Hi all, I am new to this DIY projector stuff, and have a few basic questions relating to the evaluation of whether I should do this project or not. I know this stuff is probably posted elsewhere in the forum, but after an hour of searching, I have given up.

1) The only reason I am considering doing this myself and not buying a projector is $. Has anyone successfully been able to replace the bulb cheaply in Infocus or similar projector? I mean, comeon, why do we need to spend $200-300 on a bulb ASSEMBLY, can't the bulb itself be replaced for $30?

2) My other big hangup is that I don't want to run the DIY projector from a computer. Has anyone come up with a circuit that can take an output from a VCR (tuner) and convert it to the format the LCD screen requires? I am quite adept at soldering, and have many sources to obtain IC's and connectors etc. I know I can buy a converter for $150 or so, but don't want to do that.

3) Do you have to have a lamp with ballast, ie are there any 120V lamps that have the correct temp plugged straight into 120V? OR, does anyone have a schematic for a ballast that I could have to build my own?

Thanks in advance for any help you might have in helping me make my decision.

1. Only a DIY projector has a $30 bulb.

2. I don't think you're going to be too happy with the output a VCR will provide you. VHS offends my eyes even on a 27 inch. I can't imagine what it will look like 110" accross. You'd be better off spending 30-60 dollars on a DVD player that has a VGA output.

3. No. You need a ballast.


Before you begin I'd reccomend browsing through this forum (only 20 bucks for full access). It contains a vast wealth of knowledge on everything you'd ever want to know about DIY projection.

I second what moods said. Also, most infocus lamps are at least $350. The one for the new screenplay 4805 is $400.

You can get a k-world tv box for $65. It will scale the image, but does not have component video outs. The best it has is s-video. Not as good as the N6, but very useable according to many.

The trouble with modding a commercial pj for the lamp, is that it is difficult to trick the pj into thinking the lamp is on without using their setup.

Ballast is required with a metal hallide lamp. You can use other lighting types, but none are as good for the value. Do not use halogen.

Read as much as you can, and make an informed desicion. It can be a lot of fun if you enjoy this kind of thing, or frustrating if you don't. I decided to do it because I never wanted to be worried about how much it was being used due to the lamp times, and that I can uprade it whenever better hardware comes out. Can never do that with a commercial pj. Also, remeber that the ideals spoken of on this and other sites are not absolute. While they are the best setups, the pictures you see on the front of this site from brain's pj are from the basic setup. Good luck.