It was a breakthrough in "needlework". An article published in Russian that described in detail the process of building a projector at home based on an overhead. Although I had previously stumbled upon the French site AllInBox.com, I completely underestimated the information I found.
After reading the article in Russian and "entry" into the essence of the process, several more resources on the topic were found.
The iXBT.com conference “Do-it-yourself home theater projector”, at that time one of the most theoretically savvy forums on the topic. The theory was discussed there, there were few practitioners, but theorists zealously built their virtual projectors. This is a good school for beginners. True, today there are already more than 130 pages and it is very difficult to re-read them in one gulp. I advise you to take a notebook and a pen to take notes, because. Lots of material and very interesting ideas.
The already mentioned French site AllInBox. An excellent site entirely dedicated to projector building. A huge gallery of finished projects, theory, links, daily updates, in general, a class.
One of the Russian-language resources dedicated to projector building is the site "Homemade LCD projector for home theater". An excellent Russian-language resource, the theory is well described, a gallery of finished projects, a forum, everything is on the topic. Respect and respect to the authors of the resource.
The theory was studied thoroughly, as it seemed then, but the manufacturing process itself was constantly postponed, then the topic was abandoned, first due to lack of funds, then time, then because of other projects.
At the beginning of the winter of 2006, after another fall of the Axis and a global reinstall and cleaning the car, I stumbled upon the “Cinema” folder in my bookmarks, and again caught fire with the topic. The theory was repeated in just a few days, and the harsh practice of projector construction began.
First a little theory
Our projector is no different from the usual "projection apparatus" that we all studied at school in physics lessons. A projection apparatus is an optical device that forms optical images of objects on a diffusing surface that serves as a screen. According to the method of illumination of the object, diascopic, episcopic and epidiascopic projection devices are distinguished. In our case (in a diascopic) projection device (slide projector), the image on the screen is created by light rays passing through a transparent object (in our case, through an LCD matrix).
Diascopic projector: 1 - light source, 2 - condenser, 3 - object (LCD panel), 4 - lens, 5 - screen.
In our case, the "light source" is a lighting system consisting of a metal halide lamp, a spherical reflector and a capacitor. The metal halide lamp, with its low power, gives a very powerful luminous flux, plus it provides a color temperature that halogen lamps cannot provide. Plus, the duration of work is about 10,000 hours, while it does not burn out like a halogen, but simply loses its brightness. A spherical reflector that stands behind the lamp and reflects light coming in the opposite direction from the LCD matrix.
Today, some enthusiasts use LEDs as a light source, and get good results. http://www.allinbox.com/DARTG_BOX/DARTG_BOX.htm very worthy LED project.
The "condenser" in our case is two Fresnel lenses. It's like a regular lens, only flat, due to the fact that its spherical surface is in the same plane in the form of grooves.
"Object" in our case is a matrix from a conventional LCD monitor or TV. She works for the light.
"Lens" - triplet. A lens of two convex and one concave lens to correct aberrations (such distortions).
"Screen" - a homemade screen made of banner fabric.
In general, light from a metal halide lamp through a condenser lens, passes through the first Fresnel, passes through the matrix, while receiving information about the color of each pixel. Then it passes through the second Fresnel, gathering into the lens. Passes through the lens and forms an image on the screen. In my case, there is a mirror between the second Fresnel and the lens to rotate the light 90 degrees.
There are also such issues as the case, cooling, focusing mechanism, cooling off delay timer, we will consider these and other issues as we work on the project.
In general, there is a huge place for a flight of fancy, and the most important thing is to understand the principle of its work, and the rest is a matter of technology. In the above sources, you can find a lot of information on the theory of projector construction, as well as many practical implementations of the project, you can peep how certain components of the system are made (installed, which ones are used).
Huge gallery of finished projects on AllInBox website http://www.allinbox.com/allinbox2007.htm - and that's just for this year.
Decision-making
First you need to decide on the choice of components, that is, the diagonal of the matrix, lamp power, lens type, etc. After weighing all the "pros" and "cons", the decision was made: Matrix - 15", Lamp 250W, Lens from Lumienlab for 15" matrix, everything else along the way.
In order to make a positive decision on the construction of the projector, an estimate was drawn up, which was adjusted during implementation. Before construction began, it was a little less than $400. Really decreased due to the purchase of a used monitor. So let's say that the projector cost $350.
Construction costs:
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TOTAL: |
1665,525 |
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the name of detail |
Price, UAH. |
Comment |
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Reflector |
polished stainless steel bowl |
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Lamp holder (holder) |
Cartridge E40 |
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Capacitor |
28 microfarad 250 V |
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Power cable |
From Monitor 15 XEROX |
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Capacitor (optical) |
Conder Ф120mm+70mm |
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1 grill for 80 mm valve |
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Light block housing |
Aluminum |
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UV-IR filter |
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S15 kit + shipping |
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Matrix LCD |
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Controller+Inverter+PSU |
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keystone mechanism |
2 studs + 48 nuts |
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Lens |
S15 kit + shipping |
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focus mechanism |
Furniture slide+PVC pipe+motor |
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PVC 4 mm 1000x3000 |
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Fans |
4 valves D 80 mm |
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PSU for fans |
BP12V+parts for timer |
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Frames for fastening fresnels and matrix |
Aluminum |
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ordinary from glass cutter + wash |
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mirror frame |
Aluminum |
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Banner fabric EcoBaner |
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Screen folding mechanism |
Motor from the printer and gearbox D219 |
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Electrical fittings |
Buttons+Terminals+Wires |
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Fuse 6A |
holder+fuse |
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Bolts+nuts+rivets |
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VGA cable 6m. |
VGA to VGA connector |
After drawing up the estimate, a 3D model was developed, which prompted the use of studs and the principle of lens mount.
To build the model, a calculator was also used, written by the French and designed to calculate the distances between the system components. http://allinbox.free.fr/Programmes/calculeimagev3.rar
The calculation result is shown in the figure:
Practical implementation
So, after moral preparation for the implementation of the project and the adoption of the final decision, which happened spontaneously, it is time to buy components.
The first thing to buy was the Fresnel lens, the LCD monitor and the lens component, which is impossible to make yourself, and constitute the most expensive item in the project.
There are very few Fresnel sellers, I would even say a mega-few. The most important Lumenlab.com - Americans, Asians - is the site 3Dlens.com, the French Izzotek.com, Domestic piskovatsky.narod.ru - the site of Oleg Piskovatsky aka Paramon5. Of course, you can also cite the Germans as an example - exclusiv-online.com, there are a lot of kits for projectors with small matrices.
Since it was initially decided to build a projector on a 15” matrix and use a sharpened lens, Fresnel decided to order the lens from Lumienlab. There were no problems with placing an order, an S15 kit was purchased, which included 2 Fresnels and a Triplet. Payment by Visa card, delivery by USPS (American Post). Delivery two weeks, and now the box is received, we open it, everything is in place, packed perfectly, nothing broke.
Next purchase LCD monitor. I did not want to buy a new monitor in order to screw it up (remove the matrix), so the choice fell on the Second Hand technique, which can be found in plenty at the eBay.com auction. The purchase of the monitor took a very long time, firstly, because of the lack of experience in this auction, and secondly, because I chose a budget of $80 for the purchase of a monitor. After a month of communication with the auction, understanding the principles of its work, it became clear that for such a price it was impossible to buy a normal 15 ”LCD monitor (there was a sad experience of purchasing for $30 with delivery, supposedly a matrix with a controller from the monitor, the matrix arrived broken into chips).
The budget was set at $100 +/- $10 and things started to get better. For $67+$40 (shipping) a great Xerox monitor was purchased. In good condition, fully working. Delivery took 9 days.
While moving towards Ukraine, Fresnel and Monitor, a Lamp, a cartridge, a ballast (ballast) for the lamp were bought. A metal halide lamp from the gas discharge category, it does not have an incandescent filament, in it the gas pumped into the burner glows when an electric discharge arc passes through it. Therefore, the lamp needs a choke as well as an IZU (ignition unit). Everything is sold in a store that sells lamps and fixtures. A Chinese Deluxe lamp was purchased for 250 W, 5800Lm, 4800K, as well as a choke and IZUShka.
The lamp was chosen from the outset to be inexpensive for carrying out experiments and starting work; today it needs to be replaced with a metal halide lamp with a ceramic burner. These lamps have more luminous flux.
M6 threaded studs were chosen as the mechanism for fastening the frames, in order to be able to adjust them. They needed 2 m or 4 by 0.5 m.
Further, the light block is assembled on an aluminum plate. The bracket for mounting the cartridge has the ability to adjust the position of the lamp. The spherical reflector was bought at a flea market, most likely from some kind of overhead. It is fixed with M3 studs and aluminum plates.
The condenser (condenser lens) is a different story altogether. There were many and different ones, all burst due to the high temperature, as they are very close to the lamp. Now there is a 120mm capacitor from a film projector, but it also burst. It practically does not affect the image.
All this miracle of lighting technology is naturally centered and is in a stainless steel bowl. At first, only the bowl was a reflector, as many foreigners do. But a bowl as a reflector, to put it mildly, is like a sieve as a bucket. Therefore, a normal spherical reflector was installed, and the bowl began to perform a different function, evolved into a heat shield. It does not allow heat to heat the walls of the case.
Above the light block is a heat filter made of K-glass. It transmits light and prevents heat from damaging the matrix. The Matrix is a very gentle creature, it works at temperatures below 60 degrees. At higher temperatures, it shows nothing, turns brown and dies. The glass is fixed with corners made of the same aluminum.
Fresnel frames and matrix were made of 1.5mm thick aluminum sheet. Everything was cut into strips with a jigsaw and assembled on rivets.
Matrix
The matrix from the LCD monitor will form the image of our projector. To do this, it is necessary to remove the working glass of the matrix, while not damaging the flexible cables glued to it, otherwise it will be covered. Of the entire monitor, we need a “glass” with a controller, a monitor controller and a power supply. Matrix backlight lamps and an inverter to power them are not useful to us.
It is better to disassemble the monitor in a calm environment, but a clean table without foreign objects. All the screws that will be unscrewed during disassembly should be put in some kind of box so that they do not fall on the working surface of the table and you do not damage the working surface of the monitor.
So, we take our monitor, turn it over, and unscrew all the screws that can be unscrewed. Naturally, after this, the monitor case will not open, since it has locks around the perimeter. In our case, you can act rudely, but it’s still better if the case is opened in a more civilized manner.
Under the back cover, a control board or monitor controller and a matrix backlight power inverter are found. Some monitor models still have a power supply, and in some it is combined with an inverter. In my case, the power supply is external.
Carefully, disconnect all the wires connecting the boards to each other. It is better to pre-record or photograph the connections, so that later you do not have to look for what is connected where.
The boards are attached to the monitor chassis, we don’t need the chassis either, so we remove the monitor controller board and the board with buttons. Although some creators use the entire chassis with boards, fixing it inside the case.
We unscrew all the bolts that are possible. In the upper part of the matrix, where the cable is connected, there is a matrix controller covered with a lid. Remove this cover. The controller itself is screwed to the aluminum housing of the matrix, we unscrew it. In some matrices there is another board located on the side of the matrix, connected by a cable to the main one. If it is, unscrew it too. The loop is naturally disconnected. Then we carefully bend the controller on the cables outside the matrix housing. That's it with these loops you need to be extremely careful, because. they are glued to the glass and the controller board, if they break, ALL, the end.
But all this wealth can be used in modding - a cold cathode lamp, a piece of light-diffusing acrylic, a lamp power inverter. You can make some kind of luminous stand, or just use a lamp to illuminate the insides of the case.
After removing the backlight, one frame should remain, in which the working glass of the matrix is located. This glass with attached controllers will bring information about the color of each pixel into the light flux (to form an image).
The matrix is fixed on the frame and attached to it with the help of glass furniture guides. They have a small gap, which prevents it from breaking when it is screwed on. First, the guides were installed, and then the matrix was inserted into it.
The matrix controller is mounted on a perpendicular acrylic stand, which is attached to the studs. It may be better that it is attached to the frame, but in my case it was easier.
The matrix is between two Fresnels. Although sometimes two Fresnels are connected together, and the matrix is \u200b\u200bplaced over the Fresnels. The first, the so-called tube Fresnel, with a smaller focal length (220mm.). The lamp is practically in its focus and, according to the theory, the light after passing through it goes in a parallel beam the size of a Fresnel.
It is bolted to the frame with homemade holders. Although it was possible to buy a holder for a mirror that is used in the manufacture of furniture.
The second Fresnel, located behind the matrix, has a focal length of 310 mm. It is fixed on the frame in the same way as the first one. It is at an angle, this is a mechanical trapezoid correction. The fact is that if you install the projector not exactly perpendicular to the screen, but lower, then the image geometry will be disturbed, a so-called “trapezoid” will appear, the upper side is wider than the lower one. Setting the second Fresnel at an angle compensates for the trapezoid.
The next component of the system with the selected layout is the mirror. The frame for the mirror is made of aluminum, the elements that allow you to adjust the position and tilt of the mirror are made of 3mm acrylic. It is easier to mill grooves in it. Acrylic is attached to aluminum using the same rivets.
The mirror was bought in a conventional glass cutter, but for such things you need to use mirrors with an external reflective layer. After the first tests, it was decided to convert the existing, ordinary mirror into a “correct” one with an external reflective layer. To do this, a wash for the old paint "Wash VL-1" was bought on the market. With its help, the protective layer on the back of the glass was washed off, then it was all washed with soap and water. It turned out a mirror that reflected from both sides.
In an ordinary mirror, light passes through the glass, is reflected from the reflective layer, passes through the glass a second time, and is also reflected from the glass surface, so the image doubles. When using an external reflective layer, there is no ghosting.
The last component (in the description, not in importance) of the optical system of the projector is the lens. Lens purchased from LumienLab, but many use domestic lenses made in the USSR.
The lens is mounted on a PVC ring, which is glued into a 100mm piece of sewer pipe. Telescopic guides (from furniture fittings) are attached to both sides of the pipe, which I shortened, because. no big move needed.
The guides are screwed to the supports that hold the lens against the center of the mirror.
The lens moves along the guides, thereby focusing the image on the screen. For this, a motor with a gearbox is used. The gearbox is self-made, recruited from various gears, a swivel bar made of acrylic.
The mirror is at an angle of 45 degrees. to the stream of light so that the light turns 90 degrees.
In some places, the mirror frame and lens support are reinforced by creating a T-profile. All connections - corners, rivets.
Struts are installed diagonally on 3 sides, which give the chassis rigidity.
Centering of all optical components, lamps, fresnels, mirrors, lenses was carried out using a laser pointer. At the bottom, near the lamp, threads were stretched diagonally between the hairpins, and at the top, above the upper Fresnel. The lamp was placed in the center at the intersection of the threads. Then a mirror was exposed, so that when looking at the lamp through the lens, the upper and lower threads merge. Then they shone with a pointer into the center of the lens and finally exposed all the components so that the beam passed through the intersections of the threads to the center of the lamp.
Electrical part
The electrical part of the projector consists of a lamp switching circuit, in our case, a metal halide, and a circuit for switching on the matrix and lamp cooling system, in our case, fans.
The scheme for switching on the lamp is indicated on the IZU:
And the rest is a matter of fantasy. You can simply connect the fans to the monitor power supply, you can make a separate power supply. I decided to make a separate power supply with a timer, which would allow, when the lamps and the matrix are turned off, to blow them for some more time. It makes no sense to accurately measure the time, 10 min +/-50% is enough, so the simplest scheme of the timing chain was chosen.
It is difficult to recreate a complete projector circuit, something like this:
The unit has its own transformer (standby power). And only a transformer and a diode assembly. The button of inclusion (ON) with fixing. When it is turned on, the voltage is supplied to the relay, which turns on the lamp and the matrix, and also supplies +12 to the fan start timer. When the “ON” button is turned off, the fan relay remains on, since it is kept by the capacitor charge voltage in the base of the transistor, the capacitor slowly discharges and after about 10 minutes, the fans turn off.
A power connector is installed on the monitor chassis and there is a 5A fuse and a switch in the input circuit
In addition to the power button, there is also an extension button for 10 minutes. operation of the fans, lens control buttons (focusing), and light indication of the operation of the lamp, fans, and standby mode.
All control buttons and lamps are displayed on a separate control panel.
The monitor controller is attached to the mirror on an acrylic plate and connected to the matrix controller.
It is powered by the monitor's power supply, which must also be fixed in the case. There was no better place for him.
Also on the chassis of the projector, a VGA connector appeared, which is connected to the controller via a self-made cable.
The ballast for the lamp is located at the bottom, because the throttle weighs a good 3 kilos.
In this regard, the lower aluminum plate was screwed to the chipboard plate.
Frame
After the chassis was assembled, the whole thing was tested several times. As I already said, the mirror was redesigned, the condenser lens was replaced several times, because. constantly bursting, and then he had a body. Housing made of PVC, foamed, 4mm thick. Many are made from chipboard, I have nothing against chipboard, but PVC is a very easy-to-use material. It is cut with a clerical knife, glued with diffuse glue, drilled very easily, bends, in general, a miracle material. A whole sheet was purchased from advertisers. The cutting of the sheet went without any drawings, the configuration and implementation of the future case was invented on the fly.
The body is made up of 2 parts. The first is the right side, front and top, and the second is the left side and back.
4 fans were fixed in the right wall, which create air movement inside the case. Since the lamp generates a lot of heat, it needs to be cooled efficiently,
the following scheme was chosen, two 80mm. The fans stand opposite the matrix and draw air into the case, while blowing the matrix and Fresnels. Air reaches the opposite wall of the case, in which a slot is cut through which it enters the lower part of the case, into the lamp compartment, where there are two identical fans that draw air from the case. Thus, there is a rapid air exchange, and the matrix does not overheat.
There you can also see stiffeners glued on the back of the case.
The body is attached to the bottom chipboard board with screws.
The body parts are also connected to each other with screws.
The control panel is installed on the left side. It is fixed with a PVC clamp.
Screen
The screen can be bought ready-made, but you can also make it yourself. You will need a banner fabric, only matte and not glossy, and black self-adhesive. Instead of a banner fabric, it is better to use an awning fabric, the material is the same but denser, it has fewer wrinkles. It is better to stretch the fabric on a wooden frame. But if there is not enough space, you can make a folding screen.
On the white banner fabric, an edging is made of black self-adhesive, also matte. The black border gives a subjective contrast boost, highlighting the black color.
I made a retractable screen. The banner and edging was fixed on a wooden bar with rounded corners. Fastening - small shoe studs at a distance of 5 cm.
Screen width 2300 mm. Pieces of M6 studs are inserted into the ends. With the help of aluminum corners, the screen is nailed to the ceiling. Anchors dia. 8mm.
On one side there is a gearbox from the D219-P1 engine. And as a motor, a 12V DC motor from the printer was chosen. It is secured with an acrylic ring and M3 studs.
There is enough power to raise and lower the screen without any problems.
Well, in general, like everything. And finally, a few photos with the results.
In the dark:
With a 60W lamp on.
Good luck and happy modding.
Each of the parts of the projection apparatus is a separate story with many questions.
In this article, which continues our cycle of simple various crafts at home, we will tell you how to make a simple but adequately working projector at home. A homemade device that can be easily made at home even without special skills can replace a small home theater for watching movies or family photos.
Of course, the factory assembly wins in quality, but in terms of comfort and atmosphere, a homemade projector will be much better. Moreover, it can be done together with the child - this is a very serious plus for your relationship.
Even the child himself will not have any difficulties in assembling the projector from an ordinary box of cardboard and a banal magnifying glass if he decides to work on the device without the help of adults. This will take a maximum of 15 minutes.
Let's now tell you step by step how best to make such a projector with minimal time and effort. There are simple and complex schemes, we will analyze one that is as easy as possible in practical implementation.
Preparing to create a projector
To begin with, let's collect in front of us all those materials and components from which it will be possible to make our miracle projector itself.
We will definitely need an ordinary medium-sized shoe box, a 10X magnification lens, a stationery sharp knife, an ordinary marking pencil, black electrical tape, a paper clip and, of course, a smartphone. A homemade projector for viewing photos and videos will be ready very soon.
Carefully on one of the side walls of the box we cut out a hole exactly in the center in which the lens will be placed. It is very important that it is located strictly in the center - here a pencil will come in handy, with which we will draw diagonals on the side where we will cut the hole. It is in the center of the intersection of the diagonals that the lens will be placed.
We fix the lens with the help of a pre-stored electrical tape. However, other options for fixing are also suitable, for example, building glue or silicone.
Inside the box, we make a stand for placing a smartphone (if there is a special case that allows you to put a smartphone behind the lens, then no stand is simply needed).
We turn off the light, hang the curtains and start testing the projector. It will be necessary just by moving the smartphone to find the optimal location of it relative to the lens. It is necessary to achieve the highest quality image - everything is simple here and depends only on the position of the device and the box.
A properly working image flip application must be downloaded and installed on your phone. The fact is that when passing through the lens, the video or photo will automatically turn 180 degrees.
The best option for Android OS would be Ultimate Rotation Control, and owners of "apple" devices will be able to use Video Rotate & Flip or another option.
It is desirable to make a convenient input for the MicroUSB wire - phones are quickly discharged when playing videos or viewing photos.
As you can see, there is nothing complicated in making a simple home projector. The more pleasant moment will be that you will have to spend a minimum amount of money - after all, everything you need for it can be found in almost any apartment.
What points should be considered when working?
If you decide to make a really good projector, then you should increase all overall dimensions. Accordingly, use a tablet or laptop instead of a phone, and the box will also be larger, respectively. The manufacturing mechanics are exactly the same as in the small format.
IMPORTANT: If the image does not improve in any way, no matter how you move the device, then the problem is most likely the quality of the lens you have installed. It will be optimal if you find an old Soviet magnifying glass - their quality is simply amazing.
The brightness settings on your smartphone or tablet should be set to the highest possible. Painting the inside of the box black will also improve the quality of the projected image. Not every wall is suitable either - it would be best if the projection goes onto whatman paper placed on the wall evenly and at a right angle.
Be sure to organize viewing only at night and with minimal ambient light - only in such conditions the picture quality will be more or less normal.
Do not forget that this is homemade, not professional equipment - do not expect too much from it. Homemade projectors with a lens, without a magnifier, can also work fine.
We are sure that our ideas and detailed instructions for creating a home projector have become useful to you. Working with your child on such a device will help you establish additional contact with him, and cozy family evenings will be great activities to relax after a hard day at work. Make a projector and be sure that everything will work out for you.
DIY photo projectors
Creating a projector with your own hands at home is not difficult: often a phone or tablet and a small amount of stationery are enough for this. A homemade device will allow you to view photos, a movie or a video on a larger screen. When choosing how to build a projector, be guided by your goals: different options are suitable for different situations.
Based on a mobile device
Homemade projector can be made from a smartphone. It is necessary to collect in advance the materials necessary to create a slide projector. You will need a cardboard shoebox, a 10x magnifying lens or magnifying glass, tape or blue electrical tape, a simple pencil, a paper clip, and a mobile phone.
This option is suitable for people who want to entertain children with cartoons. The picture shown on the wall is less harmful to children's eyesight than watching cartoons from the TV screen, laptop or tablet. In addition, this option allows parents to control what kids watch, exclude programs that are not intended for children.
It is necessary to cut a window for the lens in the box. It should be installed exactly in the center of the box. Calculating the required distance is simple: you need to connect the corners with diagonal lines, at the intersection of which the desired point will be located. When the center is found, make a hole of the desired size.
After that, you should fix the magnifying glass. For this, tape, electrical tape is suitable. You can use other methods: glue gun, silicone.
Then, in the cardboard projector for the smartphone, you need to install a stand so that the phone is fixed in one position. A paperclip curved in a special way will do. You can also make a stand from pieces of cardboard.
You should first test the operation of the resulting device, choose the appropriate location of the smartphone in the box. It is worth trying different gadget positions to find the best angle. It is also important to fix the picture on the phone in the right position: the lens flips the image, so the picture (video) on the device must be upside down.
To make a projector from a phone, you also need to make a small hole in the box for the charger. This will allow you to watch a movie without interrupting to recharge your gadget.
Tablet or laptop based
There are several ways to make a projector with your own hands. For this purpose, you can use laptops or tablets. They have a larger screen resolution, the picture quality will be better than when watching movies from your phone.
You will have to make a projector out of a larger box. Its length should be at least 0.5 m. The back wall should be slightly larger than the tablet in order for the gadget to fit inside. For a projector from a monitor, an even more voluminous box is required.
The tablet should be fixed inside the box. Remember that the lens will flip the image. If the gadget automatically rotates the picture, you should download a special application in which you can fix the screen in the desired position.
If a laptop is used to create a projector, 2 cuts should be made in the box. The device is folded on the top half with the keyboard down. In this case, the inverted screen should be located at the cut site. It is important to choose a box that will support the weight of the device placed on top of it.
How to improve image quality?
When a projector is made from a phone with your own hands, the image projected from a magnifying glass can be improved for a more comfortable viewing. On the screen from which the image will be projected, set the maximum settings. You can also adjust the quality by moving the smartphone in the box. The closer the phone is to the magnifying glass, the sharper the image, but its size will be smaller.
The lens should also be prepared: cleaned of dust and dirt. If the lens is scratched, it is recommended to replace it with another one to improve the image quality.
There should be no light in the room in which the home theater projection room is located. Blackout curtains should be used, all extraneous sources should be eliminated. Painting the inner surface of the box with black paint will also help: this will eliminate the “leakage” of light rays through the cracks, making the picture clearer.
The quality of the surface on which the film is projected is also important. There should be no defects, seams, pollution on the canvas. It is recommended to use a special screen or a white surface.
original solutions
You can also make a 3D projector with your own hands at home. It is more difficult to create such a device, and financial costs will be required.
It is necessary to create a truncated plastic pyramid. There are different sizes. An option is suitable, the larger base of which is 60x60 mm, the smaller one is 10x10 mm, and the height is 45 mm. To show holograms from a tablet, you need a larger pyramid, since the screen of the device is larger than that of a phone.
It should be placed on the phone screen in the center. After that, you can turn on the movie. This type of projector is well suited for entertaining kids: holograms will strain your eyes less. In addition, this option looks unusual, attracts attention.
Watching videos and images on a home projector is a very exciting and interesting experience. After all, you will always have the opportunity to invite friends and watch a feature film on a wide screen together. Moreover, with the development of technology, new digital projectors began to appear in stores. However, the cost for them is not affordable for everyone. But is there a way out of this situation?
It turns out there is. How to make a projector with your own hands, read our today's article.
How to make a device from an ordinary shoe box? Preparation of materials
For this device you will need a large one and a box. The first element (the lens) will be used as the lens for our projector. Such a device can play and display photo and video files even from a mobile phone. In this case, the distortion of data and sound will be minimal.
Getting Started
So, how to make a projector with your own hands from a shoe box? First you need to paint the inner walls of the container black. If there is no such paint at hand, you can paste over the box with black paper. With these actions, you will significantly improve the quality of the video being played.
How to make a projector with your own hands next? In the next step, cut a small hole in one of the upper parts of the box to install the magnifier. The latter is fixed with adhesive tape or electrical tape. However, here you need to be extremely careful - there should be no light around the lens, otherwise a home projector made with your own hands will not show an image with high quality.
The phone is placed inside the box. The screen of the gadget must be directed "face" to the lens. To prevent the mobile phone from accidentally shifting to the side, it is better to use a special stand or holder (for example, a car holder with suction cups). Thus, we made a projector with our own hands from a phone and a cardboard shoe box.
How will the files be played?
Everything is very simple - the image from the mobile phone is projected through a magnifying glass on the wall. You will be able to enlarge the screen dozens of times, while maintaining the true quality of the images.
Finally, we note a few nuances for installing a mobile phone. We know from physics lessons that an image passing through a magnifying glass is upside down. In this regard, the phone in the box must be rotated 180 degrees. And to adjust the clarity of the image, it is enough to move the screen of the mobile phone of the back wall of the box, thereby adjusting the desired focus.
We make a projector with our own hands out of the box - method number 2
Similarly to the first case, here we need to make a small hole. In order for it to be several centimeters smaller in diameter in the central part of the box than the magnifying lens itself, you need to pre-draw its attachment point. To do this, a lens is applied outside the container, and a rectangle is drawn over it using a marker or a soft pencil. Another figure is drawn inside the resulting image, but here you need to step back a couple of centimeters inward. By the way, a rectangle can be drawn along the contours of a bank card. The lens is securely attached to the front of the box.
Here it should be taken into account that the corrugated part of the magnifying lens must be placed with the end part inside the container. After fixing the magnifier, the box is folded and closed. It is unlikely that anyone will like the appearance of such a projector, therefore, after its final assembly, it is recommended to paint it with dark paint from a can.
How is the image source secured in the box?
If you use a tablet as a data source, then to mount it, you just need to prepare several thick books or a stable box that has dimensions equal to the dimensions of the gadget. In order to fix the device upside down (for the correct display of information), thin elastic bands are additionally used. If a laptop was chosen as the source of the image, then in this case neither thick books nor a box will help to keep it in this state. Therefore, to secure such a computer, another hole is cut out in the back wall of the box.
Its dimensions should correspond to the length and width of the laptop display. Next, the computer is turned 180 degrees and placed with the keyboard up on the box lid. It is best that the walls of the projector are not cardboard, but at least plywood.
And finally, a few words about brightness. We adjust it to the maximum so that the image is displayed as clearly and efficiently as possible. So, we figured out how to make a projector with your own hands and how to correctly insist on image sources in the box.
You can make a projector on your own using Android mobile devices or a laptop monitor. Such a device is perfect for viewing slides. Also, the projection of homemade products will make it possible to watch movies. Assembling a simple device is not difficult.
An option on how to make a projector from a phone with your own hands
You can make a projector at home using a regular cardboard box and a phone. This device is not difficult to do with your own hands. To begin with, they carry out preparatory work and stock up on the necessary tools. The projector will require a cardboard box, a 10x magnifying glass, a sharp knife, a pencil, and electrical tape.
A magnifying glass can be a regular magnifying glass or a Fresnel lens. This item can be purchased at any household store.
If desired, the lens can be made at home. This will require certain knowledge and skills. As a basis, you can take any box, for example, from under shoes.
The sequence of creating a projector from a phone:
- First you need to make a hole for the lens. It is performed in the center of the box.
- Next, you need to fix the lens in the hole made. To do this, use electrical tape. In some cases, silicone or special glue is used.
- Next, you need to install a smartphone stand. To do this, choose the right place. In this case, the phone must hold firmly and not stagger, so that the image does not end up blurry.
- The received device should be tested. To do this, the curtains should be closed in the room. After a trial time, the correct placement of the device becomes clear.
- On the smartphone itself, you will need to install a special program that will flip the image, because the lamp distorts the picture by 180 degrees.
- On the other side of the box, you will need to take care of the hole for charging the phone.
At this homemade cardboard mini projector is considered ready for use. So it turns out a home theater where you can watch movies with the whole family. In addition, this is a great option for viewing photos with a large group.
How to make a projector at home from a laptop
A smartphone is a great option for creating a projector. But if you want to improve the quality, you can use another gadget. So it is advised to take into account a laptop or tablet. Due to the larger screen resolution, the video quality will be much better.
When using a laptop, you should understand that the screen resolution will be much better. However, this will make the design more cumbersome.
The box for building a home theater from a tablet should be large enough. So the length should be at least 50 cm, and the end part should be slightly larger than the screen of the device. It is better to choose a large Soviet magnifying glass.
A hole should be made in the end with a knife. It should be slightly smaller than the magnifying glass itself. The lens is attached with double-sided adhesive tape. Then you should fix the tablet inside the box. In this case, it should be borne in mind that the lens flips the image.
Creating a projector from a laptop has its own characteristics. On both end sides, you will need to cut rectangular holes. The device is placed with the monitor down, while the keyboard is located at the top. This placement will help to get the correct image on the final result.
DIY original 3D projector: creation features
On the basis of a smartphone, you can make an original 3D projector. For such a design, a plastic pyramid is required. You can buy such a device on the Internet, they also get acquainted with the dimensions. Then you just need to fix the pyramid on your smartphone strictly in the center and start the necessary video. The type of construction is determined by the purpose of such a device. Therefore, it should be determined in advance.
Purposes of 3d projector:
- You can show a real fairy tale from a technically progressive future. Such tricks will appeal to both the older and younger generations.
- This design will interest kids and you can show cartoons to children.
- A laser slide projector creates the effect of a cinema and you can not spend extra money, this will help save on the cost of hobbies.
This design does not require special costs and materials. It is enough to show a little imagination. You will only have to spend money on a plastic pyramid, but these are not significant costs.
Rules on how to make a projector with your own hands: main features
Before you start building a projector, you should study its design. Only then can you evaluate your chances of getting the right device. The correct projector provides for the presence of a lens and a lens. They affect the uniform distribution of light. Light must enter the lens at a certain angle.
The image source is usually a liquid crystal matrix. She works for the light. Each pixel is enlarged by several sizes. Therefore, the original image should be of the highest possible quality. The brightness of the projection lamp determines the maximum screen size.
For good image quality, the source material must be FULL HD - that's 1920x1080 pixels.
The simplest video projector is done using a smartphone, a cardboard box and a lens. The box should be chosen larger than the gadget, and the lens should match the size of the screen in diameter. Its focal length determines the distance to the screen.
The principle of arranging a simple projector:
- A hole is made in the box for the lens;
- Any gadget is fixed inside.
The frame for the phone should be comfortable to move inside the box. Often, another box is used for this, which is smaller in size. Light reflection should be as low as possible. That is why the inner surface of the box is pasted over with black paper for applications. You can also paint with matte paint. In some cases, shoe cream can be noticed. You can also take a dense canvas of the artist
How to make a magnifying glass at home
The purpose of the lenses is clear. This is a magnifying glass that helps magnify objects. To make a lens yourself, you will need a plastic bottle, water, plasticine or window putty. When typing in a bottle of water, a magnifying device will be ready, but this is clearly not enough.
Sequential creation of a magnifying glass:
- From a plastic bottle cut 2 identical circles.
- Then the two circles will need to be connected using plasticine or window putty. You should not forget to roll out plasticine before work.
- Next, you need to cut the straw into two parts and fix it on the surface of the lens.
- One end of the straw is launched into a slot in the lens, while the other end is used to vent air. This will help push water into the lens. But all connections must be tight.
- Then the lens is lowered into the water and liquid is drawn inside.
After all, the lens is removed and the gap is sealed with sealant. On this, the manufacture of the lens is considered complete. For convenience, it is advised to stick a lens to the design.
DIY projector screen (video)
To make a projector yourself, you will need to take a magnifying glass, a gadget and a cardboard box. After simple manipulations, such a filmoscope will project films onto the wall if a special elevator is made. But you can buy a ready-made Avon mobile projector. Reviews about him are positive.
