DIY Rear Projection TV

[MadSkillzMan]

hi guys. think ive got something here:

http://cgi.ebay.com/REAR-PROJECTION-...QQcmdZViewItem

Im thinkin about emailing them with some questions. Looks to me in the picture they just have a front projection screen

Im looking do to a screen thats 40" tall, and 34" high, so i get:

46" x 40"=1840

1840/144=12.7777778 rounded =13

13x 7.85= 102.50$

Not TOO bad, considaring this is one deluxe tv i found lol. it already has the fresnel lense.

ive been talking to Mbates for quite some time, he has a screen exactly for my use, however transportation isnt exactly on either of our sides to get it to cleveland

[spytek1974]

Is there a way to mod the psone lcd to accept Y PR PB connections so that I can use the progressive scan options on my diy projector???

[ironslave]

i noticed some pople here were complaining about the light bleeding on the outer edges of the image... i was wondering if the old Tv projecter( upside down Tv with a frenzel lens) trick of painting the inside of the unit black helps with the lightting issues... noting on how it is better on the unit... also other than getting a shower curtin from walmart should'nt there be an affordable way to build a screen than that.... i am figuring that the easiest way to make your own would be to buy some old broken projection Tv and just slap your own home made unit in there...

[ironslave]

ive read every post on here... has anyone found a good solution to the screen material yet? i am curious about it... i dont like the idea of using the shower curtin because it is to transparent... i was thinking about using sheets of the flouresent light fixtures (transparent design) to place behind the curtin and work as a double, diffuser/light blocker...

also i noticed some cheap low res projectors on ebay for 189$ would that be a simple way to make a projector as in all i need to do is put the image against something, no worries on how to even out hotspotting.

i am going to build my box out of those black hefty trashbags as a an idea of how the unit would work with the interior compleatly blacked out... it would keep the ambient light out... than later i would like to build the wood and paint it black if it works out... this will require much work...

i am also thinking of skipping the plexiglass all togeather...

any suggestions?

[rcavictim]

I've been offering a 41" NEC RPTV with no takers. If any of you sleepyheads want a big leg up on a DIY RPTV project this would be a terrific way to start. It is about 1-1/4 hr's NW of Toronto. If not picked up within a week it is going outside and that will be the practical end of it. It will immediately become frozen cracked optics junk.

My patience grows thin as I really need the room. I don't care now that I have $250 tied up in it. My PM is enabled. Hint hint.

[fillajarapoo]

Im working on building a DIY projector, but if i can get a rear screen projector working, i would favor that most. i just bought a sand blaster for numerous jobs around the garage. i was just wondering how effective is this concept. does any one have any complaints on this?

[jrhilton]

Don't know about Plexiglass but sandblasted glass works a treat, I used to use it for 16mm RP. And used to make it myself.

Give it a try, sounds like you have all the kit, a good tip is to blast it more than you think would be neccessory, so the glass looks almost white. The results are very good, with no hot spots if sand blased sufficiently. Oh and another advantage is glass/ plexiglass is cheap.


And to add a coment regarding rear projection screens for projectors that you can buy, good quality ones tend to be very expensive, dont go for the cheaper ones, they are not really worth the money, and will eat light form the projector.

Hope this helps,

James

[fillajarapoo]

i might have to try that, do u have any other suggestions on a DIY rear screen?

[MadSkillzMan]

im just gonna ask the garbage pickers in my area if they got any...these guys score EVERYTHING!

[jrhilton]

do u have any other suggestions on a DIY rear screen?

well not really to be honest with you, well not any suggestions that will result in a quality screen that can be made at home anyway. There have been suggestions of using shower curtains or lots of sheets of tracing paper, but few have had good results with these.

As far as I see it, the problem of building a DIY PRTV / Projector is one of cost now, the alternatives are now very cheap. Here in the UK you can buy a very good LCD or DLP projector designed for home cinema use for under £500 GBP often including a deal to get a free spare bulb (thats about 700USD aprox)

a quick look on google brought up this:
E.g. BenQ W100
DLP: WVGA 954x480 (so fine for watching TV)
1300 lumens

for £498 GBP including VAT and delivery, and a bulb is only £82 with the included vouchers. And I have seen new WXGA or XGA ones going for about £500 as well, just have to shop around, and haggle sometimes.

And LCD and Plasma tvs are dropping in price very quickly now HDTV is avalable here, granted that very few of them can actully display the format Sky is broadcasting but still.

But dont let that put you off, after all buying something doesnt have the fun of making something for yourself!