Film-Tech Forum ARCHIVE: Digital Projection system

This is topic Digital Projection system in forum Film-Yak at Film-Tech Forum ARCHIVE.

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Posted by Peter Berrett (Member # 672) on 09-28-2003, 04:36 AM:

Hi all

Some time ago I posted that I was going to try and set up my own digital projection system (rather cheaply) using an lcd panel and an overhead projector.

I bought a second hand ohp locally and ended up buying an infocus panelbook 550e which I imported from the US. Total cost believe it or not (all up) was only about $US200!!!

The syetem now projects an image up to 1.5m x 1.5m on my wall. It is rather decadent lying in bed and watching a dvd fed movie on the system. The system gives vga color (640 x480) and has 1.4
million colors. I also sometimes hook the system up to my satellite tv system (I watch French tv) and watch french tv programs on it.

Downsides? Well, color reproduction is a bit faded and the system only works in a darkened room. Also the fans on the ohp and panelbook are a little noisy although less so than a 16mm projector.

It is quite a cheap way to get a home projection system and is worth a try for those who want to try it out.

Here is a picture I took with my Kodak digital camera of the image it puts out. Please note that this photo does not do the picture justice as the camera does not work well in low light conditions.

http://members.optusnet.com.au/~p.berrett/projector.jpg

I have the dvd stereo output running through my wife's stereo system which gives pretty good (and loud) sound.

cheers Peter

See if you can guees which film I'm currently watching in the link above!

Posted by Mike Olpin (Member # 1115) on 09-28-2003, 05:23 AM:

Cool - I have an old lcd panel, but its missing its power adapter, (a special make)

The color on the overhead pannels has never been good at all, but nonetheless, its by far the least expensive route to go big.

Posted by John Pytlak (Member # 331) on 09-28-2003, 10:56 AM:

Peter wrote:

quote:
The system gives vga color (640 x480) and has 1.4
million colors.

I always chuckle at the specifications for digital projectors, based on the theoretical color space allowed by the bit depth used for the encoding. As you note, theory and practice are not the same, as evidenced by you saying:

quote:
Well, color reproduction is a bit faded...

I guess people are impressed with big numbers, except when they are the cost of buying a good system. [Wink]

Posted by Daryl C. W. O'Shea (Member # 1303) on 09-28-2003, 03:31 PM:

Please use the upload feature, instead of linking to another site, if you'd like to include images in your post. Thanks.

Posted by Peter Berrett (Member # 672) on 09-28-2003, 10:13 PM:

John

The problem is partially about the color. But the principal problem with the fading is more question of saturation. The colors may be right but they don't come out as bold or as strong.

Still for $200 I'm not complaining. And the bulbs for my ohp don't cost $100s of dollars either!

cheers Peter

PS Im sorry I didn't upload my image however I have tried to reformat the image without success. Could someone send me a corrrectly formatted image? Thanks

[ 09-29-2003, 09:51 PM: Message edited by: Peter Berrett ]