I apologize if I'm posting this in the wrong spot.:rolleyes:

I just upgraded a friend’s home theater. She gave me her entire old system in exchange. I'm now the proud owner of a Vidikron Kronos 50 dated 1999 with a Faroudja VP 257 video processor and a Da Lite, 60x107" motorized screen with masking also dated 1999. My question is; is there any value to this equipment or are they basically, previously expensive boat anchors? If there's any value I'm thinking about selling it instead of storing it for a year or so until I get time to build out my theater. I can't imagine I would use this projector anyway, or would I?

Again, if this is errantly posted please advise me as to where this information may be attained.

Thanks!

Take a look here:
http://www.curtpalme.com/PJSpecs_Vidikron.shtm
It's not listed as a kronos 50 but it may help

Post a pix of it, and post any technical details that you know of. I'd like to update my site. Never seen one of those sets.

Here are some pix. I'll see what I can find for specs. Maybe the previous owner has the manuals.

I assume this is probably not worth the sweat it took to carry it into my attic.

1999 For a CRT Projector would be considered a "Late Model"

Mike

I am not an expert on Visikron or Electrohome projectors, but I'd say you have a pretty decent set there, maybe even HD capable:)

Looks comparable to an ECP. If the tubes are in decent shape, I'd estimate the value at $250-$500. That screen is probably a little too large for it. It'll probably be better suited for 72"-84" wide. I suspect it should be able to handle 1080i nicely.

Did it come with the remote or any manuals?

Are you sure it's a Faroudja VP257 and not a VP251?
http://www.meridian-audio.com/faroudja/archived_products.html
http://www.meridian-audio.com/faroudja/products/archives/VP251.pdf

see also...

Newbie questions on the Vididkron Kronos 50:
http://archive2.avsforum.com/avs-vb/archive/index.php/t-731563.html
my site does have the specs..

http://www.curtpalme.com/PJSpecs_Vidikron.shtm

That is a 7" ES focusing end, worth lots when new, not too much now, but if the tubes are in good shape (and chances are if this was lightly used, they are) then you can get a good image out of it. It's equivalent to any other 7" ES focusing set like the Ampro 2000 and Electrohome ECP series.

It's a great set to start with, although there's not a lot of info for the Kronos out there, and Vidikron as it was known back then went out of business. Runco bought the name, but doesn't give support to their older CRTs. As long as you have the setup info and remote that you might need, you'll be fine.

freebird has the service manual for $14:
Vidikron Kronos 50 Service
Item # Vidikron Kronos 50 Service

http://www.crtinfo.us.vu/automanualSERVICE.html

Are the lenses color corrected? if they are you can sell those for 175-250 easy. Many use the HD 145 as upgrades to there Barcos or Electrohome 8XXX projectors.

Athansios

Give it a chance before you sell or part it.... do a quick and dirty setup on the floor, maybe hooked to a computer if you don't have an HD source.. You will be nicely surprised and will probably WANT to keep it.

Many of us have older and lesser machines that that and are happier than h*ll with them :D. My guess is that it is comparable to the Sony 125x and 127x series I am addicted to.

Looks like this was one of the last sets made by Vidikron. I'll bet the tubes are Sony 07MS. A good little set if it doesn't break, you have the setup remote and some patience, oh, and if the tubes are in good shape.

Clarence: it came with the remote but I don’t have any manuals yet. You’re correct, it is a VP251.

nashou66: I believe they are color corrective lenses. This can be identified by colored glass on the lenses right?

So I plugged it in up in the attic and projected it on a 4’x8’ piece of white foam insulation. I connected my laptop to the set and got a lovely rectangular blob that did seem to take on slightly different coloration when I switched windows. I suppose a manual is necessary to get it set up well enough to even see a picture. Is their any tutorial online that can get me started and maybe see what’s possible with this set?

I may have just started a new hobby, CRT projector setup. This system was in a winter home so it was only used half the year at most. I’d assume it’s in pretty decent shape but I guess I’ll see.

Thanks for the info and help.

Going out on a limb here.. How similar is running a Vidikron to its Electrohome counterpart?

If so try some of these manuals:

http://www.curtpalme.com/ElectrohomeECP_Downloads.shtm

You have to find your throw distance for your screen size, focus the lenses, and converge the colors before you will get a useable image of course.

To check tube condition, either open the unit up and remove the lenses, OR shine a flashlight into them and look for browning on the tube faces. Good tubes will be a uniform cream color. Some shading is tolerable, but any dark brown spots/areas are a bummer.

Sonynut,

I don't think the Vidikron Kronos is related at all to the ECP

Rats.. thats why i said i was going out on a limb..:o


Leafing thru a manual may give him a basic idea of what he is in for though :)

I've been poring over www.curtpalme.com site. I'm not a newbie to AV, just CRT projection so it all makes sense it's just figuring out the correct sequence. Also, I didn't see anything that resembeled a picture when I hooked it up to my computer. I'm sure you guys could identify the problem right away but I need to determin if its a computer setting like refresh rate, focus, distance or what before I know what to start with. Then I need to know how to run the remote since buttons don't seem to alter the image at all when pressed.

I have a few jobs I'm involved with at the momen but when I get some time I'm going to spend a day playing with this thing. I'm sure I'll be asking more questions at that point.

For now try 800x600 @ 60 Hz. That's a safe, basic resolution to get you started anyhow. You may need the computer connected and sending a signal to converge the projector. I am sure someone here can verify or disagree with that, as I have no experience with Vidikron, only Sony. They are all similar in most ways, though.

The blob was just the image way out of focus. You'll probably need to have 9-12 feet between projector and screen... er, white foam insulation.

SC