|
As this forum is rarely used anymore, we've locked it. Feel free to browse and read. Questions? Please reach out to us directly. Cheers! |
|
 |
|
|
| Author |
Message |
Stevelam
Joined: 08 Jul 2009
Posts: 1
|
| Posted: Wed Jul 08, 2009 9:40 am Post subject: Help....with Projector set up |
|
|
Hi everyone, this is my first post. After googling i find that this is a very informative site for projectors.
I hope the experts here can help me in some queries about setting up my projector. A million thanks in advance. 
I have a Vidikron TGS 301 projector that comes with a 100 inch motorized screen which i won during a movie marathon many years back. Have never test/use before and collecting dust ( still properly wrapped up ) due to space constraint. Recently the idea of setting up crossed my mind again and hope that i am "prepared" for it. ( Been want to do this years back )
1) I know that Vidikron projectors is of good quality brand but after all these years of revolutions in Plasma, Lcd and even LED TV, is it still worth the effort and money to set up a home theatre system with a CRT projector ?? I understand that this model is of entry level ???
2) Due to space constraint, the distance between the screen and the other side of the wall is of only 3 meters ( 9.8ft)
Is the distance too near for comfort ??? Will fixing the screen size to 80 inches be better ???
3) I do not like the idea of mounting it to ceiling. Instead i am thinking of having a cabinet specially for housing the projector with compartments below for accessories storage. Anyone doing this or have any links to any site which show some of this cabinets?? I cant seem to find it in internet.
4) Pls correct me if i am wrong. I read from this site faq that I can connect all my xbox,dvd player,VHS recorder and even laptop with the projector using "av receiver" or component switch.
5) How can i do testing on the projector if it is ok and functioning well before calling the tech guys over.
The projector was not tested since i received it and although i know that it should be "ok", i wan to make sure before calling for installation.
Many thanks in advance and please pardon the long winded post. Your comments and advise is very very much appreciated.
Have a nice day.
|
|
| Back to top |
|
 |
akajester
Joined: 09 Jul 2008
Posts: 934
Location: Wisconsin
|
| Posted: Wed Jul 08, 2009 12:12 pm Post subject: |
|
|
I'm not an expert, but Personally I wouldn't bother with any projector that couldn't do at least 720p. but that's me. If your best source will be a dvd player I'm sure with the proper setup it'll look great. You should check the manual for placement. I don't know what inputs that has on it but I doubt it'll do component, so svideo may be your best option which should be fine for dvd quality. The lumens are low, so you'll need a very light controlled room.
I've setup projectors of similar specs and they looked great for dvd playback. It's up to you if you want to invest the time.
-akajester
|
|
| Back to top |
|
|
perisoft
Joined: 29 Aug 2007
Posts: 2920
Location: Ithaca, NY
|
| Posted: Wed Jul 08, 2009 12:57 pm Post subject: |
|
|
Oh, man... that PJ is about as bad as it gets. Many, many CRT projectors are easily worth the time and effort to set up - plasma / DLP / LCD era notwithstanding. But that particular PJ is... ughh. You'd be far better off looking around for a cheap / free Sony 12xx or similar. I don't think it's worth spending more than a few hours to mess with the Vidikron - DEFINITELY don't bother building anything specific for it!
.
_________________
|
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Curt Palme
CRT Tech
Joined: 08 Mar 2006
Posts: 24396
Location: Langley, BC
TV/Projector: All of them!
|
| Posted: Wed Jul 08, 2009 1:58 pm Post subject: |
|
|
Heyyyy... don't insult the guy. 
It is considered an entry level set, 480i only (from what I found online). No parts are available for it, but if it's new in the box, chances are it will work for a number of years. I would say it's better than an entry level digital from Costco in some respects, but something in the $1500-2K range will be better than the Vidikron.
If you don't want to spend any more money, then by all means set it up, but run a conduit to the projector location so you can install something else with an HD feed down the road.
|
|
| Back to top |
|
|
AnalogRocks
Forum Moderator
Joined: 08 Mar 2006
Posts: 26706
Location: Toronto, Ontario, Canada
TV/Projector: Sony 1252Q, AMPRO 4000G
|
| Posted: Wed Jul 08, 2009 2:49 pm Post subject: |
|
|
Set it up, use it to get your feet wet in CRT then upgrade later. HD on CRT is incredible.
_________________
Tech support for nothing
CRT.
HD done right!
|
|
| Back to top |
|
|
perisoft
Joined: 29 Aug 2007
Posts: 2920
Location: Ithaca, NY
|
| Posted: Wed Jul 08, 2009 5:14 pm Post subject: |
|
|
| Curt Palme wrote: | | Heyyyy... don't insult the guy. |
I'm not insulting him, I'm insulting his projector! 
In all seriousness, though - I've seen 480i projectors... specifically, a Barco Vision 600, which might actually outspec that Vidikron - and I doubt I'd choose it even over the worst of the LCD / DLPs I've used, even the 1024x576 or 960x540 versions, after some reasonable color work.
I wouldn't spend the $600 to get a low-end digital vs. the $400 I spent on my BG808s and newer tubes - not in a million years - but if I had to choose between a 480i CRT and an XGA LCD, it'd take a whole lot of bulb worries to push me back to the CRT. Interlacing at 480 is a truly awful thing to behold.
_________________
|
|
| Back to top |
|
|
RobertMfromLI
Joined: 29 Jun 2009
Posts: 114
Location: West Islip, NY
|
| Posted: Wed Jul 08, 2009 10:08 pm Post subject: |
|
|
peri: LoL
Fact is, a free PJ is better than no PJ at all. And... it's a great starting point. If he blows it up from f'ing with it, it costs nothing. If he uses it till it dies, it costs nothing. If he uses it till he decides to upgrade, then using it still costs nothing.
And, from someone who has seen numerous Optima and other factory displays, I kinda have a feeling that it will at least compare with a lot of the junk LCD PJs on the market today. While they are "great" (notice the quotes) at oversaturating numerous colors, they don't seem too hot at doing much else until you move into the mid-range or high end market. Heck, when I got my BG500 and realized it was the "low end" of CRT PJs, I simply reminded myself that it too was free. When I couldn't get the S-VHS or composite input working, I again reminded myself that it was free - and that the RGBHV input was higher resolution anyway, which, at the time of no HD, was a far better way of watching DVDs (computer VGA -> RGBHV) than anything that anyone else had. And when I saw the image in comparison to everything else, I was (a) quite thrilled with my "low end" PJ and (b) quite enthusiastic about eventually upgrading to a "mid-range" or "high end" PJ.
So... it may not be ideal or compare to your setup or many others' here, but... it is a great starting point - especially since *free* is far less than the $400 you spent on your BG808s or I just spent on our BG800.
Ya know, it's funny, we spent more on the screen, mounting hardware and screen frame than on the PJ.
So... back to the topic at hand:
(keep in mind, I am far from an expert)
| Quote: | 1) I know that Vidikron projectors is of good quality brand but after all these years of revolutions in Plasma, Lcd and even LED TV, is it still worth the effort and money to set up a home theatre system with a CRT projector ?? I understand that this model is of entry level ???
|
If you are planning on setting up a home theater, it is worth it. Just build everything with future plans in mind (ie: a different or better PJ).
And the best way to go *still* is CRT PJs, like the Reality 909 - which seems to crush virtually every other PJ of any sort out there - or any mid-range CRT PJ which crushes all but the highest end (ie: $$$$$$$$$$$) LCD or DLP PJs - or even some "low end" CRT PJs which crush all the low end LCD/DLP PJs and many of the mid-range ones. Thus, there are many low end, and mid range PJs that are also very good. I am thrilled with our BG500 and BG800 - and they qualify for "low-end" PJs. In my opinion, they beat even most of the mid-range LCD PJs and a large quantity of the mid-range DLP PJs. So, I need a bit less ambient light - any home theater room should have that - and that's the only big advantage I see over many of the DLP and LCD PJs out there in comparison to our BG800. Heck, at 1024x768 (and possibly 1280x1024 - but havent tried that yet), I can use it as a computer monitor and have easily readable, clear text (even when a single letter is the size of my head).
| Quote: | 2) Due to space constraint, the distance between the screen and the other side of the wall is of only 3 meters ( 9.8ft)
Is the distance too near for comfort ??? Will fixing the screen size to 80 inches be better ??? |
Depends on viewing preference. When we set up our outdoor theater for July 4th party, we had people who insisted on sitting off the deck in front of the screen (10 feet away), while others sat on the deck about 20' away. The screen is 23 feet diagonal - or 17'x12.75' - so again, it's up to you. I chose both.
It's kinda like sitting in a theater... do you like the front rows, the middle, or all the way in the back? I find that most people seem to sit the screen size away... thus if it is a 10' screen, they seem to gravitate towards 10' away.
| Quote: | | 3) I do not like the idea of mounting it to ceiling. Instead i am thinking of having a cabinet specially for housing the projector with compartments below for accessories storage. Anyone doing this or have any links to any site which show some of this cabinets?? I cant seem to find it in internet. |
That is easy. Just build a cabinet (or buy something out of real wood that is solid - dont get a bunch of crappy laminate cabinetry and expect it to hold anything). Then plan your room around it. We may be doing that with our BG800 until construction here is finished.
The method I would use (and I've done both commercial and residential construction) is to build a PJ frame, and THEN build cabinets/shelves inside it, and then face it's structural aspects with laminate or something else of your choice. Inotherwords, strength and proper mounting method and height is the first concern... then fit shelving into it. If you have specific needs (like 19" width for rack mount stuff below the PJ), then just accomodate that size into the PJ frame design.
Keep in mind things like air flow. If you have a pretty decent sound system or HTPC, it may crank out a lot of heat - and will be sitting *below* the PJ... so ensure that you have separate ventilation "channels" for it so that the PJ isnt sucking in the heat from them. Pretty easy to do with some air channels designed into it and some low noise cooling fans.
| Quote: | | 4) Pls correct me if i am wrong. I read from this site faq that I can connect all my xbox,dvd player,VHS recorder and even laptop with the projector using "av receiver" or component switch. |
While I am not familiar with that particular PJ, you can connect ALL of those - but may require a specialized "signal converter" to do so. For instance, our xBox would have needed an YPbPr to RGBHV converter (well, until we found the RCA composite out cable for it). Your needs will probably vary. But there isn't a signal that you cannot find a converter for to work with that PJ.
But that brings up some interesting situations... if you need a $500 converter to do what you want, then skip hanging this thing and talk to Curt or search eBay for a higher end PJ that will accept a larger variety of inputs.
| Quote: | 5) How can i do testing on the projector if it is ok and functioning well before calling the tech guys over.
The projector was not tested since i received it and although i know that it should be "ok", i wan to make sure before calling for installation. |
Not familiar with that model. Do you have the manual? In my case (BG500/BG800) I could do a rough "yeah, it seems to work" test by simply pointing it at a wall and turning it on. But both of those display their logo screen and have a dozen or more LEDs that tell you what the PJ is doing - or not doing. If you have the manual, dig through it and see. Fire it up. See what happens. Plug in a supported input and see what happens. Etc.
Best,
Robert
_________________
Kirk's 5 Year Mission continues at Star Trek New Voyages: Phase 2
Last edited by RobertMfromLI on Wed Jul 08, 2009 10:34 pm; edited 2 times in total
|
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Elaine Benes
Joined: 25 Apr 2006
Posts: 1416
|
| Posted: Wed Jul 08, 2009 10:15 pm Post subject: |
|
|
| Curt Palme wrote: | Heyyyy... don't insult the guy. :)
It is considered an entry level set, 480i only (from what I found online). No parts are available for it, but if it's new in the box, chances are it will work for a number of years. I would say it's better than an entry level digital from Costco in some respects, but something in the $1500-2K range will be better than the Vidikron.
If you don't want to spend any more money, then by all means set it up, but run a conduit to the projector location so you can install something else with an HD feed down the road. |
Geez, I hate to shoot you down on this, but I bought an Optoma HD65 for $610. total including taxes, etc, brand new, which was sold at Costco as the HD640. It is a 720p Dark Chip 2 DLP projector which accepts HD HDMI directly. If I didn't already own a 1999 vintage, high resolution BG808S, I would have happily kept this projector. The ONLY area where it didn't exceed or at least equal my BG808S was in absolute black. Just about ANY Costco projector will be "better" than a 480i, analog only crt projector...
Seriously, dirt cheap digitals look superb nowadays, and I've seen some $2000. 1080p digitals that I'd GLADLY own if I could afford them...
But, to the OP, if you have it already, set it up and get some fun from it, make it as big as possible and really enjoy it since its free...
|
|
| Back to top |
|
|
RobertMfromLI
Joined: 29 Jun 2009
Posts: 114
Location: West Islip, NY
|
| Posted: Wed Jul 08, 2009 10:22 pm Post subject: |
|
|
| Elaine Benes wrote: | | Curt Palme wrote: | Heyyyy... don't insult the guy.
It is considered an entry level set, 480i only (from what I found online). No parts are available for it, but if it's new in the box, chances are it will work for a number of years. I would say it's better than an entry level digital from Costco in some respects, but something in the $1500-2K range will be better than the Vidikron.
If you don't want to spend any more money, then by all means set it up, but run a conduit to the projector location so you can install something else with an HD feed down the road. |
Geez, I hate to shoot you down on this, but I bought an Optoma HD65 for $610. total including taxes, etc, brand new, which was sold at Costco as the HD640. It is a 720p Dark Chip 2 DLP projector which accepts HD HDMI directly. If I didn't already own a 1999 vintage, high resolution BG808S, I would have happily kept this projector. The ONLY area where it didn't exceed or at least equal my BG808S was in absolute black. Just about ANY Costco projector will be "better" than a 480i, analog only crt projector...
Seriously, dirt cheap digitals look superb nowadays, and I've seen some $2000. 1080p digitals that I'd GLADLY own if I could afford them...
But, to the OP, if you have it already, set it up and get some fun from it, make it as big as possible and really enjoy it since its free... |
Wow... my experience is the exact opposite with LCDs and DLPs... but then again, I am big on things like contrast ratio, better blacks and so on. And accurate color representation. And lack of stair-stepping, greyscale noise, low color count reproduction, compression noise, color approximation noise, etc... but then again, I'm pretty into that stuff.
Heck, I am beginning to hate watching things on our Digital CATV stuff simply because a lot of what I watch has numerous fadeouts or many scenes with black, and I find it distracting as when the signal is compressed, it destroys the images. I find that even with decent signals (ie: DVD) that those same effects happen with most LCDs and DLPs - unless you are willing to spend a fortune (and even then, it's still not optimal).
Of course, I watch a lot of sci-fi, so "true" blacks and lack of artifacts, and absurdly high (in comparison) contrast ratios are a must for me - and one I see enhancing everything else I watch as well.
Everyone else's mileage may vary... 
And Elaine, as ya said... "it's free" - the best kind of PJ!!!
_________________
Kirk's 5 Year Mission continues at Star Trek New Voyages: Phase 2
|
|
| Back to top |
|
|
RobertMfromLI
Joined: 29 Jun 2009
Posts: 114
Location: West Islip, NY
|
| Posted: Wed Jul 08, 2009 10:40 pm Post subject: |
|
|
stevelam,
your xbox and such should work simply by using their composite (ie: NOT component) video cables. You may need an RCA to BNC adapter, but Radio Shack and elsewhere sell them cheap.
It seems it will also take an RGB input, but at those frequencies, it will probably not be very useful without a converter.
And the S-Video input is an option for most DVD players, recent VCR's (or higher end old VCRs) and so on.
So, it should be pretty usable with what you currently have.
_________________
Kirk's 5 Year Mission continues at Star Trek New Voyages: Phase 2
|
|
| Back to top |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
You cannot post new topics in this forum
You cannot reply to topics in this forum
You cannot edit your posts in this forum
You cannot delete your posts in this forum
You cannot vote in polls in this forum
You cannot attach files in this forum
You can download files in this forum
|
Forum powered by phpBB © phpBB Group
|
|
