I am finally starting my next projector. My goal is to build it into a computer case to A.) make it look nice and B.) because I don't want to build a case. I plan on using a portable DVD player screen and I want the resolution to be at least 640x480, preferably 800x480. This projector is going to be fairly complicated in its design. I want to be able to upgrade the lcd at a later date to eather the 10.6" or the 7.2" 720p lcds. I also plan on making it so i can adjust the focus, adjust the lamp, and adjust the front fresnel, all from the outside of the case. I hope to be able to make the fresnel adjustable forward, backward, vertical key stoning to 15* and horizontal key stoning a few degrees. If i have room i may also put in lens shift.

As of this time i have not decided weather it is going to be single fold or double fold.

My goal is to build this projector for under 350 USD. (this is with the first lcd)

I plan on using a 150w ceramic bulb, suggestions as to bulb and ballast would be much appreciated.

This is where i will be listing the parts and the prices as i get them.

Enclosure

Computer case - free

I will be posting pictures and descriptions of the current design in this post.

I currently have the dimensions of the case as seen in the picture below.

For the lamp i want to use a 150w ceramic, if anyone has any suggestions as to the bulb and the ballast, please post them.

I am thinking of buying the light box that johnzo has at his store, has anyone used this?

I will post pictures and descriptions of the current build status here.

Once the projector is projecting i will post screenies here.

For anything that doesn't fit in the other posts.

OK, so anyone who read the introduction knows i am going to use a portable dvd player, What is a good one to use and how cheep can i find it? I'm looking for something under $100.

This is just a TV, but it's got 640x480 resolution.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx...N82E16889257001


how small did you want to go?
New egg has a few 7" dvd players for $70 but with the 1440x234 resolution.

I was thinking anywhere between 6" to 11" for screen size and like i siad i want to keep it at or above 640x480.

For portables you can't beat the Toshiba SD-P2000 series. The 2000 and 2500 are both 1024x600. Yoshuaspawn's Plog is a good resource for those. The 2800 is 800 x 480, with a higher contrast ratio. I used that in my EEKs Projector (also built in a PC case).

Sourcing one is tricky and you have to be patient. Your best bet is to find one that an ebay seller thinks is broken but is actually an easy fix. I asked a few questions and guessed that one had a bad solder at the power jack (a common problem) and got mine for something like $35.

Ok, another question as i am doing research, where can i get 150w ceramic bulbs?

Oh goody I am liking this post as its exactly what I want to do inspired by sensibull. I am getting a 7" portable DVD player with inputs I am sure the resolution will suck but hoping to pull it out when the 7.2 panels come hopefully they are pretty close to the same size. I will be watching your plog closely.

The best 150w ceramics are the Philips short arcs. You can find them.

Here

Here

Here

and

Here

I found a place to buy a venture MH-DE 150W/UVS/FS/6K Its a 150w, double ended, 6500k, 90cri, uv shielded, 15mm ark bulb. Spec sheet is here. (pdf) I can get it for $35 with $15 shipping and handling. Does it look like a good bulb?

I figured out how i am going to find a portable dvd player for cheep. Ill buy one that wont play dvds anymore. Ill just hook up my dvd player that i have to it and viola problem solved.

Make sure it has a video input. Most don't.

Yeh, i know better than to buy one with out video input.

Hmmm... looks like a decent bulb. Not ceramic, but good specs.



Well, at a considerable cost to quality. This limits you to a composite input, which I believe maxes out at 640 x 480 (a 4:3 screen shape). It also takes what was an internal, digital signal and makes it analog. Thirdly, it relies on the internal circuitry of the DVD to do that conversion. As jonjandran suggests, not every player has a video input. Those that do don't particularly excel at this conversion.

All that being said, what you are suggesting has been done and definitely would be a good strategy for getting a player on the cheap.

Cheep is the word here. I want something that will be better than my psone screen but needs to be cheep because i am lacking money at the moment. And even if the video input isn't that good, i would end up using it a lot anyway because i am going to play a lot of video games on this as well. If there are any suggestions besides a portable dvd player i might consider it. Maby something like a portable tv but again, the cheeper the better.

Also, ive come to the realization that i am probably going to end up using the psone screen in this projector at least for a little while.

The hannspee 9.4" TV The Duchess used is a 4:3 perspective but it has all the inputs + tuner & it's 800x600.
I just ordered one from surplus computers for $101 shipped.

It comes with a remote also.

http://www.lumenlab.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=18584

The Hannspree LCD TV can be bought at overstock.com here......Hannspree LCD TVs

That tv looks nice, but i think i am going to go with a broken portable dvd player. I can get them for less than $20 on ebay.

x25 I am not going to hijack your topic just chime in once in a while as I am trying to get my parts and we are going to be doing the same thing. I am suppose to get a 7" LCD portable DVD player Venturer in working condition for $35. I am going to cut down my OHP fres. and use the light engine from it the only lens I have is the LL standard triplet so hopefully it will all come together but I will be watching you closely so dont make any mistakes or if you do post them so I dont do the same thing LOL. GOOD LUCK

Where did you get the dvd player from? And dont wory, if i make a mistake i will post it. More than likely though you will finish way before me bacuse money is tight at the moment and i will be purchasing various parts over time.

hey the dvd player is from CL here where I live. I already have the exact same one but the wife would kill me as it is in the car and keeps the kid from screaming I have really liked it and it has an input/output switch so you can go either way. I dont know my projects go slow cuz the lil ones they are like magnents so the only time I get anything done is after 9 PM when they are sleeping. The one thing I really need for my basic setup is a differnt triplet as I really dont want to mess with my LL standard one since I will be treating this setup not so gently.

I recreated the case in my cad program (i use ptc pro desktop). I got lzy on the front panel and didnt bother with the vents and holes, i will put those in later.

Ok, so im designing my projector and i need the dimensions of some things. How big is the 10.6" when it is striped. What is the average size of a 150w magnetic ballast. How thick are fresnels. what are the dimensions of the standard LL triplet.

Also, how much bigger should a fresnel be than the lcd in a split setup and should it be bigger if i am going to tilt it for keystoneing?

And does anyone know the dimensions of the lightbox with reflector and precondenser that johnzo sells on his website?

Don't take this the wrong way, but are you even bothering to search for the answers to your questions before you post them? Every single one is answered in at least one thread, with the possible exception of the average size of a 150w magnetic ballast.

Here's a head start. The other answers are out there.

Official 10.6 Wxga Q&a's Thread

Standard Lens Specs

Fresnel spec

I searched but i never have any luck with the search on this site. I knew they were out there. Also, for my post in the beginer thred i moved it to here and forgot to edit that one to be deleted, i fixed that now. And thanks for the links, like i said the search here does nothing but give me headaches.

Try using Google. Way more fruitful.

For example: "site:www.lumenlab.com dimensions 10.6"

This works for most forums and allows you to search for 3-letter keywords and whatnot.

And yet another reason i couldent live without google. Thanks, ill try that.

Yeah I had a heck of a time searching for stuff in the forums then sensibull pointed out google in a round about way but sometimes its weird when I click on the links its not in the regular forum like you would normally see oh well just weird

Does this all look right?

About two minuets after my last post i had an epiphany (in the bathroom no less). I am going to rework my design and go with a single fold design. I am going to leave the last post up because i want to know if i did the light traceing corectly but i will be making a new one and posting it tomarow.

Its tommarow, and here is my updated lightpath. I angled the lightbox and it will be sticking a little bit out of where the cd drives would have been. i will build a small box so it has room. I will also make a cutout and another small bx to hold the triplet.

hey X how bout this looks like it might work for ya
http://cgi.ebay.com/GPX-PDL805-8-5-Portabl...1QQcmdZViewItem

The only possible hitch I foresee with your latest drawing is that your light source will likely not be at the front surface of your light box. It will originate more toward the middle. And if you're using a pre-condenser lens, I think it will "appear" even further back than that.

That looks interesting but i think i am going to wait for buying an lcd at the moment. I am just going to use my psone screen and then when i get some money ill buy a portable dvd player.



That is why i am going to try to make it adjustable 2" on eather side of the optimum placement.

Ok, i havnet updated in a while because life has been crazzy and i havent been able to do any work on the pj. But now i have a new problem, now that i have some time i dont have any money. Ao this project will be put on hold untill i can get some money.

If anyone is wondering where all my money has going, it is going into this.



My new car.

A wagon?!?! why? I never got to drive one of those. Are they fast? Could you compare it to say a 90 Honda accord with the 2.2l or a 1.8l integra also 1990?
Anyway why dont you just sell a few quick cheap projectors to fund the next one or fund the auto repair?

Because I can fit whatever I want in it. Now that I have a job though I have money but no time. I can't win can I?

Okay, I have only just seen your request so I hope this is still helpful,

I measured my 150w ballast and the dimensions are: 75 mm high, 115 mm wide and 125 mm deep (but allowance must be made for the 2 power cables coming out) so say 135 with enought clearasnce.

If you have the type with a 'power plug' in the face of the ballast, used to plug in the lamp, then you will need to allow more clearance at the front. Alternatively, if you can wire directly to the connections, most can be done this way, then minimal clearance will be required. All depends on the shape and layout of the unit.

I have several different ones and they are all around this size.

Hi again,

Just reading through the earlier section of the post and I had a thought re layout. Here it is

That is a good idea. Although right now it looks like I am going to rebuild my PS-one projector and use that for a bit longer then build a strait shooter with the 12.1" lcd

Fair enough I was just prompted when I saw the bracket assembly, lower right, that looked like a light engine and the top section (top right) looked like a lense support. Hence a double folded design came to mind.