[diypjperson]

It seems with most of the parts used to build the projector there are option's. You can go with Brand A or Brand B or Company A or Company B and the parts are close to being the same.
But with the LLab 65k T15 Lamp is there no option if you want the best ? Is that the best 400watt Lamp you can get for a DIY projector ?

[sensibull]

It's debatable. Other 400w bulbs are brighter but with lower CRI or lower color temp. Some prefer the Ushio S400DD. Personally, I'd rather use a smaller Osram HQI--smaller arc, and more compact light box. This new bulb looks pretty kickass to me, though lifespan is much shorter than the LL.

This post has been edited by sensibull: 04 January 2008 - 01:09 AM

[phutton]

"shorter" is an understatment. That bulb's lifetime is 1000 hrs vs 10,000-15,000 hrs for a typical MH bulb. 1,000 hrs is not bad if you are using it only for movies, but if you want to use your projector for games and television then 1,000 hrs is pretty short.

[DIY_guy]

That 1K bulb like completely defeats one of the main purposes of building a DIY projector, and thats bulb life.

[Laser]

For me, the main purpose of DIY is getting exactly what you want for a lot less than going commercial. In this case, some people might prefer the smaller arc for a bulb life that's at least comparable to that of commercial projectors, and a still a lot cheaper. Personally, I'd rather have the longevity of the Lumenlab (or comparable) bulb.

[sensibull]

phutton, on Jan 3 2008, 11:06 PM, said:

"shorter" is an understatment. That bulb's lifetime is 1000 hrs vs 10,000-15,000 hrs for a typical MH bulb. 1,000 hrs is not bad if you are using it only for movies, but if you want to use your projector for games and television then 1,000 hrs is pretty short.

Ummm... that's why I said "much shorter." And some, like me, do only use their projectors for movies. Until you've tried a shorter arc bulb, it's hard to get why you would sacrifice lifespan.

[sensibull]

DIY_guy, on Jan 3 2008, 11:34 PM, said:

That 1K bulb like completely defeats one of the main purposes of building a DIY projector, and thats bulb life.

Thank you captain condescending. Let's see. You've got 41 posts. Four members currently using (or planning to use) a bulb with an even shorter lifespan (the 575w) have over 6,000 combined posts. To each his own.

[jonjandran]

sensibull, on Jan 4 2008, 08:08 AM, said:

Thank you captain condescending. Let's see. You've got 41 posts. Four members currently using (or planning to use) a bulb with an even shorter lifespan (the 575w) have over 6,000 combined posts. To each his own.

Umm speaking of consescending.

But yea I like the short arc lamps. But i have this thing for lumens. Makes me feel all funny inside

[DIY_guy]

sensibull, on Jan 4 2008, 01:08 PM, said:

Thank you captain condescending. Let's see. You've got 41 posts. Four members currently using (or planning to use) a bulb with an even shorter lifespan (the 575w) have over 6,000 combined posts. To each his own.

Sorry if I hit the sensitive spot. If you are just useing it for movies, then it would be great I guess. I myself started looking into the 575 watt HMI's when I first started, but I had a InFocus 4805 and a 5000 and both had short bulb life, which was a killer. The 4805 had great deep blacks, awesome color, but SDE was to noticble so I switched to the SP5000. What a mistake! The blackes were terrible, it used that 3LCD technology so the bottom left of the screen had a greenish tint and the top rite had a purplish tint. I didn't mind the lower contrast issue, but the color problems just killed it. So, I switched to a DIY projector. Low contrast, but I dont care as long as I dont get that corner problem, and bulb life is fantastic. Thats why I said one of the main reasons why people DIY. There are many other reasons, which I am sure in your case its the higher resolution at less then a fraction of the cost, and the fact of having fun building it. Many other reasons to. So, sorry if I angered you, did not mean to!

[diypjperson]

I have the LLAB 65K T15 on the way but they were sold out of the reflector so I went garage sale and thrift store hunting today. Just for a little DIY fun.
I am not shure of the the size of the LLAB bulb could somone please post that info.
More to the point what size should the reflector be ? How big around and how deep would a bowl need to be for the right arc ?
For a dollar fifty, I found a shiny metal dish that could be shined up even more.
It is 10.5" across but I don't have to use the whole Dia. I guess.
It is shallow about 2" deep so the FL. is probable 6" or so.
Could this still work if I just hade the bowl farther away from the Lamp or rear fresnel lens ?
If I don't mind a longer projector is that the only drawback ?

This post has been edited by diypjperson: 04 January 2008 - 10:38 PM

[sensibull]

DIY_guy, on Jan 4 2008, 02:40 PM, said:

Sorry if I hit the sensitive spot.

Don't be. I'm just grumpy in the morning

I figure that even if my total bulbs costs rival a commercial, I've saved nearly a grand on the projector itself, so I'm still way ahead.

[Sinner7]

I wasn't happy with the LL T15's huge arch (over 2") and had trouble fitting the arch image in my 4" dia triplet. After arch magnification, 230/330 fresnels, the 2" became too big to fit in my triplet. I found a shorter arch bulb at HIDhut with great CRI and color temp. I like the color temp on the LL bulb and its jacket size, just not the huge arch. Just my experience.

[Unite Empire]

what do you guys think about the LL double ended 92CRI bulb? Is that the best. I mean I paid $90 for it. I am hoping it the best! Let me know.

[DIY_guy]

Ok, you cant say "is this the best". Everyone has their own opinions, and it depends on what your needs are. Factor in cost, size, brightness, bulb life, and color temp. That LL double ended one has raised interest, but LL dos not give the much information on it, which is sad because I am really interested in it, but I think only a few members here have actually used it. It is suposed to have a smaller arc then the LL65K, and better color rendering. Let us know how it gos!

Forgot to add, you get a huge bonus with the larger arc size of the LL65K, and thats bulb life, which can be up to 20K hours. This to me was one of the main reasons I bought this bulb. You can get more brightness and less unused light with a smaller arc bulb. The flip-side to this is the smaller arc. Those commercial projector bulbs are doing pretty dang good with 2K hours and that super tiny arc. In the future I am sure they will drop like mad, but who knows how the DIY projectors will evolve.

This post has been edited by DIY_guy: 06 January 2008 - 10:10 AM

[SupraGuy]

Best is a matter of trade-offs.

The "best" lamp would be something that has 100% efficiency, pinpoint light source, infinite life expectancy... And so on.

This obviously doesn't happen.

Short arc lengths typically mean shorter operating life expenctancies. This is a typical trade-off.

A longer operating life for the same arc typically costs more.

The LL lamp is a GOOD trade-off. It has a long operating life, cood colour temp, good efficiency, and reasonable price. You should be able to get good results with this lamp.

The arc length is a bit long, and some setups will be difficult to get all of the arc image into the lens.

[Mycosis]

Thats all fine and dandy thats its a great bulb except they are no longer selling it right now...

I finally wanted to upgrade from my 150w bulb to the 400w and they dont even sell it .

[DIY_guy]

Try this: http://yhst-18925554...t/llde400w.html

It is the same as the LL65K possibly better? Will work with all the ballast that the LL65K will, but you will needto buy the socket, which is sold for 12$ in the store.

[diypjperson]

Are they just out of stock on the 6.5K T15 or are they not going to sell it anymore ?

[DIY_guy]

Hard to tell. Good chance they are going to stop selling it an replace it.

[SupraGuy]

The T15 lamp is currently listed in there store here:
http://yhst-18925554....net/ll65k.html

The double ended lamp is also nice. Slightly smaller form factor, though at an increase in price. I don't htink that the current T15 lamp will be phased out unless something that is better comes along. This has happened a few times. LL used to sell Ushio S400DD lamps, then moved to the Ushio 400S PS lamps which were brighter. Then the 6500K lamp for its mix of being brighter than the S400DD and better colour temp than the PS lamp. If something which is better for LL customers becomes available, there may be another switch, but I'm reasonably sure that the T15 lamp form factor will remain.

[diypjperson]

So for those of you that have used both, Do you think it's worth the $50.00 extra to go with the double ended lamp.
More to the point would it be better for somone like me that is building a projector with a 19"in widescreen LCD panel ? Would the double ended lamp give me more even lighting out to the cornors?

[SupraGuy]

Nope. Use the T15 lamp.

The light itself is the same, but the double ended package is smaller. This is a big advantage to those of us using a small panel, but not sp much for those of you using large ones.

[diypjperson]

Thank's Supra Guy,
So this is the first time in this build where dumb luck worked for me.
I just ordered the Single a week ago and thought I would have to sell it now and get the double.
Glad to hear I did somthing right.