Well with taxes drawing ever nearer I figure I should start the process over again. Through discussions in this thread and surfing through Supras 10.6 plog it seems I've lost my clue ( if I ever had one to begin with) and need to go back through the annals of LL PJ-ology.

A few things are cementing:

1) I've decided to go with 575w double ended with precon, so the light box can now start to take shape. I/m pretty much going to copy Durachko's light gate because its just awesome.

2) I'm going with a precon, I want to harvest as much as I can from the 575

3) This is going to be an indoor / out door PJ.

one thing I know for sure: Progress is going to be SLOW, and I'm unsure if I want to stay with 15.4 or go smaller. I'm open to ideas here as I want a fairly huge picture for out side.

EDIT: was just thinking, I'm not concerned about key stoning with this one for now anyway and was just pondering: If I'm gonig to use a fixed position collector I might look into a non split design.

screen of FC + screen calc

Though 240" is great for out side, indoors its going to be a bit much admittedly. good base line to start from though.

Click to view attachment

WOW !!! That has got to be some big house... I agree I like the light gate idea, are you going to copy his light box as well? I to am finally looking into this and I am going to follow you with much anticipation. For that big of a picture you are probably wanting to go with the best specs as possible with your LCD correct? I just can't seem to find anything really good under the 15" realm, that is affordable. I do not plan on a outdoor like you insertname but I plan on a everyday all in one PJ, and the LCD has got to be the most crucial part. Anyways no hi-jack intended, just adding encouragement and livin vicariously for now...

240" is HUGE!

I'd still look for the longer lens. The 15.4" is a bit large to be working with the standard 320mm lens, though the seating area being right near the projector isn't so bad at that distance.

You should also look over SamuraiJack's lightgate. It's (IMO) really the definitive work.

LOL yeah 240" will not fit in my house, but it will work great outside, I have 3 pine trees just begging to be a screen suport. Its as if they where planted with an outdoor PJ in mind 30 years ago lol. AS for the LCD, I was thinking I'm going to stay with 15.4" if I can and a controller as money allows. The screen I already have the materials for it, save a couple 2x4's. I'm using hard board for now, and when I can get the time I'll make a sectional blackout cloth one and store it in the garage.

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I have a belser 18", the things is just huge. My 15.4 build now uses the 320 just fine, but thats a 132" screen. I read a thread around here that the beslers have problems with blury corners?

I've looked at SJ light gate it is sweet. I talked with Durachko about copying his light box and he's cool with it .

I'm determined not to let this stall, my son wants a movie night outside for his 9th birthday pressent so he can invite his friends over to watch, that and I want to do the same thing on my bday

An 18" Beseler shouldn't have blurry corners with a 15.4" . Most don't.

Beauty, thanks JJ

While I'm at it I've decided against MDF this time, I'm not sure what wood, most likley pine either way I'm going to do things a bit more slowly. I'm not starting on the enclosure till the lite box / sled are done then design around them. I realy do like the haas design and will probally do it again if I cant come up with one of my own.

I did pretty well on the mdf haas for my first build, though it was definitely a learning experience I have a couple left over peaces I'll use for a stand something.

my 18" lense Correction its a Buhl, bot Bessler brand name - however same difference far as I know.

I will look at his lightgate, it must be something pretty sweet...