Well I havn't started my projector yet i'm still in the design and setup process.
... My problem is with the set up.

Ok I'm going to use a PC as the dvd player and for whatever else you can use a pc for...
I also would like to be able to play game consols on the projector. and need advice on how to hook up RCA video (from the games) and VGA (from the PC) into a VGA only monitor and ideally be able to switch between the two inputs. I don't want to get into any dialect differences so for the record by RCA i mean the yellow red and white AV out. The sound is not going to be a problem as it will run directly from the source to the surrond sound reciever.

Possible solutions?:
some kind of VGA & RCA in VGA out switch
a conversion from RCA

Do they make RCA to VGA adapters?
i hear that the other way around (VGA to RCA) is difficult if possible
If all my sources can be changed to VGA then i could just manually change the input to the monitor i don't mind that.



If you want to know about me or my projector read on...

Well i'm a student at Texas A&M and needless to say funds are low and i have tickets from parties i need to pay off. So this projector is going to be extremely low budget. 100 dollars tops. Lucky for me i'm pretty sure i can salvage most of the parts.

Parts I have:
--Fresnel Lenses and projection lenses (my dad is a superintendent for a school district and had spare overhead projectors)
-------Question: Will fresnel lenses and projection lenses from overhead projectors work for this project b/c i read they would... And What about the bulbs in them?)
--Computer tower (roomate has extra)
--LCD monitor (girlfriends parents have extra they are giving to the project)
--Light source (my dad is a crazy packrat with all kinds of industrial lights... i'm not sure exactly what he has but i know he has some big lights... I'll find out and ask more questions about them later)
--Lumber
--Wiring
--Surround Sound System
--Computer Fans

Do i not have all of the major/Expensive parts needed other than the part i need to fix my problem?...
Could my projector possibly be under 50 bucks?... that'd be great.

Apologies for the lengthiness but i think that sould cover everything.

BTW i'm not a big forum guy and this is my first forum post in years so the quoting feature however you do it would really make any answers more clear

Oh yea and I'd rather not mess with any video cards or any nonsence like that because it's not my computer and i don't know how much trouble it has right now.... it's not being used and needs to be formatted so i don't want to screw with it anymore than i have to....

There are TV converters (with remote controls and AV inputs) on ebay that turn your LCD monitor into a TV (without the need for your PC) for AU$20. You can get PC TV Cards with AV to run thru your computer (and you need a P4 with 1gig ram min) to run any consoles thru your computer successfully.....but these cards will cost over 5 times the amount of these little converters advertised on Ebay. My mate has one on his 17" monitor and its just like a normal TV

Heres a link to what I'm talking about
http://cgi.ebay.com.au/A-Brand-New-TV-Tune...1QQcmdZViewItem


Have a look at all the diagrams and cables at the bottom of the page. You will be able to hook up everyting thru this little box, I believe it will be the answer to all your needs

Thanks a lot man.... That's pretty nice...

anybody know where i could find one around here or how much that is US?

any other suggestions are greatly appreciated.

This thing is even cooler to me. It's supposed to take a component
signal, and lets your LCD become an HDTV, basically. You just need to
get the correct cables for the game system. Apparently this is what is
used in some projectors to make them HD.

Plus it has two inputs already, and a passthru for your computer.

yea that one is pretty cool too.
the price is what get's me though...

i was hoping that something like this would work to convert the video game video out to the vga?
Click to view attachment

nope... not quite that easy... that adapter is likely for an ATI grahpics card where the VGA port supports NTSC (video) output... the graphics card will need to specifically support this function for this cable to OUTPUT a Composite (RCA) or S-video signal.

if you're looking for a cheap way to get a composite or s-video signal into your computer, i'd suggest using this ProLink card... at only $26 (+5 ship), it's fairly cheap. You can use this with dScaler v4, which allows very good deinterlacing... which you will need for composite RCA & S-video inputs. This is the best quality at the lowest price, only that you'll need to run the PC for this to work. If you don't want to use the PC, then you will need a stand alone solution, like the Avermedia TVBox 9, or the KWorld box, or some of the other options listed above...

cheers,
gs

I'm not familar with these types of cards...
so i'd have to run a program to run the game consoles or vcr right?

also,
would it be easier to convert a computer's VGA out to composite and use a standard external composite switch? I ask because it doesn't look like the girlfriend will be able to come through on the lcd monitor... I have an older laptop that's not being used with s-video port on the back.... don't know if it's in or out... anybody know... but i could use this laptop also if i figure out a way

the program you would use is DScaler (v4)... it's free and works very well.

BUT... this is besides the point considering your having trouble landing an LCD... The laptop s-video is video out only (99.9% sure)... plus, it much more hassle to use a laptop LCD as the required controller is part of the laptop motherboard, meaning it would likely be easier to integrate the entire laptop into the PJ to make it work properly. There are controllers out there for LCD laptops, but you would need to know the specific make/model of the laptop LCD, and then hopefully you could find a controler with a pre-programmed bios specifically for your laptop LCD... BUT... this controller is likely to end up costing more than a brand new 15" or 17" LCD. Basically it is possible to use the laptop LCD, it's just not what you'd call "easy"...

gs

That's about what i figured would be the case. If i used the laptop i would run the projector from the laptop but didn't really want to do it that way.. i'd probably rather wait for money or a monitor sounds like a hassel.. what would be about the cheapest way out as far as getting an lcd monitor.. i saw some on ebay for 20 bucks and thought it might be too good to be true... and i would doubt that lcd tv's are very cheap

ebay is; well; ... ebay... sometimes you find great stuff, and sometimes it's just junk described to sell... it is a bit of a risk... I was able to pick up a WUXGA panel for $12, dead backlight, but not important for this project... it was a risk, but I was willing to lose the $12. If you're patient you can find deals for 17" LCD's for ~$120-140 after rebates, etc... but need to be careful as some may have FFC issues which will add another $15 or so to the price to fix them.

... this is just my 2 cents..

good luck,
gs

At the end of the day there are some considerations for these types of projects. Even if you spend a total of $200, compare that to a commercial projector as well as the cost of bulb replacements and operating hours, you will be glad you saved and spent the money on such a worthwhile project!!!!!!!!!

Something to think about

True, Bit. I can't say that when I fired up my projector and it was
displaying things in blissful clarity 5 feet diagonal that I wasn't
thinking, "Man... I only had to spend $100 to do this!" Admittedly,
I got a lot of stuff by luck and the donation of things by friends and
relatives, but it was still awesome to think, nonetheless.

Even if I had to buy everything, I think I would have come to about
$175 - $200... which just blows my mind.