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Homemade LCD Video ProjectorJuly 26,2005 03:50 PM
I built a homemade LCD video projector out of a Apollo 2 overhead projector I found on craigslist and a old Sony Vaio laptop that my friend Adam Matthews threw out. As you can see it sort of looks like a Krell learning device out of Forbidden Planet. With some help from my friend Phiber Optik we coaxed this dead laptop back to life.I premiered it at a backyard party that we had recently to great effect. I played cartoons, Russ Meyers movies, Little Rascals shorts, and some of the film and music video projects that I've done outdoors on the wall.
To build it, simply take a nice laptop and disassemble it, and remove the back lighting and reflective panels from the screen. Ground everything and then place the LCD screen on top of the projector as seen below. Slap in a wireless card if it isnt built in.
Since building it, I subsequently learned there are plans on the net for a similar design using a LCD monitor. The one I built takes a little more work as it has a laptop attach, but it's totally worth it.
The unit now is wireless and a self contained media projection unit. It's running Linux and it can play streaming or stored quicktime, realmedia, windows media, flash, divx/mpeg4 contiguously. It also connects automatically to nearby WIFI networks and you can control it via a VNC client or IR port. Combine with a Bit Torrent client, and theoretically you can play the world.
Here is a picture of us watching across one of the walls in the Lab the Jean-Luc Godard film: Masculin, Féminin
Because it's way cheaper than the digital projectors which cost at least $800+ you can use it outside without fear. It's perfect for art installations or for guerrilla film festivals or throw up an artistic or political statement somewhere in your neighborhood (Be careful of your local projector laws, I don't give a fuck so I'm doing it). This method also allows a single unit with a single power cord. Those other projectors you have to team with a DVD or VHS player, which is one more thing to carry and power up, and you can't control them via the internet usually.
With the overhead projector you can use the arm to focus or throw a larger or smaller screen as needed. You can recut the glass to change the pattern that the video throws. You could have a star shape lets say instead of the plain rectangle, which does shine well whether in letterbox, wide screen or yuk: 4x3 aspect.
Note - Be careful with the glass element of the overhead projector. I broke mine the day I picked up the projector. I had to go cut my own piece of mirror to replace it, which was a huge time waster and pain in the ass. I now have it held in place by transparent tape and travel with the mirror removed in a carrying case. Don't keep the projector on without the mirror and the lens element will burn a hole right thru whatever is above it, which is usually the plastic arm that holds the mirror!
For the future, I'd like to strip it down even further moving some of the internal parts such as the motherboard and HD to inside the projector case and keep it cool, keeping only the keyboard on the surface of the unit so it's more compact and build a php web interface to control it via the network, unfortunately VNC is resource intensive and overkill. The web interface will allow to keep real time statistics and play lists organized as well. I will also see if I can power it up on the dc/ac converter in my jeep and have a mobile film projection vehicle! The projector pulls about 350W steady!
It's a nice tool for low cost outdoor film festivals for struggling curators, filmmakers, and guerrilla artist. If you want more information on how to build one or have spare parts to donate, just hit me.
This post has been gizmodo approved!
| #1 | by FAST ED on Mar 06,2007 09:43 AM [website] |
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I WANNA BUILDONE TOO,I HAVE HEARD OF COMPANYS BUILDING REPLACEMENT BULBS NOW FROM LEDS WHICK USE 1/3 OF THE POWER AND RUN MUCH COOLER FOR SAME LIGHT OUTPUT AND 50,000 HOUR LAMP LIFE AND LESS LIKELY TO GO OUT FROM VIBRATIONS AS BULBS ARE ESPEICIALY IN VECHILE TRANSPORT. |
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| #2 | by dhpmet on Mar 06,2007 09:43 AM [website] |
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| #3 | by binu vrindavan on Mar 06,2007 09:43 AM |
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is there is any chance to connect a vcd player or a dvd player?from its vga out or video our? |
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| #4 | by lito on Mar 06,2007 09:43 AM [website] |
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mister:i bought a projector which is already busted.ive planned to make my own lcd projector so i removed and dismantle it then i take the barrel and lenses then i make a box put some 2-3 fan and put power supply which is from old computer then i buy a small lcd tv with video input and with the design i planned and set up it,of course i strapped the 4x7.5 lcdtv then i put it in the middle of lens and barrel and the only available bulb i used was 50 wattws halide lamp because thats only available and its true its workingbut not so much bright but its ok for the design but if i find more than 50 watts i think this will so much improve i would like to share how itis done but i dont know how to send it ive done thid for 3 days.iwas happy now and also what other kind of bulb i can used i need cheaper the halide 50 watts lamps is only $1 would you think if i add 2 more 50 watts this will become more bright say increase the lumens? thanks lito could you reply me on my e mail..... |
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