CurtPalme.com Home Theater Forum

barco_75 · Joined: 14 Jan 2009 Posts: 171 Location: Chicago

Decibel, I didn't quite follow your statement. Do you mean, you cannot used tinted glycol in liquid coupled systems?

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

That is what he is saying yes, the glycol is not a constant thickness.

gjaky · Joined: 05 Jun 2010 Posts: 2802 Location: Budapest, Hungary

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

Its not that, its the difference in the amount of fluid as you move toward the outer edges, the colour dye is going to limit the light output, and the more there is to travel through, the darker the image will be.

This will ultimately mean the edges will be quite dim compared to the centre, where there is very little glycol.

gjaky · Joined: 05 Jun 2010 Posts: 2802 Location: Budapest, Hungary

barco_75 · Joined: 14 Jan 2009 Posts: 171 Location: Chicago

One thing I'm not sure if I noted is I was wanting to stick with my Sony tubes not MEC 180's because of condition. Based on what I've heard no LC chambers will work with the Sony tubes. That leaves me with my existing MEC (which are condition 7-8), the Sony (condition 9) or buying P16. With all effort and cost maybe it doesn't make sense to try this. I wasn't looking for this to be a big dollar project and it seems like it might be going in that direction. I think if I could use the MEC 180 it might make sense but I would need to find HD 117 and chambers which is next to impossible. The HD18 would be fine if I didnt have to fabricate adapters. Or find chambers for HD-214 and c-elements I have but I'm not if that would be an improvement over the AC HD 144.

Decibel · Joined: 31 May 2007 Posts: 904 Location: Roma - Italia

barco_75 · Joined: 14 Jan 2009 Posts: 171 Location: Chicago

Thanks, Dominico...that's what I was thinking too. I've had my HD-145 installed with adapters on the MEC tubes. Switching the slightly worn MEC out with better amps should help.

Based on cost the only option which remains is try and use what I have. You didn't speak directly about the option below:

Do you think the HD-214 with color corrected c-element would be improvement over HD-145 with my tubes. I would have to fabricate bracket (have friend who could do for free) and find chamber and use my slightly worn MEC with modified amps. Seems like a toss up to me. Less sharpness but better contrast. I used those the HD-214 lens for 100 in wide screen before but I never had the scheimpflug corrected (retro with fixed chambers). If i recall lens were at max screen width or a little over. I could focus center well. Corners was out of focus some...unfortunately I just can't remember that well. It's been a long time!! I remember the screen on the 808 was much brighter than the 708. Contrast was not as good...but I also had some issues with setup initially so it may not be fair comparison. Have you ever tried those lens combinations?

RaWsHaRk · Joined: 01 May 2009 Posts: 131 Location: Finland

I really dont know why you are going through all that trouble when in a huge town like chicago you could pick a G70 for 100 bucks or G90 for 500 if you surf the craigslist for a while...probably a 1209 barco for similar money or if youre lucky, for free...or a marquee.

here in Finland where there arent that much projectors I could understand..of if you just have to tinker as a hobby.. but if u just want to enjoy movies and crt, get a reasonable lc projector to start with.

barco_75 · Joined: 14 Jan 2009 Posts: 171 Location: Chicago

Well, I like to tinker...and I really don't want to deal with installing a new projector. The 9" machines will require more power and my electrical would need to be upgraded as I'm running my entire home theater and lighting on one 15 amp circuit. I live in a loft / condo and pulling new power is not an easy task. I probably can't even get to some of the conduits without ripping out ceilings that are not in my unit. Honestly, I don't need more projector than I already have. I enjoy it a lot and like the challenge of squeezing a little more performance out of it.