After being inspired by several other members on this forum I decided to retrofit an ASK 960 with a 10.6" lcd.

Parts List -
Box: ASK 960

Ballast: Metal Halide 250 Watt ARO Electronic Ballast: http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewI...em=300268090003
This ballast is great, it's pretty small at 8 1/2" x 3 3/4" x 2 1/8" so it fit in the box just fine.

Bulb: 250 Watt HQI 6500K: http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewI...em=260385909166
8,000 Hours for $21 not a bad deal!

LCD: 10.6" Kit with genesis controller. The lcd fit in the stock mount with a few modifications. I had to widen the opening slightly and I bolted a small wooden frame to the outside to allow me to mount the 10.6 in with out applying too much presure to the screen. I also installed a small light block above the screen since this lcd is a bit shorter then the stock setup.

Cooling: The stock cage fan wired up nicely to my thermostat and keeps the projector cool and quiet while pushing a considerable amount of air. I am using the integrated plug on the top of the case to hook the fan to my wiring. This setup is great since it allows you to take the cover off, work on the projector, then put the cover on without having to manually plug anything in.

Wiring: I used the built in power plug, switch, and safety switch to simplify the process. I am also using a control board wired up with a resistor, transistor, and a diode to turn on the lcd and ballast using the remote control. The small thermostat mentioned above is mounted next to the light box, out of the case this thermostat is very sensitive and takes up virtually no space at all.

Cost:
LCD + Controller - $250
ASK 960 + Flight Case and Cables - $155 Shipped
250W Electronic Ballast - $129.99 Shipped
250W HQI Bulb - $28 Shipped
250W HQI OSRAM BULB - $65 Shipped
HQI Mogul Base - $10 Shipped
Total Cost: $637.99

I saved a bit of money by selling a few things along the way
Sold each cable individually ($25/ea) on ebay for a total of $75
Sold electronics from ASK 960 on forums for $65


Comments: This build went very quickly, I started disassembling on Thursday and was finished and watching my first movie Friday evening. I'm very impressed with the overall clarity and brightness that I'm getting out of this projector. Its brighter then my 400w setup, the smaller arc and the precon helped here. This build was also very inexpensive compared to similar setups.

Pictures: Just a few build pictures posted below, I'll post screen shots some time next week.

Pictures:

Got any screen shots? Let us know how that cheap bulb works out for you. I might look into it myself if it's any good.

No screen shots yet, I haven't mounted the projector on the ceiling to face my screen. All my tests have been on a chocolate brown wall (lol).
The only thing I find odd is that the bulb takes about 3-4 minutes to hit full brightness while the 400W setup hits full brightness in less than a minute.

LOL, yeah I think you should wait and take the screen shots over your fireplace like before! Maybe your new bulb will get better after it burns in... I'm glad to hear your old bulb was so quick to warm up!

this is a 400w short arc MHL, can run in normal 400w ballast of HQI. it is nice for retrofit

Wow that is a small 400W bulb! What kind of life can you expect out of it?

Hey man post some pictures of your image....how big you projecting?

Been a bit since my last post. After I finished the projector I ran out of time and it took me over a month before I finally got around to mounting this to my ceiling. I'm currently projecting a 148" image . Now I need to learn how to take decent pictures of the projected image, but until I do please note that these pictures do not do justice!!!

I still need to run the wires into the ceiling and behind the wall. A project for another day .

Be sure to scroll right to see all the pics.

Nice work mang, looks like fun!

I don't know, those pics look like 148" of justice to me!

Very nice!

Sinner,
How are you taking such clear and life like images of your projected image??? I have a decent cannon digital camera with more features and options then I would ever use but I can't seem to take a clear crisp picture like I could of a still object. What's your secret!?

This thread has some great information camera settings to try: http://www.lumenlab.com/forums/index.php?s...ost&p=75135

Other than that, I use a tripod or set the camera on top of the projector and usually pause the video. My 15.4 pics are in HD so that helps too

Thanks for the info. I'll have to try this and post some updated screenshots.

More to come.
Just recently purchased new fresnel to replace original lenses. The glowing blacks from the unsplit fresnels are really starting to get to me. I've also ordered a Box1020 Low Level Black Booster (http://www.curtpalme.com/Box1020.shtm) to help with brightening up some of the darker scenes in movies. I will also be running all cables behind the wall by installing 2 pieces conduit for video and power.

wow that box 1020 looks like a nice piece of hardware

im curious how well it works

keep us updated with pics

The Box1020 is awesome! I'll be typing up a detailed review in the next couple of days. See the results below!
I spent a bit of time reading how to take decent night shots with my camera. None of these photos have been edited, the only thing I have done is reduce the image size for web use. The pictures are taken with the following projector settings:
BEFORE -
Brightness: 100
Contrast: 95
Box1020: None

AFTER -
Brightness: 90
Contrast: 75
Box1020: 80%

Call of Duty 4 Screenshot is taken with game brightness at 60%

Looks like you have control of your camera and projector settings. Seeing peoples projects makes me want to build a small portable standard definition with my 150 ceramic setup...must not start..must not start.....

Anyways nice work!

Never hurts to have a backup .

I'm going to try to remove the stock unsplit fresnels this weekend and replace them with my new split setup. I'll try and post some detailed pictures of the mounts.

I took a pic of the DIY image to show an of the image quality and focus (or lack there of lol) prior to putting my new fresnels in and doing all my long over due optic adjustments. When I take this thing back apart I need re-cut my light guard. If you look at the bottom left hand corner of the image you can see where the corner is not level.