CurtPalme.com Home Theater Forum

dkap · Joined: 14 Aug 2008 Posts: 109

I picked up two projectors today to hopefully find something that will get my system back up and running:

Barco Graphics 800
Vidikron TGS 550 D

The Vidikron was a throw-in originally, as the guy just wanted to clear space. Asking price was $200 but he said he'd take $120. I got up there (drove an hour plus each way) and it turns out he hadn't fired up the Barco in three years... It powers up and registers IR remote signals, but nothing quite happens. Sad

It's out in the car still, until I get a hand or three moving it in, so I can't get to it to open the cover and double check, but I believe it was the Processor Cycles [edit: hauled it in from the car and confirmed that's the light] light that kept blinking. I couldn't find anything in the manual detailing what that means. The red light on the back of the unit is lit, which apparently means standby mode ... as opposed to operational mode, which would be lit up green. Pressing the power switch on the back doesn't seem to have any effect on the indicator lights, which makes me think there's a secondary power switch somewhere.

The Vidikron appears to be fully functional.

Since I had driven that far and was more interested in the Barco than the Vidikron, I made him an offer for what I figured it's all worth as parts if I can't get it running. He was okay with $60, so no huge loss if the Barco is a massive paperweight. I've got both Barco remotes, the Barco ceiling mount, three Barco manuals, the Barco RCVDS 800 Remote Controlled Video/Data Selector, Vidikron ceiling mount, and the Vidikron remote.

I haven't been able to find any specs on the Vidikron -- I didn't know the model before heading up to look at it -- other than this page which indicates a mere 200 lumens and no resolution listed:

http://www.hcinema.de/pro/anzeigen.php?angabe=vidikrontgs550

Any pointers?

Dan

dkap · Joined: 14 Aug 2008 Posts: 109

I'm wondering if I have to use the RCVDS 800 box in conjunction with the projector for it to work?

It also occurred to me, I can't even use the Vidikron unless I can get my TV-out card (HTPC use) working, which has proven futile so far. The Vidikron only accepts s-video or composite.

Dan

jeffslife · Joined: 17 Apr 2010 Posts: 4190 Location: ohio usa

Enjoy !

**AnalogRocks** · Posted: Thu Dec 13, 2012 1:19 am Post subject:

dkap · Joined: 14 Aug 2008 Posts: 109

**AnalogRocks** · Posted: Thu Dec 13, 2012 1:28 am Post subject:

VGA to S-video box..... Smile

dkap · Joined: 14 Aug 2008 Posts: 109

dkap · Joined: 14 Aug 2008 Posts: 109

Sounds like the Barco 800 may be suffering from SMPS or EHT issues. Not what I was hoping to determine...

http://www.curtpalme.com/Troubleshooting_Tips_Barco5.shtm
http://www.curtpalme.com/forum/viewtopic.php?p=240625
http://www.avsforum.com/t/643735/probems-with-barco-800-it-doesn-turn-on-anymore

I pulled out what looks to be the EHT board based on this pic:

http://www.curtpalme.com/Barco500_Layout1.shtm

but it looks nothing like the one in this pic:

http://www.curtpalme.com/Barco500_Layout9.shtm

Plugging it back in with the board removed results in no standby power. With the board plugged in, I get the rear standby light always lit (whether the power button is in the on or off position), and any remote key press results in the RCU light coming on for 1-2 seconds, then the error light, then briefly back to the RCU light, then to a solid Processor Cycles light.

Do I go through the boards one at a time and look for a short?

Dan

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

The VPH1040Q is a 15.75kHz only set, 768x576i 50Hz is the highest resolution itll do.

**AnalogRocks** · Posted: Thu Dec 13, 2012 7:47 am Post subject:

**Curt Palme** · Posted: Thu Dec 13, 2012 2:06 pm Post subject:

Vidikron- I think it's a video only set, most of the TGS series were, and were made by Vidikron. I have only had maybe 4-5 of all models through here ever, that's why there's not much on the site, and with the trend 10 years ago to go with HD ready sets, I didn't spend a lot of time on them. Spend your time on the Barcos, it' s a better set.

As for the Barco, the processor light only really shows that the standby power supply is working, and that the CPU is working. If you press the 'stby' button on the wired keypad on the back of the set, and the error light flashes a few times, and nothing else happens, then the SMPS is bad. I can repair that for relatively cheap, some of them can be tricky repairs. Here's more info on the 800:

http://curtpalme.com/Barco500.shtm

Before you spend any money on the Barco, pull the lens off the blue tube and post a pix. Oh, and if you post a couple of pix of the Vidikron, I can probably tell you more about it.

dkap · Joined: 14 Aug 2008 Posts: 109

**Curt Palme** · Posted: Thu Dec 13, 2012 4:47 pm Post subject:

I think the Vidikron and the Sony may have the same tubes. Pop the cover to check. If so, mix and match the best looking of both sets of tubes.

THe lens comes off the front of the tubes with 4 8mm bolts, one at the 2, 4, 8 and 10 oclock positions. Then post a picture of the tube face(s) here, so we can see what shape the tubes are in. If they are roasted, there's no point in spending time or money on the set.

Cheers!

dkap · Joined: 14 Aug 2008 Posts: 109

I looked into the Barco lenses with a flashlight and didn't see any signs of wear (the guy said it only has ~250 hrs on it, but then he also said it worked), but maybe pulling them off is more revealing?

Dan

**Curt Palme** · Posted: Thu Dec 13, 2012 4:56 pm Post subject:

You're probably fine then, you'd see any significant wear, but the lenses do hide it sometimes.

dkap · Joined: 14 Aug 2008 Posts: 109

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

All tubes are white when unlit.

**AnalogRocks** · Posted: Fri Dec 14, 2012 12:19 am Post subject:

Take pictures of the tubes without flash

dkap · Joined: 14 Aug 2008 Posts: 109

**AnalogRocks** · Posted: Fri Dec 14, 2012 12:45 am Post subject: