CurtPalme.com Home Theater Forum

SisterOfMercy

The inevitable has happened, Barco is going to discontinue some/all of the CRT projectors they offer. This affects the 908 and 909 and probably the split pack versions as well:

http://www.seos.com/images/pr/pr169.pdf

I guess even the last applications (3d thingies with high refreshrates) for CRT have now been taken over by different techologies.

Zebu Fellenz · Joined: 21 Dec 2006 Posts: 2567

ecrabb · Posted: Sat Nov 29, 2008 6:39 pm Post subject:

Yes, VDC is still building projectors. But, he's right in one way - that you can now do almost all the things you could do with CRT better with digital projection. Higher resolution, higher brightness, a smaller and lighter package, and with little to no maintenance compared to CRT. CRT's are in use in a few commercial market segments now, but is in the process of being replaced (or already has been) in many of those segments.

Why? Well for starters, for comparable money to a new 909, you can get a Sony SXRD that will display 4096 x 2160. Obviously, high resolution is important in VR and sim markets. Then you have maintenance. Think of the ongoing maintenance involved with a sim or VR cave with a half-dozen or even a dozen CRT projectors in it. Then, consider the cost of that maintenance to the customer over 3 years.

CRT's days are numbered.

SC

Nashou66 · Joined: 12 Jan 2007 Posts: 16171 Location: West Seneca NY

I talked with Aferg,the guy who sold me those hybrid Thomas tubes that were used in a special PJ for the Navy, they switched to the Marquee recently and told me that the Military needs the simulation to be as real as possible,so to me that would say even though they could spend as much as they want that they still find CRT better than digital for Simulation purposes. He also services over 100 simulators and told me 95% are all CRT, Barco's,Marquee's Sonys and a few custom designed ones that will eventually be replaced with Marquees. it is sad that barco will be no more all that is CRT. I think this is good news for VDC, more Marquee sales in 2009, this means more chassis for us marquee boys for years to come, and you say i cant do the new hi rex 4 k stuff?With blends it will be possible for the mighty CRT.

Athanasios

**Curt Palme** · Posted: Sat Nov 29, 2008 9:25 pm Post subject:

Frankly it's good news for me. I'm already in negotiations with several companies that still have lots of Barcos to continue servicing them. It's also good news for VDC, as I can see the lifespan of Marquees now being extended for another few years.

Digitals suck!

SisterOfMercy · Posted: Sat Nov 29, 2008 9:25 pm Post subject:

Indeed, the costs don't matter. I also think a current model CRT needs very little maintenance. The CRTs are bought from the factory with hardware and coils. Installing them is not that hard then, and probably all taken care of in a service contract.

Probably the stupid management (I've read Dilbert, so management is always stupid) of Barco does not think it will be profitable enough to continue producing these things, or they have a supplier problem. Maybe they're running out of CRTs.

Or they are designing a newer and better CRT projector Wink

(dream on)

gcom007 · Posted: Sun Nov 30, 2008 1:49 am Post subject:

nomadII · Joined: 16 Jun 2006 Posts: 252

Ever tried to put a 909 in a Smart Car???

**Curt Palme** · Posted: Sun Nov 30, 2008 3:26 pm Post subject:

Sorry, even I as a CRT fanatic wouldn't bother installing a 909 in my car. Besides, isn't watching videos while driving illegal?

nomadII · Joined: 16 Jun 2006 Posts: 252

I see, we went from Smart Car to Smart *ss!

speedyandre · Joined: 18 Dec 2006 Posts: 291 Location: Netherlands

What's so smart about wanting to put a 909 in a Smart car?
Answering that is waste of time Rolling Eyes

André

Jester · Joined: 27 Jan 2008 Posts: 90 Location: Villa Park Ilinois

I think he was referring to the size versus digital not really trying to "install" one Smile

ecrabb · Posted: Sun Nov 30, 2008 10:04 pm Post subject:

Ya think?

SC

**Curt Palme** · Posted: Mon Dec 01, 2008 4:22 am Post subject:

I never read between the lines, I am a tech and call it like I see it.

Very Happy

deronmoped · Joined: 03 Nov 2006 Posts: 1154 Location: San Diego

I wonder if there was any effort put into making CRT's better over the last several years, or did they just keep selling old technology. It would be interesting to know what could be done with a CRT with all of today's technology thrown at it.

Deron.

**AnalogRocks** · Posted: Mon Dec 01, 2008 1:52 pm Post subject:

Jester · Joined: 27 Jan 2008 Posts: 90 Location: Villa Park Ilinois

Would that be the PJ in the smart car? Now I'm confused, wait no I am not .

ecrabb · Posted: Mon Dec 01, 2008 4:47 pm Post subject:

I'm not sure which would fit better - the 909 in the smart car, or the smart car in the 909.

SC

macgyver655 · Joined: 22 Aug 2007 Posts: 8508

**Curt Palme** · Posted: Mon Dec 01, 2008 4:58 pm Post subject:

THat's why us guys (and VERY select few women!) can communicate with each other. It's black and white. Most women are shades of gray.