Id love to continue moderation :)
btw, good job on starting up a new forum Clay!!!

--- In DIYProjectionTV@yahoogroups.com, "claygraner" <claygraner@m...>
wrote:
>
> I guess we can start this one with the mods we had on the MSN site
> if that is OK.  I still need to add KAOSRADIO and ANC if they want
> to help mod this one. If you want to plead your case to me send me a
> message.
>
> --- In DIYProjectionTV@yahoogroups.com, "Prof" <nurhadi@o...> wrote:
> >
> > --- In DIYProjectionTV@yahoogroups.com, "donutmaninc"
> > <donutmaninc@y...> wrote:
> > >
> > >
> > > Hi was just wondering whats happening with moderators.  If your
> > gonna
> > > have them i would like to take the job as one.  Im also
> > > tankedundisclosed on the other site so you can see ive been
> around
> > for
> > > a while.
> >
> > Clay is the owner of the forum....It's up to him to select
> Moderators.

ancorp is back as ancdiypj!

just curious - is there anyway to view the forum in threads, instead
of having all the posts seperate?

--- onscreenironman <cop2061@...> wrote:

>
> Still trying to get one;have been bidding on one or
> two a week ,for
> several weeks,and keep getting out bidded. Maybe
> this will be my lucky
> week. I think everyone will enjoy this new site once
> they get use to
> it; although the old one did serve us well.
>
>Hello Ironman are you bidding on the one on ebay
right now (bikecopbike)$20.50 I think I am bidding on
the same one. have you ever tried one, 18 series lll ?
                   hope we both find one
                    theshadow38834
>
>
>
>
>




__________________________________
Do you Yahoo!?
The all-new My Yahoo! - Get yours free!
http://my.yahoo.com

--- In DIYProjectionTV@yahoogroups.com, "onscreenironman"
<cop2061@j...> wrote:
>
> Still trying to get one;have been bidding on one or two a week ,for
> several weeks,and keep getting out bidded. Maybe this will be my
lucky
> week. I think everyone will enjoy this new site once they get use
to
> it; although the old one did serve us well.

Good to see that you finally got on...

Still trying to get one;have been bidding on one or two a week ,for
several weeks,and keep getting out bidded. Maybe this will be my lucky
week. I think everyone will enjoy this new site once they get use to
it; although the old one did serve us well.

This is for the Advent TV but when you press the PIC MODE button
(bottom right on the remote) it will toggle between DYNAMIC, SOFT
and PERSONAL modes.  SOFT is too dark so it is between DYNAMIC and
PERSONAL.  DYNAMIC seems to adjust itself for light and dark sceens
better.

--- In DIYProjectionTV@yahoogroups.com, "Prof" <nurhadi@o...> wrote:
>
> --- In DIYProjectionTV@yahoogroups.com, "claygraner"
> <claygraner@m...> wrote:
> >
> > I decided to go back to the Beta II lens and try out moving the
> > projector closer to the screen to make the screen more the size
of
> > what I want for my room vs. what I got from the back of the
room.
> > This puts the front of the projector at about 6' 6" from the
front
> > of the lens to the screen (painted MMudd wall).  This gives me
> about
> > a 80" diagonal screen which is plenty big for my arrangement.  I
> > don't feel overwhelmed by the size any more.  The other thing I
> > found out is that at that distance I can get a much better
quality
> > picture and focus.  The blooming I was getting is gone and I now
> can
> > get a very nice focus.  Also with the projector closer to the
> screen
> > I am concentrating the same light into a smaller space and it is
> > giving me an effectively brighter screen.  At this point I think
I
> > am fairly happy with the setup.  The only thing that would be a
> > possibility is to look into painting the wall with the silver
> > variation on MMudd to get more gain.  After moving everything
and
> re-
> > focusing I adjusted the SCREEN pot on the back.  Also I put the
> > Advent TV in Dynamic mode and it seems to adjust between
brighter
> > and darker sceens better.  I did boost the COLOR a bit to
> compensate
> > some.  Overall I think I have it prety close to where I can be
> happy
> > with the setup.  I may try out my setup with my 72" Sony Curved
> > Silver Screen sometime soon just for kicks to see how it
compares.
> > I know the viewing angle will go to heck on me but it will be
> > interesting to see.  The silver definitely performs better but
the
> > viewing angle suffers.
>
> Clay,
>
> Is that "Dynamic Mode" in the service menu or the main menu ?
> I've never heard of it.

--- In DIYProjectionTV@yahoogroups.com, "claygraner"
<claygraner@m...> wrote:
>
> Here is a link for someone that used the PVC Silver fabric
> http://www.prontoweb.com/pvc_screen.htm
>
> --- In DIYProjectionTV@yahoogroups.com, "harmsway01"
> <harmsway01@y...> wrote:
> >
> >
> > --- In DIYProjectionTV@yahoogroups.com, "harmsway01"
> <harmsway01@y...>
> > wrote:
> > >
> > >
> > > Hey guys, I figured it would be a good idea to transfer the
> thread
> > > about the Shelf Paper over to the new group.
> > >
> > > Clay you stated that what you saw in Lowe's looked exactly like
> > your
> > > Sony Screen, I was thinking that I might try to get some of the
> > shelf
> > > paper (Brushed Steel) and giving it a try to see how well it
> would
> > do.
> >
> > I found the Brushed Steel Shelf Liner on Lowes.com the link is
> > http://www.lowes.com/lkn?action=productDetail&prod
> > uctId=124826-133-124826
> >
> > >
> > > Also in a previous discussion you brought up the PVC Fabric
from
> > > mjtrends.com and I was wondering if you thought that using the
> > > metallic silver alone would work well as a high gain screen.
> > >
> > > I figure that it would cost about $30 for the fabric, and
> probably
> > > about the same amount for the shelf paper.
> > >
> > > Anyways just wanted to get the feel for the new group.  Looks
> good
> > > guys.
> > >
> > > Zack

You can't use the SPVC on its own...It will hot-spot..
It must be sprayed with a clear matte finish to be affective.
Finished in tnat manner, it's as bright as the "SilverStar" screen.

--- In DIYProjectionTV@yahoogroups.com, "claygraner"
<claygraner@m...> wrote:
>
> I decided to go back to the Beta II lens and try out moving the
> projector closer to the screen to make the screen more the size of
> what I want for my room vs. what I got from the back of the room.
> This puts the front of the projector at about 6' 6" from the front
> of the lens to the screen (painted MMudd wall).  This gives me
about
> a 80" diagonal screen which is plenty big for my arrangement.  I
> don't feel overwhelmed by the size any more.  The other thing I
> found out is that at that distance I can get a much better quality
> picture and focus.  The blooming I was getting is gone and I now
can
> get a very nice focus.  Also with the projector closer to the
screen
> I am concentrating the same light into a smaller space and it is
> giving me an effectively brighter screen.  At this point I think I
> am fairly happy with the setup.  The only thing that would be a
> possibility is to look into painting the wall with the silver
> variation on MMudd to get more gain.  After moving everything and
re-
> focusing I adjusted the SCREEN pot on the back.  Also I put the
> Advent TV in Dynamic mode and it seems to adjust between brighter
> and darker sceens better.  I did boost the COLOR a bit to
compensate
> some.  Overall I think I have it prety close to where I can be
happy
> with the setup.  I may try out my setup with my 72" Sony Curved
> Silver Screen sometime soon just for kicks to see how it compares.
> I know the viewing angle will go to heck on me but it will be
> interesting to see.  The silver definitely performs better but the
> viewing angle suffers.

Clay,

Is that "Dynamic Mode" in the service menu or the main menu ?
I've never heard of it.

--- In DIYProjectionTV@yahoogroups.com, "claygraner"
<claygraner@m...> wrote:
>
> --- In DIYProjectionTV@yahoogroups.com, "gazza9969"
<gazza9969@y...>
> wrote:
> >
> >
> > --- In DIYProjectionTV@yahoogroups.com, "claygraner"
> > <claygraner@m...> wrote:
> > >
> > > Up to now I have been using the Beta II lens.  It is a short
> focal
> > > length lens and was producing a very large image (almost too
big
> > for
> > > my setup).
> > >
> > > I tried out the Beseler lens last night and the quality of the
> > > picture is better and much clearer and sharper.  I don't get
any
> > > blooming of the whites, etc.  The only drawback is that the
> screen
> > > is smaller because of the longer focal length.  I can actually
> see
> > > in very good detail each phosphor dot if I look carefully when
I
> > get
> > > up close to the screen.
> > >
> > > I can't stand for a small viewing cone so I need to stay with
> MMudd
> > > or maybe try the Silver instead of Pearlesent in the MMudd
> > formula.
> > > Prof did you say that the Silver version is about a 3 gain?
The
> > > MMudd is close to 1.5 based on my testing with the Video
Spectra
> > 1.5
> > > sample.
> >
> > i can see phosphor dots but they are more what i would describe
as
> > lines and thats from 10' back when you tried it was the beta 2
> > brighter than the besseler i should think it was cos of the
larger
> > diameter
>
> I was not even close to 10 feet away.  My room is only 10.5 ft
> across where I am projecting and the TV is 15" and the front of the
> Beseler 18 has to be around 30" or so from the TV so I was only
> projecting about 52" diagonal.  I could very distinctly see the
> phosphor dots at that size.  I have noticed that by moving my Beta
> II lens setup closer to the screen gives me a much sharper picture
> that doesn't bloom the whites, etc.  Also it is brighter up
closer.
> The Beta II is a bit brigher because of the diameter but not by a
> whole lot.  I think the light transmisivity on the Beseler all
glass
> lens is better that the Beta II.  How far away from the screen is
> the front of your Beseler lens and what size image are you getting?

I'm not sure what the gain would be with the addition of silver to
the mix, but it would have to be a significant increase over the
white Mud.
You may lose some of the viewing cone, but not as much as plain
silver.
One of the downsides of using any type of white screen is that they
are very, projected light output dependant...That is to say that the
further you move your projector away from the screen, the greater the
light fall off of the projected image. This can be seen by there very
poor ambient light rejection qualities.

Most silver type screens on the other hand, are not as affected as
much with light output fall off...
To cut a long story short... I see very little difference in image
brightness on my screen, whether I'm projecting a 95" image or a 120"
image...But this may be just because of my acrylic screen.

With your white screen, you will get a better brighter picture, the
closer you are to the screen.

The Beseler lens is obviously a better quality lens than the Beta 2.
but doesn't give the same light output, because of the smaller diam.
I guess we can't have it both ways...

I guess we can start this one with the mods we had on the MSN site
if that is OK.  I still need to add KAOSRADIO and ANC if they want
to help mod this one. If you want to plead your case to me send me a
message.

--- In DIYProjectionTV@yahoogroups.com, "Prof" <nurhadi@o...> wrote:
>
> --- In DIYProjectionTV@yahoogroups.com, "donutmaninc"
> <donutmaninc@y...> wrote:
> >
> >
> > Hi was just wondering whats happening with moderators.  If your
> gonna
> > have them i would like to take the job as one.  Im also
> > tankedundisclosed on the other site so you can see ive been
around
> for
> > a while.
>
> Clay is the owner of the forum....It's up to him to select
Moderators.

--- In DIYProjectionTV@yahoogroups.com, "donutmaninc"
<donutmaninc@y...> wrote:
>
>
> Hi was just wondering whats happening with moderators.  If your
gonna
> have them i would like to take the job as one.  Im also
> tankedundisclosed on the other site so you can see ive been around
for
> a while.

Clay is the owner of the forum....It's up to him to select Moderators.

--- In DIYProjectionTV@yahoogroups.com, "gazza9969" <gazza9969@y...>
wrote:
>
>
> --- In DIYProjectionTV@yahoogroups.com, "claygraner"
> <claygraner@m...> wrote:
> >
> > Up to now I have been using the Beta II lens.  It is a short
focal
> > length lens and was producing a very large image (almost too big
> for
> > my setup).
> >
> > I tried out the Beseler lens last night and the quality of the
> > picture is better and much clearer and sharper.  I don't get any
> > blooming of the whites, etc.  The only drawback is that the
screen
> > is smaller because of the longer focal length.  I can actually
see
> > in very good detail each phosphor dot if I look carefully when I
> get
> > up close to the screen.
> >
> > I can't stand for a small viewing cone so I need to stay with
MMudd
> > or maybe try the Silver instead of Pearlesent in the MMudd
> formula.
> > Prof did you say that the Silver version is about a 3 gain?  The
> > MMudd is close to 1.5 based on my testing with the Video Spectra
> 1.5
> > sample.
>
> i can see phosphor dots but they are more what i would describe as
> lines and thats from 10' back when you tried it was the beta 2
> brighter than the besseler i should think it was cos of the larger
> diameter

I was not even close to 10 feet away.  My room is only 10.5 ft
across where I am projecting and the TV is 15" and the front of the
Beseler 18 has to be around 30" or so from the TV so I was only
projecting about 52" diagonal.  I could very distinctly see the
phosphor dots at that size.  I have noticed that by moving my Beta
II lens setup closer to the screen gives me a much sharper picture
that doesn't bloom the whites, etc.  Also it is brighter up closer.
The Beta II is a bit brigher because of the diameter but not by a
whole lot.  I think the light transmisivity on the Beseler all glass
lens is better that the Beta II.  How far away from the screen is
the front of your Beseler lens and what size image are you getting?

--- In DIYProjectionTV@yahoogroups.com, "claygraner"
<claygraner@m...> wrote:
>
> Up to now I have been using the Beta II lens.  It is a short focal
> length lens and was producing a very large image (almost too big
for
> my setup).
>
> I tried out the Beseler lens last night and the quality of the
> picture is better and much clearer and sharper.  I don't get any
> blooming of the whites, etc.  The only drawback is that the screen
> is smaller because of the longer focal length.  I can actually see
> in very good detail each phosphor dot if I look carefully when I
get
> up close to the screen.
>
> I can't stand for a small viewing cone so I need to stay with MMudd
> or maybe try the Silver instead of Pearlesent in the MMudd
formula.
> Prof did you say that the Silver version is about a 3 gain?  The
> MMudd is close to 1.5 based on my testing with the Video Spectra
1.5
> sample.

i can see phosphor dots but they are more what i would describe as
lines and thats from 10' back when you tried it was the beta 2
brighter than the besseler i should think it was cos of the larger
diameter

Poli-Vision still has a few of the Beta II lenses if you are wanting
to buy one.

Ralph Policichio
Poli-Vision Giant TV Corp.
187 Cypress St
Throop, PA 18512-1429
TEL: 570-489-3292
FAX: 570-489-1943
E-MAIL: polivision@...
Sony, Davis, SharpVision, Da-Lite, Draper, Stewart, Vutec, Cygnus,
Fujitsu, Mitsubishi, NEC, Pioneer, Philips, Panasonic, CTX, Apti,
Dukane, Epson, In-Focus, JVC, Hitachi, Proxima, Apollo, 3-M, Aiwa,
Toshiba, Sherwood, Samsung, JBL, BIC, Advent, Go-Video, Monster
Cable, Phoenix Gold, Seleco

WE  SHIP  WORLDWIDE
ACCEPT  ALL  CREDIT  CARDS
"OUR  29TH  YEAR"  1975  -  2004

Here is a link for someone that used the PVC Silver fabric
http://www.prontoweb.com/pvc_screen.htm

--- In DIYProjectionTV@yahoogroups.com, "harmsway01"
<harmsway01@y...> wrote:
>
>
> --- In DIYProjectionTV@yahoogroups.com, "harmsway01"
<harmsway01@y...>
> wrote:
> >
> >
> > Hey guys, I figured it would be a good idea to transfer the
thread
> > about the Shelf Paper over to the new group.
> >
> > Clay you stated that what you saw in Lowe's looked exactly like
> your
> > Sony Screen, I was thinking that I might try to get some of the
> shelf
> > paper (Brushed Steel) and giving it a try to see how well it
would
> do.
>
> I found the Brushed Steel Shelf Liner on Lowes.com the link is
> http://www.lowes.com/lkn?action=productDetail&prod
> uctId=124826-133-124826
>
> >
> > Also in a previous discussion you brought up the PVC Fabric from
> > mjtrends.com and I was wondering if you thought that using the
> > metallic silver alone would work well as a high gain screen.
> >
> > I figure that it would cost about $30 for the fabric, and
probably
> > about the same amount for the shelf paper.
> >
> > Anyways just wanted to get the feel for the new group.  Looks
good
> > guys.
> >
> > Zack

--- In DIYProjectionTV@yahoogroups.com, "harmsway01" <harmsway01@y...>
wrote:
>
>
> Hey guys, I figured it would be a good idea to transfer the thread
> about the Shelf Paper over to the new group.
>
> Clay you stated that what you saw in Lowe's looked exactly like
your
> Sony Screen, I was thinking that I might try to get some of the
shelf
> paper (Brushed Steel) and giving it a try to see how well it would
do.

I found the Brushed Steel Shelf Liner on Lowes.com the link is
http://www.lowes.com/lkn?action=productDetail&prod
uctId=124826-133-124826

>
> Also in a previous discussion you brought up the PVC Fabric from
> mjtrends.com and I was wondering if you thought that using the
> metallic silver alone would work well as a high gain screen.
>
> I figure that it would cost about $30 for the fabric, and probably
> about the same amount for the shelf paper.
>
> Anyways just wanted to get the feel for the new group.  Looks good
> guys.
>
> Zack

I decided to go back to the Beta II lens and try out moving the
projector closer to the screen to make the screen more the size of
what I want for my room vs. what I got from the back of the room.
This puts the front of the projector at about 6' 6" from the front
of the lens to the screen (painted MMudd wall).  This gives me about
a 80" diagonal screen which is plenty big for my arrangement.  I
don't feel overwhelmed by the size any more.  The other thing I
found out is that at that distance I can get a much better quality
picture and focus.  The blooming I was getting is gone and I now can
get a very nice focus.  Also with the projector closer to the screen
I am concentrating the same light into a smaller space and it is
giving me an effectively brighter screen.  At this point I think I
am fairly happy with the setup.  The only thing that would be a
possibility is to look into painting the wall with the silver
variation on MMudd to get more gain.  After moving everything and re-
focusing I adjusted the SCREEN pot on the back.  Also I put the
Advent TV in Dynamic mode and it seems to adjust between brighter
and darker sceens better.  I did boost the COLOR a bit to compensate
some.  Overall I think I have it prety close to where I can be happy
with the setup.  I may try out my setup with my 72" Sony Curved
Silver Screen sometime soon just for kicks to see how it compares.
I know the viewing angle will go to heck on me but it will be
interesting to see.  The silver definitely performs better but the
viewing angle suffers.

Up to now I have been using the Beta II lens.  It is a short focal
length lens and was producing a very large image (almost too big for
my setup).

I tried out the Beseler lens last night and the quality of the
picture is better and much clearer and sharper.  I don't get any
blooming of the whites, etc.  The only drawback is that the screen
is smaller because of the longer focal length.  I can actually see
in very good detail each phosphor dot if I look carefully when I get
up close to the screen.

I can't stand for a small viewing cone so I need to stay with MMudd
or maybe try the Silver instead of Pearlesent in the MMudd formula.
Prof did you say that the Silver version is about a 3 gain?  The
MMudd is close to 1.5 based on my testing with the Video Spectra 1.5
sample.

I tested out a sheet of Silver Posterboard today up against my MMudd
screen.  On axis was much brighter but off axis was darker and from
the side sitting positions it was too dark.  The MMudd was better
for overall in the room.  Also I compared some Da-Lite samples to
the MMudd on the wall and the only one that performed well was the
Video Spectra 1.5.  The Video Spectra 1.5 is a 1.5 Gain and it
looked as if it wasn't there compared to the MMudd.  Based on that
it would look like the MMudd is closer to 1.5 gain.  The higher gain
samples like High Power, etc. were OK on axis but bad at the side
seats.

I came across this idea just recently, for an alternative painted
screen...

It consists of 75% Behr Silver and 25% Pearlescent white, just
painted onto some MDF or hardboard, or you could paint it onto your
wall.

It is used by a Commercial projector owner, and he claims it does an
excellent job of improving contrast, and brightening up colours.
Whether it's bright enough for our projectors is not known...but the
Advent tv setups might be ok.

I would try a test piece myself except I can't get a bright water-
based silver like the Behr product.

If anyone would like to try it, I would be interested to hear the
results.

Hi was just wondering whats happening with moderators.  If your gonna
have them i would like to take the job as one.  Im also
tankedundisclosed on the other site so you can see ive been around for
a while.

--- In DIYProjectionTV@yahoogroups.com, "gazza9969" <gazza9969@y...>
wrote:
>
> hi guys this is going to take a bit of getting used to lol

Hi Gazza,

It is quite a bit different than the MSN site, but once you get used
to it, I think that you will find it's a better site

Hey guys, I figured it would be a good idea to transfer the thread
about the Shelf Paper over to the new group.

Clay you stated that what you saw in Lowe's looked exactly like your
Sony Screen, I was thinking that I might try to get some of the shelf
paper (Brushed Steel) and giving it a try to see how well it would do.

Also in a previous discussion you brought up the PVC Fabric from
mjtrends.com and I was wondering if you thought that using the
metallic silver alone would work well as a high gain screen.

I figure that it would cost about $30 for the fabric, and probably
about the same amount for the shelf paper.

Anyways just wanted to get the feel for the new group.  Looks good
guys.

Zack

hi guys this is going to take a bit of getting used to lol

I got a bunch of overhead projectors from a local school district. Is
the lens that the transpearancies sit on a freznel lens? Is it
suitable for the basic design you show? Do you have any plans that
show how to build either an LCD or a CRT projector with them (other
than just buying the LCD screen that sits on the projector as is)?

Can I use the smaller lenses for projection somehow?

Do you know where I can get a good deal on the LCD (tablets?) screens
designed to sit on the overhead projector & LCD screens in general in
the Pacific Northwest of the United States (Eugene, Oregon
specifically)?

Do LCD screens (when bought for DIY projectors) already have the
monitor plug attached & do they require drivers?

Thank you for any help you can offer.
-Ed

Note: I'm also going to post this on the MSN group in a minute.

I have tested with a couple of CRT Computer Monitors and the light
output is simply not even close to enough compared to the light
output of the Advent 14" Flat CRT TV.  Yes the resolution is much
higher on a PC monitor but light ouput is dismal.  I had hoped that
it would be acceptable but it was much too dim.  I tested with a
Viewsonic 17" flat and a Sony 15" Trinitron (vertically flat). It
might be possible to find a 15" monitor that is a regular curved
screen monitor that has the SCREEN pot on it so you can increase the
light output but it will wash out the image quite a bit.  PC
monitors are made to be lower output since you usually sit directly
in front of them and TVs have higher output so they will be bright
enough for you when you are sitting across the room from it.

If you find a PC monitor that works out post a message here and let
us know about your experience.

--- In DIYProjectionTV@yahoogroups.com, "Krumpirko" <krumpirko@y...>
wrote:
>
>
> Hello, friends!
> Is there any reason why not to use old 14" monitor? It can make
> better resolution than TV-set (1024*768, I think), no horisontal
> lines, better refreshing frequency...What about light? Isn't it
> ligter than TV screen?
> I'm interested in more experienced opinion... Thank You!

Hello, friends!
Is there any reason why not to use old 14" monitor? It can make
better resolution than TV-set (1024*768, I think), no horisontal
lines, better refreshing frequency...What about light? Isn't it
ligter than TV screen?
I'm interested in more experienced opinion... Thank You!

Here are some screen shots I took today using my HP 315 2.1MP
digital camera. I took them by putting the camera on top of the lens
box and holding down the shutter and keeping the camera very still.
Of coarse I had the flash off.

To view Clay's pictures at
Shutterfly,
simply go to:

http://share.shutterfly.com/osi.jsp?i=EeBN3Ddq5bM2FZ

Here are some more screen shots I took using my HP 315 2.1MP digital
camera. I took these by putting the camera on a tripod and using the
timer, flash off and otherwise automatic settings.

To view Clay's pictures at
Shutterfly,
simply go to:

http://share.shutterfly.com/osi.jsp?i=EeBN3Ddq5bM2Fq

Profsproj....previously known as Prof.

This Forum is dedicated to the discussion of Do It Your Self
Projection TV.

If you are a new member to this Forum, take the time to read the
previous posts and information in the Files area.  If you need to
search for something please click on Messages and then to the left
of the Search Archive button is a box to type in your key word(s) to
search on. Type it in and click on the Search Archive button.

Many of the questions being asked have been answered before, and it
can be very annoying and time wasting to have to rehash over
information already given. In the end ( as I have seen on other
Forums ) people just don't answer, and the newcomer gives up and
goes away, having missed out on a very special DIY project.

Please take the time and read as much as possible before asking
questions.
You will be the one that benefits.


1) EBAY KITS - the 100" tv kits for sale on ebay are basically just
a fresnel lens aka page magnifier. don't waste your money.. they are
available for under $1.

2) EBAY KITS - those are completely ridiculous images.. it will
never look as good as they show. it only works will a completely
dark room, and even then you'll have to work with it to get it
looking nice. main complaints of this project are "too dark"
and "too blurry", see below.

3) WHERE TO GET PLANS - you can get plans for free; there are many
different sites that show you how to make one of these. it's
basically two boxes and a lens board. check the "ultimate tv
projector thread" for instructions.

4) PROJECTOR BOX - make the projector out of cardboard and duct tape
if you want the cheapest and easiest. Later, try medium density
fiberboard or something sturdier. Will need to spray paint inside of
box flat black later on, but don't have to if just experimenting.

5) SCREEN MATERIAL - you will need a good screen also. check the
screen threads. anything flat white can work (aka blackout cloth, a
white sheet, rollout projector screen on tripod, just a white wall,
etc.); best is certain metallic silver paint on a curved screen made
from something firm but flexible (3mm medium density fiberboard,
tempered hardboard, plywood, etc.) see "ultimate tv
projector", "screen paints", and other threads.

6) LENS - you need a good quality lens; page magnifier fresnel lens
will work for experimenting but you will eventually want a better
one so it's not so hazy. get one 100mm (about 4") or larger, with a
400-500mm focus length or so. best two lenses are positive meniscus
(shaped like a contact lens; one side convex and the other concave)
and plano convex (pcx -- one side convex and one side flat), in that
order of preference. surplusshed.com carries both.

7) IMAGE UPSIDE DOWN - the lens flips the image vertically. a few
options to fix: a) turn TV upside down; may cause damage to sets
above 19", and image is reversed left-to-right in the process; b)
use mirrors; lay TV on back and put mirror at 45 degree angle to
project on wall; mirrors cause a little blurriness so use as few as
possible; c) best - swap vertical yoke wires inside TV. have
technician do it unless you know what you're doing; capacitor inside
can cause lethal shocks

8) IMAGE BLURRY - use a flatscreen TV for best picture. Use
recommended lenses, orient them correctly (parallel to screen and
CONVEX SIDE TOWARDS TV) and focus by sliding one box inside the
other to change distance between lens and screen slightly.

9) IMAGE TOO DARK - turn brightness up all the way on TV, use a
reflective silver screen, use largest lens you can find (more light
gets through), eliminate all light leaks from projector box,
eliminate all outside light in room (can use foil over windows).

10) LENS DOESN'T FOCUS - hold lens in hand in front of TV in dark
room, start right next to TV and move it gradually away until image
forms. that is your focus length. If you are using a recommended
lens, this is 400-500mm from the TV screen. CONVEX SIDE TOWARDS TV.

Finally -- read the "The Ultimate TV Projector" files in the Files
area twice! Read every other post once. Look at every picture in
the "Pictures" link. Then, if you still have questions, ask away. :-
) This should get you started. Good luck!