December 14, 2004

Here is another list of used projectors for sale. I hope to send another one out before Xmas as I have another 20 or so sets showing up within the week. As always, al prices are in US dollars. If you want off this list, please shoot me back a quick email and I'll take you off right away.

I’ve got lots of new items on this list, info on the Lumagen HDP processor (YES, FINALLY SHIPPING, and CANADA HAS STOCK!)

Note that all projectors that have wireless remote capability now come with the new style One For All 8 in 1 universal remote control. This replaces the older style 5 in 1 universal remote that I was shipping in the past. A nice RED backlit remote, it will match your BMW dashboard... I have good stock of these remotes, so if you’ve bought a set off me in the last 30 days without a remote, let me know! Note that the NEC projectors will still come with the original NEC set up remote, mandatory for converging and setting up the unit.

For those that have been predicting the demise of CRT projectors, think again! November 2004 was an absolute record month for sales and service, and I thank you all for that. I haven’t had such a volume level since Jan 2003, and I exceeded January sales by 25%, more if you consider the US dollar has dropped about 20% since then.

Apparently VDC, the tube rebuilding company, and new owner of Electrohome CRT projectors cannot keep up with the 9500LC orders for simulation applications, so there will be tubes and 9500LC sets (now called the 9520LC) for years to come. VDC is also in the final negotiation stages to start manufacturing Sony tubes (and will be able to rebuild these as well I believe) sometime in 2005. I will post more information as I get it.

I had the opportunity to play with the Sony Qualia projector last week. This is a new technology called SxRD, and the unit uses a Xenon bulb. $25K USD approximate retail I believe, and the bulbs are $2000.00 USD for a 2000 hour bulb. The image was nothing short of stunning. No rainbows, pixellation, a very bright image, colors and sharpness that was superb, however, at $25K USD and $1.00 per hour minimum on bulb costs, and a retubed $3500.00 8” EM focus set that lasts 10,000 hours can easily be justified…J

The weakest part of the Qualia was the 2000:1 contrast ratio. Blacks simply were not black. So it will be a while yet before a digital set stomps all over a CRT..

CES: If it’s not too late, I will be booking my flight to the CES show in Las Vegas tomorrow, taking place Jan 6-9. If anyone else is going, I’d be pleased to meet with you and shake your hand. I’ll be the guy wearing a 9” CRT as a hat, I’ll be easy to spot.. (OK, I won’t really do that!)

Onto the list!

1- GE Imager/Panasonic PT-101Y projector. This is a good entry level projector that will take a video or S-signal. 600 lumens from 7” tubes, this is a low hour set. Analog convergence, small and quiet, with only one fan in it. I’ve sold of these, this is the last unit that I have. Simple to set up, reliable, a good unit for the kids to play video games on.

$400.00

2- Zenith PRO 851’s. Sports bars, take note! These are video only convection cooled sets that are superb for smoking environment sports bars, or even if they’re not smoking.. I’ve installed 100’s of these into sports bars over the years, and dozens more into home theaters. 600 lumens (750 if you believe the Runco specs), analog convergence, and modular. All have the new style focus block installed, a common problem on the original units. Very reliable, a great picture, also marketed under the Runco 750 model and the GE Imager, and the Knoll HT-3, and…. These were made for lots of companies. I’ve got two here in good shape, tubes are excellent, and will last 8000 hours +. I’ve got about 6 more here that do need tubes.

$1000.00- good used tube sets.

$1500.00- fully retubed.

1- Sony 1030. One left! A great little starter projector that will scan to 32 Khz, good for line doublers and HDTV. Also accepts a video input. Analog convergence. Small size, good condition tubes. Great as a starter projector or for the kids video games so that Dad's main projector isn't used. The tubes are in great shape, you’ll get 8000 + hours out of the tubes. Great for bars that still have a smoking environment, unlike digital projectors, I haven’t seen nicotine affect the reliability of these units. On eBay here: http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=32862&item=5738457326&rd=1

$500.00

2- Ampro 2000's.I’ve got two more of these here, these ones have low hours on them. The unit is only 10" tall, great for those low ceilings. 600 lumens from 7” Sony tubes, 80 Khz scan rate allow the projector to accept up to line quadruplers or 1280 X 1024 (but these 7" tubes run best with line triplers or 1024 X 768). Quiet operation, modular construction. Video, S-video and RGB inputs. Digital convergence, full manual included. Intuitive set up and a well written manual make these great as a first projector.

$575.00 each

1- Electrohome ECP 4100. These are great little 7” sets. 600 lumens out of 7” Sony tubes.. 80 Khz scan rate let these lock onto past a line quadrupled signal. Digital convergence, on screen menus, modular construction. Stock with two RGB inputs, switchable via remote controls, a video and S-video card is optional. c/w a wireless remote. A small and quiet unit. I’ve sold lots of these in the past with excellent results. Good condition tubes, you’ll get 8000 hours + out of these.

$750.00 USD

1- ECP 4500. Same as the above 4100, but with a bit newer chassis and 750 lumen tubes. All other specs are the same as the above 4100. Tubes are in the same shape, 8000 + hours out of them.

$800.00 USD.

4- Barco Graphics 800. I received 10 of these, and a bunch flew out the door right away. I’ve gone through the rest of them now. One needed all new tubes, and is sold, but the others are low hour units (3600 to 6000, that’s low hours for BArco 800’s) The actual ‘on’ time of the tubes is a lot lower than even the 3600 hour count, as the tubes are in excellent shape. You’ll get 8500 hours + out of these. . 92 Khz makes this set good for well past 1080p or line quadrupling. . 825 lumens out of 8” Sony tubes. With the low hour count, the ES focus tubes are still very sharp, and you can still see scanning lines at line doubling across the room. Video, S-video and RGB inputs. Digital convergence, very easy to set up, I’ve sold 100’s of these over the years with very few issues. The cases on these units are extra nice as well. I’ve done all of the standard modifications to these to improve long term reliability.

$800.00

I also have two BG 800’s with ‘issues’ . One is on ebay here. Super low hours, but some text wear on the G and B tubes as shown in the all white screen. I’ve also got a second BG 800 with a higher chassis hour count, but only with light text wear on the blue tube. I’ll sell either of these for $600.00 USD. The one listed below on eBay sold for $720.00 last week, but was bid on by a scam bidder. Note that these sets are not perfect, but are great for someone on a budget that will use it for gaming where light text wear isn’t objectionable, or retube at a later date. The low hour one is on ebay here:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=32862&item=5737944024&rd=1

$600.00

1- BArco Vision 700. This set has the same case as the 701 and 701s units below, but was an earlier version that scanned to 36 Khz and has the Sony 600 lumen tubes installed. This set is in excellent shape and has no wear on the tubes, for a 9000+ hour life. Video, S-video and RGB inputs, no component input on this set.

$600.00

Barco 701/701s/708 projectors. If you’re looking for a bright (1000 lumen) small and quiet projector that is easy to set up, this is it. These are very small units (approx 28” X 24” X 13”), and are currently also being made for Runco under the DTV 947 and similar models. Currently also under the Barco line as the Cine 7 model. These sets started with the Barco 701 projector that used 650 lumen Sony tubes. They then came out with the 701s that bumped the brightness up to 1000 lumens and used Toshiba tubes. Two models of each were released, the Vision that scanned to 36 Khz (good for line doubling and HDTV), and the Data model that scanned to 50Khz (good for up to line tripling). All models have video. S-video, RGB and COMPONENT inputs, digital convergence, on screen menus and are very easy to set up. I’ve got 4 units in stock right now. Three are ready to go, the other one is waiting for parts.

2- Barco Vision 701s. higher lumens, tubes in good shape. Slight 16:9 wear pattern but very light, you won’t see if if you’re using a 16:9 aspect ratio. On eBay here: http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=32862&item=5738456089&rd=1

$1500.00

1- Barco Data 708. The latest incarnation prior to the Cine 7 series, this set has all new VDC tubes installed with 100 hours of conditioning put on the set and tubes. 50 Khz scan rate, 1000 lumens, the case is in great shape. You’ll get 10,000 hours out of this set. On eBay here: http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=5738460881

$2500.00

1 NEC 6 PG projector. A step up from these electrostatic focusing sets listed above, this is an EM focus sets that scan to 60 Khz. 800 lumens from 7 1/2" tubes, these sets are equipped with an RGB input. . No wear on these tubes, the green is new and the R and B are in great shape. You’ll get 9500 hours + out of these tubes. . 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.

$1600.00

2- NEC PG Xtra projectors. One slight step down from the NEC XG series and a step up from the plain PG series, these sets put out 1000 lumens. A small chassis with RGB inputs (optional video and S-video inputs are also available on the 9 PG Xtra), these sets are best suited for use with a line doubler or tripler. I’ve got about 12 of these sets in stock. All need two tubes installed, and a couple need all three. I’ll probably part out the ones that need three tubes, but that still leaves 8 available sets. You’ll get 10,000 hours + out of sets with new G and B tubes, the green tubes are installed in two of these, with the blues being here within the week. These sets give a very punchy picture with super nice fleshtones.

6 Pg Xtra- 64 Khz scan rate $2400.00

9 PG Xtra- 92 Khz scan rate, optional video and S-video board and point convergence board installed $2800.00

The 6 Pg Xtra is on eBay here: http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=32862&item=5738456578&rd=1

I’ve gone through a number of my Barco 808 projectors, and here’s what I have:

2- Barco Data 808s

2- Barco Graphics 808

3- Barco Graphics 808s

As mentioned in my “CRT projector tome”, the basic performance of the BD 808, BD 808s and BG 808 are about the same, as all use 8” MEC tubes. The BG 808s uses non rebuildable Sony tubes, so unless these BG 808s sets come in with very good condition tubes, I scrap the sets. Right now, the Sony tubes for the BG 808s sets are $1300.00 USD each, but rumor has it that VDC will be rebuilding these sometime in 2005. All of these sets are 8” EM focus sets, 1200 lumens, have digital convergence, on screen menus, wireless remotes, and are very easy to set up. I do the power supply modifications, and I’ve had great success shipping these all over the world. 75 Khz scan rate out of the Data models, 110 Khz out of the Graphics ones.

The ‘s’ models come with the IRIS auto convergence camera, along with a 480p compatible component input.

The two BD 808s sets that I currently have are low hour units (<4500), and have minor wear on the green tube only. I’ve sold several of these at $2300.00 with the original tubes, or will install and calibrate a new green tube for $600.00 USD more (my cost). Save money and use the sets as is for now, and install a green tube down the road, or I’ll do it now for perfection. On eBay here: http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=32862&item=5738455915&rd=1

$2900.00

and here:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=32862&item=5738455998&rd=1

$2300.00

2- BG 808- Both sets have very good tubes, you’ll get 7500 hours + out of each, on ebay here: http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=32862&item=5737722388&rd=1

$2800.00 each

3- BG 808s. Two of these are high hour models, and will need the G and B tubes replaced. I’ll sell these whole at $1000.00 each, and that will be a real bargain if VDC does start retubing these Sony tubes, or use for parts to keep other sets going. If they don’t sell at $1000.00 each, I’ll part these out.

One of these sets has <6000 hours on it, and has light wear on the G and B tubes, say about 3000 hours worth of ‘on’ time. Very usable as is.

$1800.00.

1- Barco 1208/2. These sets are a step up from the 808 spec-wise, but I’ve never seen a big difference between the two. You’ll get 7000 hours + out of these sets. The 1208 scans to 135 Khz, and has a similar set up structure to the 808 with additional astigmatism controls in the set up menu. Same basic other specs as the 808. It’s on ebay here: http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=5738461464

$2800.00 with original green tube.

As with the 808 units above, I’ll install a new green tube for an extra $600.00

1- Marquee 8110. This set is similar to the Barco 808 above. 110 Khz scan rate, This set has a new G and B tube installed, so you’ll get 10,000 hours + out of this set. It has video, S-video and RGB inputs. 1200 lumens from 8” MEC tubes, you’ll get 8000 hours + out of them. Very easy set up, similar to the Barco. A little taller but less long than the Barco, the performance is the same. I’ve got lots more Marquees in stock, I’ve ordered tubes for the rest. The anamorphic squeeze mod and the power supply mods are done, as they are to all of the Marquees that I sell. On eBay here: http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=32862&item=5738456394&rd=1

$3000.00

NEC XG projectors. Once again I have a number of XG projectors in stock, and a couple more to come in shortly. 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. Note to overseas customers on 220 volts. The basic XG’s are 110V only, but I’ve found some hard to find 220V supplies that I’ll install for an extra $100.00. (Sorry, I can’t sell these separately) Here are the details:

2- NEC XG 110. Similar to the above units, these models do not have component input, but scan to 110 Khz. One of these sets belongs to a customer of mine, 1635 hours only on the chassis, good for another 8500 hours. Very light G wear, none on the R and B. Case in minty shape, c/w original manual, wireless remote and road case. On eBay here: http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=32862&item=5738457185&rd=1

$3200.00

The second XG 110 has a new green tube installed with excellent R and B tubes. $3500.00

1- NEc XG 135. The flagship of the XG line, this one is the same as the XG 110, but scans to 135 Khz. I’ve put new G and B tubes into this set. The case needs a cleanup, there are some scuffs and scratches in it, but a paint job will do wonders. The set runs fine electronically and the tubes are razor sharp. On ebay here: http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=32862&item=5737722861&rd=1

$3500.00

1- NEC XG 110LC I just got three of these in. Good physical shape, some minor scrapes and scratches, but nothing serious. I’ve fired one up very quickly, and need to completely test run it, but the one I tested has only 675 chassis hours on it, and about 575 tube hours. The hour meter has NOT been reset, the tubes are in incredible shape! I’ve listed it on eBay here, and will run it for another 24 hours to ensure ful reliability, but with this low of an hour count, you can bet that this set is as good as it gets. It’s been years since I’ve had an XGLC with this low of an hour count. On eBay here: http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=32862&item=5738457103&rd=1

$4000.00.

I have a second 110LC has some visible green tube wear, so I’ll change it out. More details on the next list about this unit.

2- Electrohome Marquee 9000LC. I have one more of these sets in from the same place that I got the previous ones from. 1200 lumens from 9" EM focus tubes, 110 Khz scan rate, video. S-video and RGB inputs. I’ve done the standard mods to the set, but have also upgraded the video chain to newer revision video input and output boards, so for all intents and purposes, this set is now a 9500LC. Excellent resolutions, an easy and comprehensive set up with very intuitive menus. Very light wear on the green, barely noticeable on the screen, these tubes will last at least 8000 hours. c/w wireless remote. Note that I have new tubes currently in customs for retubing one of these. It will be $7000.00. The one with the lightly worn green tube is on eBay here: http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=32862&item=5738456494&rd=1

$6000.00 USD.

Miscellaneous

Sony 1270 switchers- I’ve got about 5 of these switchers here. 8 inputs, modular construction so that you can add extra input modules at will. I’ll sell the bare switchers at $50.00 each with no input cards. I’ve got rack ears for some at no extra charge.

IFB-10 RGB input boards for the Sony projectors and the above switchers $60.00 each

IFB 11 RGB inputs boards $75.00 each

Video/S-video input boards $50.00 each

IFB 12 component cards $175.00 each

4- assorted 10-15’ surplus RGBS cables, BNC to BNC $1.00 per foot

LUMAGEN

Yes, it’s true, the Lumagen HDP units are FINALLY shipping, and Canada has some stock currently, however they sell out very quickly, and I’m finding it very hard to keep them in stock. I am selling these at 10% off the US list price (with the US pricing converted to CDN at the current exchange rate for my Canadian customers). I strongly recommend the $100.00 US upgrade for any Lumagens that have a BNC connector output option (such as the HDP), a BNC connector is a MUCH better connector than the dinky SVGA connectors. See www.lumagen.com for the specs and US list pricing.

I have installed two units so far with NEC XG projectors, and the results are stunning.

WEBSITE

While other than changing the projector lists, nothing has changed at www.curtpalme.com. Rest assured that BIG changes are coming very very soon. Keep checking, I’m currently laying out how the site will look, and what content it will have. I will be concentrating on service issues, how to diagnose defective sets, etc. I’m also currently working on a simplified white balance setup for NEC PG and PG Xtra projectors, something that is badly needed.

Upcoming:

. Below is what is coming in. I expect about 20 more sets in before Xmas, and have 20 more coming in between Xmas and the New Year.

8- Barco 1208- late vintage, 5 are in customs right now.

3 BArco 800- unknown condition

2- NEC XG 110LC

1- NEC XG 110

1- Ampro/VDC 3400- very late model- 1998-1999 vintage. I’ve got lots of Ampro parts now, as I’ve scrapped two of the 4 I got in as the tubes were completely worn out.

3- Ampro 3600-mint condition high end 8” sets

3- Ampro 4600- blue tube is in for one of these now, to be installed this week. One is most likely sold already.

10- assorted Marquee 8XXX series

2- Electrohome ECP 4XXX

1- Sony 1270

5- Barco G 808/808s

12- NEC PG Xtra sets

7- Sony 1272

3- Sony 1270

3- NEC PG and PG + sets

3- Sony 1031

2- Zenith PRO 900

1- BArco 1209s- most likely already sold

Thanks for the support!

Curt Palme
Sound Solutions Inc
# 344-19567 Fraser Hwy.
Surrey, B.C.
V3S 9A4
(604) 514-1751
(604) 514-8934 (fax)