DIY LCD Projector

Well we are up here with a hobby project called LCD projector. Yes, there many LCD projectors commercially available these days, but making one on your own can be a great experience and learning. Moreover, you can get one at a very lesser price.

An LCD projector is type of video projector used for displaying video, images or computer data on a screen or other flat surface which uses a LCD screen to project images. LCD can be connected to a computer to project anything you want. The LCD monitor has a control board inside it which converts VGA input signal into a protocol compatible with LCD modules. VGA which stands for Video Graphics Array is an analog standard computer display. There are also few buttons to control the brightness, colour, contrast, and power. The LCD monitor is also integrated with an inverter module which drives the small fluorescent tube (also called cold cathode) with its high voltage. Most LCD panels are built with fluorescent tubes above, beside and behind them which produces white light. A white diffusion panel behind the LCD redirects and scatters the light evenly to ensure a uniform display. This is known as a backlight. A cold cathode fluorescent tube is used to produce backlight.

A caution to be taken here is to check whether you are using a right LCD module or not. This is because in some modules, the connection of the horizontal and vertical drivers is so rigid that it forbids us from making any desired changes in the connections.

As it operates at a very high voltage, a lot of heat is generated by the projector during its operation. Therefore a heat sink and a fan are used to circulate the heat below the LCD screen which protects the same from damage. Make sure the cooling system works well along with the direction of airflow.