[analogueaddict]

Hello,

I am looking for some advice with regards to my old Vidikron VPF40SE CRT projector. This projector did some great service in my home theater for around 8 years, but for the last 3 years has been sitting around doing nothing. The problem is that the power supply has failed, and as this was one of the very few projector actually manufactured by Vidikron themselves, parts and service information has become very difficult to obtain.

The frustrating thing is that the tubes are in excellent condition with no burn in, and the rest of the projector was working perfectly right up to the point the PSU failed.

The tubes in this unit are 7" but are only SD resolution.

Is there any value in this unit anymore or should I just take it to the scrap heap? It seems such as shame as this Pinninfarina designed projector looks in mint condition, is there anyone in the UK who buys and breaks these units for parts and spares, or are there any companies left in the UK who specialise in servicing old Vidikron CRT units?

Thanks and best wishes,

Dave

[ovation1357]

Hi Dave,
I my opinion and recent experience, the only people with any interest in Standard Def projectors are folks who are trying to keep 'old faithful' running.

Folks seem to struggle to get even £100 for a fully working Barco 800 on eBay - Which will handle upscaled/higher-def video sources. I'll be selling my old BG800 soon an I don't expect I'll get much, despite it's capability to render 720p quite happliy.

Don't scrap your Vidikron yet though. I'd advertise it in the classifieds and see if anyone wants to make you an offer for spares. If it turns out that the tubes are the same as in a Barco/Sony/NEC/Marquee model then you might be able to sell the set, but I've even seen good 7" and 8" tubes advertised for peanuts lately which have not sold.

Everyone's dream is for a 9" machine, which the Barco 1209s a particular favourite. Even the great 8" models such as the BG808s seem to be of limited interest these days, which is such a shame.

IMO - 7" have lost people's interest because they're just not up to the high resolutions, and the market is limited for many of the 8" models due to a severe shortage of spare tubes (Barco/Marquee Green tubes at sensible prices are v.rare now).

I hope my BG808s will see me through at least the next 10 years :-)

Good luck shifting your PJ - It'd be a shame to see it go into landfill.

Cheers
Jonathan

[Barcoing Mad]

Also, in general you need to step up to a 9" machine for liquid coupling to be standard (it's not so common on 8"). The desire for decent ANSI contrast takes people away from the smaller AC tubes.