Dell Inspiron laptops use a new LCD they call "Ultrasharp". It's 15", it has a native rez of 1600x1200, a contrast ratio of 400:1, and a response time of 25ms.
The entire laptop is only $1150. I read that a replacement screen is $600 brand new from Dell. Ebay or a replacement parts store should run a lot less. The model under it (SXGA+, 1400x1050) is on ebay right now with a "buy it now" for only $275. A controller board shouldn't be more than $350. We're talking $950 max (prolly $650 if you find one on ebay). A desktop LCD monitor with the same specs would probably run over $1500, and it would likely be at least 17", thus it wouldn't fit on an OHP. Can you imagine that kind of resolution projected on a huge screen? You could probably sit 3 feet away from an 80" projection and not see any pixelation or any screen door. Imagine playing PC games on that thing with the game set to run at UXGA?
Find me a manufactured LCD projector that has a native res of 1600x1200. Really. I mean, the high-end $25,000 and up LCD projectors usually have a XGA native res, not UXGA. There's a projector on ebay going for $78,000 and it's native res is 1280x1024 (of course it displays at 8000 lumens though).
Here's a link to a controller board that would work. Not sure if they sell single units, I'll have to call them:
http://www.raintreesystems.com/products_files/controller_boards.html
This is going to be my project for the next 3 months. I'll update people here if I'm the first with a DIY HD system.
The entire laptop is only $1150. I read that a replacement screen is $600 brand new from Dell. Ebay or a replacement parts store should run a lot less. The model under it (SXGA+, 1400x1050) is on ebay right now with a "buy it now" for only $275. A controller board shouldn't be more than $350. We're talking $950 max (prolly $650 if you find one on ebay). A desktop LCD monitor with the same specs would probably run over $1500, and it would likely be at least 17", thus it wouldn't fit on an OHP. Can you imagine that kind of resolution projected on a huge screen? You could probably sit 3 feet away from an 80" projection and not see any pixelation or any screen door. Imagine playing PC games on that thing with the game set to run at UXGA?
Find me a manufactured LCD projector that has a native res of 1600x1200. Really. I mean, the high-end $25,000 and up LCD projectors usually have a XGA native res, not UXGA. There's a projector on ebay going for $78,000 and it's native res is 1280x1024 (of course it displays at 8000 lumens though).
Here's a link to a controller board that would work. Not sure if they sell single units, I'll have to call them:
http://www.raintreesystems.com/products_files/controller_boards.html
This is going to be my project for the next 3 months. I'll update people here if I'm the first with a DIY HD system.
Oh yeah! I'm going to be looking for a used panel to fart around with in the short term (worst that happens is I end up using it to play computer games with)... BUT finding a true hi-res panel monitor that can be converted is definitely the way to go.
After rooting around in these forums for a few hours this seems to me to be the only real reason to do a DIY projector. Why settle for anything less if you're going to go through all the trouble to modify something and maybe even build your own box? I'm with ya.
-Dave
FYI I emailed the dealer about these two:
http://www.avtoolbox.com/tv-207.htm
http://www.avtoolbox.com/tv-205.htm
I'm thinking TV's might be a better way to go... No upconverters etc. Any thoughts?
Dave
http://www.avtoolbox.com/tv-207.htm
http://www.avtoolbox.com/tv-205.htm
I'm thinking TV's might be a better way to go... No upconverters etc. Any thoughts?
Dave
Anybody know the approximate maximum size of an LCD monitor/TV so that it will still fit on an OHP? This will help narrow the searching.
i agree with zardoz...
i wouldnt be surprised if actual LCDs were very similar to those in the mobile LCD categories.....
if that resolution is acceptable for you, then those panels are a great deal cheaper.
i wouldnt be surprised if actual LCDs were very similar to those in the mobile LCD categories.....
if that resolution is acceptable for you, then those panels are a great deal cheaper.
samsung
I have been using this for about half a year. It has a tuner and they have a bigger version.
not my sponsor
I like the PIP feature alot to, you can watch the "today" show
While playing a game ;0)
I have been using this for about half a year. It has a tuner and they have a bigger version.
not my sponsor
I like the PIP feature alot to, you can watch the "today" show
While playing a game ;0)
That sure looks nice but yikes! 
With the price on that, you might as well just shell out a few more c-notes and buy a stock projector!
Side note - I'm betting that 15" is probably the maximum size to fit on an OHP.
With the price on that, you might as well just shell out a few more c-notes and buy a stock projector!Side note - I'm betting that 15" is probably the maximum size to fit on an OHP.
Ok, I wasn't clear enough - We need to make sure any hi-res panel that we find will fit on an OHP. 24" is most likely too big. I'm guessing that 15" is the maximum size to fit on an OHP.
This guy:
http://www.diyaudio.com/forums/showthread.php?threadid=8345
says he used a 14" LCD (either a Sharp or an NEC, he doesn't seem sure which - the monitor came from Dell). His results look great (although we don't know the resolution yet). Also, with a monitor you'd need an up-converter to feed the signal from a cable/sat box, vcr, dvd etc unless you have a HTPC. If you want true HD then these up-converters can get pretty expensive, which puts us back to 'why not just buy a stock projector'... I'm starting to think that XGA is gonna be plenty good enough for me.
This guy:
http://www.diyaudio.com/forums/showthread.php?threadid=8345
says he used a 14" LCD (either a Sharp or an NEC, he doesn't seem sure which - the monitor came from Dell). His results look great (although we don't know the resolution yet). Also, with a monitor you'd need an up-converter to feed the signal from a cable/sat box, vcr, dvd etc unless you have a HTPC. If you want true HD then these up-converters can get pretty expensive, which puts us back to 'why not just buy a stock projector'... I'm starting to think that XGA is gonna be plenty good enough for me.
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