LCD Projector for $300

[Brian23]

I was reading on Tom's, they have a guide to build a Projector for ~ $300. Has anyone tried this? Does it work well?

 

[jvarszegi]

Originally posted by: Brian23
I was reading on Tom's, they have a guide to build a Projector for ~ $300. Has anyone tried this? Does it work well?

Impressive. It leaves me wondering why no company actually uses this low-tech approach to make projectors for the masses. Even replacement bulbs are cheap, and any resolution can be supported as long as the panel's available for it! I mean, the SXGA+ projectors are only starting to hit the market now, and they've all got gigantic price tags.

 

[sharkeeper]

Too noisy, too much heat, very prone to failure given the components used.

Fun to experiment with, but certainly no permanent solution.

Cheers!

 

[stevty2889]

Looks interesting. Could be something fun to try.

 

[Sureshot324]

Originally posted by: sharkeeper
Too noisy, too much heat, very prone to failure given the components used.

Fun to experiment with, but certainly no permanent solution.

Cheers!

Why is it prone to failure?

 

[sharkeeper]

Why is it prone to failure?

TFT panels are not designed to work under such conditions. Even though there is a fan cooling in the gap, without taking measurements across the surface to reveal hot spots, the LCD could be running beyond SOT particularly in dark areas. If lots of 2:35 films are watched (since the panel is 4:3) this presents a serious issue.

Also, despite the lamps being inexpensive, their short life time average of 25 hours means the unit needs to be disassembled every ten (typically less) movie viewings. What a PIA.

Cheers!

 

[PhlashFoto]

Originally posted by: sharkeeper
Too noisy, too much heat, very prone to failure given the components used.

Fun to experiment with, but certainly no permanent solution.

Cheers!

Originally posted by: sharkeeper

Why is it prone to failure?

TFT panels are not designed to work under such conditions. Even though there is a fan cooling in the gap, without taking measurements across the surface to reveal hot spots, the LCD could be running beyond SOT particularly in dark areas. If lots of 2:35 films are watched (since the panel is 4:3) this presents a serious issue.

Also, despite the lamps being inexpensive, their short life time average of 25 hours means the unit needs to be disassembled every ten (typically less) movie viewings. What a PIA.

Cheers!

Yep, I was thinking the same as I was reading the article a few weeks back. Plus it sure is one ugly thing too!!

 

[sharkeeper]

Also the colour temp of a halogen lamp is 3000K at best. This is far too yellow for accurate colours. 6500K is best and can only be realised with a HID lamp.

Cheers!

 

[madthumbs]

"Too noisy, too much heat"

-What about mounted in a closet or stairwell behind the viewing area. Use a hole in the wall just big enough for it, then frame it to make it look nice. A mirror or picture can cover up the hole when not in use. The area it's in can also be noise dampened.

"very prone to failure given the components used"

-The setup in the tutorial was poorly done. The fan could have been done as an exhaust fan hooked up to a tube so there's less imedence on the air. The exhaust connection to the projector should span the whole edge of the screen for better circulation. The Intake could be a hose through the floor to the basement for nice cool air, again having where it connects running the whole edge.

"the colour temp of a halogen lamp is 3000K at best. This is far too yellow for accurate colours. 6500K is best and can only be realised with a HID lamp"

-Considering most people won't even be using a decent screen for this, I doubt it would matter to most. However, what's to stop someone from doing a bulb mod to the projector? I probably wouldn't bother since the yellow isn't that noticeable, and the bulbs are a hell of a lot cheaper atm.

One question on my mind. -Isn't HDtv measured in vertical pixels (when in wide screen available pixels will be reduced)? I'm thinking it may take a high-end monitor to do this project properly in which case it may make it simpler to just buy a projector.

 

[sharkeeper]

HDTV is 1920x1080.

Projectors capable of doing this resolution natively are available but expensive.

Cheers!