DIY IPod Video Projector - Requires No Power or Disassembly of the IPod

by Sytner in Circuits > Apple

84535 Views, 125 Favorites, 0 Comments

DIY IPod Video Projector - Requires No Power or Disassembly of the IPod

iTheatre Projector 009 (Small).jpg
In this instructable I will show you how to Make an iPod video Projector Which uses no External Power and your iPod remains totally Untouched until Show-time!

Firstly I would Like to Credit tanntraad for The original Concept, See Here: https://www.instructables.com/id/Make-an-iPod-Video-Projector/

It is very simple and Only requires 4 Key items.

Items You Will Need...

iTheatre Projector 001 (Small).jpg
For this Project you will need...

Items:
A Cardboard Box Atleast 2x wider than your iPod and two inches Longer,
A Projector Lens from a Slide Projector (I Bought my one from eBay for £11 and it Has a 1:2.8/100 aspect Ratio,
A Hand Mirror that is larger than the iPod Screen,
Gluesticks for a Glue gun that you have.

Tools:
Sharp Scissors,
Glue gun,
Calipers (for measuring),
A Ruler in MM,
Stanley Knife,
Tape,
Super Glue.

Lets Get Cracking!

Work Out Your Focusing

iTheater Diagram.bmp
You will have to work out the focal Range of your Specific Lens, However this is How Mine works in the Image Below, You should Draw up your Plans like this so you Know what you need to do when your build.

Build Time!

iTheatre Projector 005 (Small).jpg
iTheatre Projector 002 (Small).jpg
iTheatre Projector 004 (Small).jpg
iTheatre Projector 007 (Small).jpg
1. The First step is to Cut your hole that the Slide Projector lens barrel Slides into. Measure the OD or Outside Diameter of the Barrel and cut the hole so that it is a Tight fit and that should allow use of the Thread on the Barrel.

2. Position the Mirror depending on your focusing Diagram at 45 Degrees. You will have to Cut a Hole in the Side but Keep the Cardboard from the Cutout, if you have a handle as well cut a hole for this in the Opposite side.

3. Cut a hole in the top above the Mirror the same size as your iPod's screen with 10mm around each edge to allow for tolerance for adjustment.

4. Test in a dark room to finalize positioning with iPod in Place.

5. When you are Happy Glue gun the Mirror in Place.

Add Stands

iTheatre Projector 003 (Small).jpg
iTheatre Projector 008 (Small).jpg
Get 8 Lego Bricks of eight Spots per Brick. Glue one of them in the Rear Center with Superglue. Join three Blocks two times for Each front corner then glue them to their corresponding Corners.
Keep the spots on the Lego Bricks touching the floor; glue the underside of the Lego Bricks to the Underside of the Projector because of the increased Surface area.

Showtime!

iTheatre Projector in Operation Dark Room 004 (Small).jpg
iTheatre Projector in Operation Bright Room 005 (Small).jpg
iTheatre Projector in Operation Bright Room 002 (Small).jpg
iTheatre Projector in Operation Bright Room 003 (Small).jpg
iTheatre Projector in Operation Bright Room 004 (Small).jpg
iTheatre Projector in Operation Bright Room 006 (Small).jpg
iTheatre Projector in Operation Dark Room 001 (Small).jpg
iTheatre Projector in Operation Dark Room 002 (Small).jpg
iTheatre Projector in Operation Dark Room 003 (Small).jpg

Firstly Select your media and then Simply Plug in your Speakers or RCA Cable for sound and then Place the iPod over the Hole on the top and it is Showtime.

You will need to focus it depending on the Throw Distance and the lens setup. Do this by rotating the lens bnarrel on its thread and you may need to push/pull the lens to position it.

NB: The first five pictures were taken in a Bright room and the Camera does not really do it much justice.