Awsome $50 Diy Projector (well for Me)

I been searching the internet on the vast subject of "DIY Projectors" I I finally built a "successful" one. Here is a quick list of supplies I used.
1- portable DVD player w/ input (free broken laser eye hence the "input")
1- photo copier lens ($5 on surplusstore.com)
3- page magnifiers ($1 x 3 = $3 local dollar store)
1- piece of tempered glass (spare form old spot light)
1- 500w halogen light setup ($10- $15 at harbor freight)
1- soup ladle ($1 dollar store)
2- sheets of MDF wood ($8 x 2 = $16 home depot)
3- pc fans (free, I build computers so I have some to spare)
1- black heat paint ($3 home depot)
1- condenser lens ($? I got mine out of a collection of lenses)
I Think thats about it.... page 2

by this time you should be looking for a portable dvd player mine was free but you can get one at Radioshack *NEW* for about $70 but you can check Ebay ect for used or broken ones. When I say broken I mean the laser eye is bad but it still has a input to connect dvd player, xbox, ps2,or Dreamcast (cause it rocks) . FYI the better the resolution the lcd panel is the better the picture will be. Dont ask me specs on my lcd cause "I DO NOT KNOW" all I know is I'm getting an awesome picture. Sorry I dont have any pictures "in the process" but I only have the "end results" pictures. but this is my lcd glued and ready to go.

the picture shown here is my design. very simple design the size width and height all depend on the size of your components such as light fixture, lcd size, and lens all you need to do is be able to fit the components shown in the 2nd picture in a "wooden box". now you can see where the pc fans come into play the back 2 suck hot air and the 3rd towards the front blow cool air on the lcd.

"Thundercats!?! I love them how ever did you know? :)

I used a 500w halogen light which put me back a few bucks, not much. I felt that the original reflector was weak as far as a spread of light. so this is where the soup ladle comes into play I use it as a "modified reflector" all you have to do is cut the sides so the bulb fits *see the picture* also to make the spread of light even better the condenser lens is in front of that which makes the picture even brighter!

As I said I got my page magnifiers at the dollar store. you may have to shop around. Try stores such as dollar tree, yankee dollar, family dollar, big lots, and staples. I was hoping to find hard plastic magnifiers but only found sheet like magnifier, but they work great!! the way it works is you have one in back and 2 in front. (I put 2 in the front because it will 2x the narrowing power see picture). I an K are fresnels they bend the light the way it is needed to get optimum brightness!!

well all and all it was a fun project. it is one of those projects that can always be better or worked on. the 1st picture is me and a scene from the tansformers movie the picture is at least 70" the 2nd is star wars because I love boba fett (just thought it was needed) so now you can go pop some popo corn and watch your favorite geeky movie FYI is my kind of movie!!! in the picture the corners look dull or black but really aren't as bad as they appear in the pictures.

people are talking not just on this site but other sites and I wanted to shut them up. I have new pic with a cartoon in (star wars clone wars volumes 1 & 2) maybe last time the camera was screwy, also I took the condenser lens out to show you that you DON'T NEED IT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I can't stress that enough. some guy on a site said well we all don't have lenses lying around well the only lens needed is the first one and I told you where you can buy it ( www.surplusshed.com ) also take into account I'm only 16 and that the reason for building this is for a projector on the cheap. (consdering I'm saving for a car so I dont have A. a job and B. money floating around!!!) so for everybody else who wasn't a jerk enjoy!!! thanks

I was looking through some old SD cards and found some old pictures of older designs and thought it would serve a purpose here so with out a further a do: