Yes, OLED TVs have largely solved the problem of a “black that is not black,” but they come with two drawbacks: they still cost a fortune (the average is over 800 euros), and the risk of burn-in (technically burn-out) hasn't gone away. While some alternatives exist, Matt from the DIY Perks channel invites us to build one using an old TV and a projector to replace its burnt-out backlight. Unlike other projects, this one is presented as more accessible, since it relies on nearly obsolete hardware destined for recycling…
A quick search for OLED TVs on Amazon confirms that the most affordable models don't go below 750 euros, while their average floats above 800 euros for 55-inch panels. Nobody denies they look great, but it's a pricier investment than usual.
Not everyone knows, however, that it's possible to achieve performance similar to an OLED panel — as long as we accept the challenges and quirks of the DIY universe, and for exploring that, there's no one better than Matt from the DIY Perks channel:
LCD + Rear Projection = Almost OLED
The idea is simple: instead of accepting the traditional limitations of the backlight used by an LCD TV, his intention is to replace it with a projector to generate a high-definition “luminance map,” significantly reducing light “blooming” or “bleeding.” The first step (and by far the most delicate) is extracting the LCD panel from the TV. The unit Matt used is more than ten years old and has a burnt-out backlight, while the projector is an older, lamp-based model.
The thickest diffuser of the LCD had to be reinstalled, and with a bit of aluminum, Matt managed to place the panel vertically. However, calibrating and configuring the projector wasn't so easy. First, it's mandatory to remove the color wheel (because it blocks too much light), and second, aligning the projector's image (now in black and white) to the panel's dimensions borders on impossible. Add to that an unwanted parallax effect, and honestly, “defocusing” the projector image doesn't help.
What's the solution? OBS, or better said, the Luma Key and Glow filters of that program. Luma Key allows saturating the visible pixels of bright white, while Glow expands and softens their edges. This increases the margin of error and ensures each pixel receives the necessary light. The last phase of the project is reducing the distance between the projector and the panel, with the help of mirrors. As expected, the final result is impressive — even more so considering he used a damaged TV and an obsolete projector.
