45 replies to this topic

[boltsniper]

Superintendent posted a thread about his projector a while back. I finally got around to building one of my own. I figured I`d share.

I used a 7" LCD screen with a resolution of 768x480. For a light source I used a 250W Metal Halide. I wanted a projector small enough I could carry around and setup most anwhere. I was able to cram everthing into a reasonably small enclosure. You can see the size of the projector compared to the Xbox in the last picture.

The LCD panel came with a remote control. I added some simple circuitry to allso the light to be controlled by the remote as well.

You can tell that the resolution of the panel is not ultra high, but the projected image is still very watchable at a 100" diagonal. I`ll post some screenhts as soon as I can take some

Here are some pictures:














Keystone adjustment


Projector, Xbox, Homemade 60W Amp

[The Trouble]

How much did this project cost you? I'd love to try this out, but I know I lack the appropriate tools. I'm not asking for a walkthrough by any means, just tools and a ballpark price tag.

Very slick, by the way. The case is very hitman-esque. It makes me want to host a drive-in movie in my driveway

*Thanks for the info, Boltsniper!*

Edited by The_Trouble, 13 August 2005 - 10:28 AM.

[boltsniper]

I spent about $400 altogether including all components and materials. The most expensive parts are the LCD and the light. I`m sure you could build one for less. If you used wood for the enclosure the price would drop a lot. Lexan isn`t that cheap, nor is the aluminum.

As far as tools go it really doesn`t take anything special. Dremel, soldering iron, etc. Probably will need a glass cutter, but thats about the only tool I can think of that you might not have.

Last night we took it outside setup it up on the ground and projected on the side of teh house and played Halo on a gian screen. It was great.

Check out these sites for vast amounts of info on projectors:
www.diyprojectorcompany.com
www.lumenlab.com
www.diyaudio.com

[boltsniper]

Here are some raelly crappy screenshots. This was the best I could do with my camera.

The projected image is 88" diagonal









That actual iamge is a little brighter than it seems in the pictures . I had to do some fancy finagling of the camera settings to get them as good as they are.

[taita cakes]

Is this restricted to the normal bulb hours?
Such that the bulb will die out withing 2000 hours and cost like 2k$ to replace?

Edited by taita_cakes, 14 August 2005 - 06:15 AM.

[andrew01]

Nope, thats what's great about these projectors. I think the bulbs are supposed to last around 14k hours or something like that. All I know is that it is a lot longer then the commercial projectors. Even when you do have to replace the bulb, the max your going to pay (depending on your bulb) is around $40-$50, which isn't much compared to the commercial projectors.

[boltsniper]

Considering I only spent $400 building (inlcuding the bulb) then it's pretty safe to assume the bulb doesn`t cost a fortune Replacement bulbs are only $30 for the lamp I have and the lifespan is somewhere around 10000 hours.

Hey Super. Did you ever get yours finished? I used the same LCD you did and I was quite pleased with the results. Also, did you ever get the Xenium Ice I sent you? Get your Xbox working?

Edited by boltsniper, 14 August 2005 - 02:10 PM.

[Ronster]

What is all that extra stuff on your x-box???

[Davis]

What is all that extra stuff on your x-box???

His mod-chip LEDs and such, and the amp isn't attached. (I'm assuming.)

[boltsniper]

What is all that extra stuff on your x-box???

Its a replacement front panel to supplement the mod chip. The blue are on the right is a LCD display that outputs pertinent data. The button array on the right toggles different BIOS banks.

Tha amp is just sitting on top of the Xbox and is not connected

[taita cakes]

$30 for a bulb? Wow, those prices I described are what I tend to get scared off projectors by.

Great work hero.


On another note, my brother just bought this AUD$4000 RRP LCD TV for $450

[boltsniper]

$30 for a bulb? Wow, those prices I described are what I tend to get scared off projectors by.

Great work hero.


On another note, my brother just bought this AUD$4000 RRP LCD TV for $450

Nice.

If you are implying that I could have just bought something 10x better than I could build...you`re probably right.

But then again I didn`t build it just for the end result......

Edited by boltsniper, 15 August 2005 - 12:54 AM.

[Uncle Hammer]

How many inches might that be? That sounds like a god damn steal to me. And boltsniper nice projector, thats really cool. I'd love to play Halo 2 on a giant screen like that with my friends and I.

[taita cakes]

30" diagonally I think. Amazing deal.

I would end up building one of those projectors for sure, but I wouldn't really trust myself to do one well. Can I ask, with that sort of quality and size, will it replace your TV?

[LastManAlive]

Good god man! Do you just pull ideas for this kind of stuff out of your ass?

[boltsniper]

30" diagonally I think. Amazing deal.

I would end up building one of those projectors for sure, but I wouldn't really trust myself to do one well. Can I ask, with that sort of quality and size, will it replace your TV?

Not entirely. It's really only effective to watch if the room is very dark, which limits when you can watch it to nighttime. My den has a giant sliding glass door that makes it impossible to darken the room during the day. I suppose if you set it up in a room that has no windows...

[Davis]

I suppose if you set it up in a room that has no windows...

...or has shades?

[Ronster]

Maybe black shades or drapes?

[boltsniper]

If you had just a plain window you could probably effectively black it out but I`m talking an entire glass wall in my case.

Besides, there are occasions where you just don`t want to be sitting in the dark while you watch TV. I usually don`t watch much TV or movies until after dark anyways.

[Hunter]

What can't you do?

[murakumo32]

You're a god among men boltsniper.

[boltsniper]

What can't you do?

According to my wife

I can`t...
clean up after myself
wash clothes
load the dishwasher
unload the dishwasher
make the bed
etc
etc
....you get the idea

[cxwq]

What can't you do?

According to my wife

I can`t...
clean up after myself
wash clothes
load the dishwasher
unload the dishwasher
make the bed
etc
etc
....you get the idea

That is by far the funniest thing I've read on these forums.

[boltsniper]

That is by far the funniest thing I've read on these forums.

Now that's a compliment.

[ompa]

Shit man, I needed that laugh right then. Excellent work, I'll definately have to look into making one. Just curious, do you think a teenager with a small amount of experiance in sodering and electronics make it work? That, and which out of the 3 sites did you get the design from?

~ompa

Edited by ompa, 15 August 2005 - 03:12 PM.