i didn't want to include too much information in the projector gallery therefore i decided to start a PLOG and put all the "good stuff" in here.

i will rework my projector gallery and just include my basic projector building pics (with results of course).

anyways, i stripped down my Compaq LCD today. it didn't take too long, (about an hour) probably could have done it in less then 20 but i wanted to go slow and take ALOT of pics along the way. here they are:

i started by lying a soft cloth so not to scratch the LCD during the strip down.

there was only 2 actual screw holding the LCD casing together. also some clips that were easily released by using a flat screw driver.

first peek inside. next i removed the screws holding the stand bracket. also, at this point i could tell that someone had already been inside the LCD, probably attempting to fix the dim backlight.

next we can see a HUGH control board. also a big ugly FFC to the far right. the rest of the wires look easy enough to extend if need be. i also removed the shiny protective flashing which was held in place with a few screws.

i removed the power controler board and the screw for the ground wires.

and the other controler board ( brightness and such.)

these should be very easy to extend and mount in my projector in a easy to reach location.

i disconnected all the wires and that big FFC, removed all the screws and removed the big circuit board.

here's a closeup of the type of connector that this big FFC uses. i hope it won't be a problem.

anyways, there were several tiny screws holding this metal casing on the LCD, i removed them all. there was also some more tin foil type tape on various sides, i guess to help keep everything nice and tight. i basically just used a sharp knief to lift up one end of the tape then slowly peeled it from the LCD.

i then flipped over the LCD and removed the protective plastic screen that covered the actual LCD, it was just held on with sticky foam type tape. under this tape i then seen 4 screws ( on each corner ) i removed them and lifted off the front metal casing from the LCD and backlight.

i disconnected the rest of the wires, then noticed the one FFC might give me a problem.

i disconnected this FFC and lifted out the backlight. as you can see in the pic that this FFC is on a angle and will surely need to be extended...

here you can see how the controler boards will need to be moved out of the way and clearly the cable will not be long enough

another 3 or 4 inches would be nice as then i could even twist the cable so it would line up with it's socket. here is a pic showing it's pin count and width. i hope it's a normal size so i can get an extention for it.

if anyone has any suggestions please feel free to post.

( 24 pins in case you were trying to count )

use a 30 position 0.5mm pitch extention and use an exacto knife and trim 6 leads from each end

thanks for the info!

i have been looking at the LCD a bit, and i decided for now i can still mount and use it. the way it will be mounted it should only block about 1.5" of the bottom.... errr top of the display! so any DVD i watch which is in widescreen this won't bother it at all.

at a later time it would still be easy to extend this ffc if i find it too annoying.


so, i'm going to be taking some measurements and heading off to home depot today for a sheet of birch plywood. i'll post more pic's as i start building.

yes i did that for a while with my projector, I used my HTPC and just ran movies in a window, and it actually worked like a temp, zoom and i could place the window anywhere oone my desktop.

I also centered my icons to screen, changed the background to black and hide the taskbar. worked well.

well, i started building my box yesturday, here's some pic / info

i used 3/4" maple plywood (homedepot) for the projector enclosure. i was originally going to use birch but changed my mind at the last minute.

another shot, this plywood is awsome to work with compared to MDF! and lighter!

holes cut out for my fan and switches etc..

i installed my switches ( the ones that light up!! ) and my fan, also the power inputs. i added a second one because i'm going to be using an external ballast box. (still have to build one of these.....)

i made up a quick mount for my fresnels and glass. will probably have to modify this a bit due to my cheap-o LCD!

the collector fresnel is "sandwiched" between the thicker safety / UV glass and a standard sheet of glass to help keep the fresnel clean and well protected.

the front fresnel is also aganst a sheet of glass, i placed the ring'd side against the glass to help keep it clean.

i made simple channels in the wood to hold / align everything. seems to be working ok.

kewl, good way to think things through

thanks Joe!

here you can see the actual spacing i have between the fresnels and such.

ok, i tried my best to mount this god forsaken LCD... "note to self. pay the extra dough and buy a BenQ next time!)

it should work ok and as i figured i will be missing about 1" from the LCD display.

here's another shot, you can see the white silicone drying... i used it to "help" hold everything together and also to stop most of the air leak's.

you can see the side controller board of the LCD is kinda lightly pinched in between 2 pieces of wood.. it was the best i could do to mount it. but once it's all mounted in the projector i'm sure it will be fine. i also might add some more silicone to this area to help keep it sturdy.

thats all for now.

i did a little more work. mounted the reflector and the bulb.

here's another shot.

i wasn't think when i cut out the hole for the bulb in the reflector. i should have cut the hole where the handle was!

reflector ride!

first switched on. the bulb lite within 5 seconds!

picture taken about 20 seconds on.

this is actually a great shot showing the bottom of my generic reflector! (homesense) nice and curved

after 5 minutes she is at full power!

one more

here you can see what i meant by the 2 power inputs.

the one on the left (black) is the main power that feeds the cooling fan and will eventually feed the LCD.

the other one on the right (grey) is coming from my external ballast box which is not shown due to the fact it looks like hell! (will remake soon)

Looking good... where did you pick up the 3 prong power input things?

Looks Good. What are the dimmensions of your box?

the 3 prong power input things are nothing more then PC power supply power input sockets.. i have several of these older AT style PC cases and just removed 2 from 2 power supplies for this project. i find they work great!

the inside of my box measures:
26 3/4" long
14 1/2" wide
13" high

i realize the internal length should be closer to 28 1/4" but i messed up a bit. i figure i'm only short by 1 3/4" and can just extend my focus box more from the projector to compensate.

anyways, i just got home from work and will be doing some more work to it later today. will try and post some more pic's as i go.

ok folks

i've decided on finding a FFC extention for my LCD as it is just too difficult to continue and i fear i may do damage to the LCD.

thanks to joe2000chevy for the required size / pitch, now i know what to look for.

if anyone has one or knows of a good place please let me know.

well, looks like my problem is already solved!! Brainchild has exactly what i need!! a 0.5mm 24pin 6" FCC extention!
talk about service!



now i just have to send the cash and do a little waiting!

looks like a good start! I should have sandwiched my fresnels. next pj will be better.

Where did you get that bowl? (reflector)

i picked up the bowl / reflector from a local store called homesense. they are located everywhere in Canada, but not sure about the US.. it's a store that sells just dinnerware sets and other things found in the kitchen..

i picked up some plastic channel from home depot.. this stuff is great, my lens/glass fits great into it.

since i'm getting a FFC extention i decided to mount things alot better.

here you can see how easy it is to mount your lens/glass using these plastic channels. the LCD itself is just resting up against the first plastic channel. it will be held there when i install the second channel which will be pressed up tight against the LCD.

here's another shot.

you will notice on the right side of the pic i had to install an extra spacer.. this is due to the LCD having a control board running up it's right side. so to keep everything centered i adding the spacer. i will have to readjust the lamp and reflector due to this.

one more shot. everything fits very nice, the control boards are mounted to the projector. in the bottom left corner of the LCD you can see the FFC that needs the extending. the part is on order! (thanks Brain!)

i measured my LCD and adjusted for the extra spacer i added and i'm ready to cut the front board for the focus box.

box hole cut and reinstalled into projector

all assembled. i made the box 4" long for lots of adjustment. i'm not sure if it's going to interfere with the triplets FOV. anyone know how long is too long?

one more

last one for today.

i still have to mount the second fresnel, last larger control board, install the LCD's control's and LCD power supply........ hmm, guess there's still lots to do!