CurtPalme.com Home Theater Forum

**AnalogRocks** · Posted: Thu Oct 16, 2008 5:10 am Post subject:

Yep, front row centre was where I did 99% of my theater movie watching growing up. I like the big screen experiance.

VideoGrabber · Joined: 09 Apr 2006 Posts: 933 Location: Michigan

Kal asked:
> Is 159" diagonal or horizontal? <

I don't think this important question ever got answered. That's the diagonal. The width is 138", for an 11.5' wide screen... about 6.5' tall(!)

He's got double the surface area to light up that you do, Kal. He's also using a semi-gloss paint, which while not as uniform off-axis, probably has fairly high gain on-axis... which is the only place he views from, AIUI.

Greg's farthest viewing position is ~12' (room constraints). Which makes for a pretty large field of view that's lit up. That's a contributing factor. Also, even though your room has dark walls, Kal, and black around the screen (an excellent viewing environment that surpasses most), I'm sure when the screen lights up you can still see walls and objects in the room. Greg's room is all black, so his contrast ratio is higher. Thus he can get by with fewer ftL.

Greg had commented:
> The screen is right above my head where I sit flushed into a wall. <

I'm going to go out on a limb, and surmise that Greg doesn't sit flushed into a wall, and the screen isn't right above his head. Wink

I suspect he meant that the PJ is right above his head, and recessed flush into the wall behind him. The screen is on the opposite wall. In fact, from a photo he shared with me a while back, the screen pretty much IS the opposite wall.

VideoGrabber · Joined: 09 Apr 2006 Posts: 933 Location: Michigan

Walter wrote:
> I would have to agree with going with the smaller screen, mine is 84" wide... my head is about 10.5/11' from the screen. <

I'm sure that's an excellent picture. The point that you're missing though is that while a 35-deg field of view is satisfying to you, it's NOT for Greg. His setup is 53-deg, and less would mean losing out on the main characteristic (immersion) he enjoys.

Luckily, CRT PJs are capable of handling a wide range of personal preferences, and in this case the Pro1200x is keeping a broad spectrum of viewers happy.

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

Tim,

couldn't have stated it any better and I agree that everyone has a personal preference and the 53 degree
viewing angle does make a difference at least in my setup!

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

Like I said, what ever works for you is what counts. With my 7' wide screen and sitting only 10.5' back I find mine satisfies me. I'm not sure I could watch a screen 11.5' wide from only 9' back, I'd be constantly turning my head from side to side especially when I'm watching sports. I also went with a narrower screen size so that I wouldn't have to drive the tubes extra hard to get the brightness up there. I want this PJ to last me a few more years(or more) because I feel it'll take the digital guys a while yet (years) before someone comes out with a digital unit which is as good and will last as long.

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

Walter I agree with you and my head when sitting down is 11.5from the screen do. I too do not need to drive the tubes hard but I do not need to turn my head side to side to enjoy.I had a sharp z3000 hooked up with short throw lens and could only get 10.5 feet off width and I am not willing to give up the extra foot.

Previous screen sizes diagonal
92" barco 808
106"barco 1209
110" sony g70
120" barco 808lc retro hd215,s
159" Zenith 1200x I am out of wall space but each time I could no longer go smaller. I am in the zone!

**kal** · Posted: Thu Oct 16, 2008 3:05 pm Post subject:

The second shot is a lot better! It's got that "punch" now. Good stuff.

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

Kal thanks for the kind remarks. It is hard for me to sometimes explain what I see and Tim is a master
at it. I will post pics of my projector setup and room as soon as I do my projector and wall cover plate again.
I would like to know the foot lamberts as well but have no meter and I agree image pop is essential.
The Shadow box idea sounds very interesting idea but your theater is incredible as it is!

Greg

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

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

Dave I know what you are saying about ignorance but spending twice the money is not
going to give me twice the picture. In my case a 1200.00 Zenith is an awesome machine and there is
no need to spend 6000.00 for a 9" for a little improvement in picture. Also I would not
have the proper throw distance. I am interested in cleaning up the video chain at some point but
don't feel I need to at this time. I had MP mods and know the value!

I also know the first shot sucked I never take pictures but for pop you do not see what I
see. The second picture while closer is still not what I actually see. I was making a point
that I have a good picture on a huge screen with plenty of pop Thumbs Up

and any brighter from my seating distance
would give me a migraine.

My eye's are a 142" from 138" wide screen.

VideoGrabber · Joined: 09 Apr 2006 Posts: 933 Location: Michigan

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

Walter, you can't make a comment like that, and leave it there. Stop being a tease Smile

, and fill us in.

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

Okay, without going going into any circuit details, all I meant was with the right mods here and there this projector can really shine over a stock unit. I've made too many mods to discuss here in detail, like most circuit mods it's not something everyone has the ability to do. I suppose it's no different than what Greg does or claims it does for the many Barcos he has modded. Although I have never seen any of his mods or anything with his mods in it. Kal has a set of modded boards I did for him a while back, but it's not something I do as a side business it was just something I did for myself and at the time Kal was the only one I knew with a 1200 (besides Dave) so I offered to do a set for him, although I have taken mine alittle further than Kals mods.

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

VideoGrabber · Joined: 09 Apr 2006 Posts: 933 Location: Michigan

> all I meant was with the right mods here and there this projector can really shine over a stock unit. I've made too many mods to discuss here in detail, <

OK. Thanks, Walter. That's a little less mysterious.

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

Dave I don't I missed the point about the movie theater and lambert's. With respect of your views and I agree
with most the movie theater's I have been to are not brighter than what I see on my screen. I find that
I am not lacking shapness,detail, or the pop you are talking about. Once again my theater is set up properly
with total light control and a picture taken is just that. We all see things differently.

Now WTS I wish I was one of the luckey few to make my picture even better Thumbs Up

**kal** · Posted: Mon Oct 20, 2008 9:14 pm Post subject:

Yup. I really like my WTS mods. Wink

Kal

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

I have the same projector for almost a year now! It must be a record for me!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I must be cured of upgrading.
I looked at the hours and I put almost 1300 in 10 months.
I have kept away from the forums and been enjoing 159" screen.

Am I still alive or just dreaming?