First thanks everyone for the great input. I am back on the fence now and re-considering stacking my two 9500LC Ultra's. Only problem is I really don’t have the floor space to do a floor mount "and" Ceiling mount for the stack. I have seen may opinions on side stacking 9500s. Some say you can, others say you can not? So what is it?

Please ring in here if you have and please provide some detail on what it took to make this happen and the challenges you faced. Did the projectors have to be a specific distance from each other? I would do both ceiling mount.

I really would like the definitive answer before I spend the money to mount both and then be disappointed.

Thanks again for hanging with me while I complete my research.

Jim

Mounting them side by side can, in theory, be done, but the mechanical setup is less than ideal in this case. You will have to use too much horizontal keystone, which decreases raster usage and stresses the electronics.

What about mounting them both on the ceiling, with one below the other? I've seen this in several pictures before. Maybe some more experienced members will chime in though...

All this blending and stacking is driving me nuts. If you are not satisfied with the performance and reliability of one Marquee and feel the urge to blend or stack, how long will you be satisfied with the blend or stack. Take the second one and sell it or keep it as a spare and enjoy the heck out of the imageand stability you can get from one.

Chip

All this blending and stacking is driving me nuts. If you are not satisfied with the performance and reliability of one Marquee and feel the urge to blend or stack, how long will you be satisfied with the blend or stack. Take the second one and sell it or keep it as a spare and enjoy the heck out of the imageand stability you can get from one.

Chip

The whole idea is the brightness you get with a stack or the size you get with a blend. I'm pretty sure most people who have a stack or blend are satisfied for several years (Art, Cliff, Gino, etc). Yes I know Art just upgraded his HT, but he also had his stack for several years if I remember correctly. And it's not like there are any options beyond stacking or blending. I don't know too many people who are ambitious enough to do a triple/quad stack or a stacked blend. Even blending 2 projectors causes problems. I couldn't imagine blending 4, and I'm sure Mike doesn't want to either after he's done with this Blendzilla meet :p.

What's wrong with wanting better? I mean can you imagine where we would be if people in the 90s said "yea 480i is fine just leave it"?

Here is the reason I am thinking about a stack again.

In addition to my 9500LC Ultras (the second one I bought a couple of years back for the purpose of doing a stack) I have a JVC RS-1. I have to say when I am watching the RS-1 it has an extremely sharp, detailed and "bright" picture. Yes I can see shadows when I put my hand up, yes I can tell and it’s very obviously that the black is not real black...but it looks still looks very good. The problems pushing me towards a stack are the lack of the JVC real black and the grain I see on the picture is very distracting to me.

If I just watched the one 9500 I currently have set up I can tell the big difference in brightness. Its still a great picture..but knowing how much more punch the extra brightness adds makes me think that a stack could give me the best of both worlds.

If I could get the brightness of the RS-1, but the black level of my CRT I would be thrilled. In addition the life of my CRTs (as I own them) and the backups I have will mean that my future out of pocket costs will be reduced. The difference in detail between the JVC and my 9500(s).. is apparent, but not as important as the black.

I just want to have the best setup I can have. Plus I just enjoy the hobby..Dont know if it will ever be good enought :)

Not sure if the newer software of the 9500's have horizontal keystoning in additin to the standard version. I tried to do a side by side stack with my two 8500 but they have no keystoning for the edge along the top and bottom, that would be i guess the horizontal keystoning. I tried to compensate by adjusting the convergance to straghten out the top and botom grid lines and make it all square but not enough adjustment room in the settings and I assume it puts strain on the circiuts. So iwent with an over under stack > I was going to do this temporary but now say i HAVE to keep it or go to a blend. I guess all i can say is to put one projector in the position it would be for a side by side and see if you can get a straight gride all across the top and bottom. If yes than go for it.

Athanasios

Yes the Ultra's will have H keystone, and skew.
I think the question may be whether there's
enough travel in the schleimphlug adjustments.
Perhaps Tim or Scott would know?
G

Dont want to hijack Jims thread. But , Is it possible to get an upgrade for H Keystone with a software or chip upgrade for the non ultra Marquees?

Athanasios

when i was looking into mods, I was told by HiRez that they would upgrade the sw to the sw used in the Madrigal Imaging MP-9 version. Does anyone know if that provides that control? also how about the latest VDC version. My 9500LC Ultra is running v4.4 not sure about my vision one.

Interesting...I found this review of the MP-9 over on the Ultimate AV website and this is a quote from the review

"According to Madrigal, the MP-9 is capable of either horizontal or vertical double stack, so you could always use two of them to increase the light output! "

I would assume since this is an "upgraded"? 9500LC Ultra it must be the sw that allows this?

the whole review can be found at this address - http://ultimateavmag.com/videoprojectors/30/index2.html

thoughts??

Interesting...I found this review of the MP-9 over on the Ultimate AV website and this is a quote from the review

"According to Madrigal, the MP-9 is capable of either horizontal or vertical double stack, so you could always use two of them to increase the light output! "

I would assume since this is an "upgraded"? 9500LC Ultra it must be the sw that allows this?

the whole review can be found at this address - http://ultimateavmag.com/videoprojectors/30/index2.html

thoughts??

Jim,

Stacking is an extremely awesome option. I've NEVER seen anyone side stack a Marquee but if this can be done with the above model, I would obtain the firmware if you can and make the necessary mods to get the job done.

Ever since I saw Art's stack I've never turned back. I buy what works. It's awesome and I could NEVER go back to CRT without a stack or blend at anything over 8ft wide. No way. Give me the light. Must have the light. Must DOUBLE my contrast. Loving it.

I've seen mounts on the market that will let you ceiling mount 2 CRT right over and under eachother so it's possible if you have the room.

If the MP-9 firmware is capable snag it. Make sure though you find out what they are doing on the hardware side. Also, focus is CRITICAL on a stack so upgrade your focus yokes as well.

Cliff

Cliff,
Thanks...I agree...Give me the light. As for upgrading the focus yokes, what is the upgrade...to the ones on a g90 or 1292? I will be calling HiRez on Monday to see if I can get access to the firmware.

Jim

I had my stack for just under four years. Incredibly impressive display on a very cinematic screen size with plenty of light and contrast through the roof. The punch on that larger screen size, as far as immersion goes, can't be overstated IMO. I'm not sure about the Marquees in lateral stacking but, my G90s were incredibly stable in convergence during that peroid.


Art

Well if I can get it to happen with my Marquees then that is the route I will go (side-by-side). If I can't I will be going the single route until I can find a good deal on a couple of G90s!

You guys have helped to convince me its the way to go

when i was looking into mods, I was told by HiRez that they would upgrade the sw to the sw used in the Madrigal Imaging MP-9 version. Does anyone know if that provides that control? also how about the latest VDC version. My 9500LC Ultra is running v4.4 not sure about my vision one.

If you have v4.4, you would have the latest Christies U35 chip, and that would be the one that the MP-9 was using. Not sure if it also used v4.2 as well (original Ultra version).

I have v8.0 from VDC, which is also greatly improved in the geometry menu/features over any of the previous versions of U35 software.

I've taking a few image from my 8500 Ultra, to include playing around in the geometry window. And after that, I can't see why an Utra that has been upgraded with v8.0 would not be able to do side by side stacks. Surely the v8.0 software upgrade has solved the previous geometry limitations of the previous softwares. And to upgrade your Ultras to v8.0 is less than $100.00

So for under $100.00 you can do side by side stacking..:D

This software and upgrade is for Ultra's only.


http://img523.imageshack.us/img523/6404/img1741na9.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

http://img413.imageshack.us/img413/7850/img1739bz2.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

http://img371.imageshack.us/img371/180/img1740oq2.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

http://img525.imageshack.us/img525/4792/img1738pn7.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

http://img514.imageshack.us/img514/8046/img1736zg8.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

http://img441.imageshack.us/img441/3718/img1744lh9.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

http://img72.imageshack.us/img72/3729/img1745fp1.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

Oh, I forgot to add:

The only difference between the MP-9 and the other later Ultras of the same manufacture period is the Red C element and the case and some paint. As you can see from one of the above images, the title can be changed in the menu

And that also applies to the Vidikron.

Thanks Mike!! Now i wonder what is the earliest Marquee these chips will go into? Do you happen to Know Or should we just call VDC?

Athanasios

Oh, I forgot to add:

The only difference between the MP-9 and the other later Ultras of the same manufacture period is the Red C element and the case and some paint. As you can see from one of the above images, the title can be changed in the menu

And that also applies to the Vidikron.

The big key for the G90's to be able to side stack is not only Keystone on my setup, I had to use lots of Zone on Green/red/blue in order to get the grids on the second projector to line up with the "reference".

BTW, you wouldn't believe this, but a few weeks back I fixed my focus from when you were here with a matter of a few clicks. I wish I would have done that when you were here but I don't like playing with Ken's settings. :)

Cliffy

Sounds like the V.8 VDC software is the answer then. How do you update the sw? what is the process? Seems it will work in my later model 9500, but not sure about my vision one, which is about a year or two older?

Awhile back on another thread by antorosea ,i think, he said he got the V.8 chips from VDC for 85 bucks . Not sure of the price but I too will call VDC and check what vesion chip is need to get H Keystone.




Athanasios

Awhile back on another thread by antorosea ,i think, he said he got the V.8 chips from VDC for 85 bucks . Not sure of the price but I too will call VDC and check what vesion chip is need to get H Keystone.

Athanasios

Guys!

The chip will not add geometry features to models before the Ultra, which has the advanced geometry/focus board needed to drive the features. It may not work at all in older control boards.

The big question is whether or not you will get the zone adjustments needed like the G90 has in order to make it work.

Cliff

The big question is whether or not you will get the zone adjustments needed like the G90 has in order to make it work.

Cliff

Yes, that should not be a problem at all. Because of the features, it would make convergence on green much much easier to accomplish the things that were not possible before.


Tim's right, you'll need the later CLM for this upgrade. So the chip is more likely used in the Marquee CLM's that would have v4.2 for U35.

And that should be the chip used in the VISION, so Jim check your CLM in your Vision, it should have v4.2 or maybe even v4.4 for U35.

This upgrade should make stacking a piece of cake for the Marquee with the later version U35 being v4.2 or later.

Sorry..stupid novice question...what does "CLM" stand for? is this the firmware version of the firmware since you indicate it should be v4.2 or later?

Guys!

The chip will not add geometry features to models before the Ultra, which has the advanced geometry/focus board needed to drive the features. It may not work at all in older control boards.

So not only would you need the newest software version or at least 4.4(does that have HKeystone) on your CLM you would also need the the advanced focus board and newr CLM to accept the newest chips. Is this Corect Tim or Mike?

So what release/Version numbers should we look for on the Foucus board and the clm? that is the ones that would allow us to get H keystone option.

Athanasios

Sorry..stupid novice question...what does "CLM" stand for? is this the firmware version of the firmware since you indicate it should be v4.2 or later?

Hello

The CLM is the Control Module; the brain of the Marquee. Main firmware is U35 on the CLM and the version can be read out onscreen by pushing *

There are other firmware chips that talk to U35; we want to determine if CLM U16 (I/O processor) or U7 on the deflection processor need to be upgraded along with U35. I do not recall seeing U16 below I3.1 or DPB U7 below D5.5 in the earlier Ultras of 1998 to 1999.

This is U7 on the DPB:

http://i24.tinypic.com/2rm8ld3.jpg

Hello

The CLM is the Control Module; the brain of the Marquee. Main firmware is U35 on the CLM and the version can be read out onscreen by pushing *

There are other firmware chips that talk to U35; we want to determine if CLM U16 (I/O processor) or U7 on the deflection processor need to be upgraded along with U35. I do not recall seeing U16 below I3.1 or DPB U7 below D5.5 in the earlier Ultras of 1998 to 1999.

Is there a way to make any CLM or certian CLM'S able to use the H keystone?

Athanasios

Is there a way to make any CLM or certian CLM'S able to use the H keystone?

Athanasios


No as mentioned before, this upgrade or feature would only work on an Ultra. And it's not just the CLM involved here.

An Ultra would have a different Focus module, that would also have the extra geometry circuits needed to make this happen.

The CLM would need to have at least v4.2 for U35, v3.1 for U16, vD5.5 for U7.


VDC, Scott and crew really deserve their props on this one..

Hi,

just a short notice: A Stewart Ultramatte 200 curved screen will be more cinematic and much easier to setup and maintain than a stack on a flat unigain screen and it will have the same brightness at screen center and pretty close to the same perceived brightness at the screen edges.

I am a bit astonished that this is an option that is discussed so little.
A blend is great for added resolution but unless an acoustically transparent screen is used a curved or even torus screen is a valid alternative.

Oliver

VDC, Scott and crew really deserve their props on this one..

With all due respect I think (others correct me if I'm wrong) that the H Keystone is present in all 9" machines except the Marquee 9500 (non-Ultra) and the Ampro... (not totally sure here..).

With all due respect I think (others correct me if I'm wrong) that the H Keystone is present in all 9" machines except the Marquee 9500 (non-Ultra) and the Ampro... (not totally sure here..).

It's also present on the non-ultras and 8000, 8110, 8500 and 9000. But that's not where my focus has been on this.

It's also present on the non-ultras and 8000, 8110, 8500 and 9000. But that's not where my focus has been on this.

Wait. i think i'm confused here. H Keystone is available on these above models. But only if they have a certain software above 4.2 correct?, and to also get the most use out of keystone you would need a focus board from an ultra.

I re read my post asking and i should have said is there away to get H keystone in a software upgrade on certain CLM's along with other chip upgrades and an upgrade to the focus board that will maximise the use of H keystone(top and bottom).

So the question is What would i need to do to be able to side stack my Marquees that are not ultras with upgraded boards and or software chips?

thanks Mike and Tim

Athanasios

Ok...I just fired up my Vision One which has been collecting dust in the corner of my theater since I got back from Okinawa....Good news! its also running v4.4. So.... does that means that both the Christie 9500LC Ultra (running v4.4) and the Vision one (running v4.4) both have the upgraded focus circuits and other geometry controls needed to side stack? would I still need to move to the upgraded VDC v8.0 firmware? Are there additional improvements this newest version adds?

Is there anything else I would want to consider for a side-by-side stack....besides pimping both out further with Tim fan upgrades and MP mods on both the machines ....(boy this inexpensive route just got a lot more expensive :).

thx,
Jim

Is there a way to make any CLM or certian CLM'S able to use the H keystone?

Athanasios

Hello

Every Marquee since 1992 has Horizontal Keystone. The feature new to the Ultras is Top Edge Vertical Keystone and Bottom Edge Vertical Keystone.

With v4.2c firmware, these are the choices under GEOM:

1 H Size and V Size using <> and up/down arrow keys
2 Keystone (Horizontal)
3 Side Pincushion
4 Top Keystone and Top Pin
5 Bottom Keystone and Bottom Pin
6 H Bow and V Bow
7 H "C" Linearity and V "C" Linearity
8 H "S" Linearity and V "S" Linearity
9 H Skew and V Skew

What is new in v4.2c and which requires the new Geometry/Focus board, new control board and D5.5 DPB, new top mother board and new convergence board are Top Key, Bottom Key, H Bow and V Skew. The vertical amp is new in the Ultra, I am not sure if it is needed for the geometry features but does carry a new part number and some components, some caps are added.

Top (edge) Key and Bottom (edge) Key are very useful in side-stacking, as one needs a trapezoid at the tube faces to be square at the screen.

Per Mike's picture on page one, "Green Left" key is new since v6.0 or v8.0, I am not sure which.

Ok...I just fired up my Vision One which has been collecting dust in the corner of my theater since I got back from Okinawa....Good news! its also running v4.4. So.... does that means that both the Christie 9500LC Ultra (running v4.4) and the Vision one (running v4.4) both have the upgraded focus circuits and other geometry controls needed to side stack? would I still need to move to the upgraded VDC v8.0 firmware? Are there additional improvements this newest version adds?

Is there anything else I would want to consider for a side-by-side stack....besides pimping both out further with Tim fan upgrades and MP mods on both the machines ....(boy this inexpensive route just got a lot more expensive :).

thx,
Jim

Yep, assuming that no relevant boards were substituted in either. You may need from here is the v8.0 chips from VDC and you're 'ret to go.

A curved screen should also be considered as suggested by Oliver a few post back. The new chip upgrade features would make things perfect for a curved screen, which was not so good before. And a single Marquee on a curved higher gain screen 'could' be as bright as stacks.

Hello

Every Marquee since 1992 has Horizontal Keystone. The feature new to the Ultras is Top Edge Vertical Keystone and Bottom Edge Vertical Keystone.

With v4.2c firmware, these are the choices under GEOM:

1 H Size and V Size using <> and up/down arrow keys
2 Keystone (Horizontal)
3 Side Pincushion
4 Top Keystone and Top Pin
5 Bottom Keystone and Bottom Pin
6 H Bow and V Bow
7 H "C" Linearity and V "C" Linearity
8 H "S" Linearity and V "S" Linearity
9 H Skew and V Skew

What is new in v4.2c and which requires the new Geometry/Focus board, new control board and D5.5 DPB, new top mother board and new convergence board are Top Key, Bottom Key, H Bow and V Skew. The vertical amp is new in the Ultra, I am not sure if it is needed for the geometry features but does carry a new part number and some components, some caps are added.

Top (edge) Key and Bottom (edge) Key are very useful in side-stacking, as one needs a trapezoid at the tube faces to be square at the screen.

Per Mike's picture on page one, "Green Left" key is new since v6.0 or v8.0, I am not sure which.

Ohhhh!! that makes more sence. I've mistaken H Keystone as a horizontal plane. I meant Top and Bottom edge Keystone. So it can be done if you acquire all the necessary boards. I just checked my one marquee and it has V4.0 on the clm and The dpb has v5.3 so those would need changing. also the Focus board , and are you also saying to get the top key and bottom key along with the corresponding bow and skews i would also need to replace the top mother board and convergence boards?
Wow that is a lot of boards.Now Is this for sure or can it be done with just the focus board and the CLM and DPB boards?

I really don,t want to lose floor space and would like to side by side stack the projectors i have now with out having to get new projectors.Also I Still want to get Mikes Mods and am saving for that too.

Hmmm , what to do ?


Athanasios

........Also I Still want to get Mikes Mods and am saving for that too.

Hmmm , what to do ?

Athanasios

Well, for MP mods you will need neckboards all 50-2038-xx or 50-2039-xx, with no browning or heat damage on the boards; and VIMs of 50-2035-xx as trade-ins.

All the boards I mention are different in the Ultra, but one can side stack without all the geometry functions added.

With all due respect I think (others correct me if I'm wrong) that the H Keystone is present in all 9" machines except the Marquee 9500 (non-Ultra) and the Ampro... (not totally sure here..).

Don't try to drag AmPro's into this. All X600 AmPro's and not just the HD's have individule top, bottom left and right key, pin, bow and skew. Each corner has it's own key and pin adjustments. Perfect geometry can be had with off axis installations. Conv green on green is no problem. They even have zone intensity modulation as a option for blending, not that anyone here cares:p VDC also owns the rights to AmPro. The zone intensity modulation board is a daughter board onto the RGB1 board. I have it and it has a VDC logo and part number on it. Stick that in your Marquee, G-90 pipe and smoke it :p:p:p:D

Chip

Nice chip, i was going to get an ampro before i got my marquees the only thing that stoped me was no hdmi input like the moome. Now i am second guessing although on his site he has had for a long time Ampro comming soon! lol we know what soon means to Moome! Have you dealt with Elite vision? In E-mails with them it sounds like they still sell almost new Ampros ?

Athanasios

There is no such thing as a new AmPro. Not even with Elite Vision. All their projectors are rebuilt with used or old stock parts. They are decent people to deal with. They do get top dollar for everything. I have been to their place.
Hundreds of used projectors stacked to the roof. I wouldn't hold my breath waiting for those intensity modulation boards. I do believe they are quite rare. I stumbled upon them on $hit luck. Stick with your Marquees. You'll have better support. As much as I like them, the LC'd AmPro's do suffer from the crappy liquid coupling desigh which is the reason I'm rebuilding one of my 4600HD's with Maquee optics. You need access to a machine shop and Marquee couplings to do it.

Chip

Nice to know Chip! thanks! I wonder if there focus yokes they have in stock are the frankenyoke type?

Athanasios

Can someone provide a contact at VDC (name and phone number) for me to contact to aquire the updated firmware?

Seems like a curved screen is something to consider also..
1. How much difference in brightness could one expect from using a curved screen vice a stack?
2. Do you loose focus with one of these?
3. Can you get the increased contrast without driving the machine as hard like with a stack?
thx,
Jim

Can someone provide a contact at VDC (name and phone number) for me to contact to aquire the updated firmware?

Seems like a curved screen is something to consider also..
1. How much difference in brightness could one expect from using a curved screen vice a stack?
2. Do you loose focus with one of these?
3. Can you get the increased contrast without driving the machine as hard like with a stack?
thx,
Jim

Seems like when I had a curved screen Advent way back when, there was no way to maintain white field uniformity whenever off axis. Off to one side you'd see more blue, off to the other you'd see more pink/red. Viewing in the middle was great, but not off to the side. I don't think this would work for a dozen seat theater.

That said, curved screens are much more reflective than flat screen, so they would "beam" the image down to you more, and be more concentrated, producing more light level to the viewer.

I believe the secondary wingnuts allow the pj to focus on either flat or curved screen, depending on where the primary wingnut settings are.

Whenever I do the Cantilever Technique on a movable free-air flat screen - like a drop-down - that's how I align the sides also, after having already aligned the middle. When forward/back movement allows at-rest to be the best position for crystal clear focus in both cases, THEN the entire surface is fully focused, at least middle compared to edges all around.

Side vs. side and up vs. down, are of course the province of the scheimpflug, not the secondary wingnuts. The secondary wingnuts are what are needed, to optimally focus either flat or curved.


Mr Bob

The big key for the G90's to be able to side stack is not only Keystone on my setup, I had to use lots of Zone on Green/red/blue in order to get the grids on the second projector to line up with the "reference".

BTW, you wouldn't believe this, but a few weeks back I fixed my focus from when you were here with a matter of a few clicks. I wish I would have done that when you were here but I don't like playing with Ken's settings. :)

Cliffy

I believe the G90s have 4 levels of zone, from massive all the way down to a very elaborate set of individual points on the screen. These all have to be worked with, ultimately, in a doublestack system, and there is no more flexible system than the G90's.

Remember, Cliff is a glutton. He sits his screen width, and wouldn't have it any other way!

:D

Just pincushion and keystone regs, no matter how elaborate with right separate from left, etc, won't cut it for a doublestack. You need a superfine point system.

And LOTS of play in the scheimpflug, as each pj is shooting off to the side of where it would be shooting if just a single. They make the horizontal - vertical sides - pin and keystone regs all ready for vertical stacking because that's all in the realm of how far down you have to aim your pj at your screen, from your room's particular ceiling height.

Not so with side stacking. Each has to be aimed off to the side quite a bit, from normal.


Does the Marquee have this much flexibility?


Mr Bob

I've been told it can be done with ultras and the farther from the screen the easier so this is fopr big screens , most likely over 110" wide. I'm looking into what board upgrades i would need to get my 8xxx's into a side stack. if it can be done and I go through with it i'll post all my results, and what i had to go throug to get there.

Athanasios

to be aimed off to the side quite a bit, from normal.


Does the Marquee have this much flexibility?


Mr Bob

Like I said, it's cake for the ultra's with the later version software.

The known problems with the Marquees being limited in geometry range was related to the earlier Marquees, that did not have the enhanced geometry features. Those features were later added to the Ultras at Christie Digital to fill the demand for special application installs.

And it seems that VDC has taking things to even another level. Which would be expected because of the many globes and other special display setups that they sell the Marque for.

Keep in mind, the VDC Marquee's were redesigned for special applications, and these applications are far more complexed than something as simple as side stacks.

And when Tim had his stack setup with the non-Ultras, I don't recall scheimpflug being as issue.

And the curved screens today are a lot different from the metal surfaced curved screens that were being used with the Kloss line. I have a customer In Virginia beach that has a very large Torus screen, and the only problem I saw with that setup (which I did) was the limitations in his Non-Ultra marquees geometry. For curved screens with a Marquee, an Ultra is a must.

Do we know a point of contact for the latest software at VDC? I would like to call them but dont know where to start.

Do we know a point of contact for the latest software at VDC? I would like to call them but dont know where to start.

I'm Sure Mike Parker or Tim Martin would know who to contact. Tim Might even be able to get them for you.

Athanasios

Do we know a point of contact for the latest software at VDC? I would like to call them but dont know where to start.


Just Google Video Display Corp.


Mr Bob

You must think outside of the box little grasshopper. If I were you, I'd find someone who's Marquee has the eprom you seek. Go to fleabay and accuire a universal eprom programmer and clone the one you seek. Of course that's just me. I'm a DIY kinda guy:cool:

CHip

There is no such thing as a new AmPro. Not even with Elite Vision. All their projectors are rebuilt with used or old stock parts. They are decent people to deal with. They do get top dollar for everything. I have been to their place.


Chip

http://img292.imageshack.us/img292/6450/vdc1customrt2.th.jpg (http://img292.imageshack.us/my.php?image=vdc1customrt2.jpg)

Brand new Ampros!!! Scott's baby lives:)

Jim,
I have to ask this question - are you a Marine?

Come on, How old is that pic? ;)

Athanasios

Nope...but the wifes in the Navy

Come on, How old is that pic? ;)

Athanasios

About a year and a half old. In case you don't know, I will give you the background. When Ampro went bankrupt, the former Ampro guys approached VDC about a business opportunity. Ampro had secured a Navy contract for their CRT pjs. All VDC had to do was give them the start up capital and sit back and collect the money. How often does a jackpot like that fall into your lap?:) Later on, they purchased the Marquee line up. tse helped design the Ampro and now is at VDC.



Nope...but the wifes in the Navy

Whew, I dodged a bullet.

Seems like a curved screen is something to consider also..
1. How much difference in brightness could one expect from using a curved screen vice a stack?
2. Do you loose focus with one of these?
3. Can you get the increased contrast without driving the machine as hard like with a stack?
thx,
Jim

Jim,

a curved screen wil give you whatever brightness you desire - with a gain of two you'll have double the brightness of one projector at a screen gain of 1.

If you use an HD10f, HFQ900 or even HRQ904 you can get close to perfect optical focus depeding on curvature of the screen.

You will pretty much be able to drive a single projector as little as a stack or even less depending on the gain of the screen material chosen.

Choice of screen fabric is pretty easy for a curved screen these days - you pretty much have to stick with the Ultramatte 200 from Stewart, other screens with a gain of 2 and more do not perform well enough to be considered or have problems with varying quality.

Oliver

Do the curved screens come in "out the door" configuration for install, or do I have to frame something up?

You can get a curved screen from Stewart that you only have to assemble or you can build your own. I had mine done by a carpenter as I was not willing to pay the high price that Stewart demands for curved screens and besides the fabric I got was from a cinema screen that was divided into many little pieces for HT use.

So the fabric can be bought on its own and the decison is yours - figure a few thousand $$ difference between the DIY and the prebuilt solution.

And one more thing: Please do look out for a contrast modulation board unless you already have one. Combined with a curved screen this will give you even color temperature all over the screen - very nice.

And the curved screens today are a lot different from the metal surfaced curved screens that were being used with the Kloss line.


Right. Forgot about that. It was brushed aluminum, and INCREDIBLY fragile! Just getting something on it could cause a permanent stain, and we didn't even want to get it CLOSE to anything that might scratch it!

Later ones had gray stick-on surfacing, but were just as fragile.

Some of them were incredibly big, like 6'x8', and one scratch could totally ruin it!

:eek:

Mr Bob

You can get a curved screen from Stewart that you only have to assemble or you can build your own. I had mine done by a carpenter as I was not willing to pay the high price that Stewart demands for curved screens and besides the fabric I got was from a cinema screen that was divided into many little pieces for HT use.

So the fabric can be bought on its own and the decison is yours - figure a few thousand $$ difference between the DIY and the prebuilt solution.

And one more thing: Please do look out for a contrast modulation board unless you already have one. Combined with a curved screen this will give you even color temperature all over the screen - very nice.


Applying fabric to a curved screen yourself sounds like rebuilding a car engine yourself - one false move and it's all over!


So the contrast modulation board will give you even color temp across the screen. Does this mean that without it there could be hotspotting on a curved screen, or uneven color rendition, side to side?

Do the curved screens of today allow the same colorations of pic to be showing at all points where viewers would be sitting, like flat screens will?

Sorry, have not seen a curved screen in use with a triple gun CRT since the old Advent days -


Mr Bob

Jim -

Where are you currently at, on your project, which started this thread? Going with curved screen single, side firing stack with flat?

Mod'd pjs for side firing?

Sticking with your Marquees, still looking for a second G90...?


Mr Bob

Applying fabric to a curved screen yourself sounds like rebuilding a car engine yourself - one false move and it's all over!


So the contrast modulation board will give you even color temp across the screen. Does this mean that without it there could be hotspotting on a curved screen, or uneven color rendition, side to side?

Do the curved screens of today allow the same colorations of pic to be showing at all points where viewers would be sitting, like flat screens will?

Sorry, have not seen a curved screen in use with a triple gun CRT since the old Advent days -


Mr Bob

Bob,

you will definitely not get the perfect finish that Stewart achieves with its curved screens but as these run in the higher 4 digits this is a trade-off most are willing to accept.

Provided you are willing to do the necessary curvature there is relatively little color shift on a curved compared to a flat screen even with a gain of two.

What remains can easily be adjusted for.

I did not really do any measurements on my setup but I would suppose that color temperature would still shift for off center seats. I might just measure it with my screen the next time I get out the colorimeter.

Of course you can get rid of the color shift completely when you do something really extravagant like a 15 ft wide stacked + curved setup :)

Oliver