CurtPalme.com Home Theater Forum

NewbieDAN · Posted: Tue Aug 12, 2008 3:28 pm Post subject: Barco Data 1209s or G70

Guys I'm interested to know which would be your choice of projector given tube condition being the same......I realize the 1209s is is a 9er....but what are the advantages of the Barco?

draganm · Joined: 08 Mar 2006 Posts: 8990 Location: Colorado

that's a no-brainer, the 1209s is 9inch machine, moddable video chain, much quieter, better optics system, and a hell of a lot more reliable.

Tom.W · Joined: 09 Mar 2006 Posts: 6635

ecrabb · Posted: Tue Aug 12, 2008 8:45 pm Post subject:

I'm no tech, but having looked at both projectors, I'd say the build quality as well as the modular construction are pretty comparable between the two projectors. The 1209 has a build quality edge, but it's certainly not night/day. Obviously, as draganm says, the 1209s is a higher-end 9" machine with better lenses. I don't know if I'd go so far as to say a "better optics system" though, as the G70's Scheimpflug setup is excellent.

As for reliability, I suspect they're probably not as different as draganm makes it sound. He rarely misses an opportunity to ding the reliability of the G70, but also never mentions that there are probably several G70's in circulation for every 1209s - clearly making failures seem more common than they really are. Curt's a tech and says that all chassis have their common failure points, and that most are easy enough for him to repair. He said most machines are all pretty comparable, barring a couple of specific problem machines/designs. I don't recall hearing of any parts availability issues with the G70's, either.

Of course, a new 1209s cost well over half-again what a G70 cost back in the day... Over $30k for a 1209s compared to under $20k for a G70. So, obviously the 1209s is in a different class.

Regardless of everything mentioned here, I'd take a 1209s in a heartbeat over my G70 if the price was comparable. 9" vs. 8". Enough said.

SC

draganm · Joined: 08 Mar 2006 Posts: 8990 Location: Colorado

Zebu Fellenz · Joined: 21 Dec 2006 Posts: 2567

Zebu Fellenz · Joined: 21 Dec 2006 Posts: 2567

Back on topic,

As a G70 owner I would still choose the Barco. I had an 801s before and it was very quite, the build quality was great and all in all it was a well designed and constructed machine. The only advantage the G70 would have would be the smaller size and the (important) color filtering.

Erik

NewbieDAN · Posted: Wed Aug 13, 2008 1:13 am Post subject:

The G70's case is much prettier.... Rolling Eyes

...is that an advantage? (clutches at straws)

jkruger · Joined: 24 Oct 2007 Posts: 2435 Location: Carlsbad, CA

I have never owned a G70, but have poked around inside one. It seemed to be built much the same as the 12xx machines that I did own and worked on. I moved up to a Runco DTV-1000 (1209s with colored C-elements). The modular construction and build quality have really impressed me. It seems like servicing the barco is would be easier. The best G70 I have seen belongs to Ray, (rabies70) and his looks really good. Running 1080p on the Runco blows my mind, the picture quality is incredible, and I'm not even finished with a really good setup yet. (I'll probably never be "finished" with that).

Spotmatic · Posted: Wed Aug 13, 2008 8:20 am Post subject:

NewbieDAN · Posted: Wed Aug 13, 2008 8:22 am Post subject:

Spot do you have a source for the 1209s Service manual?