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jbltecnicspro
Joined: 23 Apr 2016
Posts: 512
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| Posted: Sun Apr 24, 2016 1:54 am Post subject: Thinking of going into CRT-Projectors |
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Howdy! Fellow CRT nut here. I'm currently using a Hitachi Rear-Projection 46-inch TV that I got for free, and I was looking to sell it / scrap it and switch to a front-projection CRT system. I've been looking at the Entry models here at Curtpalme, and I was eyeing the Barco Graphics 801s.
This will be in my basement, and space isn't really the greatest down there. I was thinking that I could get an 801s, build a table stand for it, and project onto a 72-inch 4:3 screen. This will allow us to sit relatively close to the screen while enjoying the picture.
My use for this would be as a blu-ray viewer (720p is what I'm shooting for) and I may attach a media PC to it for some big-screen gaming sessions. I see that the projector maxes out at 1600x1200, but I'm going to guess that it's probably not very crisp at that resolution? Would 1280x960 be good?
Also, are there other (cheaper) entry-level models that will do what I'm describing above? And am I crazy for wanting to start a CRT-projector setup? Looking at the price of what is asked for ($450 plus shipping, which would be expensive), is there a better option for the money nowadays?
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cmjohnson
Joined: 03 Apr 2006
Posts: 5180
Location: Buried under G90s
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| Posted: Sun Apr 24, 2016 2:09 am Post subject: |
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Let me tell you the truth: TODAY, nothing short of a top end 8" projector is worth considering. But to me, and most CRT enthusiasts would agree, go big or go home. 9" machines are the way, the truth, and THE LIGHT.
There are PLENTY of VDC Marquee Ultras to be had today, at prices that would have been good for an entry level machine not too many years ago.
The MINIMUM I'd recommend would be a Marquee 8500 or comparable unit, which can do 1080i.
Only the 9" machines are really fully 1080P HD capable. You WILL want to spring for the Moome HDMI input card.
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Spanky Ham
Joined: 22 Mar 2006
Posts: 5643
Location: Comedy Central
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| Posted: Sun Apr 24, 2016 2:27 am Post subject: |
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Where are you located?
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jbltecnicspro
Joined: 23 Apr 2016
Posts: 512
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| Posted: Sun Apr 24, 2016 2:32 am Post subject: |
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I'm in Missouri.
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gregstv
Joined: 27 Aug 2007
Posts: 628
Location: Australia
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| Posted: Sun Apr 24, 2016 2:53 am Post subject: |
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You should be able to pick up a NEC XG or a Barco 808s really cheap. I think Curt has a couple of XG LC units going cheap. These would be perfict for what you want to do.
If you can find any of these with good tubes you will have a great machine with fantastic a picture for a couple of hundred bucks.
There is heaps of people here that will help guide you through set up of what ever you get.
Also keep an eye out for a NEC PG10. I have always wanted one of these, but none in Australia.
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gjaky
Joined: 05 Jun 2010
Posts: 2802
Location: Budapest, Hungary
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| Posted: Sun Apr 24, 2016 7:47 am Post subject: |
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| gregstv wrote: | You should be able to pick up a NEC XG or a Barco 808s really cheap. I think Curt has a couple of XG LC units going cheap. These would be perfict for what you want to do.
If you can find any of these with good tubes you will have a great machine with fantastic a picture for a couple of hundred bucks.
There is heaps of people here that will help guide you through set up of what ever you get.
Also keep an eye out for a NEC PG10. I have always wanted one of these, but none in Australia. |
Yes, any higher end 8" EM machine will statisfy the needs, but I'd not recommend a 10PG unless it was overhauled previously, they show severe capacitor problems by now, and not everyone likes to take the challenge to swap 300+ capacitors.
In the USA I think the possibilities are unlimited in terms of CRT projectors, it might be even possible to pick up a nice 9" machine next to nothing, it all depends on the luck...
_________________
projectors in the past : NEC 6-9PG xtra, Electrohome Marquee 6-7500, NEC XG 1351 LC ( with super modified Electrohome VNB neckboard !!!)
current: VDC Marquee 9500LC
The MOD: VNB-DB, VIM-DB
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gregstv
Joined: 27 Aug 2007
Posts: 628
Location: Australia
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| Posted: Sun Apr 24, 2016 8:03 am Post subject: |
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Soldering and changing caps is therapeutic. On top of that you get great results.
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gjaky
Joined: 05 Jun 2010
Posts: 2802
Location: Budapest, Hungary
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| Posted: Sun Apr 24, 2016 8:08 am Post subject: |
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| gregstv wrote: | | Soldering and changing caps is therapeutic. On top of that you get great results. |
Yes, but someone who simply can't solder, will not get great results on the NEC I'm affraid  And we don't know how handy our OP is with soldering. Anyway it is pretty unlikely there will be a 10PG near to him waiting for rescue
_________________
projectors in the past : NEC 6-9PG xtra, Electrohome Marquee 6-7500, NEC XG 1351 LC ( with super modified Electrohome VNB neckboard !!!)
current: VDC Marquee 9500LC
The MOD: VNB-DB, VIM-DB
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gregstv
Joined: 27 Aug 2007
Posts: 628
Location: Australia
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| Posted: Sun Apr 24, 2016 8:26 am Post subject: |
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A PG10 would be a great project. But your right the OP may be better off with an XG. These things don't seem to need much work at all. Get one from Curt and it should be good for a few years.
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Curt Palme
CRT Tech
Joined: 08 Mar 2006
Posts: 24396
Location: Langley, BC
TV/Projector: All of them!
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| Posted: Sun Apr 24, 2016 2:45 pm Post subject: |
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Just an FYI, the pricing and units on the main site are way out of date. At this point I've got nothing but intermediate and high end sets, but at below entry level pricing. Email me for more info.
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Francisco
Joined: 05 Apr 2007
Posts: 305
Location: The Netherlands
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| Posted: Sun Apr 24, 2016 7:21 pm Post subject: |
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Leave the 801 go for a Barco graphics 808s if you could find one. 1208 or 9" also ok. An BG808 can do 1080p and will give more light as a 9" by the way.
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Philips vacuum cleaner | Trystar double toaster | Car radio with orange plastic memory arrows | Class A Fridge
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jbltecnicspro
Joined: 23 Apr 2016
Posts: 512
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| Posted: Sun Apr 24, 2016 11:26 pm Post subject: |
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Thank you for the information everyone.
There is one concern I have about our current layout, and that is space. I had no idea CRT projectors could be so big! And yes, I realize how dumb and naive I sound. Current distance from our couch to the wall is about ten feet. I have a little bit of play room and could probably extend it out to about 15 ft max.
What's a good, smaller projector? To reiterate, my goal is to have a 72-inch 4:3 screen, which is about 57 inches in width. Assuming the higher 1.5x throw distance, we're looking at the lenses having to be 85 inches away. With our current setup, this may just barely work with some projectors, and I'll probably have to scoot the couch back a little. Our ceiling is low, so that means no ceiling mounting. 
Yep, it's a tight space and it will probably be some work to get the projector to be where we want it to be, but I'm pretty sure it can be done. I think I've read on this site that the height of the base of the projector has to be parallel to the base of the screen, correct? So all I would need to do, to figure out how big I have to make my table, is to mock up a 72-inch screen on our wall using tape (one strip for each corner should do the trick, and figure it out from there.
As I said earlier, 720p is a fine resolution for me - 1080p is not a must. I personally prefer the look of 720p to 1080i.
Someone asked if I have any soldering skills.... Not really, nope. I really wish I did though. I do understand that Curt does modifications to the projectors that he sells to ensure long reliability though, right? That should hold me over for a while I would think.
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gregstv
Joined: 27 Aug 2007
Posts: 628
Location: Australia
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| Posted: Mon Apr 25, 2016 12:03 am Post subject: |
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I think an NEC XG from Curt will do what you want. Your distance should be fine for one of these. The XG is one of the smallest projectors around. Just be aware that they all make fan noise. You wouldn't want to sit right beside it with out making a hush box to sit over it.
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Spanky Ham
Joined: 22 Mar 2006
Posts: 5643
Location: Comedy Central
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| Posted: Mon Apr 25, 2016 4:44 am Post subject: |
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Why do you want to go 4x3?
As for layout, you can put the pj behind the couch and point it at the ceiling. Then use a mirror to project the image onto the screen.
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dochlywd
Joined: 25 Apr 2006
Posts: 346
Location: Saint Louis, Missouri
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| Posted: Tue Apr 26, 2016 5:13 am Post subject: |
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what part of missouri?
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cmjohnson
Joined: 03 Apr 2006
Posts: 5180
Location: Buried under G90s
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| Posted: Tue Apr 26, 2016 1:54 pm Post subject: |
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Just FYI, I run a Marquee 9500LC on an 8 foot wide screen in a room that is 12.5 by 14.5 feet. You don't need a big room.
The limitation I have to contend with is that this places the projector so close to the back wall that I can't remove or install any
card in the card cage without dropping the projector. But it's been hung for 10 years without any problems, only taken down once in those 10 years to install an HDMI input card in it and give it a good cleaning.
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the big E
Joined: 20 Apr 2013
Posts: 1928
Location: speedwell Tn.
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| Posted: Wed Apr 27, 2016 4:24 am Post subject: |
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I will give this on the 10pg(speaking as a owner of one is said sets)
It's a nice set but the others are correct about the caps it does give a awesome pic but it's HUGE(it's bigger then you think)
While it gives a great pic the caps in the set are its weak point and despite getting a set of boards for mine(yes I know I am nuts) I still have the feeling I will be refurbing the set before I ever put it in service(PROVIDED I get time to mess with it uggh)
Stick with the xg if you want a nec set
I currently have a marquee 9501 in the vikidron vision case with a dwin hd 700 as a fall back set
Tip for you keep spare parts just in case as you never know when you may need one
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crt king of black
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jbltecnicspro
Joined: 23 Apr 2016
Posts: 512
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| Posted: Thu Apr 28, 2016 2:27 am Post subject: |
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| Spanky Ham wrote: | Why do you want to go 4x3?
As for layout, you can put the pj behind the couch and point it at the ceiling. Then use a mirror to project the image onto the screen. |
4x3 was just what Curt's site recommended. Besides, I still game on CRT monitors myself and I use 4x3 quite regularly. I think having a 72-inch 4x3 monitor would be sweet. Besides 16x9 on that screen would put me larger (much larger) than what I'm using now.
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the big E
Joined: 20 Apr 2013
Posts: 1928
Location: speedwell Tn.
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| Posted: Thu Apr 28, 2016 2:33 am Post subject: |
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you ain't the only one who still has older 4:3 game consoles so I know how you need the 4:3
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crt king of black
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jbltecnicspro
Joined: 23 Apr 2016
Posts: 512
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| Posted: Thu Apr 28, 2016 9:02 pm Post subject: |
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| the big E wrote: | | you ain't the only one who still has older 4:3 game consoles so I know how you need the 4:3 |
Oh yes. The prospect of being able to watch 1080p Bluray and do 240p RGB gaming on one machine is awesome. Though I should clarify that I still play the latest PC games on my 4:3 Sony GDM monitors.
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