CurtPalme.com Home Theater Forum

mikeb23ft · Joined: 03 May 2009 Posts: 16

So, I currently have a 60" Philips RPCRT HDtv. It was bottom of the line even when it was new and it's just not that great of a TV. I've always wanted a projector and I'm starting to think about making the jump. I'm severely restrained by my budget, though- I'm a 23 year old delivery driver. I'll probably be spending somewhere in the neighborhood of 800 dollars on the entire setup. Yes. 800 dollars for an entire CRT projector setup. Including a screen of some sort. I think it's possible.

I've already got the audio portion and display devices. I already have an Eyeone LT. I just need to get the actual projector, screen, cabling, and setup worked out for somewhere in that price range. Also, virtually everything that I watch on my TV is 16:9 or greater- never watch any 4:3, don't have cable or sat and don't want it. Here are my two ideas-

1- Optoma D65 DLP PJ or similar. About 700 dollars on eBay, basically plug n' play setup. The disadvantage is that it's digital, and no 1080i. I really like appreciate deep blacks and smooth images with no pixels, and digital projectors don't really offer that. It would be awfully easy, though.

2 (my favorite)- "Entry Level" CRT PJ. I'd like something that can run 720p and 1080i on an 8-ish ft screen. It seems to me that the NEC GP3000 for sale from Curt for $200.00 would do this, and with the addition of an HDFury II with Gamma Boost, I could come in right around 600 dollars for the entire projector and still have money left for a cheap HDMI switcher and a screen solution. Is there anything glaringly wrong with that plan? Something I'm overlooking?

If anyone else has a suggestion for a different CRT projector than the ones I listed, I'd be happy to hear them! I really want to get this going for less than 800 dollars.

**AnalogRocks** · Posted: Sun May 17, 2009 6:02 am Post subject:

Go with the HDFury1 and save some money.

For a CRT projector go with the Sony 1251 or the ECP 3100
They will light up an 8 foot screen Ok but would look much better at 7 feet wide.

The NEC3000 is kinda old as compared to those.

rabies_70 · Posted: Sun May 17, 2009 8:08 am Post subject:

I am of the opinion that you can definitely get a setup for less than 800. As long as you are willing to hunt for the good deal you'll be LOVING your low budget HT.

Craigslist is your friend. Projectors can be had for less than 300.00. Ask jkruger what he bought an 1100 for, like 250.00 USD. I bought a Barco Data800 with 20 hrs, perfect tubes and a stupid focus eye thing still new in the box for 20.00. Curts deal at 200 is a steal with his customer support its a no brainer BAM! Spend a week reading how to set it up and a weekend setting it up and voila! Watching movies.

It won't be Cliff's stack or Ginos PQ, but you will never look the same at a cheap digital PJ, or even look at a stinky covered in god knows what theater seat to watch an overpriced crappy cinematic experience again either.

Twisted Evil

Then you really get bit with the bug. You'll see Twisted Evil

perisoft · Joined: 29 Aug 2007 Posts: 2920 Location: Ithaca, NY

I've spent $600 on an entire HT, including lighting, paint, audio, carpet, screen, projector, and modifications to said projector. I got an 84" electric Stewart Ultramatte 130 for $-120. Yes, NEGATIVE $120. I picked up a Zenith Pro900x with the screen (somewhat broken) on Freecycle, fixed the screen, and parted out the PJ.

If you take some time and dig around craigslist and freecycle, you can get absolutely smoking deals on stuff.

And here's my $300 BG808s after swapping in newer (free!) tubes:

It all depends on how much time/effort you want to put in to wrench every bit of performance what you can afford. If I were you, I'd plan out your overall priorities regarding audio / environment / time / effort before jumping on a PJ.

Kiev Savoie · Joined: 25 Oct 2007 Posts: 432

These guys are right. if you have patience there are great deals to be had. on the other hand if you set your sights a little higher and go with a slightly higher end pj from curt you would have the assurance of a thoroughly checked over unit and great customer support. if i were you i would put priority on the projector even if you have to wait a little while to purchace other components like the screen (a white wall works well enough to start with). personally i have always started with the cheapest solution i could find and then upgraded later... with the next cheapest upgrade i could find. this has allowed me to develop an eye for a good picture and really appreciate my little upgrades, it is a hobby after all and i feel i have been able to educate myself better using this strategy.
good luck!

ecrabb · Posted: Sun May 17, 2009 3:19 pm Post subject:

It depends on where you live whether there are some good deals to be had on craigslist or freecycle. If you're in LA, Denver, Atlanta, or some other metro area, it shouldn't take long at all to find a good cheap projector. In my area (central Iowa) in a measly 500,000 or so small metro area, it's pretty rare that a CRT projector ever comes up... Usually a couple of times a year. So, depending on where you live, it could work.

If you're not in a position to learn, watch, shop, and try to score on a local deal, then one of Curt's machines would be a good bet. A 1251 for $400 wouldn't be bad, but the shipping will make it more expensive. Email Curt and see what he'll do for you if you want to go that route.

SC

**Curt Palme** · Posted: Sun May 17, 2009 3:51 pm Post subject:

Post your location. Frankly, with the lot of new tubes that I'm getting in next week, I can probably get you into a slightly worn tube NEC PG for under $800, just so I can clear out some stock here, or a new tube ECP including shipping for WAY under $800. That would leave enough for shipping and an HDFury.

perisoft · Joined: 29 Aug 2007 Posts: 2920 Location: Ithaca, NY

FWIW, I had a 1271 at the same time I was setting up my bg808, and really like it. It had 4k on the (ES) tubes, so it was fairly soft, but the colors were great even without much in the way of calibration. They were so much better than the stock 808 that I moved heaven and earth to find a way to color-filter the 808; I couldn't stand the picture after seeing the 1271!

For a small screen as 12xx is probably a pretty good bet, particularly if it comes from Curt well-set-up.

Personally, I think a big part of the equation would be:

1) How much / how good audio stuff do you have? Audio is insanely important.
2) What will be your ability to gradually add on to the HT in the future? If you can get a new sub this month, some fabric for the walls/ceiling next month, etc, then better to spend your big chunk up front on the PJ and improve as you go. If this is a last-ditch, "this is it" kinda thing, then you need to approach differently.

As far as the DLP goes, if you're on a budget, lamp costs lamp costs lamp costs. I originally went to CRT just so I didn't have to worry about losing my HT when the bulb went and I didn't have $300 to get a new one.

And for the budget range you're in, I think CRT is still a big, big winner. Up around $2500 it gets a lot dicier depending on your propensity for fiddling and setup.

mikeb23ft · Joined: 03 May 2009 Posts: 16

Thanks for all the help.

Location- Columbia, SC, 29203.

Audio gear I've got (for my HT, anyway)
- Entry level Yamaha 5.1 receiver using optical digital audio.
- 1966 Wharfedale W70e mains.
- Older, small Cambridge (Kloss) rears.
- Crappy center channel speaker that came with the Yamaha (that I do need to upgrade, yeah, I forgot.)

Other than the center channel, I'm happy with that setup for now. The weak link in my chain is definitely the TV. It doesn't look bad, really, it just takes up a ton of space and limits the way I can set up the room. This is my living room, by the way.

I think I'll have to mount the PJ on the floor until I move- trying to buy a little place in the next few months, or rent something a little larger. This is another factor- I don't really want to have to move the TV. Even a heavy CRT PJ would be easier.

I have no idea what I'm going to do about a screen. I rent the place and can't really paint the wall. Probably just get a basic pull down type deal. I've still got alot to learn before I actually make a purchase, but I'm getting there. I may wind up selling my TV, moving, then buying the PJ to save myself the hassle of setting up a projector in a house I'm about to move out of.

greg_mitch · Joined: 03 May 2006 Posts: 5320

Elaine Benes · Joined: 25 Apr 2006 Posts: 1416

ecrabb · Posted: Mon May 18, 2009 7:28 am Post subject:

perisoft · Joined: 29 Aug 2007 Posts: 2920 Location: Ithaca, NY

mikeb23ft · Joined: 03 May 2009 Posts: 16

Yeah, I actually have the sub that came with the receiver. It's nothing fancy but I have the receiver set to push bass through the Wharfedales also, and they have 12 inch drivers that provide plenty of bass when used with the subwoofer. Boom.

I'm in PA this week and a guy who I believe is a forum member here is selling a Barco Data 400 for 100 dollars. I'm going to go check it out one day this week and see what I think. If it's what I'm looking for I might buy it and drag it home. If I decide I want to hang on for EM focusing 8" tubes, though, I'll be back where I started. We'll see. Can a Data 400 hang with a 8ft diagonal 16:9 screen, or would I need to downsize to a teeny tiny 7 foot display if I go with the 400?

I'm also thinking about getting the Moome HDMI card with DeepColor support as opposed to the HDFury II. Just so I can have a "future proof" card when I eventually update the projector in a few years, and it's 50 dollars less than the HDFury with Gammaboost.

perisoft · Joined: 29 Aug 2007 Posts: 2920 Location: Ithaca, NY

Oh nononononononononno! Stay away from the BD400. That's almost as weak as it gets. You have to twiddle knobs to converge the thing - STAY AWAY unless it's free, and even then it might not be worth it!

ecrabb · Posted: Mon May 18, 2009 9:57 pm Post subject:

Yeah, that machine is major bottom-of-the barrel. There are quite a few digitals I'd pay good money for (shudder!) before I used a BD400 that I got for free. You should be able to find something MUCH better than that for not much more money.

mikeb23ft · Joined: 03 May 2009 Posts: 16

Mr. Green · Posted: Mon May 18, 2009 10:47 pm Post subject:

I agree with most. The 12XX series or the ECP's would be a cheap way to go and have $$ left over for a center channel and Fury.

I'd stay away from the really old machines too.

If you are willing to spend a bit more, a nice PG from Curt with "good" tubes could be nice. My first projector was a 9PG+ and it does 1080i really nicely at 8 feet wide (it's a bit brighter than the ECP or 12XX). However, the learning curve is REALLY steep. If you want the ease of setup, stick with the sony 12xx series or ECP or maybe even that a Barco Graphics 800 he's selling. Those can be had fairly cheaply and are easier to set up. Another nice thing is the ECP especially is a small and light projector (for CRT). Spend a few hundred on one of those and save up for a better machine later. Just keep putting money away and maybe a year from now you might run across a sweet deal and have the money ready.

Let us know if you need any other info.

Welcome to the party! Thumbs Up

Elaine Benes · Joined: 25 Apr 2006 Posts: 1416

There are two NEC XG's on ebay RIGHT NOW, and neither is more than $300., and those are BUY IT NOW prices, not opening bids. A DWIN 700 just sold for $152. on the bay...

All of the projectors you've mentioned as prospective purchases, while cheap, are the absolute bottom of the barrel and should be avoided pretty much at all costs...(ie. Barco 400, NEC GP3000, and in my opinion, ALL ECP's too...)

Buy a good quality projector with suspect tubes if you want cheap, being new to the crt front projections *game*, tube condition won't bother you nearly as much as it might after you've owned one for a few months. Personally, some wear on tubes still doesn't bother me AT ALL, even after 10 years of this hobby and hundreds of different projectors.

In a few years, you'll likely go digital, so why bother spending money now on a device(HD Fury II or Moome) that you ONLY need for an analog crt projector ??

Mr. Green · Posted: Mon May 18, 2009 11:46 pm Post subject:

What do you have agains't the ECP's?