# LED Array Projector **URL:** \ **Category:** Projects\ **Created:** [December 26, 2020, 7:08pm UTC](https://forums.pimoroni.com/t/led-array-projector/15658 "2020-12-26T19:08:55Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 5\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![paddle0](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/forums.pimoroni.com/paddle0/32/7401_2.png) [@paddle0](https://forums.pimoroni.com/u/paddle0)\ **Post date:** [December 26, 2020, 7:08pm UTC](https://forums.pimoroni.com/t/led-array-projector/15658/1 "2020-12-26T19:08:56Z")
I thought this might be of interest… I made an LED array projector from a Unicorn HAT HD and an Ektanar 102 mm lens from a Kodak carousel slide projector. To build it, I attached two pieces of lumber at a right angle and mounted a Raspberry Pi Model B+ to that with set screws. I used 2-inch diameter pipe clamps to secure the Ektanar lens to another piece of wood. Then I combined the two sub-assemblies using c-clamps, which can be loosened to focus as needed. I attached a segment of dried bamboo for rain cover, and put rubber stoppers into the exposed ports of the Raspberry Pi. I mounted the completed projector to a Sony VCT-R100 Lightweight Compact Tripod with a 1/4"-20 x W3/8" x L7/8" coarse thread coupling nut. ![led_array](https://us1.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/uploads/pimoroni/original/2X/6/6bb3a40fd0a77d458f491c9fd0d35bc2b83e99fb.jpeg) Finally, I threw a couple of bolts of white fabric over an old lemonade stand to serve as a screen. I adapted [show\_png.py](https://github.com/pimoroni/unicorn-hat-hd/blob/master/examples/show-png.py) in the Unicorn HAT HD examples to display a short holiday animation. [![](https://us1.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/uploads/pimoroni/original/2X/9/9f4084a6f525dafc34680baacc0aed20d4bedf15.jpeg "Holiday LED Array Projector") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7sAfeND2sNE) Like a movie projection, the image isn’t particularly bright and needs to be isolated from ambient light. But it’s striking! ---
**Author:** ![Shoe](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e36b37/32.png) [@Shoe](https://forums.pimoroni.com/u/Shoe)\ **Post date:** [December 26, 2020, 8:19pm UTC](https://forums.pimoroni.com/t/led-array-projector/15658/2 "2020-12-26T20:19:54Z")
Now that’s very cool! I suppose those LEDs would never get anywhere near as bright as a projector bulb, but they’re a heck of a lot cheaper! ---
**Author:** ![alphanumeric](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/forums.pimoroni.com/alphanumeric/32/2729_2.png) [@alphanumeric](https://forums.pimoroni.com/u/alphanumeric)\ **Post date:** [December 26, 2020, 8:29pm UTC](https://forums.pimoroni.com/t/led-array-projector/15658/3 "2020-12-26T20:29:30Z")
Ditto to what @Shoe said. =) I have a couple of Unicorn HD’s in use here. If you leave out the diffuser they should be pretty bright. It’s nice to see what happens when somebody thinks outside the box. ;) ---
**Author:** ![paddle0](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/forums.pimoroni.com/paddle0/32/7401_2.png) [@paddle0](https://forums.pimoroni.com/u/paddle0)\ **Post date:** [December 27, 2020, 2:37pm UTC](https://forums.pimoroni.com/t/led-array-projector/15658/4 "2020-12-27T14:37:57Z")
Thanks, everybody. Yes, I expect projector bulbs are extremely expensive to power. I was glad that the diffuser wasn’t epoxied to the array, etc. ---
**Author:** ![alphanumeric](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/forums.pimoroni.com/alphanumeric/32/2729_2.png) [@alphanumeric](https://forums.pimoroni.com/u/alphanumeric)\ **Post date:** [December 27, 2020, 7:19pm UTC](https://forums.pimoroni.com/t/led-array-projector/15658/5 "2020-12-27T19:19:49Z")
I’ve added the black ninja diffuser to a couple of my builds. LED arrays like the Unicorn HD, Sense Hats, LED shim etc. It makes text look a lot better and easier to read etc. Always nice to have the option to use it or not use it etc though.