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Don't dump your CRT RPTV! - Page 377

post #11281 of 11761
10/7/12 at 9:56am
Quote:
Originally Posted by taichi4 View Post

Quote:
Originally Posted by primetimeguy View Post

Darblet brought new life back into my RP CRT.

Details! Details! We want details!

Does your RTPV have DVI or HDMI?

How does it work for highly compressed cable, dish, or streamed?

Do you have any pictures?

Thanks.

My TV has DVI so I use HDMI into Darblet and a HDMi->DVI cable on the output.  

 

I run mine in HD Mode at 40% and don't touch it.  For Blu-Ray I can run it up higher, say 50-60% but I don't like messing with it.  Above 40% and compression artifacts of OTA and Dish become more obvious.  And I'm super sensitive and annoyed but those artifacts so I keep the Darbee fairly low.  Even a low levels it adds a bit more pop and sense of sharpness and is worth it to me (granted I got in on the early price)

 

No pictures, I always find it tough to get good pictures of a CRT.  Check out the reviews online with images.

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post #11282 of 11761
10/7/12 at 10:17am
Quote:
Originally Posted by primetimeguy View Post

My TV has DVI so I use HDMI into Darblet and a HDMi->DVI cable on the output.  

I run mine in HD Mode at 40% and don't touch it.  For Blu-Ray I can run it up higher, say 50-60% but I don't like messing with it.  Above 40% and compression artifacts of OTA and Dish become more obvious.  And I'm super sensitive and annoyed but those artifacts so I keep the Darbee fairly low.  Even a low levels it adds a bit more pop and sense of sharpness and is worth it to me (granted I got in on the early price)...

What set do you have? A Mits with DVI?

Would you say that the Darblet adds a bit of depth to the picture?

Of course, it's important to start with a set with a clean optical path, as Bob has frequently stated.
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post #11283 of 11761
10/7/12 at 10:34am
Quote:
Originally Posted by taichi4 View Post

Quote:
Originally Posted by primetimeguy View Post

My TV has DVI so I use HDMI into Darblet and a HDMi->DVI cable on the output.  

I run mine in HD Mode at 40% and don't touch it.  For Blu-Ray I can run it up higher, say 50-60% but I don't like messing with it.  Above 40% and compression artifacts of OTA and Dish become more obvious.  And I'm super sensitive and annoyed but those artifacts so I keep the Darbee fairly low.  Even a low levels it adds a bit more pop and sense of sharpness and is worth it to me (granted I got in on the early price)...

What set do you have? A Mits with DVI?

Would you say that the Darblet adds a bit of depth to the picture?

Of course, it's important to start with a set with a clean optical path, as Bob has frequently stated.

Sony KP-57WS510.  For me, the Darbee went in right after my 6-month cleaning I always do.

 

Yes, for Blu-Ray especially it adds more depth.

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post #11284 of 11761
10/7/12 at 12:49pm
Hey guys. A friend has a CRT RPTV and called to ask if I knew what might be wrong with their TV. They said it looked like 3D without the glasses. Last night looked normal but looked this way when they turned it on today. Asked them to send me photos which I'll post below. Is that just a case of convergence being way off? Is it normal for that to happen overnight like that? Or is something else going on? Thanks.



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post #11285 of 11761
10/7/12 at 1:50pm
Time for convergence chip(s) replacement... frown.gif
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post #11286 of 11761
10/7/12 at 1:55pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Splicer010 View Post

Time for convergence chip(s) replacement... frown.gif

Friend found a 65" DLP on Craigslist for only $100(needs a new lamp)...they and another interested party party are both heading to the seller's house! Whoever wins the race gets the TV!
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post #11287 of 11761
10/7/12 at 2:17pm
Be careful with Craigslist. Just because someone attributes a non-functioning (or sub-optimally functioning) DLP to a bad bulb doesn't mean that's what the problem is.

Very few Craigslist sellers are diagnosticians, and they shouldn't claim to be.
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post #11288 of 11761
10/7/12 at 3:09pm
Nice deal on the DLP. From CL, I got the 56" DLP in my avatar, that needed a lamp for $50. New lamp installed worked, but the light engine was bad. Replaced LE for 180, used the TV for 3 years and sold it for 300. Found a 73" DLP also on CL for $300 with a supposed bad ballast but had a brand new lamp installed. Turned out the ballast was fine, had a bad power board. 200 later I now have a great 73" DLP we are watching the Bears on as I type this.

Moral of these stories is that DLP is all modular and parts are readily available dirt-cheap on the 'bay. cool.gifwink.gif
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post #11289 of 11761
10/8/12 at 8:34am
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by taichi4 View Post

What set do you have? A Mits with DVI?
Would you say that the Darblet adds a bit of depth to the picture?
Of course, it's important to start with a set with a clean optical path, as Bob has frequently stated.


Here's the CES interview with Paul Darbee. Gotta say, I'm fascinated with this little thing and can't wait to try one out. I'm sure the next iteration will have both in and out on the back, and be relatively rack mountable...

http://link.brightcove.com/services/player/bcpid1568178642?bctid=1382039693001

b
Edited by Mr Bob - 10/8/12 at 9:42am
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post #11290 of 11761
10/8/12 at 8:38am
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by Shady12 View Post

Hey guys. A friend has a CRT RPTV and called to ask if I knew what might be wrong with their TV. They said it looked like 3D without the glasses. Last night looked normal but looked this way when they turned it on today. Asked them to send me photos which I'll post below. Is that just a case of convergence being way off? Is it normal for that to happen overnight like that? Or is something else going on? Thanks.


If that set is a Mit and this is still an intermittent problem, the owner might be able to get away with not replacing the convergence ICs if he remedies the cold solder joints and the set has not been run too much yet in its bad condition. Running it in its bad condition stresses out the ICs and eventually blows them. If caught early and promptly and the set is essentially kept from "running while hurt", they can be saved and you can continue to use them indefinitely.

However, if it's one that uses only 1 IC with all 6 channels in it, just replace the IC unless you really like doing lots of work. Whatever legs that are not bad now will go bad soon after the repair otherwise. To save that IC you have to resolder ever single leg, and there are twice as many on that chip than on the type you use 2 of per display. Not worth it. Even tho it's technically not defective yet, just disco'd on several legs, best course is to simply replace it.

b
Edited by Mr Bob - 10/8/12 at 9:41am
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post #11291 of 11761
10/8/12 at 8:48am
Yes. I saw that video a few months back.

Contrast and manipulation of color is, of course, used by painters to help create the illusion of depth.
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post #11292 of 11761
10/8/12 at 9:53am
Thread Starter 
Good point. So true...

b
Edited by Mr Bob - 10/8/12 at 9:59am
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post #11293 of 11761
10/8/12 at 9:56am
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by Splicer010 View Post

Nice deal on the DLP. From CL, I got the 56" DLP in my avatar, that needed a lamp for $50. New lamp installed worked, but the light engine was bad. Replaced LE for 180, used the TV for 3 years and sold it for 300. Found a 73" DLP also on CL for $300 with a supposed bad ballast but had a brand new lamp installed. Turned out the ballast was fine, had a bad power board. 200 later I now have a great 73" DLP we are watching the Bears on as I type this.
Moral of these stories is that DLP is all modular and parts are readily available dirt-cheap on the 'bay. cool.gifwink.gif

What's the best source for getting the DMD chips cheap? I'm sure they don't have knockoffs there, the manufacturing on those has to be incredible when you know there's more than a million moving mirrors inside each chip.

I check with my sources and some of them insist you gotta replace the entire light engine when the DMD chip goes bad. Having done that chip-only replacement I know that's not true...

b
Edited by Mr Bob - 10/8/12 at 12:02pm
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post #11294 of 11761
10/8/12 at 12:01pm
Thread Starter 
I am contemplating going up to Lake Forest, just 20 minutes north of Seattle soon, for probably 5 days. And possibly spending time in Portland along the way.

Let me know if you live anywhere near there -

b
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post #11295 of 11761
10/8/12 at 4:39pm
Sure..I do. I live on the Los Angeles side of Portland.
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post #11296 of 11761
10/8/12 at 5:10pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Mr Bob View Post

Here's the CES interview with Paul Darbee. Gotta say, I'm fascinated with this little thing and can't wait to try one out. I'm sure the next iteration will have both in and out on the back, and be relatively rack mountable...
http://link.brightcove.com/services/player/bcpid1568178642?bctid=1382039693001
b

I'm fascinated with this too Bob. If it is the cat's meow, I want to hear from a CRT expert like you, about how it improves a setup you have "pimped out". I suspect it could be a whole new avenue for you, if you could bring a CRT RPTV up to its best form then add a Darblet at the end to blow the flat panels away in their purported area of superiority. Meaning could it make perfect 1080i on a CRT superior to perfect 1080p on any flat panel. I hope so. Because right now I still prefer CRT over DLP even with all of CRTs warts. I certainly want to try one. And if I like it, I will have you over during your next Northeast swing to Buff out my Hitachi. And I will add Darbee to my setup (HDMI).
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post #11297 of 11761
10/8/12 at 6:10pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by taichi4 View Post

Sure..I do. I live on the Los Angeles side of Portland.

Contact me directly and get me your contact info, I would love to stop by.

b
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post #11298 of 11761
10/8/12 at 6:12pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by barrelbelly View Post

I'm fascinated with this too Bob. If it is the cat's meow, I want to hear from a CRT expert like you, about how it improves a setup you have "pimped out". I suspect it could be a whole new avenue for you, if you could bring a CRT RPTV up to its best form then add a Darblet at the end to blow the flat panels away in their purported area of superiority. Meaning could it make perfect 1080i on a CRT superior to perfect 1080p on any flat panel. I hope so. Because right now I still prefer CRT over DLP even with all of CRTs warts. I certainly want to try one. And if I like it, I will have you over during your next Northeast swing to Buff out my Hitachi. And I will add Darbee to my setup (HDMI).

The Darblet works on all displays, not just CRT, so it will enhance each one the same as the other. With the intensity controllable, it can be fine tuned to each type of display.

However I would not be suprised if using it on a CRT while it's not being used on the fixed pixel would make the CRT indeed have a noticably superior picture.

Would love to trick out your set. Don't wait to see if the Darblet helps you, get it tricked out by me anyway! Have the Darblet be the icing on the cake. You won't be able to make up for your set's limitations via the Darblet with it not already fully calibrated and dialed in. The Darblet won't be able to be a substitute for a complete calibration and cleaning.


b
Edited by Mr Bob - 10/8/12 at 8:50pm
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post #11299 of 11761
10/8/12 at 7:45pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Mr Bob View Post

Contact me directly and get me your contact info, I would love to stop by.
b
Oh sure, stay in Cali and forget your bud in Ohio... wink.gif
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post #11300 of 11761
10/8/12 at 8:02pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Mr Bob View Post

What's the best source for getting the DMD chips cheap? I'm sure they don't have knockoffs there, the manufacturing on those has to be incredible when you know there's more than a million moving mirrors inside each chip.
I check with my sources and some of them insist you gotta replace the entire light engine when the DMD chip goes bad. Having done that chip-only replacement I know that's not true...
b
Gotta love it. I replied about 2-3 hours ago, posted and now it is gone thanks to me telling you where to go that is (I guess) competition for AVS. The price for the DMD's is under $200 by about 20 bucks. If you still have my # (I have no clue where yours is anymore wink.gif ) call me and I'll let you know where they can be had.

And you are 1000% correct; the LE does NOT "need" to be replaced when the DMD is changed UNLESS there are other issues. My 56" that I sold wasn't a bad DMD, it was a defective (and well known) problem with the light tunnel itself. Had I been the original owner w/receipt, Toshiba would have replaced it for me for free.cool.gif As it is, I wasn't and I paid 180. Still a fair deal I thought. Got it at modus link? You know the place Bob, we discussed them before. wink.gif

For the 73", I found a set at work that was 1 level up from mine, tho smaller screen (55" I think) and I was going to repair then sell it. Well it sat in the garage for awhile, and suddenly I started seeing 'white/black dots' and knew the DMD (another known issue of this particular chip apparently) needed replaced. Took the one from the 55" (same LE, just different lens is all) and popped it in my set and VOILA!biggrin.gif A perfectly functioning set. Been going strong the last 8 mos or so. cool.gif

LOVE LOVE LOVE DLP!!!biggrin.gif The depth is incredible, even better (IMHO) than CRT, and sharper as well. No convergence, lamps are under $40 now cool.gif and I am literally blown away every BD I play. biggrin.gif

No looking back here! But the Tosh is still in the MBR and the wife won't let it go (of course, neither will I) she likes it so much.
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post #11301 of 11761
10/8/12 at 8:53pm
Thread Starter 
Well it's been long enough since we talked that your contact info is buried in one of my customer books from a while ago, would take forever to find. Just look in my signature and contact me directly.

b
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post #11302 of 11761
10/9/12 at 7:42am
Does anyone have any suggestions for my issue I described in post #11275?

Thanks!
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post #11303 of 11761
10/9/12 at 11:22am
Thread Starter 
And Splicer -

Send me a plane ticket and I'll be off in a shot! Nobody is forgetting you -

wink.gif

b
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post #11304 of 11761
10/9/12 at 1:25pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by bjquinn View Post

Does anyone have any suggestions for my issue I described in post #11275?
Thanks!

Your symptoms are not on the beaten path. I have seen various iterations and bits and pieces of what you're describing, and may or may not have answers for you. But no easy answers from a thread are probably going to be forthcoming on this one.

You know where to reach me, if you want to do a phone session with me to try and get to the bottom of this.

b
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post #11305 of 11761
10/10/12 at 9:48am
Quote:
Originally Posted by Mr Bob View Post

The Darblet works on all displays, not just CRT, so it will enhance each one the same as the other. With the intensity controllable, it can be fine tuned to each type of display.
However I would not be suprised if using it on a CRT while it's not being used on the fixed pixel would make the CRT indeed have a noticably superior picture.
Would love to trick out your set. Don't wait to see if the Darblet helps you, get it tricked out by me anyway! Have the Darblet be the icing on the cake. You won't be able to make up for your set's limitations via the Darblet with it not already fully calibrated and dialed in. The Darblet won't be able to be a substitute for a complete calibration and cleaning.
b

You will definitely get a chance to work on my Hitachi. Being newly retired, I just have to save up a few shekels first. But, "do it you will" as Yoda would say. I am just absolutely intrigued about the Darbee Darblet. If it just adds or enhances off center detail and depth of image to CRT HDRPTV it would wipe away any purported advantage of DLP/Plasma/LCD. To me CRT RPTV loses out to the digital flat panels on the edges where annoying convergence issues always popup. IF Darbee even creates a perception of sameness with the Flatties in that area...It's a rout for CRT RPTV IMO. Because CRT color fidelity and Blacks/shadow detail are unmatched to my eyes.

Bob, I will continue to monitor this thread to see when you plan a Northeast swing. And if my dollars are right...I will definitely opt in. Even if I have to stretch a wee bit. BTW...a belated welcome back from your recent heart condition. Thank goodness the almighty wanted you to hang around for awhile longer to tweak his favorite display tech...CRT.biggrin.gif
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post #11306 of 11761
10/11/12 at 12:53am
Thread Starter 
Thanks, it's good to be back. And yes, after my operation I am even more in love with my CRT picture. After 11 days in the hospital with the room TV almost not on at all, it was great to be able to just kick back for a day or 2 and catch up on all that video material I have been wanting to actually sit down and watch for months, and had not been able to until then.

Convergence issues out at the edges may be annoying, but they can be rendered innocuous and virtually unnoticeable with the correct attention. I never notice mine anymore unless I am actually looking for them. There are tricks one picks up over the years when you have calibrated as many as I have, and I have found different tricks for each brand. Would love to work my magic on them with your set.

Don't expect the Darbee to do it, that's not what it's all about. It's not about correcting errors, it's about instilling even deeper depth in your already fabulous display. My hit anyway, not having experienced one yet, but only having read about them. From what I've seen it is a highly sophisticated edge enhancement device, one that CAN be utilized a little too much if you're not careful, but to great advantage if you take your time, do the proper tests, and fine tune it.

b
Edited by Mr Bob - 10/11/12 at 9:19am
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post #11307 of 11761
10/11/12 at 8:50am
Here's a review of the Darblet from a Canadian website that describes, to a degree, how it works...which entails alteration of luminance values, rather than sharpening of edges.

http://www.quebecaudio.com/actualite/darbee-darblet-video-processor.

So, Bob, I guess you never read my reportage of your hospital stay, and your wrestling with the TV?

biggrin.gif
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post #11308 of 11761
10/11/12 at 10:30am

They make no secret of how it works; there's white paper here:

 

http://darbeevision.com/assets/documents/DarbeeVision%20Whitepaper%20with%20Tech%20Details%2020120415.pdf

 

And, of course, the whole forum here:

 

http://www.avsforum.com/t/1399154/darbee-vision-darblet/4170#post_22483844

 

I think it's on my list for the holidays.

 

Michael

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post #11309 of 11761
10/11/12 at 12:14pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by taichi4 View Post

Here's a review of the Darblet from a Canadian website that describes, to a degree, how it works...which entails alteration of luminance values, rather than sharpening of edges.
http://www.quebecaudio.com/actualite/darbee-darblet-video-processor.
So, Bob, I guess you never read my reportage of your hospital stay, and your wrestling with the TV?
biggrin.gif


By the time I got out of the hospital 11 days later I was 5 complete pages behind on this thread, had not looked at it in all that time, had my hands full staying sane and alive. Have not had time to catch up, as my priorities have had to be pretty narrow, what with my expenses continuing while I was in stir, and I missed huge amounts of income-producing time. Please send me what you're talking about.

Are you going to contact me directly for when I am in Portland? Have not heard from you -

b
Edited by Mr Bob - 10/11/12 at 12:57pm
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post #11310 of 11761
10/11/12 at 3:49pm
I was in jest, Bob. The Los Angeles side of Portland.....

I'm in SoCal.
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