For all you build it yourselfers out there..

[redcoats]

My brother turned me on to this site. I never knew they had a BIY projectors. I was going to buy one but with how easy it is to build one I will just do that. You can build one for around $400 and the bulb inside that you use lasts about 20,000 hours compared to the $500 replacement bulbs for the retail ones that last about 3,000 hours. I figured I would share this sweet little find with you guys since you all like building your own stuff. *I have no affiliation with this linked website I just wanted to share*

http://www.lumenlab.com/

[Craig]

I have seen stuff like this on eBay and it's a load of ---steaming pile of meadow muffin---.... Unless someone would buy one and prove to us it isn't BS?

[redcoats]

I have seen stuff like this on eBay and it's a load of <auto-censored>.... Unless someone would buy one and prove to us it isn't BS?

Go to the forums down the page about halfway on the right. These are not BS. My brother built one and said it is amazing. That page I sent you to is just the plans you can buy but they have a whole community that build these things. When you go into the forum you can look into the different ones people have built, you can look at pictures and shots of their video. It is alot like this community here.

[redcoats]

Here is a picture of one very nicely done.

[redcoats]

Here is another.

[Craig]

Just before you replied I was writing this.

Ok, it may work, but who is going to have a huge fat box to do it in? The ones I see in the shop are very small. Maybe that first pic looks good enough size though.

Good idea dude I see where you getting to now.

[redcoats]

Well you have to use a disassembled LCD screen inside so it depends what size lcd you use that can hook to your computer. The standard is 15" I believe.

[DrewKaree]

Further down this forum, check the "My next new project - HOME THEATER!" thread.  Not only will you find this exact same link, but a link to a few of the other threads discussing this exact same topic on the board.

You'll find links that you never knew existed and may help you refine/improve your idea.

Someone should combine all these threads, mebbe

[psik0tik]

I think I just posted this

[gprime]

This is very very popular at a lot of hardware forums. It's far far far from that crap you find on ebay.

[RayB]

I wonder if you can build one from a small PSone screen... That would sure help reduce the size.

[redcoats]

Further down this forum, check the "My next new project - HOME THEATER!" thread.

[paigeoliver]

So technically one could chop up a laptop and have the computer integrated into their projector, right?

[Jabba]

I went to that site and into the forums. Seems all the good stuff is protected. You gotta buy the plans. Anyone else able to find the plans here? Drew, couldn't find that thread you mentioned. This things looks pretty cool though...

[crashwg]

I hate all of you guys!  Now I have yet another thing that I just HAVE to build! 

[psik0tik]

Im in the process of building one. I wouldnt use a laptop and the psone screens look like crap. Try to find a used lcd moniter with the backlighting burnt out. I picked up a 17" one for 60 bucks. because you wind up taking it apart and ditching the backlighting anyway.  The plans are pretty simple I got my deminsions off the project gallery. Just eyeballed it. When I get the time Ill make up some drawings. But i want to test my design first to make sure its right. The bulbs are cheaper at like home depot you need at least a 400 w MH bulb with ballast. And buy the lens from the lumenlab site they are the cheapest. I built one out of a cardboard box to get an idea and I got a 95" diagonal screen outa it. I think the design could use some work. And if enough of us work on it we could make it better and make the plans free.  Because thats what BYO is about..cheap or free.

[redcoats]

Im in the process of building one. I wouldnt use a laptop and the psone screens look like crap. Try to find a used lcd moniter with the backlighting burnt out. I picked up a 17" one for 60 bucks. because you wind up taking it apart and ditching the backlighting anyway.

[SOAPboy]

I hate all of you guys!

[NiN^_^NiN]

They work very well

But i cheaped out and used a Overhead projector

and seeing space invader on the big screen made me @#$%^& in my pants lol

they work very well but use a XGA monitor as you want high def quality otherwise it looks a bit blurry

i plugged in my Digital set top box to the 7.6" lcd (OEM LCD FOR $130 ) and it was crystal clear compared to normal tv tuned in or even cable

I have some pics of the overhead projector in use but i can't be stuffed finding somewere to upload em.