Hello everyone ....

I learned something today. The word Beamer is pseudo-english word for a projector in Germany.

Anyway ... I found this out stumbling on some german DIY Beamer sites. (Im so gonna start telling people I built my own Beamer).

some of the sites are:

http://www.diy-community.de
http://www.diybeamer.ch

They have alot of OHP mods, and some cases built. I didnt spend alot of time browsing, but this is the coolest one I came accross. The sites are all in German (or some other slavic language), even though when I googled the word beamer, I found out that it was indeed a german word.

Here are some shots of the one I think looks really cool, and that got some very nice even lit results ...

more...

more..

OMFG! That is wicked sweet! I wanna beamer, and a hummer.

TTK

That is INSANE! That is easily one of the nicest projectors I have ever seen.

SWEET BEAMER! Funky color too.

Would be cool if LL had a standard set of images for gauging output quality.

we do .... Lilu from 5th element .....

thats the un-spoken unofficial standard ....

That and Nemo shots eh?

That is the best looking p I've seen....The brightness and focus of the images is......... WOW!!!!

And of course those are not your average optic lenses.....look at that projector lens

It sure is bigger that LL standard

I'd love to get ahold of those XGA res screenshots.

I can't read Korean, though, so it's kinda hard to track down the one with teh diypro.net URL on it.

absolutely stunning.

Puts the LL projectors to shame, to be honest. The light fall off is unacceptable in the ones around here - the question is, whats different? After some reading, his optics come from a 'still' projector, apparently.

You can access his site and babelfish it

Also most of the users on those forums, along with allinbox.com use HQI 250watt globes with condensor lens.

Would be nice to understand german, but can get the jist on the french forums tho

I like the single mirror fold of this design... although the box might be big, it really doesn't extend to far out from the wall. This is a design that I bet a lot more wives would approve.

This is the direct link for the original thread for this projector.
http://www.diy-community.de/viewtopic.php?t=10650

Too bad, I didn't understand german, but Benq FP557s and a 400W HQI lamp are used in this projector and more picures there.

Dont need to understand german when google is at hand

http://translate.google.com/translate?u=ht...pic.php?t=10650

is it just me or the lens looks like 135mm long throw from diy projector company.
have one sitting at home.. sure looks like it.

Yep, looks just like it
if you check out the german translaion link above it sats the lense is a:
450mm objective with 135mm diameter
Exact same specs as the diyprojector one.

Really stylish design and excellent results, well done!

Heres direct links to the comparison images...

http://bonsaijogi.kunden.paidspace4you.de/...ld-1024x768.jpg

http://bonsaijogi.kunden.paidspace4you.de/...ld-1024x768.jpg

http://bonsaijogi.kunden.paidspace4you.de/...ild-800x600.jpg

http://bonsaijogi.kunden.paidspace4you.de/...ild-640x480.jpg

http://bonsaijogi.kunden.paidspace4you.de/...der/diypro1.jpg

http://bonsaijogi.kunden.paidspace4you.de/...der/diypro2.jpg

http://bonsaijogi.kunden.paidspace4you.de/...der/diypro3.jpg

So how does the 135mm long throw lens from DIYPC compare to the LumenLab 80mm standard lens? Do they have similar FOV or what? I've only seen like 2 or 3 projectors using the 135mm DIYPC lens, and they all look very nice. Is this lens worth taking a look at? Anyone have any experience with both lenses?

after having a look around the german site + diyprojectorcompany it seems that theres less fall off at the edges using the 135mm lense... but, it is a HUGE increase in cost (119$US)

This is from my new finished projector, based on LL design. 400W venture lamp, samsung LCD and 80mm lenses. The size is 88 X 66. I only have a small screen and I can't reverse the image from my laptop.

the 135 triplet has narrower field of view than the standard triplet. (i tried to ask at the german forum but no luck, need to log in). I would like to know the trhow he had when he took those pictures. It's hard to believe they are long trhow pictures.

is it my imagination or are some of them using fresnels for condensers, or I should say PRE-condensers ?

Which seems very strange to me, because as I used Google to translate his thread... it seems as though everybody there was as amazed with his reults as we are. There were several comments asking him how he prevented the edges/corners of his projection from being cut off.

With those comments, it's a little hard to believe that his results are common place.

It would be hard to accept those results as commonplace anywhere.

As far as I've been able to determine, the DIYPC 135mm lens is only rated for a 12" image. If this projector is using a 12" XGA resolution panel (Smaller than a 15" anyway) then that could explain how the image can maintain focus from corner to corner.

Certainly the photography and photographic equipment could make a difference, as well.

In any event, this is an exceptional projector by any standard. But just for fun, I'm going to see what I can get from my projector with these images.

his results are pretty good, but almost all of his pics are darker around the edges though (the pic with the girl in the middle, and the strawberries)

We would need to see some really bright outdoor scenes from movies or something to really determine if his edges are better.

What attracted me to post this projector mostly was the finished case. I think it looks cool as hell.

If he has increased his throw with the longer focal length lens then
the amount of light hitting the screen would be reduced.

IE if you increased the throw from 10 feet to say 14 feet you would be reducing
the amount of light hitting the screen by 40%.


that's if I remember the math correctly. Even if my math isn't 100% on I
felt this was important to mention because I don't recall reading about it here.

I'm a big fan of his case design as well (as I already commented), but where do you see his corners and edges as dark? My eyes don't detect that at all. Everything looks crisp from edge to edge to me.

NO, im saying the pictures hes using are darker.

Like the strawberries picture, the picture itself is dark in the corners, this will mask any imperfections his image has.

When I first saw those images? I was really surprised by them, but when I tried those images on my new projector, I found my projector gave as good results as those ones. Thus, I took a shot and post the picture above. However I had to reduce the quality of the image in order to post it here. here is my input.

First, I think those images are designed for projection. It is easy to get bright images.
Second, the alignment and flatness of the frensellenses are very IMPORTANT in getting good images. You can see clearly how flat the lenses are kept flat. The lenses I am using on my new projector gives corner to corner even lighting and focus, but they gave really crappy images in my first projector when they are not flat.
Third, cameras can fool your eyes. What you see on a image is not what you really see in person. I think the guy who made this projector knows photography. All the photos posted by him are very good.

I think people here have made good projectors, which will give good or better resutls. Try those images on your projector, you wil be surprised. We cannot compare apple with pear because different calibrations are used.

can you tell further details on your conclusion?

(i think something is wrong in your statement).

yeah, im not convinced either

looking forward to your shots supraguy.

Hmmm... I just realised that it may be a week or two before I can post pictures, since I just lent my digital camera out to a friend. He's going on vacation for a week, and I lent him my camera so that he wouldn't need to shell out a few hundred bucks to get his own. But I'll post those pictures as soon as I have my camera back, or if I can borrow one...

Ummmmm, I don't think you would be reducing the amount of light by 40%. Certainly, if the image sizes are the same, but the throw is longer on one PJ, the longer throw would decrease the light very slightly (but not 40%).

I'd really love to know what LCD he/she used for that projector....



And Gandalf of course.

Heh, not really....









Of course that guy did acheive AMAZING results, in fact, they may be the best I have seen on a 15" projector. But that's not to say that he puts LL projectors "to shame", major overstatement.

With all due respect your results aren't as good as his. Reduced picture quality is one thing, but there is a huge difference in the light distribution between the edges of your projection and his.

You have a nice picture to be sure... but he has a nice picture with equal light distribution, it doesn't appear that you have that.

But again, his results don't really mean that much to me... I just want to steal his case design. So simple, but I think that's what's beautiful about it.

Just redirect them to Yellow Treasure and FFdshow thread!!! I think they look much better!!!! Because I am using it also!!!! I will have to post pics soon but till then only thing this guy might have is longer through. I don't need it so I am happy!!!!

NH3man!

In all of those shots, theres quite obvious corner drop off. When i finally do get around to making mine, i have a panasonic AE500 (700? not entirely sure) downstairs to compare it to, so people will FINALLY get a side-by-side comparison. Its a 1280x720 widescreen projector connected via DVI-D to a 6600GT/A64 box.

You seem to post around here pretty 'fanboyishly' in many, MANY threads. Its great to be enthusiastic about something, but not to the point that it clouds your judgement... Have you made yours yet?

Personally i dont trust photos at face value - im a fairly good photographer, and its not hard to make things look better than they are in real life.

Im after one thing, the truth. Not someones OPINION on the truth, but a valid comparison, side by side, of what each is capable. I dont see the point in spending 1kNZ to make a projector that wont be better than a projector i can buy for 1.2kNZ....

To me the corner drop off isnt acceptable. Avoiding it as much as is possible is what i am after. I want to be able to use my PJ as a desktop if i want to, unfocused edges and corner light drop off would annoy me. Look at voovoov's shot above - its obviously got MASSIVE drop off at the corners - its hard to make out the corner of the test grid!

The light drop off on edges is due to the projected image is much larger than my screen, which is indicated by the black square. The point for me to post this shot is to compare details and brightness at the similar size with the posted one on my small screen, but now I realize, as you mentioned, there is much point to compare images. Personally, I can't see light drop off on my small screen. By the way, what lenses are good for taking shots for projected images?

Actually there really isen't, at least not in my opinion. Besides, digital cameras almost always exaggrate the darkness in the corners, in real life, it's basically unnoticable. And my judgement is not clouded, I am just expressing my opinion. Figures you'd say I'm being "fanboyish", it's called passion pal, there is a big difference. No offense, but I am tired of people with your attitude, and they seem to be quite common these days. If you want to just buy a commercial projector, then go right ahead, and after you do, talk about it on AVS forums or something, this is a DIY website.

Sorry but I am going to rant for a sec, I am so SICK and TIRED of people saying commercial projectors are better or more worth it, if you think that then why are you here?? Apparently many people just don't understand the spirit of DIY. Oh and btw I have seen the "budget" commercial projectors you are talking about and they are NOT worth the money, I've had experience with them first hand, and I'll tell ya, they are nothing to brag about.

I can't fully agree with either of you. I agree with Etacovda that there is an obvious drop off in the light distribution in voovoov's photos. I can't say there is an obvious drop off in all of the phots though, because the gentleman whose PJ this thread is about has no light drop off. And while digital camera might almost always exaggerate the amount of darkness in the corners, they don't make darkness there that isn't.

I can't recall reading many posts at all where someone who has posted pics with dark corners/edges has had others enquire about that -- only to hear that they are non-existant. The usual response is that "the edges are a little darker, but not as much as the photos make them seem." Conversely, when someone has nice, even lighting the camera rarely says otherwise.

Truthfully is DIY better than commercial? Yes and no. Is commercial better than DIY? Yes and no. Blanket statements can't answer those questions. There are far too many variables at stake to say which is definitvely better.

Being the complicated guy that I am, there are points where I agree and disagree with both of you. Although, I think both of you should lose the hostility. Name calling, and shouting (CAPS) aren't necessary at all. After all, when did people sharing the same opinion become a requirement?

I mean without disagreements we wouldn't have Coke and Pepsi. There would be no Intel and AMD. The world would be unable to support pepperoni and sausage.

So somebody disagrees with you... simply smile, nod, and move on.

MY DAD CAN BEAT YOUR DAD UP! :angry:

All good points, you just can't argue with reason. (and the reason I use caps is the same reason people use bold letters ) But yes, for me, DIY is far better, but like you said, we all have our own opinions.



CLASSIC!

I figured as much, and although you probably don't want or need a grammar lesson there is a difference between bold-faced type and typing in CAPS. Grammatically speaking, bold-facing your text adds emphasis; whereas, typing in CAPS is regarded as shouting.

WhAT HaPpeNS WhEN YOu MiX thE Two?

Others pelt you with tomatoes!

LOL

Or, if this thread drifts too much further off topic, mods come in and start editing and removing messages.

On a note related to this topic, I've got ahold of those images, and tried them on my projector. Seriously, wow! Those pictures seem well designed to really show off a competently built projector.

Where I can't say that I SEE any drop-off of lighting in the corners, I know from experience that there is some. Still those images are very impressive on the projector.