Hey everybody,
I've read through a lot of plogs and topics like focalcalc and wiring diagrams and i've decided to give it a go. Here is what I've come up with so far...

Case: I have no idea
Triplet Lens:
LCD: Is this worth it?
Fresnel Lens:
Light: Halogen lights are not allowed in dorm rooms but I might be able to sneak it.

The distance from wall to wall is approximately 9 feet, so say the projector is a foot long, the lens-to-wall will be 8'. I am not too concerned about picture size, but the quality. In my small room, a diagonal of 6' will be plenty.

Using focalcalc, I have decided i need a ~10' lcd and 320 mm lens. From the DIY guide, it states "For the best image quality the LCD should have nothing between it and the triplet." So I will be using an unsplit case.

So, how am I doing? ANY ANY ANY help, comments, tips, etc. would be gold

Do you have a controller board that will work with this 13"?


Halogens don't work well in this application, Metal Halides or Ceramics are the standard.


So far so good, just try to keep the focal specifications of your front fresnel and your triplet in close comparison. Oh, and welcome to the forum

Thanks, yeah i got halogen and halide mixed up. I do not have a controller for that screen. I have looked for lcd monitors and I have found these two:
http://cgi.ebay.com/Coby-TF-TV1022-10-2-in...id=p4999.c0.m14
and
http://cgi.ebay.com/Casio-EV-1000-10-4-Inc...id=p4999.c0.m14

any reviews or where i can find more?
I have also found the following:
Lamp: something on this page Lightbulb
Ballast: Magnetic ballast (supra's help) any ideas? do i need a certain ballast for a certain wattage?
Fans: shouldn't be too hard

Your first build should be simple and because of that I always like to warn against getting fancy however necessity might require a vertical build.

I used focal calc and a 7' lcd with 6' of triplet to wall would give you 80" projection. The perceived quality (what the audience physically observes) of the projection realty depends on the size of the projection vs the resolution of the LCD. after a certain size projection any LCD will give you "screen door" effect (the physical space between the LCD's "pixels").

You probably already know but google is awesome just add SITE:lumenlab.com +screen +door

The reason your going to have that size enclosure is this:

lamp is set at the rear fresnel's focal length away from the rear fresnel its self; then you have the space between the lcd and the fresnel; then you have the distance of the lcd from the triplet. Now you need some room for the fans, reflector and mis parts so add another 3 inches ruffly. also the enclosure needs to be large enough to hold the framing, suports for the lcd and fresnels etc.

It sounds like more then it is, once you pick out the parts you take the measurements and mock up a cardboard box to the size your going to need.
I would hazard a guess: using 7" diag lcd you could use a 8 inch wise, 5 inch tall 2.5 to 3' long enclosure. REALLY ruff estimate could be much more or a little less.

Welcome to the boards, and I cant wait to see what you decide to build.

I am clueless on controllers so I will look for a 15'. Using focalcalc again with 15', 320mm lens, and about 7 feet from screen i get 7 feet diagonal. I have also found these two designs for cases.
Case 1 MK3
and
Case 2 Pico
I am leaning towards case 2 just because it is smaller. Am i sacrificing too much quality though? I see the Case 1 can handle 450 W, am i safe in assuming brighter is better?
For great quality in a lcd screen, I should look for resolution, contrast ratio, refresh rate, color reproduction, and anything else?

So far it seems the largest mountains to scale are the choices made for case and lcd. For bulb I need a X watt metal halide lamp with X watt (magnetic) ballast correct?
THANKS GUYS (and gals?)

***edited out brainfart ****



If your going this rout you should REALLY REALLY read up on the vertical builds and other type mirrored builds. Lots to digest but very rewarding when done correctly.

The mirror keeps the focal length through the bend which shortens the enclosure, very handy in tight places.

as far as the wattage vs heat vs ballast. I use a 4002 t15 bulb but my next build will be a dual post like in the links thought I'm planning on 500w+. Right now I have an eballast from LL and don't have experience with mag ballasts so I cant help there. My e ballast works great though.

Around here some were is a PJ made from a computer case - here is one also site:lumenlab.com +computer +case +build seems simular to the mk and somewhat to the pico.

If you want 720P you can go with this monitior.
http://www.lumenlab.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=28866

Just opened it up NO FFC now its really good for a projector it doesn't even have any of the side tabs either!

OK, here's what i've got. I need feedback though!

Case - Pico Case

Lcd - LCD Monitor 15"

Fans - Fans

Fresnel - Fresnel

Lamp - 400 w metal halide lamp
Lamp base
Ballast - Ballast
Lens – Lens
Cold mirror - Cold Mirror
Thermostat - Thermostat

Are these things ok?
How hi def is the lcd, if at all?
Do i need two fresnels?

THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU!

The 15"r is a XGA and not HiDef. It can resize but is not truly capable of pure 720p (WXGA) or 1080p (WUXGA). Sdubb's is however capable of 720p, just FYI. The smaller the LCD the better. So far, the standard here for a HiDef build have been a 10.6" made by Samsung (WXGA) and a 15.4" made by Toshiba or LP (WUXGA)

Yes, you need 2 fresnels.

Native (Recommended) Resolution 1280 x 1024 this is a 4:3 resolution (NOT wide screen) , so 720p is going to look funky if this units controller can force it. Sdubb's is a 15.4 (16:10 = W I D E S C R E E N) so 720 will look great and un-mushed.

Sdubb's is VGA and the ebay is dvi-d: either way for standalone dvd / tv use your going to need some kind of conversion box. As for ps3/xbox I dont know what out puts they have - as the only console I have a game cube for the kids. Computers are a snap, just a special cable depending.

Now for the questions, what are you building your pico out of?

I would like to get medium-density fibreboard if the home depot has it. if not a friend recommended pine. I now understand the resolution and wxga specs. I have a found a Samsung 730B Syncmaster that is 17 inches and one that is 15 inches for 50 bucks more. Can a 17 inch fit in the pico? the pdf says it can fit a variety of sizes but judging by the rough estimate dimensions it looks like it can't. And also will this ballast work with this lamp?

thanks alot for helping me out. it would be hopeless otherwise

Whao, didn't know Sdubb's was just vga capable.....SHAME ON YOU, SDUBB!

My PS3 has HDMI including what I beleive they call a SCART, so DeksMP1, be sure you look over the LCD's controller cable connections for what you intend to be using otherwise you will have to add on a converter for HiDef.

Yeah his listing states vga cable input.

as for the 17" your looking a large size difference in the pico enclosure. Other wise its like stuffing 2lbs of stuff in a 1lbs bag, which gets messy.

Click to view attachment

see where it gives the bulb type? The bulb (lamp) link still comes up empty for me, its it the lumen lab t15 one that looks like this?

Click to view attachment

sorry for double: pic limit
my self, for my next build I'm going to use this type

Click to view attachment

I'm afraid the ballast isn't going to work for you unless your planning on plugging it straight to a 220 outlet. It states 270v for a 400w load and then here it states 120v for a 250w max load. Suggest you look for a magnetic core/multi tap.
Click to view attachment

Hey Hey its NOT VGA resolution! I stated it only has VGA (computer) input. Come on now guys you really think I would try to post up a VGA 640X480 and claim it to be 720P. Seriously I know my resolutions. Is there a different word to use when it only has a computer 15 pin connector?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/VGA_connector

yeah, it's a problem with terminology.

VGA can refer to the analogue input method, or 640X480 resolution. Screen can mean the LCD, or the projection screen in our cases.

"'Cause you know sometimes words have two meanings..."

That ballast will not work. and yes i had the t 15 model. I have instead found a ballast kit
http://www.ballastkit.com/metalhalideballastkit-p-24.html

so it looks like the only thing left i need besides another fresnel and wiring kit is a bottom line on the case.

i'm thinking the same pico case but increase the dimensions so i can fit the 17 inch screen

heh, stairway to heaven lyrics

Sorry for the misdirection I tried to correct it saying you listeded as having vga input. I wasnt trying to imply to anything.

No problem I just wanted to make sure we were all on the same page. Sorry to DeksMP1 for the hi-jack.

ha its all good. i'm starting the build this week so if someone wants to move this to plog or delete. thanks again guys!

Okay. Moving to PLOGS.

Will this ballast kit work?
http://www.ballastkit.com/metalhalideballastkit-p-24.html
it says it comes with...All of our MH Ballast Kits come with Ballast, igniter, capacitor and complete mounting hardware. There is a wiring diagram on the ballast.

If it offers the voltage tap for what your plugging out of and if the ANSI Code matches the bulb your planning to use then yes.

purchased 17'' lcd, 330mm and 220mm fresnel, bulb, and ballast. going to put the box together when everything comes in.

Did you purchase the LARGER Fresnel lenses since you are using the 17" instead of the 15"??????????????

everything has come in the mail except for lumenlab wiring kit. Yes, the fresnels are the right size. As soon as i get the wiring kit i'll try to start on sunday

i have the lcd stripped and bottom and sides screwed in on the enclosure. I'm completely baffled by the wiring though. I've read several articles about wiring including the wiki and they're not very novice friendly.
Here is what I have:
A highly confusing ballast
it has wires marked with voltages, i will be using the 120v so i assume the others will be useless and a white tube shown that says contains an internal resistor
http://img202.imageshack.us/i/44196116115379330730.jpg/

I have the lumenlab circuit breaker and switch
http://img202.imageshack.us/i/44196009015379291580.jpg/


400 w bulb with mogul base
http://img29.imageshack.us/i/44196209515379364270.jpg/


and the lumenlab 3 prong cord as well as one that came with the lcd
http://img9.imageshack.us/i/44196273315379387270.jpg/


plus 8 feet of high gauge wire.


how do i connect the ballast to lightbulb and switches to everything else? I also have 12v volt fans handy... do i need to buy 120v fans?
img tags aren't working for me