DIY Video Projector

[jdogg2]

i just found the greatest deal on monochrome lcds - $20 for a 7.5" 640 x 480, the only problem is it doesnt have a controller. the only controller i can find for this is the puma 2, which i have no clue as to how much it costs. it seems a little too fancy for my needs. anyone know of a cheap monochrome vga controller? or how to build one?

thanks

Jeff

[vdi_nenna]

7" LCDs will require a very large box to align all the optics and LCDs themselves.

I know of a site where you can get an over head panel for $175. Same specs, but color. Probably has better inputs for upgrading too.

http://www.hammerheadtech.com/index.html

As for the monochrome LCD:

You might want to post your question here.

http://www.eio.com/lcdintro.htm

on LCD Hyper-Email Discussion Group


The Puma 2 is for OEMs only. I tried.
There are other options. You have to just check around.

Vince

[Edited by vdi_nenna on 09-19-2001 at 03:43 PM]

[El Ce De]

If there are no pictures for a while, how about some specifics on what parts you're using? we know quite a bit about the ultra brights, a little less about the lcd screen and next to nothing on the lenses you're using. I'm sure there are a lot of people reading this thread who are just waiting for enough information to safely begin their own endevours.

[vdi_nenna]

Ok.

LCD is actually a Sharp w/ 640x480 native resolution, but can go up to 800x600. Has S-Video, RGB inputs w/ 15 pin connector. It's 8.5" in diameter. $150

LEDs are 48 5600mcd ultra bright white. I may add more. $80

The first frensel is a 2x3" reading magnifier. $3
The second is an 8-1/2"x11" reading magnifier, which I may resize to slightly larger then the LCD screen. $8

The lense after the LCD is a 72.5mm convex/aspheric (semi-convex) made specifically for projectors. It's glass and very clear. $8

The projection lense is an US Optics either Delta 67 or 68, I'm not sure. It's made for rear projection TVs. I have 2 models. I'm using the 3" lense. 2 for $11.50

That's about it. I'm making the box, or remaking it I should say.

I've been a bit busy, and then this weekend I have to work 2-12 shifts. But after that, I'm not doing a thing on the weekend!!! Just building stuff!!!

Hope this helps some. Sorry if I got you guys too fired up.
This was suppose to be experimental.

Later,

Vince

[Rudenko]

Since some of you would like to experiment cheap, I would suggest using low cost bulbs but use them at a slightly higher voltage than their design voltage. Bulbs become very bright and very white. Depending on the voltage they may last 15 hours or less than a second.

[dwalls32]

I have been following this thread and have since started ordering parts. I would like to what particular LCD panels and Controllers or Driver boards people are getting the best results from...Also, is everyone using the LED's? They seem a little much, compared to mirrors and reflected conventional lights..Thanks

[vdi_nenna]

Hi,

Using a conventional light source isn't a bad idea. Finding inexpensive halogen lamps is easy. Stocking up on them would be helpful since the ones readily available last about 40 hours. I have seen them as cheap as $3-$4 for a sealed lamp on surplus electronics web sites.

Just remember to us a UV filter after the lamp and a
cold mirror after the UV filter. The LCD will react badly to excessive heat. If you have been following along, you'll already know that it absorbs heat and passes on light. The mirror itself gets really hot, so be careful. Fan(s) must be used.

You already know what I'm using for this project, so I won't go into it again.

Anybody made any progress out there??

Vince

[faidzir]

yapppp .. but make sure to use "spot type" halogen lamp for more lumen. Dont use wide or flood type. . I already finished built my first LCD projector using LCD TV. fushhhh. not BAd.

[dwalls32]

I decided on the led's, and sent in the order. It seemed most practical. Just need the projector panel and lenses to come in and I can get started

[tim0]

Hi,

well, i found my old slide projector...
Wouldn't it be great to use this beast, it has a way to adjust focus and the lense.
The lens assembly and focus adjustment is what i think one of the key elements in a projector and seems hard to DIY to me.
The light from the slide projector cannot be used because it's too hot, it has to be replaced by a LED cluster (no problem, can even use the 12V halogen power supply).

The problem with this approach is that i'd have to find a color LCD panel approximately the size of a slide. Production projectors typically use 0.8" to 1.3" panels and these would fit.
Now, does anyone know if these can be bought as replacement parts, with the matching input board?
Or any other source for small, hi-res panels?

The usual 5" panel available from Conrad has only 960x234 pixels. I think this is too little, and the board is too big.
Vince, IIRC you used exactly this resolution on your first proto. Was text (subtitles?, credits?) readable on it?
I'm watching alot of subtitled movies so this is a very important question to me.

Price is not soo important because my monitor broke and now i'm kinda desperate to get a projector.

Any ideas where to get <4", color, hi-res (640x480 and more), preferably with computer style input, are very much appreciated. :-)
The "Crystaloid" 1.8" module looks interesting but has even worse res (528x220). The Kopin microdisplays are too expensive as Vince has already found out.

For me the next option is a normal 15" TFT screen, OHP lens + some box etc for focussing (this is the hard part i guess).
Third option: find used beamer with broken light source for next to nothing (yea right, and i need it soon!)

Best,
Timo