CurtPalme.com Home Theater Forum

[gcom007]

So, as I'm reading a bit more I'm realizing that 3M seems to manufacture quite a few parts that are used with CRT projectors or so it seems. I've seen C-Elements and lenses. Conveniently, my dad works for 3M and can get tons of stuff for free oftentimes simply by requesting samples. Plus, they have lots of old stuff hanging around too so even if it's not currently produced, it's still probably accessible. So that said, is there stuff that might benefit me that I should look into for the present or even the future?

Right now I've got a Barco 1208s/e and I actually just randomly came across a set of liquid cooled PT18's. I'm debating between trying to do a LC mod or just remount them with my AC hardware. Are there 3M lenses and/or C-elements that would work with these tubes?

BTW, to kill two birds with one stone, what are my lens options for these things? I've struggled to come up with anything concrete. Is it really worth it to try and do a LC conversion to make this happen or am I best off just sticking with AC? If the HD117-24's would work (and I've read they will...) that would be ideal.

Also, I'm guessing it wouldn't be so easy to find mounting hardware from a parted out Barco projector that housed LC tubes in order to reinstall them in the 1208, right?

[Zebu Fellenz]

Do the PT-18 tubes have Barco LC housings, if so I would go for the LC conversion.

I'm not sure where you will find the lenses or C-elements, I assume they will be hard to find though due to the number of 8" LC Barco's produces (possibly the C-element and lenses used on the retro units are the same).

As for mounting plates they are very rare and you may be better off making your own or having a shop machine them for you.

Erik

[gcom007]

They've got Barco LC housings. I believe they're from a 808LC of some sort. Lenses that will "work" are out there but figuring out which is best a real thrill as most people that have them don't have specs like max SW, throw distance, etc...

If I do the LC conversion, do I lose scheimpflug adjustment?

[Moose]

The Barco LC housings will accept the HD-117-12, HD-117-24, HD-114Q and HD-215 lens at least. I don't have the specs for any of them. The HD-117-12 are for small screens but someone who has them claims they'll go much larger than specified. HD-215 will work just fine, but I'm told they have trouble focusing on the corners. The HD-117-24 doesn't have that problem and are what you want if you want a screen over 100". Good dang luck finding them though.

Your problem will be how to mount the LC hardware in your projector. You'll have to get clever there. Curt has some Barco Retro's for $750 with decent tubes. I suggest, however, that you find a set of HD-144 or HD-145 color filtered lenses and buy a set of Jousts adaptor plates (now $50 cheaper!) and stay AC. It's world's easier to modify and mount the HD-144 or HD-145 lenses then to convert your 1208 to LC, you'll get the advantage of color filtering, a sharper picture and part of the advantages of LC.

[draganm]