I already have a projector-ish setup with an Ask Impact WSX Projection Panel and a 3M 9200 OHP. It really does a pretty nice job at a screen size of 50" to 6' in a dark room. At 100:1 I know its not as good as an LCD monitor panel but its VERY watchable.

I've found a local electronics guy who said he would strip any LCD panel I bought for me for $20. Before I do that though I was wondering if it is feasible to build a projection box based on my Ask Impact projection panel. Has anyone ever tried this? I did a search on Projection Panel but the results were . . .LLOONNGGGG.

If anyone has ever tried this I would appreciate any tips you could give me.

Thanks!

From what I have seen from my psone its great at 60 inches and I have seen a 15" up and running at 120" and all I can say is WoW!

really its not that hard to get a watchable screen in a totaly dark room its getting it watchable with the lights on.

my advice sell the panel and build a projector you wont be sorry.

And if you havent become a member yet, Join up There is plenty of great ideas and help on these pages.

brian kc0kfg

just for info wsx manual

Specs are:

Active matrix TFT LCD
16.7 million colors
30 ms response time
100:1 contrast ratio
1024 x 768 x 3 (RGB) native resolution
10.4 " display are

Yes you can....There's nothing really different from using an lcd monitor, other than the fact that rersolution and quality may be a bit better.
I have a setup similar to it....and Darkmeat had a similar setup initially. I know what you mean by them being very watchable....and the best part about it is no stripping of the lcd.
Still, up-to-date lcd monitors have much more options with regards to connectivity, and display options. It all depends on what you want.

I have a basic OHP setup now, and I use it for gaming and movies somewhat frequently. I can use it with all the lights on and in the daytime as well. Trust me....Halo 2 and Need for Speed: Most Wanted looks marvelous. Still, I'm eventually gonna get an LCD TV when I decide to upgrade. Darkmeat has one, and I can't wait to see that baby in action.

Bottom line, it depends on what you want, and how much work you intend to do with your projector. The OHP setup with a projection panel is an instant setup, even if you decide to disassemble the OHP and build a box, the setup is easier because all the components are already there. Cooling isn't a problem either with the projections panels. So if you're satisfied with the quality of your current panel, then there's nothing to discuss, just build a unique enclosure for it.

First off, Thank you. This forum is great. I just became a member this afternoon (after lurking for about 3 weeks) and that was my first post.

Second, I think I need to read some more and then do wha Rizzo_Bah suggested. I think my first projector will be based on the Ask panel because it really does do a nice job. Like I said, I'm going to try to get a better handle on how to design the box. Does anyone have a box design setup to handle a projection panel instead of a stripped LCD panel? I've not seen any and I was just wondering what would be different.

Thanks for the manual link kc0kfg. You're right, best $20 I've spent in a while. Ton's of info in here.

No problem im sure you will find all you need around here, heck if you lurk around the trading post you will find all of the parts you will need used (if you wait long enugh)

Welcome to LL

Brian kc0kfg

Has anyone ever built an overhead projector? A Homemade Beamer. I've read several posts about people wanting to beef up the lamps on their existing projectors. What about using the plans for lighting a regluar projector and then shine it through 2 fresnel lenses in a base built out of wood. Then mount a salvaged arm with triplet lens so that it is centered over the base. Then I could use my LCD Projection Panel just like God intended. Only I'd have a stronger, longer, and better colored light.

Is that feasible? Has it been done before? I searched but didn't find anything.

Someone needs to be the first to try it, you could enclose the top of it in a pyramid shape that way you would not have so much light thrown around the room. the only issue is going to be cooling, the 400w throws a lot of heat maybe you could try it with a 250w.

Of course if you try with a 400w and it wont work like that you are just short a few pieces to finish building the p/j.

brian kc0kfg

I think I will, but I'm not going to do anything as stylish as a pyramid. I'm going to build a projector inside a 40 inch tall rolling projector table. Just extend the sides of the base straight up above the maximum focal point on the projection arm. Put a glass window in the front to shoot the image from the mirror thru, and set a bowl of popcorn on top.

Is there any reason I couldn't use the glass and fresnel lenses out of the OHP stage as well? From what I've read here a 250watt MH bulb has 18000 lumens initial, a 15000 hours life and better color(4K). That would be significantly better that my 3500 Lumen 3M 9200 with a bulb life of 50 hours. Will I need to make the base deeper than the original OHP base? It will be a square 10.4 inches on a side.