I was thinking of a quick and easy project to give my wife a projector in her classroom. She already has access to the standard school transparency projector, I was wondering if simply stripping an LCD and just throwing it on top of the projector would be successful.

Quality doesn't have to be top notch, as long as it's usable. Figured if that worked out I would improve upon it. Anyone try this yet?

TIA,
illc0mm

I have seen a few pictures from someone I work with who did just that. He was the one who introduced me to this site. He started with an LCD on an overhead projector and he plans on turning that into a 17" UXGA pj. I have not seen it in person, but from the picture it looked more than usable. I was quite impress by the picture he took, which is why I decided to start my own pj project.

Check this out OHP LCD Projector

TomsHardware.com had an article (well 2 articles really) on how to do this several months ago and I put one together that I've been using on and off since then. Basically you just strip the lcd out of the monitor and build a simple frame to put a small gap between the OHP and the lcd so it doesn't get too hot, and then just wire up a small computer fan to get some air flow going between the gap.

It's pretty simple and quick to use this approach, but I'm really looking forward to taking the next step and building one of the designs from this site.

that tomshardware article is actually what ultimate lead me here as well (realized like everyone else that THIS is te way to go!)

yep! toms hardware lead me to here too

i first built a ohp, it was a dodle but the quality wasnt there halogen bulb yellow ish light etc but still very good mind you.

i also had a not so good lcd compaq 450 tft with a whole load of fcc problems to boot!

i have just finally got my pro lens pj work five minuites ago i cant belive how good it looks I AM AMAZED AT THE PICTURE QUALITY!!!!!! i needed the pro l
ens for long throw 5 metres

That video is from the article on this website, which shows the detailed steps to building a LCD projector with an OHP.
http://www.denguru.com/2004/11/13/supersize_your_tv_for_/

As mentioned, the light from a Halogen is not as good as a metal halide, and will have a much shorter life span, but if your wife already has an OHP and uses it in the classroom, then this might be a good short term solution for you.

BTW, this article might be the same one from Toms Hardware that everyone else is mentioning. . . I personally have no idea since I have never checked out tomshardware.com, I just know that the one I posted is the first one I ever came across, and what eventually led me to find lumenlab.