CurtPalme.com Home Theater Forum

pamperchu · Joined: 28 Feb 2008 Posts: 9 Location: Portland, Oregon

I just got a CRT projector the other day. (my 1st one) and I have opened it up and made a few ajustments to get an OK picture for now. I went online and tryed to find any info about it, but cant find anything. its a PV800P. I have it sorta set up for now but would like to set it up the right way to get the best picture.

a short video
http://s90.photobucket.com/albums/k267/x2218/?action=view&current=ccrrtprojector.flv

**kal** · Posted: Thu Feb 28, 2008 2:26 pm Post subject:

I wouldn't waste my time with something that old. For a few hundred dollars you can get something considerably newer/better like a Barco 800/801, Sony 125x/127x. You may even luck out and get something newer.

Don't let the image quality and stability of that unit sway you away from CRT projectors. Smile

Kal

pamperchu · Joined: 28 Feb 2008 Posts: 9 Location: Portland, Oregon

well i have no money to play with right now. i got this for only $25 at some thrift store. i go to school for electronics and i wanted to learn more about this kinda stuff.

**kal** · Posted: Thu Feb 28, 2008 2:31 pm Post subject:

Nothing wrong with that!

Just make sure to not think "man CRT projectors suck!" when you see the image quality that this one puts out. That's sort of like assuming that all cars suck when all you've driven is a Yugo (and have never sat in a Porsche/Ferrari). Smile

Far too often we have people come here and say that they never considered CRT because all they've ever seen is the 25 year old piece of junk set up in their local bar, and it looked like crap.

Kal

garyfritz · Joined: 08 Apr 2006 Posts: 12088 Location: Fort Collins, CO

Yes, no offense, but that projector is probably like a Close-n-play record player. Smile

It will display an image, but even inexpensive projectors like Kal mentions will throw a MUCH better picture. It was popular in its day (mostly because it was cheap compared to other CRTs), but that's a 20-year-old set. Technology moved a LOT in the next 10 years.

If you want info on it, try searching for Zenith PV800. Curt even mentions it on this site: http://www.curtpalme.com/CRTPrimer_29.shtm

You should try to find another CRT owner in Portland so you can see what they're capable of. Unless you're happy with the Zenith picture and don't want a new addiction. Smile

pamperchu · Joined: 28 Feb 2008 Posts: 9 Location: Portland, Oregon

yah I know how much better CRTs can be. I also have an older boxlight digital projector from 1995 that doesn't look as good as this PV800 does. I will keep my eyes open for a better one but for now I want to learn what I can and be able to p0wn any sales clerks that try to tell me whats better. ^_^

**Curt Palme** · Posted: Thu Feb 28, 2008 3:12 pm Post subject:

Hey hey hey, I started in this industry because of that projector! Don't knock it.

The first one I installed was at the Blue Boy strip bar locally in June 1985. They bought 4 more once they saw the image that kicked the crap out of the Kloss Novabeam. I sold 100s of those over the years.

papalek · Joined: 08 Mar 2006 Posts: 1536 Location: Longs SC

My first CRT PJ was a PV820. I used it EVERY day for ten years. I bought it used for $1600 with screen in 1988 and it died in 98 or 99. I had it set up on a 7ft wide screen. ALL the lights had to be off for a decent picture but it was way better than anything that was at any off the bars that I seen. Now compared to what I have now it looked like total sh*t. Wink

But for video only it can look pretty good if well set up. Then again my memory could be making it look better than it did,it has been about ten years since I had that machine. Mr. Green

**kal** · Posted: Thu Feb 28, 2008 6:00 pm Post subject:

papalek · Joined: 08 Mar 2006 Posts: 1536 Location: Longs SC

I would bet that it will be hard to beat the pic it throws with anything else that you could buy for $25. Very Happy

pamperchu · Joined: 28 Feb 2008 Posts: 9 Location: Portland, Oregon

heh I just got done watching airheads on it. funny movie. GO laserdisc!! ^_^

**AnalogRocks** · Posted: Fri Feb 29, 2008 2:20 am Post subject:

MYoung · Joined: 24 Feb 2007 Posts: 369 Location: Madison, WI

Hey, Vidimagics (aka $#!%imagics) sell for what, maybe $50 on fleaBay? That think surely smokes a Vidimagic! I'd say $25 wasn't a bad deal, though I like my 1292Q for $500 better! Smile

If you think that thing rocks you're just scratching the surface of CRT front projection! Welcome to the addiction!

Fujifrontier · Joined: 20 Oct 2007 Posts: 354 Location: San Antonio, Texas

Yes, I can attest to the supreme crapitude of a vidimagic.

Dave Lister · Posted: Sat Mar 01, 2008 9:27 am Post subject:

Viditragic. Laughing

**AnalogRocks** · Posted: Sat Mar 01, 2008 7:18 pm Post subject:

unkyjoesa · Joined: 13 Dec 2007 Posts: 84 Location: Marion TX

I started with a Sony 1271Q myself and I loved that PJ.

They can be had cheap all over the place, they throw a great image, are simple to setup. Built like a tank.

One problem is replacement tubes, but you can find them out there.

Congrats on joining the club it is a good obsession and will bring many hours of fun and movie watching.

Fujifrontier · Joined: 20 Oct 2007 Posts: 354 Location: San Antonio, Texas