CurtPalme.com Home Theater Forum

logan90 · Joined: 08 Mar 2006 Posts: 9 Location: Puget Sound

Hello All,
I've been a lurker here for quite some time, and am about to embark on my first "real" all out theater, and am in a quandry as to which PJ to hang. I have had a few CRT machines, ranging from a Barco 650data, Barco Retro 808s and Sony 1272, all of which I have set up and enjoyed to one degree or another.(BD650 being the öther") A few years ago, I planned this theater, and bought an Ampro 4200 from Curt with mint tubes, but family illness and other priorities kept me from the build-out. In the meantime I came across a mint Runco 992 Ultra for cheap so I bought it.
Well now here I am. I have absolutely squat for experience with Ampro's set-up interface, and what little I played with it, my recollection was that it was not nearly as intuitive as either the Barco's or Sony, and to be honest I'm half scared of the thing. I do however love the thought of the big 9"tubes. The Runco on the other hand has color corrected lenses, and I'm fairley proficient with the Barco set-up.
The theater specs are as follows: 14"x20", no windows. 8'-9' SMX a/t screen.
I see here that the feelings run hot or cold on the Ampro's, but Curt seems to have faith in them, and he is close, and has offered to help with set-up. The wired remote bugs me a bit. The Runco wins hands down in the physical appearance dept. but with a little TLC and Krylon I can probably fix that. I just don't want to have to fuss with it too much, and if I have to fuss with it I would prefer to know how. BUT, the Ampro's a 9".
Other option, trade both Ampro and Runco in on Runco 1101 or Marquee 9500 or clone.
What say you.
Thanks,
Jeff

dturco · Posted: Sat Oct 10, 2009 1:58 pm Post subject:

The least expensive route would be use what you have. Curt just uploaded an Ampro video on the set up.

http://curtpalme.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=17863

Trading the 2 P/J's in would still mean some cash outlay I'd think. But a Marquee 9500 is a very nice machine, very robust, forgiving and hard to break, [unless you drop something]. Plus there's the Moome card and the LC's and most of all support from all of the marquee guys here.

So I haven't helped at all.

macgyver655 · Joined: 22 Aug 2007 Posts: 8508

AH ha. This is a no brainer. Use the Ampro for sure. You will then be able to enjoy a superior image. Smile

And dont be afraid of setup. There are many on here that can help talk you through it......

ecrabb · Posted: Sat Oct 10, 2009 4:39 pm Post subject:

I agree with macgyver... If you have a 9" LC/EM machine, go with it. It's going to be the best 1080p machine by far. I'm sure Curt has parts for it and can keep you running for years if you have any trouble.

I wouldn't bother going to the trouble of trading machines and buying another... You'll burn a whole bunch of money just on shipping, and unless you spend a lot of money to upgrade an LC 9500 Ultra, PQ is not going to be significantly superior... At least, not enough to justify all the trouble and expense - IMHO. Unless, you have money to burn... Then, by all means damn the torpedoes, full speed ahead, and get a 9500LC Ultra and a RadianceXD! Wink

SC

**AnalogRocks** · Posted: Sat Oct 10, 2009 4:44 pm Post subject:

stefuel · Posted: Sat Oct 10, 2009 5:28 pm Post subject:

What lenses are on the 4200? That makes a huge difference for this experiment.
Do your homework for deciding optimum screen size for the lenses installed. Set the projector on the floor pointing it square at a white wall to the required projection distance. Set the projector to table mount front projection. Hook a source to it at a reasonable resolution to practice with. A couple of easy resolutions to learn on is 800X600 or 1024X768. With the source running, turn on the projector and wait for it to boot up. Press the "HELP" button and follow the instructions.
If you can follow instructions, continue. If you can't follow instruction, badmouth it then buy a digital or a Barco. Wink

logan90 · Joined: 08 Mar 2006 Posts: 9 Location: Puget Sound

Hi Gents,
Thanks for the input. I kind of thought that would be the advice I got, but I guess I just wanted to hear it from some who knew more than I. I am fairly adept with electronics, as I am an industrial electrician by trade, but I'm also a little lazy, and the thought of overcoming the learning curve between the devils I knew vs the devil I didn't bugged me. I'll pick Curts brain, and the video, (thanks dturco), and off I go. I've got a Forouja NRS at 1024 x 768 and an HDLEEEZA. I'll get a FuryII for the Native HD content, and probably use the Leeza for sd scaling and switching. Haven't a clue what I'll do with the Runco. I'd put it on a hand truck and call it my portable, but the RG808s already has wheels so that spots taken.
Thanks,
Jeff

logan90 · Joined: 08 Mar 2006 Posts: 9 Location: Puget Sound

P.S.
AnalogRocks- If the pic is representitive, I stand corrected. Thanks ladies and gents.

**AnalogRocks** · Posted: Sat Oct 10, 2009 5:52 pm Post subject:

loudmouse2 · Joined: 30 Sep 2009 Posts: 72 Location: Portland, Oregon

Susan Saint James, Sally McMillan, McMillan and Wife.
Do I win a 9" projector?

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

Yepp, do as the rest say and mount the Ampro.

Nashou

dturco · Posted: Sat Oct 10, 2009 6:57 pm Post subject:

loudmouse2 · Joined: 30 Sep 2009 Posts: 72 Location: Portland, Oregon

But I still win the 9" projector?

dturco · Posted: Sat Oct 10, 2009 7:23 pm Post subject: