• We’re currently investigating an issue related to the forum theme and styling that is impacting page layout and visual formatting. The problem has been identified, and we are actively working on a resolution. There is no impact to user data or functionality, this is strictly a front-end display issue. We’ll post an update once the fix has been deployed. Thanks for your patience while we get this sorted.

DIY projector really works!

Page 5 - Seeking answers? Join the AnandTech community: where nearly half-a-million members share solutions and discuss the latest tech.

Wow. Lol. Didn't think anyone would bump this old thing. 😀

Anyway, the projector has worked out just fine. I use it every night to watch television, and the movies on cable. To this day friends who come over drop their jaw, and delivery men still do a double take. I've even caught a few neighbors just staring through my sliding glass door from the parking lot.

As for the heat problems, I don't have any with my bulb so long as the 120mm fan is running. I'm not sure whether anyone has tried a larger bulb yet without issues of frying (literally melting) their heat shields (Lexan XL10) or the lcd display.

If I could do it over again, I would probably go for the design that looks like an oval when viewed from the sides to make it appear smaller in size. Another thing would be to put a switch on it so I don't have to reach down and plug in the bulb part of the projector--which I could do, if I hand the time. Thanks for remembering my little projector. I'm sure the community has come up with lots of new and innovative ideas as I haven't been to the forums probably since the Superbowl.

 
Funny to see this bumped, I found this post a few weeks back doing a search and it inspired me to learn more & want to build one myself. Matter of fact I'm about ready to order parts.
 
Originally posted by: Gurck
Funny to see this bumped, I found this post a few weeks back doing a search and it inspired me to learn more & want to build one myself. Matter of fact I'm about ready to order parts.
Click to expand...

I'm getting close to starting on this project too now that I'll finally have the space for one in a couple months. For those asking for links I know this is one place:

lumanlab.com

I subscribed but I haven't been keeping up on the forums (not enough time).

Spudd: I'm glad to hear it's working out for you. I've seen the oval designs and they do look pretty cool. I'd definately go for the on/off switch 🙂.
 
I bit the bullet and went with an actual HD projector, a Sanyo PLV-Z3 for $1500 new.

http://members.cox.net/csbaker-az/1.jpg
http://members.cox.net/csbaker-az/2.jpg
http://members.cox.net/csbaker-az/3.jpg
http://members.cox.net/csbaker-az/4.jpg
http://members.cox.net/csbaker-az/5.jpg
http://members.cox.net/csbaker-az/6.jpg
http://members.cox.net/csbaker-az/t2.jpg

Looked into the DIY stuff, but you just can't include some of the latest technology like the dynamic iris on the new HT projectors, and the fact that the tiny 0.7" HTPS LCD panels are much faster than a 15"+ LCD panel of the same resolution (smaller panel = shorter traces and less LCD polymer per pixel = faster signal propagation and response time)

I don't think I would go the DIY route from scratch, but it looks like an excellent way to go if you happen to have a spare LCD panel around and a overhead projector and feel like tinkering.
 
Oh yeah, can you vary the lamp brightness at all and does the overheard have any kind of zoom lens that will let you change the image size without repositioning the whole unit?

If so you'll get even better image quality if you lower the screen size and brightness a bit in order to accomodate the resolution.

It's nice to know the images is sharp, but being able to see pixels is usually a negative thing 🙂

1024 x 768 @ 146" diagonal viewed from 10 feet away isn't exactly optimal for dealing with "screen door" effect 😉
 
Just got to thinking... I know they make really cheap DIY projector kits that amount to putting a TV in a box with a lens and frenel filter, etc...

I've always disregarded these because most of them are using a $100 19" TV and the IQ absolutely sucks.... but I'm wondering ... has anyone tried this with like a 21" SVGA monitor?

Imagine that... a 100"+ screen with 2048 x 1536 resolution... with the contrast, brightness, and color of a CRT projector, without the risk of phospher burn!!
 
Originally posted by: exdeath
Just got to thinking... I know they make really cheap DIY projector kits that amount to putting a TV in a box with a lens and frenel filter, etc...

I've always disregarded these because most of them are using a $100 19" TV and the IQ absolutely sucks.... but I'm wondering ... has anyone tried this with like a 21" SVGA monitor?

Imagine that... a 100"+ screen with 2048 x 1536 resolution... with the contrast, brightness, and color of a CRT projector, without the risk of phospher burn!!
Click to expand...

good thing you stuck with commercial projector... u wont get 100" screen especially with contrast and brightness.

Btw anyone know if there is a compatible list of LCDs? besides from lumanlab forums.. i am not registered tehre.
 
Originally posted by: MustangSVT
Originally posted by: exdeath
Just got to thinking... I know they make really cheap DIY projector kits that amount to putting a TV in a box with a lens and frenel filter, etc...

I've always disregarded these because most of them are using a $100 19" TV and the IQ absolutely sucks.... but I'm wondering ... has anyone tried this with like a 21" SVGA monitor?

Imagine that... a 100"+ screen with 2048 x 1536 resolution... with the contrast, brightness, and color of a CRT projector, without the risk of phospher burn!!
Click to expand...

good thing you stuck with commercial projector... u wont get 100" screen especially with contrast and brightness.

Btw anyone know if there is a compatible list of LCDs? besides from lumanlab forums.. i am not registered tehre.
Click to expand...

Compatible == easy to take apart and the cables will work. You can find out which will work for free on lumenlabs I think. There is enough talk in the free forums to get a lot of info.
 
Spudd,

great thread, I remember this from when it originally came up, whenever I get out of an apartment and into a house I'm putting one of these together.

One point, if you're still using the Fuji Finepix A205, it does have a delayed shot feature you can use to take pics without shaking, line it up on a table or something and then use the delay.

*looking* yeah, hit self-timer, it activates a 10 second delaynext time you hit the shutter. Has to be reset each time you want to use it though.
 
Originally posted by: cmv
Originally posted by: MustangSVT
Originally posted by: exdeath
Just got to thinking... I know they make really cheap DIY projector kits that amount to putting a TV in a box with a lens and frenel filter, etc...

I've always disregarded these because most of them are using a $100 19" TV and the IQ absolutely sucks.... but I'm wondering ... has anyone tried this with like a 21" SVGA monitor?

Imagine that... a 100"+ screen with 2048 x 1536 resolution... with the contrast, brightness, and color of a CRT projector, without the risk of phospher burn!!
Click to expand...

good thing you stuck with commercial projector... u wont get 100" screen especially with contrast and brightness.

Btw anyone know if there is a compatible list of LCDs? besides from lumanlab forums.. i am not registered tehre.
Click to expand...

Compatible == easy to take apart and the cables will work. You can find out which will work for free on lumenlabs I think. There is enough talk in the free forums to get a lot of info.
Click to expand...

Compatible = easy to take apart, but more importantly the flat cables are long enough for different configuration than tha original. Most of the lumenlab's information is only available for their customers. Please provide me with "enough talk in the free forums to get a lot of info".
 
Originally posted by: MustangSVT
Originally posted by: cmv
Originally posted by: MustangSVT
Originally posted by: exdeath
Just got to thinking... I know they make really cheap DIY projector kits that amount to putting a TV in a box with a lens and frenel filter, etc...

I've always disregarded these because most of them are using a $100 19" TV and the IQ absolutely sucks.... but I'm wondering ... has anyone tried this with like a 21" SVGA monitor?

Imagine that... a 100"+ screen with 2048 x 1536 resolution... with the contrast, brightness, and color of a CRT projector, without the risk of phospher burn!!
Click to expand...

good thing you stuck with commercial projector... u wont get 100" screen especially with contrast and brightness.

Btw anyone know if there is a compatible list of LCDs? besides from lumanlab forums.. i am not registered tehre.
Click to expand...

Compatible == easy to take apart and the cables will work. You can find out which will work for free on lumenlabs I think. There is enough talk in the free forums to get a lot of info.
Click to expand...

Compatible = easy to take apart, but more importantly the flat cables are long enough for different configuration than tha original. Most of the lumenlab's information is only available for their customers. Please provide me with "enough talk in the free forums to get a lot of info".
Click to expand...

No. Help yourself :0.

edit: Okay, flippant reply because I *did* mention "cables will work" which is exactly what you are talking about. All you have to do is read up on all the different setups and look at commonly used LCDs. If you want to be 100% pony up the $20 at LumenLabs.com. It's well worth it.
 
WHoa, whoa, wait a minute! When the hell did all this happen? I've been out of it for so long....

SPUDD: PUHLEEZE write up detailed instructions on how you did this so us dummies can do this too! I GOTTA build one of these....
 
Originally posted by: MustangSVT
Originally posted by: exdeath
Just got to thinking... I know they make really cheap DIY projector kits that amount to putting a TV in a box with a lens and frenel filter, etc...

I've always disregarded these because most of them are using a $100 19" TV and the IQ absolutely sucks.... but I'm wondering ... has anyone tried this with like a 21" SVGA monitor?

Imagine that... a 100"+ screen with 2048 x 1536 resolution... with the contrast, brightness, and color of a CRT projector, without the risk of phospher burn!!
Click to expand...

good thing you stuck with commercial projector... u wont get 100" screen especially with contrast and brightness.

Btw anyone know if there is a compatible list of LCDs? besides from lumanlab forums.. i am not registered tehre.
Click to expand...

I don't know, I have my F500-R 21" FD monitor at 0% contrast and 15% brightness and its pretty damn bright.

MustangSVT heh ... Cobras pwn (I have a '03 with the Kenne Bell treatment)
 
Hey I'm not letting this thread die, this is just too effin cool. I want to know MORE! INPUT! NEED INPUT!
 
Originally posted by: KDOG
Hey I'm not letting this thread die, this is just too effin cool. I want to know MORE! INPUT! NEED INPUT!
Click to expand...

Uhhh... go to one of the many sites that show how to do this?
 
I've done it now... ordered parts 🙂

lets see if this is as good as I hope it is. Current budget is $350. I just want to play Battlefield2 on big screen 😀
 
Originally posted by: MustangSVT
I've done it now... ordered parts 🙂

lets see if this is as good as I hope it is. Current budget is $350. I just want to play Battlefield2 on big screen 😀
Click to expand...

Post an update in this thread when you have it built.
 
Originally posted by: Spudd
Whoops! Forgot to list prices. Here you go folks:

Projector Parts:

CMV Ct-522a LCD --> $190 from Newegg.com
Ushio S400DD from Atlantalightbulbs.com --> $37
EVC Tech Ballast from oceanencounter.com --> $120 because it's an electronic one. You can get a core and coil for $57 if you want.
4' x 8' panel of 1/2" plywood from Lowe's cut for .25 a slice (not completely accurate cuts though) $24
Fresnels cut to 12.5 x 12.5 and 80mm Triplet from diylabs.org --> $60
Eagle Shield to protect the wood on lamp side --> free
13" x 13" piece of IR Glass as heat shield --> $12
14" x 11" piece of Lexan XL10 for UV Shield --> $4

Total = $447

The cost can go up or down depending on the tools and resources available to you. There are a lot of miscellaneous things that can increase the cost a bit, like buying a screen (blackout cloth) and little stuff like wood screws, hinges, spray paint, weatherstripping, Silicone II, and big stuff like a power drill, jig saw, etc. The basic design is from LumenLab.com with my own DIY stuff added, and the optics are from diylabs.org. By the way Pablo, I have furniture and stuff, but when it came time to get this thing going, everything was moved out of the way--I was going to make this thing work or die trying! roflmao
Click to expand...

What kind of video card or tuner do you have pushing that, didn't se it in the cost list.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

TRENDING THREADS

Back
Top