Abstract:
Construct an XGA resolution (1024x768) LCD projector for cheap. Basic
idea: strip an LCD monitor, place the LCD on the stage of an overhead
projector and start watching movies/gaming/surfing.
Jump to latest update (Jan. 28th)
The Plan:
1. Get 15 LCD monitor
DONE! I picked up the CMV CT-529A (XGA resolution, 400:1 contrast, 16ms response) from newegg.com along with a 10' vga cable. Total cost: $203.47
2. Get an overhead projector with at least 4,000 ANSI lumens and good optics
DONE! I picked up the Apollo Odyssey 11000 (5,000 ANSI lumens, high quality variable triplet lens, 11.25"x11.25" stage aperture) from eBay. Total cost: $122.50
3. Get a screen to project an image on to
DONE! I picked up a 54"x72" rectangle of projector screen material from eBay. Total cost: $26.95
4. Strip LCD
DONE!
Taking the monitor out of the box...
I hooked it up to my computer before taking it apart so I could make sure everything is working and to check for dead pixels.
No dead pixels! This monitor looks great - awesome contrast, no ghosting or trails. Now it's time to take a screwdriver to it and hope it survives :-)
40 minutes later...
15 minutes later...
12 minutes later...
16 minutes later...
Great! the LCD came out and everything and I didn't even drop it! Total time to disassemble: 83 minutes.
5. Mount projector screen
DONE! I ordered the projector screen from eBay and once it arrived I stopped in at Home Depot and got two 6-foot trim boards to use as a semi-frame. I also got grabbed some double sided-sticky tape.
(The projector screen arrived like this)
(Here is the wood I bought)
(The projector screen again)
(All laid out and sticky-taped on)
(Mounted in my room!)
(A wider view of my room)
6. Take out overhead projector and cut out the corners.
(See how the corners cut in and make the stage not rectangular? I am going
to cut those triangles out)
Unfortunately I had no saw with which to cut these corners. I tried various kitchen knives, a pocket knife. I even tried melting through the plastic with my soldering iron but nothing really worked well enough. Then it was suggested to me I try heating up a knife and slicing with that. So I decided to try it.
(Whoa that knife is getting red hot!)
(Yay it works!)
I cut off all the corners, creating many toxic fumes in the process. Now I'm ready to mount the LCD and get this thing put together!
7. Mount LCD and get it working!
As you can see, I just used the original front of the monitor as a frame.
I centered the LCD display in it and taped some foam in at the bottom and
on the sides I used some left-over foam tape.
(Here is the projector scarred from my hot knife.)
UP AND RUNNING!!!
7. Post-construction modifications such as fans, etc.