The ultimate question

[Jeepaholic]

OK, I have the ultimate question for all you DIY¡¦ers out there. Can it be done?
What you ask? I have been bouncing around this and other forums for a little while getting TOTALLY OVERLOADED with info. I¡¦ve searched this part and that lens so much that I dream in pixles and try to guess the lumen output of every light scource I see ƒº
My question is this: Can I make a projector that will handle progressive scan? I¡¦m not talking RCA inputs here, I want to get the best quality image possible. If so, can you tell me what I need? Do I need a PC, certain lcd panel, the right kind of voodoo or what?
Once I figure out what the heck I need to do (if it¡¦s possible) I¡¦m going to start getting the parts I need.

 

[superdaveumo]

Can I make a projector that will handle progressive scan?

Well sure. Almost any computer monitor can handle progressive scan. Been doing so for years. TVs are just trying to catch up. Here's a little info:

1080i and 1080p. Difference? 1080i displays half the frames (odd) during one pass and the other half (even) during a second pass. This is how interlaced (the meaning of the "i") behaves. Progressive (the "p") shows the entire image in one pass (non-interlaced mode for a computer monitor). So with progressive, the screen is completely refreshed twice as often as interlaced (hence the better quality). So if you are using a half-way decent monitor, it's almost always in progressive (non-interlaced) mode.

Ok, to get to your question, yes you can and the only thing that you have to take into consideration is how high do you want the resolution to be. To do 720p, you need a monitor that can handle 1280x720. A widescreen 15.4" LCD would do it. An LCD screen with 1280x1024 would do it. 1280x960, 1280x800, etc. Most 17" LCD monitors run at 1280x1024. This is why lots of people are trying to make a 17" LCD projector so they can get 720p. To get 1080p, you need a monitor that can handle at least 1920x1080. Those are 17" widescreens and some 15.4" widescreens. Those are more expensive. A monitor with 1600x1200 resolution won't do it. 1920x1440 would do it.

So:

To get 480p (DVD quality) -> At least 853x480 (for 16:9)
To get 720p (Lower HD) -> At least 1280x720 (for 16:9)
To get 1080p (High HD) -> At least 1920x1080 (for 16:9)

Good luck with your search!