I'm brand new here just today. One of my dream's is to have a projector but I am also one of those people who must have the best of the best lol so I want 1080p. Currently I am debating on the following options:

DIY - However I haven't ever completed a project I have started especially in electronics (nespc) with the exception of a simple case mod to a playstation 2 console. Major + is lamp life. (Father is a huge discourager for DIY's) - I fear I'm not capable

Giving in on not having 1080p and getting atleast a 720p commercial projector. Negative is lamp life

Waiting for major price drops of commercial 1080p to my price range.

Now onto the relative Q!

Since I am new I didn't want to post a already asked question so I used the seacrh function. Now I see some answer regarding resolution and the screendoor effect but what if such LCD were to come from a Full HD 1080p camcorder.

Example of a lower end model:

http://cgi.ebay.ca/NEW-JAPAN-DX5-HDMI-FULL...A1%7C240%3A1308

now from what I understand there would be no way of getting the image to the camcorder as this one has only Hdmi output and what is needed is inputs so a custom controller baord would have to be made and or designed?

This is just a thought as I'll continue to read the forums.

After further reading this may be just moot point considering I'd want the projected image to be fairly huge .

Even if the camcorder is 1080p capable, the viewscreen is highly unlikely to be anything near that resolution. Basically, there's no NEED for 1080p native res on the viewfinder, so making the LCD with that resolution would simply make the camcorder much more expensive for the consumer.

So basically, while the material recorded will be 1080p, you won't get 1080p looking at it in the viewfinder. It's the same with a digital camera. The LCD on the back of a $100 digital point 'n shoot certainly can't display an 8 megapixel image natively, even though the camera can record that image on the memory card.

On top of that, the camcorder LCD is going to be difficult to get inputs that work for it that don't come from within the camera itself. However, I'd expect that the camcorder's LCD to be no better than 480X234 resolution, and you'd be better off finding a basic portable DVD player LCD, since it will have easier inputs to use.

For the DIY thing...

Only you can determine your readiness to take on this project. It's not a small task, though it's not as complicated to do a basic build as it might be, and the end result is something that might even motivate you to finish what you start. I'll tell you that it sure feels good to finish!

Yes I guess I posted way prematurely with that one I should have known better.




Well I change my mind periodically on this topic so to begin I am going to read as much as possible on this board and any other source materials I can find and If I build up my confidence enough to start I'd probally upgrade my account to help support this forum. I have an idea for the box I'd like todo but it may be a little more advanced than the basic start up. I own the center console for this recliner

http://s7d3.scene7.com/is/image/TheBrick/T...ctdetails$

To which if space permits the guts of a DIY projector as welll as proper ventilation it would be perfect as it would be hidden in the furniture rather than some bulky box.

That right there is my problem though I want to jump right in where I should be taking it slow. I'm going to look over the compatible monitor list and see if I can pick any up on the cheap or see if I can find any with broken backlights. If I use a LCDTV is this step avoidable due to it already having the inputs needed?

I thank you for being so kind.

If your getting parts for a 15inch projector, Why not but a 15" lcd. You can get one with 1024 by 768 resolution for around 20 bucks. Ive got two of them! I broke my first one GOOD LUCK!

I'm just looking to skip steps so if getting a lcd tv helps skip steps I may do so. However 20 bucks is good especially if cdn.

Thats a 15" computer monitor by the way. Only a vga port. But you can buy a convertor for av ports and stuff of dealextreme. Look for the monitor on sites like kijiji or craigslist. Good luck. Price is canadian by the way

I know thus why I said however. See I have a Ps3 - hdmi, Xbox360 - hdmi or vga and Wii - composite that I would like to hook up to it. This is why I asked if a lcd tv would work too.

It works quite well, but you've got to look for a small one.

Whereabouts in Canada are you?

I might have a line on some 15" LCD displays, but I haven't taken the person up on it, since I'm not building another 15" projector.

Canada's capital Ottawa. I know there are or atleast were a few other ottawan's on here. 11/12 months a year
1/12 I am in Calgary (December)

Currently I am looking at both LCD TV's 15" and LCD Monitors 15" and 17" on the web.

I have seen one ad for a free one that I am hoping for response back it said it has a few dead pixels but its free so I'm not going to complain. I can always switch it at a later date.

Anyone on here take up commission's? - Though that defeats the purpose of DIY and I'd miss out on the fun.

You might want to try some local Goodwill places for monitors. Just a thought.

Most have CRT Tubes in my area (Goodwills). I'm still waiting for a response from the 17 in for free. Plus my dads backlight blew though its currently at FS under warranty so doubt I'll get that one. I also did what another member did here and posted a LCD recycle ad heck if I get many free the bonus to me. Though this task seems complicated if I break it down into sections I may be fine. The thread that really has my interest is the wuxga because of 1080p. I've even seen some compatible items on ebay. I saw a lot of 5 that is cheap for US customers but no so much Us Canadians,


Side note I really have just highjacked this thread.

Yes, you have just hijacked the thread. I was considering splitting out from your first post here... In fact, I think I'll do exactly that.

I got ahold of a 17" LCD monitor with a dead backlight for really cheap. I'm thinking though that I might want to see if I can replace the backlight and use it as <gasp> a monitor.

I think I want to work with 15" for a first build anyways. Unless I get that local one free assuming it is one that is compatible with this project neer the less if its not its still practice. I am not going to go straight to wuxga because the last thing I want is a $400 paper weight.

I'm really pleased with this forum within my first few posts I have nothing but postive reviews for it. The biggest is its one of the most newb friendly boards I have joined. I'm dissapointed in my self for already have a highjacked thread infact in my first pirst but at the time I had something relative though the topic was originally started in 07 so thats another negative.

Meh. No big deal, and your post was sort of relevant...

We try to be positive around here, and people that aren't get moderated. We're trying to be a community of enthusiasts here. As long as you're willing to do some of the groundwork yourself, we'll all get along just fine.

Say I wanted to start off slow with the projector based on a 15" monitor screen but with plans for future upgrades like 17" or 15.4" Wuxga? in avoids to repurchase similiar items would the Pro Lens kit be backwards compatible to 15" inch monitors assuming all the alignment is centered and box is built to suit guts of 17"?

The FAQ section has the reverse Question I asked:

C&P'd from FAQ

Can I use a 17" LCD with the standard lens? Sort of. The standard projection triplet is capable of handling a 17" LCD. The fresnels are the problem. The standard fresnel kit will not cover a 17" LCD. you can use a program such as powerstrip to reduce the used area on the 17" LCD to something that the fresnels can cover, or you can source larger fresnels elsewhere.

This also applies to 15.4" widescreen LCDs, since they also will not fit with the standard fresnels.

You can use a 7" LCD with the pro lens kit. There's never a problem with making the projector with a smaller LCD.

If you were to make your projector so that it can handle the width of a 17" LCD, or 15.4" LCD for WUXGA, and use hte pro lens kit, there would be no reason that you can't replace the LCD sled and LCD later. You just need to make sure that you leav the fresnel lenses large enough to cover the surface of the larger LCD later.

I meant to say + fresnals. I'm pretty sure I could just use all to make bigger just make sure my aligment is correct. Though parts seem to be scarse right now so I'll be checking out the trading post, ebay and ll store I'll keep checking back too.