Ive been lookin at this DIY projector stuff for a while. My regular TV is about to go so i finally have to make a decision, buy a tv or make a projector. I was thinking of making a really cheap one for about 200 if i can keep it there, or buying a tv for about the same price.

I am an enginnering student and because of the student part, my funds are not exactly unlimited. I was wondering this, if i found a lcd tv at around 10" with a coax cable input , can i build a projector that will then act as my tv without having to add anything else? Has anyone done this with success? I dont have the money to buy another computer (or even frankenstine (sp?) one) to make it work.

Also how much do the parts of the projector cost (not including the LCD). I just wanna know that when i buy an LCD (seems to be the most expensive part) i wont start building this and notice that i am gonna have to throw another 200 on parts making this outside my budget. I dont care how nice it looks, jsut that i will be able to turn it on and watch tv on it.

One last thing, ive taken many computers apart, and built a good amount of things in my life, should I have much of a problem building this thing?

In all honesty, I think you will probably struggle to complete a build with good results for at or under $200. Not saying it can't be done, but I'm one of the most frugal people alive and bided my time, found some amazing deals on all the major components and still couldn't come in under $200. Parts have a way of adding up, few (if any) designs don't waste a little on trial-and-error.

Just trying to help you be realistic.

well that was what i was goin for, realistic.

So here is what im guessing

100 for cheepo LCD panel (dont caer much about quality, just that it works) (ebay)
35 for light (ebay)
?? for light fixture and wireing
70 for Fresnel Lenses and triplet, (from lumenlab)
?? wood (wherever)

How much else do you see i need other than this, and what is the best way to mount the light? (bad at Electrical Engineering)

/EDIT

I was lookin online, and i guess a ballast for the light is the most expensive thing in the whole equation. I guess that is at least 100 bucks alone.
So it looks like im gonna be spending 300ish now, dunno if that will work or not, gotta check up on funds.

Doesn't have to be. Thanks to a tip from Litherish (who apparently got the tip from someone else) I got one of these ballasts for another build I may be doing. This ballast will take the Ushio S400DD bulb LL used to sell, and the 400w ceramic when it comes out. The electronic ballasts are much harder to find for cheap.



That sounds a little more like an accurate guestimate. For light mounting options, check the PLOGS. Lots of variables and options there.