August 17, 2006

Here's what's been added to www.curtpalme.com over the last 2 weeks:

• Building a CRT Projector Hushbox: If you're at all concerned about noise that a projector will add to your home theater, consider building a hushbox. Very effective, very inexpensive!
   
• Electrohome Marquee Magnetics Setup 101: Squeeze the last few ounces of performance out of that Marquee with this excellent enthusiast-written magnetics setup guide.
   
• Removing CRT Tube Fungus: Got tubes with fungus? Don't throw them out! Follow this dirt-cheap procedure to diagnose tubes with fungus, clean them up and get them working as good as new again.
   
• Six (6) new forum discussion groups have been created: Due to popular demand, we've added six new discussion groups to the forum. Everything you need to know to setup a home theater from start to end is now covered:
   
  • Video Processors/Transcoders/Converters: Discussions on the various video processors and converters that may be used on CRT projectors including: Line doublers, Scalers, Transcoders, HDMI/DVI Converters, etc.
  • Source Devices: Discussions around the various source devices for CRT projectors such as DVD/HD-DVD/Blu-Ray players, satellite receivers, PVRs, etc.
  • Home Theater PCs: Using a computer as a progressive scan DVD player and video processor to drive a CRT projector.
  • Screens: Information on commercial screens or building your own screen for a CRT projector.
  • Home Theater Design & Construction: Everything relating to the design and construction of a home theater, from simple retrofits to dedicated theaters.
  • Home Theater Accessories: Discussion around the accessories that complete a Home Theater including Universal Remotes, Seating, Posters, Popcorn makers, Curtains, Lighting, etc.

  Since its inception less than 6 months ago, the forum has grown to almost 600 registered users, nearly 18,000 posts, and close to 350,000 page views per month. Thanks everyone for making the forum so popular!

All NEC XG projectors are true 1200 lumen 8" EM focus sets. Digital convergence, on screen menus, video, S-video and RGB inputs are stock, the component option is available on the NEC XG 852 models. 100 point convergence allows for super accurate convergence. The NEC has more control over the picture than other 8" sets, making a full set up a bit daunting, but when it's complete, you'll find it's well worth the effort. Smaller than most competing 8" sets, they've been very reliable, and I've sold lots.

Here's the breakdown:

XG 75: Scans to 75Khz (past line quadrupling or 960p).
XG 85: Scans to 85Khz and has component inputs!
XG 110: Scans to 110Khz.
XG 135: Scans to 135Khz.

For home theater use, these models all behave very much the same.

'LC' models add liquid coupled tubes for better contrast ratios and less halo'ing.

I have eight (8) more XG sets being tested this week. Check back soon for new listings!

NEC XG 75 (non LC): Original tubes in great shape, an 8.5+. 75 Khz scan rate.

NEC XG 75 (non LC): New blue and green tubes, original red in perfect shape.

NEC XG 85 (non LC): All original tubes in great shape, 8.5+, built in transcoder, 85 Khz scan rate.

NEC XG 85 (non LC): New green and blue tubes, perfect original red.

NEC XG 110 (non LC): All original tubes, 1600 original chassis hours, great condition.

NEC XG 110 (non LC): New blue and green tubes, as new original red tube.

NEC XG 135 (non LC): Customer consignment set, under 2100 original hours, tubes an 8+.

NEC XG 135 (non LC): New B and G tubes, perfect original red.

NEC XG 110LC: Two in stock. New green tubes in both, excellent red and blue.

NEC XG 135LC (1351): New green and blue tube, great Red tube.

Very similar to the Electrohome ECP, and about the same age as the ECP 4100, these scan to 80 Khz (55Khz if data grade), have a wired remote, and have digital convergence for an easy set up. Very shallow sets, only 10" tall, so these are great for low ceilings. 

Ampro 2000: I sold this 2 years ago, and it's a good working unit with excellent tubes. The customer moved and couldn't take the projector with him, so I am listing it here for him. The set needed nothing but a tune-up and comes with the wired remote control.

A step up from the electrostatic focusing sets,  these are EM focus sets that scan to 60 Khz for the 6 Pg, 90 Khz for the 9 PG. 800 lumens from 7 1/2" tubes. The 6 PG sets are equipped with an RGB input, the 9 PG's with a video and S-video jack as well as the RGB input. Many of you know that NEC's are my personal favourite projector for fleshtones. c/w wireless remote. Perfect for use with a computer or a line doubler/ tripler.

The 'PG+' sets added astigmatism control to the set, which gives better side and corner focus over the plain PG series. The picture and specs are otherwise the same.

The 'PG Xtra' sets are one slight step down from the NEC XG series and a step up from the PG + series, these sets put out 1000 lumens. If you're looking for a top performer in a relatively small package, this is the projector to get. Greatly underrated and often overlooked in my opinion..:) These sets give a very punchy picture with super nice fleshtones.

I've got a slew of NEC PG projectors listed below. Some are ready to go, some need tubes. I've got some PG/PG+ tubes at VDC right now that have smashed safety glass, but are in good shape otherwise, with only a hint of wear on them. Those will be back in 10 days or so. I'm listing the condition of the sets, with a 'good used tube' price, along with a G and B new tube price. A couple of these are Runco projectors and are white.

Note that I have about another 10 NEC PG sets in stock in various condition, but all need tubes, so I'll retube them as I sell the above ones. I will have a couple of PG Xtras that I'll be selling with good used tubes at discounted pricing. Contact me for more details. . I also have one mint condition looking Runco 980 Ultra with a black case and processor. I'll be selling it as a package, please check back in about a week for an update once I test it out.

NEC 9PG+:  I sold this set about a year ago, and for whatever reason the customer couldn't get the set to sync to his computer. I took the set back on consignment, and after getting it back, it worked flawlessly, so I'm assuming he might have had a bad cable. The projector is in great shape and has excellent tubes in it. 800 lumens, 92 Khz scan rate, video and RGB inputs. Service remote included.

Basically, all Marquees are very similar in performance. All 8XXX series (non LC models) use the same 8" EM focusing tubes. Very similar in set up to the Barcos in general, these sets are quiet. Not as long as the Barco's in size, they are about 3" taller than the Barco series. Very modular in construction, and super reliable. Video, S-video and RGB inputs.

Here's the breakdown:

Marquee 8000: 1000 lumens. Circa 1994-1995.
Marquee 8110: 1200 lumens. Circa 1995-1998.
Marquee 8500: 1200 lumens. Circa 1995-1998. Adds astig controls that the 8000 and 8110 do not include, for slightly better corner focus. 

The 8500LC model adds liquid coupled tubes for even better contrast ratios and less halo'ing.

I do all of the mods (including anamorphic squeeze mod and the power supply mods) required to make the Marquees more versatile and reliable. I've sold lots of these in the past with great results.

I've also got a slew of new Marquee sets in as below, with 15 more on the way. Now, here's the scoop. I have a LOT of good used tubes for these sets. I will drop pricing significantly based on the actual Tube Condition (Wear). Also as a bonus, the new tubes are indeed NEW for the next short while, while I use up the supply of NEW tubes that I have. I've got buckets and buckets of Marquees in stock, with another 12 8500's coming in.

Marquee 8500:  This set has new G and B tubes in it from VDC with a red in excellent shape. I sold this set about 3 years ago, and it never got installed. It's still in the original crate that I shipped it in. I've fully tested the set, it's in the same great shape as when I sold it. 135 Khz scan rate, dual RGB input boards All mods have been done on this set as per all of the Marquees that I sell.