Well, after seeing the plans on Ebay I decided the risk was well worth 19.99. After buying the plans and looking at what needed to be done, I actually threw them in the trash and assumed that I would never be able to do it. It wasn't until two days later that I decided to check out this forum and see just how difficult it would be.
I must say that after reading hundreds of posts, it was then that I decided to go ahead and try it. This forum and all the great information contained within, was what changed my mind, and of course the hope of having a viable home theater projector. I never imagined in my wildest dreams that the results could be so amazing!

Thanks! in advance to everyone!

Here I go....

Here's the material list that I compounded to make my projector:

1. 400 W Metal Halide Ballast - 51.46 - from 1000 bulbs
2. Mogul Socket - 14.14
3. BT28 Sylvania Metal halide Bulb 27.05
4. Samsung 512 N Monitor - 249.00
**I purchased a Monitor on ebay but it was DOA. I was desperate.**
5. 3/4" Plywood FREE
6. 1 10amp high current 120v switch - 2.75
7. Lumenlab Standard Lens Kit - 71.13 with shipping
8. 120mm 12v Fan 2.99
9. 2qt mirrored mixing bowl - 1.98
10. Digital Thermometer - 7.99
11. Power DVD 5 Software with DTS Upgrade - 25.99
12. Misc Wire and Acc. - 50.00 (approx)
13. Turtle-Beach sound card - 18.99
14. Tempered Glass - 18.00
15. Blackout Cloth from Joann's - 24.99

Total- $566.00 Approx

*It would have been under $425 had the monitor from EBAY been OK.*

good luck, take lots of pictures

Here's what was left over after the monitor stip. The first monitor that I had was a Viewsonic g150. Very unfriendly to use. It was dead on arrival but decided to go ahead and strip it anyway. It had really bad FFC issues. I don't think I would have been able to use it had I wanted to. I bought the Samsung 512N and I'm very pleased with it. VERY VERY Easy to stip and no FFC issues.

Here's a picture of the Samsung Monitor after it was stripped. I kept the LCD in its original case and used liquid Nails to secure it around the edges. I chose liquid nails because of its strength and it's usually less messy than silicone. I was very careful not to get any on the screen itself.

Here's a few pics of the box as it was first coming together. I decided to mount the ballast on the outside of the box to save room and just make an all-around easier setup. The inside of the box is fairly compact and wanted to have the extra room inside. The electrical components are protected by flashing.

Here's another shot of the box and also the reflective bowl that I used. I picked it up from ACEMART.com. I don't have any pictures of this in the box right now but I will add them later.




This is the bowl that I am currently using. It does have a flat bottom on it but I don't think it has hurt my picture. I did have problems with hot spotting when I first starting testing the projector but after few adjustments, I haven't noticed any. I think I have solved that small but annoying problem.





And here's the wall where the screen will go. It's a dining room area that we never have used so we decided to convert it to our home theater room.

This was the first screen shot that I took. The picture is fuzzy but that's due to me and the camera adjustments. It is being projected on a sheet that I hung up. Pictures get much better.

Here's a better shot after I purchased the blackout cloth.



Here's a shot of New Groove. I felt the image was a little darker than I was wanting so I decided to adjust the reflector just a little. The image in real life was much brighter than this but still not quite right. Still having to adjust the camera settings to get the best picture.

After adjusting the reflector, here's a few shots of Spongebob. These were even taken during the day with some light from the outside seeping in.

And here are shots of The Two Towers. In my opinion, the best of the series and possibly the best movie ever made - except for maybe the extended edition of the Return of the King.

And some more......

Hey man, no pictures showing, what's up?

I noticed that also. The pictures were there, then shwooosh, they weren't there. I just opened back up Lumenlab and they are there again. Go figure?!??!

Looks like your Geocities bandwidth limit has been exceeded.

You can upload the photos here

This may seem like a very stupid question. But, can you tell me how to upload them? They were showing earlier.

THanks, Kiss_rulz

Or use Image shack, I never have any probs with them.

Thanks DJSUN! That worked!