Hello my lcd/fresnels/variofocus objective and light set are all on the way but I'm still having some questions on how the installation works. I readed the diagrams I know the distances that I need to use and where to install the fresnels/lcd etc. But what I would like to know is some good explanations of how you can mount the lcd and fresnels correctly in the case. I dont want someone saying use a frame for instance but saying how to mount it to the frame IF i need a frame that is Another small question I have is if the center of the fresnel needs to be aligned with the center of the lcd or doesnt this really matter? And do I need to cut the fresnels to the same size of the lcd? If so should this be done with a dremel or .. I'm afraid I would damage the fresnels if I would do this. Last question, does the tempered glass serv as a uv/ir filter? if not should I get a uv/ir filter and where can I get the tempered glass if really important.

Info about my equipment:
lcd: proview pl456s (14")
variofocus triplet: 285-330 mm
fresnels: f1=214mm; f2=326mm
light: 400w hqi

Some little extra question, with this setup the distance from center of lamp to 1st fresnel would be 214mm correct? What would be the ideal length from second fresnel to variofocus to allow for maximum adjustment in focusing?

I can try an answer some of these...I'm sure sombody will come along and correct me though.

If your fresnel is larger than your screen, then center the lcd behind it. If you don't it will still work. Your projection will probably be dimmer and slightly of center though...possibly even have more focus problems at the corners farthest from the center of your projection.

For mounts, I've seen people use those big back paper clips and hang lenses on dowl rods. Probbaly not the best of solutions, but it works. Others build frames to house the lenses and lcds. It dosn't matter really how you build it, as long as it holds your equipment in place and it keeps light from leeking around corners.

One of the easier way is to probably make rails to slide your stuff into. Don't know how to break it down any more.

Tempered glass dosn't have a UV filter I'm pretty sure. If you use Lexan (LX-10), it has a filter in one of the surfaces.

I have the luxury of figuring that out this weekend. I glued my lcd to its own metal frame. I hope to build a frame to basically hold and center the lcd screen in my projector. My first fresnel was attached like MadCraiZ and i havent figured out what to use for my second fresnel after the lcd. Theres like a million ways to mount it. The frame im building for my lcd will basically go around the whole lcd and metal frame. I hope that my calculations are correct and my lcd ends up centered like I wanted it to. Then I will come up with a way to keep the lcd assembly from moving in the box. I think I will try the rails to keep the lcd assembly in place. Im gonna glue the metal lcd frame to the wooden frame i build. I dont think I have the carpentry skills to make a channel in the frame itself to securely hug the lcd if that makes any sense. i used Lexan in mine and I got it from my local Home Depot. They even have glass there too but I went with the Lexan and I didnt have too much trouble cutting it myself. If you use the Lexan Lx-10 it does have a uv coating on one side. That side is suppose to face the light source. I just made a tiny mark on the side of the sheet to show which side goes towards the light. I think if you reverse the sheet then the light will yellow the non-coated side first.

The further your fresnel from the LCD the bigger it has to be to cover the edges with light and to allow for keystoning. I prefer to score and snap my fresnels. You have to have something solid and straight on both sides for a good fracture though as acylic has a looser bond than glass. Centering your LCD isn't as critical as centering all your optics.

What would be a good distance to start with placing the front fresnel away from lcd?

20mm if not keystoning. If keystoning, place it far enough forward to give you the room you need to tilt the fresnel to the angle you need it. I think I gave my fresnel enough room to be tilted 15 degrees and I placed the center pivot around 50mm. (Estimating)

So a setup like this would be ok? isnt it bad that there are borders around the lcd (loss of light?), does there have to be a space beneath the rear fresnel and the bottom for air flow or can this be eliminated by using 2 fans in the back (1outtake and 1intake?) I'm from europe someone have a idea where I can by the lexan? or what kinda stores should have this kind of lexan? btw. sorry for the bad drawing, I'm no drawing artist



btw the actual size of my fresnels are as displayed on the drawing 310x310mm.
those rails can they just be made in the wood? what kinda tool should I use to make such rails, I'm no woodsman so this kinda beats me, maybe some people have some very clear pictures of the ways they mounted their lcd and fresnels on its place. if this image is correct I should make the case aprox. 310mm wide and high, correct? Little less to compensate for the rails to put the fresnels in?

First off, as long as your frame doesnt protrude to far over the edges of the LCD you will be fine. You can usually look at the lcd and see where the part that displays the image starts.

Read and follow the air path layout in the guide. You will need cool air to flow over the LCD to keep its temperature down.

Sorry but I can't answer your lexan question.

Yes the rails that hold the LCD can be made from wood. My suggestion would to just spend some time browsing through the forums and looking at peoples PLOGs for ideas. The search is also a very powerful tool to find specific information.

A lot of people base their box width and height off of the size of thier LCD. Find the demensions of your stripped monitor from others who have used it or strip it and measure it yourself. Then depending on how you decide to mount it will also determine the demensions.

Good luck with your build. My best advice is to read, read, and read some more.

Yeh did that reading alot and alot but you still keep stuck with question like for instance I dont understand how to properly cut the fresnels to fit the box when using the size of the lcd as a reference thats why I thought it might be more interesting to make the box to the size of the fresnel? someone here explained sorta how he cutted them but didnt understand that well. I'm thinking of sawing it with a dremel of but I think its kinda delicate material to deal with

To make your life easier, and everyone elses do what i did. DON"T CUT THEM. My box is the width of the fresnels. I simply took a peice of wood, and cut different depth groves in it as the framing. The components just simply slide in nice and snug that way. Heres some pics to help you out. Hope i helped. If you keep this in mind the box will be easy to make. We just made the lenses, and the lcd in the one "module" and slid it all into the box. This way its all removable, and easy to troubleshoot if need be.

Those images look great I think I'm going to do it like this to, altho I will make my box so that I can make grooves for the fresnels in the box itself I think and only make the frame for the lcd, but this could all change still. Other ideas are off course still welcome.

ps. This thread helped me alot already