gatuitous "I've been reading this site for awhile and now I am inspired..." disclaimer to get it over with. Seriously, this community is awesome though; all the ideas, expertice, support rocks, even though it is a bit overwhelming.

So, without further ado, I'll get started. Of course I'm in the 'parts-gathering phase' and the first set of the main parts are on order. Below is a quick summary of what I've gathered so far:

LCD Panel: $193.94 from Burgess Computers (Samsung SyncMaster 740BX)
Projection Lens: $17.00 (A. JAEGERS 95MM FL, F/2.8 COOKE TRIPLET)
Fresnel Lens Set: $80.98 (3dLens.com)
Electronic Ballast: $119.99 (HID E-B DXE400HID1)

Total So Far: $411.91

The Fresnel Details are as follows:

320mm x 400mm
Item: #F550
Thickness: 1.8mm
Weight: 280 grams
Material: optical acrylic
Groove pitch: 0.2mm
Focal length: 550mm

320mm x 400mm
Item: #F220
Thickness: 1.8mm
Weight: 280 grams
Material: optical acrylic
Groove pitch: 0.2mm
Focal length: 220mm

The only concern that I had so far was just the size of the fresnels and the projection lens in general. LL has been out-of-stock on theirs for awhile it seems to I went ahead and purchased from 3dlens. The projection lens seemed like it would be a good lens to start with, and it was hard to beat a list price of $12. Hopefully later on I'll have the chance to upgrade to a PRO lens, but for now it will seems like it will do for my beginner build. My end target is a PRO spec projector, but it seemed to make sense that a good LCD screen would be a better purchase to start with in the component department verses a lens that I can easily swap out later.

My wife vetoed the general box design and amazingly she didn't like the Haas either, which is just as well since my woodworking tools are limited at best. Can I get a shout from the married guys? She only cares about how the box looks. Period. It's just as well, since I might like a PRO lens upgrade a some point . She did like the Aero approach (Awesome work here), and it has the added benefit that its something that I think I can construct.

So I'm off to the races, hopefully not to join the broken FFC/Ribbon cable club. I've got a 15" Dell LCD that does work but is basically a junker that I'm going to 'learn' with before I take apart my Samsung.

I'll try to keep a detailed photographic record of my efforts in the spirit of these excellent forums, so stay tuned as the parts arrive and I start my build. Much cussing and weaping/wailing/gnashing of teeth to follow I'm sure

GMDak

My wife didnt care about how ugly it was since she was about to have a huge picture. We are both movie buffs. But I built something I thought she would like. Once she sees the picture it wont matter.

Welcome aboard!

SJ

A lot of married-guys once only cared about how the box-looked -- which is why, now, they don't have a nice set of tools...<g>

Nicely worded. Much depth and cleverness.

Oh, you filthy, filthy old man.

Narry was there a wiser man

Yes dirty, dirty, but also funny because it's true on many levels. As for a skin i will be using ABS haircell plastic it has a very nice finish i like the way it looks. Stable upto about 180F. I have a picture in my plog here Burke 2.0

I got most of my parts in today. I'm still waiting on the HID ballast. I'm headed to Lowes hopefully this week to start picking up some raw materials for the build. This week's not looking good in the free time department but hopefully I'll be able to pick up the pieces I need at least.

More to come...

that's strange..I would think haas or samuraijacks projector would have been the choice for easy on the eyes.

my focus is "make it work now, then pretty it up as much as you can later."

I would have thought so as well. I'm not too picky on the enclosure design as I intend to 'make it work then make it pretty' as well. But, my wife is into asthetics: no wires running around visible, good looking projector box that looks good with the decor. Of course, without her I'd probably be sitting on lawn chairs eating cereal out of plastic bowls...

yep..it all works out in the end. my wife buys a little shelf and puts it up in the living room somewhere. It really makes the room look better and I'm like.."I never would have thought to do that."

The tall thin box with a fold look nice and can be hidden with a plant! Ya thats it a plant stand, a really big plant stand.

A don't see how that triplet will work with a 17" LCD? A 95mm FL?