I don't know if this ever happened before, but why not make a poll for the best projector..

Admins will make a New topic with poll and entries will be those who are boasting their Projects... Good projectors are already in PLOGs and PROJECTs.. just make links to each Entries, then Readers/members will vote what they think is the best..

Criteria will be:

1)) Physical appearance( includes how neat are the wires, and arrangement inside the box)..

2)) Projected Image result..

3)) Materials Used (the cheaper materials the better/like buying cheap but excellent LCDs)
-->>Because one goal of making DIY projectors is saving lotsa money, and in this way people who didnt buy the guide and thnking of making one proj will not becaome discouraged..

4)) Creativity

5)) ETC(add more)

****and every month or every 2 months, the poll has to be reset because those projects will not stay the same forever, they will be kept upgraded-->> and there will be records for those best PROJECTORS... example.. Jan-Feb-> Dr Bevs Projector.. Mar-Apr-> joe2000chevy.. and so on!! ****


By doing this POLL more people will be encourage to do their projects as Best as possible, and of course readers out there will be jealous and will buy the guide...

What do you genius out there think 'bout this!! (btw those criteria are just my examples, you guys will be deciding on those, that's if you'll like this idea)

jcX™

Would the winner recieve anything?

That depends on the Admins but your price is the result of your finished Projector, does that make sense..

Also you'll become famous

not a bad idea i guess. and it will keep alot of the long time users interested in the forums.

but, you have to think about the users camera. not everyone has the best camera. so you might have someone that actually has the overall best projector but due to the lower quality camera you could not tell by the pic's.

I agree. I'm an example. My projector produces great clean vibrant images, but my old advantix camara sucks at bringing out the qualities.

Then we'll exclude the projected picture in the criteria if thats the case ..

Come on. Isn't that the point of building the projector in the first place ? The proof of the pudding is in the eating. The proof of the projector is in the picture quality up on the screen. For anyone to vote on the submissions they will need evidence of the PQ and it should be upto the builder who submits his pj to make sure the photos of the projected image depict that PQ. Otherwise, IMO, it is a wheel-spinning exercise.

I know of one builder who has a wonderful example of a very fine build, interior neatly arranged, exterior exquisitely finished, and he asserts he is satisfied with the PQ he produces. However, he has been unable so far to capture the PQ on camera that does justice to the PQ he enjoys and so he has decided not to submit any photos until he finally succeeds.

Yeah you're right menuball.. If you wanna win the "Best Projector of the month" or we'll just say "Model projector" then you should picture your projected image as best as you can. Or borrow the best camera if possible, or let a professional photographer man to do it..

Well I think itss only fair to have the worst projector poll as well. I nominate mine for the crappiest design and worst image....haha

What are you guys talking about, Kjudki already won this contest in ALL categories - not changing my mind about that. ......................

Just kidding...


Seriously, there are so many good pj's built here that it becomes a little challenging, at least for me, to decide which one is the best - we probably won't be able to come to that conclution. I bring up kjudki's pj becuase I think it's one of the best ever built at lumenlab and the results are astounding as can be seen in the picture on this link: Pirates of the Carribean
Take a look and you'll see what I'm talking about.
Just my thoughts.

Japlasma

I think this is a great idea, but I see one problem. Votes could start rolling in for projectors before everyone has had a chance to see all of them that are there. So I propose a nomination period. Finished projectors must be nominated for Best Projector. After that period of time has elapsed the nominations are closed and links are posted to the various projectors in a nice easily accesible manor. I would be willing to help with that, figure I shouldn't suggest more work for someone unless I am willing to do it. Then after the links are made to the projectors then the voting begins. This will allow people to see each of the projectors up for vote before and during the voting but before they cast there own vote. I believe that picture quality should count in all aspects. I mean good sharp focus and presentation in all categories because good photos with nice layouts will draw in more people to these fine forums. The vote should be by customers only and then the top three should be presented to the public. This way you recieve a prize by one being nominated, two being voted on by your peers, and three by winning and presented to the public.

Sorry for the long post but I think this is a great idea and if someone wants me to help with this I would be willing. Just ask.

The bad thing I see in doing this is that jealousy and/or hatred might result in some people if there projector doesn't win or even get nominated. This may or may not happen, but I think that we should just go with the flow: build and view projectors, help others so that no one feels left out or cheated in some way.

As far as I know we are not five year olds. We should be able to compete in a way that shows us to be above that sort of thing. I don't think my projector (assuming I ever finish) will win any awards but I am thinking that it will bring more people to the forums ultimately and a broader knowledge base. See I don't see it as me winning the main prize but me more brains to pick. Also it could inspire people to document there projects better and take better more informative pictures for others to draw from. I think its a big plus.

Besides so far the people in these forums seem really nice.

Readers of this forum will be rating them and they are lots of them. You cant pay them all just to vote for your projector if you'll cheat. And besides this is not a serious matter like voting for Bush and Kerry. Everybody will have a chance of winning, because POLL will be reset every 1-2 mos. There will only be records of those winners and will be called "Model Projector for the Month of Jan-Feb". Think, If I have a projector and it didnt win will that be a big matter??? The Output of making your projector the best will not be benefitted by others but you alone who'll be using it. You lose or not but you'll be still enjoying the fruit of your labor and there will be still a chance of winning forever..

Why not just come up with some kind of rating system instead of a voting system?

When I was looking in the Project Gallery for inspiration, some projects were more helpful than others. It really didn't have to do with "who's is best," but rather who came up with useful ideas, approaches, or construction techniques.

And yes, good pictures were a factor. That really inspired me a lot.

If there were some way to simply recommend particular projects for others to look at, it might help people who won't have to look at them all and sort out the in-progress ones from the rest.

There's no "best projector." But these particular ones are really good...

I second the rating system as proposed by All Thumbs. Something simple based on 5 stars, with 5 stars being the best
1- Iron City
2- Old Style
3- Budweiser
4- Molson
5- Parkbrau

A few proposed categories

A. Box outside, finish, controls and appearance
B. Box inside, clean wiring and adjustment mechanisms
C. Creativity - above and beyond the basic box
D. Advances to the common cause - Did the member add something from which all will benefit.

John

Agreed. When I was building my projector, I ended up sorting through just about everybody's project thread, which was extremely helpful. But it might be better for newcomers if they were able to look at those great results first, and then move onto the rest of the projectors, where they can find out more about doing it the standard way, and with less pretty boxes.

I retract my previous statement and say go with it.

My vote goes to.... In no particular order....

Sepultura

joe2000chevy

Loki440

Brainchild

jo@joewerb.com

MrBurns4695

foamcows

AllThumbs

dcramer

Eyebath

Agent707

Joes Bakery

Haas_Man

(not to say that everyone else doesn't have GREAT projectors, of course, I love them all)

Oh and to the guy that posted this thread, GREAT idea!

No doubt about it JOES BAKERY. !!!!!!!

I don't know if picture quality should be a qualification. It's useless to try to evaluate picture quality of an image projected on a screen in a picture taken by a digital camera that you're now looking at on your computer monitor. It's just so far removed from reality and actually being there it would be unfair to pass judgement. Also, screen size would have to be standardized and screen medium would have to be also. I don't think you can compare a two different projectors on two different type screens. There are just too many variables.

REALLY good point actually.

I vote Haas

I'll second Haas.

Clinton

Haas has () a great projector box and all, but he didn't really post many results, so don't forget, a good projector should be based on it's image quality mostly.

(not saying Haas doesn't have a great projector or anything....)

Well, when it comes down to it, image quality is more a function of the panel and the light source, right?

We all use the same optics(mostly I think?). So the only thing left we have a lot of control over is the styling and design of the box. Folded, shaped, etc. I've seen 3 pjs so far that have set off build frenzies. There might be more I've missed, but these are the three I can think of off the top of my head.

JoeChevy's Vertical PJ
Bakery Joe's Shaped Box
Haas' Rounded PJ

Definatly Joe's Bakery. Hands down in my opinion.

I have to agree with pulsareus. I think that everyone has to remember that the pics of the PJ's depend on the camera everyone uses to take pics of their PJ's, not to mention how skilled the photogropher is. So in the end, I think that this contest should be based on PJ enclosure solely! If we all had the the same camera and same photography skills, then I think we could base this contest on image quality.

edit: I just realized that I merely rehashed JWFokker comments. whoops!

I agree with the point stated before about image quality being a big factor. You d not build it to sit and watch a box, you build it to watch movies etc...
We all have to be able to take a pictue and post it. Borrow a camera if yours is no good. It just isn't that hard to get your hands on one. The criteria has to include image quality, or the point is lost.

I suggested this on a different topic a while back, and did some research on a php polling software package similar to the package used for this forum/website, but all I found was polling software as a part of other plog software.... so I stopped looking. maybe someone knows of something like that, but the reason that I was looking for something like that was so that the method of tracking nominations, votes, single votes per person, timeframes of voting, etc. would be organized... this is nice though....

I nominate JWFokker to fly everyone and their projectors to a centralized location, and judge for himself which projector produces the best picture.

We can then give them the JWFokker blue ribbon award, and all of this can be laid to rest.

All expenses (including beer) paid for by JWFokker.



Just messin with you Fokker.

people remember the best PJ is the one you build

It's OK but how about those members who do not live in the States?

Actually for those of us who have built a projector, the best one is the one that we are going to build next.

It would be an inspiration and challenge to us if we have voted/chosen for the best one. This will boosts our creativity.

I vote for vakantieman's Mario Cart PJ.

http://www.lumenlab.com/forums/index.php?s...opic=4099&st=20

How about the "heads of the commitee" agreeing on a good, cheap, digital camera, posting it as a must-have for entry, then all contestants who want to enter, have to buy and use that same camera? That way the pics would be alot closer...

you guys need to link to the plogs and galleries. I'm going crazy trying to track down all of these projects. ;-p

This idea is not a good one in my opinion .. I feel it would discurage the less skilled individuals , that depend on this forum for help and assistance .. Those peeps actually ask questions to those who have done well in there PJ's .. Also , more times than not , they give the person praise on it at the same time .. Which a poll is only another way of giving praise , unless you intend on giving a reward for the vote .. We all get praise from our fellow builder's on our results , so I don't see the point there .. I do see that if someone FEELS like they are entering a contest , it may discurage them because they are not crafty enough to compete .. As far as a poll is concerned ,,, there is a running counter on your posts and gallery .. Now taking that into count , litterly .. If your PJ gets looked at time and time , and time again ? I think you can tell just from the #'s you have a good PJ , and it stands alone drawing the interest of others .. To add to this , if someone dose build and they don't feel WORTHY enough , they will be less likely to post in the gallery or plog .. I think everyone here deserves praise .. It takes a lot of work and effort to build one of these .. Pride in yourself is a good thing , but being priased by your peers is even better .. I think this " POLL " will severly lesson peer/pride interaction for some builders , due to the reasons stated above .. Also , those who have done such an excellent job ,,, , they already know it by now ....... In closing , a poll on this, is already obvious , has no real positive gain , and can only provide a negative affect .. That is my opinion ..

If anyone feels that it has anything to do with my standing, as far as how my PJ would rate ?? They are dead wrong , and being foolish to think in such a way .. I will not entertain any comment directed in that way ..

Good day ..

Trooper

<joke>
Are you a liberal or a high school guidance counselor?
</joke>


If anything these awesome projects are inspirational.

Listen d00d. If we create a poll, where you could place 1 vote for any single post in the PLOG gallery, and change your vote if you like, depending on newcomers, developments etc. Similar to the Planetarion voting system. This would create a hot list of the “MUST SEE” PLOGS. Then newbs like you and me would have a chance to check out the top 50 projects etc.

Ahhh....what a nice Fokker!

(sorry could'nt resist that one)

If we're basing the best projector on results...I'd have to go with:

Benchun's HD PJ and a close second would be Kjuki's based on overall image and PJ aestetics.

Loki440 would also get my nod based on his image clarity and size. Damn thats a huge image!!!

I don't see anything wrong with a poll at all, it's just for kicks.

Personally I don't have the skills or tools to do much beyond the standard 15" plans, and I'm not ashamed of that. Some of these guys and gals spend a ton of time on their projectors though, and I think it would bee a fun thing to vote on some of them. What I would suggest is categories...For example:

Best enclosure: You could split it up between vertical and horizontal, best box or original design, unique vs. sleek, all wood vs other materials, etc...

Best focus box system: obvious

Best projector stand: best ceiling mounted, best floor mounted, most creative, etc...

Best photo presentation: not best picture quality. Even if my quality was the best in the world my camera is worth about 10 bucks, and it wouldn't show. So instead how about a vote for the best overall pictures posted? That is what we have to go by, so why make it difficult?

Overall best: Best 15", 17" on and on...Could even break this down to best U.S./non-U.S., or best U.K., etc.

Anyway, you get the idea. Could even include screens/screen design, best new innovation, or a ton of other areas. I think it would be fun.

Not winning doesn't mean your projector is lousy, you are lousy, or anything else. Winning doesn't mean much either, it's just a way to showcase a lot of project's pictures together, and it would give a lot of non-believers an idea of what people here are capable of without having to go through 100 threads of "results" pages. A lot of the older projects have fallen off of the front pages and are still great, I would love to see some of those highlighted again as well.

I read on another forum (which shall remain nameless) something to the effect of:

"Yeah, well Lumenlabs folks all build the same box, same design, over and over and over...there isn't anything new over there..."

I for one think that is a load of crap! Much of what has been created by members here is simply astounding, and many of these projectors are works of art, both in design, form, and function. Of course mine will be the same design...but this would be a way to show off some of the leaps forward Lumenlab members have made. I was off of the the forums for almost a year and came back to see some incredible projects!

Best standard 15" pj in terms of display results: Benchun, Loki 440, and Kjuki's PJ
Awesome results guys

Best enclosure: Pun15her's vertical. Even before it's actually complete, it looks awe inspiring.

dont forget that Diyeitor guy from Spain... his PJ though not necessarily a LL one, is incredible. probably the most modded and hacked projector system here.

DIY17-hdtv from DIYeitor

If anything I think there should be a best innovations/modifications poll, pun15her's focus mechanism is great (makes my CD-Rom tray one look & work like a Blue Peter hack )

The guy from Spain, and this guy's are AWESOME.

I agree with supraguy, punisher's vertical is one of the coolest looking pjs' around.

For pure image quality - FLYCRJ. This guys screenshots made me fall off the chair. MUCH better than a lot of mid-level commercial projectors out there.