Hello,
I hope this thread will serve as a formal introduction and a good means of generating interest in some LCD panels I will soon be selling on eBay. So, to start, here's my story:
I began considering building a DIY projector about 5 or 6 years ago. I had owned (and still do) or had access to several OHP LCD panels that I used for displaying presentations in the classroom and in church. Well, as stated, about 5 or 6 years ago, most of the presentation rooms on the college campuses I found myself speaking/presenting at had projectors either installed permantly or available for checkout and remote use from the school's AV department. So, I thought it easier to use someone else's equipment than to continue lugging around my LCD panels and bulky overhead projector. Soon, I discovered how quickly the bulbs on those 'factory' projectors burnt out. They didn't last much longer than my old overhead's bulbs, but they darn sure costed much, much, much more! Made me decide immediatly that I wasn't going to buy one of those anytime soon. Yet, I did like that they were compact and self-contained. An all in one unit, not like my overhead and LCD panel which required me to carry, not one, but two relatively heavy and bulky items. So, I started thinking, I bet I could combine the two into one "box" and get results just as good (if not better) than the fancy "factory" projectors, but with much better bulb hour/price performance. So, I thought about it for a while, drew a few schematics or two, bought any other matching LCD panels I new about locally or found on eBay that had good price points (for spare parts in case I pulled this thing off), and did a little research on different light sources other than the original overhead's, but never really advanced the project further than that. I was just too busy. So, about 2 years ago, I found some spare time and thought that it was time to get serious about starting (and finishing) this projector project. Then, I did some searches on the internet looking for information on lenses and focal points, and I found several sights, including this one, where to my surprise, other people where trying to do the same thing: do-it-yourself projectors. I decided that since I already had several LCD's, I'd build two projectors; one for me and the other to give to my church. Well, some other things came up, and as time does, a year slipped by before I knew it, and just as I was ready to really begin construction, my church bought themselves a "factory" projector and no longer needed the one I meant to build. Well, being that most of my motivation to build was out of a desire to help my church, when that happened I sort of lost the determination to continue, and I am only now, a year later, ready again to build. But, I've decided that I've got way more screens than I need, since I only intend to built one. Then it occured to me that some of my fellow hopeful DIYer's out there my appreciate an opportunity to acquire a 'ready-to-go' LCD panel, especially one with relatively small LCD screens with a high resolution. Plus, selling my extra screens will generate proceeds that will help me to build an even better projector than I originally planned (perhaps one with one of those expensive TV-tuners built-in.). So, without further ado, here's what I've got and what you may be interested in:
I own at least 2 fully working Proxima Ovation 920 LCD projection panels and at least 2 fully working Proxima 944 LCD projection panels. (I say "at least" because most have been in storage for at least 3 years and I can't really remember how many working ones I truly have. But all told, I've got at least six of these panels!) Now, from what I understand, both the 920 and the 944 panels represent the absolute top of the line when it comes to overhead projection panels, maybe rivalled only by the Sharp 2500 (pretty sure the 2500 and the 920 uses the exact same LCD). I did a little research here in this and other forums, and there seems to be a lot of confusion about these panels' true specifications. So, just so everyone knows from someone who owns both, the 944 IS the flagship of the Proxima Ovation line and DOES use a different LCD module than the 920. But, I assure you that both the 920 AND the 944 models have a native resoluton of 1024X768. You've got to agree, for a 10.4 inch LCD, that's pretty awesome! Of course, they both support lower and much higher resolutions through scaling and interpolation, and as I've determined in my tests, they do this rather well. They project clear/crisp images, and they boast very acceptible response time. Don't see too much ghosting/distortion/lag or whatever it is people call it, if any at all. (Still not sure what I'm supposed to be looking for in this regard any way. Just know that I've had no problems.) I've taken one of the 944's apart to get a good look at it, assuming I'd be disassembling it for the final build, and I found that, while there is one ribbon cable to deal with, it is thick/sturdy, socketed on both ends, very easily detachable, and long enough to make it easy to work with. So, even if you did break it, its standard size and double socket make it easily replaceable. Plus the LCD module is already mounted in its own precisely sized metal frame, making it easier to mount in a custom cabinet and elliminates worries over blocking out light that could bleed around the edge of the panel. Further, the control board does not take up the entire perimeter for the panel as I had feared it had. So, dissassembled, it would actually be more compact than I had first feared it wouldn't be. You can even detach the composite/svideo input electronics making the controller board much smaller than its original layout! Not a problem if, like me, you want to plug a seperate tv-tuner/video converter into the VGA in. I've most likely got enough original remotes, power supplies, AND VGA input cables for each panel, plus a few progressive/component/HD? input cables that I don't know what you would hook them up to. But, I do know that these things automatically sense the incoming resolution and frequecies and self-adjust to display the image properly. I can't say I've tried them all, but I have thrown several odd-ball resolutions at these things and have yet to have tried any resolution that these things couldn't display. In short, these are great panels, and I'm sure I can sell at least 3 with all the original accessories you should need. But even if I can only get three complete original setups, I have all the components necessary to make at least 4 extra correctly pinned VGA input cables and 4 extra correctly configured powersupplies. So, not only will I be selling panels, but I will also be able to supply some people with what seems to be hightly sought after VGA cables and power supplies. Right now the power supplies are in the proto-type stage. I've been able to get special made electronic components at a special price that will enable me to construct true, direct replacement power supplies for the Proxima Ovation panels that are perfect matches to the voltage and current tolerances of the originals, but in a much smaller state-of-the art package! That's the reason I took on such a project to begin with is because the original power supplies are big and bulky, and when it comes designing a projector housing, the smaller the components the better. So, if anyone needs a replacement power supply, I'll be your best bet. I can save you from having to adapt an old, and disgustingly huge, PC AT power supply whose current tolerances don't match the original. Only problem is that I was able to get only enough components at an affordable price to build 4 prototypes, since, they don't make and stock these components regularly. But, I was able to convince the company that made the electronic components that I might become a bulk buyer if I could generate demand by having working demo models. So, they gave me a special price on a small quantity order. But for any future builds, they'd most likely have to manufacture the components per order, which would be prohibitedly expensive unless I ordered in bulk quantities. I think this a very unlikely possibilty for me to do unless there's a very high demand for them. So, if you need only a power supply, let me know fast and keep an eye out on this thread for the posting of my auction links, because once the first four are gone, there aren't likely to be any more!
To conclude this first message, let me inform anyone that's interested in buying that I'll be listing the auctions as soon as possible, but it might be as much as two weeks before I can get everything together. I'll try to let everyone know my progress as time goes by. I might even post some pictures with the panels at work to help generate more interest.
DIYinTN
I hope this thread will serve as a formal introduction and a good means of generating interest in some LCD panels I will soon be selling on eBay. So, to start, here's my story:
I began considering building a DIY projector about 5 or 6 years ago. I had owned (and still do) or had access to several OHP LCD panels that I used for displaying presentations in the classroom and in church. Well, as stated, about 5 or 6 years ago, most of the presentation rooms on the college campuses I found myself speaking/presenting at had projectors either installed permantly or available for checkout and remote use from the school's AV department. So, I thought it easier to use someone else's equipment than to continue lugging around my LCD panels and bulky overhead projector. Soon, I discovered how quickly the bulbs on those 'factory' projectors burnt out. They didn't last much longer than my old overhead's bulbs, but they darn sure costed much, much, much more! Made me decide immediatly that I wasn't going to buy one of those anytime soon. Yet, I did like that they were compact and self-contained. An all in one unit, not like my overhead and LCD panel which required me to carry, not one, but two relatively heavy and bulky items. So, I started thinking, I bet I could combine the two into one "box" and get results just as good (if not better) than the fancy "factory" projectors, but with much better bulb hour/price performance. So, I thought about it for a while, drew a few schematics or two, bought any other matching LCD panels I new about locally or found on eBay that had good price points (for spare parts in case I pulled this thing off), and did a little research on different light sources other than the original overhead's, but never really advanced the project further than that. I was just too busy. So, about 2 years ago, I found some spare time and thought that it was time to get serious about starting (and finishing) this projector project. Then, I did some searches on the internet looking for information on lenses and focal points, and I found several sights, including this one, where to my surprise, other people where trying to do the same thing: do-it-yourself projectors. I decided that since I already had several LCD's, I'd build two projectors; one for me and the other to give to my church. Well, some other things came up, and as time does, a year slipped by before I knew it, and just as I was ready to really begin construction, my church bought themselves a "factory" projector and no longer needed the one I meant to build. Well, being that most of my motivation to build was out of a desire to help my church, when that happened I sort of lost the determination to continue, and I am only now, a year later, ready again to build. But, I've decided that I've got way more screens than I need, since I only intend to built one. Then it occured to me that some of my fellow hopeful DIYer's out there my appreciate an opportunity to acquire a 'ready-to-go' LCD panel, especially one with relatively small LCD screens with a high resolution. Plus, selling my extra screens will generate proceeds that will help me to build an even better projector than I originally planned (perhaps one with one of those expensive TV-tuners built-in.). So, without further ado, here's what I've got and what you may be interested in:
I own at least 2 fully working Proxima Ovation 920 LCD projection panels and at least 2 fully working Proxima 944 LCD projection panels. (I say "at least" because most have been in storage for at least 3 years and I can't really remember how many working ones I truly have. But all told, I've got at least six of these panels!) Now, from what I understand, both the 920 and the 944 panels represent the absolute top of the line when it comes to overhead projection panels, maybe rivalled only by the Sharp 2500 (pretty sure the 2500 and the 920 uses the exact same LCD). I did a little research here in this and other forums, and there seems to be a lot of confusion about these panels' true specifications. So, just so everyone knows from someone who owns both, the 944 IS the flagship of the Proxima Ovation line and DOES use a different LCD module than the 920. But, I assure you that both the 920 AND the 944 models have a native resoluton of 1024X768. You've got to agree, for a 10.4 inch LCD, that's pretty awesome! Of course, they both support lower and much higher resolutions through scaling and interpolation, and as I've determined in my tests, they do this rather well. They project clear/crisp images, and they boast very acceptible response time. Don't see too much ghosting/distortion/lag or whatever it is people call it, if any at all. (Still not sure what I'm supposed to be looking for in this regard any way. Just know that I've had no problems.) I've taken one of the 944's apart to get a good look at it, assuming I'd be disassembling it for the final build, and I found that, while there is one ribbon cable to deal with, it is thick/sturdy, socketed on both ends, very easily detachable, and long enough to make it easy to work with. So, even if you did break it, its standard size and double socket make it easily replaceable. Plus the LCD module is already mounted in its own precisely sized metal frame, making it easier to mount in a custom cabinet and elliminates worries over blocking out light that could bleed around the edge of the panel. Further, the control board does not take up the entire perimeter for the panel as I had feared it had. So, dissassembled, it would actually be more compact than I had first feared it wouldn't be. You can even detach the composite/svideo input electronics making the controller board much smaller than its original layout! Not a problem if, like me, you want to plug a seperate tv-tuner/video converter into the VGA in. I've most likely got enough original remotes, power supplies, AND VGA input cables for each panel, plus a few progressive/component/HD? input cables that I don't know what you would hook them up to. But, I do know that these things automatically sense the incoming resolution and frequecies and self-adjust to display the image properly. I can't say I've tried them all, but I have thrown several odd-ball resolutions at these things and have yet to have tried any resolution that these things couldn't display. In short, these are great panels, and I'm sure I can sell at least 3 with all the original accessories you should need. But even if I can only get three complete original setups, I have all the components necessary to make at least 4 extra correctly pinned VGA input cables and 4 extra correctly configured powersupplies. So, not only will I be selling panels, but I will also be able to supply some people with what seems to be hightly sought after VGA cables and power supplies. Right now the power supplies are in the proto-type stage. I've been able to get special made electronic components at a special price that will enable me to construct true, direct replacement power supplies for the Proxima Ovation panels that are perfect matches to the voltage and current tolerances of the originals, but in a much smaller state-of-the art package! That's the reason I took on such a project to begin with is because the original power supplies are big and bulky, and when it comes designing a projector housing, the smaller the components the better. So, if anyone needs a replacement power supply, I'll be your best bet. I can save you from having to adapt an old, and disgustingly huge, PC AT power supply whose current tolerances don't match the original. Only problem is that I was able to get only enough components at an affordable price to build 4 prototypes, since, they don't make and stock these components regularly. But, I was able to convince the company that made the electronic components that I might become a bulk buyer if I could generate demand by having working demo models. So, they gave me a special price on a small quantity order. But for any future builds, they'd most likely have to manufacture the components per order, which would be prohibitedly expensive unless I ordered in bulk quantities. I think this a very unlikely possibilty for me to do unless there's a very high demand for them. So, if you need only a power supply, let me know fast and keep an eye out on this thread for the posting of my auction links, because once the first four are gone, there aren't likely to be any more!
To conclude this first message, let me inform anyone that's interested in buying that I'll be listing the auctions as soon as possible, but it might be as much as two weeks before I can get everything together. I'll try to let everyone know my progress as time goes by. I might even post some pictures with the panels at work to help generate more interest.
DIYinTN
Coincidentally, I've had one other panel do this to me in the past (one of the other panels I got somewhere that I knew didn't work). Must be a bad scaling chip or something.