DIY Video Goggles
Personal video goggles are fast becoming the new wave in portable entertainment, and as such cost a fantastic sum of money. What if you can't afford a pair?
With a little know-how and technical expertise, you can build your own pair of portable video goggles. In practically no time you'll be watching videos on the optical equivalent of a huge TV screen anywhere you'd like.
What You'll Need
Building a pair of video goggles is a complex and time-consuming project that should only be attempted by those with at least a hobbyist's knowledge of electronics.
You'll need a soldering iron, solder, two miniature video screens, the complimentary video cables and a pair of goggles capable of being modified without losing their integrity. The screen-mounting method you choose might or might not require further materials.
Mounting the Screens
First, decide how you're going to mount your video screens onto the goggles.
If you're going to use an adhesive agent, be sure it won't dissolve your goggle's material or your video screens.
If you're going to attach the screens with a rigid material, such as screws or bolts, be careful not to damage the delicate workings of the screens.
Making Your Screens Video-Ready
After picking a mounting method but before actually attempting it, be sure that your video screens will be in position to be easily attached to the video cables. The best way to do this would be to find screens with RCA jacks built-in, or with slots for you to solder your own RCA jacks into.
Make sure your solder is firm and will hold up against regular usage. Since you most likely don't have the access to plastic-injection molding machines required to form a plastic casing for your device, your solder will have to be rugged enough by itself.
Under no circumstances should you attempt to power the goggles while the solder is still hot or fluid in any way. Doing so can cause catastrophic damage to your device and ruin your goggles beyond repair.
Testing the Goggles
Once your goggles are completed, you get to do what you've wanted to since you started this project; try them on!
With heavy video devices weighing down the front of the goggles, you might need to reinforce the strap holding the goggles to your head, or weight the back of the goggles to counterbalance them.
Plug the goggles into a standard RCA-compatible video device, such as a portable DVD player. Take note of any video problems such as lines or distortion. If you notice any, check all the connections on your device, as these problems can be caused by loose solder.
Tags: video screens, your video screens, video goggles, your device, your video
