I've been doing a bit of reading and would like to purchase a CRT projector at some point in time but first I'd like to "flush out" problems inherent on certain projectors.

Please reply with other problems you are aware of or solutions to said problems. Or elaborate on the problems.

Sony 1292 - Streaking? Build Quality?

Marquee 8000/8500 - power supply

NEC - "what were those engineers thinking?"

What about Barco or other brand PJ's?

Is this a troll, or are these serious questions?







You've insulted all the major CRTs that are commonly discussed here. May God have mercy on your soul.

I don't think it's an unreasonable question at all. There are some things you want to be aware of on certain machines, and its good to know when CRT hunting so you don't end up with a lemon.

I'll agree with the power supply on the Marquee; I'm replacing mine now but just chalking it up to the cost of owning the projector. I'd rather replace a $100 power supply ever so often or possibly never then going through a new $$$ bulb every few hundred/thousand hours.

I can't comment on the sony or the nec.

Sony Issues
Well you could add, ' NOISE ', black bounce and phosphor delamination for the 1292.

For a G70 you could say that there is a geometry problem where, in a lot of cases, you get 'seagulling' of hoizontal (test paterns) lines that's imposible to adjust out.

G90 would be avalibility of spare parts (not that anything goes wrong with them)

Could you elaborate on the NEC comment? Are you perhaps referring to the way the manual is written, placement to screen measurements?

I'll agree with the power supply on the Marquee; I'm replacing mine now but just chalking it up to the cost of owning the projector. I'd rather replace a $100 power supply ever so often or possibly never then going through a new $$$ bulb every few hundred/thousand hours.
I can't comment on the sony or the nec.
well a lot ofthe problems your having are related to the old marquee 8000's, especially power supply issues. I would suggest avoiding the really old 93/94 marquee's , The really old PG's, any 1292, and pretty much any machine with burt tubes as they are very expensive. AFA which ones have what problems, well
every Video projector ever made has some inherent problems, even the brand new state of the art bulb machine the JVC RS1. AFA used CRT's are concerened there's basically 2 ways to go
1) pick up a given projector off e-bay and learn all about it, diagnose what it needs AFA tubes or technical service and fix all the problems yourself
2) buy a fully checked out and serviced machine from a re-seller like Curt, tim, Terry, etc. and just worry about installing it properly
which way is best for any one person depends on their budget, time, or willingness to learn about complex electronics. I have gotten 2 e-mails in the last week from folks who bought an as-is machine and have realized that living with the burnt tubes is not an option for them. They're now trying to decide which way to go . It's easier but a little more expensive to sell it and get a re-built machine or cheaper but more trouble to retube themsleves. That's not including any modifications to the machine. If you did a little soldering in high School that really isnt enough to make you qualified to work on complex CRT modules or power supplies. :rolleyes:
In the end it just depends on the person. If you're the kind of guy who is destined to own 13 projectors in 5 years you might as well start learning now and go with option 1. If you just want a nice machine you can hang in your theatre for 5 years or longer and not worry about it go with option 2 . :)

Just like cars, they ALL have problems..:)

Talk to certain people, and you'll get 'I used to have a Barco, but had lots of problems and switched to Electrohome, and haven't had an issue since'. Talk to certain Barco owners and you'll get the exact opposite. Just like Ford and Chevy owners..;)

I've repaired maybe 4000 projectors since 1985, lots of those were the old video only Zeniths that I've sold maybe 1000 of.

I can say that there are certain issues on each set, brand and model that I do upgrades to before I sell them. Some of those issues are very well known around here, some are a bit less known, and might not affect every set, but the part/issue gets checked anyways before I sell a set.

I would say that at least twice a week I get yet a new problem in that I've never seen before. For example, I had a Barco 708 come in with an open red V size control. Barco uses high quality pots, I've never had one fail before. Ever. I don't ever expect to see that problem again...:)

Overall though, I'd say that the mean time between failures is about the same between most sets. I typically don't sell anything pre 1991 at this point, unless very inexpensively or on an as is basis.

Low hour chassis aren't necessarily more reliable than high hour chassis, although you'd want to think that's the case. A 50,000 hour chassis in a temperature controlled room that was left on 24/7 will probably be more reliable than a 3000 hour chassis that was turned on and off 3 X a day and put in a coffee table with no ventilation.

I don't think it's an unreasonable question at all. There are some things you want to be aware of on certain machines, and its good to know when CRT hunting so you don't end up with a lemon.

Thanks for backing me up.

No I'm not trolling, I know EVERYTHING has its problem. My problem right now, I'm using a crappy LCD projector made lumenlab style - I put a big crack thru the LCD and my thumbprint on it too... luckily it doesn't even show on widescreen. My setup has some other quirks (not bright enough, screen door effect, ect).

In all seriousness, the above posts have put me off to the Sony 1292 - that's why they're so cheap for being 9" I guess.

New PS for Marquee only $100... see, that's not so bad, and it is a "solution" in this case... you can't exactly fix streaking. Might I inquire how long your old PS lasted you?

As for the comments, they are all comments I've read on this very site. I really don't know what they mean about NEC. Are they a real pain to fix, hard to get at or something? Like I said, I read that comment on here - I can probably find it again and specify thread if this is nagging you guys.

I know some people complain about NEC setup... maybe that's it.

NECs are complex to set up, but they can throw a great pic. XG's especially have fairly obtuse white balance &etc. And there is always the danger that somebody has twiddled the pots, which can do anything from messing up your color balance to rendering the pj unworkable, and it takes an expert to set it right again.

If you have an XG in good shape (which you can only assume if you buy it from a pro like Curt or Doug Baisey, otherwise assume the pots are screwed up), then it's not that hard to set up.

Marquee power supplies are pretty reliable, and easy to replace if they go bad. You just have to make sure you don't have one of the LVPS's that can eat tubes. Especially if you're buying one off ebay or something like that -- the tubes might be snowy white but they won't light up because the LVPS fried the heaters.

Old power supply lasted from 1997 to two days ago.

Erik

well a lot ofthe problems your having are related to the old marquee 8000's

Draganm,

I'd agree with you except for the fact that it was a newer HVPS and all of the other problems I've had have been user caused :o . I think overall my Quee' has been a very reliable machine.

Erik

I really don't know what they mean about NEC. Are they a real pain to fix,. yes, there are some problems with those sets I've seen posted here that even very knowledgable hobbysists could not fix. Things like elevated Black levels and STK chip failures. Parts are also not exactly plentiful, they're easier to find than Sony G70 parts but nowhere near as many as Barco and E-home. The whole thing with the trim pots is really lame too, every other chassis uses all digital controls that won't shut the set down if you screw with them. Like Gary said, they can be great performers but they are really NOT a good choice for DIY first timers. If you want an NEC go to Curt or Doug Baisey.
hard to get at or something?. the NEC chassis is the most compact of all CRT's. This is great for hen-pecked husbands to sneak into the house but bad to work on. :D You usually have to dig deeper to get a board and the jammed chassis requires a lot fo noisy fans to cool. NEC's require hush-boxes.
I'll put it plainly, for your first CRT the 2 smart choices will be Marquee 8500 or Barco 1208.

yes, there are some problems with those sets I've seen posted here that even very knowledgable hobbysists could not fix. Things like elevated Black levels and STK chip failures. Parts are also not exactly plentiful, they're easier to find than Sony G70 parts but nowhere near as many as Barco and E-home. The whole thing with the trim pots is really lame too, every other chassis uses all digital controls that won't shut the set down if you screw with them. Like Gary said, they can be great performers but they are really NOT a good choice for DIY first timers. If you want an NEC go to Curt or Doug Baisey.
the NEC chassis is the most compact of all CRT's. This is great for hen-pecked husbands to sneak into the house but bad to work on. :D You usually have to dig deeper to get a board and the jammed chassis requires a lot fo noisy fans to cool. NEC's require hush-boxes.
I'll put it plainly, for your first CRT the 2 smart choices will be Marquee 8500 or Barco 1208.

I'm in the process of setting up my NEC and this is really my first CRT projector. While I would agree that it's difficult, I don't think it really matters if you have never set up a CRT before you wont know the difference. I for one don't mind the waiting for a nicely setup unit that throws a great picture. With CRT you have to look at it more as a hobby rather than a plug and play device like digitals. I find it interesting setting up this NEC and while it can be frustrating at times, the payoff for your hard work is immediately noticeable when you start watching HD material on a big screen. I agree with you concerning the hush box as my 9PG+ is pretty loud with the cover open, not to mention it puts off a lot of heat! I don't see the noise as that big an issue when a movie is playing except maybe in the most quiet of scenes. I may build a hush box later but I have to get the projector looking acceptable first.

The problem with a thread like this is you are never going to get a complete list of issues. Basically, issues fall into 2 main categories: reliability and performance. As for reliability, you will only get the common anecdotal failures listed for the common brands. You won't get a complete picture of each PJ brand and model--no way. So, you are more likely to be mislead by this thread than actually be well informed.

As for performance issues, that would likely start a flame war so you won't get much good info here either.

Dave

I'm in the process of setting up my NEC and this is really my first CRT projector. While I would agree that it's difficult, I don't think it really matters if you have never set up a CRT before you wont know the difference.
I have to admit I have a lot of admiration for a newby who can tackle an NEC. I've been into CRT for many years and still have no desire to mess with one. I'm sure if you get a machine that hasn't been messed up by an idjot blindly turning pots then a basic set-up probably isn't not too bad.

I have to admit I have a lot of admiration for a newby who can tackle an NEC. I've been into CRT for many years and still have no desire to mess with one. I'm sure if you get a machine that hasn't been messed up by an idjot blindly turning pots then a basic set-up probably isn't not too bad.

Well, if not for all the help I get here on this forum it would be much more difficult. I'm very appreciate of the folks like Curt, Doug, Tinman and others who understand these inside and out and have taken the time to share their knowledge through simplified documents, essentially "holding your hand" through the process. I am taking my time with it and each day I learn something new.

I have to admit I have a lot of admiration for a newby who can tackle an NEC. I've been into CRT for many years and still have no desire to mess with one. I'm sure if you get a machine that hasn't been messed up by an idjot blindly turning pots then a basic set-up probably isn't not too bad.

Having started with an NEC XG, and having been an avionics tech, I can tell you learning the XG as a first pj is no easy task...for anyone.
It took me a long time, and many hours of posting with Doug, Guy, Curt, Chuck Williams (what ever happened to him???) and others. I spent more nights up until 3 and 4 in the morning than I care to think about!
But I stuck with it, and they stuck with me.
As of today I have owned 5 XG's, 1 Marquee 8500, 1 Ampro 3600, setup a Barco 808 and 1209, and a Sony G70.
Today I have a pair of XG's, a 1352 and a 110LC. (although the 110 is going) and they are the best pj I have delt with, I think the picture is better than any 8" I've owned, and prefer it over the Barco 1209 as well.
I can see where the NEC's STK chips might be hard to replace, but the rest of these units is no harder to work on than any other. One other thing, their chassis is flimsy, but once in place it's a non-factor.
A great starting point is the Marquee, simple to setup, and they throw a good picture, heck the setup is a walk in the park...with the NEC no such luck.
The Ampro 3600 is just as easy to setup, with complete on screen instructions, throws a picture every bit as good as the Marquee, but they are not very popular, so help is limited.
My problem is with anything that doesn't have color correction, after having an XG, you get spoiled by it's colors...I've even had a G90 owner, who had an XG before that, tell me that even though he'd never go back to an 8", for some reason his G90 couldn't reproduce colors like his XG did. (and the G90 is color corrected)
In the end, they are all good pj's and deserve careful consideration. Each has it's strengths, and weaknesses. Everyone is going to lean toward the brand they are most comfortable with.
I would expect if you started with something like an 8" Marquee, your next step (if you even felt the need to make it) would be to a 9". My latest HT upgrade has been to add a blu-ray player, and the image quality increase it's made will keep me happy with my 8" for another couple years...but I do see myself eventually moving to a 9", and that 9 will most likely be a Marquee, because of parts, it can be color corrected, and they are well supported.

My latest HT upgrade has been to add a blu-ray player, and the image quality increase it's made will keep me happy with my 8" for another couple years.... that's my next step as well, although I don't look forward to soiling my theatre with a Sony product or supporting them with my money. :( I hope another alternative comes out soon.

that's my next step as well, although I don't look forward to soiling my theatre with a Sony product or supporting them with my money. :( I hope another alternative comes out soon.

Um, another alternative is there--HD DVD. You just need to decide if you want to support Sony's anti-consumer tactics or try to look out for yourself.

Nobody has mentioned capacitors? All crt pj's have more than their fair share of electrolytic caps which by their nature have a limited life span.
I bring this up because that makes the age of the machine and how it was used a big part of wisely choosing which one to buy. The older it is the more likely it needs some caps replaced. Also they are the reason you're better off buying a pj that has been used occasionally over a pj that is new in the box and just sat in storage for 10 years. (caps die faster in storage)

They cause problems from not powering on to ghosting to internittent convergence issues and on and on.

If you aren't technically inclined and a tinkerer then stick to the newer versions of whatever brand and model you choose.

Troy

You will never get a straight answer to this question. Almost everyone will have a story about something. Perhaps the perspective you should take is Which projector can I get cost effective parts for.

KM