Los Vega's HT

[vega2K]

Originally Posted by seanfarley2

So you more or less stole my idea lol. Jk...it's what we are here for. You using saved zoom settings/how do u have it setting wise on your projector? I'll be doing something like this most likely when I upgrade...current pj doesn't have settings/control I want.

Actually I stole Elite's idea of dual screens except I have two enclosures.

I do not have the zoom feature in my PJ. I am going the Do it yourself Anamorphic Lens route with trophy prisms. I expect to get the material at the end of this week. More to come.

[SeanMF]

Originally Posted by vega2K

Actually I stole Elite's idea of dual screens except I have two enclosures.

I do not have the zoom feature in my PJ. I am going the Do it yourself Anamorphic Lens route with trophy prisms. I expect to get the material at the end of this week. More to come.

Ah..diy anamorphic lens...interesting to see how that works out. If my pj had zoom...would I need to go about getting an anamorphic lens? Sorry if I'm repeating stuff...on cell and hard to review all of previous posts.

[vega2K]

Originally Posted by seanfarley2

Ah..diy anamorphic lens...interesting to see how that works out. If my pj had zoom...would I need to go about getting an anamorphic lens? Sorry if I'm repeating stuff...on cell and hard to review all of previous posts.

Well if you had a PJ with the "zoom" feature, it would be capable of taking the 2.35:1 image (with top and bottom black bars) on a 16:9 screen and zooming in, such that the top/bottom black bars disappear and the image expands left and right. This is why you would need a 2.35:1 screen, which is wider left and right.

The alternative to this and if your PJ has a vertical stretch feature (which takes the 2.35 image w/black bars and stretches it vertically, such that the entire 16:9 screen is used up) is an anamorphic lens. When you get a chance, read my first post on this thread because I explain it a lot better. You can also find volumes of information on this whole anamorphic lens concept and how it works by Googling.

There is an ever growing dividing line between the use of zoom versus the use of an anamorphic lens and both have pros and cons.

The zoom feature is fairly new and more and more PJs have it built in. Hence, it does not require an additional expense. The Anamorphic lens can cost from $2K up to $15+. Most high end HT set-ups use an Anamorphic lens. By pure physics an AL results in a much better PQ, but the arguments revolve around whether the difference in PQ between these two approaches warrants such a huge difference in cost.

In my case, my set-up required an AL, but I refuse to spend $2K at this time. The alternative is the trophy prism approach which I know will have deficiencies and PQ will not be the greatest, but at sub $200 for the build, I am going to give it a try.

[SeanMF]

Originally Posted by vega2K

Well if you had a PJ with the "zoom" feature, it would be capable of taking the 2.35:1 image (with top and bottom black bars) on a 16:9 screen and zooming in, such that the top/bottom black bars disappear and the image expands left and right. This is why you would need a 2.35:1 screen, which is wider left and right.

The alternative to this and if your PJ has a vertical stretch feature (which takes the 2.35 image w/black bars and stretches it vertically, such that the entire 16:9 screen is used up) is an anamorphic lens. When you get a chance, read my first post on this thread because I explain it a lot better. You can also find volumes of information on this whole anamorphic lens concept and how it works by Googling.

There is an ever growing dividing line between the use of zoom versus the use of an anamorphic lens and both have pros and cons.

The zoom feature is fairly new and more and more PJs have it built in. Hence, it does not require an additional expense. The Anamorphic lens can cost from $2K up to $15+. Most high end HT set-ups use an Anamorphic lens. By pure physics an AL results in a much better PQ, but the arguments revolve around whether the difference in PQ between these two approaches warrants such a huge difference in cost.

In my case, my set-up required an AL, but I refuse to spend $2K at this time. The alternative is the trophy prism approach which I know will have deficiencies and PQ will not be the greatest, but at sub $200 for the build, I am going to give it a try.

Well I'd have 2 screens...one 16:9 and the other 2.35. Get a projector that is capable of displaying both and has the option to save the zoom/display settings. My current one just doesn't have that capabilities. I'm myself don't consider spending $2k for a AL...I'd just go the route I have now before that. Your setup though...diy AL...I might give that a try depending on the costs and how it works out.

[vega2K]

Originally Posted by seanfarley2

Well I'd have 2 screens...one 16:9 and the other 2.35. Get a projector that is capable of displaying both and has the option to save the zoom/display settings. My current one just doesn't have that capabilities. I'm myself don't consider spending $2k for a AL...I'd just go the route I have now before that. Your setup though...diy AL...I might give that a try depending on the costs and how it works out.

I will report back as I get into it. So far I have spent about $125 for DIY prisms/enclosure (coming from fellow AVS forums member) and about $25 for material to build a sled for it. I expect less than $200 when I'm done.

[vega2K]

As I expected yesterday, it went much quicker today.

Here are some pics of the final velvet covering, I intentionally left the wrinkles on the velvet because I like the way it looks better (you can tell that it is velvet this way).



And here are some shots of the final product with the 2.35 screen down. I think this is the closest I am going to get to a dedicated HT.





Now it's time to make this screen useful - DIY Anamorphic Lens is next.

[crazyBLUE]

Turned out real nice vega ! Look's great up there hiding the screen covers .

You did forget to turn on the stars for us though !!!

[vega2K]

Originally Posted by crazyBLUE

Turned out real nice vega ! Look's great up there hiding the screen covers .

You did forget to turn on the stars for us though !!!

LOL. Gotta save something for later.

Thanks Crazy.

[SeanMF]

Originally Posted by vega2K

LOL. Gotta save something for later.

Thanks Crazy.

Well that looks amazing. Now for the diy al....

[vega2K]

Originally Posted by seanfarley2

Well that looks amazing. Now for the diy al....

Thank you Sean. The AL is what I am really looking forward to.

[talstarone]

Excellent Job,Vega.The Velvet Covered Valance Looks Better Then I Thought It Would By Picturing It In My Mind.
Leaving the wrinkles in the velvet cover gives it a True Professional Look.Just Amazing and it matches the "Star Field" Exactally.

Just Beautiful Work on Both Vega.Your Custom Touches Have Created An Outstanding Set-Up.

[vega2K]

Originally Posted by talstarone

Excellent Job,Vega.The Velvet Covered Valance Looks Better Then I Thought It Would By Picturing It In My Mind.
Leaving the wrinkles in the velvet cover gives it a True Professional Look.Just Amazing and it matches the "Star Field" Exactally.

Just Beautiful Work on Both Vega.Your Custom Touches Have Created An Outstanding Set-Up.

Thanks for the comments Tals.

[Hammie]

Great job. I agree that the wrinkles give it a better look than flat velvet. I guess that was what I was getting at when I asked if you were going tight or loose curtain.

[rded]

Getting better everyday eh, buddy?! Great job on the add ons

[vega2K]

Originally Posted by louhamilton

Great job. I agree that the wrinkles give it a better look than flat velvet. I guess that was what I was getting at when I asked if you were going tight or loose curtain.

Thanks Lou. Yes I figured that is the effect you were asking about because I love the highlights and "classyness" that wrinkles give you too, especially with velvet. This is why I did not use adhesive and only stuck to staples, this way I can actually increase or decrease the amount of wrinkling. Boy, this simple addition made a huge difference with how much it cleaned-up the appearance and how "custom draperish" it looks like. At a cost of less than $50 it was an awesome project. Much recommended if your set-up allows this and remember velvet comes in different colors, I saw deep blue, wine, brown and grey.

[vega2K]

Originally Posted by rded

Getting better everyday eh, buddy?! Great job on the add ons

Thanks RHett! This is what it's all about - making things better and cooler! Remember the saying - He who has the most toys wins!

[rded]

Originally Posted by vega2K

Thanks RHett! This is what it's all about - making things better and cooler! Remember the saying - He who has the most toys wins!

That means you're the undisputed winner of this forum!

[vega2K]

Originally Posted by rded

That means you're the undisputed winner of this forum!

Not by a long shot but I am fighting back!

[vega2K]

Here's a picture with the Star Ceiling ON this time.

[SupaSweet]

Wow Vega, excellent work my friend. Your projects are always top notch, cant wait to see your DIY anamorph lens...truly inspiring.