DIY Video Projector (last updated 05/20/02 10:45:19 PM)

I am no longer updating this page, so some (many) of these links may be obsolete. I am busy with graduate school and no longer have the resources or time (the most valuble resource!) to continue my DIY projector. For what it is worth, I am happy with an Nview Spectra C and an old Bell&Howell OHP with the 600w DYS bulb. Less than ideal, but it works! Good luck with your projects. 10/28/03

This is a collection of links that I have used when searching the internet for parts or information on building my own LCD based video projector. This is just a small portion of what is really out there, so you will probably need to use a search engine to find what you are really looking for. I used google.com to find most of the pages listed here. Some were contributed by other project members or from other project pages (thanks!).

I would especially like to thank everybody at the diyaudio.com DIY Video Projector thread started by Vince (vdi_nenna) and the greenspun board. These threads have been the most valuable source of information I have found.

I tried to group these links into meaningful groupings, but some may seem irrelevant or redundant. My apologies. Hopefully you can make use of them. If you notice any broken links, have some link suggestions, questions or comments, please send me an email. I check it every now and then :)

Since there are so many ways of constructing these projectors, it's difficult to provide instructions. However, a few things remain constant:

1. A light source (ideal=high lumens, low heat, 5000-7000k, but compromises are inevitable...so far)

2. A transmissive LCD or Overhead Projector LCD panel (ideal=TFT, high resolution, proper input options/controller)

3. A focusing system (this could be a fresnel lens(es), a projection lens asssembly, or any combination of the two)

4. A screen to project an image onto. This could be a wall, a DIY screen, or a commercial model (like Dalite)

You could also use an overhead projector and an LCD panel made for use with it. Some people are searching for a replacement for the short-lived bulbs in these projectors. Recently, some people have experimented with using modified LCD monitors in the 14" or 15" size for use with an overhead projector. While this approach is more expensive and difficult than others, it does have a great deal of potential in producing a very high resolution image (XGA or maybe better). Some are attempting CRT projectors, but that is beyond the scope of my knowledge and this website.

Also, many people have made "low-cost" a goal for this project, myself included. After all, if money was no object, I would just buy a commercial projector...and what would be the fun in that?

Here are the links: