CurtPalme.com Home Theater Forum

GREG1292 · Joined: 10 Oct 2006 Posts: 417 Location: indiana

The image is far from dim. I have a black out basement with a screen gain of 1.5 and any brighter I would
get a headache. I can crank up the contrast but I feel my picture is balanced just right with these settings.
I sell the RS1 and my picture brightness seems to be no different and that is on a 120" screen.

WTS · Joined: 08 Mar 2006 Posts: 1276 Location: Calgary

Hi Greg,

Welcome to the club. Wow, 159" with settings like that, I would have said the same as Kal. I think mine are C=60/B=30 and a 1.5 gain screen.

GREG1292 · Joined: 10 Oct 2006 Posts: 417 Location: indiana

I know it is hard to believe but I think because I am so close less that 12 feet viewing and the projector
is mounted flush in the wall right above my head . With the angle of the projector I seem to get more light output back
to me. All that matters is the picture is great and works for me.

**kal** · Posted: Wed Oct 15, 2008 3:06 pm Post subject:

Person99 · Joined: 09 Mar 2006 Posts: 4899 Location: Flower Mound, TX

GREG1292 · Joined: 10 Oct 2006 Posts: 417 Location: indiana

Kal,
I have no problem with image pop and shadow detail or a 3d viewing experience I sell all the latest technology flat panels included and believe me I am not missing out. Have you ever sat that close to a large screen in a bat cave with no pretty white or beige walls? I can run my contrast and brightness up but don't feel the need. I am just reporting what works for
me. I think it helps alot that I have low hour tubes. I am not a fan of small screens but if I did I would on a RS1 which I watching right now Smile

I still wouldn't own a RS1 over my crt but if I did I could live with it.

Dave,
As for picture quality when watching video I don't see how it can get better. The Zenith is the cleanest video chain projector that I have owned and have no problems with brightness,detail,sharpness, natural colors or depth. The one disadvantage to such a large screen is standard def dvd's are a bit disapointing but anything with hd content is perfect.

WTS · Joined: 08 Mar 2006 Posts: 1276 Location: Calgary

I would have to agree with going with the smaller screen, mine is 84" wide, 96" diag (1.5 gain) I think that works out to. I also have mine mounted at 9' from the screen and sit right below it, so my head is about 10.5/11' from the screen with the image maxed out to the edges of the tubes.
I don't think having the low hours is making that much difference in your brightness, both Kal and I started with our units only having 400hrs on them when we got them.
But hey it's whatever works for you that counts.

As far as having a clean video chain, you don't know just how good it can get with these units.

GREG1292 · Joined: 10 Oct 2006 Posts: 417 Location: indiana

Walter,
you have me inspired go on please!

**kal** · Posted: Thu Oct 16, 2008 1:06 am Post subject:

WTS · Joined: 08 Mar 2006 Posts: 1276 Location: Calgary

Hi Greg,

With the right circuit mods etc. this projector can look alot better than a stock unit.

Interesting, I assume you started out with a Ampro 3600, I also started out with a 3600 I bought from Curt which I put a set of 145s on. Then I heard he had a few 1200x unit coming in so I grabbed one and couldn't be happier with it. These units seem to last a long time going by the number of hours Dave had on his unit.

**kal** · Posted: Thu Oct 16, 2008 1:30 am Post subject:

WTS · Joined: 08 Mar 2006 Posts: 1276 Location: Calgary

In that case I have a long way to go before this one is houred out. So is that to say that the barco units out there that are having problems must have alot of hrs on them? That's one thing we never hear about is the hr count on the units which people report they're having problems with.

GREG1292 · Joined: 10 Oct 2006 Posts: 417 Location: indiana

kal,

I was just pointing out that the way my projector is mounted I get more relected light back from the screen Thumbs Up

. You have a great home theater. Before I had a similar setup and I don't see any
disadvantage to a large screen when watching hd content. The point is I am happy with my setup as well as you and enjoy
the Zenith that I recently picked up.

GREG1292 · Joined: 10 Oct 2006 Posts: 417 Location: indiana

Here is a quick picture. The red push must be from the camera it is not what I see on the screen.

**kal** · Posted: Thu Oct 16, 2008 3:40 am Post subject:

GREG1292 · Joined: 10 Oct 2006 Posts: 417 Location: indiana

I am not an expert at screen shots but this one is better. I don't have a green problem and don't
seem to lack punch. The screen is right above my head where I sit flushed into a wall. Contrast 55
and brightness 40. That as big a picture I can take while sitting in front of the screen. I need a wide zoom
lens Thumbs Up

**AnalogRocks** · Posted: Thu Oct 16, 2008 4:34 am Post subject:

That screen shot looks Matrixfied. Still, if Greg can get a watchable picture at 159" that's very cool. Thumbs Up

GREG1292 · Joined: 10 Oct 2006 Posts: 417 Location: indiana

Thanks Analog. I don't how much better the image pop could be and I am not stressing
my crt's. I finally took a descent pic. I wish I could fit the whole screen but I am at the
back wall as it is.

**AnalogRocks** · Posted: Thu Oct 16, 2008 4:43 am Post subject:

I posted same time as you. Just to clarify the FIRST shot looked like ti belonged to the Wachowski brothers. The second shot looks great.

How are those short throw lenses working for you?

GREG1292 · Joined: 10 Oct 2006 Posts: 417 Location: indiana

I am having no problems with the HD215's and rather like them alot since I have such a short throw for such a large
screen Cool

I admit the first shot looks like I was on mushrooms! I was just trying to fit the whole image on and since my screen
gain which I have no idea by the way I was just guessing 1.5. I had a da-lite cinema 1.3 and had a more uniform off axis.
Behr white satin enamal semi gloss is the paint I used and never been happier but off axis like I was is not as good.
Also I have no idea what I am doing on screen shots and was unaltered.
The point I was making or trying is mines bigger than yours and a 8" machine has more than enough light output
for a great hometheater experience. I alway's wanted to sit in the front row Mr. Green

The bowing of the picture is from the angle in which I took the shot.