Here's a quick answer for those who wants to use a laptop LCD for display for their projector. This is one of the most common questions asked on this Forum.
A basic LCD monitor you buy over the counter is already prepackaged with everything you need to hook up to a common video input jacks such as VGA, RCA, S-Video. The basic components are LCD screen, controller, and backlight inverter. The controller has an input and output. The input connections are either VGA, RCA, or S-Video. The output then connects to the LCD screen. The backlight inverter takes low voltage power like 12v and steps it up to a few hundred or thousand volts for the backlight to light up the LCD.
Laptop LCDs come with the LCD screen and the backlight built in. But it does not have a seperate controller. The controller is built into the laptop. This is the part that most people dont understand why they cant use a laptop LCD. You need a controller to convert standardized VGA, RCA, S-video signal to non standardized LVDS signal. LCD screens dont cost much. You can buy a laptop LCD screen for a few dollars on ebay though they can get as high as $100-$300. The controller is what's gonna cost you the most.
The controller has to be specially programed for the specific Lcd you are going to use. Also a special Lvds cable has to be made to connect the Lcd to the controller.
Right now the only easy option for getting a controller for your laptop lcd is Ebay. Ebay seller tywong888 with Ebay Store Electronics Kits and Parts Store has 2 different controllers .
*edit* It seems that he is no longer selling these. You might have to contact him and see if he will still sell you one.
You will have to buy the controller you want and then email the seller your Lcd model number. This is the actual model # on the back of the Lcd and not the laptop model number. This means you will have to disassemble your laptop to get this number. If your Lcd is compatiable the seller will ship you a working controller with all necessary parts in 2-3 weeks. If it's not compatiable he will refund your money.
*These controllers do not support 1:1 pixel mapping. Everything will be stretched to the Lcd's native resolution.*
Controller 1:
Price: $51 shipped
Controller Specifications:
- Input: VGA
- VGA Input: 640x480 to 1280x1024
- LCD Panel Connection: Both LVDS / TTL
- Support Panel Pixel: VGA 640x480 to 1366x768 (8" or above, nearly all 10" to 22" LCD)
- One low tension output for back light
- Power consumption: 12V 2 to 4A
- 1x LCD Controller
- 1x Keypad Board
- 1x Single Lamp BackLight Inverter
- 1x 110~240 12V 4A power adapter (power cord not included)
- 1x Controller to LCD Connection Cable (please send me the lcd model)
- 1x VGA Cable
Controller 2 :
Price : $81.00 shipped
Controller Specifications:
- Input: TV / AV / S / VGA
- Video System: PAL/NTSC Auto-Detect
VGA Input: 640x480 to 1600x1024
- TV: VHF / UHF
- LCD Connection: LVDS / TTL
- Support Panel Pixel: 640x480 to 1600x1200 (10" to 23")
- One low tension output for back light
- Power consumption: 12V 2 to 4A (Single lamp Back Light)
- 1x LCD Controller
- 1x Keypad Board
- 1x Remote Control
- 1x 110~240 12V 4A power adapter (power cord not included)
- 1x Controller to LCD Connection Cable (please send me the lcd model)
- 1x VGA Cable
- 1x Back Light Inverter (single Lamp)
Just one more thing should be added. You can always just use the entire laptop in your projector. But laptops don't have video inputs. So all you will be able to do with the laptop is play files off the harddrive and Dvd player if one is built in. Also most likely you will have to extend the Lvds cable going to the Lcd which can be a lot of work if it's even possible.
I hope this helps and please don't post here asking questions. Pm me if you need something else or think something should be added.