I am a member of the club at last!!!

[Phil Hinton]

Well my Barco Data 800 CRT was installed today by Rolands Brooks.

The picture and install is first rate (as good as it can be without a scaler, that will come later).

Many thanks to Roland who spent the whole day setting up, clamping the unit to the ceiling etc etc. A first rate install and i highly recommend his services to anyone looking for a used crt or install.

I have been enjoying some of my favourite movies on the big screen tonight(90"x60") and enjoying every minute. I will need a scaler sometime in the future( quadscan?) and have my pc through the projector at the moment but cannot get a performance i am happy with at the moment from the htpc.

I have been taking photos today of the install and room fitting. I would recommend the route i have taken to dedicated room on a budget. Believe it or not the entire cost of audio, video and room decoration cost less than £3,000! And it is worth many times that in performance. If you go looking for the bargains they are there, as long as you have the basics of what to look for.(this price includes instal costs!)<br />Heres a run down of the rough costing so you can see for yourself.<br />Amp. Yamaha DSP-A2 £450 (new from dealer)<br />Spkrs. Kef Cresta 2 two pairs, and centre £300<br />Sub. Rel Storm £450 (new from dealer)<br />Panasonic A160 Multi region £180 (new)<br />Barco Data 800 £600 (used private sale)<br />16:9 dalite fixed frame screen (used) £200.<br />Others (paint,cables,install costs etc) £650.

Some items were real bargains, and it has taken about 18 months to get everything together, but it was well worth it!

Good hunting folks, a dedicated room doesn't need to cost the earth, it is within your reach.

I am so happy with my new toys... <img src="biggrin.gif" border="0"> <img src="biggrin.gif" border="0">

[Roland @ B4]

Phil<br />You are too kind.

Thanks for the endless cups of coffee.

<img src="graemlins/blush.gif" border="0" alt="[Blush]" />

[Mr.D]

Nice one phil glad it turned out well.

[Paul D]

Great news Phil! <img src="smile.gif" border="0"> <br />I hope to follow soon...<br />I may hear some news tonight as to which projector i may go for.<br />I have sorted out all my DVDs, ready for re-watching!. <img src="graemlins/evil.gif" border="0" alt="[Evil]" /> <br />God i miss not having a PJ... <img src="frown.gif" border="0">

[jlcrawford]

Hi Guys <br />I must say thanks for the informative trip to Phil's to watch his install come together.<br /> However it kinda got me in trouble as I told the wife I was going out for a couple of hours and retuned seven later.<br /> Dont know whether it was the stimulating conversation or the chance to drink coffee with full cream milk that kept me there-Cheers

[Tim Cooper]

Hi Phil,

Glad to hear you have finally got your dream to fruition,I hope it gives you much pleasure.

Cheers

Tim

Phil

Congratulations on the purchase of such a quality projector at such a low price! I'm sure it will provide you with many hours of entertainment, looking at the pictures of your install it looks like you've got it in your main living room, how on earth did you manage that one?

With regard to your picture quality. As an ex Quadscan owner I'm curious as why your picture is not up to snuff with your pc, it should provide you with the best picture going, definitely better than a Quadscan. What is it that you are not happy with?

[Phil Hinton]

Gary,

The projector is in a dedicated room which used to be a large bedroom (i moved into the small bedroom- sacrifice worth it i think)

As for the PC it doesn't have AGP slots to add a better graphics card, and DVD playback is very poor for gitter etc even at 75hz(pal) and 72hz(ntsc) although the line tripled picture is obviously better. I will be looking to upgrade the PC, but for ease of use i may settle for a quadscan. My mind is still open regarding this.

[Simon55]

Would be bvest if you just went out and got a decent socket a mobo and d800 chip, this would only set u back about £100 all in including some decent ram, then all you would need is a decent gfx card, the radeon 64ddr vivo is one of the best for this type of application

[ATUL]

Phil welcome to the crt club.

You will have to watch all your DVD collection again now that you have a excellent set up.

<br />Atul.

atul1@aol.com