Zenith

Zenith came out with their entry level flat screen front projector in 1985, and at approximately $2500.00 retail, undercut their competitors like Sony by at least 50%. These were video only projectors, had crude analog convergence, but  tens of thousands were sold from 1985- 1994, making them the most popular CRT projector ever for the sports bar and home markets. Various changes were made throughout the years, with the model numbers being: PV 800, 810, 820, 830, 840, and 851. Tuner models were also made in some years that incorporated 125 channel tuners and small stereo amplifiers for those people who did not want a complicated set up to watch a large screen picture. The final couple of models turned into very decent video only sets, with accurate convergence and very nice pictures for a very inexpensive price. All of these sets were convection cooled for silent operation.

In about 1996, the PRO 851 was replaced with a PRO 880, a completely redesigned video only set. This 880 had sharper tubes, digital convergence and an overall better picture than the earlier sets. The unit however was very difficult to converge until you learned how to do it, and made it difficult for the user to set up themselves.

Zenith Pro 900x

Zenith also came out with a data grade version that scanned to 50 Khz, called the Pro 900. The early PRO 900’s had incorrectly designed power supplies and had 100% failure rate of these within 2 years. Zenith redesigned the set, and the PRO 900x solved the problems of the earlier PRO 900. A very nice picture from a 7” tube.

In 2001 timeframe Zenith commissioned Barco to build their top of the line set: The PRO 1200x. It is basically the same as the Barco Cine 8 Onyx (special edition).  Very nice, high end projector.

A PRO 2000 unit was released as well, but little is known of this unit as it did not sell well.  I believe it was actually made by Toshiba.

Zenith Strengths and weaknesses

While Zenith made excellent sets with the exception of the 1989-1990 PV 830 which has premature CRT failure,  service literature is scarce from Zenith. Even a set up manual is hard to find. Zenith relied on their large dealer network to service these sets, but many TV shops are unwilling to do service calls to sports clubs, and lack the knowledge to properly converge and set up a CRT projector.

Zenith Pro 1200x

Zenith’s policy is to do PC board swaps only, and in general do not sell parts for these boards. The upside is that replacement boards are cheaper than every other brand of set, and replacing an entire board is cheaper than spending the time to find the $10.00 chip or transistor that has failed. Without proper service literature available however, finding the right defective board the first time is the challenge.. :)

All Zenith sets are 100 % modular, and should not require more than a screwdriver to service. I have serviced 100’s of sets in nicotine covered pubs and bars, and all models have stood up well. It’s common for me to retube these sets after a good 15,000 hours of service, only to have them last another 15,000 hours. A great bang for the buck. Many of these sets are in home theaters, and can be had at a good price from people upgrading to data projectors. 

Zenith is discontinuing some modules and parts, but parts and service should be available for the life of most of these sets, thanks to the large number of these sets that have been sold in the past.

Zenith is still making CRT projectors, and the PRO 895 is being sold at attractive prices. Make sure you find a dealer that knows CRT’s though; many of these sets are being sold by electronics stores that cannot assist you with the installation and service.

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