Hi!

I'm new this is my first day....

I already have an infocus X1, it works great except for the issues of brightness and resolution!

So I am doing a project.....heres the plan.

I want to build a projector for say, ~$500 or so (+/- $200, cost isn't too much of an issue).

I want:
1) High resolution (i.e. 1600x1200 ultimately, 1280x1024 ideal, 1024x768 if i have to)
2) high brightness (3000 lumen or higher, so that it will work with the shades up during the day)
3) Widescreen preferred
4) High contrast (contrast ratio of 2000:1, something as good as the Infocus x1)
5) low cost
6) low sound output
7) easy to build

So before I came accross lumenlab, I was going to buy an overhead projector with an 11.25"x11.25" stage area, and hook that up with a decently new 15" LCD. That would take care of all the specs above except for (widescreen, low sound output, and high resolution). The main problem here is that the screen size only goes up to 15" because the stage areas of the overheads do not go any bigger! Thus I am limited to 1024x768 on an overhead. Secondly, I think that the normal overheads (400watt or so) use halogen, which require new bulb changes every 40-100 hours or so. Also the color is more yellow?!?!

Is it possible to use a 17" or 19" with an overhead projector (one that uses metal hylide)? I've found some good projectors with triplet lenses and such....



So i come to lumenlab, and here the approach is different. You guys here are building your own casings (something which I don't have the time nor the materials).....so this allows you to have a larger screen size at the expense of trial and error to figure out the distances and placement of all the lenses and etc...

I briefly read through the guide, I don't have very many of the tools I will need....


This is really a summer project....I want to be able to make something pretty fast....what are all of your suggestions and opinions?!?

Thanks in advance!

-Jack

Yes, halogens are yellow, but you can get some OHPs with Metal Halide lamps.

If you dont have the tools to build the casing, thats not much of a problem because several people are selling pre-built casings for this project. I cant remember where I saw it so do a search!

Good luck!

I think Timproff has a prebuilt case for sale. Also in the Trading forum there are several people selling prebuilt cases, so it shouldn't be a problem.

Some of your specs are quite a bit ambitious. I do not think we can get 3000 lumens out of our projectors - not even close. Also, the resolution is quite high. Typical 15" lcds provide only 1024x768 resolution, except for the 15.4 inch Proview or WUXGA kit by Minoltan. These will provide slightly higher resolution. Best contrast ratio for the lcds is about 500:1, although I don't personally see that as a problem. However, I haven't had a chance to compare it to a infocus X1. If you use an MH bulb you shouldn't have to worry about color or lifetime.

It may be possible to use a 17" but not a 19" lcd. If you decide to use a 17" lcd then you are basically treading in waters that are relatively unknown. Some people have had success with it, but there is not nearly as much information as 15" projectors. The specs are much better, though. You could get close to 700:1 or maybe even 1000:1 contrast ratio. But as I said earlier, I do not see contrast ratio as a big deal.

If your windows shine directly on the screen then it doesn't really matter how bright your projector is. The blackest black will always only be the color of the screen. However, bright saturated colors might "fool" your mind into seeing blacker blacks if they surround the image.

Good luck.