RBG projector... should I build one, or buy one?

[addictive]

Hey guys!

Long time since I last been here... (where are the photo's of Marconi's cat? )
Since I got into DJing, I was looking for a nice little RGB projector (Im just interested in beam shows, I dont really care much for doing graphics...)

Now I was wondering, should I buy a cheap chinese RBG projector, like the Chinese Department Store one that has been discussed *here*, or should I build one myself?

Buying a cheap Chinese one...
Pro's:
-Its cheap!
-requires zero knowledge

Con's:
-Build quality?
-Not as easy to upgrade?


Building one myself:
Pro's:
-Higher quality parts
-made to the measurements I like
-I learn a lot about lasers
-it will be very rewarding when its "done"

Con's:
-I have zero knowledge
-Probably more expensive
-Takes longer to get the parts


Id love to hear your opinions, possible Pro's and Con's you have. Things I may have missed, etc etc.

[allthatwhichis]

Welcome back!

If I had the chance to buy a cheap turn key system as my first projector I would have jumped on it. Now that I am 3 years into this... obsession, I have owned my turn key projector just over 6 months, and I am far more into making laser shows than I ever could trying to build my own projector. I will admit, I learned a LOT of things building my own; I also got semi-depressed from killing many components and never getting it "right", at least to what I wanted to be right.

You have to ask youself what your goals are for getting into this... sickness. What do you want to accomplish. I wanted to make shows to much of the music I listen to which I could not do while trying to build a projector with my limited knowledge of electronics. So I bought a turn key system. It is NOT a cheap one by any means but I have yet to be unhappy with it compared to the nightmares known as the Ghettofabulous series. All 3 or so of my DIY projectors; I will say the first RGBV here was mine and was a fairly nice build... I still got pieces of it if you need anything.

My opinion is... ask yourself what do you want to do; play with lasers, or play with laser shows?

[addictive]

Firstly, thanks for your reply allthatwhichis!

My opinion is... ask yourself what do you want to do; play with lasers, or play with laser shows?

easy... both! Ever since I was a little kid, I was hooked on opening up mechanical stuff, taking it apart and putting it back together (and always ending up with "spare parts" ). I was into Lego Technic, the programmable robots etc etc. Geeky, I know!

When I saw the movie Real Genius with the laser going from dorm to dorm, I just knew I wanted to make something like that, making it go all across my bedroom wall...

And next to that, I love to do beam shows, making these magical tunnels and blankets of light, making music so much more alive


I guess I just answered my own question with that... but then we get up to the harder part, where to get the parts to build one? And even more important, how to build one?


Edit:
Of course I have an idea whats going on, this is the basic idea I have about a projector:
1. you have separate laser diodes for each color you want, these are powered by one power supply. The light coming from each of the diodes gets merged with the other beams, this is done by using small pieces of glass that are made to reflect a certain color (read: the other colors of the light spectrum will pass through it).
When all the beams are merged together they will fall onto a set of movable mirrors, this way you can point the light, by blanking (turning a certain beam on or off) you are able to move the laser, without seeing that in your show.

What I would want with a homebuild projector is:
-modularity, so I would be able to easily replace or add stuff
-good build quality
-...will add more when something comes to mind

[allthatwhichis]

but then we get up to the harder part, where to get the parts to build one? And even more important, how to build one?

Go to a LEM... http://www.photonlexicon.com/forums/...ead.php?t=8820

Then browse around the forum; there are many build threads and questions that have been asked several times and answered serveral more. Then get ready for a much thinner wallet.

Just for shits and grins; here are the three builds I have done and a review of my current turn key projector.

http://www.photonlexicon.com/forums/...ead.php?t=1818

http://www.photonlexicon.com/forums/...ead.php?t=4744

http://www.photonlexicon.com/forums/...ead.php?t=6537

http://www.photonlexicon.com/forums/...ead.php?t=7089

[addictive]

That, right there, is what I want

Thanks for pointing out the dutch LEM, I already came across a previous one (from March I think) but wasnt aware there already was a date for another one. Hope I will have that day off from work though.

I will start putting my thought on paper, making a list of things I need to find out, and things I would want to see back in my design.

Thanks for the help so far

More replies are welcome of course, love to hear people's thoughts!

[allthatwhichis]

No... what you want is this...

[addictive]

Im tempted to bring the f-word into the conversation

[mliptack]

I'd say build one. I think the hands on experience and learning the intricacies of the internals is knowledge you will love to have! Ultimately it makes your first few shows that much more exhilarating!

You may not have the exact know-how to build your own from every end of the projector, but there are MANY people here who do!

[mliptack]

Im tempted to bring the f-word into the conversation

Wait until you see that in person after you finish building your own projector. You'll use words that you haven't used since you lost your virginity! In fact the experience is comparable - Except this time it might bring tears to your eyes

[gottaluvlasers]

Addictive-

my suggestion and most others you will prob get here is build your own.

you will get tired very quickly of a "pre-fab" projector. The quality will begin to annoy the crap out of you very quickly and you will begin to regret your decision (most people do) very quickly. If you were considering purchasing a *quality* more professional end pre-fab projector like a KVANT system, then more people would prob tell you to just purchase the KVANT due to your limited knowledge. but take the Few huindred dollars (or lower end thousand dollars) you were going to spend on a cheapo projector and invest it in your *own* system!

There are plenty of people here that will guide you (myself included) through each step of the way.

there is much more of a sense of pride when you build your own system. I wouldnt listen to Aaron too much (allthatwhich is) i dont think he gives himself enough credit. He did excellent jobs on his first home-made projectors. He just had some issues with lasers going kablooey!

What usually happens when people buy the cheap projectors is this...

turn projector on....for the first hour or so, you LOVE it. no doubt about it. then you start asking the questions...

1. Hmmm.....i wonder if i can add in more blue.
2. i wonder if i can use external control like a Pangolin system (or whatever you so desire)
3. I want to become more "professional" and safety conscious. will this system be ok for safety.

many more...

but most of the time, you are limited to the box you got. not too much room for upgrading. the only way you will usually upgrade systems like these is to pretty much start from scratch. and *there* is my case and point.

chances are pretty good that you will "get the bug." You will not be happy with a stock, pre-fab chinese projector. you will want it do more or have the capability to do more.

take the money you are/were gonna spend on a cheapo pre-fab unit and save a little more money and plan out your *own* projector. build it the way YOU want it.

Just my opinion. but i think you may thank me for it!

-Marc