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A while back we heard about the nifty Nikon Coolpix S1000pj, a digital camera with a built-in projector. We were very curious how Nikon packaged everything into this little device, so we decided to do what we do best -- tear it apart!
Check out our YouTube video of the teardown. We included a quick explanation of the projector's inner workings right around the 2:00 minute mark!
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            Contents of the box include: 
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            Separate instruction manuals/quick start guides in both English and Spanish. No instructions for you, French Canadians. 
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            Battery Charger. 
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            A/V and USB Cables. 
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            Carrying Strap. 
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            Nikon Software Suite Disk. 
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            Nikon Remote, model ML-L4. 
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            The remote even allows you to zoom and activate the shutter from a distance. 
 
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            As engineers, we decided the first thing we should do is browse through the instruction manual... 
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            We're glad Nikon is looking out for the well being of the average Joe, but "Take the Camera out of the Box"? Really? 
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            Common sense FAIL. 
 
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            The extremely simple yet nifty injection molded plastic stand tilts the camera back a few degrees to allow for projection on vertical surfaces. 
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            The S1000pj sports a single lamp/single LCD panel projection system to view images in a dimly-lit room. 
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            The image size can vary from approximately 5 to 40 inches. 
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            According to the user manual specifications, the output resolution of the projector is VGA equivalent. 
 
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            We here at iFixit strongly support the work the Rebel Alliance is doing to Restore the Republic and we fully stand behind their cause. 
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            "Help me Obi Wan Kenobi, you're my only hope." 
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            It's a shame the S1000pj doesn't beep or whistle or stop garbage compactors from crushing future Jedi knights. 
 
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            The dimensions of the camera are 99.5 x 62.5 x 23 mm (4 x 2.5 x 0.9 in), and it weighs in at approximately 155g (5.5 oz.) without the battery and SD memory card. 
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            Hidden behind the lens cover in the upper right corner is the Nikkor 5X wide optical zoom VR 5.0-25.0 mm 1:3.9-5.8 lens. 
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            The back panel houses the comparatively large 2.7-inch High Resolution Bright LCD. 
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            The slider on the third picture (boxed in red) focuses images projected from the front of the camera. 
 
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            Removing the rechargable lithium-ion battery. 
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            The battery, model EN-EL12, is rated 1050 mAh at 3.7V making the power output 3.885 Wh. 
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            Looks like Nikon rounds up. 
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            The battery weighs approximately 22.5 g (0.8 oz) excluding the terminal cover. 
 
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            We're glad we can trust our good'ol Phillips screwdriver to help us remove a few screws from the battery-chamber/memory card slot cover. 
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            After a few pries with a plastic opening tool, the chromed plastic side cover simply pops off the camera body. 
 
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            A few more screws secure the rear case to the body. 
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            After prying around its perimeter, we lift the rear case off the body. 
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            Surprisingly, both the front and rear outer cases are machined out of aluminum. 
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            The button covers attach to the rear case while the electronic portion is attached to the metal shield next to the display. 
 
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            The display is attached to the metal shield by several fingers that apply pressure between the shield and the edge of the display. 
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            Flip back the ZIF cable lock and remove the display. 
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            Use a plastic opening tool to pop the speaker assembly out of the metal shield. 
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            The speaker pumps out some pretty fresh beats when the camera is in projector mode. 
 
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            Remove a few screws around the perimeter of the open back of the camera. 
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            After some (careful) prying, the top and right covers pop right off. 
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            Interestingly, the controls along the top of the camera are attached to a board below the top cover. The top cover just houses the button covers. 
 
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            Carefully lift the protective steel panel to reveal the logic board. 
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            Use the tip of a spudger to flip back the ZIF cable lock to disconnect the control ribbon cable before removing the panel. 
 
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            Pry the upper camera cable connector straight up off the logic board. 
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            Flip back the ZIF cable lock and remove the lens assembly. 
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            Copper was an interesting choice for the rear cover of the lens assembly. 
 
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            The camera module in all its glory. 
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            Like most compact digital cameras with optical zoom that have no externally telescopic lenses, the S1000pj's internal zoom lenses move perpendicular to the front face. 
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            The basic components include: 
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            A few movable lenses. 
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            CCD image sensor. 
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            Optical zoom motor and feedback sensor to position the lenses. 
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            Aperture and image stabilization modules. 
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            Light has to travel through at least four glass lenses until it shines on the CCD sensor. What a journey. 
 
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            We had to disconnect a few additional ZIF cables and remove some screws still securing the the logic board to the main chassis. 
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            Disassembling this camera is not for the faint of heart -- Nikon definitely did not intend this device to be user serviceable. 
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            We even had to de-solder a bunch of components including the camera cover actuator, projector LED, and flash bulb. 
 
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            To remove the projector lens, first remove the flash tube. 
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            After removing a few screws... 
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            ...The projector assembly lifts right out. 
 
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            Here's an inside look at the projector assembly sans the protective cover. 
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            Light for projecting images is supplied by a very powerful LED (shown in red) that even has its own heat sink to conduct heat to the aluminum front panel. 
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            As light leaves the LED it passes through some filters and lenses (shown in orange). 
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            A good deal of engineered optical reflection allows the light emitted by the LED to reflect through a tiny LCD panel (shown in yellow) and head toward the mirror. 
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            Before bouncing off the angled mirror and exiting the camera, the projected image passes through a focusing lens (shown in blue) connected to the slider on the top panel. 
 
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            Almost there... 
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            Remove the automatic lens cover door first. The lens cover is motorized and opens anytime the camera function is activated. 
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            After the lens cover is out, removing the front facing microphone is a snap. 
 
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            The main players on 'SIDE-A' of the board include: 
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            Samsung 925 K5W1213LCA-AK60 EDE010D5 
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            Sanyo EV4MA N1U5YNPD 0925 
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            D805 0921K 
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            ADDI7000 BCPZ 0924 1644955.1 
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            87F283A 8KK5P 
 
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            Residing on 'SIDE-B' of the board are: 
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            MAXIM 8916I TL919 +NTAS 
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            HIMAX HX8852-A 005BEG 923ES06 LCOS display controller with interface compliant to MIPI. 
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            Wolfson Microelectronics WM8941G 95AEKSW mono CODEC with speaker driver and video buffer. 
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            RHAPSODY E1-145 923102. 
 
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            Nikon Coolpix S1000pj...you've just been Torn'd! 
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            That's our new phrase, Torn'd. 
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            That does it for this edition of iFixit's riveting teardown. Join us next time when we continue our teardown debaucheries! 
 
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