CurtPalme.com Home Theater Forum

rtart · Joined: 16 Jun 2008 Posts: 132

Hi all. I have an opportunity to replace my NEC 9PGXtra with a 10PG. My 9 works great, has great tubes, has a 1996 build date, and has performed flawlessly for seven years. (I bought it from Curt in 1998/1999, and didn't realize for a couple of years what I had.) In other words, I'm only considering the 10Pg for an increase in PQ.

I also have a working 9PGx with bad tubes for parts, so I should be able to use my 9PGx for the foreseeable future. My strategy to this point has been to use the 9PGx until it dies, hoping that the digital performance/price equation would then make sense. It seems every month that digital machines are getting closer to CRT. Because of this, I would probably replace my CRT with a digital machine, if my CRT were to die today. (I know, I'm a traitor.) Saw the Runco DLP with an anamorphic lens advertised for sub-$5k in this month's Home Theater Mag, so the process seems to be moving along.

Anyway, my question is whether spending around $1,500 plus freight for the 10PG is a good idea. The same money can make a dent in the price of a digital PJ, and my 9PGx has a great picture with BD, HDDVD and HDTV sources.

My quandary is whether the increase in PQ will justify the extra bucks.

Opinions and advice are welcome.
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deronmoped · Joined: 03 Nov 2006 Posts: 1154 Location: San Diego

The 10PG would be a big step up, after owning the 10PG you might not even want to switch to a digital. Now most of the parts out of a 9PG will work in a 10PG so you will have spare parts. You already know how to set up a CRT so the 10PG will not be that much of a struggle to set up.

Deron.

rtart · Joined: 16 Jun 2008 Posts: 132

Tinman · Posted: Thu Jun 19, 2008 11:56 pm Post subject:

The 10PG is a big step up from any AC projector. It's also pretty straight forward to make a "plus" out of it.

The biggest difference is how the 10PG can suck you into the image. I think it was worth it.

Marc

**AnalogRocks** · Posted: Fri Jun 20, 2008 12:21 am Post subject:

rtart · Joined: 16 Jun 2008 Posts: 132

Kinda like the old Maxell "Blown Away Guy" commercial, in reverse?

deronmoped · Joined: 03 Nov 2006 Posts: 1154 Location: San Diego

These other PJ's are pretty much the same as far as watching video. The only big advantage is the brightness of the G90, the downside is shorter tube life.

Deron.

Elaine Benes · Joined: 25 Apr 2006 Posts: 1416

You gotta see it running first.

I too used to think ANY 10PG would be a great thing to have, then I saw one that had its ref/mech/white balance ruined so it had virtually no light output. The picture was dim, even at 100 contrast/brightness. Whoever set it up ruined it. Focus was terrible too. I had arranged to trade an XGLC and immediately passed on the deal after seeing how badly that poor 10PG had been set up.

So, as always, buyer beware and let your eyes be the judge.

10PG's *should* be VERY bright, and VERY well focussed, three examples that I've owned were just like that, the one I passed on was NOT at all like that...

Mark_A_W · Posted: Fri Jun 20, 2008 11:14 am Post subject:

So why didn't you make a lowball offer an redo the white balance?

grogthegreat · Joined: 16 May 2007 Posts: 166 Location: San Diego, CA

I think he might be referring to the mechanical trim pots inside the pj. I've heard that in order to reset those you need an oscilloscope, a colormeter, and a clear idea of what you're doing.
-Greg

Mark_A_W · Posted: Fri Jun 20, 2008 10:08 pm Post subject:

I think you're right.

I also think that it is possible to do this, I've done two Xtras and my XG.

I lastly would think that Elaine (Paul GN2 I think) would be capable of doing it too. Smile

Elaine Benes · Joined: 25 Apr 2006 Posts: 1416

I've actually "done" two myself, but not nearly good enough for me to have any confidence. The colorimeter I'm not afraid of, but the oscilloscope, that I need a LOT more experience with.
It was a buddy though that had it, and lowballing just wasn't in the cards. I would certainly have purchased it for the right price, but when I saw how poorly it compared to my burned tube XGLC that I was offering in trade(with cash), I just couldn't do the deal.

dbaisey · Posted: Sat Jun 21, 2008 9:12 pm Post subject:

For the sake of saving 10PGs from being parted out give this a try.......
Register a video freq and use the video input. Feed a NTSC all white test pattern to it (with no position corrections) and set brightness to 50 and contrast to 75. Let it set for a bit. Turn on AKB from the info menu and let it do its thing, this should bring levels up to a nice bright white. Shut off AKB and store it.

Copy AKB to other RGB signal entries. If your changing a system board this may be what you need to do. Doug

If the pots were messed with then dont do this until you can confirm voltages. After signal entry make sure the phase is ok for that freq, it should be bright without streaking.

Tinman · Posted: Sat Jun 21, 2008 10:01 pm Post subject:

rtart · Joined: 16 Jun 2008 Posts: 132

Well guys, I did it. My 10PG is now sitting in my basement ready for me to finish up the unistrut mount and hang it. It IS a beast!

This thing really looked great when I was able to see it in action before buying it. Tubes look new, literally. Couldn't find anything wrong with it and it made it up to ATL from Palm Beach, FL in one piece.

I'll keep you posted on my progress.

Thanks to all for their assistance.

Spanky Ham · Joined: 22 Mar 2006 Posts: 5643 Location: Comedy Central

Congrats! I am in Atlanta for the next week or so. If you need any help then give me a buzz.

rtart · Joined: 16 Jun 2008 Posts: 132

Spanky Ham · Joined: 22 Mar 2006 Posts: 5643 Location: Comedy Central

rtart · Joined: 16 Jun 2008 Posts: 132

For those still interested, I bought the 10PG and it is a great improvement in brightness, detail, and contrast over my 9pgxtra. (Which was no slouch.) I paid $1100 for it, but had to fly (using a free ticket) from ATL to Palm Beach, FL and drive it back. 10 hours in a mini van, and a day and a half hanging and setting it up. Well worth the trouble and expense.

Others who are on the fence about upgrading to a 9" machine, or going digital may want to know my vote is for CRT. I have a machine that is like new with a picture head and shoulders above any digital I've seen for less than $15,000. Basically, I paid about the same price as a new bulb for a digital PJ, and the performance and longevity is an order of magnitude better.

Of course, you all already knew that.....

**AnalogRocks** · Posted: Sat Jul 05, 2008 2:37 pm Post subject: