I am building a projector as a research project for school, and I need some help on getting started.
I've found an LCD with a good resolution. It's a 7" and has a resolution of 1024x768. I just need to purchase the LCD and that's out of the way.
The only other issue is cost. I have around $350 USD to spend. The question is, is it possible to construct a projector with good quality for this price? If so, what all do I need to buy in order to get started with the construction of the projector, besides enclosure parts.
I have the resources to build an enclosure, so my main issue is the parts and getting started.
HELP!
Thans 🙂 😎
I've found an LCD with a good resolution. It's a 7" and has a resolution of 1024x768. I just need to purchase the LCD and that's out of the way.
The only other issue is cost. I have around $350 USD to spend. The question is, is it possible to construct a projector with good quality for this price? If so, what all do I need to buy in order to get started with the construction of the projector, besides enclosure parts.
I have the resources to build an enclosure, so my main issue is the parts and getting started.
HELP!
Thans 🙂 😎
the budget
It wasn't clear: Will you have $350 left after you buy the LCD?
The REALLY cheap way to go is to find an overhead projector at a yard sale, used business equipment store, thrift shop, or school equipment auction. Lots of people claim to have got one of these for <$25. Shipping can be expensive for these,so you should find one locally. If it works, then you can just lay your stripped LCD on it with a few fans blowing air between the OHP glass and the LCD for cooling. If the OHP doesn't work, then you can change the bulb to a metal halide lamp & ballast, and then add some computer fans to keep it cool inside. The cheapest MH lamp and ballast is under $100. Well under budget!
You can also use the OHP's lens, fresnels, and mirror (and maybe even the lamp and fan) in your own box. Just keep all the distances the same and it should work fine.
It wasn't clear: Will you have $350 left after you buy the LCD?
The REALLY cheap way to go is to find an overhead projector at a yard sale, used business equipment store, thrift shop, or school equipment auction. Lots of people claim to have got one of these for <$25. Shipping can be expensive for these,so you should find one locally. If it works, then you can just lay your stripped LCD on it with a few fans blowing air between the OHP glass and the LCD for cooling. If the OHP doesn't work, then you can change the bulb to a metal halide lamp & ballast, and then add some computer fans to keep it cool inside. The cheapest MH lamp and ballast is under $100. Well under budget!
You can also use the OHP's lens, fresnels, and mirror (and maybe even the lamp and fan) in your own box. Just keep all the distances the same and it should work fine.
I have $350 total for the entire project. I want to build an LCD projector, but with an enclosure, not the overhead projector way (laying the lcd on the projector and such). That's not the route i want to take.
I thought I could build such a projector with an enclosure for about 300, but a triplet lens, ballast kit, and lcd can easily top 300.
I thought I could build such a projector with an enclosure for about 300, but a triplet lens, ballast kit, and lcd can easily top 300.
that's what I thought
You will spend about $200 for a 7" LCD. Finding a retired overhead projector can be a very cheap way to get your fresnels, a matching projection lens (duplet or triplet, either is fine), and maybe the focus adjustment mechanism and the fan. (It has to be an OHP with the lamp below the stage, not a reflective type with the lamp above.) So all you would need to buy would be an MH lamp and ballast kit. If you are not too picky about size and color temperature, that would be under $100. So I think it would make it possible to do with your budget.
Other ideas:
Spend much less (and get much lower quality) by using a PSone instead.
Buy a 14" LCD monitor for about $150 new (or even less used) instead of a 7" monitor.
Try using the OHP lamp: It may not last very long, but replacement lamps are pretty cheap.
You will spend about $200 for a 7" LCD. Finding a retired overhead projector can be a very cheap way to get your fresnels, a matching projection lens (duplet or triplet, either is fine), and maybe the focus adjustment mechanism and the fan. (It has to be an OHP with the lamp below the stage, not a reflective type with the lamp above.) So all you would need to buy would be an MH lamp and ballast kit. If you are not too picky about size and color temperature, that would be under $100. So I think it would make it possible to do with your budget.
Other ideas:
Spend much less (and get much lower quality) by using a PSone instead.
Buy a 14" LCD monitor for about $150 new (or even less used) instead of a 7" monitor.
Try using the OHP lamp: It may not last very long, but replacement lamps are pretty cheap.
Okay, here's what I've gathered so far:
https://secure.lumenlab.com/shop/product.php?id=2 (62.99 for the fresnel and triplet lens)
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=20385&item=8169791595&rd=1 (something along those lines for an LCD. They can be found very cheap on ebay, and have good stripability from what i've heard. So around $80 on average)
http://www.diyprojectorcompany.com/catalog/product_info.php?cPath=22&products_id=49 (159.99 - the only place i've been able to find a good price on the bulb, ballast, and lamp holders on the net). If you've seen better, let me know 🙂
http://www.diyprojectorcompany.com/catalog/product_info.php?cPath=22&products_id=43 (7.95 - Reflector)
The only component I haven't found is the condenser lens and a power supply. Once I find that, I can get a good price range on everything I need. I see that so far, it's in the 300-350 range, which is tolerable because the school is providing me with $250, so I dont have to come out the pocket as much.
Let me know if these components will work well with my project. Thanks again.
WB Samuel
https://secure.lumenlab.com/shop/product.php?id=2 (62.99 for the fresnel and triplet lens)
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=20385&item=8169791595&rd=1 (something along those lines for an LCD. They can be found very cheap on ebay, and have good stripability from what i've heard. So around $80 on average)
http://www.diyprojectorcompany.com/catalog/product_info.php?cPath=22&products_id=49 (159.99 - the only place i've been able to find a good price on the bulb, ballast, and lamp holders on the net). If you've seen better, let me know 🙂
http://www.diyprojectorcompany.com/catalog/product_info.php?cPath=22&products_id=43 (7.95 - Reflector)
The only component I haven't found is the condenser lens and a power supply. Once I find that, I can get a good price range on everything I need. I see that so far, it's in the 300-350 range, which is tolerable because the school is providing me with $250, so I dont have to come out the pocket as much.
Let me know if these components will work well with my project. Thanks again.
WB Samuel
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