Any word on if LL will have more stock on the 400w lamps/base/ballast? If that's a negatory does anyone have current advice on where I can source a 400w lamp, base and ballast? I've found a few sources via the Australian members on the forums but the terms don't seem to match up.

http://www.hydroshop.com.au/Products/Stock...asp?stockNo=159

is this what the guide refers to as 'ballast'?
will globes I buy normally come with a base?

i'm guessing this is a 'ballast'. so then i'll need to source a globe. most of the other aussie users seem to have scored themselves LL lighting kits. i know adzza is using a philips HPI-T plus 400w mh globe but i understand he bought it from a local retailer who is over the other side of the country. i would gladly buy a 400w MH globe online but they never list the temp, lifespan, or lumens. is there a suitable 400W MH globe i can buy from the states online and get them to ship it over? let me know where to start looking!

onto my next set of questions. nobody seems to talk about connectivity, i.e. what they're running into the LCD. most of the lcds available to me have a D-SUB connection (computer data conn, AKA "RGB") and nothing else. are those of you not using a HTPC/PPC buying audiovisual input/output boxes (i've seen some mention of a usa product) and running your dvd's component/composite through and converted into D-SUB (RGB)? i'm guessing you must be.. or maybe you have a dvd player that will output d-sub? how does the DSUB perform in general? working in the AV biz i must say that using a DSUB connection is generally a no-no when talking picture quality. and using a chain of command like composite ---> dsub ---> LCD would normally make me cringe. that said i haven't witnessed any of the LL PJ's in real life so i'm not passing judgement just yet . obviously component, hdmi, or dvi are the connections of choice.. but i see little discussion of them here.

alrightttty then!

Thats rubbish, a "DSUB" RGB link is perfectly good enough to drive an XGA 15" screen. Thats what they take, so thats what you drive them with.

The reason other formats arent discussed much is that only high end LCDs take DVI, and practially no TFT screen takes component.

Also, with DVDs or HDTV you are not going to notice any reduction in quality unless you have miles and miles of cable running to the projector, especially if the image source only has svideo or composite outputs anyway (and is being upscaled by an N6 or simular device).

The link you posted is a control gear box, and that box contains everything you need to fire the lamp (Ballast, ignitor and capacitor).

The correct terminology is "bulb" or "lamp". Not "globe". Normally if you look on the manufacturer of the bulb's website you will find the information you need in a data sheet. It can take a bit of searching for!

I dont know the power frequency in Australia, but if its 50hz (like here in the UK), than an American lamp (made for 60hz) isnt going to work at it's best on 60hz power.

The only exception to this is using an electronic ballast like the one in the lumenlab shop, but these are expensive and appear to be unreliable.

Be patient with their stocks though, they normally get parts back in stock fairly quickly.

Good luck!

DVI connections are becoming more commonplace amoung LCD panels and are not only reserved for higher end units (I have one on my CMV-520D panel ~$160US), however i've used both the VGA and DVI connections and notice only a slight improvement with DVI. I now use only the VGA as it works with a program called powerstrip, while the DVI will not work with this program.

Good Luck.

cheers,
gs

thanks for the quick responses.

mmc i believe you're right about the dsub. i wasn't saying it wouldn't be adequate, i was implying that the dsub vs component or other better video connections would be pretty inferior. thanks for reminding me that these are only 15" screens. i guess i'm so used to being around 50" screens where the input method chosen makes a noticable difference with PQ.

i thought as much about that link. my only reservation about that control gear box is its size - quite large. oh well it's cheap, and shall be ordered by moi.

aus is on 50hz fyi.

gadgetsmith: thanks for the feedback as i said i haven't had side by side experience like that. good stuff

Hey Pendulum,

I'm afraid all ballasts for these things are pretty darn huge, and theres not a lot you can do about it. They contain transformers that need to carry 400w. That is a lot of power!!

I believe DVI is the best possible connection for a TFT and would in fact be better than component since the TFT is a digital device.

hi mmc, yeah i figure the box i'm building is going to be pretty large anyway so what's another large component inside? you're right about DVI. i just ordered a benq 567s though, so it looks like i'll have to use a conversion box until i build my next project (a htpc )