Well, while I let reality sink in....I want to thank this board. I've never posted but have found this forum an amazing resource. Tonight I just jumped head over heals onto the HT trail and Im a little nervous. I've wanted to get going on starting a HT for a while but last week I was perusing the local Ebay listings when I came across a Sony 1031Q for sale in my town. Naturally I immediately turned to this forum and several of the members for advice. First, I read almost every post i could about the 1031q. Then I read about buying used CRT PJs and the dangers. I read with caution the numerous warnings against buying PJs on Ebay. After exchanging emails with the seller (who seemed responsive but said he new nothing about the past of the PJ) I decided that I would go further only because I had the opportunity to go and personally inspect the PJ. Unfortunately, I have absolutely no experience with PJs, let alone what to look for in a used CRT PJ. I talked to Jason Berg and he gave me a short list of things to check when I went out to take a look. (Thanks man!!) When I arrived the seller was very friendly and had the PJ already showing a video. HE answered all my questions but again said he knew nothing of the origin. He said he baiscally went to auctions and resold items as a living. I asked him if I could turn off the PJ and I grabbed my flashlight and looked for any signs of burnin. Since I only have seen some of the web pictures of burn in, i didn't really know for sure what to look for, but all the tubes looked great. I saw no scratches, no discolorations anywhere on any of the edges of the squares in the tubes. Both fans were running fine. Then we fired up the test pattern and it seemed to project fine. We were in an all white room with lights on and several windows, (probably not the best environment but the auction ended in only a couple hours) The unit looked in good shape as well. I left feeling impressed but thinking i was in over my head. I went back home, made some more measurements in my soon to be HT room. Then I had to decide what to do. I went back and researched a tag i saw on the PJ. It said Texas Dept. of MHMR. Well, turns out at some point this PJ was owned by the Texas Dept of Mental Health....
I took this as good, being that they were probably were the orignal purchaser and probably paid for it to be taken care of professionally. However, its just an assumption and theres no telling who owned it after. I decided it was a good enough omen to go for it. I ended up being the highest bidder right at my high point: $450. Lucky for me. Then the nerves set in......I've read a lot of good things about the 1031q and how its a great starter CRT. I just hope it works out. Is there anything more I could have done to make sure I was getting a good quality PJ???
Im sure I'll have more questions in the days to come but thanks to everyone here and especially Jason!
-paul
I took this as good, being that they were probably were the orignal purchaser and probably paid for it to be taken care of professionally. However, its just an assumption and theres no telling who owned it after. I decided it was a good enough omen to go for it. I ended up being the highest bidder right at my high point: $450. Lucky for me. Then the nerves set in......I've read a lot of good things about the 1031q and how its a great starter CRT. I just hope it works out. Is there anything more I could have done to make sure I was getting a good quality PJ???
Im sure I'll have more questions in the days to come but thanks to everyone here and especially Jason!
-paul
