CurtPalme.com Home Theater Forum

**Curt Palme** · Posted: Thu Dec 06, 2012 3:56 pm Post subject: End of an era more or less

Guys, I just talked to Charlie from VDC. They now have no more tubes, and the rebuild production plant has been scrapped. I've talked to Charlie for years, and have dealt with them many times. Super nice guy, but I didn't realize that he's.....78 years old! Smile

He sounds more like he's in his 50s! He's been doing CRTs for.... get this....61 years! I almost fell off my chair. Makes me feel young though. Thumbs Up

So for him, the shutdown came at a good time. He's about to enjoy the sun.

As for the tubes, they turfed... 60,000 tubes. I kid you not! Almost all consumer RP tubes apparently. Not much, if anything that we'd want.

So there you go. 8 and 9" tubes are still available from guys like Tim and Greg and select others, I've got no particular shortage right now for incoming sets, and sets in stock.

overclkr · Joined: 08 Mar 2006 Posts: 4227

I thought they were still manufacturing new 9" tubes in CHINA?

**Curt Palme** · Posted: Thu Dec 06, 2012 4:14 pm Post subject:

Yes, people are, just not VDC.

overclkr · Joined: 08 Mar 2006 Posts: 4227

I didn't realize Charlie is that old either. That is what I call dedication!

HaydnG90 · Joined: 22 May 2006 Posts: 1356

He replaced the original 800hr tube with slight burn for a new LCP and installed the darker green C-element back in 2007 when he was a mere 73 years old. I feel honored to have had someone with so much experience work on my G90.

**AnalogRocks** · Posted: Thu Dec 06, 2012 5:02 pm Post subject: Re: End of an era more or less

draganm · Joined: 08 Mar 2006 Posts: 8990 Location: Colorado

CxTurbo · Joined: 13 Oct 2008 Posts: 425 Location: Ontario, Canada

Wow, Just Wow!

So does that mean that VDC will be buying in tubes for the simulator contracts they have?

I can only assume that VDC has also ceased production on the Marquee. Or the cost has most likely gone up due to the price increase of buying in the tubes?

When tse posted pictures of possibly the last new ones going off the line a while back I was in disbelief that it might be the end.........

The Marquee has a special place in my heart only because it was originally built in my hometown and I have a friend who's mother was in QC and still is with Christie Digital in Kitchener today. They always had cool stuff in the hose when we were younger.

James

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

**AnalogRocks** · Posted: Thu Dec 06, 2012 6:53 pm Post subject: Re: End of an era more or less

CasetheCorvetteman · Joined: 09 Nov 2008 Posts: 6326 Location: Australia

Me.... Got 3 sets here that have burned tubes...

Jeremy112 · Joined: 28 Sep 2006 Posts: 2649 Location: Fond du Lac, WI

I could use a full set for a Sony 57" HD RPTV... If I recall correctly before VDC ditched the tubes, they wanted $125 per tube....

So I suppose there is NO way Im getting new tubes for it anymore??

This doesnt mean that projector tubes are going to be unavailable are they?? I mean the XG tubes are already impossible to find new, but now its just that much harder?? Sad

I better get a G90 with some new tubes while I still can!

**Curt Palme** · Posted: Fri Dec 07, 2012 6:20 pm Post subject:

It's too bad that the biggest issue with VDC was.. lack of communication.

I agree, I'll bet they would have sold 10,000 more tubes had they had a 6 month blowout sale at $50 each, and had advertised the crap out of it, even if only on the forums.

I know in general VDC hated dealing with newbie one off customers, which is why I asked them to set up a dealer structure back in 2000. They never did, so us guys that did lots of volume with VDC paid the same price as the guy that wanted one green tube and had 50 questions about installation. Oh well, it's done now...

Nashou66 · Joined: 12 Jan 2007 Posts: 16171 Location: West Seneca NY

We still have Thomas electronics. I hope Wink

Athanasios

**AnalogRocks** · Posted: Sat Dec 08, 2012 4:46 am Post subject:

km987654 · Posted: Sat Dec 08, 2012 8:19 am Post subject: Re: End of an era more or less

**AnalogRocks** · Posted: Sat Dec 08, 2012 8:23 am Post subject: Re: End of an era more or less

km987654 · Posted: Sat Dec 08, 2012 8:29 am Post subject: Re: End of an era more or less

CasetheCorvetteman · Joined: 09 Nov 2008 Posts: 6326 Location: Australia

Must be a reason they didnt.

They would have to pay staff to work on shipping and taking orders, so they wouldnt make anything selling them at $1 each unless it was the entire load and you collect them yourself.

**AnalogRocks** · Posted: Sat Dec 08, 2012 9:15 am Post subject: