http://www.engadget.com/2009/07/02/diy-hd-projector-hits-the-right-note-sub-500-price-range/ Engadget Comments for DIY HD projector hits the right note, sub-€500 price range http://www.engadget.com/media/feedlogo.gif http://www.engadget.com en-us Copyright 2012 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/http://www.engadget.com/2009/07/02/diy-hd-projector-hits-the-right-note-sub-500-price-range/http://www.engadget.com/2009/07/02/diy-hd-projector-hits-the-right-note-sub-500-price-range/Jul 2nd 2009 12:44AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/07/02/diy-hd-projector-hits-the-right-note-sub-500-price-range/http://www.engadget.com/2009/07/02/diy-hd-projector-hits-the-right-note-sub-500-price-range/Jul 2nd 2009 7:53AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/07/02/diy-hd-projector-hits-the-right-note-sub-500-price-range/http://www.engadget.com/2009/07/02/diy-hd-projector-hits-the-right-note-sub-500-price-range/Jul 2nd 2009 11:34AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/07/02/diy-hd-projector-hits-the-right-note-sub-500-price-range/http://www.engadget.com/2009/07/02/diy-hd-projector-hits-the-right-note-sub-500-price-range/Jul 2nd 2009 12:46AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/07/02/diy-hd-projector-hits-the-right-note-sub-500-price-range/http://www.engadget.com/2009/07/02/diy-hd-projector-hits-the-right-note-sub-500-price-range/Jul 2nd 2009 3:54AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/07/02/diy-hd-projector-hits-the-right-note-sub-500-price-range/http://www.engadget.com/2009/07/02/diy-hd-projector-hits-the-right-note-sub-500-price-range/Jul 2nd 2009 6:14AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/07/02/diy-hd-projector-hits-the-right-note-sub-500-price-range/http://www.engadget.com/2009/07/02/diy-hd-projector-hits-the-right-note-sub-500-price-range/Jul 2nd 2009 7:39AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/07/02/diy-hd-projector-hits-the-right-note-sub-500-price-range/http://www.engadget.com/2009/07/02/diy-hd-projector-hits-the-right-note-sub-500-price-range/Jul 2nd 2009 12:51AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/07/02/diy-hd-projector-hits-the-right-note-sub-500-price-range/http://www.engadget.com/2009/07/02/diy-hd-projector-hits-the-right-note-sub-500-price-range/Jul 2nd 2009 12:58AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/07/02/diy-hd-projector-hits-the-right-note-sub-500-price-range/http://www.engadget.com/2009/07/02/diy-hd-projector-hits-the-right-note-sub-500-price-range/
other times I think the people unwilling to go the DIY route are just lazy and incompetent at doing anything other than sitting on their asses watching tv.

sometimes it's nice to learn how things work
]]>Jul 2nd 2009 1:15AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/07/02/diy-hd-projector-hits-the-right-note-sub-500-price-range/http://www.engadget.com/2009/07/02/diy-hd-projector-hits-the-right-note-sub-500-price-range/
But trashing all of DIY is pretty stupid, on some products you can save a ton of money. On some stuff like high end audio gear where companies basically buy $50 amp chips then mark the amps up to $3000 you can get pretty much the same performance for a lot less money by either modifying a cheaper amp or even just making your own from scratch. So again it's more useful for items where the manufacturers are charging obscene markups.

And DIY is also awesome because you can make stuff nobody else makes, the limits are only your own skills anyway.]]>Jul 2nd 2009 1:19AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/07/02/diy-hd-projector-hits-the-right-note-sub-500-price-range/http://www.engadget.com/2009/07/02/diy-hd-projector-hits-the-right-note-sub-500-price-range/Jul 2nd 2009 1:23AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/07/02/diy-hd-projector-hits-the-right-note-sub-500-price-range/http://www.engadget.com/2009/07/02/diy-hd-projector-hits-the-right-note-sub-500-price-range/
There isn't, though. Like an earlier comment said, if it makes sound financial sense or offers some major benefit over buying pre-made, then sure. For instance, I find that by customizing your own barebones purchased PC, you can obviously save tons (I bought a basic Dell Vostro 200 and with a small amount of money turned it into a great media center). But, in MANY MANY cases, like this, it is simply a waste of to have something that works poorly and cost you nearly as much in not just supplies, but your valuable time.]]>Jul 2nd 2009 1:29AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/07/02/diy-hd-projector-hits-the-right-note-sub-500-price-range/http://www.engadget.com/2009/07/02/diy-hd-projector-hits-the-right-note-sub-500-price-range/Jul 2nd 2009 1:40AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/07/02/diy-hd-projector-hits-the-right-note-sub-500-price-range/http://www.engadget.com/2009/07/02/diy-hd-projector-hits-the-right-note-sub-500-price-range/
I made something very similar about 3 years ago. It cost me about $200 in total for everything (LCD, Lenses and Lamp). I cut the case, made the brackets, striped the LCD and measured everything out so it all was in alignment and it was a great experience and I had a ton of fun making it.

I'm guessing you aren't the kind of people who built models cars or airplanes when you were kids.

It's the same type of thing.]]>Jul 2nd 2009 1:42AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/07/02/diy-hd-projector-hits-the-right-note-sub-500-price-range/http://www.engadget.com/2009/07/02/diy-hd-projector-hits-the-right-note-sub-500-price-range/
People don't start building level five models right off. You build up to that.]]>Jul 2nd 2009 1:53AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/07/02/diy-hd-projector-hits-the-right-note-sub-500-price-range/http://www.engadget.com/2009/07/02/diy-hd-projector-hits-the-right-note-sub-500-price-range/Jul 2nd 2009 3:27AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/07/02/diy-hd-projector-hits-the-right-note-sub-500-price-range/http://www.engadget.com/2009/07/02/diy-hd-projector-hits-the-right-note-sub-500-price-range/Jul 2nd 2009 6:16AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/07/02/diy-hd-projector-hits-the-right-note-sub-500-price-range/http://www.engadget.com/2009/07/02/diy-hd-projector-hits-the-right-note-sub-500-price-range/Jul 2nd 2009 1:00AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/07/02/diy-hd-projector-hits-the-right-note-sub-500-price-range/http://www.engadget.com/2009/07/02/diy-hd-projector-hits-the-right-note-sub-500-price-range/
A few years back kits of this sort were all the rage, being sold on eBay, mostly spurred on by sites like engadget.

http://www.engadget.com/2006/10/17/how-to-build-your-own-hd-projector-part-1/

The problem is the resulting projector is not very good on day 1 and the heat from the light ends up burning the LCD over time making it even worse.]]>Jul 2nd 2009 1:08AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/07/02/diy-hd-projector-hits-the-right-note-sub-500-price-range/http://www.engadget.com/2009/07/02/diy-hd-projector-hits-the-right-note-sub-500-price-range/Jul 2nd 2009 1:27AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/07/02/diy-hd-projector-hits-the-right-note-sub-500-price-range/http://www.engadget.com/2009/07/02/diy-hd-projector-hits-the-right-note-sub-500-price-range/Jul 2nd 2009 2:27AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/07/02/diy-hd-projector-hits-the-right-note-sub-500-price-range/http://www.engadget.com/2009/07/02/diy-hd-projector-hits-the-right-note-sub-500-price-range/Jul 2nd 2009 1:16AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/07/02/diy-hd-projector-hits-the-right-note-sub-500-price-range/http://www.engadget.com/2009/07/02/diy-hd-projector-hits-the-right-note-sub-500-price-range/
You know what else, I could probably buy a nice factory assembled model car. I wouldn't even have to go through the process of reading instructions or putting it together myself like I would with a plastic model.

I guess I could also just buy all of my vegetables at the grocery store. Heck, I wouldn't have to spend any time outside in my garden.

I guess I wont be building my son a toy chest for his toys. Who wants to spend their time building something by hand? After all, it would probably end up costing me more in the long run, and plastic is just as durable as wood, right?

Thanks for showing me how pointless hobbies are. Man, what am I going to do with all this time that I've discovered. I know, I'll watch an obscene amount of TV.]]>Jul 2nd 2009 1:51AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/07/02/diy-hd-projector-hits-the-right-note-sub-500-price-range/http://www.engadget.com/2009/07/02/diy-hd-projector-hits-the-right-note-sub-500-price-range/
Why go through all that trouble of the grocery store? You can just buy fast food and not take up your time cooking at all.]]>Jul 2nd 2009 2:05AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/07/02/diy-hd-projector-hits-the-right-note-sub-500-price-range/http://www.engadget.com/2009/07/02/diy-hd-projector-hits-the-right-note-sub-500-price-range/Jul 2nd 2009 2:07AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/07/02/diy-hd-projector-hits-the-right-note-sub-500-price-range/http://www.engadget.com/2009/07/02/diy-hd-projector-hits-the-right-note-sub-500-price-range/Jul 2nd 2009 1:34AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/07/02/diy-hd-projector-hits-the-right-note-sub-500-price-range/http://www.engadget.com/2009/07/02/diy-hd-projector-hits-the-right-note-sub-500-price-range/Jul 2nd 2009 1:40AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/07/02/diy-hd-projector-hits-the-right-note-sub-500-price-range/http://www.engadget.com/2009/07/02/diy-hd-projector-hits-the-right-note-sub-500-price-range/Jul 2nd 2009 1:47AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/07/02/diy-hd-projector-hits-the-right-note-sub-500-price-range/http://www.engadget.com/2009/07/02/diy-hd-projector-hits-the-right-note-sub-500-price-range/Jul 2nd 2009 2:09AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/07/02/diy-hd-projector-hits-the-right-note-sub-500-price-range/http://www.engadget.com/2009/07/02/diy-hd-projector-hits-the-right-note-sub-500-price-range/Source:
http://www.beamer-selbstbau.de/product_info.php/info/p206_HD-Electronics-bundle.html/XTCsid/d6c466d698a0bc18b5377802ebbc90bf
]]>Jul 2nd 2009 1:49AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/07/02/diy-hd-projector-hits-the-right-note-sub-500-price-range/http://www.engadget.com/2009/07/02/diy-hd-projector-hits-the-right-note-sub-500-price-range/Jul 2nd 2009 2:38AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/07/02/diy-hd-projector-hits-the-right-note-sub-500-price-range/http://www.engadget.com/2009/07/02/diy-hd-projector-hits-the-right-note-sub-500-price-range/
After 5 years it is running strong, looks great and is still running on the first $50.00 bulb. We watch a lot of movies in my house so thousands of hours have been put on the bulb.

Back then it was a significant cost savings to DIY, but now projectors are much cheaper and so unless you want a hobby experience going with a manufactured projector is the way to go.]]>Jul 2nd 2009 3:50AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/07/02/diy-hd-projector-hits-the-right-note-sub-500-price-range/http://www.engadget.com/2009/07/02/diy-hd-projector-hits-the-right-note-sub-500-price-range/
As a hobby a DIY projector is awesome, amazing, fun, educational, etc. This kit would probably be a lot of fun, even though it is taking a lot of the "Y" ("Yourself") out of the acronym.

$700 is pretty expensive, I bet you could get all the same parts from a site like Lumenlab for a few hundred dollars less. Also, as others have mentioned: you can buy a commercial projector for this kind of money. If all you want is a projector, just go buy one!

So, do you want a PROJECTor or a PROJECT?]]>Jul 2nd 2009 5:22AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/07/02/diy-hd-projector-hits-the-right-note-sub-500-price-range/http://www.engadget.com/2009/07/02/diy-hd-projector-hits-the-right-note-sub-500-price-range/Jul 2nd 2009 1:30PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/07/02/diy-hd-projector-hits-the-right-note-sub-500-price-range/http://www.engadget.com/2009/07/02/diy-hd-projector-hits-the-right-note-sub-500-price-range/
To me, picture quality is quite alright. Black levels might not be what they are on commercial PJs but I can't complain. 720p looks quite nice since my 10.6" LCD panel has pixels that are very close together. No screen door effect here.

Heat is not an issue with 150W ceramic bulbs as long as you design a box with good airflow. My 150W ceramic lamp is rated for ~10,000 hours and costs just about $50 Canadian. Replacement bulb costs was one of the reasons why I decided to build my own.

I know everything about my projector. The measurements, the components, the optics. If something breaks, I have no doubt in my mind that I can fix it. My projector is modular. If something goes, I can replace it. After your 1-year warranty runs out on your Amazon special, if your PJ breaks, you have very few options. Search eBay for "as is lcd projector" and you'll see what I mean. Hopefully you didn't buy a bulb only to have the mainboard burn out on you a few weeks later. The value of that cheap projector is now dwindling.

Finally, I am quite proud to show people who come into my home the vertical beamer I built. I enjoy hearing people say "YOU BUILT THIS?!?" and then comment on how nice the picture looks. There is a lot of satisfaction in building something yourself.

Don't knock it till you try it.]]>Jul 2nd 2009 3:26PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/07/02/diy-hd-projector-hits-the-right-note-sub-500-price-range/http://www.engadget.com/2009/07/02/diy-hd-projector-hits-the-right-note-sub-500-price-range/
But it was cheaper than this one!]]>Jul 2nd 2009 7:34AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/07/02/diy-hd-projector-hits-the-right-note-sub-500-price-range/http://www.engadget.com/2009/07/02/diy-hd-projector-hits-the-right-note-sub-500-price-range/
Also you can get a 15.4 inch 1920x1200 LCD for about $200 for full 1080p in these things, but the kit linked would need some different parts probably.

This site sells some nice kits.
http://diyprojectorkits.com/
You can buy them pre-assembled/tested even and its still a better deal because the light bulbs are cheaper and you can upgrade the projector.

We are about to group order those Luxim plasma bulbs, a 250 watt Luxim beats even a 400 watt metal halide.]]>Jul 2nd 2009 8:28AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/07/02/diy-hd-projector-hits-the-right-note-sub-500-price-range/http://www.engadget.com/2009/07/02/diy-hd-projector-hits-the-right-note-sub-500-price-range/Jul 2nd 2009 12:15PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/07/02/diy-hd-projector-hits-the-right-note-sub-500-price-range/http://www.engadget.com/2009/07/02/diy-hd-projector-hits-the-right-note-sub-500-price-range/Jul 2nd 2009 8:13PM