CurtPalme.com Home Theater Forum

Botriechis · Joined: 06 May 2011 Posts: 9

Hello,

I use for a long time digital projectors and I intend to buy my first CRT projector for a secondary room. I hesitate between a BARCO BG801s (1000 hours, tubes in excellent condition, $300) and SonyD50QM (2500 hours tubes in excellent condition, $400). I know the technical differences (HScan, bandwidth, CRT size...) between both products, but what are the differences in terms of image (blacks depth, colorimetry)? I can't see the projectors working to compare them, then I allow to appeal to your skills. Wink

The device would be used with a HDFURY v.1 and a HTPC.

Sorry for my approximate English, I'm French Embarassed

Thank you in advance!

Bye.

**Curt Palme** · Posted: Sun May 29, 2011 4:03 am Post subject:

The D50 is newer and probably sharper, but the tubes are smaller and wear faster. you really need pictures of the tube faces. I've seen good D50 tubes at 5000 hours, but I've also seen worn ones at 2000 hours. It depends on how the sets were used. As for tube wear, the Barco is probably a safer buy at 1000 hours.

RaWsHaRk · Joined: 01 May 2009 Posts: 131 Location: Finland

I have both, and if the sony´s tubes really are in excellent condition (take the lenses off and look for burn, and test it with color patterns for uneven wear in the picture) they I would take the sony. I found the colors a little better in sony, its smaller and takes component straight in, and you can bolt on a dvi or hdmi- card if you want. also the remote is a lot cooler looking and great to adjust the pic.

in my case, my sony has a lot worse tubes than my barco so i now use that and the reliability and parts availability are much better than sony, for example I have now 3 sets of perfect tubes for the barco ( surely they will last longer than the rest of the machine, I only use it 400-500 hours a year) and I never could find good used tubes for the sony.

Botriechis · Joined: 06 May 2011 Posts: 9

Hello,

Thank you very much for your answer Curt.
I've only one photo of the BARCO's set ; I post it below.

For the D50, the owner doesn't know how to unsettle his projector but can just say to me that the tubes have 2500 hours and that the projector was always used in 16/9 in a dedicated room. I've on the other hand a photo of the projector and it's in a state close to the new.
You say that D50 is more sharper. Given that the focus is ES as on the BARCO and given that tubes are smaller, is it due to the quality of lenses?
Supposing that the tubes of D50 aren't worn, which projector you would choose?
Is it true that the colorimetry of Sony is generally better than that of Barco?

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Bye.

Botriechis · Joined: 06 May 2011 Posts: 9

Hello RaWsHaRk,

Thank you for this answer.

Both projectors are at 600-700km from my home, so I shall move only to take one and can't go to see the tubes of the Sony before... These tubes are necessarily more worn than those of the Barco but I don't know at which point. I effectively read that it was almost impossible to find the tubes P14LKJ03 of D50, while tubes 07MSP are very common...

It's certain that at these prices I don't take a big risk, but I don't want to be disappointed all the same!

But for you, on equal condition, D50 is better, without hesitation?

Bye.

**Curt Palme** · Posted: Sun May 29, 2011 3:45 pm Post subject:

If the D50 shows tube wear, then don't buy it. Go for the Barco.

Botriechis · Joined: 06 May 2011 Posts: 9

OK, it's what I had planned.
And if the D50 doesn't show tube wear (I doubt seen the sensibility of tubes), rather the Sony?

Thank you for your patience...

jantje112 · Joined: 17 Jul 2006 Posts: 328

Or keep an eye on local auctions. Enough really good deals lately, I would prefer à good d 50 on an 801. D50 is à really good design and looks very good in and outside

Botriechis · Joined: 06 May 2011 Posts: 9

That's what I do. But there are much fewer CRT projectors in France than in the U.S. or in Canada.

And the salers often ask too higher prices ; for example a Cine 7 with 8000h for $2500 or a Sony 1272 with worn set for $1000.
Thus I stay for the moment on these two projectors, proposed at attractive prices.

Bye.

**Curt Palme** · Posted: Mon May 30, 2011 12:12 am Post subject:

Funny, by comparison, i can get you a virtually new 140 hour Cine 7 for $1000 plus s\hipping. Smile

Botriechis · Joined: 06 May 2011 Posts: 9

Hello Curt,

Effectively that makes a big difference! In France, the salers think of having ''golden products''... I have just seen a Sony 1041 for $1100 and a Barco 701QM for $1200! Shocked

Finally I turned to a Barco 1208s with Sony tubes, 3500 hours, moderate green wear (rating 6) for $550. I posted a new topic.

Thanks to all for your help. Thumbs Up

David.