I would like to build a 17 inch projector so I can enjoy hdtv goodness without requiring a scaler. Particularly since I'm using Xbox mostly and more then one person here has said they've had trouble upscaling from 720p on xbox. I wouldn't mind so much having to scale down to 1024x768 but it seems a lot of people haven't gotten it to work with xbox and I'd hate to have to scale down a 720p to 480.

I'd like to just start with a simple 15 inch projector though. But if I built a 17 inch first it would cost less then upgrading from a 15 inch since I wouldn't spend money on the basic lens kit, and then the pro lens kit.

Sadly I've already bought my 512N but I haven't stripped it yet. I could still sell it, maybe. Then I wouldn't have to save so much for the 17 inch.

So assuming I got about 150 for my 512N, (which might be pushing it a bit) and needed about an extra 200 dollars for a 17 inch, plus 250 for the prolens kit minus the 60 I won't be spending getting the standard lens kit, it would cost me about 390 more then a 15 inch projector would. If I first made a 15 inch projector, and later I wanted to upgrade, upgrading would cost me 250 for the pro lens and about 300 for the 17 inch lcd.

Its a shame, the standard 15 inch is JUST SHY of hdtv. It would be nice if 15" monitors had sxga or the standard lens kit could fit a 17 inch. But even if it could the projection size would probably be too big too close.

Theres gotta be some 15 inch sxga monitors out there :angry:

I think you can get a 17" lcd for about $220

Where?

Watch deal sites.

http://www.slickdeals.net
http://www.techbargains.com
http://www.dealone.net/index.asp
http://www.whatsyourdeal.com/

Many many others. Also, watch the deals thread here.

I saw a 712n Samsung go for $200 on ebay the other day, it
was linked off the deals thread here.

I see 17" monitors for $200 or less, two or three times a week.

I got my 17" CMV-CT723D for $199.99 including shipping from icuepc.com about a month ago, but now they're back up to $214. I'm planning to use it once I get my hand on the Pro Lense kit, hope the monitor won't have any FFC problem

I don't think it's time to build a 17" pj yet. We want more contrast and deeper colors. Sadly most 17" panels are TN+film and have only 262k colors which is upped to 16.2m using dithering. That dithering makes the image sparkly. However, there are new VA (MVA, S-MVA or PVA) panels now with upto 1000:1 contrast and 24-bit colors. For an example Samsung 711T and 720T models. Also companies are bringing out "overdrive" technologies which make the slow VA-panels appropriate for video use by shortening the gray-to-gray (midtone) response times below 10 ms. I think it's best now to build a 15" pj (using CT-529A, BenQ or Samsung, though the first one has got better color support with 24-bit colors, not sure if CMO uses dithering or not, but BenQ and Samsung do so) but make there room for bigger panel, also the pj lens may need more space for adjustments for longer FL. Then wait an year or until you have $/€ to buy the 17" panel when the prices of new models have dropped a bit. In Europe for an example the 720T costs now about 400 EUR, I'm pretty sure it will be 300 EUR in half an year or so. You can get he 710T model now for ~280 EUR, and it's a brand product, with fast panel and DVI (though uses TN+film panel which I don't care much).

I also forgot to mention

pricewatch

If you can't find a deal and need it right now, this is one of the better ways I know of to find a decent price fast.

A few questions:

Couldn't help but notice these two bits of info. Are you implying that excluding other variables, the 529A ought to have better color reproduction than most other 15" lcd's ?

I did read that the newer CMV panels supposedly have higher light transmission than other lcd's; which seems ideal for a diy PJ.
Does this have anything to do with the "TN+film" that you mention (or lack thereof) ?

You seem to know a bit about the 529A so i'll ask: Do you have any specific color and TN+film information on the CMV 522a or 520D ?

Thx in advance for shedding light on an otherwise vague topic,

- Steve

Edit:
hmm, the answer to the 520D color question may be located in Samaritano's link:
http://64.233.187.104/search?q=cache:3Hjat...rks+pw114&hl=en (CT-520D/PW114 chipset info):

CT-529A may be (I guess it is) a TN type panel (though hardwarezone folk suspected that the 720D might be also IPS or even MVA panel), but it is supposed to have an 8-bit/color matrix with 16.7M color support. Generally the TN panels with 6-bit/color matrixes give only 16.2M color support. I don't know why most new panels use dithering, maybe the 6-bit D/A conversion is just cheaper and faster resulting as faster response times which seems to be the biggest selling point these days (maybe as manufactures are trying to sell LCD panels to gamers and to get rid of the CRT production lines). A good 6-bit DAC may also be more accurate than a 8-bit one.

See www.cmv.com.tw for more information on those CMV monitors, maybe you can also ask them by email if you have some specific questions.

Mikau, have you tried the xbox with vga out on that monitor, im assuming you have a modchip, unless your using an x2vga or something, im planning on doing the vga mod soon on my projector (with a 512N as well) Ive read on the PS2 Linux chart that the 712N supports sync-on-green so im hoping that the 512N will too since its a simalar series, and many other samsungs support it also, was just wondering if youve hooked it up yet to see how it scales 720P if it does at all, I will be testing this out within the next 1-2 weeks, so if your not in a rush I can show you what it looks like

No I'm not in a rush, that would be nice.