Just wanted to post my findings on the magnavox lcd tv being currently sold in Walmart. Took one apart today and it does not make a good lcd for a projector. It has two circuit boards attached to the lcd. One on the side and one on the bottom. The two boards are attached to each other with a very fine ribbon cable. The ribbon cable is not long enough to fold the boards out of the way for the light path. I tried to solder some wires between the two boards but it did not work. It was a 250 dollar mistake . Too bad the monitor had vga, component, s video and a built in tv tuner

can you post a picture ? what you are descibing can most likely be fixed using an FFC (you refer to this as a very fine ribbon cable) extension, as sold in the LL store. you will need to know how many pins the cable is, and also how wide (to determine pitch).

don't give up hope yet !

cheers,
gs

thanks for the post

this is timely (for me), 'cause I was just preparing to make my own first-ever post on the LL forum, asking advice about the Magnavox 15MF605T-17, which I just saw at Best Buy this weekend for $250, and I was thinking about giving it a shot

do you think it might be an FFC issue? If so. hopefully the soldering won't have closed off any options for you

Unwin has found a magnavox 15" hdtv with all the inputs that you will need. He has already stipped it and tested it which is why I bought one recnetly from ebay. Here is a link to his plog My Webpage. There are alot of magnavox lcd tv's but this is the only one I have seen stripped down.

The model number on the back of mine differs from the one you listed by 1 character...

15MF605T/17 its a / not a -.

The serial number is BZ000515582341

Manufactured april 2005

Bought from Best Buy

Mine has one board connected to the bottom of the LCD, and a second board connected to the other board by a 6"? flexable rope cable.

Mine lacks the side cable you are talking about...

Can you post some pictures of the box it came in, and the stripped parts? as well as the sticker from the back of the plastic case that identifies the unit?

I did have left over parts from mine. The speakers, lamp control board, maybe some other parts.

Edit: I just noticed the topic of this thread. It's model number is WAY off from mine... 37 vs 17. Definately a different beast...

I used the 15MF500T/37 and it worked perfectly. Email me @ craig.is.not@gmail.com if you want more info on my setup.

Hmm, I have a similar kind of thing in mine, also connected by a flat ribbon, but their is nothing wrong with it, all you have to do is pick up both boards at the same time then put them wherever they want to move...check my plog for a picture of the things.

I don't want to be critical, but I don't really see a problem with the way yours is made...You can't be very DIY compatible if you give up because you can't pickup both circuit boards together without tearing the connector... I doubt it would be in the lights way, as its usually in front near the triplet, where its focusing into a cone (so to speak) and it would just skim over the top of it.

Just take a look at this...

Sorry If I was not clear in my original post. The lcd boards were attached to the lcd on two sides. The boards were folded over on the back of the lcd and attached to each other by small fragile wires. In order to flip the boards out of the way of the light path the wires had to be extended. I still would not suggest this panel for a first time builder. I ended up using a westinghouse lcd to build my projector and have been enjoying a 144 inch picture for a few months now.
Thank you Lumenab.

I would still like to know if anyone has had success with the Magnavox 15MF400T/37 LCD TV. I bought one last month, brand new and I've only used it for a couple hours to watch TV. I have not cracked it open just yet, as I'm waiting on other parts to get started. If there is anyone out there who has had success with this monitor, please let me know what steps you took to overcome the FFC issue. Thanks.

My wife is watching 110"x80+" image right now in finished projector using this magnavox lcd panel- it was really easy to strip - one board on top of lcd (as in photo above) one cord which I extended - then I mounted the back half of the lcd tv box on the outside of the projector with all the inputs and nice markings naming each on the panel from the tv -

I will try to post photo later with results also
- used Beseler opaque projector lens - very bright - great image - handles component input HD tv signal very well - downconverts 1080i from pbs to very good looking image
just watched HD american Idol -looks amazing from this projector!

The inputs, and the on screen controls for color/bright/contrast/sharpness etc. are all a plus for this lcd tv...

I have just seen this tv at sams club now for $278

Best,

Nedster

Just wanted to make sure it was the Magnavox 15MF400T/37 LCD TV lcd that you are talking about ned.

If it is, I'm excited! I got mine brand new for $200 , and I was hoping it wasn't a waste of money.

Hey Darkmeat,

Sorry you are right - Mine is the 15MF605T/17 - it is onsale at the local Sams club for $277 .

I put up a brief plog in private forum - take a look there...

Thanks,

Ned

That's a nice PLOG you've got started there Nedster. I love your detailed pics and it's great to hear that you're having much success with the 15MF605T. I went out today and bought one, so I'll be taking my 400T back. You wouldn't happen to have any pics of stripping the monitor, would you?

Thanks Quiklearner,

The 605 strips really easy- I didn't save the lcd frame but just made my sled groove deeper on one side to let the little ffc tabs on one side of lcd slip into groove without bending - only one connector cable though - I soldered a 12 inch extension from a scsi cable.

best, Nedster

My Local WalMart is selling this one for $228. I was looking at it today and decided to check here for any feedback and look ...here is some good info. I have a questions for anyone who has this screen now...Can you view in 4:3 or in 16:9? I would like to be able to get the widescreen functionality out of the 15" screen but I can't find anything on the box for this model that gives this info.

Edit...I just found and bought a Philips 15" HDTV LCD for $237.40 delivered. It can be used as 16:9 or 4:3, has a built in NTSC tuner, and can handle HD signals. Not a bad deal, I got it here...

http://www.refurbdepot.com/productdetails2...D=4033#features

No afiliation here, It's just that I finally found exactly what I was looking for at a good price and want to pass it on. I got the lead from another thread here that another user had gotten this one and was using it for his PJ.

Odd, because I have this same exact LCD and it works perfectly...

well i too bought this tv, when i first got it i cracked it open, to find what i was hoping for. no ffc issues. for now im using it as a second monitor, and a a hd monitor for my xbmc. looks great in 720p. if any one is still intrested in this unit heres a link to philips for a refurb unit 144.99 w/ free shippingphilips depot

Walmart is selling the "15MF605T/17" for $208


http://www.walmart.com/catalog/product.do?product_id=5640595

I'm planning to get it for my PJ.

Many buyers consider Samsung as the best LCD TV at the moment. I got a 32" panel and I'm very happy with it.