CurtPalme.com Home Theater Forum

cmjohnson · Joined: 03 Apr 2006 Posts: 5180 Location: Buried under G90s

Just curious, how many projectors have you owned over the years and what were they?

My answer would have to be "Too many to be sane".

First: Sony VPH-722Q1. NTSC only, actually Sony's first model front projector. Analog chassis, really looked pretty good.
It had enough adjustment range to display anamorphic DVDs in the proper aspect ratio.

Second: Marquee 8000, .gov surplus The first of MANY Marquees.

Since Marquees are upgradable I'll just count chassis. I estimate that over the years I have owned not less than
14 Marquee chassis. Some got scrapped down due to having roasted tubes.

I had an AmPro 4600HD and a 3600 as well. Never saw them run. They were incomplete and scrapped for tubes and parts.

I had a Sony 1271 and a 1292.

I currently have four G90s, one does not run as it's short a YA board, the other three are good runners,
tubes are perfect on one.

Non-CRT units:

Six AmPro 7000 series light valve projectors, four chassis were running but I didn't have enough good CRT/light valve assemblies to run more than two at any one time.

One AmPro 300 LCD projector that I made a boatload of money off of.

One Electrohome Vistagraphx DLP projector.
Two Barco SLM R6 units that I parted out for a few grand in profit. The lamps and lenses brought GOOD money.

And my JVC RS45 D-ILA unit.

That's...34 projectors.

I like gadgets too much! But then again, I've learned a LOT.

Zolzar · Joined: 26 Jun 2009 Posts: 252

I started with an ECP3101 in about 2001 or so. I wound up with a 3500 about three years later. In 2003 I was given a Sony CRT PJ that was basically junk. Analog controls across the board and bad fugue in the tubes. 480 NTSC only. I cleaned it up the tubes but junked it as the tubes were shot anyway. Tinker toy basically. In about 2005 i went to a cheap digital which I think was a Infocus Screenplay 4805 or something like that. I used that for about a year or so before I went back to CRT and picked up a M8500 with new VDC Green tube. I eventually replaced the red and blue with some very good used ones. I also did all of the critical mods also, LVPS ect... For the past three years I have been using a 10PG that I picked up for free with about 300 hours or so on it. I recapped the projector....about 350 caps in all and the thing has been rock solid since. I still have the M8500 as a back up should something critical and non repairable fail.

6 projectors in 15 years.

**Curt Palme** · Posted: Sat Jan 07, 2017 3:40 am Post subject:

Oh, about 1500-2000 over the years. Very Happy

It started with a Barco Data that I pulled out of a porno theater that went with a Barco Data 801s and a $4000 line doubler by Inline back in the day. We did the installation for the BArco dealer in town that didn't really want to get involved with installs. That was about 1990. I'd installed literally 100s of Zenith projectors by then, but that was the first projector I owned. The tubes were shot, the pix was terrible, but it was mine!.
I upgraded to an Ampro 1500, analog convergence, and I sprung for a new blue tube from Sony, which I think was $600 at the time. The Spellman HVPS overheated all the time, so I took off the cover and strapped a fan to it. Hokey, but it worked. I had that Ampro for a long time.
I then ended up with an NEC PG set out of a bar that was installed way too far back, so the tubes were toast. I bought two tubes from NEC at $700 each, and was wowed by that image compared to the Zeniths that I'd put in over the years. When DVDO came out with their line doubler, I bought one of those for $1000. Sold that system eventually, and got into selling sets on eBay in 1999. The rest is history.

garyfritz · Joined: 08 Apr 2006 Posts: 12026 Location: Fort Collins, CO

Bought a PG9 that was packed by an idiot -- in a cardboard box with styrofoam peanuts. No surprise, it did not fare well. I sold the pieces to Curt.

Then I found 5 XG852's being sold by a sports bar in Denver, and worked a deal with Curt to pick them up, pick one for myself, and ship the rest to him. It was loud so I built a crappy hushbox for it, and it threw a fair picture. But that 852 had issues -- I think somebody had messed with the Pots That Must Not Be Touched -- and eventually I sold it to Curt.

Then I think the Dwin 700 was next -- pretty little projector, silent, great colors (it had color-filtered lenses), but I was too spoiled by EM focus by that point.

Replaced it with an 8500. I was seriously disappointed with the colors -- thought it was drab and lifeless -- so I put adapters and HD145's on it, and that was MUCH better. Did a few other upgrades to it, had Tim quiet the HVPS, a few other things. But it also had "issues" ... it just wasn't capable of displaying decent sharp 720p. Dragan and I gave up on trying to get the focus dialed in.

Got a Sony G70. I hung it and loved some aspects of it, hated other aspects, and determined it ALSO had "issues." I just have crappy luck. I forget, maybe I sold that one to Curt too? (In case you're wondering, Curt knew all about the "issues" in these sets!!)

Then I hung the 8500 again, and it's been there for a loong time -- 7 yrs or so. But I very seldom watch it any more.

gregstv · Joined: 27 Aug 2007 Posts: 628 Location: Australia

Started with a National Panasonic fold out front projection system. The curved screen bolted to the back. After a while it lost focus and the parts went available. Then pick up 2 of the same sort of units but they were Rank Arena. They had round tubes and some sort of EM focus. Next I picked up a Sony VPH1020. Had that ceiling mounted for about a year than picked up a VPH1042 with glass lens. What a difference this was to the 1020. Next was a VHP1000 that I purchased a set of HD145 lens for. A little while later I found a VPH1031. Could not believe the difference 1080i made so I fitted the HD145 lens to it and used it until I picked up a VPH1272. Run that on the ceiling for a while. Picked up a cheap PG9+. Much better than the 1272. picked up another PG that ended up going to one of Casey's friends. I recapped both of the PG's. Moved house and had a break until an XG75 came locally cheap. Grabbed that and then a XG135 for cheap as well. Played with them for about a year and still have them. I then picked up 5 Barco 808s SEOS projectors. I was using one of these in the lounge room until I picked up the 919 that is still on the ceiling. Sold all the boards out of the 808s projectors and still have the tubes. Mean while I have picked up a 909 in good condition, a XG1351LC that I am swapping the tubes from the XG75 into and also picked up a VPH1292. So I still have 5 complete projectors. After writing all this down I think I have a problem.

gjaky · Joined: 05 Jun 2010 Posts: 2790 Location: Budapest, Hungary

In 2010 I found a 9PG xtra in a junk bin, it had less than 1000hrs in it with perfect tubes, it was running at that time, although with issues, the deflection board then gave up some months later, hopelessly, several times... So I had to find a replacement board, then found a guy who did business with CRTs in the past, He had a 6PG xtra so I bought it to repair the 9PG xtra which I sold then. So I had a deffective 6PG xtra and made some money. A few months later with a friend we bought up everything interesting from that guy's stash:
-Marquee 7500 + ACON
-Marquee 9000 (with mostly 9500 boards in it)
-NEC 9 PG
-Two other NEC PG in parts, lenses tubes, you name it.

Of course all these units neeeded some small revision or repair. The Marquee 9000 went to the friend, the rest remained with me I've scrapped the 9PG due to leaking capacitors and the spot burned tubes. Used the Marquee 7500 for a while but sold as I felt lack of picture control after the NEC. In the meantime I also could repair the 6PG xtra so I sticked with it for 4 years, over time I upgraded that machine to a 9PG xtra (added point board and replaced the firmware).
In 2014 I had a chance to buy a NEC XG135LC so I replaced the 9PG xtra (traded with my boss to a refurbished (by me) PG9000 he had before, then I sold the PG 9000 eventually).
When I decided to upgrade the XG's signal path I bought two PG xtra for testing (one of these were the one that I found in the junkbin originally Smile

) After finishing the mod I again sold these PG xtras, then bought an XG 751 (with bad system board) for curiosity (bandwidth?), needless to say the bandwidth was also crap, later I repaired this by"downgrading" the unit to a fully working XG 1100 and sold it.
As I was pursuing the VNB-DB modification I bought a Marquee 6500 to finalize the mods.
At the moment I have the modified NEC XG 135LC on the ceiling, and the Marquee 6500 under my desk.
Not sure how these are add up? Smile

pj-toso · Joined: 19 Mar 2015 Posts: 69 Location: Norway - Oppland

I have owned every models of Sony crt I think. All Barcos except pre 1985 and I have never had the 912. Electrohome 4500, 8xxx and 9xxx. Nex GP, PG and XG series. A couple of Panasonics, but none of the Ampros.

I have lost count, but is for sure over 500.

napos · Joined: 21 Oct 2006 Posts: 164 Location: Athens, Greece

1) Sony VPL-VW10HT (1366x768 LCD)
2) Marquee 8500 (MP mods - Moome HDMI card)
3) Sony VPL-HW10 (1920x1080 SXRD)
4) Marque 9500 Ultra (MP Mods - Moome HDMI card)
5) JVC DLA-HD750 (1920 x 1080 D-ILA RS20 in the US)

cmjohnson · Joined: 03 Apr 2006 Posts: 5180 Location: Buried under G90s

I'm so glad I'm in good company! My disease is not unique!

Oh, I forgot to mention the Panasonic PT-D5500 I got once, for free, and it came with two lenses and two lamps,
which I promptly turned over for about 1500 dollars. It was literaly in a junk bin to be recycled. Not a scratch on it, though.

And there's an InFocus LP840 LCD unit sitting in my closet that only has about 72 hours on it. I got it for a little bit of almost nothing and I figured there might be occasional need for a portable light cannon with a rather light shade of grey sitting in for black.
It could use a home...CHEAP. Probably it'd be good for gaming. Or entertaining the kids.

I've had a few other LCD units as well. Maybe three to five running ones that I flipped for a few hundred bucks profit on fleabay.

What I've never had, oddly, is a Barco CRT projector. If anyone has a 909 they just can't stand to keep anymore, let
me know. It'd be fun to have at least one each of every top gun model. I have Ultras and I have G90s, I need a 909/Cine 9 to complete the trio.

AFryia · Posted: Sat Jan 07, 2017 3:23 pm Post subject:

Just One! Got it right the first time!

http://www.curtpalme.com/forum/album_page.php?pic_id=516

bachiano · Joined: 13 Mar 2006 Posts: 163

Nostalgia Thread Smile

1 - VPH 1030Q1 - This was a real eye opener even at 540p ! Back in 2005 IIRC. Paid $100.
2 - ECP-4101 - Paid $50.
3 - Sony VPH-1252Q - Paid $150
4 - NEC XG 751 - Paid $150
5 - NEC XG1352LC (this was a nice one) Paid $300.
6 - Sony G70 and (this was even nicer) Paid $300 with 300 hours on the tubes.
7 - Almost got a Sony G90 but unfortunately it was setup improperly and raster was burned too small - So Passed. was going to be $300.

I decided to add how much I paid for the PJ’s just to illustrate what a bang for the buck these machines are.

My experience was each one of these PJ’s was great in their own way .
Basically every move up was just an upgrade in resolution.
But they all had great Blacks and Color.

7 - JVC RS 420 coming soon - $4k - with 4k resolution.
This is probably the most risky buy I’ve ever made
Wish me luck Smile

cmjohnson · Joined: 03 Apr 2006 Posts: 5180 Location: Buried under G90s

Bachiano turned me on to the G90 he passed up. It's here in my garage.

I've got tubes for it. It'll be retubed shortly. I just finished retubing one of the G90s and I haven't picked which one gets tubes next.

I don't think there will be any risk involved in buying an RS420. It's sure to be a great performer.

gregstv · Joined: 27 Aug 2007 Posts: 628 Location: Australia

Just took the old dishwasher to the recycling. Guess what, I came home with a Sony VPH1251. Now have a spare set of input boards for the 1292 that I can play with and MOD. Definitely have a problem. 😂

cmjohnson · Joined: 03 Apr 2006 Posts: 5180 Location: Buried under G90s

I actually have created a flyer that I hand out to any company that takes in electronics and scrap for recycling, and also companies that are involved in home theaters, new or upgraded, which tell them to give me a call if they encounter any CRT projectors.

It was only fairly recently that I got in touch with a local electronics repair shop and home theater builder about this. The owner said "You probably don't want to know how many CRT projectors we've thrown in the dumpster over the past several years. Yes, including at least one G90."

No, I probably don't want to know that. But I'll get any more that they do encounter.

garyfritz · Joined: 08 Apr 2006 Posts: 12026 Location: Fort Collins, CO

What are you gonna do with them? Retube them and stack them in the garage? Can't believe you could sell more than a few...

cmjohnson · Joined: 03 Apr 2006 Posts: 5180 Location: Buried under G90s

Oh, I'll pick and choose the ones I want. There will be some that I'll say "Scrap 'em!" but really it's all about finding some that are worth something for tubes or parts or maybe even getting really lucky and finding a Cine 9 still in the original crate.

Any 7" machine (except for a D50) would be rejected. Most 8" machines would also be rejected unless they share a common chassis with a desirable 9" model.

I'm going to be offering some machines up for sale soon anyway. But not until I'm satisfied that they're perfect, reliable, and I've
already pre-packed them for safe shipment. I hate selling something and then having to scramble to get it packed and shipped out.

I'll respect Curt's rules on on projector sales on this forum. Unless he gives me permission and I give him a cut of the sales, that won't happen.

**kal** · Posted: Sun Jan 08, 2017 6:30 pm Post subject:

Only 3-4.

2000-2007: Barco Graphics 800 - had tons of hours on the chassis but the tubes were minty. I recapped the snot of out it and convergence stability improved greatly.

2004-ish: NEC XG 75 (had some issues, was sent back to the seller)

2007-2013: Zenith 1200 (Barco Cine 8 Onyx clone). Got it new, I was the first owner.

2013-present: JVC RS56 (Digital)

Kal

larryp · Joined: 24 Jan 2012 Posts: 252 Location: eden prairie mn

Owned 3 Advent 710 was my first. Now on my second Sony 1272

cmjohnson · Joined: 03 Apr 2006 Posts: 5180 Location: Buried under G90s

You just reminded me that I briefly owned a Novabeam of some model. Not even sure which one. I wasn't impressed.

larryp · Joined: 24 Jan 2012 Posts: 252 Location: eden prairie mn

For it's day Advent was a great projector. Think I bought it new in 1978 Had it many years. Mine was a six foot screen