Build a projector out of a tv for cheap!

[TandCC]

Iron Oxide,
You have too much free time. When you tire of 2-dimensional projection TV, you can try this project: 3D laptop display using cellophane
Better living through technology.
Have Fun.

 

[erickotz]

Every tv I tried to turn over for this project would turn a purplish color. You can't tell me that that's good, or even ok for a tv. I liked the whole opening the tv and cutting the wires idea. It was really simple, and I don't have to watch people drive on the wrong side of the road like the crazy europeans!

That's just due to the changing of the earth's magnetic field in relation to the TV. It actually has no perminate effect on the TV. In fact, all you reallky need to do is use a degaussing coil to de-magnatize the TV when it is upside down and it should be fine.

 

[IronOxide]

but it makes it look retarded

 

[ectx]

Was thinking about some "cheap" projectors: Infocus X1 ($950) (svga resolution) or a Sony H10 ($1900) - (xga resolution). If I can blow up a LCD and get better resoltuion... Hmm, may want to try it.

Anyone can post some pictures or post links to pictures (the mangified screens)? Most sites post pictures on how to do it but I want to see the screens..

 

[may]

Originally posted by: ectx
Was thinking about some "cheap" projectors: Infocus X1 ($950) (svga resolution) or a Sony H10 ($1900) - (xga resolution). If I can blow up a LCD and get better resoltuion... Hmm, may want to try it. Anyone can post some pictures or post links to pictures (the mangified screens)? Most sites post pictures on how to do it but I want to see the screens..

Don't dream. DIY projector with a overhead projector and a LCD panel won't give you the same clear picture from any decent commercial projector. The lumin output and the contrast are way behind.

 

[ectx]

Don't dream. DIY projector with a overhead projector and a LCD panel won't give you the same clear picture from any decent commercial projector. The lumin output and the contrast are way behind.

If you spend 25 and get quality A and spend 950 and get quality B. For someone, 25/A maybe the choice. Even if it were not, hey, I don't mind an experiment.... The thing is, I don't have the time to spend on it, so I want to at see if it maybe worth it.

Having said all this, I'd say you are right and I should not wast my time on this froum.... time to sign off now.

 

[misterj]

cool beans. i might try this some day.

a friend of mine uses a flat piece of glass or lexan in front of his monitor and it actually improves the output.

 

[feralkid]

Originally posted by: IronOxide

Originally posted by: erickotz

Originally posted by: conehead433
Warning! Do not turn your TV upside down, you could easily ruin it. Keep in mind that the resolution of your picture, depending on how large an image you project, will be rather poor. Using a computer setup with a monitor set a high resolution could give better results in regard to picture quality. And you can adjust the reverse and upside down picture with mirrors. They would need to be optical quality and not reflect from the back side of the mirror. OK so for those of you who have time to waste and want to do this, here's a site with step by step instructions.

Build A Projector (PDF)

Projector Info

Standard Direct view (non-projection) TV's don't care which side is up-with the possible exception of heat buildup, so having a fan might be useful. Projection TV's should never be lied down or turned over, but I would like to see someone try and turn one over.

The problem with a computer monitor is that it is higher resolution. Higher resolution = lower light output. Personally, I'd reccomend a used LCD projector. That's what I went with and we had fun projecting on walls in my college dorm last year. Also relatively easy to transport.

Every tv I tried to turn over for this project would turn a purplish color. You can't tell me that that's good, or even ok for a tv. I liked the whole opening the tv and cutting the wires idea. It was really simple, and I don't have to watch people drive on the wrong side of the road like the crazy europeans!


Thanks for posting this cool info!

Oh, and just FYI, in Europe they drive on the right, just like in the U.S. (Unless the driver is TRULY crazy)

 

[yhelothar]

i think i'm gonna try this with my 14" aperture grill CRT...

damn i wish ati had that nv cornerstone thingy...

 

[randomlinh]

sounds like a fun project. would put my 17" CRT to some use. cheap, and something to do.

 

[Peyton]

Originally posted by: IronOxide
It would be nice to figure out how to make a dual lens system like this. That would rock, it wouldn't be reversed and upside down

From this guys feedback on one of his projectors. " ram8670( 15) Jul-23-03 20:12:10 PDT 3032291949 S
Neutral : Good product. Must rewire TV in order for it to work properly. "
He also is buying an awfull lot of sony,mitsubishi etc projectors.???????

 

[PacoDeth]

Dunno if this has been mentioned but I didnt feel like reading all the posts. I too did this, with a 19" TV and a fresnel lense I got off ebay years back. While it doesnt look horrible, the brightness makes it almost worthless. I mean a TV just doesnt put out enough light to act as a projector. Why do you think real projectors use such high watt expensive lamps (well half of it is to get thru the lcd but anyways). When I tested this with a real projection silver screen and a decent 19" TV with fresnel in a pitch black basement (no windows) with flat black painted cardboard as the mount to hold the lens so as not to absorb any light, the image brightness/contrast was almost worthless unless you are watching cartoons. As you may notice anytime these guys on ebay are selling these things as one of the ones in the links with Shrek, the real demonstration pictures being shown are always that of cartoons or some kind of computer animation like Shrek or Toy Story. Another thing is projectors are fine tuned to be able to "project" black or really dark colors and grays onto a screen such as a black suit with black buttons so you can tell folds and buttons apart. A TV doesnt do this so while watchin say "Matrix Reloaded" all those cool suits u see them wearing will appear as one big black block. One last note, I was trying to rewire the 4 connections to invert the screen, well I kept trying different combinations as I couldnt get them all right, then one combination just blew the whole TV and it is dea till this day so beware (good thing it was an old spare). Hope this helps inform anyone before they go spending their money or investing alot of time.

 

[FFactory0x]

Im a home theater enthusist and and an on htforums and avsforums a lot, and this has been covered 100000 of times. Dont expect HDTV quality or even close to crt tube tv quality which i know you dont. Its hilarious how many people though think there gonna get this movie theater sized screen with great quality. It might be a fun project but it is the lamest thing ever. We built one for fun and the picture was horrible. imagine runnning unreal 2k3 on you comp at 100x100(if possible ) in 8 or 16 bit color then blowing up the image 20x (maybe not that bad). Thats what you get. Would be great for pulling off a Problem Child stunt outside on your lawn where all the neighbors can see if anyone knows what i mean. Do youself a favor and if you have the money grab one of these Panny flat screen deals on this forum and then you'll truly be amazed. My 36" for $900 is truley beutiful and seriously!!!! looks close to hdtv. THIS IS NOT A FLAME, but just something i felt like saying at 5am before i hit the sack. And for you sick people out there, i mean bed and not hit or beat my....... I think ill stop there

PS: Try it and tell me your results. I know some people who use this in a game room for there small kids to watch disney flicks on. Just make sure its really really x100000 dark cause picture will be light and looked washed out. Make sure the optical lense if your using that is also adjusted and lined up perfectly or your SOL and have to align it again

 

[Helvis]

Could the upside down TV thing be solved with mirrors or magnifying mirrors? I dunno, just a thought. I wouldn't mind rewiring the TV but I'm not sure about my success at that. I was thinking about doing something like this with an old 20" that is lying around. I don't want a 100" or anything near that size. I was just going to use it for the kids Nintendo.

 

[IronOxide]

Originally posted by: Helvis
Could the upside down TV thing be solved with mirrors or magnifying mirrors? I dunno, just a thought. I wouldn't mind rewiring the TV but I'm not sure about my success at that. I was thinking about doing something like this with an old 20" that is lying around. I don't want a 100" or anything near that size. I was just going to use it for the kids Nintendo.

You could use mirrors, only I think it makes it more complicated. You would need an odd number of mirrors. I was planning on doing it, but then I read on the internet how easy it was to reverse the image by cutting the wires. If you look on the back of your tv you'll easily locate the four wires that plug into the back of the crt. What you do is cut two of them. Then you turn on the tv. If you see a vertical line on the tv, then you have cut the two horizontal wires. If you see a horizontal line, then you have cut the two vertical wires. If you see a dot in the middle of the screen then you have cut one of each. Then all you have to do is make sure that you switch the two verticals and the two horizontals. BUT BE CAREFUL: if you cross a vertical with a horizontal (or vice versa) then bad things happened, like they did to PacoDeth. Just make sure that you are crossing the correct wires. ALSO, of course if you are magnifying a 13" tv to 100" it's not going to be clear as day. It's just like magnifying anything. But the further back you get the better it looks. And you can adjust the color/contrast settings on your tv!! This helps a lot!

My original post was not intended for anyone, and I did mention it. I'm sure this has been around for a long time, possibly longer than me as was the quote . However, I wished I would've heard about this via the forums, and thought that some one (which I'm pretty sure some one will build it now) would want to know themselves. If this isn't for you move on. And I realize that not everyone posting that they couldn't see the picture isn't flaming, but if you can afford and lcd projector buy one! I wish I could! Thanks AT, take it easy!

 

[BobSnob]

Didn't Apex design a TV like this and then sell it on Amazon recently for $400?

The issue here is one of brightness. If you take the brightness of a 13" screen and spead it over an area 100 times that, then the brightness at any point will be 1/100th of a similar sized point on the TV. Because of this IMO, it makes an interesting project but not one with any practical use.

I've seen some very poor projection TV's though... in fact, most of them are poor. Yet to see one I'd consider buying at any price.

 

[HotshoT69]

Originally posted by: Pezman
I have begun to put this bay boy together. I expect to use my 17" LCD from work and will try it with my Radeon 9800 later. Thanks for the tips everyone. I will let y'all know how it turns out with some photos later. :beer:

Must not have worked, or died from Alcohol poisoning.

 

[Emulex]

where can you get a free fresnel lens? I remember having one as a kid it was great for removing tar from the pavement, paint from cars, killing vegetation and large bugs/small animals in a flash! wow i forgot all about the fun you can have with a nice sized fresnel lens.