I'm building my second pj and would like to know the status of the new bulbs. I am trying to figure out wether I should design the new bulb into the light engine or go with my old Venture bulb.

Is there an eta?

The new lamps are in development. I don't expect them in the near future. The Ushio pulse strike is a better option than the Venture. It is brighter and works with our new reflector.

The problem with the Ushio is the size. To ceiling mount my projector between the rafters I have to limit the inside diameter to 12". This means that only the ED28 formfactor (LCL of 5") or the newer formfactor of the small arc bulb will work.

I'll just use the Venture for now and wait until the small arc bulb is developed. Then, hopefully, I can upgrade to both the smaller arc lamp and the better reflector.

Thanks for answering so quick.

so, no go on the 20mm arc bulb and ballast? near future being 6 months?

edit: or are you referring to the 5-10mm arc bulbs?

Just for clarification, are you saying that the timeframe mentioned in this post has changed? You were previously expecting delivery of new lamps mid January.

You'll note this part of the post:

Time frame...oof, this always gets me into trouble.

and also this:

So the earliest we'll see them is about month.

So its been open-ended the whole time.

The company ran into some problems with the lamps and China has a big holiday....sample delivery has been pushed off until mid Feb.

is it still the plan that it will require a specialized ballast to run the new lamp?(ie, neither the eballast nor probe start(M59?) nor a pulse strike ballast(M135?) will run the new lamp)

I challange that statement.

While they may be brighter for our application with your reflector behind it, that does not mean the raw bulb is brighter than the Venture.

No offense, but over the past year and half, You have made some claims on these forums that the Ushio was better than the Venture. Most of said comments came from the time frame when you sold the Ushio PS, and an admittingly unethical competitor sold the Venture PS. example:

http://www.lumenlab.com/forums/index.php?s...5625&hl=Venture

One said comment from you, was that the Ushio PS ED28 had a smaller arc envelope than the Venture ED28 PS. I decided to compare side by side, and well ....



Care to guess which of the two have the smaller envelope? Its just a smidegon smaller, but it was the venture! (Prolly not a difference to matter)

With that said, This T15 lamp, has the same specs as the PS lamp, just a different form factor. All 3 lamps have the exact same lumen ratings and color temperature, so I doubt any of the 3 are brighter than the other. However there is added benifit of having your much needed and appreciated reflector with the T15 form.

THE LL E-ballast or a Coil M135/M155 ballast should operate it just fine.

I was referring not to the ushio t15 PS for sale in the store now, , but the newest lamp brain has talked about whic is a different form factor entirely... he stated that he would be seeling the bulb and a coil ballast because the eballast might not work with it..

I've never sold the Ushio PS lamp in an ED28 size. I've only ever sold T15 lamp shapes. In the quote you are referring to, I made my comment straight off of the listed specs.

As far as my comment about brightness: There have been several people reporting recently that their Ushio PS lamps are brighter than their Venture lamps on the same ballast. Considering that the T15 lamp shape gets you the reflector too, it's a no-brainer.

Will these small arc lamps be much more expensive?

In his description in the store it states that its an M135 ballast. That is the coil ballast that you would need. Most 400w flavor PS lamps work off of this ballast

So the very first lamp you ever started selling with the S400DD?

I could have swore you sold the PS Ushio lamp in the ED28 flavor.

Also about the quote im referring to. Come off of listed specs? What listed specs. Ushio DOES NOT LIST the center arc length in the PDFs. I tried comparing those two specs on many occasions, which is why I broke down to buy both bulbs.

Yes, it is NOW a no brainer because of the added reflector. But this new reflector is NOT going to be the hands of everyone. Myself and many included arent gonna throw this reflector in because it will be too much work, or simply IMPOSSIBLE to incorporate T15 lamps into our PJs. So for that concept lets keep the facts straight on the bulbs capabilites alone.

BTW, I found no difference between the Venture PS and the Ushio PS. Both are great lamps.

On another note, perhaps Ive been out of the loop since I have been less active here.

The lamp is question, in this particular thread is this lamp here correct?

https://secure.lumenlab.com/shop/product.php?id=14

If we are all discussing another lamp, then disregard what Ive said. All my comments have been about this lamp, which isnt that new, just new to being sold here.

LOL. Yep. You guys are arguing over different lamps.

But you do have a valid point about reluctance to change light boxes to accomodate the better reflector. I am very happy with the brightness of my current setup (I watch it all day with the lights on in my room (four 60 watt lightbulbs) and it fits my box perfectly. For me to move to the T15 formfactor I would have to increase my box width by about 1-2 inches from what it is now. I like my projector relatively skinny. Actually, I NEED a skinny projector since I stick it between the floor joists in my cieling.

That said, boy would I have loved to get my hands on that reflector for my current setup. The shame of it all is that the size of the reflector ju....st missed. If it were only a few more mm (no more than 5) larger then it might just work for the ed28/BT28 formfactor. Just 5 more mm is all I needed! argh!

Oh well...I'll wait for the newer bulbs. Then I may be able to double my brightness instead of a 25% increase.

I have also considered the possibility of silver plating a stainless steel reflector.

Whoops, you're right. We did sell the ED28. Sorry for the confusion I had totally forgotten. I remember when the PS lamps had just come out, Ushio released a press bulletin that contained the arc length as well. There was a discussion on the boards about the Venture and Ushio arc lengths, with the result being that the Venture arc was 8mm longer (IIRC). This clearly isn't the case today, at least for the ED28 lamps. That said, I hope you know I would not try to mislead anyone, I am simply restating what was posted a few times recently; that the Ushio T15 PS lamp was brighter than the Venture ED28 PS. I doubt it is a significant difference, but for anyone who is considering which lamp to use for a new projector build, they would be better served by going with the Ushio PS T15.

You say it is impossible to incorporate the T15 into your existing box; have you considered mounting it on an angle?

I found the info on the small arc bulb in question.

Much smaller arc, 36,000 lumens. Ill just wait for that one.

then I can get the new reflector with it.

with the smaller arc, and the new reflector it should yeild a inprovement in brightness, but also the better color spec.

Now, back on topic. Any info about that, ETA?

I show know more mid Feb if the company stops pushing it off further and further.

I think there was a picture of the lamp in question hiding on the main web page

Click to view attachment

The bulb in that picture is bigger then the ED-28 I believe, it looks more like an ED-37.

Yeah I think thats an EYE bulb, not a Ushio.

I dont think that was the EYE, that looks more like a BT-37 bulb.

ED bulbs (ED28 and ED37) are all football shaped and dont have the notches on the end

BT bulbs like the one pictured has that notch at the end. The Eye bulb is a BT28

Its certainly not a short arc anyhow.

In any event...

For those who have already built projectors and are not planning to retrofit the lamps... Well, that's that.

I built my new projector based on the plan to retrofit the new lamp when it comes in. I'm really looking forward to it. I think that with the better colour temp and shorter arc, combined with the pro lenses, it'll really produce awesome results. As is, I can't get the whole arc image to fit in the triplet, there's some overspill, but with the new reflector and T15 form factor lamp, I can still get excellent brightness from the PS lamp, just not quite as even as I think that it could be. (Still have some mucking about with fresnels to adjust that to do.)

I don't believe that it's Brain's intent to deceive anyone. If he thought that the venture lamp was better, he'd be selling the Venture lamp. I'm very sure that he'd be just as able to do that if it were his choice. I think that Ushio is probably giving HIM a better deal, though, so he's working with them to give US a better deal. (Pure speculation on my part.)

Whent he new lamp is ready, I'll be getting one, and retrofitting my projector with it. I know that for certain. Actually, I designed the projector around the tentative specs for the lamp.

Hi everyone, sorry if this sounds stupid, but what are the benefits of the small arc LL lamp? Thanks!

Yeah your right, heres a picture for comparison.

I mistakenly looked at the Ed-37 tag and the bulb directly above it, kinda confused me.

In short, better light.

The diagram that we use as a model for building a projector makes an assumption that we can't quite meet. A "point light source" -- that is a light source that is infintesmally small, but bright. Obviously we can't meet that.

The arc in the MH lights that we typically use is about an inch long. This is "close enough" to a point source for the optics to WORK, but not close enough for it to work as well as we'd like.

The fact is that the fresnels magnify the arc image. once the arc image gets larger than the triplet aperature, you start losing light, and more importantly, you start losing light evenness. The smaller arc lamp will make it easier to get a bright, evenly lit image.

So - to summarize - am I getting this right? The "new lamp" tentatively due in mid-Feb 2006 (samples that is) will work with the new pro reflector and is a double ended design as shown here? It won't be happy with the eballast. The color temp surpasses the brightest lamp T-15 Pulse Strike currently sold here at LL. Also, although the output is less than the T-15 it will be arguably or perhaps hands-down the better of the two.

Durachko: That would be an accurate summary, I think.

My retrofit is planned around a new lamp and ballast, fitted to my existing light box. The existing lamp and ballast will probably have a new home waiting for them.

Even though the lumen count is lower with the small arc lamp, I believe that I can make more efficient use of those lumens, which will result in at least as much of mot more brightness in the resulting projection. As is, there is signifigant spillage around the triplet. I believe that this problem can be eliminated with a short arc lamp, meaning more efficient use of the lumens avaialable.

Ditto here what Supraguy said.

However, I fear that the small arc lamp may be 6 months or more away. Research projects tend to have a life of their own and their own timeframe to boot.

If Brain only had 5 more mm for his reflector.

Well . . . that's a given!!!
Okay . . . what am I missing here? 5 more mm in radius of curvature you mean?

Hello everybody!

Has anyone used the bulb (JLZ-TO400D) that's apparently being sold here?

The brand name is "YAMAO," I searched for this word on this forum and nothing came up....

Specs:
400 w
36,000 lm
6400 k
Average Life 6000 hours (I can live with this)
Length: 283mm

don't think so...I'd guesstimate the arc length at about 30 or so just using the 283mm total length of the bulb as a guide.... see if you can find ou the arc length and cost... nice color, could be a good find... wonder what ballast it runs off of?

Which bulb is better? s400dd? or the t15 pS???

Anyone?? Anyone??? Bueller??

define "better" -
brighter: t15 PS
better color:s400dd

I had the S400DD in my 15" and have the PS in my current projector.

The colour on the PS lamp is definitely not as good. It's brighter, but the white values aren't quite as good. (I didn't think that it would bother me, and except when I'm being really critical, it doesn't. )

well, isn´t the film viewing more welcome with warm light?

(now if you are not planing on film viewing.... )

I preffer a more accurate light regardless, but as I said, my eyes adapt quickly.

What they DON'T adapt to fast enough right now is a cut-scene where it goes from nighttime to daytime.

TOO FREAKING BRIGHT!

I stickytacked a light grey posterboard up on the wall to see what it looked like... That might work out...

Stylin' new caricature avatar Supra!!! Make it yourself?

Yours ain't too shabby either Durachko!

I think this lamp would be the bee's knees.
It shouldnt be hard to source. I read that some folks at DIYaudio organized a group-buy and ended up paying 25$ each.



Its 575 watt MH 5500-6000k, and specificaly designed for this very application.
The specs are everything you could want except for the life expectancy(750 hours)
You guys are probably familiar with this bulb. Its used in high-intensity OHP's and even in some older comercial video projectors. I first learned about it in Sporty's plog. The pic is from his plog.

what is also promising is that we have an exact model of spherical reflector AND precondensor to work with.


The big problem would be getting a ballast manufactured. But might that be less of a headache getting a ballast made than getting a cutom bulb made?

It just seems like a logical choice to use this lamp, or model a 400 watt longer life version on it, since it is factory enginered for our needs.
Click to view attachment

As configured in an OHP (specificaly for LCD projection panels)Click to view attachment
So we likley wont see 1000watters in the LL store.(personaly I think thats a bit much anyway, but thats subjective.... I folow the 1000watt threads with much interest)
I think 575w is a good trade-off.

I dont want to give the wrong idea with these posts, or talk out of turn here,
Im sure the lamp Brain is having made will be just what we need. Just wanted to offer this up for comparison within the given application, and as possible solution if getting the lamps made turns out to be too much of a PITA for the LL team.

This is a shining example of how hard it can be to get the whole picture in these voluminous forums. I never ran across that lamp in my past surfing and have spent an awful lot of time reading plogs. I guess not enough time though! That lamp do look cool yoshuaspawn. Gotta go check out Sporty's plog . . . Thanks for the info!

elbeghast - I'm ashamed to say I didn't actually create my current avatar you commented on. I have some ideas though and maybe one of them will gel and I'll make one truly my own sometime.

There is a bunch of mhi- hmi-msi lamps out there. Here is a link to some one who sells them at a fair price.

http://www.dentertainmentgroup.com/Expenda...MetalHalide.htm

If you look at the list there is some that even have good life. They are all medium arc lamps not true short arc [the m in mhi] some of these are made in china if we could find someone to sell them to us.

A S52 ballast might work for some of them I have one here but it was sent to me by mistake so I may send it back before I hook it up to my 1200 watt MSI lamp that I just happen to have hear too[A $200 test to see if I can kill a new lamp].
A proper ballast would be nice or a lamp that would work on a standard ballast

Well, I'm still eagerly awaiting what Brain is having made. I'm sure that it will make for a brighter, more even image if the arc length is shorter. At least I know that it will in my case.

When the new lamp is available, I'll be converting to it.

Oh, and I made my avatar in MS paint. The forum shrunk it down a bit more than I originally wanted to, so some detail has been lost. It's supposed to be a kind of manga syle self-portrait.

You got any solid word on what ballast will be needed for the "new lamp"?

hahaha. i use the 575w hmi lamp, as well as that very same lamp/reflector/condenser rig, that is pictured above. minus the condenser. i don't think it's for panels bigger than the 12" indy 1280, but i am more than willing to be wrong! this is a great optic, hot mirror coated, made to press right up against the lamp. i am here to tell you, they are not THAT spectacular an improvement. granted it has been about a year since i used the 400w ushio, and i have had some lens alignment issues that provide for decent focus, but SUCK light coverage. yes, even with this "superior" short arc lamp, there are problems.

but the 575w is decent. the ballasts are very tricky, and require more cooling. this is due to the fact that it is very hard to get them to work out of the ohp housing. i have not tried to find more silicon insulated 18ga wire, nor any other myriad fix. this project is already a money pit, why feed a new hole?

before you all careen to ebay to scour it for mh ohps, i will tell you that it is VERY hard to adjust them for our needs. unless you have a 12 inch panel that would satisfy your resolution and contrast ratio needs. failing that, be prepared to redo your box again. at least if you can't wait for LL to work it out. i didn't, consequently i will spend MORE money when LL comes up with a short arc solution. the pro lenses have not disappointed. i doubt waiting for this will disappoint either.

all that being said, i may be missing something in my setup that keeps me from having a perfect image. judging by SUPRA's results with the pro lens and a 400w lamp, i need to do more work, or get help from someone. it's a fine craftsman who blames his materials, etc. anyway, thought i would weigh in from the other side. just wait for LL and company to work out a reasonable, AFFORDABLE, LL SUPPORTED solution. trust me.

i may also be wrong about any number of my statements. i would love to be corrected. especially if it means my projection will improve!

ahhhh, Im still a noob yet!
Draculacalled, thanks for setting it straight.... I didnt even think to check what size the 1280 indypresenter was! This 575w light engine is for a 12" panel,

duh.

I AM

SOFA-KING

WE-TOD-ED.

I did snag one on ebay though. But its for my 8.9" panel. I will wait patiently for the new LL lamp, it be worth it Im sure.