From: michael@sunbeam.ksc.nasa.gov (Michael D. Myjak x7-3286)
Newsgroups: rec.video
Subject: Re: Sony Projctr Questions
Date: 5 Nov 92 18:48:13 GMT
Article-I.D.: sunbeam.MICHAEL.92Nov5104813
Organization: NASA, Kennedy Space Center, FL.
In-reply-to: doug@hparc0.aus.hp.com's message of Wed, 4 Nov 1992 02:41:03 GMTLines: 113


   Well, I finally managed to get my hands on a front projector.  My company
   had a Sony VPH-1030QM sitting around with about 8 hours total usage on it's
   "clock", for about 6 years, and they sold it to me.

   Now I'm trying to learn all about it.  

!st order of buisness is to purchase a copy of Sony's repair and
maintenance manual for this unit. This will provide you with the
correct mounting, setup, & convergence procedures.  

   [...]
   Well, the Red and Green tubes are sharp, but the blue tube seems slightly
   fuzzy.  When I look into the lens at the tube itself while displaying the 
   test pattern, I can discern individual dots in the red and green guns, but
   not in the blue tube.  The blue tube also seems to project a fuzzier line.

What you are seeing is one of two things: 1) the electronic focus is
slightly out of wack, or 2) that the normal operation for blue.  By
the latter, I mean that blue phosphor is the hardest to produce...
with somewhere around 6% efficiency. (green is the easiest at 56% and
red is slightly less at 48%) So the blue gun is driven harder, and as
a side-effect, there is always a little more splatter. At least thats
the way it was explained to me by ARt Tucker, inventor of the
liquid-cooled projection tube.

   Does this warrant replacing the blue tube?  I would have expected the green
   tube to go first, since it's pushed the most.

Probably not. Wait until you get the system electrically and
mechanically converged before you make that determination. It sounds
like you picked up a good system.


   Next:  The front panel has several connections:  a 9 or 15 pin D-connector
   labelled RGB-1, a SCART labelled RGB-2, a BNC Video-In and Video-Out, and
   a round thing with lots of pins.

   It doesn't have a y/c (s-connector) port, so my question is:  Can I utilize
   the SCART port for a better signal from my y/c out on my laserdisc player, or
   is there a standard modification that can be used?

No, YC is something that has come about receintly with the advent of
S-VHS and ED Beta. Besides, its only truely useful where tape to tape
recording is concerned... and is of doubtful usefulness where the
output is going to device where Y/C integration is going to take place
anyway. (read its more marketing hype then technical wizardry.)

As for the RGB ports, its possible that your unit is capable of
CGA/EGC/VGA graphics... exactly which ones I dunno. However, Sony
should be able to tell you what these are for... then again if you
purchase the manual you will know...  including pin-outs.

   Also, Can I connect my PC into the RGB D-port?  If so, do I need a special 
   PC card or will the standard VGA signal work?

As above. 

   [...]

   I took the cover off because I am contemplating mounting the unit on the
   ceiling.  However, I can't find any obvious switch anywhere to invert the
   picture.  Anyone have any clues as to it's whereabouts?

you will need the operations/setup and/or maintenance manual. really.

   On the same subject, the Sony store showed me the prices on the other bits
   of hardware necessary to ceiling mount:

   the plate thing that you bolt to the ceiling, then connect the projector to,
   costs $800 Australian;
   the extra box that you connect to allow remote control of the projector, $800,
   a glass bead 100" screen, $2000.00.

When I began designing media and conference rooms, I found that Sony
prices for mounting hardware to be why out of line with other
manufacturers... especially when I could fabricate something
(anything) NEW and it cost less then half of what sony wanted. Even
including labor.  As for the screen... don't get a glass bead screen.
There are much better products out now and Glass is not the most
efficient one.  One manufacturer has a screen material that has a
cooef. of reflectivity in the neighborhood of 4. Glass beaded screens
are in the neighborhood of 1. That translates to a picture that
appears to be 4 times brighter. Besides, for home use you will want a
flat, wall mounted screen anyway.

   [...]
   Also, what are people's thoughts on screens?  I understand there are at least
   3 types - glass beaded, plain, and some-expensive-type.  Can anyone elaborate?

Well, none of them are cheap, but even the highest quality flat screen
is under $2000. If you need one, here is a contact for screens and such:

	Ben Burson, III
        of Technical Education Services
        Austin, Texas..
        (512) 452-3060

Either Ben or his father (Ben !) can assist you in acquiring the
proper information. Ben might be able to even help you with Sony
manual and proper installation...  although I don't know familiar he
is with the Sony VPH-1030QM.

Good luck...

--
- Michael D. Myjak			
  Senior Technical Specialist, Systems Analyst
  McDonnell Douglas Space Systems Company
  Kennedy Space Center, Fl., 32815
  MYJAK@TITAN.KSC.NASA.GOV

Gravity. It's not just a good idea. Its the LAW!