Finally got around to building my son's projector using his dead backlit Panasonic DVD LS50. Still more to be completed but generally got it to work just enough to post some images.

1 - Panasonic DVD LS50
1 - 327mm triplet (Dukane Starfire SF5510 OHP)
1 - 330mm front fresnel
1 - 317mm rear fresnel
1 - precondenser, (this may be the one. I've accumulated many lens in the past but the lens (linked) from Surplushed looks good for the rear fresnel. My precon however is about 80+ mm diameter around.)
1 - Philips Mastercolour CDM150/T6/942
1 - Hamilton Beach ladle (small)
1 - M102 ballast (Univeral Lighting Technologies 1121 539C TC)
1 - Walmart $5 desk fan

I was quite impressed with the images I was getting with the small 7" lcd despite it's low res. The build seemed alot easier compared to my last behemoth monster. Overall, my son will get a kick out of it after it's done. The small box factor 24" long x 13 1/2" wide and 7" tall looks like a small suit case that will have a handle for toking around. More details on the build will be added later. Let's move on to the fun

Here are a few pics of the lil suit case:

My first screen for the initial test were a couple of plastic top folding tables stacked. Kinda light cream greyish colored. The pic below shows a comparison to a white project paper. This would probably be an example of a bad painted wall for projection use.

And here are some pics using the folding tables. The projector sat about 15 1/2 feet from the rear of the box to the stacked tables. The top pic is approximatly 8 feet distance while the bottom was about 13 feet taken from atop of the pj. The size of the image was 75"+/- diagonal. Garage lights were on, about a pair of 75w'rs

WOW, that looks awesome!!

Are all of those shots with the lights on in the room?

Is that an elliptical reflector I see ?



HAHA


Nevermind, I actually read the words and see that it's a ladle.

Nevermind again, I actually finished reading the words and saw that the lights were on. I really have to start reading before I post .

These were taken 8 feet away while the pj sat 15 feet back and with the lights off. Up close you can see definate screen door.

Not all in the pics but it gets better, wait

Yeah, polishing kitchen utensils is my bag

With the use of the small 7" lcd I was impressed with what the 150w Philip provided. At 75" diagonal image I was getting lux readings of 43 on center and 38's on the sides with the lcd mounted and turned off. The small panel still had it's antiglare but polished to the point of reflective glass. More on this later.

In the meantime, I decided to bring out the Dalite Highpower screen, 2.8 gain for more testing.

With lights on then off, same distance viewing at 8 feet, 75" diag on the Dalite Highpower.

And this is the uncropped 'cut' sample of the same picture above at the same distance.

wow sim, that does look good. if you get up close to any image you will see the pixels. sit up next to your tv and you will see the color bars too. any shots of the inside? I like the sections for components. looks like a rugged build.

Well I was putting my 7" PLOG up now I dont even know if I want to put anymore stuff up yours is NICE. Looks like it could have been slimmer but the fan and the ballast made it a little wider can you tell me where you got your ballast and bulb from? It looks awesome and some great screenshots to boot.

Not a problem TESC, I've been concentrating on the projection mostly for now with the use of the camera but I promise to provide some details including measurements. The ballast of course is what takes up most of the weight so building it with a little more stiff was on the brain since I'm assuming my son will be carrying it around (you know teenagers)

Post away sdubb, I'm always interested to see builds by others.

The bulb was given to me from mikyd some time back, I just took my sweet arse time going into this. The ballast was off of ebay.

StarWars at 8' and to the side of the Dalite screen and 13' on top of the pj head on towards the screen. Also, a sample of the 8' that hasn't been cropped.

And Nemo again at 15 feet (lights on & off), 8 feet and an uncropped sample.

And a few more.

Ok, this is the 7" lcd mounted. The side with the wafer board is the rear lcd side while the otherside is the front and the polished antiglare, this faces the fresnels/lamp of course. The small screws holding the Panasonic frame to the lcd and mdf were also from the portable dvd itself.

Gotta sleep, more later.

Looking great, Sim! Nothing beats a handmade present in my book. But handmade gadgets are the coolest

SIMUL8R,

What is the resolution of the 7" screen you are using?

Cheers!

Fulcrum

Long overdue present, but I'm sure he'll enjoy it...or sell it, which ever comes first. Thanks sensibull.


I've tried looking this up as well Fulcrum and I couldn't find anything on it. But I'm almost sure its the low res kinds. I would have probably gotten a better projection with a lilliput but this was aching for transplant.

That is a nice projector. The way you did the box with the electronics in their own compartment is a lot like how i am thinking of building my next projector (once i get the money). I cant imagine how nice a projector that actually use an MH bulb would be compared to my current one.

Ok SIM that heading needs to be changed from attempt to SUCCESS

I found this info through Google.

Product information:

Panasonic dvd-ls50 portable DVD player 17 LCD - nr



- DVD type portable DVD player with screen

- number of discs 1

- progressive scan without progressive scan

- playable disk types DVD video? DVD-R? DVD audio? CD (audio)? CD-R? CD-RW

- playable file formats MP3

Video

- TV resolutions 480i

- video output system pal

- video dac 10 bit/54 MHz

- video S/n ratio 60 db

- picture control brightness? Saturation? Zoom

- region:2





The macvision screen that I have said the same 480i description. When I stripped it I found the maker to be Innolux and that the resolution is actually 480x234. The FCC seems to be in the same place on our screens so I wonder if it is the same? Maybe..

See my Macvision lcd here

Our projections look alot alike.

See the slap together projection here.

The ballast was pretty much the biggest issue that I had to design around with. Long and heavy like a gold bar (as if I had one in my hands, right?) Just hope there is room for the carrying handle mount since the main fan/light switches are on that side as well. My son will have to handle it with care when picking it up and putting it down.


hehe, not until I have handed it over to my boy and has passed it's warranty of 90 days

Looks like there's a popularity with making Portable DVD player Projectors! Now about that portable part.....

Thanks for info on the 7" GLAPPE, it was your thread mostly and a few from others that I used as reference as to the kind of projection I predicted I might be getting. Just looking at your projections with mine I'm almost certain their the same res lcd. You experiencing the same distance of 'screen door' effect at around 10' or less too?

Yep, the test projection that I had on top of my 15" projector is 11' from the screen. I was really suprised how acceptable the projection was giving the low res and screen door effect but it was really watchable. I REALLY want to work on mine but the heat is killing us down here right now. It was 108 with humidity yesterday (garage = oven).

I know what you mean by the garage oven I live in AZ dry heat always above 100 I think the hottest was like 123 they made shirts and stuff saying they survived. The garage is the only place I can work and watch 15" projector til the portable DVD projector is done then watch in the house. I think you mean 11' (feet) from the screen

I r Smort, I R nO Math-E-Te-ma-tAcs

Thanks for the correction

post corrected....

Noticed that too, huh? I can say for the price of a blown back lit portable DVD player off of ebay, some lens and some wood work can be pretty fun to build and well worth it. The cost and with little work to build one of these comes in handy for use outdoors without having to drag the big screen TV into the yard.

Still working on a carrying handle for the suit case but it'll come to me.

Say no more. Been to Vegas during the summer when it was in the 110's, Bahrain (Middle East) when it was 120's in the shade and 140 out on gravel road... and try working in those conditions while in uniform

Those pics are amazing. Are you just making this projector for your kids, or do you have other plans for it?

Just for my son, for some reason he's big on horror flicks even the real oldies.

As promised to TESCORP, here are pics of the build so far with some measurements. The flash on my camera crapped out on me so I decided to bring it out and make use of the sun

more...

more...

The lamp engine...

I originally wanted to use LumenLab's standard 320mm triplet but when I tried it with the 330mm front fresnel I had mounted I found blurred edges. So, I stuck with the Dukane 327 triplet with the 330. Of course LumenLab's 320mm will work with the 317mm fresnel found within the store since they match accordingly.

So far the box (as is) weighs 24 lbs, I gather it will weigh in at 30+/- by the time I'm done.

Looking real good. I'm sure your whites will look more white than mine. I wonder if the make bulbs with a higher K than the ones I'm using..

btw, did you have to get a ffc extension for the dvd player?

Victor

The 150w Philips I'm using is I beleive 4000k or 4200k. The bulb is rated M142E but the ballast I'm using is M102 with a rated 1.70/0.72 amps @ 120v input, so I'm not sure what the temp may be at right now.

Yes with the ffc extension.

These are greatly cropped and viewed at 15 feet away on the Dalite HPower but you get the idea.

Ok you and I are having a fun time with the whole 7" portable dvd players but I am getting jealous to see where you are at and the awesome images you are getting so does your son even know you are building this?? My son is only 2 so as long as it shows an image of cartoons he is good but you know the DAD it can be bettter

LOL! Yeah he knows and sent him some pics but I assume he'd have more fun with it when he has it in his possession and up close.

This is a great looking project. I'm just starting my own 7" portable dvd projector, and I'm planning on using some of your design ideas! I love the results, they look amazing for such a low res panel. I'm planning on doing something similar as well in that I'm making a second portable one (I had a second spare dvd player) for a friend. Only it's gonna be a total surprise. Keep up the good work.

SIMUL8R thats close to the same as mine only i'm using the bt 37 400 watt 4200 kelvin bulb the one with the huge envelope!However i just ordered a new one the same one our lunenlab store sells,and going to add a precon,using a portable dvd as well myron and davis .

Thanks fellas for stopping by and providing some feedback. Dang cool1, with a 400w and a 7" that would be hella bright. Good luck with that

In the meantime, I woudn't want to give the wrong impression that this is as bright as shown in the previous pics. Once again, the brighter pics were taken off of 2.8 gain Dalite Highpower screen . Therefore, these are samples taken off a regular white vynl shower curtain at some 13 feet distance away. I suppose this would be equivalent to a white painted regular wall.

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Thanks for the pics and dimensions, this is a solid build! reminds me of the stuff DIY projector company used to make. that is one big ballast. great screen shots too. I very much like the way you built the light engine assembly.

done.........