Lumia wheel build

[literacola]

Hey laser geniuses,

I've been asked my employer to create an RGB lumia wheel to do some lighting for a video shoot. The lumia wheel needs to be able to take MIDI/DMX and spin according to some parameter in the sound. The programming isn't the problem, but sourcing the RGB projector and the lumia wheel is. The budget for this project is not huge, we would like to get it done for ~$500.

I've dug around on eBay and found a couple RGB modules that might work:

- http://www.ebay.com/itm/400mw-RGB-Wh...item1c2f07db52

- http://www.ebay.com/itm/410mW-RGB-Fu...item2a2f3381b6

From reading the forums, I understand people have had issues with cheap Chinese RGB modules. Does anybody have another suggestion? Ideally, we'd get an RGB projector + Lumia wheel off the shelf and do the programming ourselves.

I have not really dealt with lasers before so I'm a bit out of my element. Pardon me if these questions are a bit stupid!

Thanks in advance for your help!

Nick

[Laserhobbit]

Nick,

First welcome to PL, you have joined a very friendly, knowledgeable group. Second can you add your location, it may be that there is a member near you who can help you out. There are a number of options, including a very good projector with the lumia wheels etc from another PL member. This is a budget projector and is built in China but experience so far with this projector has been very good. If you are in the UK I would be happy to let you take a look and see if it would be suitable for your application. You can find a complete thread about it here:

http://www.photonlexicon.com/forums/...ght=laserlinna.

Also if you are new to lasers please take some time to consider the safety and responsible use of these great sources of light, as they say use light responsibly

Cheers

Steve

[Displaser]

Nick,

I don't know where you are located, but take a look at the American DJ Hypnotic RGB projector, I think you may find that it has everything that you need. It's also a legal, varianced projector for use in the US. I've seen it up close - it's a nice projector for lumia. It retails for $630 US, but you can usually find them for less, $500 at Guitar Center when you have a discount coupon.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gWjXZVNDuWM

Good luck,
Greg

[Bradfo69]

Hi Nick,

All good suggestions above. Depending on where you're located, some member might even be able to assist with the shoot. Which begs the question.... if you know nothing about lasers, what is it do you do for a living that your employer has called upon YOU to come up with an RGB lumia box? If you're in the US, either the Hypnotic as Greg suggested or, there is a lumia box from Chauvet (whose name escapes me right now) are both ideal since they are legal.

Welcome to PL!

[literacola]

Thanks guys!

I forgot to mention one important detail. We need this thing in Australia by next Wednesday! I've emailed the eBay sellers so hopefully they can help me out.

Anyway, I like the idea of using an off the shelf product, but we are really looking for an effect similar to this: https://www.youtube.com/watch?featur...Z7ANK1b8&t=129. How big a projection could I reasonably get with a 400 mW projector?

I work in a film studio so I get requests to do fun projects like this from time to time. Every once in a while, its a project in which I know nothing about. Trial by fire I guess.

Anyway, thanks for the help, fellas.

Nick

[Displaser]

Nick,

The effect from the Hypnotic RGB will be very close to the video that you had directed us to. In the case of the Hypnotic RGB, spread was a little more that distance from the screen. What you will need for your intended effect will be impacted by the lumia material that you plan to use, distance from the projector, lighting being used, etc.

What material are you planning to use for the lumia?

Greg

[laserist]

Thanks guys!

I forgot to mention one important detail. We need this thing in Australia by next Wednesday! I've emailed the eBay sellers so hopefully they can help me out.

Anyway, I like the idea of using an off the shelf product, but we are really looking for an effect similar to this: https://www.youtube.com/watch?featur...Z7ANK1b8&t=129. How big a projection could I reasonably get with a 400 mW projector?

I work in a film studio so I get requests to do fun projects like this from time to time. Every once in a while, its a project in which I know nothing about. Trial by fire I guess.

Anyway, thanks for the help, fellas.

Nick

That's basically a piece of shower glass, rotation causes the movement. If you have different color beams hitting the wheel in different places there will be individual colored patterns superimposed. The effective size depends on ambiant light and how you're "filming". Even this type of laser effect can be hard to photograph. Lasers can span the gammut from imperceptable to blinding - film/image sensors - usually not... (If you're near Sidney I might be able to hook you up with a guy...)

[dsli_jon]

Hey Nick -

...(If you're near Sidney I might be able to hook you up with a guy...)

..Ayep - Simon C, aka 'lasershowsimon', here in PL - http://www.photonlexicon.com/forums/...lasershowsimon - and also http://www.youtube.com/user/lasershowsimon/videos - Gent knows Lumia, lemme tell-ya.. and, he's right there in Pyrmont.. Now, I am not trying to 'make any assumptions' about his-availability / rigs, etc, but.. as I recall, he-does have a small / potentially-portable (..and really-nice...) lumia-rig build, and - one of the other-rigs he built (..to 'emulate' a full-fledged Laserium-projector, no-less..) is *stunning* - just incredible, especially for being a 'diy-project' - the bloke has 'got mad-skillz'..

..So, I will direct-him to this thread, and see if you two can at-least hook-up to chat.. Hopefully 'something brilliant' can come of it..

cheers..
j