I finally got to thinking that it might be a good idea to do something with my broken DVD player. It's a 7" Axion 16-3903 Portable DVD Player. Its been a couple years since its stopped playing DVDs, but the screen is still fine. I play video games on it using the AV Input every so often.

The screen is pretty decent quality. Movies look pretty sharp on it, but I wouldn't really know how good it actually is since I haven't really compared it to other portable DVD players. I'm hoping I can use this to make a projector somehow. I've only seen guides on how to make HD projectors with 15" lcds though.

Does anyone have advice on how I could go about making a projector with this Portable DVD Player's screen? What would I need to do this? What picture quality could I expect when its done? How much will it cost?

Thanks!

My 7" portable dvd build. You can still do this with the standard S15 optics and pro reflector. I used a 150w Ceramic but you have a choice of lamps.

Where can I find all the stuff you used to build yours? Does the LumenLab store sell all of the stuff, or at least a lot of it? I'm also new to all the terminology too, so help there would be nice.

When you say S15 Optics, do you mean this set of lenses:

http://www.lumenlab.com/estore/product.php...=253&page=1

And this reflector:

http://www.lumenlab.com/estore/product.php...=253&page=1

Is there another place I could get the lenses for cheaper?

Thanks

Yes, the S15 kit consist of the 320 triplet, 317mm & 220mm fresnels, you can also get the pro reflector which is better than the ladle I used. You can also find the 400w lamp kits but that's up to you. I just thought I'd try the 150w'r and a precondenser in my build. With a 7" LCD panel your build should be easier

How much can I expect to spend on all of the things I need?

I'm not really sure of everything I need. From what you mentioned and your thread, I'd need:

S15 lens kit - http://www.lumenlab.com/estore/product.php...=253&page=1
-Any other places to buy lenses for cheaper, or things I can get them from (overhead projectors on eBay maybe, dunno) would help
150 Watt Bulb (CDM150: http://www.lumenlab.com/estore/product.php...253&page=1)
-A cheaper bulb (but still decent quality) would be nice, just to save some money
Precondenser - http://www.surplusshed.com/pages/item/l3825.html
Pro Reflector, or Ladle - http://www.lumenlab.com/estore/product.php...=253&page=1
Cooling Fans

You mentioned using a ballast, but I have no clue what that is...

What would I be putting the projector in? I saw a black plexiglas case and your case, but I'm not really sure. Right now, I really have no clue how I would be assembling this, so any help in that area would be nice.

Any advice on saving money on any of this stuff would help (bulbs, lenses, case, anything)

Is disassembling my portable DVD player just a matter of opening it up and taking it out such that I can put the lcd panel against light and lenses? I assume I would just disassemble the screen portion and leave the bottom (dvd player parts) alone. My DVD player is the kind that folds, not the kind that has the screen completely separate from the DVD player. On the LCD part of the DVD player, there are only 4 screws (the picture only shows 2, because I forgot to take the rubber screw covers off on the top). I assume that after unscrewing the 4 screws, the plastic cover should come off, and the LCD should be removable. I'm not positive how the top piece of the DVD player would actually come out though. I'd have to figure out how to yank the top part of the dvd player out of its hinges.

Here's a picture of the DVD player:



What would it look like if the LCD was just placed on an Overhead Projector?

I haven't got a lot of money on me. I'll probably have to put this on the top of my To-Do list rather than doing it right away.

Placing the LCD on an overhead projector would work, you would just have a lot of light shining around the screen. For a cheap light setup I used daylight compact fluorescent bulbs. They are not as bright as a metal halide bulb, but a lot cheaper. My lights and sockets were only about $25 at walmart.

With all these question it sounds like you haven't been lurking enough or even stumbled over to our beginner's category. I suggest that since this is in your 'to do list' that you take the initiative first to study here and then research several 'Plogs' you find worth informative. Ask the builder within his plog of what your not clear on, especially something specific but be knowledgeable of the basics at least or it will be apparent you haven't done any research at all. Then make a plan of your build and what parts you want to utilize based on your budget. If your really concern on expenditures then it requires a bit more preperation on your part otherwise your spending more than you should.

you can check out my 7" plog I am a cheapskate so my parts are not that expensive I have a few things if you are interested I really do like my 50 watt bulb instant on and off and available everywhere its not the best but it def. works great read read and read more ask questions and it will be a blast.

Where are you located? I have an enclosure from a previous portable DVD build just sitting in my workshop, collecting dust. You can have it for pretty cheap, if the shipping doesn't kill the deal. (Just to clarify, it only comes with the case and some electronics like switches and a fuse, not any lenses, but I'd be happy to throw in a 150w lamp and some fresnels for testing purposes.)