This project may seem unconventional, but here goes anyways.


I want to make a RPTV where the screen will act as a lightweight table top (centerpiece).

I have some materials available and would like to use them first before resorting to purchasing new items.

I have an older Philips RPTV CRT version that no longer works, I'm hoping I can salvage lenses if at all possible and use the screen as well.

I also have a portable DVD player with a 7" tft screen (the DVD player doesn't read anything, but the screen lights and works still).

Because it will be fitted under the table, I'm restricted in the distance of projection...24" or so from lens to table surface, but I'm ideally looking for an image dimension of 24" x 24" or as close to that as possible.

Also I hope to be able to control the screen via PC as a second monitor or TV out.

Thanks for any advice and guidance.

I'm really glad I found this forum!

we like unconventional
well, first thing... does the dsvd player have any kind of input? composite maybe? then you have a chance anyway.... not sure if you can get 24" x 24", 24x18 wuold be a stabdard 4:3 picture size, is the dvd player widescreen?
you might be able to use the lenses from the crt, depends on how short their focal lengfth is and how big the lcd they are using is, usually those crt lenses basically almost sit on top of the crt....if so then the lcd can't be any bigger then the lens itself, I know a lot of those crt projectors are almost 5" in diameter...a psone screen might be better(they're about 5" in diameter.... imagine laying the rptc(old one on its back...using the parts from it, and replacing the original crt with a simliarly sized lcd thats really the best you can do, how big is the rptv screen? I suppose if you shrink the screen size you can make it shorter (or since its laying on its back, it would be less wide).... so essentially all you really need to do is find an lcd the same size as the crt in the old rptv then transplant the guts into a coffee table ? since the rptv screen is probably bigger than 24x18, it just might work, but I', guessing the 7" lcd is probably too big(assuming it has anoother input, if it soesn't, unless you are an electronic wiz I don't think it will work) so first...see what size the crt in the rptv is..then you can go from there

The RPTV screen is from a 50". I just figured I could cut it down to size...do I have to cut from the center Or just cut out a corner? I wasn't sure because of the fresnel and lenticular layers to the screen.

I removed one of the lenses from the crt assembly and the side closest to the crt could be 4" max. So I may be on the look out for a PSone lcd.....

I've read about OHP lenses...could I adapt one of those to work? They're a dime a dozen on EBAY.

Also, would I need to build a projection box, with lamp, rsmirror, fsmirror, etc., that I've read about in other kits here?

And it will be placed in the center of a 5' Round table, normal height to table surface, but could be raised if need be.

Thanks for the reply!!

Oh, and the DVD player does not have any input that I could find...it has a video output which really doesn't help me in this case....

I to am curiose about useing the old crt lenses. Reading the above posts I would have to agree that the lense would have to sit directly on top of the screen, like a ps screen like you mentioned. I was curiose if you could still use a fresnel lense behind the crt lense ? , if i wanted to use around an 8 inch lcd.
Perhapse useing a fresnel lense to focuse the smaller image on a piece of rptv screen and then placeing the crt lense ontop of that. Unfortunatly i threw out my fresnel that kinda got burnt/melted in my testing fase of my other project. So i have no way of playing around just yet.

I do have access to full none working rptv's once and awhile, so parts shouldnt be a problem.

Thank you.

Bump.

If I were to use an old OHP, could I then use the 7" lcd screen?

I didn't want to invest the $60-$100 into an old OHP if it wasn't a viable alternative.

Thanks for any replies to this project.

Yes it would work with a 7 inch lcd. The problem with useing an OHP is that the light output is a little low and usually just a dublet lense.
Also if you plan on useing the entire OHP with a RPTV screen in front of it, wouldnt the throw distance be to long to have nice compact project ?

Try searching fleamarket type stores and sometimes schools just have them kicking around in storage , dosnt hurt to ask.