Well, Im going to start this come the new year... so I've been gathering parts.

So far I've got:

-1x Subscription to Lumenlab - Yay! -------- 20.00

-1x Dell 1505FP 15" LCD (DVI/VGA) --------- 108.00
-1x MT400/BH - Horizontal Mount 400w/4,200k Bulb ---------- 60.00
-1x sheet XL10 12"x18" Heat-resistant Lexan --------- 15.00
-1x IKEA Napkin Holder/Reflector --------- 9.00
-1x Shower Drain (home depot) -------- 8.00
-1x Coil Ballast - 400w Metal Halide Compatible --------- 20.00
-1x Mogul Base -------- 10.00
-1x Capacitor for the Coil Ballast --------- 10.00
-1x Lumenlab S15 Lens Kit 2x frensels, 1x triplet --------- 72.00
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Price of the project thus far: $332.00
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CAUTION:

--I bought a coil ballast I thought would work very well for this project, but it is the older style M59 ballast... After doing some searching, I would advise against purchasing the M59 style ballast. Go with the newer 135 style ballast so you can use the tried and true bulbs from LL Store.

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ALL MY PARTS ARE BOUGHT AND PAID FOR!!! SO BEGINS CONSTRUCTION AND PLANNING!!

-James

MAGNAVOX 15MF605T 15" LCD HDTV $350 ish

• 1024 x 768 pixel resolution, 400:1 contrast ratio, 4:3 aspect ratio
  
• PiP, 3D motion adaptive de-interlacing
  
• Inputs: Antenna, Composite, Svideo, HD component R/G/B RCA Jacks, VGA.

Its what I am using. My PLOG

I don't have final screen captures yet, but there is a pic of it sitting on an overhead projector.

Also, this model strips easily, and the cables are plenty long... (see photos of my sled)

With a LCD tv instead of a monitor, you get more flexability on the inputs, in case you want to say... play xbox, or watch TV without a computer...

Thanks.. I actually just bought that Tv... I like it, but I really want DVI.

I Think Im going to wiegh my options though, as having HDTV inputs would probably be the more diverse route to go.

-Jim

Something to consider...

Here is an interesting read on the topic of HDTV. Link.

I expect once the HD DVD players come out, we will see many complaints here from people who have HD component or DVI but can't play HD DVD in its HD mode because their LCD isn't considered secure by the player...

My thinking is to get a good LCD that has many inputs, but not spend lots on the ultimate LCD. I expect to have to replace it once HD DVD comes out and stabilizes. Remember the VHS vs. Bet Amax? Looks like we are going to see that happen again.

So I think some people have/will be burned by getting a HDTV that doesn't support the proper standards to play the HD content that comes from their cable/satellite providers. I think others will get burned or find out they got burned once HD DVD comes out.

I have heard studies that claim between 25 and 50% of people with HD capable TV's aren’t getting the HD they are expecting. Usually because they hook them up using the wrong connectors. (composite/svideo instead of DVI or R/G/B)

BTW, my Magnavox was around $280 because it was an open-box item at best buy. What did you get yours for?

Are you planning on using it for your projector? If so, will you be removing the AG?

I bought mine as a gift to my Granparents Actually, Paid 350 New for it.


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I have been trying to get my hands on a nice 15" lcd, but no luck yet. I want to keep the price right around 200 or less, but want some good features .... So, Im just being slow and cheap.

Also, on the ballast front, I think I might try and get a different ballast setup.... Mine is an M59, which I bought quite hastily before reading that the standard t15 style bulbs sold on LL Store don't like this setup. I think I'll be reselling it for 30 bux if anyone is interested in a simple Ballast M59 style (including the mogul base, and necessary capacitor!).

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-James

Got my LCD!!

Dell 1505FP - 16ms Response - XGA 1024x768
++DVI/VGA Compatible
++Supposed Easy to Strip and Use (NO FFC Problems!)
++Supports 75hz Refresh at Native Resolution
++Only 108.00 Dollars.

--Bummer - Has the AG Coating on it though!

Congrats on the good find!!!

Go to home depot. They have a shower drain that fits the triplet near perfectly. The threading is very smooth. the cost is $5. And it has about an inch of travel. I just got one for myself tonight, and was amazed at the fit. I will have pictures in my plog soon.

TESCORP is the one who spotted this drain and worked out its true use...

I'lll be interested to see the pictures of that drain/focus mechansism... I was trying to figure out how I was going to focus the triplet yesturday night, looks like I have my answer.

Thanks!

where did you get your lcd for 108?

Used LCD off of Ebay. But I shopped for about 5 days before I found the deal.

whats the actual panel make? lg phillips? sharp etc..... its usually on the backlight somewhere, sometimes dell, gateway etc switch the panels inside....

I'll let you know as soon as I tear it down.

Ordered a bulb that will work with my Ballast Setup.

Thanks to Brainchild and Magel for the headsup.
-------------------

I ended up going with an Eye - 400w MH Bulb - 4,200k color temperature (seems decent for PJs)
Has 25,000 mean lumens and 32,000 initial lumens, so it looks like it will be fairly bright and decently colored for the project.

Best of all - 60.oo through a Indiana Bulb Provider! Not bad compared to the 100 I was about to spend!

That's all for now.... The project building will soon commence!!

-James

heres the focus ring (2" shower drain ) you were asking about I get them at Menards

Same basic thing at Home Depot, but in black. I had to trim it down a bit. The threads are a bit loose, but I think some teflon tape should tighten it up so it doesnt sag. Then again, does a 1 or 2 mm tilt on the triplet really matter that much?

Yes, you'll see it eventually. Beware those tubes don't cut into the FOV...do the math.

Brain,

I havent had any FOV issues with it, I tested one cut flush with the triplet versus one not cut without any difference.

Actually your right. At full extension, their may be some slight blockage. I think I can cure that by removing the top of the drain, leaving only the threads of the insert. Will re-examine it then. I think the best test would be to have it in a working projector, and see if it the drain portion gets illuminated more in the extended possition than in the non-extended possition.

Keep me posted on the 2in Drain/Focus setup... I really like the idea.

Reading the specs, the bulb I found is the standard LL size bulb too! Bonus.

It's not the one with the 6.75" LCL, it has the 5.75" LCL, which will make it compatible with the Haas Box type. Phew!

Did a little cross section sketch of the box to layout all of my space.... I stuck pretty much to the standard design, but I think my LCD and Frensels are all shifted forward (toward the triplet end).

I read in the design guide that with the standard LL 317mm collector frensel, I should have the front of that 317mm from the triplet center. Same with the rear portion of the box, only 220mm *adjusting for focal length of the rear frensel...

I'm assuming by the guide that it is 220mm to the center of the lightbulb, not to the center of the reflector (ikea napkin holder in this case)

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Please let me know if you see any flaws!

I went to Home Depot this evening and found the notorious "DRAIN/FOCUS ADJUSTMENT" piece that I was looking for in the shower section...

These are the results... the Regular Lumen Lab lens fits awesome, added a little 3m HighQuality Electric tape around the outside (about 3 wraps) to tighten the fit between the drain adaptor and the lens, I also added some hot glue around the lip of the drain fitting before I pushed the lens in. It seems VERY secure, and the adjustability is perfect.

PICS:

This is the drain taken apart, it has a few parts you don't need...

I wrapped the lens with 3m Electric Tape, tightening the fit.

The final product... Not bad at all!

drawing looks good! that drain works like a charm dosent it.

Indeed it does.

---Updates---

Allright, so my Dell 1505Fp stripped like a dream, I worked about 24 hours on the project over Christmas Break and have been moving right along. Ends up that the Haas style box wouldn't provide the temperature stability that I was looking for, so I went with a standard (rectangular box) design.

Fashioned a reflection, heat shield to hold the lightbulb and protect the wood of the box and my temps ran steady at about 85*F -- Very reasonable with the single 120mm fan I used.

Pics are here!

The heat shield took quite a bit of time to fashion, but it works really well. The outside of the box is always cool to the touch, even on the this Underlayment I used for the top. I also ended up insulating the rear light box portion with some fiberglass insulation, to prevent scorching and fire hazards. Air flow with the 120mm fan seems to keep everything very cool!

--Pics--

The reflector mount was kindof an afterthough, hence the cutout in the metal heat shield, but I like how it turned out, and the the reflector is obviously very solidly mouned on the sheet metal that I used.

--Pics--

The finished lightbox, with insulation came out very well. There is room for air to come in under the lexan xl10 that I used for the isolation layer between the bulb and my LCD. I screwed up the cut on the LEXAN XL10 in this picture, which is why you'll see the brown tape on the right hand side holding two pieces of the lexan together. Since then I have gotten a replacement piece so that I can recut it to the right size!

These are the finished pictures of my lightbox. You'll see some temperature probes that i placed inside the projector while it was running to get a readout of Ambient air temperature, Lexan Surface Temperature, and exhaust temperature... All were well within specs.

Lexan: 73*F
Air Inside Light Box: 85*F
Exhaust Temperature: 74*F

Ambient Temp: 65*F

--Pics--

Testing Aperatus was an Old Simpson Therm-O-Meter (which has been calibrated) to check temperature at different probe positions. I was very pleased with the results.

--Pics--

I love the saftey cone base!

I wanted to insure adequate airflow. I'd say it was a sucess.

-Jim

Wow, it's been quite a while since my last update.

Well, I graduated from college so I finally have a degree... And now I'm busy being unemployed. I finally got a free few moments to continue work on my projector.

It's coming along very well, though I haven't gotten a chance to fire it up yet.

This weekend, we fashioned the mounting brackets for the LCD and the Front and rear lenses. Also got the box completely wired up... and made the executive decision to have an external powersupply and ballast. The box I have is big, but so is that darn coil ballast, so It'll be stationed in an external box which controls the lamp and the fans on seperate switches.

I'll get some pictures the next time I get a chance to work on the project. In the mean time, a lot has changed on lumenlab, so I'll be checking out all the new posts and builds!

Hey looks like everything is going good! What are the final dimensions of your box?