LED LCD projector experiment version 1

Homebuilt LED panel illuminated LCD projector. Using a WUXGA 15.4" LCD panel from a laptop paired to a specialized LCD panel controller. It is capable of 1080p+ and has a verity of inputs and even an audio amplifier. The distinguishing feature of this projector is the hand built array of 5mm white LEDs in a dense packing; it outputs a tremendous amount of light at a high efficiency. I designed the circuits to be simple and robust, the most that can happen if an LED burns out is another two go dark. The array is powered by an inexpensive ATX power supply.
This is the video documentation I took regarding the first functional iteration of this project.

Category:

Howto & Style

Tags:

• DIY
• homemade
• LED
• projector
• LCD
• screen
• HD
• WUXGA
• 1080p

[xcsorg]

may seem like a dumb question but, how do you power a power suply without conecting a motherboard to power it literally? do you 'jump' start it by touching two of the computer atx cables?

[generalj]

@xcsorg You just use a short jumper wire to connect the Green wire to one of the Black ones; that mimics the low signal that the motherboard would provide. My power supply also has a switch, so right now I just keep that jumper in place and use that switch. More info:

en.wikipedia(dot)org/wiki/ATX#­Power_supply

[macgeek1972]

Awesome video! If you don't mind me asking, how much does it cost to build one o these things? I was thinking about getting an lcd tv but thought this would be much cheeper and more fun!

[generalj]

@macgeek1972

Running up quick totals in my head... about $700. The way I did it was rather unique but also very time consuming there are other approaches especially with regards to the lighting system you should look at before deciding to go one way or another.

[fafan74]

Amazing project

Do you know where i could find a similar strip board and triplet lense??

[generalj]

@fafan74

If by strip board you mean the boad I built the LED circuits on; that was just a piece of polycarbonate I designed a hole pattern for in Inkscape (inkscape(dot)org) and cut using a 45W laser system at work/school, kind of a test to see if it would work for circuit layouts. For LCD controllers and lenses try a store like diyprojectorkits(dot)com/store­/ , I bought mine at manhattanlcd(dot)com. Both stores have more advanced versions than the one I got.

[sp4d3n]

wouahh that is impressive. soon my items will arrive and im going to build my first lcd projector with an 3.5" lcd from ebay. and i also going to build my own led array . i dont know how many leds i will need, but around 50-100 leds i think. anyway do i need to cool it down or can i skip that part when i have so little amount. Maybe one or two fans are more than i need. i dont wanna burn my lcd. so any hints?

[generalj]

@fafan74

Sorry I took soooo long to respond. I tried to answer your questions in your other comment but I should probably make another video explaining some of the details.

[generalj]

@MCRskullz

That may be true now with LEDs available in the higher wattages, but when I made this the highest you could get was about 5W. I have thought of refitting it with a new centralized LED lighting system but for now it still works.

[MCRskullz]

I hate to tell you this but you could have bought one led on ebay that has twice the brightness but still i admire your patience i would have thrown it out of a window. 5*