Supersize Your TV for $300: Build Your Own XGA Projector

[vicaversa6920]

Ive been wanting a projector but there so high i looked around on the net and found this http://www.tomshardware.com/2004/11/13/supersize_your_tv_for_/
Has anyone ever tryed this or know someone who has or even know if it would work? They also have a video on the site showing how it works.

[Baldrick]

please only post news in the news forum. moving you.

[gadgetguy]

After reading through the instructions I found that they were a little vague in some areas and of course OSHA would have a field day with all the exposed parts. Having said that, the concept is sound, but it might be more accurately described as supersizing your computer monitor rather than your TV, as the only input would be the VGA connector from the source monitor. So you wouldn't be able to connect your DVD player or even a standard tuner directly to it. But as long as you have a computer that will give you the source videos you're looking for, it should work fine.

[greymalkin]

i did something similar a few years ago using an overhead projector (OHP) and a sharp lcd projector panel. You can build one for a few hundred dollars and use it to project games, etc..but if you really want to make a nice one you are probably looking closer to the $500 price range.

most OHP's use halogen bulbs which suck power like crazy and turn it into an incredible amount of heat..on top of that the color of halogen lights leaves everything with an orange tint. You will need to buy a metal halide bulb and ballast for best results....

if you are really serious about it or just want to see some people who are really serious about it and what they've done have a look at the projects @ www.diyaudio.com

lots of people have built their own and posted detailed shots of the projector in action as well as the schematics/materials they used.

[ZAPPER]

OSHA? Who's worried about OSHA? It's my ole lady that I would have to worry about if I tried to set that up in the living room. Of course I would have to use a designer color duct tape to hold it together. Who came up with that idea? Some kids in the high school A/V storage room?

It looks like it would work. But I would say that it needs some refinement. Quieter fans and a nice enclosure to hide the mess. But I have to wonder just how sharp it can be focused.

[Des]

I waited till TIger Direct had a refurb for about $600 and then I rent it for $125 a pop when people need one.

I enjoy more than I rent it out, but it has more than paid for itself.

Just thought I'd put that into the mix as a type of alternative.

--dES

[ZAPPER]

I waited till TIger Direct had a refurb for about $600 and then I rent it for $125 a pop when people need one.

I enjoy more than I rent it out, but it has more than paid for itself.

Just thought I'd put that into the mix as a type of alternative.

--dES

Ah...Clever!

About the only need that I would have for one would be a veiwing room for a Video service or such. My lifestyle isn't all that tied to TV/Movies so much that I need to have the hugest screen out there.

[greymalkin]

that was a good idea to buy and rent out to people as long as you trusted them ...

the only thing i can tell you guys is to check out the projectors they made @ diyaudio.com

it is possible to make a nice projector and the main advantage is you only have to spend $25 replacing the bulb instead of hundreds to replace multiple bulbs. The cheapo OHP method is quick and dirty but won't give you real quality results.