Slashdot Mirror
Homebrewed LCD Projectors
pseudofrog writes: "Seems the new thing to do may be to build your own LCD projector. For a couple hundred bucks, some guys are making projectors similar to the professional ones that cost thousands. And it looks pretty simple, too."
No picture of image result....that suck.
Is this another 50 feet Giant TV like project.
Without seeing the end result I won't spend money trying it.
Interesting. Now is this confined to hobbyists because the LCD companies are too slow-moving to have thought of it first? Or is the whole idea fundamentally flawed?
What I'd really want to see in the article is: Joe Blow built his own LCD projector for $350, and the image quality is better than what a good projection-screen television delivers.
Instead, there are lots of plans from hobbyists making their own, but no clear word about whether even the best of these designs produces an acceptable image.
One key thing: most of these designs call for a miniature 800x600 LCD monitor. Once projected onto a wall, how does that compare to the dots per inch of a regular projection TV? I bet it doesn't compare favorably at all.
The big question I came away with after reading this is: why aren't the big LCD companies developing this kind of product? Maybe it's an idea that, even with big-budget R&D, won't produce an acceptably good image.
I'm generally "Interesting," "Insightful," and even "Funny" here. What the hell happens to me at parties?
Dunno about the rest, but DVD shouldn't have a problem unless these things have some sort of gain adjustment circuit built in. I know of no display tech that does this, only record technologies do this. MacroVision works essentially by inserting spikes into the video signal that trigger the auto-gain controls on VCRs to lower record levels to compensate, but the spikes are such that they are not too noticeable to people. In theory, they claim invisible to the viewer, but in reality it does come through a bit, so I disable when I can.
XML is like violence. If it doesn't solve the problem, use more.
Macrovision works by fucking with autotracking. It sends signal spikes which throw the VCR off. A TV outputs the signal straight so while the quality is decreased, most people don't notice. I don't know if a video capture device would be affected by Macrovision, but I would guess no. There are Macrovision defeating devices which cost $50 at Circuit City though, so it is really just added cost and not a setback.
This Wiki Feeds You TV and Anime - vidwiki.org
These projects and the directions look great, but there is something missing... None of these people have posted pictures of or described the quality of the output. As in, if you built one of these projectors, would you regret having laid out the $400, or would you be psyched and loving the high quality video image on your wall? I mean, I would be willing to make the investment for my own apartment, and would even bring one of these into my classroom (I am a teacher) to use with my classroom computer. But will the result be worth it?
Derek
------- "One of the joys of travel is visiting new towns and meeting new people." -- G. KHAN
I bought a used projector on ebay - no hack value but plenty of instant gratification.
Here's another one...
Like New Epson Projector, Remote, Low Reserve
OK, but when the next one comes up, then you can get it, or I can get it, but we can't both get it.
I always have a bit of a chuckle at these "Build X for only $Y!", when Y is based on some completely arbitrary cost for a strictly limited supply of used hardware. And of course, every person who reads this (the original article or your suggestion) and thinks "I'll do that!" will hit eBay and drive the price up.
Sorry guys, but if you're not quoting a retail source, you're just blueskying. We can't all buy/build for bargain prices.
If you were blocking sigs, you wouldn't have to read this.