[CrtNoob]

Hi,


Here are some questions that I hope some of you crt-pro's can answer for me.


Lately I have been thinking about buying a LCD-projector, but none of these "high-end-projectors" seems to be worth the money when you look at the picture-quality/black-level/etc. (AE-700 / Z3 / HS51). The only thing I like about them is the size and that you have a product warranty.


After a little searching I found out about the alternative: used CRT-projectors.


I have found a CRT-projector called BD 701s (Build year 1996, mint-condition,

I like it because it is "small", quiet and it is like new (haven't seen the picture quality...yet).


And here comes the questions...


- What else would I need to get it up running (except HTTP + screen)???


I am especially thinking about if something also should be included with

the PJ at that price???


- How much would a used ceiling mount cost for the PJ??? (model / production name would also be helpfull).


- Is it easy to get parts for it and is it very expensive in parts??? Especially the T180 tubes???


- After having read the following on another site I was wondering if this is a big problem with Barco's??? and would this PJ be categorized as being from "the earlier years"???


"...catastrophic scan fails not uncommon in the earlier

years...convergence boards are unreliable...".



- Is there anything negative/bad about BD 701s's that I should know about???


Thanks in advance


The Crt Noob

 

[Mr Postman]

Quote:

Originally posted by CrtNoob Hi, Here are some questions that I hope some of you crt-pro's can answer for me. Lately I have been thinking about buying a LCD-projector, but none of these "high-end-projectors" seems to be worth the money when you look at the picture-quality/black-level/etc. (AE-700 / Z3 / HS51). The only thing I like about them is the size and that you have a product warranty. After a little searching I found out about the alternative: used CRT-projectors. I have found a CRT-projector called BD 701s (Build year 1996, mint-condition, I like it because it is "small", quiet and it is like new (haven't seen the picture quality...yet). And here comes the questions... - What else would I need to get it up running (except HTTP + screen)??? I am especially thinking about if something also should be included with the PJ at that price??? - How much would a used ceiling mount cost for the PJ??? (model / production name would also be helpfull). - Is it easy to get parts for it and is it very expensive in parts??? Especially the T180 tubes??? - After having read the following on another site I was wondering if this is a big problem with Barco's??? and would this PJ be categorized as being from "the earlier years"??? "...catastrophic scan fails not uncommon in the earlier years...convergence boards are unreliable...". - Is there anything negative/bad about BD 701s's that I should about know??? Thanks in advance The Crt Noob

A HTPC outputting RGB+compositesync or anything with a component output. You can get both outputs on a MomitsuDX (using a T-bnc connector for HV.)


New/Used ceiling mounts go for about $200 (PSI or Hammerheadtech)


Parts check with anyone selling CRT's on this board, like Curt Palme, Terry, etc. also PSI and Hammerheadtech in US, and crtprojectors in UK.


Curt should know if there are any Caps or mods on the 701s that would need to be changed/made to run it reliably.


The negative, yeah it doesn't have EM focus and has limited bandwidth for some really high resolutions, but you can still run 1080i/720p if the tubes are good and clean.




Fred.

 

[Joshua Snyder]

I see 2 things that are an issue as far as I am concerned. with the 700 seres from Barco, there are 2 tube options, Unfortunately neither is rebuild-able (as far as I know) and 1 of them is much dimmer than the other. I have had a BD 700 seres with the bright tubes (T180-good pic) and almost got one with the dim tubes, and I could REALLY tell the difference. Also, repairs seem to be costly on this model seres, and in-fact a faulty power supply with other hidden issues caused my 701s to be considered "totaled" by the shop that was working on it. I replaced it with a entry level Marquee and it's MUCH brighter, with WAY better picture. and there are NEW parts still available. Both the Marquee and Barco are easy to setup. and as far as a source, for ether I would recommend a Momitsu, as it can be run with no macrovision to get in the way (the barco will have image issues with a DVD player, feeding the PJ progressive component video with macrovision enabled)


to me, 2k for a BD 701 seems a tad high. and the lack of replacement parts makes it even more risky.


BUT on the plus side, the 701 is a Very quiet (for CRT) projector. and it is just about the most compact PJ with full digital controls.

 

[CrtNoob]

Thanks to both of you for answering some of my questions.


From what I have read it is primarily the Sony tubes that are not rebuildable??? But that explains why I haven't been able to find a price for refurbished T180's.


I know it is pricey but if I take the price for a BG 701s (not mint condition) from Curt Palme's Homepage ($1500), add shipping (estimate = $200) and import tax ($375 (25%)) then the total is $2075. The seller of the PJ is about half an hour drive away from where i live so no shipping cost and I can inspect it before I decided if I want to buy it.


What are the alternatives to a BD 701s that might be easier/cheaper to get parts/tubes for???


It took me a few searches with Google before I found out that the Momitsu is a DVD Player (Momitsu 880N and 880DX). The specs look cool, but it is a bit pricey at $600 (incl. shipping + tax). I can also see that a norwegian complains about loosing sharpness/picture quality when he connects the Momitsu with a 701s using a vga 4BNC cable (compared to his HTTP).

 

[Mr Postman]

Hey if you're in denmark check the danish crt sellers, you can get an 8" for under 20000 dkr last time I looked.


just put up a new thread asking for crt sellers in denmark.



Fred.

 

[Curt Palme]

The 701s uses the T 180 Toshiba tubes, it was the first 70X set that used them.

I agree, the price if it were in the US would be a bit high, but like you said, in Denmark and the fact that you can inspect it before buying makes it worth the extra $$.

 

[CrtNoob]

Thanks for answering for my questions Curt.


According to Mr Postman you should be able to tell if there is anything serious that have to be corrected (Caps or mods) before it can run reliably.


Caps = Capacitors

Mods = Modifications


Correct translation???


I understand if you don't want to answer that question since you do have a business selling used CRTs and those repairs/knowledge could be considered a "trade secret".


The Crt Noob

 

[Mr Postman]

CrtNoob,


check www.crt4ever.dk, he has a 701s for 13000dkr, with 900 hours on it.



Fred.

 

[CrtNoob]

Thanks Mr Postman.


Does crt4ever "refurbish" his machines like Curt Palmer does???


Replacing Caps and Mods???

 

[Mr Postman]

Don't know just pop him an email and ask, you speak the same language after all.



Fred.

 

[CrtNoob]

Oh, I just thought you knew the guy or had bought something from him.


Recommendation of a seller that you haven't bought anything from isn't that usefull.


Don't forget I am new to CRTs so I will probably have some difficulties with judging if his PJ is any good.

 

[Mr Postman]

his site has been recommended by someone else from Denmark on this forum before, so he can't be all evil and wicked I figure, and he is local to your country.


And besides if you talk to him yourself, and are able to look at the hardware you could see for your self if he is trustworthy or not.


You could also ask around on the Danish HT forums since they probably should know more about what exists local to you. Buying from overseas is always a risk, no matter who you buy from you run the risk of having the shipping company demolish the pj for you.



Fred.

 

[CrtNoob]

If you felt offended by my previous post then I am sorry about that.


My current plans are to buy a PJ (preferable BD 701s) in Denmark, so that I can examine it myself, before deciding if I want to buy it. I already have been offered a price for a BD 701s, which I hope to be able to convince the seller to sell to me a little cheaper.

 

[CrtNoob]

I have been searching for some more information about the capacitors and have come to the following conclusion...


Low chassis hours for a CRT PJ from 1996 is...

- bad for the capacitors because they will have had a lot of time doing nothing. that is why they might need to be replaced so that the PJ won't "blow up".

- good for the tubes because they are like new.


Does this mean that it might be better to buy a PJ with 4000-5000 chassis hours with good/average tubes (Tube rating 6-8)???


I would hate to get a big/noisy PJ, but if that is what it takes to get a reliable machine then I might consider it.

 

[Mr Postman]

oh, I wasn't offended. I just didn't understand why I couldn't recommend a seller's site for you to check out before you buy. But then again it could be the red stuff in the wine, who knows.



The recommendation I got before I bought my first crt was get a pj with as low hours on it as possible, this included both chassies and tube hours. But then again my NEC has over 7000 hours on it and still throws a better picture then my barco who still hasn't reach a 1000 hours yet.



Fred.