Do-it-yourself projector from the monitor. Self-made projector from improvised means
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 out of a phone, you also need to make a small hole in the box for 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 the 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 there are scratches on the lens, it is recommended to replace it with another one - this will 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. It will also help to paint the inner surface of the box with black paint: 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.
It is best to watch videos and movies on a big screen, like in a real cinema - for this you need a projector and a screen, all this is very expensive, and not every family can afford it. But there is a way out - you can design a projector with your own hands at home, and then invite everyone to the first viewing. According to competent experts, such a miracle of home-made technology is practically not inferior to a standard product. There are several manufacturing options - they are all similar, because each uses a special lens and cardboard boxes of various sizes.
The projector out of the box, focused on the phone, belongs to the category of homemade projects that are easy to do yourself. To make it clear to every reader how to make a projector from a phone, we provide a step-by-step manufacturing algorithm, accompanied by photographs of the process. To make a homemade video projector, you will need a simple set of tools, consisting of an old shoe box, a magnifying glass with a 10x magnification, a sharp knife, a marking pencil, electrical tape and a smartphone.
As a magnifying glass, use a standard loupe or Fresnel lens, available at any home improvement store.
A home-made projector for a home theater is ready, now we check its operation, determine a specific placement and invite family members to watch videos. To help the masters there is an excellent video.
Tablet or laptop based
If you decide to make a projector for your home with your own hands and want to achieve best image, then you should use a tablet as a transmitting monitor - the screen resolution is much larger than that of a smartphone, which means that the quality of the transmitted image is many times better.
For a laptop, these parameters are even better, but the projector itself will turn out to be bulky - here you already have to choose, given the dimensions of the room for showing films.
box to build a home device based on a tablet, choose a larger size: its length should be at least 50 cm, and the end side should be slightly larger than the tablet screen. To increase it is better to buy a large magnifying glass Soviet production, then the quality will be excellent. An example would be a device for full-page reading of books, the cost of the lens will be within 8 dollars.
At the end, using a knife, we cut a hole that will be slightly smaller than a magnifying glass, then we fasten the lens with a double-sided adhesive tape, with a corrugated surface inside the box.
We fix the tablet inside the box, taking into account that the lens flips the image.
Design laptop based slightly different - rectangular holes are cut on both sides of the long end of the box. The device itself is located with the monitor down, and the keyboard on the top of the cardboard base - this helps to get the right image, and not an inverted version.
How to improve image quality
To increase the quality of the final image, it is necessary to set the maximum settings on the monitor of the product from which the broadcast is carried out, to exclude the penetration of light into the room where the viewing is organized. The distance to the screen also affects the quality: the closer the homemade projector, the better the quality, but the smaller the picture.
All these parameters are easy to adjust in advance and achieve a quality that will completely satisfy you. There are separate requirements for the screen on which the image is projected: the canvas must be of high quality, without seams and defects.
Important! If you paint the inside of the box with black paint, eliminate the “leakage” of the light flux through the slots, then the quality of the picture on the screen will improve significantly.
original solutions
Similarly to a smartphone-based device, you can make a home 3d projector with your own hands or construct it from improvised means, for example, CD boxes, a home-made laser projector for displaying holograms, only these options are more labor-intensive, and the costs will be from 8 to 15 thousand rubles.
For 3d devices a special-sized plastic pyramid is needed, the dimensions of which can be found on websites on the Internet. For example, this option: height 45 mm, truncated inlet hole - small square 10x10 mm, and the lower part - 60x60 mm. Then we place this original design on the smartphone exactly in the center of the screen and turn on a pre-selected video.
Before you make a projector with your own hands, you need to clearly define the purpose of its use, the chosen type of construction will depend on this.
- If you want to surprise not only the younger family members, but also the older generation, then do holographic projector, download various YouTube videos to your smartphone and show magical holograms.
- On the basis of a mobile phone, you can make an original design and play cartoons in the children's room at any time.
- When you really want to watch exciting films, like in a cinema, but there are no material resources for this in the family budget, then make a projector according to the second option - surprise with a home theater in your apartment.
To implement the plan, you just need to make a little imagination and purchase not-so-expensive components, assemble according to the instructions and enjoy watching.
If you have an old non-working device on hand, then understanding its circuit is extremely simple. It is enough to disassemble it and study all the constituent parts. If this is not possible, consider a simple device in the photo. The main condition for organizing a home movie screening on the screen is the presence of high-precision elements.
Some diagrams may differ depending on the type of homemade projector. In the industrial version, a slightly different formulation of parts is considered.
Thus, a professional projector circuit is based on the following details:
- a light bulb for translucence (any source can be selected, even a powerful LED);
- condenser lens;
- color wheel or matrix (on modern devices);
- aspherical lens;
- DLP chip;
- lens;
- screen (often multimedia boards are used for such purposes).
The focused light of a light bulb and a high-quality matrix (such as you can get from any smartphone or tablet) together feed an image magnified through a lens to a screen mounted on the wall. As such, white sheets, oilcloths and even a light background of furniture or wallpaper can act.
Vintage professional devices have such a scheme, as shown in the photo.
Image quality is achieved by lenses and lamp brightness. Therefore, you should choose a source with a high efficiency. In addition, it is necessary to correlate the screen dimensions and the radiation power of the light flux. Simply put, the farther the projection is from the light source, the more powerful the light bulb needs to be taken.
Making a projector with your own hands based on a phone
Modern gadgets often have a solid extension through which you can get high-quality video broadcasts. On them you can watch any movies on the Internet, as well as self-made videos. Let us consider in more detail the stages of manufacturing such a device.
The simplest projector
To make a simple device, you need a minimum of parts. However, you should not count on full-fledged image quality in this case, since most smartphones are not capable of transmitting an image with sufficient brightness over a long distance. However, it's a great alternative if you don't have a projector at all.
What is required for work
For the projector device, you will need a cardboard or wooden box, as well as a smaller cardboard case in which you need to make a niche for your smartphone. To reduce the reflection of light from the walls of the box, you need to paint over it with black. For this, shoe cream or matte paint is ideal. You will also need a lens.
Preparation of all elements
The sequence of operations is as follows.
- We properly equip the box. To do this, paint the inside of the body with a dark color.
- We place a smaller box in it so that the prepared niche into which the smartphone will be inserted is the size of the screen.
- We direct the open part to the free edge of the second box.
- We prepare a suspension or stand for the lens, install it on the table, attach an enlarger to it.
- It is allowed to attach it to a cardboard box, having previously cut out a special niche for this.
- To prevent the magnifier from falling, it is fixed with a glue gun.
Construction assembly
When all the details are arranged, it remains to assemble them into a single whole. We insert the included smartphone into the prepared niche and direct the image through the lens onto the canvas installed as a screen.
It is convenient to use such a film projector if you have a remote control that works via Wi-fi, otherwise you will have to remove the phone from the box for each switch.
Manufacturing process of a holographic projector
Holographic projectors are capable of accurately transmitting an image from any mobile gadget, provided that the maximum brightness is turned on. Parts can be found in your workshop or spend a little money on purchasing a few suitable items in the store.
List of materials and tools
To quickly create a 3D projector, you will need:
- case from CD-disks;
- glue gun;
- painting or clerical knife;
- pliers;
- smartphone;
- special video with holographic graphics;
- corresponding drawing.
It is important to observe all the dimensions that are specified in the drawing, otherwise it will be impossible to achieve image clarity.
Manufacture of parts for the projector
To create a truncated pyramid, we will use a drawing that will allow us to calculate the dimensions of each part.
Consider a step-by-step algorithm:
- With the help of the drawing, we mark four identical sketches on the plastic from the disc case, and, using a clerical knife, carefully cut them out.
- We glue all these parts together with a glue gun so that we get a truncated pyramid.
- When notches appear on the ends of the patterns, they are processed with sandpaper.
- We install the smartphone on the top of the pyramid so that the display is located in the center.
- We put dark or matte cardboard on top (so that the animation does not mirror).
Similarly, you can use the projector in a vertical position. But for this it will be necessary to make stands that hold the smartphone and matte cardboard.
Adjusting the image on a smartphone
In order for the picture to be fully displayed on a matte surface, it is necessary to perform some screen settings. Be sure to set the brightness to maximum level, adjust the color to look natural. In this situation, it is advisable to set the automatic contrast mode, and the color background to the "Standard" position.
All modern tablets have a lot of features, so through them you can watch movies and your favorite videos on the big screen. The likelihood that the picture will be distorted is minimized, since the screen parameters allow you to transfer the image with high quality.
What do you need to work
In order to prepare a simple home theater with my own hands, you must have:
- two cardboard boxes of different sizes;
- stationery knife;
- a lens with good focus;
- tablet;
- glue pistol or PVA;
- black paint.
Manufacturing of structural elements and step-by-step instructions
To properly make a video projector with your own hands, we advise you to follow the instructions below.
Illustration | Action Description |
We take cardboard box. On the side, we circle the lens and cut out a niche for installing an enlarger. | |
Lubricate the end of the lens with glue and install it in the cut circle in the box. We paint the inner surface with black paint and let it dry. | |
We are preparing foam plates that will be inserted inside the box. They will play the role of a stand for the tablet. The dimensions of the foam should be slightly less than the distance between the walls. | |
A niche for the tablet is made from one piece of foam. Its dimensions must match the parameters of the gadget. | |
We glue one part to another to get such a design. | |
We place the tablet inside and turn on the video we want to watch on it. We direct the lens to a light canvas and enjoy the view. |
GOOD TO KNOW!
On the tablet, it is important to set the backlight settings. For the convenience of switching between videos, you can connect a mouse via a Bluetooth connector. Due to the physics of the lens, the gadget must be installed in a 180º upside down position.
Projector from the machine for viewing slides
The use of an ordinary magnifying glass is justified in the manufacture of projectors for amateur movie viewing. But in order for the picture to be truly high-quality, you can use a special slider that is used in educational institutions. Such a slide projector is easy to create. To use it, you just need to find a good source for reproducing the picture.
List of materials for work
The user's only concern is the setup and proper installation of the almost finished projector. What is useful for these purposes:
- factory matrix with already configured optical nodes;
- laptop or tablet from which the matrix was removed;
Stages of work
You need to try to disassemble the laptop or tablet so that its screen is not damaged. Next, the design is simply placed in a slide projector and the slide show or video begins. In such a situation, the screen plays the role of a navigator through the tablet system. How it looks in practice.
- We connect the inserted matrix to the tablet and find the device to control. It can be a special Wi-Fi module or an ordinary wireless computer mouse.
- We turn on the projector in the network and direct its lens to the multimedia screen. It can be a special professional board.
- We play the video and watch it in the darkest possible room.
In order to obtain maximum image quality, special gobo lenses are installed on the projector.
When creating a projector, everyone thought about its future purpose. It is from this factor that you should build on when choosing the dimensions of a multimedia device. Explore a few useful advice from users.
- If you plan to often watch movies in the twilight and do it with the whole family, you will no longer need a cinema. The only condition is to use not a tablet or phone, but a larger design, as an option, a laptop.
- For the manufacture of the projector housing, it is better to use materials of decent quality, such as plywood, or MDF. Be sure to make sure that the device is stable.
- If you need to broadcast video on a screen located high, it is better to immediately provide for the presence of a stand. Do not attempt to place books or other objects under the device. Observance of angular radiation is necessary.
Dear readers, if you have experience of such operations, be sure to share your ideas.
If you have any questions while reading, ask them in the comments below the article. We are always happy feedback so we will respond quickly.
You can make a projector on your own using mobile devices android or 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 start, do preparatory work and stock up 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 plastic bottle cut out 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.
Watching movies at home on the big screen is a very common desire. But its realization is noticeably expensive for most dreamers. Otherwise, they would simply buy either a projector or a TV. But for those who understand the design of electrical appliances, it is quite possible for them to independently make a projection device for a home theater. This will be discussed further.
A bit of theory
First, let's look at the diagram of the correct projector. Obviously, not everyone can make such a device. If only because it will require several accurate and high-quality factory-made optical parts:
- lens;
- lenses.
The uniform distribution of light on the screen will depend on them. Light must enter the lens at the correct angle. If you do not know the optical characteristics of the lens and lenses, all distances can be determined empirically.
The source of the image in the projection device is a matrix on liquid crystals. They work for the light. Moreover, each pixel on the screen is projected with an increase in size. Therefore, the original image should be as clear as possible. The more pixels the better. The so-called FULL HD is 1920×1080 pixels. The brightness of the projection lamp will determine the maximum screen size on which you can watch movies with acceptable brightness and contrast.
The simplest projector
If the reader owns a smartphone or tablet with a bright screen and a resolution close to FULL HD, and also dreams of watching movies on a big screen, he can try to make a simple device out of a box, a lens and his gadget. The box-body should be larger than the gadget in any cross section, and the lens should be commensurate in diameter with the size of its screen. But the distance to the screen will depend on its focal length. The idea is simple:
- a hole is cut in the box for the lens;
- a gadget is placed inside, which can be brought closer or further away from the lens.
The gadget is installed in a mandrel, which is convenient to move in the box. For a mandrel, another box with smaller dimensions can serve as a perfectly suitable blank. The reflection of light from the walls of the boxes should be minimal. To do this, it is best to glue the surfaces with black velvet appliqué paper. Or paint with black matte paint. Instead of paint, you can use a thick black shoe cream. It is best to lay guides between the walls of the boxes, especially when using velvet paper. They will protect painted surfaces from rubbing.
That's the whole projector. See the details in the images below.
Painted box-case
The lens is applied to the body and outlined with a pencil.
A hole is cut along the line from the pencil with a sharp knife.
A lens is inserted into the hole, which is glued along the contour
We place the carriage inside the box-case and use the projector
The result that we see on the screen is highly dependent on the size of the image on it. If the size is reduced, the brightness and clarity of the frame will improve. The image quality in this simplest projection device is at the “better than nothing” level. But the reason for this is obvious - a higher brightness of the image source and additional optics are needed.
High quality homemade projector
Next, we will tell you how to make a projector with your own hands, observing all the requirements. You need to start by disassembling the gadget. It is dismantled with the preservation of its performance so that the liquid crystal matrix of the screen is available for transillumination by an extraneous light source. If you cannot do this, then building such a projector is not for you.
Used parts:
- LED power supply board;
- LED 100 W (light source with minimal dimensions has an advantage);
- fan power supply board;
- fan control board;
- intermediate lens;
- output lens;
- gadget control panel via Wi-Fi;
- two intermediate Fresnel lenses;
- liquid crystal matrix from the gadget.
Radiator Mounted LED
Demonstration of the effectiveness of the Fresnel lens.
An intermediate lens is placed between the LED and the Fresnel lens in order to reduce light loss.
Elimination of projection distortion by a matrix suspension with lenses with horizontal and vertical deviation
And here is the result of the work done. The distance to the screen is 4 meters, the diagonal of the frame on the screen is 100 inches. Everything is clearly visible.
Based on a slide projector
But there is an easier way to create a projector. To do this, you can use a projector for slides that are projected from a sheet of A4 paper (overhead projector). Since all the optics are already in place, it remains to attach only the image source to it. They can become a monitor matrix. It will have to be disassembled to maintain performance. Since after installing the matrix in the projector, the monitor, as usual, is connected to the computer. It is best to use a projector that shines through the slide rather than using reflected light.
What happens as a result of this hybridization of a monitor with a projector is shown in the images below.
That's all there is to it. Unless, of course, you have such a projector. What kind of visibility is obtained on the screen as a result, the image below demonstrates.
The size and quality of the frame on the screen are very good. Moreover, there are projectors for projecting small slides that are commensurate with the screen of a smartphone. They are cheaper. Therefore, you can buy a smartphone with a broken screen and a faulty projector for its matrix. And what should happen as a result, has already been shown above.