DIY Projector Project

Create a "big-screen" television without breaking the bank.

If you long for a bigger screen TV, but don't like the idea of spending hundreds or even thousands of dollars to get one, you can make your own "big-screen" TV by building a homemade projector that can fill a wall with your favorite TV show, movie or video game. All you'll need are a few simple parts, and you can make a projection TV for about $300.

Things You'll Need

• An old or used 15" flat-screen LCD monitor
• An old or used overhead projector
• 350-watt halogen bulb
• Screwdriver
• Wood strips
• Polystyrene strips
• Adhesive tape

Instructions

1. Unscrew the screws holding your LCD television to its stand. Remove the stand.

2. Unscrew the screws for the monitor casing, and gently remove the casing exposing the inverter board and control electronics. Remove the inverter board and control electronics. Set aside the inverter board and the board with the VGA input and power socket. You'll need them.

3. Take notes on the connectors and cables, so you can reconnect the screen later. Then pull the cables and very carefully remove the LCD from its frame. This is the time when the LCD is most likely to be damaged, so be very careful.

4. Open the overhead projector's projection pane and screw in the halogen light bulb. Close the pane.

5. Cut two strips of wood. They should be as long as the overhead projector screen, 1 inch wide and 3/8 inches thick. Affix the wood strips along the sides of the overhead project pane. You can use adhesive tape or glue, but they must be firmly in place.

6. Lay the LCD screen across the projector pane so that it rests on the wood strips. The wood strips lift it away from the project pane, protecting it from heat generated by the halogen bulb.

7. Lay two polystyrene strips over the edges of the LCD screen and use adhesive tape to secure the strips and the screen to the projector.

8. Tape the inverter board and the board with the VGA input to the projector. They can rest on the polystyrene. Reconnect the cables between the LCD and the boards.

9. Tape a small office fan to the back of the projector so that it circulates the air under LCD screen and provides cooling. This will make your projector last longer.

10. Plug your input, such as a DVD player, into the VGA board. Turn the projector lamp on and aim the projector head at a light-colored wall or projection screen. Turn the lights down and play the movie.

References

• Tom's Guide: Supersize Your TV
• Tom's Guide: Overhead Projectors
• Tom's Guide: Removing the Screen
• Tom's Guide: Assembly