Math,

Go to your first post, hit edit, and then you will see the topic info that can be changed.

Cheers!

Fulcrum

Math,

Your thinking about it all wrong. Given perfect optics where all the light goes through the LCD and into the triplet and then to the wall, it is not how big your LCD is, but how big of an image you want to put on the wall. The bigger the image, the more spread out the light is, and the dimmer the image appears.

This is easy to test, just move you PJ to half the distance that you currently have it at, and the brightness will increase dramatically (I believe the inverse square law may apply here; as it does with gravity. (However the eye is logrithmic for light detection so it may not matter.... Err Uhh Sorry. A nice rabbit trail) But your forum ame is Math, so you can probably follow easily).

Besides, a smaller screen typically means lower resolution (unless you pay high $$$), so when you stretch the image out, the picture doesn't look as good/defined.

Cheers!

Fulcrum

Math,

I believe the precondenser primarily spreads the light, but I believe it increase the average ANSI too. Simulator, the pioneer of this device, achieved the highest illumination with his PJ. His plog is titled "Simul8r's 2nd Build - 15" Lcd W/vertical Bulb, 18" Triplet & Precondenser".

Also to overclock your bulb you will need to buy some capacitors. ArizonaVideo (aka A/V) loves to experiment with all kinds of bulbs, and has overclocked several. A/V has a plog called "Overclocking Lamps & Ballasts". You will probably like this thread, as the 1st sentence in the 1st post states " There is four main ways to make our pj brighter". Also see post #206 for a voltage vs. light gain output. A/V also has a blog titled "Overdriving Three $20 10000k Lamps, If you have some fish you can have a free lamp".

Cheers!

Fulcrum

Big thanks!

Got it. Then the best we can do with a reflector is multiply by 2(max) what we get from the light. Transparency then? More or less transparent lcd?



Got it too. I can follow, with a good lead.
That's why people go for 17''ers. For that and the extra resolution...
hmmmm. hmmmm... hmmmm...

I'm back to computing things.

Big thanks for the links!!!
I searched a lot. and probably not in the right place.

Cheers, I'm off to read.

Math

Well, now I have to take pictures of my projection...



This weekend, maybe.

I'll have to retake leeloo pictures.

All in all, I'm quite satisfied with movies for now. Much more satisfied than I was.

Still reading.

As promised, pictures!

Lion king, lights on


Lion king, lights off

Next - Fellowship of the ring.
All taken from the movie.





All in all, I'm quite happy with the result so far.
Still have to make that light even everywhere....

Precon - still reading. I'm quite interested!

I might switch to a vertical light setup. And take the opportunity to redo my box. I'm still in my temporary setup - Plywood. Ugly.

Last night, it was movie night. We were around 15 in that little room.

Simply...
Too...
Cool...!

Math,

Hey, Nice Pictures! So Does it look brighter in person? What camera are you using?

I can't remember if your running the movies through your computer. If you are, then download a freeware program called "Gamma Panel" by microsoft that allows you to adjust your monitor settings in real time (brightness, contrast, gamma).

Therefore your image might become even brighter, even if the software your using to play the movies doesn't have that type of control available.

This program is especially helpfull, if your using your PJ for other things other than movies, such as internet surfing, or playing PC games, etc!

Cheers!

Fulcrum

Hi!
Thanks, brighter, yes. Although I admit to be "cheating" the image with the yahoo player. The yahoo dvd player has it's own image ajustement which makes it perfect for someone like me with a limited projector.

In terms of Brightness, it didn't do much. Contrast is better and colors are better too. It's as if I removed a great dust barrier between me and the image. Now, both sides are reflective as can be. But, I wonder if I should go on and remove more layers. Too bad they don't tell you in the specs if your lcd as various layers that you can remove .

The only bad side is the black you have with those settings. More gray than black. But hey. For under 500$. I'm pretty happy to have that big a picture and that quality too. 480p is nice. Next one I try to make will be :
1- smaller (10,6)
2- 1080p capable. Or whatever the standard will be then.

But before that, I still have to look into precondensers.




Kokak easyshare 533
see here


Sometimes.



You mean, even movies played with say... VLC player will look brighter?
Samsung has a software that works with mostly anything, BUT movies. You can adjust gamma, brightness, contrast, color temperature and it works with any LCD you can hook up to your computer. So anything I throw at it will be better except movies.. Does this work with movies too??

I have very limited time these days, so I won't be testing it soon. But thanks for the tip!

Be well,

Math,

As long as it is ran through your computer it will work. The program brightens the display. So any program you are using, excel, word, Outlook, photo programs, etc will all have the screen altered to the specification you give it. So yes movies too, if the movies being played through your computer.

Cheers!

Fulcrum

Doesn't work...
It changes everthing BUT the movie played via my computer...
bummer.
specs:
Celeron 2.5g (i know. celeron...)
1g ram
windoze xp home
geforce 6200 (256mb)

Running VLC - the gamma program does not change the video output...

Other programs making the display brighter?

ok, ready for the precon.
They do sell cheap!

I'll be taking the opportunity to enhance my design and redo my box.

I'll start with that and re-align everything. I notice my design is upwards in term of how the light travels.

I'm reading the 1080 guys and I drool....
got... tooo....sttoooop... rea---ding....

must-not...buy...new...LCD!

WOAH!!!!




My bulb went screeching on me then, the bulb became brown.

Just like that.

brroooguuguuuguugyyuytutuddjjj bulb.dies.



noooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo

Whew!!!

the lamp fires again.

I've taken the opportunity to take the vertical route. Seem I get a more even light all around that way. Re-place the triplet. made more holes in the box, trying to cut the lights leak everywhere with electrical tape.

yet again, I say it : WHEW!!!

Trying to mount the reflector in a different way to distance it from the light.

First try is coming.

I distanced the reflector a lot 10 mm. (or so)

black edges(dark)
WAYYYYYY brighter middle round spot.

Going back to what I had before. Right on the lens. until I get the precon.

Woah, something's wrong. Suddenly, I'm unaligned when I just had everything aligned.

Guess it's back to the drawing board time.

LOLOL

Goodbye Nighttime, I have work to do.

ok,

I put the light vertically.
The light is dancing. round and round and round. That can't be good...

Back to horizontal. Too bad, it looked much better vertically...

Back to builing again.
That's so much fun!!!


I just realized : the pj is as good as your tolerance towards defects is high.

trying to reduce the size of this monster.






POWERTOOLS = OUCH

RESULTS - SORRY, PHONE CAMERA PIXS





SCREEN AT AN ANGLE



sorry for caps lock, typing with one less finger is hard.

:S

DUDES!!!

I have no idea what I've done right, but my projection is SO much brighter!!!

I took the time to make sure that everything is properly aligned. All I can say is WOW!

I had no idea I could have those kinds of results!

Another update

I can now play Halo2

WOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOTTT!!!!!!!!!!!!


Also, I found my panel works with 480I and 480P. So with the neoya transcoder, I can play both. BUT, when hooking it to my 22'' LCD, 480I games won't work.

It displays 720p, but I'm missing about... 15% of the screen. I could not make the neoya make it work. But, when hooked to a computer, it goes to 1280X1024.
I don't understand why it won't display the 720p right.

Anyways, when 720P is displayed, OMG, the goodness! I can't believe my eyes.
I still can't believe all the goodness I see now. Damn, that image is fine!

Cheers!

Quick note :

I have done nothing to that picture and it's pretty close to what I get in reality. As reference, you can see the light coming from the other room. It's not over-exposed.

I tell you, I have no idea what I did that specifically improved the lighting.

I did :

re-aligned everything. Making sure everything is square. (2 minutes)
Moving my light towards my back fresnel (as in closer)



I still can't believe the light that's coming out of that PJ! I'm very pleased!

Edit :

ANd focus is nice to all corners!
I'll take pictures tonight with my real camera.

what did you do to make sure it all squared up?

Hey Gtrain.

Basically, I used a laser level. I placed it at the lamp's position (mine is removable) and then I started playing with it while my pj was sitting on the ground. Then, I used a good old water level (3 feet long) to adjust everything. Squaring the frames first and then adjusting the triplet to fit.

I used a plastic sheet (transparent) with an X on it to make sure my image is good. Then, plug everything back on and YAY! Fantastic results.
I also used a compressor to blow air on the lcd, Lenses and lexan sheet to remove dust.

Voilà!

Next : Removing the bottom section or making it at an angle like the top. Maybe then I'd be able to hang it. Else, coffee table for good. But I want to try putting it up first.

It definitely needs filler and everything, but this is a mock-up. Final build will be in pine. Plywood is nice to work with, easy to cut, bla bla bla, but it's ugly.

Well,

brought a Philips ftr-9964 from simp1yamazn

I'll probably be able to input 720p and downsample it if I read correctly.

16:9 is a priority, though

Waiting on it to arrive.

the goal :



Reduce it enough to make it hangable from the ceiling and lose it between the trusts.

Well, not really lose it, but at least, make it smaller. :D

Hmm... are you sure about that?
From the FTR 9964 manual:
"Note: This television is designed to accept high definition signal standards 480p
and 1080i, as specified by the Electronic Industries Association standard
EIA770.3.
Set-top boxes from different manufacturers have the possibility of differing
output standards which may cause difficulties for the television to properly
display."

Note that it refers to it as a 'television' because, it is one, just without a display.
If I remember when I tried to input a 720p signal, just to see what would happen, I simply got no display at all (it's been a while since I did that).

I have a service manual also if you ever need it.

I'm not sure about anything .
I only want 480p and gamma control. The rest is icing on the cake!

Thank you for the offer. I'll let you know. It might come in handy, but I believe that the guy sells :
the box
the remote
the cables
instructions to "unlock" it
manual.

Hey, if it outputs 720p, YAHOO! I'll be able to use it later on when I decide to ditch the 15 inch lcd and go with a 10.6...

cheers

So,

I let the "reduce the box" idea on the side. Instead, It'll be coffee table.
Finally decided.

I tried varios things and I'd have to modify too many things in order to get it to be as adjustable as it need to be. And time is limited. So, no go.

I'll work around it and come up with something interesting...

Da*n.

I have to re-align everything. For some reason, my picture is back to what it was before I squared everything up. LAMO : for some reason. RIGHT.

my gf tripped on the projector. So I have to find a way to make it fit better inside...

Still waiting for the FTR to show up

Received the phillips ftr-9964 standalone unit.

Unlocked it and it works well. Lots of inputs and everything. Component, S-Video, composite and VGA.

I'm a bit deceived by the controls, but generally, it does what it's supposed to do. I was hoping for gamma setting, but got contrast setting instead. Works well for dark games like halo which I played a lot recently. And I'm finally not limited to two inputs on the projector. PLUS, I can input my satellite tv on the thing via a RF connection that runs through my home (cable-like connector). Which is nice!

Realigned everything and now, my image is good again. But not as bright as I got once. Gonna try playing with my lamp again. Fiddling with it will probably give good results.

Meanwhile. Brought a wii and gonna try it on the big screen to see how it goes.

That's it for now.

I have to desing a cabinet of sorts to hold everything. DVD, XBOX, WII, sat-tv and a place for the PC as well as hiding the cables a bit.
:-)

how fast time goes by!

Back from all that competing stuff. Got a little time to waste on the pj.

OK, ready for the percondenser lens. I'm using the standard kit. Any ideas on which lens to use? I need it to be shipped to canada...

cheers!

42 pages of precondensor lenses info!

I'm totally lost...

I guess after reading that the 4.5 surplus shed thing works well. Anyone tried it?

Just use the pre-condenser spread sheet here.

http://www.lumenlab.com/forums/index.php?s...st&p=134486

The SS condenser will be fine for a 330mm fresnel and a 15" LCD.

If you want to save space you could fold the light path. This PJ looks to be a good shape for a coffee table setup.

http://www.lumenlab.com/forums/index.php?s...st&p=260767

Hey there.

Thanks for the info.

Why did you point me to the ezpro? You're thinking about retro-fitting one? Or to give me an example as an objective in terms or light path folding?

I did think about folding the light path, believe me! I'm eager to try that solution. I'm considering (yet again) changing my setup.
Vertical or coffee.
decisions, decisions.

So, made it home for lunch(i live 10 min from work).

Tested a few setups. I move the projector closer to the screen which gave a slight increase in lumens. The reduced screen might be better for my room too.

I tested split and un split. - Everything is movable.The split gave better lighting conditions. No lux meters to prove it though.

Still slightly unhappy with the output.

I'll be trying with it being vertical... Checking out my options!

Hi again.

I read through all those pages in the precon thread. I'm illuminated here. pun intended.

-Seems that with the standard kit - which I have, the fresnel fl is 220mm So the 6X9 look better.
Unless I have to change my lenses? and then use the 330 with the 4.5 surplusshed lens?
-Those lenses are out of stock and nowhere to be found on freebay

- Also, To overdrive that t15, what are those "caps" and where does one get those? I'd like to try overclocking to 500watts. to see what I get.

Cheers!

EDIT:

Sorry for acting like such a noob... I'm a bit lost after all that reading and after the night spent reading, trying setups in the PJ. And since it's already covered ground, I thought I'd ask for help.

I put my lamp vertically.

The light goes round and round and round. Twirling lamp. Which shows on the screen.

What the heck is that???

The arc still dances did a quick search on the forum.

Found out that it happened to others too.

Can't use an that dancing arc, that's for sure. Even after 30 minutes, the arc still dances. No good, I guess.
Maybe my next lamp.

Got information on the precon too.

Ordered capacitators and gonna try those to see what I get out of the t15 standard lamp. Gonna go for 500w.

wish me luck!

Found a deal on a 10.6 LCD. Gonna use that instead and get my box double-folded. Should make a pretty small box all in all. :D:D:D

So I don't need the phillips ftr-9964 EBOX now because I'll have lots of inputs.

Selling it. Look in the trading forum.

Cheers.

Where Oh Where is ArizonaVideo when you need him? He knows where to find caps... ebay I think.

Cheers!

Fulcrum

Hey, you can find them via ebay member : cascade surplus

Here they are, fresh from the postman's hands.



Beeee you thiiiiii fulllllllllll

11$

I only saw a Eballast in your thread. What kid of ballast do you have?

The pink one. The e-ballast from the lumenlab store.
Not compatible?

I take it you did not read the overdriving lamps and ballast thread?

The adding cap trick is for coil ballast not for Eballast. If you use the caps you have on the eballast on the output of the ballast you most likely will damage the ballast.

Good to know.
I didn't do it already. I was waiting for news on that. Something was telling me I should not go too fast.

as for the thread:
I did read it, I saw the results, saw the diagrams, read the theory and the testing around the idea. Even read about the switch you put on the cap to switch it on/off

but that detail about the eballast, I missed.

I did ask via PM if it'd work with what I've got. The aswer I had was :"yes". From two members. So I gave it a go.
for 11$, I don't care much and simply file it under the

"misunderstood... My bad" file

Yes, I did read it. And it's real long.

Capacitors for sale

I completed my table setup and everything was going well. Then, the 15inch lcd I had brought off ebay died today. I tried many controllers on it, but I think I may have moved a cable the wrong way.

Taking the opportunity to order a 12.1 kit from johnzo. Hope to be getting it within two week for the big game.

I'll take the opportunity to go UNSPLIT this time and vertical.

I'm thinking I might have to move everything back a bit to get the same screen size I had, but technically, not that much since I was already using it in 16:9 format. So there shouldn't be a problem that way. If it's the same size and throw, I'll simply use the box I had made. Otherwise, I'll go vertical and hide everything behind a wall. But I suspect I'll use the same table. Which would be ok, since I had 0 light loss, a great image and no sound at all, thanks to pipe I used to throw the hot air out of the box.

I'll take the opportunity to make a smaller box too. So, on the do to list:

1- Decide on vertical or not
1.a (vert)
1.a.1 go unsplit
1.a.1.1 cut lenses and lexan to match 12.1 lcd.
1.a.2 redesing box (smaller)
1.a.3 get a fs mirror or make one
1.a.4 get that ()*&@£¢¬¼³²±!! condenser lens!!

1.b (not)
1.b.1 Keep current fresnel configuration
1.b.2 cut lenses and lexan to match 12.1 lcd
1.b.3 redesign box (smaller)
1.b.4 get that ()*&@£¢¬¼³²±!! condenser lens!!

By the by, for those looking for a good tv box, the kworld is excellent and pillarboxes stuff. (shrink a 4:3 into 16:9)
It's got excellent picture control and I like it.
The x2vga gives a better picture, but no control over it.

I'll wait to have my new panel before any job gets done.

cheers