I was reading up on DIY projectors because I've been wanting a nice large screen for some time now. I decided that I will go for it.

I'm not researching what parts I should use. I have an LCD monitor and an broken laptop screen. I'm thinking to go with laptop screen because it is widescreen, and supports a higher resolution than the LCD ( both 17, one is laptop is wide ).

The big thing is that I want the projector to have other inputs than VGA. I would like to be able to plug in a PS2 or other game console by composite and play on that. I would have to get a controller with the inputs.

Do you think it's better to go with a Controller that has all the inputs + some extras I probably wouldn't use ( eBay link ) or just get the one with VGA ( eBay Link ) & pickup one of these guys ( Guess what ... more eBay ).

The VGA & Adapter is a cheaper option ( ~$56 ) while the once piece is probably a better option because it has a remote and you can switch inputs with a button rather than running behind the projector and actually switching cords ( ~$80 ). I'm normally cheap so a bit reluctant to go for the more expensive one, but it will turn out to be a better working unit. And anyway, ~$200 of parts is better than going out and buying a $500 projector, and mine will look O so much better.

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I'm also wondering if any of you guys have actually used these controllers or laptop LCDs: is it easy to setup ( ie, plug everything in and BOOM! ) or do you have to look all over the internet to see how to set it up. I'm a bit skeptical because I don't want to buy the controller and they try and hook everything up and realize that I just wasted 70+ dollars on something that is now junk.

Thanks for any help with it.

I'd say go with the slightly more expensive and card. The VGA to s-video/composite cable has a roughly 100% chance of not working. The signal put out by the VGA port does not carry any of the signals necessary for s-video or composite. Its like soldering together a wall plug and a VGA cord (I'm not meaning to be rude, just how I think of it)... you have the right connectors, but the VGA card won't power a lamp, even though they fit together.

The other reason is that I have the first one and it works great and there is abit of a review on lumenlab.
LVDS controller
Its good as long as you don't want HD. The remote is nice and all of the inputs work.

Hope this helps

oops, just meant to put... this will handle resolution up to 1920x1080 through VGA and scale it, but you will need a transcoder (X2VGA2, N6, Kworld etc).

i have an e-box 9964 for sale if ur interested.