Hi guys. I just bought the guide and I am interested in building a projector primarily for gaming needs. I would like to use it for PC and Xbox. If someone could give me some insight on what specific components to buy to accomodate my needs I would appreciate it. If there is another thread that already covers this just a link will do Remember I am a total newbie, so reasons why certain things are better and what to look for are pluses. Thanks.

Also if there are any common mistakes/warnings that arent in the guide I'd like to hear them before I get started.

Mornin' Frizzle!

Here are the first steps you'll need to get started:

Read, read, read, read, read, read, read the forums... The guide is something to look at while you are in the bathroom if you don't have a wireless laptop.

Since you are interested in the LumenLab for gaming, just use the forum search and type in Xbox... it should give you all the posts that refer to that topic, and there are quite a few, to get you started.

I'd suggest tripping through the PLOGs to see other projects in progress and completed, they range in difficulty from easy to advanced, and then honestly assess your skill level and budget -- then start planning. You won't really find one "standard" design here -- like all good DIYers, we tend to adapt the concept to our own abilities and materials at hand. Welcome to MacGuyverville.

Once you have a good design and plan sketeched out on a napkin, start gathering parts... I'd suggest you resist the tempation to start building until you have all the major components in-hand, or more than likely you will be tearing the first one apart.

I use my projector primarily for XBOX and PC gaming -- I have a standard optics projector (hoping to upgrade to pro soon...) and a ViewSonic N6 and play Halo and Joint Ops on a 10' Diagonal screen with Dolby 5.1 Surround... it's awesome, and the entire rig cost me about $700. (Projector, Screen, N6) I went a little high-line on some of the components -- it can be done for $550 - $600 easily if you go with all new parts... less if you scrounge. One thing to keep in mind about a gaming projector is not to scrimp on the speed of your LCD... keep it under 15ms to minimize ghosting.

Hope that gets you started!

~DM~

Thanks for the tips. I'll look around and see if you have a post with yours so I can take a look at it. I dont think I'll have the time needed to invest in this til closer to christmas so buying the parts first wont be a problem.

Hey welcome frizzle, As DrudgeMart says it .. read read read is very important... i am a customer since 1 october 2004 and i found all the part. I just need to order the Lens Kit now (Backordered for now)

I did not start building the projector because I want to have all the material. I probably will begin middle of december.

For the Xbox or other gaming (PS2,GC) i use the N6 (Same as DrudgeMart). The advantage with this device is the Tv-Tuner.
The other one really suggested is the AverMedia Tvbox 9 (the controler are better) but this one can only do 480p (not 720p, 1080i) check on the forum you can find review from others users.

If the N6 or Tvbox 9 is too expensive you can buy a VGA Transcoder (no tv-Tuner only component) like the X2VGA+ (www.x2vga.com) or the new Enhanced VD-Z3 (www.vdigi.com) (I recommend the VD-Z3 for multiple video device (xbox,dvd player, ps2.. and for the brightness control)

But, do not forget reading and question it is really important.

Hey DrudgeMart: What you thinks of the quality of your N6.
me the quality is good on my lcd but I notice that I have more Aliasing but I think that it is normal because on the LCD and 480p the image have more sharpness , you can see more detail. How you set you settings for the Sharpness settings ?

One more question, are the distances and temperature the only things that I should classify as "dont mess with it you're a newbie"? I'd like to mess around with some designs of my own but I don't want to screw something up that is a must have. I'm still looking around the site so I might run into my answer before I get a response but thought I'd throw it out there.

N6 quality is awesome with the HD AV adapter pack for the Xbox. Less so for the standard Xbox adapter, but it's still acceptable.

~DM~

There are some solid factors in the standard design that probably shouldn't be messed with until you have some experience under your belt.

Internal distances are sorta dictated by your optics, so they are locked down unless you fold your light path, which is an advanced concept -- perhaps for your second build.

I recommend building a "standard casket" model first to get your feet wet, then incorporate the ideas you have during the build in your second design... if you ever find you have enough time to build a second one while you are playing Halo2 on a 10' screen.

As far as being concerned if something is going to work or not -- that's the beauty of these forums. Post your ideas here, and we will be happy to pick them apart and tell you what we think before you lay saw to wood.

~DM~