Hey everyone, this is my first post, but I've been visiting the site for a while now. I've just been very frustrated cause i have been been able to make a projector case, and I have been able to test it using a clear piece of plastic and writing. Everything works properly. My problem is with stripping LCDs. I had one that had an FFC issue and also that I accidently tore a part of a ribbon. That was out the window. THe second was a MAG INNOVISION 15" LCD TV FLAT PANEL MONITOR M572TVs /B (just like the one pulsareus used. http://www.lumenlab.com/forums/index.php?s...c=4169&hl=) which I got off of ebay. It works very well and stripping it was very, very easy. I would also preiodicly check between stripping phases to see if it still worked. I took my time and made sure not to hurt any of the ribbons.

The problem lies in the fact that somewhere between the time I had lifted it and placed it in my case, the half the damn screen stopped working. So I took it out and check the ribbons. No rips, kinks, nothing. i played with the ribbons form the lcd controller to the lcd and was able to get 75 precent for small amounts of time.

There are two ribbon cables going from the controller to the LCD. One seems to controller odd or even vertical lines, and this seems to be working properly. The longer thicker ribbon seems to control the entire display. I actually took this one and trimmed the ends and am still having the same problem. I also tried modifying a larger cable to use in it's place and this didn't work. I see that all of the pixels and quadrants on the LCD are functioning but I just can't get the damn picture to come up properly.

Now I'm so fustrated as my wife will not let me get a tv and this was my only way out. I don't want to just keep pumping money in LCDs and keep breaking them. I can't afford it. I know this is going to work and I just need to prove it to my wife, but she will kill me if I keep going and breaking $100+

Can anyone make any suggestions? SHould I just pay someone to put this together for me? ANything would be apperciated.

Thanks for all of your time.

There are plenty of notable members here with two and three monitors in their rubbish bins so don't fee too bad.

Maybe you can post your general location and see if any other members nearby would be willing to lend a hand?

The LCD is far-and-away the single most delicate component of a DIY projector build.

Also, if you have yet another go at it I'd suggest switching brands and maybe trying a Samsung, for instance.

Good luck and sorry for your troubles.

I'm fond of the Westinghouse LCM15v5 strips easy and has a great picture to boot - just finished my second build using the same make and model panel - purchased refurbed for $79.

Now, something you may want to check is if - and I do say if - your particular panel's circuit board NEEDS to be grounded... some builders have had what they thought was a dead panel, but after grounding it, it worked fine.

Thanks guys. I know that even the greatest masters in anything have had to go through this before, including the part with the nagging, non supportive wifes. The reason I even went with the second monitor, was that it was the only one that I could really find with the exact model number. Every other monitor had a slight change and I was nervous about having an ffc issue between models.

I also agree with grounding was an issue with my first lcd because, it was being grounded on the metallic case of the backlight, and it would work if that ground didn't exist. Fortunately this was not the case in this situation, as I would still get the image after the fact and 75% of it was there and viewable, just that last 25% wasn't, whereas with my first LCD, the damn thing wouldn't even "boot" without the ground.

I know all the pixels because they will flash different colors etc., its just something in the communication.

Anyway, I'll try to sneak another LCD in past my wife somehow I guess maybe one that Rorshach suggested.

I currently Live in Delaware. If anyone else lives around here and can physically help me, It would be much apperciated.

Could you guys find me a link where I can get any of these non FFC issue monitors cheap. I look around for them but the models are slightly different, which makes me nervous. Again thanks for all of your help.

-Arash

Here is the Westinghouse that I've used for $125 rufurbed. Sometimes it's on sale or there is a rebate (which is how I got it for $79).

The only tear down problem I had was reconnecting the front panel buttons (power, menus, etc.) I failed to realize that the ribbon connector was hinged (brown part in pictures), flip it up with your thumbnail, slide the ribbon back in, then push it back down.

Here is a stripping guide for the Westinghouse - I FULLY recommend removing the AG - it's easy to do

Thanks man, I'll look into this. I have also gotten my hands on a Dell 17inch flat panel, Just stripped it tonight out of frustration of my wife not letting me buy a tv. and It is still working so far. But it does have an FFC issue. I ordered an extender for it. I think it was the write one a 20 pin, plus someone else said the same somewhere else on the forum. I also had to buy two pro fresnels cause it's much larger than the ones I have now and I don't want to shrink the screen in anyway.

I also have purchse an encloser from diy projector kits. I already have one, but I was like what the hell, might as well just have something nice looking and eventually use that as a guide to build up my confidence to make more. I do much better by seeing something up close than in pictures, it makes a huge difference.

Anyway, If this doesn't work out. I will go and buy the one you just recommended. I really, really apperciate you help.

Thanks. i will start a new post once I get all of the things in and keep you posted.

Here's something that worked for me.

I kept checking the functioning of my LCD as I worked and ended up having problems like yours. I mentioned it to one of the engineers at work and he said that the connectors aren't designed to be reused a bunch of times, so the cable probably wasn't making good contact with the contacts inside the connector anymore, even though it seemed to be in firmly. Since replacing the soldered on connector was out of the question, he suggested putting a piece of scotch tape on the back side of the cable opposite the contacts to make it a little thicker and try it again.

Damn if it didn't work. Try it with both of your cables. Couldn't hurt it, might fix it.

Tgreenwood

Hey that is a great idea. I'll try this. Thanks for the suggestion.

-Arash