CurtPalme.com Home Theater Forum

[Kevinp]

Hi all,

I'm fairly new to CRT projectors. Some time ago I bought a projector (Barco Data 500) from my colleague, who was upgrading to a 701. I temporarily set it up to project the picture on a clear white wall with the projector sitting on a small table. I fiddled around with the settings and screw adjustments and managed to produce a reasonable picture quality.


However, recently I moved to a new place, so I decided to make my living room a home cinema. The thing is that, while planning, I discovered that there was a nifty thing called 'the Lens Calculator', but this doesn't support my projector.
I haven't bought a screen yet, and I have a large living room thus lots of freedom to configure my new setup. I also have access to a CNC milling machine, so I can fabricate my own custom ceiling mounting brackets. And last, but not least, a girlfriend who approves to all of this.

But where to begin? Should I just order a (rather large) projector screen and see where this adventure takes me? Suppose that I would buy a 4:3 screen, 120 inches across. Can I just position the projector so that the lenses are about 3.2 meters (10.5 ft) from the screen? Of course I'm a little worried about the phosphor usage issue.

Can anyone give me advice on this matter? It would be greatly appreciated ....

(There's also a small issue concerning a deformed upper left corner, but I will bother you with that later ... )



Kevin

edit: to justify the topic title, is there a way to make the software work with a Data 500?

[Ile]

Don't go too large with BD500, light output is not so great.

Some older lens program versions (v1-v9) might have 500 listed.

Oldest I have is v10 and that have 650 listed. It have same tubes and lenses that 500, so calculations should be pretty close.

This could be some of those older version.
http://www.lynxxx.nl/barco/downloads.asp

Can't see that page from work to verify.

[Curt Palme]

Forget the calculator IMHO. The throw is 1.4 X the width of the screen. 120" wide is too large for the set, start with 72" wide, maybe 84".

Your friend didn't upgrade, the 500 is just about the same set. Same tubes, same lenses, and chances are the 500 will scan higher. Read the FAQ section for the power supply solder joints that you should reflow, a common problem with the set.

The bend in the image/convergence is most likely a convergence board problem. Probably not worth repairing, it's a very complex board.

[Curt Palme]

Forget the calculator IMHO. The throw is 1.4 X the width of the screen. 120" wide is too large for the set, start with 72" wide, maybe 84".

Your friend didn't upgrade, the 500 is just about the same set. Same tubes, same lenses, and chances are the 500 will scan higher. Read the FAQ section for the power supply solder joints that you should reflow, a common problem with the set.

The bend in the image/convergence is most likely a convergence board problem. Probably not worth repairing, it's a very complex board.

[Kevinp]

Thanks a lot for the replies, much appreciated. Will go to work next week!