Thanks for the tips and comments AV. Always appreciated from a Lumenlegend such as yourself. As mentioned to NN above I'm sure I have everything misaligned now because I was going totally nuts chasing artifacts which I now attribute to my premature and unwise pro triplet mod. I figured doing it first off would be best but I've changed my tune . . . for tonight at least.

Strange about the triplet. It may be that only some of them had the problem?

Take you time fine tuning because once you start to wach movies it hard to stop! I havent lifted the hood in months , just plug and play.

Lumenlegend Thats the nicest thing any one has ever called me here at LL. Thanks

now there is a Durachkoism if i've ever seen one. well deserved too

yes, interesting about the triplet. I too changed mine back after testing with the mod, although with my throw I still do have pincushioning now with the unmodded triplet, but my decision was more about throw, the 500mmFL just works better for the time being...

gs

As I mentioned, the focal length change actually screwed me up pretty badly. I've yet to quantify my pincushion but will do so someday in the distant future.

I actually chipped one lens element during my triplet fumblings but it's just the periphery so okay. Gave me a little tummy ache when it happened though.

Lumenlegend just fits AV so well, don't it though? Plus, he's a really bright guy. Probably has a radiant personality as well. I find his topics very illuminating.

Unmodded the modded! In my case, I had about .75" pinchushioning with my unmodded pro triplet, and 117" diag.

With the modified triplet (3.62mm ring) I have about .125" pincoushioning and 106" diag. The center focus got much sharper, and the corner got better, but still not perfect.

Sorry to hear it didn't work out for you.

So strange. Don't know what to say. Now I'm really chomping at the bit to measure my pincushion. Geez-louise. Gonna check yer plog now since I didn't yet . . .

Tearing back into the guts to "finalize" some things.

Added some plugs to the lightgate sled to aid in future fiddling. Previously I just had some spade connectors to connect my lamp to the ballast but they are a devil to get to since my FC2 socket leads just barely make it to the outside plane of my lightgate. I also didn't have my lightgate grounded - no big deal but why not add the safety factor since it's so easy?

I have some concern over long-term degradation of the exposed wiring but I'll keep a close eye on this and can always remedy the problem in the future if it crops up.

The added plugs:

Click to view attachment

This was actually a big night for me. I had like 25 minutes of work time interspersed with bouts of "scooter policeman" around and around and around and around and around and around the basement with my son amounting to at least an equivalent amount of time. I take what I can get.

Been stressing over a screen type lately since there are sooooooooo many choices. I'm definitely going manual roll-up. Just to feel like I did something I emailed dalite for their sample pack. Lo and behold they emailed back within minutes that the samples would be mailed tomorrow. Geez! Talk about fast service! I read in a few places that they'd do this but found it rather hard to believe. Also came across this digging around the screen forum. Some really nice results. Not that I'd ever get around to painting my roll-up.

Edit: Say, if one were going to paint a roll-up what's the absolute cheapest roll-up out there???

Shipping is high and its a wood roller.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewI...em=150035978002

My house came with a 123" one in the back room, wish I could fine more of them.

Screenies with the unmodded pro triplet. (The one with me in it is by special request. I was going to wear the shirt I used to have in my profile but forgot.)



I now achieve super-sharp focus at screen center. I can see the black grid separating pixels. The edges are still a tad soft though. Don't know if/when I'll pursue this. Maybe a narrower mod spacer would help??? I'm using an 80mm iris at the trippie arse. Ghosting is tolerable. I don't know just what can really be achieved but perhaps totally sharp focus over the whole PLANAR screen IS possible? If I focus for max sharpness at screen center and take a sheet of white paper at the corners the focal plane there appears to be a few inches nearer the triplet. Is that a typical manifestation of a triplet aberration I wonder?

Gotta get a screen!!! The rolls in the bedsheet almost make me queasy during pan shots (watched some Kill Bill).

The PCAC fan has gotta go. It's a whining pain. This'll take a minor rework.

Neglected to mention I have virtually no pincushion with my unmodded pro triplet. Just look at the edges of those latest screenies.

Also, I ordered a 100" 4:3 screen today from Tigerdirect. Less than $100 smackers delivered. I'll keep my fingers crossed.

my pincussioning wasnt noticable either. Till I got the laser out. I say if you can live with the soft corners, go with it. This is a single fold design right? Maybe the mirror has something to do with it. Id like to test a strait design, but im to lazy to make another large hole in my box, so i will keep the mirror, any my slightly soft corners, and my modded triplet (that didnt do much)

SUUWEEEEEEEEE.....SUUWEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE

Nice D, really nice. This 100" screen you speak of ...what kind is it, high power?

Also, is the lcd you are currently using the Samsung 710 or did you switch to a Planar? And is this a 15"er?

you are definetly going to like having a screen. I made mine with a high thread count bed sheet and mudd maxx paint mix. made a big diference from the wall. those screen shots look really clear and sharp. now sit back and enjoy some movie time. although its hard not to want to tweak it. what are you going to do for your next one?

Nice screens It looks like the lamp is making great color.

Did you have to set the RGB levels?

So whats the whole rig look like?

If I need a laser to see it I can live with it.

Single fold - yep. I have it on good authority that blurred corners may very well be due to the size of my arc. This, of course, I can address at a later date when I get my hands on an alternative lamp. For now, it looks just so very sweet.

Did I hear a flying pig overhead?

The screen is almost without a doubt a gain of 1 or dog-gone close. Info is scanty on the site where I ordered. Actually, it was through Amazon and I had "one click purchase" enabled but didn't realized it was REALLY ONE CLICK PURCHASE. I just wanted to check shipping but instead found I had just bought the dang screen! So, I just went with it even though I could have cancelled the order.

I'm still using the 17" Samsung. May I ask where you got the idea I may have switched to a Planar? I mean, it's not like these forums are large and you may have gotten mixed up.

I'll try but I still have quite a bit of work to do getting it all together and finalizing my cooling. Not to mention "prettying" it up and finishing (wood stain, etc.).I think that's what I like most about you TES - your sense of humor!!! Next one indeed!!!

Actually, no, I didn't fiddle with the RGB until just after making those latest screenies. I used a canned utility that came with the monitor whereby one squints at the screen while adjusting a box within a box until both boxes look the same for R, G, & B boxes. Anyway, I was just kind of playing and didn't really put much effort into that yet. The color looked fine to me so I wasn't too concerned. You just made me realize I never did a white balance with my camera either.Like an unfinished projector. Hold onto yer britches AV - I'll post some pics eventually.

Y'know, I just looked at those latest screenies again. I can't believe I finally made it to this point. Thanks to all who've put up with me for this long.

Proud of you, man

Thanks Mum. Say, you darn my socks and wash my undies like I asked ya yet? I promise to write more often. I've been busy. Tell Dad Hi for me.

Those screenies really do look nice,Big D.
Nice shirt.How was the fancy dress party???
Great work,worth the wait,congrats.
P

That does it!!! I'm taking more screenies with me in them with the REALLY cool shirt and camoflauge pants.

I just received my tracking info for the screen and it's coming tomorrow already!!! Whoa! Talk about lightspeed delivery. Now I just have to hope it arrives in one, intact, undamaged piece and it's not a total piece of crapola.

Edit: And that it's actually 100 inches and not 100 millimeters.

gee, i don't know....MAYBE HERE! Guess I thought you were referring to the name of the manufacturer.

Now, if that isn't the biggest understatement of this pig's year.

Durachko,

I think you got one mod left in you. You could mod the screen by reversing it. Then retweak all your settings on the PJ


Or you could just sit back and watch a movie,,,,,,,, But what would be the fun in doing something like that.


Nice Job, by the way You kept me on the edge of my chair as I read your plog.
Joe

great job on those screens, im afraid i have not been here long enough to see the whole project unfold, but as they say, you cant rush perfection........now, lets see some more screenies

BIMP

Classic very poor choice of wording on my part.

Wheeeee! UPS tracking indicates my screen is waiting at home right now. I think I'm going away this weekend though.

And thank you mjoe and BIMP. Be seein' ya 'round.

Bagging the PCAC ducted fan. It's too noisy. Even just the unrestricted PCAC is too noisy.

Click to view attachment

Going to swap with a scavenged CPU duct and a regular muffin fan.

Click to view attachment

And I'm going with 3 throttled down fans to cool the area heated by my lightbox.

Click to view attachment

The screen from TigerDirect arrived in good condition. I also have a full set of DaLite samples and I'll string 'em up in front of the budget screen once I get it hung so I can post some comparision pics. Was away for the weekend so got nada done.

cant wait to see some screenies with a real screen!! I think the PCAC's are good for just that, PC's. yeah the muffin fans make some noise but they do the job. I dont even notice them anymore while watching unless I listen for them. of course I have only tried the PCAC's in these big enclosures, they might work fine in something smaller like a 10.6" build or a psone build. anyone have good results with these PCAC's? Of course your going to build another one! this first one was for practice right?

You 'n me both!!!

As for noise I recall someone, somewhere in these forums saying something like "You quiet the noisiest thing in your projector and then you hear the next noisiest thing and start to work on quieting that and so on and so on and so on." Vicious cycle.

Can we eliminate all moving parts? Wait . . . what's that I hear . . . oh, it's just the liquid crystals rotating.
Yeah, sure TES . . . sure.

Just hung my screen. Man what a difference! My wife has the camera with her so no pics yet. I think I'll watch a bit of some movie after logging off.

Riddle me this Batman:

I've got a 4:3 LCD and a 4:3 screen but my projection is a couple of inches narrower than my screen and yet a couple of inches taller than my screen.

Yes, I measured the screen - it is 80 x 60 (4:3). I haven't checked the LCD yet.

What am I missing? Kind of sucks since there's no way I can move my projector closer due to a post that's in the way. I guess I do have some alternatives but this just seems nuts. Eventually I'd like to switch to a wuxga and that may just make things work out. Haven't actually given it much thought. I'm just totally confused by this apparent aspect ratio snafu.

Discovered I must chop some of my mirror frame off because it appears to be obstructing some of my light path. Also have some other cooling holes to chop in. Hope to get to at least some of that while I'm a bachelor this weekend.

1280*1024 res is actually 5:4 ratio

You just love doing that to me - don't you? DOH!!!!!

Ah well - I swear that thing had 4:3 stamped on it somewhere?

Watched Terminator 2 last night. Up till 2AM. Y-a-w-n . . . I was warned that would happen.

Got a couple dang inches of snow here as I type. I blame that on GadgetSmith - he'll understand.

So, took the day off to play and enjoy bachelorhood - what shall I do? Definitely some projector work.

Also, I'll have to do some thinking regarding the screen. I know someone who might want it but I wonder if I can get a 5:4? Off to search . . .

Crap. More snow projected. And sure enough the monitor is advertised as being 4:3 just about everywhere in "official" specs but there's no question but that it's 5:4. Why do they do this? It's a conspiracy I tell ya!!! I do get tired of this whole "live & learn" thing. Next it's some research into Powerstrip which I've heard much about but of which I know nada really. Maybe I can chop dat devil a bit or use some other way to crop it down.

I had another odd thing happening during the movie last night. Initially I forgot I had a screen saver set and every so many minutes it would kick in and I'd need to jiggle the mousey or whack the keyboard with my boot to get back to the movie so I paused and disable the screen saver. The it just went to a white screen every now and again. At first I thought "DAMN!!! Did my LCD just malfunction?" but a jiggle brought her back. It was too late to track down but it kept happening. Always something . . . always something.

Do you have your power management setting to turn off the monitor after such and such amount of time?
Possibly would explain the white screen.

Did you do the pro lens mod yet? If you have not I would try it and it should make the FL about 50mm longer. Then all the 4/3 program stuff should fit.

Most of all the movies are 16/9 or wider. I set my pj in different place for each type.

In a way the 4/3 movies looks the best because it makes for the largest screen area. Just having the PJ 1" closer makes the screen door a lot less.

(join the club.... wanna borrow the snowblower... still sittin in the driveway )


I envy you... being left to your self to play... I shouldn't be complaining, tomorrow i'm off to brew 40 gallons of beer...

That thought came to me but why white and not the murky greenish gray of a powered down screen? But I'll be checking that.

Oh yeah, I tried the mod prior to even using my projector. When modded my pro triplet is turned into a worthless pile of expensive glass. Horrible artifacts. Just read backwards in my ploD a bit if you want details. Once I unmodded it I got sharp focus with little or no detectable pincushion. Fishy stuff. My fault really for jumping the gun regarding the mod. I don't know if I'll revisit that or not. Maybe someday. I actually chipped my frontmost lens element during the last reassembly. Doesn't affect the projection but now I'm skittish.

Another problem with the mod is that the change in focal length is a bit too much for my build. I can't readily accomodate a triplet with the modded focal length.

Your suggestion is a good one however.

Well, the snow mostly melted but we may get some more tonight. I'm off to cut some brush - well, trees - the power company has been threatening to do for the past two years. They're now well into the phone lines and after this year they'll be into the power lines so it's time for me to take action. Besides, I've been having a bachelor feast every minute since the wife and son left and have to work off some of the 10 pounds I gained in the past 20 hours. 3:47 in the afternoon and I'm lying in bed with my laptop on a Friday of all things. Oh, this is the life. Wait, what's that I hear . . . oh, it's my projector calling me. The house is cleaned, the laundry is done and hung, the basement has been partially cleaned, the dishes are done, groceries have been stockpiled, various other chores have been finished . . . it's time for some fun.

Enjoy my friend!

I can understand being whupped while the wife is home, but while she's away?

Manly stuff like cutting down trees and using chemicals to explode snow out of the way - that's what we want to hear about. Warming frozen rattle snakes in the microwave etc. Oh, and your projector

I wonder about the pro lens flaw. I would think that the entire lens would be made right. It is fairly easy to check a curve when in mass production.

But what would happen if you flipped one lens during assembly? The mod may correct a problem in some way but is that the real problem?

I think Ekkin tried a few combos with the bad lens but I don’t remember if he tried all of them.


You could just re space the rear lens by 1mm which might give you the throw you need to cover and not bugger thing up too much.

Or move the LCD and fresnels /lamp up an inch or two? (way too much work with this idea)?

Pretty much all of your above suggestions are already being bandied about AV. I'll eventually home in on a solution. Again, many thanks for the input. The pro lens "problems" remain a mystery and I don't know if an answer will ever be found. I'm saying this without looking at the drawing but I think only the frontmost lens element could possibly be mistakenly flipped without it being obvious and maybe it's symmetrical anyway? Yep, just a tiny change in spacer may work for me. We'll see . . .

Sure enough the power save settings were still default and were shutting down the monitor but I'm still puzzled as to why I got a white screen instead of a "powered off" screen. I guess I just don't understand what the energy saver really does. Also, maybe if I'd waited a few more moments the screen really would have turned off completely? Wait, it just came to me - powersave shuts off the backlight but puts all the crystals into a "white" state. That makes sense.

I managed to do a little work on my 3 fan cluster for cooling the light compartment of the projector but didn't get much else done due to installing Cars (a surprise for my son's return) and playing it way too much along with big screen Halo. Uh-oh . . . I think I'm really in trouble here.

I'll get some pics and a review of my el-cheapo screen when I can.

Back to glacial progress. Anyway, I did cut out a frame for my triple fan cluster and mounted them in special foam. Next I'll wire 'em up, spray 'em flat black, and get 'em into my projector.

Click to view attachment

They'll be wired in series (2 and 2) along with a similar fan for keeping the fresnels and LCD cool. I like to use a lot of fans running slowly both for redundancy and to avoid too much fan noise.