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Thread: Build your own XGA projector for <$300

  1. #1
    Commander Agent Plissken's Avatar
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    Thumbs up Build your own XGA projector for <$300 *PICTURES ADDED*

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

    This is pretty cool. Linked...
    http://www20.tomshardware.com/howto/20041113/index.html
    Last edited by Agent Plissken; 12-15-2004 at 05:20 PM. Reason: Thread description
    Dyin' ain't much of a living, boy

  2. #2
    Lieutenant Commander
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    That's pretty cool! I'm tempted to try (although I have no gift of putting things together)...
    kevs

  3. #3
    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.
    Five years...

  4. #4
    Commander Agent Plissken's Avatar
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    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/applicati...p?EdpNo=108029
    what would you guys recommend?
    I also need an upscaling DVD player with VGA or DVI outputs (for $300) any suggestions?
    Dyin' ain't much of a living, boy

  5. #5
    Captain _=DeltaForce=_'s Avatar
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    agent take pictures and post it...

  6. #6
    Commander Agent Plissken's Avatar
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    ok, i still gotta get that projector from ebay first.
    Dyin' ain't much of a living, boy

  7. #7
    Old Skooler Numba 1 eSDee's Avatar
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    I want to do it also but I need to find a cheap overhead projector. Let me know if you find any.
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  8. #8
    Commander Agent Plissken's Avatar
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    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.
    Dyin' ain't much of a living, boy

  9. #9
    Lakers fanatic Showtime's Avatar
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    Thanks for the article. Not for me, but could be a side project if any of my friends bring it up.

    -j
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  10. #10
    Commander Agent Plissken's Avatar
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    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?
    Dyin' ain't much of a living, boy

  11. #11
    Admiral ski's Avatar
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    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) ?
    And closer...

  12. #12
    Commander Agent Plissken's Avatar
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    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.
    Dyin' ain't much of a living, boy

  13. #13
    Commander Agent Plissken's Avatar
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    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.






    Last edited by Agent Plissken; 12-15-2004 at 05:18 PM.
    Dyin' ain't much of a living, boy

  14. #14
    Commander Agent Plissken's Avatar
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    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.
    Dyin' ain't much of a living, boy

  15. #15
    Admiral kimchicowboy's Avatar
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    i just wanna see the cat swatting the mouse on the wall. hahah

    looks great!
    "I pick my nose too but never eat it." - bachviet, 3/30/04

    if anyone wants to go scuba diving in oahu or wants to learn who to scuba dive in oahu, PM me.

  16. #16
    Vice Admiral blueindian's Avatar
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    is it loud?
    yeah, pretty much we missed the boat on that one. but it's still here. get you some.

  17. #17
    Commander Agent Plissken's Avatar
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    "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.
    Dyin' ain't much of a living, boy

  18. #18
    I love free! cheapchinese's Avatar
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    oh...i'm so tempted now..

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

  19. #19
    Commander Agent Plissken's Avatar
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    Does it make you a geek to save $2,000 on an xga projector?
    Dyin' ain't much of a living, boy

  20. #20
    Can you take a pic of the projector?

  21. #21
    I love free! cheapchinese's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Agent Plissken
    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?

  22. #22
    Commander Agent Plissken's Avatar
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    It would be difficult, you would need a power supply and controller card for a laptop tft.
    Dyin' ain't much of a living, boy

  23. #23
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    Quote Originally Posted by Agent Plissken
    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?

  24. #24
    Admiral ski's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Dman33
    BTW- How is the noise of the projector?
    Quote Originally Posted by 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.
    And closer...

  25. #25
    Commander Agent Plissken's Avatar
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    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.
    Dyin' ain't much of a living, boy

  26. #26
    That is so schweet!!!

  27. #27
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    Quote Originally Posted by passwird
    Can you take a pic of the projector?
    I would like to see one too.

  28. #28
    Commander Agent Plissken's Avatar
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    Here it is.

    Dyin' ain't much of a living, boy

  29. #29
    Captain _=DeltaForce=_'s Avatar
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    How did you connect the Computer Fans??

  30. #30
    Commander Agent Plissken's Avatar
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    This particular model projector had a clip that holds the arm down when it is folded down. I snapped the fan into that.
    Dyin' ain't much of a living, boy

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