The example that you use to prove that this is not the first time a projection TV has ben converted into a multitouch is wrong. In the article you link to, it clearly states that he built the enclosure to resemble a commercial projection TV. He does state you probably could use a commercial rear projection TV, but until now I haven’t seen it done.

Posted at 10:45 am on Feb 15th, 2009 by Failsafe

mmm…interesting.
gotta find myself a rear projection tv.
to craigslist!

ps: dugg

Posted at 11:40 am on Feb 15th, 2009 by julien

neat!

Posted at 12:15 pm on Feb 15th, 2009 by Roboguy

Thanks for the post!
If you look at the other rear projection multi-touch screen it requires that you build the cabinet. Look at steps 6 and 7. It’s a great project, but it’s not a hack of a commercially available rear projection TV…

Posted at 3:47 pm on Feb 15th, 2009 by dave

Yes, I see now, you’re all right. That other one is just really convincing.

Posted at 4:30 pm on Feb 15th, 2009 by Calebkraft

Interesting project. I have an client that I’m installing some HD TV’s for and they have an old rear projection tv that I might be able to get for little or nothing. I also have an old sony eyetoy camera kicking around and an old svga projector. All I would have to buy are the ir lasers…

Is there any GNU multitouch software out there… I must go search.

Posted at 4:33 pm on Feb 15th, 2009 by Garak

wow…. my rants have a 62″ DLP TV in the living room….

Posted at 6:20 pm on Feb 15th, 2009 by olul

garak- you won’t need the projector for this type of build.. the TV is already the projector

Posted at 7:37 pm on Feb 15th, 2009 by james holden

Great idea, good execution, but but here are fundamental issues that should be considered before executing similar projects:

DPI – enough resolution? Both cameras and projectors require DPI considerations. LCDs have at least 100 DPI, higher quality ones >150 DPI.

A 50″ 1080p HDTV has a DPI of 44, making small text difficult to render. Doubling resolution doubles DPI.

Since Projectors have a resolution that caps off at 1920×1200… (Being generous), I would require at least two projectors to obtain ~90 DPI.

Depending on your end application, a DPI of 44 may be quite fine. If the viewing distance is > ~6 feet, it should suffice.

The other gripe I have with this particular project is cost. The HDTV is 2k alone, taking away the DIY allure.

Still, the idea of repurposing available hardware is great, since the finishing touches are already present. Using multiple cameras is a plus too. These MT projects are fuelling the development of cohesive and highly usable MT frameworks.

Good Job IDEO!

Posted at 8:40 pm on Feb 15th, 2009 by Tom G.

“Depending on your end application, a DPI of 44 may be quite fine. If the viewing distance is > ~6 feet, it should suffice.”

hmmm, must get 6 foot arms to control multitouch hack. Anyone know of 6′ arm hack or similar?

Posted at 5:00 am on Feb 16th, 2009 by dom1nion

You yell at ‘em for years not to touch the stupid thing and they hack it specifically so that now you have to.

smartass kids!

Posted at 9:54 am on Feb 16th, 2009 by strider_mt2k

@strider_mt2k: you made me spit soda on my monitor. grats! that usually requires a couple girls and a cup.

Posted at 6:08 pm on Feb 16th, 2009 by Adrenaline Junkie

video gone on vimeo? sadface.

Posted at 9:01 am on Feb 18th, 2009 by adam

Nice and informative post.. tnx man

Posted at 6:37 am on Apr 27th, 2009 by HawkMarc