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2 Dollar iPod (any Backlit Device) Projector

video 2 Dollar iPod (any Backlit Device) Projector
In this video, I show you how to use page magnifiers to project the image coming from your backlit device, such as an iPod, onto a wall.

The maximum image you can project that is still usable is about 20 - 24 inches across. This was tested with an iPod Touch on maximum brightness. If you have another device that is brighter you will be able to make a larger picture.

As many people know, page magnifiers are fresnel lenses. Use google to find out a little more information about them.

Unforunately, I could only find page magnifiers with about an eight inch of plastic attached to them. I assume the manufacturer did this to frevent folding. Try to find page magnifiers that are almost as thin as paper. This thick plastic really made the picture of the output dim and blurry. It will work MUCH better with thinner page magnifiers.

In theory, this should work with a laptop, but when I tried it, it worked just enough to read large text. It would probably be ideal to watch movies. You won't be doing any surfing anytime soon.

One other thing I should mention is that there is no mirrror in my design. Since there is no mirror, all text that is projected will be backwards. If you bounce the iPod image off of a mirror before going into the first fresnel lens, the image will be the right way around.

Thanks for watching!
18 comments
Mar 13, 2011. 4:30 PMMCzone says:
I am doing this on my laptop screen :)
p.s. could i use one of those demo lenses you se at eye glass stors for the ipod
I think they will provide better picture quality
Jul 28, 2010. 7:06 PMzack247 says:
looks like im heading to the dollar store soon...
Dec 10, 2009. 2:41 PMHuman Being says:
lol isn't that the simpsons playing in the background?
Dec 11, 2009. 7:52 PMHuman Being says:
yeah lol i just saw that one patty and selma  push homer off a bridge
Jan 11, 2010. 3:30 PMmason0190 says:
it was like a parody of the video where Noah takes a picture of himself everyday for 6 years, title exactly
Dec 12, 2009. 3:43 PMgoldbar2975 says:
whats the advantage of using two lenses instead of one?
Sep 26, 2009. 5:20 AMsavagenight says:
what if you just use one fresnel lens?
May 19, 2009. 7:28 PMmissyJ says:
everyone should watch this video. IT IS AWSOME!!!!
May 19, 2009. 7:26 PMmissyJ says:
this was an awsome video. make some more like it.
Nov 9, 2008. 12:43 PMhomeboy says:
I have two different page magnifyers, but it doesn't work too well. do they have to be the same kind?
Jun 5, 2008. 5:17 PMshannighan says:
this would be cool to do with a multi touch display!
Jun 4, 2008. 7:17 AMterrancio says:
well, it works, but, still pretty weak, solution taking apart the ipod, putting a one-point- source- light where the Backlight is... and you have more light, meaning also, more focus, Now, the problem resides, on the Resolution, pretty lame, for a big screen!
Jun 4, 2008. 8:44 PMterrancio says:
yes, i made my projector sharing ideas with lumenlab, mine was a 17", beautiful image, crispy and Huge, it was like 4 years ago, and still the bulb is bright... but, dont get me wrong, ideas like this ipod projector, are fantastic, the thing is ive tried many options, even the Old fresnel tv trick, switching cables to correct the image, before it was popular and i mean, way before, like 1980s... when i was a kid!
May 10, 2008. 4:54 AMpyro222 says:
Dude Nice!! I had an Idea for something just like this with my ipod a while back but never got around to building one. Good to know it will work though. Nice video.
Apr 18, 2008. 12:58 PMcodester says:
Wow! This is really cool!!!!!! Great Instructable!!

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