Hey all; my girlfriend and I are putting together a MythTV PVR setup running through a PC-HDTV card..

As it turns, she has an old NEC 15" monitor lying around. I don't have the specs handy (I believe its 1024 x 764 in resolution and also one of the "approved" monitors listed on the board). I've read the DIY guide and would like to put together a projector along those lines, using all the components offered through Lumenlabs (for simplicity).

However, apartment space is tight in Seattle and we really don't want a projector taking a whole bunch of it. My girlfriend, however, has an old IKEA entertainment center where I would like to set up some sort of reflector-style system along the lines of SPK's setup.

A few things to keep in mind; I don't need a super-big diagonal screen. I'd be stoked with a 40" screen when its all said and done. Another, I want to be able to disassemble the setup in the event (always pending) that we have to move.. lastly.. want to do this cheap!

Before I invest in anything, let me ask you guys; is this doable? Will it be prohibitively expensive? Difficult?

Should I do it?

Thanks for any advice.

Cheers!
Joel

I dont know about the other stuff but i do know, projectors really dont take up alot of space, infact depending on how big you make it, they take up less room than a tv aside from your screensize. but space wasent hardly an issue at all for me. i have a pretty small apartment. I just used my entire front wall in the living room and managed a 132 inch size screen. and the projector sits at the back of the room so it takes up no room and is in the way of nothing.. dont let small size discorage you, you can still make a good size screen if you try

I would go for IT!

Use the 150 watt ceramic lamp and just use white plastic for the screen. You will need to fold it once so you will need a front side mirror. The best place to find a big one is a trashed RPTV. If you can scrap one grab the screen to.

Many have a fresnel screen which might cause problems if you don't get the FL right but they have two layers and one might work for a screen.