Build your own XGA projector for <$300

[Agent Plissken]

***SCROLL DOWN. I ADDED PICTURES!****

This is pretty cool. Linked...
http://www20.tomshardware.com/howto/20041113/index.html

[kevs]

That's pretty cool! I'm tempted to try (although I have no gift of putting things together)... ;)

[Bires]

Overheads make a pile of noise. I'm surprised they didn't replace the stock overhead fan. Neat idea, I guess, if you have a space LCD lying around.

[Agent Plissken]

I am in the final phases of ordering the parts for my projector:
3m 9800 Projector (6000 lumens)
Dell e153fp 15" XGA LCD
I need advice what to purchase for the following:
I need a TV card for my computer, or an extrernal unit like this:http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=108029
what would you guys recommend?
I also need an upscaling DVD player with VGA or DVI outputs (for $300) any suggestions?

[_=DeltaForce=_]

agent take pictures and post it...

[Agent Plissken]

ok, i still gotta get that projector from ebay first.

[eSDee]

I want to do it also but I need to find a cheap overhead projector. Let me know if you find any.

[Agent Plissken]

Based on the researd that I did, you need a projector with a minimum lumen rating of 3,500 - 4,000. Otherwise the projector will only be viewable in nearly completely darkened rooms.

So far on ebay I have not been able to find any "cheap" projectors with 3,500 lumen + ratings. I am looking at spending around $200+ for a "good" projector. Ill let you know what I ends up costing me once I get it.

I have aquired a new e153fp Dell LCD to dissasemble, I will let you know if this is a good choice in the next phase of the project.

[Showtime]

Thanks for the article. Not for me, but could be a side project if any of my friends bring it up.

-j

[Agent Plissken]

It is finished and operational!!! 8' of XGA projection goodness! Damn it looks good! My total cost $243.
If anyone is considering this project I have some tips for you, PM me before you buy the parts. How do I post pics here?

[ski]

www.littleboyinc.com/uploader and sign up for an account.

ray is the guy that runs it

upload your pics like you would attach a pic in an email, then copy and paste the code here!

I can't wait to see your pics... also, can you put the model number of projector and LCD with the prices (and where you got em) ?

[Agent Plissken]

Ok, I signed up for an account. In the mean time while you are waiting for the pictures:
Parts I used:
3M 9700 projector (4,300 lumens) : $180 used on eBay
Please note that projectors can be had for around $50, but I wanted a good and bright one. I originally wanted a 3M 9800 (6,000 lumens) but the bidding went much higher and I ended up getting the 9700.

I used a Dell e153fp 15" LCD (XGA 1024 x 768). It was fairly straightforward to disassemble. I would look for a 14" LCD if they make any good ones, as the 15" cuts off a small area on the left and right side, and clips all 4 corners. This does not affect movie playback at all, (since movies are widescreen) but it is noticible in windows.
I was able to play half-life 2 in larger than life glory with no problem though.

Other required equipment:
Small philips head screwdriver
Spare computer fan
electrical tape
Ill post pics as soon as they approve my account to upload the pics.

[Agent Plissken]

Got Pictures uploaded! Check these out, im sure I will be getting a LOT more requests for help building them after you see the images. Also if anyone wants my girlfriends lazy cat (see below), let me know, it is my nemesis. Relentless in its swatting of the mouse cursor on my wall, I grow weary of it.
(For image size reference, I have included a beer bottle (hard to see, its dark), a cat, and me... Images are taken from Star Wars IV Divx, Shrek 2 DVD, and a random picture of my cat (not a projection image))
Also note that these images are projected on my plaster wall, not a projector screen.

http://www.littleboyinc.com/uploader/uploads/Image1.JPG
http://www.littleboyinc.com/uploader/uploads/Image2.JPG
http://www.littleboyinc.com/uploader/uploads/Image3.JPG
http://www.littleboyinc.com/uploader/uploads/Image4.JPG
http://www.littleboyinc.com/uploader/uploads/Image5.JPG
http://www.littleboyinc.com/uploader/uploads/Image6.JPG

[Agent Plissken]

If you keep this thread bumped I am happy to try to answer any questions about:
a. good parts
b. places to find them
c. LCD dissasembly
d. Projector assembly
hopefully other people can share their results too.

[kimchicowboy]

i just wanna see the cat swatting the mouse on the wall. hahah

looks great! :)

[blueindian]

is it loud?

[Agent Plissken]

"Is it loud"
Do you mean is the projector loud with its fans?
No.
It has 2 fans cooling it (one for TFT screen, and 1 for bulb) but they are quiet.
You cant hear it at all during movie pack.
Of course the built in projector fan will vary per projector I assume.

[cheapchinese]

oh...i'm so tempted now..

god.. dang. it. i feel like a geek

[Agent Plissken]

Does it make you a geek to save $2,000 on an xga projector?

[irwin]

Can you take a pic of the projector?

[cheapchinese]

Does it make you a geek to save $2,000 on an xga projector?

at the same time, upholding my standard of being "cheap" :)

btw.. would this work for the laptop moniters?

[Agent Plissken]

It would be difficult, you would need a power supply and controller card for a laptop tft.

[Dman33]

It would be difficult, you would need a power supply and controller card for a laptop tft.

Well, depending on the laptop, you could just mount the laptop body onto the projector and have the screen detached. That way you are using the laptop itself for the video and power and you do not need a PC next to your projector rig.

BTW- How is the noise of the projector?

[ski]

BTW- How is the noise of the projector?


"Is it loud"
Do you mean is the projector loud with its fans?
No.
It has 2 fans cooling it (one for TFT screen, and 1 for bulb) but they are quiet.
You cant hear it at all during movie pack.
Of course the built in projector fan will vary per projector I assume.

;)

[Agent Plissken]

Well, depending on the laptop, you could just mount the laptop body onto the projector and have the screen detached. That way you are using the laptop itself for the video and power and you do not need a PC next to your projector rig.


Yes, If you use the entire laptop it could work, it would be difficult to use just the laptop TFT without the laptop though.
If you have a laptop you are willing to dedicate to this it could turn out quite bad ass infact, but it seems a little expensive since we are trying to build a budjet projector.

[mcs328]

That is so schweet!!!

[SmokeyDP]

Can you take a pic of the projector?
I would like to see one too.

[Agent Plissken]

Here it is.
http://www.littleboyinc.com/uploader/uploads/CIMG0586.JPG
http://www.littleboyinc.com/uploader/uploads/CIMG0585.JPG

[_=DeltaForce=_]

How did you connect the Computer Fans??

[Agent Plissken]

This particular model projector had a clip that holds the arm down when it is folded down. I snapped the fan into that.

[_=DeltaForce=_]

NO I mean how did you power up the Fan??

[kimchicowboy]

how would you power the fans? they look like they'd need some LONG wires.

[Agent Plissken]

One of the fans is part of the projector it is powered on its own. The fan I have cooling the TFT is powered by my computer. It has a long wire because it was designed as a side pannel fan. I think you could take an old computer's powersupply and hook a fan into that... would that work without the powersupply being hooked onto a motherboard?

[cheapie]

lol. that is SOOO ghetto. but EXTREMELY cool. i would do it in a heartbeat if i wanted to use a projector instead of a reg tv.

[TheV]

I wish someone would compare the picture to that of a non-homemade projector.
BTW...I'm involved in manufacturing and if I go this route, may make a case that holds the projector & pc so that it looks like a bit more pro. I'm not sure I could deal with the "ghetto" factor. (Someone else first called it that...)

[Agent Plissken]

I have used a non-homemade projector, it was SVGA which doesnt look nearly as good.
If you find a picture to compare it to, make sure the picture you find is of a projector onto a wall, not a projector screen.

[QuestorJones]

Greetings All,

Just did this myself (with some advice from Snake, Plisskin that is).

Works great. Stay tuned as I have some ideas for enhancements to possibly streamline the look and make a bit less fragile.

(or I will break it in the process....either way I will report back).

Most important thing. Get the dell 15 inch monitor....it is PERFECT for this. I got the non-Ultrasharp for $188 using a 25% COUPON from Delffe (you can also buy the coupon on ebay for about $2.00).

The Ultrasharp might work better or worse, but the connections and ease of use of the non-ultrasharp cannot be beat IMHO.

QJ

PS(Thanks again, Agent Plisskin !)

[Agent Plissken]

Im looking forward to some photo testimonial! ;)

[QuestorJones]

Im looking forward to some photo testimonial! ;)


Me Too !

Seriously, once I get it a little more "permanent", pictures will follow. Still making modifications, and just came up with another new "twist". More to follow...I have only been working on this for like 5 hours. Who else is working this new years !! :):):)

[Agent Plissken]

A friend of mine just built one. He ripped the ribbon cable while tearing the LCD apart, so be careful.
Now he has a green line going down the side of it.
Haste makes waste...

Anyone want a re-assembled 15" LCD with green line down the side for cheap? lol

[Agent Plissken]

Anyone tried to build one lately?
Mine is still awsome!


edit*
Hmmm, I see my hosted pictures are gone. I will upload some more if anyone is interested.

[Tommy Boomfiger]

Im interested. Ive been wanting to build this thing also, but cant find any 15" or 17" monitors that have component ins. Probably wont either but I havent had the time to really start on this project recently.

BTW, whats the life and cost for bulbs on that 9700?

[Agent Plissken]

Cost is anywhere from $7.50 online, to $30 in Office stores. I say a bulb could last 30+ hours but I dont know because it hasnt blown yet.

[Daversinger]

Cost is anywhere from $7.50 online, to $30 in Office stores. I say a bulb could last 30+ hours but I dont know because it hasnt blown yet.
"i'd wrather just buy a projector that the bulb lasts for 2000hrs" lol i'm quoting my dad.
it seems like a good project but not if your time is worth $100/hr, and isn't this thread like 6 months old? i might do it. just to impress my dad. :cool:

[Agent Plissken]

2000 hr bulbs are in a compeletely diffent price range (hundreds & hundreds $$).

"isn't this thread like 6 months old"

I dug the thread up because I wanted to know if anyone built one...

[Daversinger]

2000 hr bulbs are in a compeletely diffent price range (hundreds & hundreds $$).

"isn't this thread like 6 months old"

I dug the thread up because I wanted to know if anyone built one...
to be exact... $360 for 5000hrs on a $2,200 mitsubishi projector
heh thats what my dad said, he's just saying that cuz he can afford it and he likes to avoid extra work like replacing a bulb, if any (i.e dave, can you get me this, can you get me that...) ya know what i mean.

myself, i love the project it looks so cool. i understand, i was just making sure i wasn't having dejavue lol. :)

[Agent Plissken]

Oh yeah baby! Austin, Fook Yu, Fook Me, and myself shagging.
http://img255.echo.cx/img255/7995/projector15dr.jpg

Im there blending in like Solid Snake...

[ski]

I just bought an overhead projector today (a newer one) for $17.50 at my school's surplus auction. First gotta plug it in and see if it works, but I am looking forward to this as a project...

[Agent Plissken]

Excellent! Which LCD are you going to use?

[ski]

Whichever one you used! Less room for errors :)

I'll look at 15" ones, probably going to be something cheap like a MAG or Envision... I'm wondering if I can find any sized LCD around $100-$125.

The projector is a sturdy-looking EIKI model. Some reason I had seen that name before so I felt it must be a decent name in projectors.

[Agent Plissken]

Try to find out what the luminosity is on it. I used the Dell e153fp which can be found on ebay for around $160 shipped NIB (or around that price at least)
Im not sure what the Dell percentage off coupons make the price.
Anyway, its a good monitor w/ good response time (ideal for viewing movies)