alternative solutions to using a projector

joshg

Golden Member
Jul 3, 2001
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Hey folks.. running into a dilema here...

I need to project the image from my PC onto a large enough screen for people to be able to read from anywhere in a room. Unfortunately, I cannot shell out the several thousand that it would take to buy an LCD or DLP projector :(. My budget is only around $200 I would say...

I've tried that thing on egay, where it "changes your tv into a 100" tv" for like $10 and they give you a lens, etc... those things just suck royally :(

Does anyone know of any inexpensive alternatives to using a projector, that could achieve possibly the same results? I mean, image quality does not have to be absolutely perfect, and furthermore the rooms I am displaying in are somewhat small, so it will not even be projected very large, either.

Someone have any ideas? I've thought about getting one of those LCD Panels and an overhead projector, but that takes up too much space and makes too much noise, IMO. Any other ideas? Thanks!
 
 

joshg

Golden Member
Jul 3, 2001
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lol... yeah that would work for normal presentations, but these are multimedia presentations, with videos, etc. Any other thoughts?
 

spanky

Lifer
Jun 19, 2001
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i bought that plan for making a 100" tv on ebay too...hahaha....

i was gonna offer to send that to u :p
 

greenfirs

Banned
Oct 6, 2001
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Is this for school?

Tell the school to provide the projector.

Is this for work?

Tell your employer to provide the projector.

The equipment shouldn't be your problem.
 

joshg

Golden Member
Jul 3, 2001
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spanky did you ever get that to work? I could get a slight picture up, but it was totall blurry and just plain disgusting, you can't see anything :(

 
Oct 9, 1999
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if your in college.. check your media room they let you rent/borrow those stuff.

If not, I really dont know. The best option is to have an LCD panel on a overhead projector, that if you cant find a normal projector.

If not see if RadioShack has a converter from VGA to Composite.. with audio connections.. they should have it. Check radioshack.com first for it.
 

joshg

Golden Member
Jul 3, 2001
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<< If not, I really dont know. The best option is to have an LCD panel on a overhead projector, that if you cant find a normal projector. >>


How's the image quality when using this setup? is it decent? I really don't have enough room for this, but would be willing to try it if I could find the stuff for cheap enough...



<< If not see if RadioShack has a converter from VGA to Composite.. with audio connections.. they should have it. Check radioshack.com first for it. >>


Also, what would this be used for?
 

greenfirs

Banned
Oct 6, 2001
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If there was a way to get the quality picture of a $5000 projector for just $200, THEN EVERYONE WOULD BE DOING IT.

Since no one is doing such a thing, it logically follows that what you want to do cannot be done for $200.

In other words, your presentation will not be a multimedia presentation, because you cannot afford the equipment needed to make a multimedia presentation.

Rewrite your presentation to just use posters and get them done at Kinkos.
 

joshg

Golden Member
Jul 3, 2001
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well, I don't exactly need projector-like quality... also I understand that, in theory, on some cheaper methods, the farther the display is away from the source, the more fuzzy the image, but since my display will be close to the source, I think it should be relatively easy to find something that can be bearable for around $200 maybe? hrmm... :confused:
 
Oct 9, 1999
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LCD panel projecters are relatively old.. they arent the best in technology. My dad had one in 1995, it was decent when I used it back then.. I am sure things have improved sinec then.
 

greenfirs

Banned
Oct 6, 2001
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Unless you tell us where you are doing this presentation, who is making you do it, and what kind of presentation it is, we really can't help you.
 

joshg

Golden Member
Jul 3, 2001
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hmmm... so all this device does is convert pc video to TV format? well I'm looking for something more projector-like in nature, possibly...
 

joshg

Golden Member
Jul 3, 2001
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it's not for school, and my boss is really cheap.. he told me that if I could find something under $200 then it's a go.. what a cheap b@st@rd, lol
 

greenfirs

Banned
Oct 6, 2001
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Honestly, if I were him, I wouldn't dump $5000 on a single presentation of dubious value either.

Just rewrite the damn thing to use posters like normal people.

Powerpoint is just a set of posters on a computer screen. Get a clue.
 

joshg

Golden Member
Jul 3, 2001
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lol... that would be great except that this isn't a powerpoint presentation, but a multimedia piece, and the videos HAVE to be in there, there's no substituting them

Has anyone seen the picture quality of one of those LCD panels and an overhead projector? is it decent, can it be read from at least? (if you can see the text then video is visible as well :D )
 

greenfirs

Banned
Oct 6, 2001
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Look, whatever your masterpiece is, you can't show it, because you can't afford the equipment necessary to show it to a large audience.

How large is your audience?

 

joshg

Golden Member
Jul 3, 2001
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the audience is about 20 people... also this isn't my "masterpiece" I didn't develop it, and personally I think it's crap... but according the the client the videos MUST be in there, no way of getting out of that... I think the people I work with are just idiots :disgust:
 

greenfirs

Banned
Oct 6, 2001
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Just cart a 27 inch TV in there, put it high up, and play the video on there.

If you seat the people in two rows of 10 each, they will see the video.

But they won't see any text.

And if the client wants a projector-based presentation but is not willing to pay for related expenses, then tell the client that you can't do the presentation.

No pay, no go.
 

greenfirs

Banned
Oct 6, 2001
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Seriously, why should you be obligated to provide a service to the client if he has not paid for related expenses?

What kind of Mickey Mouse operation are you running down there?
 

Nefrodite

Banned
Feb 15, 2001
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i don't get it either. if your job/presentation requires such multimedia presentations any decent company would already have said equipment, or shell out for it. What are you doing that isn't fitting the picture?
 

joshg

Golden Member
Jul 3, 2001
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I'm simply inquiring if there are any cheap alternatives to using an LCD or DLP projector to achieve similar results. I did not ask for any kind of flame war, etc., because most of this stuff is out of my hands.

If someone could please stick to the roots of the thread and just post recommendations for alternatives, it would be very much appreciated, thanks.
 

cavingjan

Golden Member
Nov 15, 1999
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You should be able to rent one for around $200. Oh course that isn't a long term solution. I know the one we have at work cost us $18K but it is sweet.