Cool, thanks for the info Joe. I think I decided against them anyways.

Here's another. I found this one for 199.00 refurbished. NEC 1525M. 350:1 CR. 15" lcd. 1024x768 rez. .297 mm. Good price. I am thinking seriously about this one. What do you all think??

Hi thanks for providing such an excellent guide. anyways, i was wondering about the 15" dell refurbished monitors. they cost $268 refurbished, and i have heard good things about dell monitors. here are the specs:

.297 pixel pitch
1024X768 resolution
35ms response

do they have an ffc issue?

also can you suggest a good all-round monitor. my maximum price is around $300 and i am willing to eBay or get a refurbished. thanks:)

here is a list of known working monitors - check that outmight help

http://www.lumenlab.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=4

Thank you Modest911, yup, check the compatible monitors list, and the incompatible list, if a given monitor is not on either of those lists, we don't know about it one way or the other.

BTW- please read the FAQ, specifically #2.

Joe,

Jumping into the forum for the first time...

I've got a Slimage 710a on it's way to me...should be here in a few days. I got one of the scratched ones so I could really toy with it and not be out the $209 he charges for the good ones now... Let me know if you resolve it first -

Thanks,

Jared

kewl. you can check the progress we are doing on it now here at this link..

http://www.lumenlab.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=794

Joe

Ooh, my first post. I'm so excited to get started on my projector that I think that I just may vomit a little. Anyway, saw this Scanport GL-610 AB over at Tigerdirect for $199 after rebate.

http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/Se...-1402&CatId=164

Does anyone have experience with this model or brand?

Hmm contrast is low and no response time given. Never seen that one around.

Contrast is a pretty low. The response time is "20 ms (Rising), 30 ms (Falling)".... Whatever that means.

That means 50ms total yeeow.

Hi Folks! Hi Brainchild - Brand new Lumenlab customer here! :-) (Relatively new, I've been lurking in the public forums for a week reading up >:)

To the quick: I have a ViewSonic VG500 sitting here, and I'm thinking about using it for my project. Fiance' won it for free at a M$ seminar last fall, so the price is right. :) The unit is not listed in either the "Known good" list -OR- the "Will not work" list in this forum.
Any ideas out there if this unit will have FFC issues?

Also, your feedback on specs would be nice.

ViewSonic specs page:
http://viewsonic.com/support/desktopdispla...vg500/index.htm

Quick & Dirty:
15"
1024x768 @ 75 Hz refresh
400:1 contrast ratio
30ms (typical)* response time
--* this means averaged, correct? Will I notice ghosting at this speed?
OSD lock prevents user settings from changing
32-104 deg. F recommended operating temp range

Thanks for your feedback - Can't wait to start building my enclosure next week!

Scot

Only one way to know if there are ffc issues.... .pull the back cover off and look. Might have to remove more than the cover but shouldn't be too hard to tell without damaging anything. And if there are ffc issues put it back together and just use it as a monitor again or measure the cables and make an extension.

Yep, take it apart and look. A couple suggestions though:

First, get yourself an antistatic wrist strap and ground yourself before you pick up the screwdriver. It all becomes academic if you fry the internals. I went as far as to pick up an antistatic kit from RadioShack (~$25), but I build computers, so this is logical for me anyway.

Quick tip for grounding: I ground myself with an old computer that I have lying around. I plug in the powersupply (using 3 prong plug), then connect the wriststrap to the metal housing on the power supply. If there is an external switch on the powersupply, turn this to the on position. The computer itself should be turned off, however.

Second, take pictures. Whenever I take apart something for the first time, I take pictures step by step. That way if I have to put the thing back together I don't have to rely on memory alone. It would also help if you take a picture of the LCD and post it on Lumenlab. There's a lot of talent and experience here and the right picture helps alot.

Thanks,
Zendance

Joe,

(And anyone else who has been checking out the Slimage 710a monitors)

Just wanted to let you know as a follow-up - I ripped apart my 710a tonight and found a Hitachi lcd with a completely different set of connectors from the ones you have. (A real bummer - I was actually kinda hoping to help you out with a solution...) The connectors I have will allow a 90 degree swing w/o mods.



The monitor I got from these 'NGN' guys had a white casing as opposed to the black one I noticed on your post. You had posted that you also got a 2nd monitor. Was that one from the same guys? What was its casing color? I'm wondering if the white bezel monitor will be more user freindly in general...

I was planning to purchase a few more of the monitors from this guy but am a little wary if every monitor has a different set FCC's and connectors (and of course, the scratches in my case...)

I purposefully got one of the 'scratched' monitors ($60). Luckily, one of the scratches was a plastic rub from something else that came right off. The other is small enough that I'm hoping it doesn't interfere too much with the projected image (At least I know it's out of the 16:9 area.) I think I'm going to order one more and see how different it is from the one I got. I'll keep everyone posted based on the findings of the second monitor.

Jared

so yours have no ffc isues? can you take more pics? and maybe post them a little bigger.

thanks, Joe

Here are a couple of other pics -

(just trying to keep the bandwidth free...)

These show the flex cables and the connectors.

And the controller board...

I'll post some more pic's if you'd like...

Just in case I don't respond right away to your next post, I was made a daddy just in time for father's day and will be busy with baby for a bit. It make be a while before I can post again...


Jared

Congrats!

I'm just throwing this out there for anybody.

15" Gateway FPD1540 Branded NEC MultiSync LCD1560NX

http://www.techforless.com/cgi-bin/tech4le...dd2cfX&mv_pc=91

I know the fresnels are too small and the design would have to be changed to accomodate this lcd, but man this seems like a smokin' good deal. My Best Buy has the Sharp LL-M17W1 for $369.00. This monitor has vga inputs, component inputs, tv-tuner, p.i.p, 400 cd brightness, 25 ms response and a 600:1 contrast ratio!! Plus I went to the Sharp site last night and there I found an $80.00 rebate. Net cost $289.00. Even if it does not strip, it is still one heck of a monitor.

Fantastic deal. I've had my eye on that panel for the new lenses.

If this 17" widescreen will work with the new lenses then; count me in for the new lenses, count me in for the Sharp LL-M17W1 and count me ecstatic for the fantastic picture this baby is bound to produce. The stats on this WXGA are stellar (to me anyway) and the price is dirt. I will use my projector in 16:9 to watch DVD's on a 16:9 (home-built) screen so this LCD should be a perfect match. Thanks Brain, let me know if you get one.

I have already purchased a 17" that tested out to 892:1 contrast. It is SXGA and has a .26 pixel pitch.

Really. If you don't mind my asking-what did you pay?? There is always that price:performance consideration.

I paid too much, $399.

I really shouldn't be here now, but...

Brainchild, what is the model of the screen ?. Any link ?. 892:1 ?, is this the official quote or a real measurment ?. Is it easy to strip ?.

I just got it today and I haven't stripped it yet. The listed contrast is 500:1 but it was extensively tested by PCWorld to disprove its contrast claim. It is the Dell 1702FP. Have a read: http://www.pcworld.com/news/article/0,aid,110483,pg,2,00.asp

By the way, I've been using the panel for a couple of hours and it is absolutely gorgeous. The pixel pitch is .26 also which is very nice.

I've read the link. Interesting to note that this monitor is pretty old (several years on the street), yet it produces such a high contrast ratio. Why are Dell quoting it as a 500:1 screen ?. The LCD panel industry seems to be moving so slowly in regard to CR improvement, several months ago, some company (forgot the name) released a 700:1, 17" screen, the CR rating amazed the world, but then cancelled it because they said it was too hard to manufacture. So I really don;t understand how could Dell (i.e their third party) create a 892:1 panel, by accident/mistake/fluke, already several years ago.

I thought that maybe Dell sent PCWORLD a tweaked monitor, so I've checked some of the reviews that this monitor got from several sites, and everybody seems to agree the pic looks way above the average. They also say it plays smooth with no ghosting, but I didn't find an official response time quote for it. Being that old, I have a hunch the response time is slower than 16ms, though they could have underrated it there too, I guess.

Is $400 the normal street price ?.

I hope that it will strip well.

I also wonder if you'll notice an improvement in regard to absolute black levels and dark scenes. The ultimate test for the 892:1 validity.

The response I finally found to be 25ms total (forgot where, a gaming site). The panel is made by Samsung. I tend to trust the measurement accuracy from PCWorld more than any manufacturer, as they stand to gain nothing. I've seen several of these panels go for less than $350 on Ebay. After seeing the panel I have to say it is very impressive. I paid $399 for this panel for one reason; it was guaranteed perfect with no dead pixels and no sign of wear whatsoever. It is everything that was claimed. I'll try to open it soon to see if there are cables.

I agree. I just hope that this measurement is valid for all of the Dell 1702FP panels, and not just the one they received. Otherwise, if it is valid for all panels, why aren't Dell advertizing it as a 900:1 monitor ?. It would have been sold like hot cakes. There must be some reasonable explanation for this issue...

Brainchild, can you download the software ("MonitorsDirect Calibrator") from this website:
http://www.monitorsdirect.com/toolkit/index.shtml

And run the response time test ?. Compare it to your 16ms CMV monitor and see what you get.

I ren the test with the 4 squars with thats the one you are talking about and it does not give a result just a graphic kinda test.

Also brain does not run windows so he will not be able to do thast one as far i a know.

In this week's (07/04/04) Best Buy ad:

MAG LT565 $329.99 - $80 Mail in Rebate = $249.99

Internal Issues: UNKNOWN (I checked the known good/bad lists)

Specs: (taken from MAG's site...)

Size: 15"
Contrast: 350:1
Brightness: 200
Dot Pitch: .297
Response Time: 16ms


Does anyone have hands on one of these to check the internals?

$250 with no shipping ain't bad. (yeah, gotta wait for rebate...)


~DM~

i bought mine off of ebay for 146 bucks and thats with shipping...though i didn't get any calbes of any kind....ohh and the back light was screwed up but took a flash light and the backlight would flicker and there didn't seem to be any dead pixels

if you can wait for a little less than a week i will be taking it apart this week...

hopefully everything is nice and smooth!

daniel

Insane, do you mean you are getting a LT565 or was your post in reference to another monitor?

If it is a LT565, I look forward to seeing your teardown report.

~DM~

i have the lt565 sitting right behind me...and i might start tearing it down tomorow...i can take pics for you once its broke down though...

but yah i've already got the panel

daniel

Please do let me know how it goes... they are on sale at Best Buy this week -- $249 after rebate... if it's good to go, I might go get one and be done with it, the 2 I scrounged were pretty old and had crummy specs.

Thanks in advance,

~DM~

ok...so i'm taking the screen apart...

was looking really good...now i just have a few pics...

brain, what do you think on these connectors?

thanks
daniel

your picture is not showing up for me.

sorry...must be too large....been a really crappy night for me where nothing has gone good

heres a good one...

thanks
daniel

We'd need a close up pic of the contacts on that cable. Best guess is that it's the standard .5mm pitch ffc.

can you use this pic? its as good as quality as i can get...any closer and everything seems to blur...just save this pic and then zoom in on it

thanks
daniel

Ugh! The dreaded right angle fused FFC! It does look to be standardish though, hard to tell without high rez pics, maybe you can compare it to pictures of other cables in the FFC thread.

FFC Solutions Thread -- CLICK HERE

Guess we need to add this model to the "not so good for the PJ" list, thanks for cracking it open, IP.

~DM~

Just wanted to let everyone know that you can get used Slimage 710a monitors from CedarPark Computers "http://www.cedarsys.net/index.php?cPath=32".

I ordered a 710a with minor scratches today for $79.99 & $24.70 shipping.

Hope the FFC issue is minor.

Peace Out!

RockinRon

thanks for the link drudge! i never even thought about looking through the board to find those extentions....you have just saved me a huge headache! though you are correct...its not that friendly in the projection market...but i'm bound to make it work now

although thats a cheap monitor just above me...

daniel

Looks like the Samsung 151s I have.... and FIXED

http://www.lumenlab.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=1213&hl=

Curious to know if anyone has experience or info on the NEC 1515-R and 1565-R. I found these refurbished on Futureshop.ca under $400 Canadian.

http://www.futureshop.ca/catalog/proddetai...t=1&WLBS=fsweb5
http://www.futureshop.ca/catalog/proddetai...t=1&WLBS=fsweb5

Hey ron, I picked up one of those slimage 710a... will let everyone know about tearing it down... cheers

Earlier in this thread joechevy2000 posted a quick link to another thread about the slimage710a. He also has photos there of his teardown I think. His ffc cables required special attention - I'm not sure if he's got it resolved or not yet.

I have one of the scratched monitors - it ends up that the connectors in mine were different from those in Joechevy's and should be able to work as-is. So far, it seems that the slimage710a is a 'mutt' monitor that can contain various displays and driver cards.

I'll be able to use mine - it will barely fit though. To make the ffc connection a little more 'build friendly' on mine it would be good to buy an extension.

It will be interesting to see what effect the scratch has on the projected image too. (My scratch isn't too big.)

I'm about to get the optics ready for mounting and then I put the lcd and broards in and I can do some testing. I'll try to post some pics for you guys once I've got it done.

A few tips that I've picked up here and there for this monitor on the forum:
Use the backlight frame that the lcd comes in to mount. Also, measure the monitor and whatever framing device you make prior to building your box. I assumed I had plenty of room and ended up creating a channel in the box for the frame to fit in.

Hope that helps.

Jared