Guest guest Posted February 21, 2007 Share Posted February 21, 2007 Lots of chatting about adding video to Christmas Displays over on the Animated Lighting forum.It's been posted on this forum that video will be a feature of LORII. But how do you "put it together"?Using a video projector is one way, but theft and bulb replacement limit your creativity. (Some bulbs for video projectors cost over $200.00 each !)Here is a Link toEbay for plans to make your own video projector, no this does not appear to be a scam.Here is the original link:http://cgi.ebay.com/DIY-LCD-Projector-Project-DVD-VCR-Video-Game-Console_W0QQitemZ170082092448QQihZ007QQcategoryZ268QQtcZphotoQQcmdZViewItem Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 23, 2007 Share Posted February 23, 2007 That type of diy projector is the real thing, I am building one myself. But why pay?http://lumenlab.com/forums/Greg Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 24, 2007 Share Posted February 24, 2007 LightsByGreg wrote: That type of diy projector is the real thing, I am building one myself. But why pay?http://lumenlab.com/forums/GregWow way cool, I didn't know about that one !The bulb life had me concerned, but with the projector you listed, its not a factor.I'm going with the lumenlab (EVO 1.1) projector instead of a DIY one.Thats what the Planet Christmas chat room is all about, exchanging ideas ! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 24, 2007 Share Posted February 24, 2007 Vic and Greg, A Great Post and thanks for the Info. Jerry Plak Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 24, 2007 Share Posted February 24, 2007 Nice site, ThanksI've actually wanted to add the clip from Charlie Brown, where Linus tells him what Christmas is all aboutI'm not sure about the legality of snipping something like that & broadcasting it? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 24, 2007 Share Posted February 24, 2007 Great projector!Dave - I think if you only use a portion of Linus speech and not the wholemovie you'll be OK. You're doing it for non-commercial purposes.I love that part and have been thinking about using just the audio but now I coulduse the video as well! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 24, 2007 Share Posted February 24, 2007 If anyone is thinking of doing this, try to hookup with a Salt water aqaurium club in your area. I have a SW aquarium, we use MH bulbsWe only use them for about a year or less, the the color shiftsOnce the color shifts they grow more hair algae then coralSo we buy new bulbsand other ones hang around...and around...and aroundI use 250w MH bulbs & 175wI have a few spares Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 25, 2007 Share Posted February 25, 2007 Scuba_dave wrote: If anyone is thinking of doing this, try to hookup with a Salt water aqaurium club in your area. I have a SW aquarium, we use MH bulbsWe only use them for about a year or less, the the color shiftsOnce the color shifts they grow more hair algae then coralSo we buy new bulbsand other ones hang around...and around...and aroundI use 250w MH bulbs & 175wI have a few sparesIs there a source for the complete assembly (Bulb and starter) for a MH lamp ?What about the cost, I hear the MH lamp are cheaper than video projector bulbs, but by how much ? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 25, 2007 Share Posted February 25, 2007 There are many many sources for the MH ballasts & bulbsI would need to review the instructions againBut from what I remembered they specified 6500K (color rating) 400w bulbsThese replicate closest to sunlight, for SW uses they appear yellowishLL65kT15 is what they specified - mogul based. This may not be a SW aquarium bulb - not sure. They list a lumen store in the linkThey list the bulb at $50 - that seems like a good deal to meI would get the bulb they suggest, then see if you can borrow some old bulbs from an aquarium person to check how they workNot as many people use the 400w bulbs - electric prices going up etcNot sure how much the video projector bulbs are....someone said $2-300?I know a friend who has a projector & had to replace his within 2 years - $200I usually buy bulbs locally at a SW aquarium storeOnline place to give you an idea:http://www.marinedepot.com/aquarium_lighting__index.asp?CartId=The link states electronic ballasts & coil/coreThe electronic CAN be subject to power fluctuations which can cause it to failAs with any electronic device, make sure it is protected (UPS/good surge)The bulbs get HOT & you will burn yourself if you tocuh it when its running/been running. As stated you need a 250w ballast for a 250w bulbA 400w ballast for a 400w bulbYou can't mix them!!There are newer electronic ballasts that can switch between wattagesBut I've never used one. I use all coil/core ballasts for my aquariumThey last a long time Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 25, 2007 Share Posted February 25, 2007 For the $500 the prebuilt pojector looks nice VS $400 to DIYBulb replacement $30http://lumenlab.com/store/Lamp life 6,000 hours - average 6 hours a day = 1,000 days = approx 3 years Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 25, 2007 Share Posted February 25, 2007 Compare that to a Bestbuy Infocus projector at $650 ($500 w/rebate - XGA model now $650 w/rebate)http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage.jsp?skuId=8211115&st=projector&type=product&id=1166234894975Bulb is $250http://store.infocus.com/escalate/store/CategoryPage?pls=infocus&bc=infocus&cc=Lamps&clist=017080322b67&ret=Lamps&startNum=0&rangeNum=10Bulb rated for 2000 hrs = 6 hrs a dy = less then a year Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 25, 2007 Share Posted February 25, 2007 Dang, they don't tell us the power consumption numbers. Anyone know what the power is on this EVO projector?Also, since I'm using the MP3 version of the LOR controller boxes, where my sequences are store don SD cards, and not a computer connection, I'll have to think up a way to get video to this box from a computer, which I was hoping to avoid dedicating a computer to this task.It would be nice if this projector could be loaded with video files to playback at our request in the middle of a sequence.Hey, this might be a suggestion to Dan for a later enhancement to LOR, to include video on the SD card in the MP3 player. Since we can already store MP3's on the SD card, then the next logical step would be able to store a nice little DIVX video file with MP3 audio. The video file on the SD card in the LOR controller could then be used to drive external projectors.Just a thought, not whining, hope nobody tries to get my post deleted. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 25, 2007 Share Posted February 25, 2007 The unit uses a 200w lightHere is a thread on the projector - 154 pages!!!http://www.lumenlab.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=11150&hl=lumenlab&st=40I think I am buying one for my main roomI could use a 7' screen for $500I will need to buy a screen too Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 25, 2007 Share Posted February 25, 2007 I went for the DIY model, because I wanted a project and there was no such thing as the evo when I started. When it gets finished, mine will have an ushio 400w MH bulb (which I bought from LL for $30, I guess they upped the price), a 400w electronic ballast, and 17 inch lcd panel 1280x1024, and a whole bunch of lenses. It will be a really small 30 inches long, 17 high, and 17 wide! Don't ask me how much I've spent on this project, probably about $6 or $700, but the resolution is a lot better than the evo (I will be using it with my computer).Don't get me wrong, the evo looks like an excellent Projector for the price, I just wanted to do something different.Here is what my box will look something like:Greg Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 25, 2007 Share Posted February 25, 2007 Scuba_Dave:You have a few options for screens. Probably one of the best is blackout cloth, but you could also try out some of the paint mixtures etc found in the screens forum at lumenlab, or buy a motorized screen like:http://www.monoprice.com/products/subdepartment.asp?c_id=109&cp_id=10829&style= Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 26, 2007 Share Posted February 26, 2007 Why not just spend $230 and buy a ZoomBox Family Entertainment Projector?Costco has it on their web site.http://host.exemplum.com/hasbro/costco_zoombox/zoombox.htmIt projects an 5 foot image, not really high resolution but something worthwhile for seasonal decorations. With a built in DVD/CD Player you can't beat the price!The image should not look too bad when viewed from the street.Walt Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 26, 2007 Share Posted February 26, 2007 Walt, good thought there, I just see 2 problems with the zoombox:Apparently it is not very bright. Maybe it would be ok though as long as you didn't have too many lights on.The evo and almost every lcd diy projector can accept a vga input, which means the computer can output to it at it's highest resolutionGreg Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 26, 2007 Share Posted February 26, 2007 The Zoombox is another option, and I agree the resolution when viewed from the street at about 20-30 feet is not a factor.Video projection for Christmas displays that is within a budget ! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 26, 2007 Share Posted February 26, 2007 Plenty of options, just pick what works for you! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted March 2, 2007 Share Posted March 2, 2007 My video projector was donated to me by a member of the local fan club and it was brand stinking new in the box, I broke the first tape and staples.I dont know, I have not seen anything from Dan about official support for video but actually until this month, Animated Lighting didnt officially support video. It was actually by accident that we "happen" to be compatible for full screen video on a second monitor, the compatibility is made by Windows Media Player and I think Light-O-Rama also uses the Windows Media Player to play MP3's.For us on the AL side, the way we "trick" the software which was NOT designed to play MPG or WMV with lighting, is we simply FORCE the software to accept the MPG or WMV by name and it seems most of the newer GForce GS or GT cards (not LE or Ultra models which are the cheaper with features disabled) have built in abilities using "clone mode" on the card to promote ALL Windows Media Player videos onto monitor #2. Its highly likely if you guys with a GForce GT card or laptop with dual monitors and NVidia chips will probably readily work too although to my knowledge, I have not heard of anyone with LOR or Spectrum doing this but here you go, this is information on how AL guys do it, maybe it will work for you! Here is an olive branch handed out to the LOR guys, we will be happy to have you guys join our video work cooperative so to speak!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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