[Austin Meet] The end of an era.

Jonathan DA · 06-21-2006, 08:56 AM

My fellow HTFers...Long ago humankind set out on a dangerous journey that has led us from the [insert humanity's place of origin according to your belief system] from which we have clawed our way to the top of the food chain through an ever advancing state of technological improvements. From the first tools used to collect insects from rocks, to scythes, to the industrial revolution, where the west created its first real middle class. From there, steady advancements endowed us with such gifts as "free time", wherein technology also stepped in to occupy us with such marvelous inventions as radio, and eventually movies. The advent of movies, and later television, created an entire industry around entertaining the masses. In time, those masses lucky enough to be part of the middle class decided they could further improve the movie experience by recreating it at home. Early home theaters were crude by today's standards, with CRT projectors displaying video in dim 480i images. As technology marched on, home theater enthusiasts were struck by a peculiar disease--Upgraditis! Each and every technological advancement slightly improved the image on their beloved CRTs--line doublers, line triplers, laser disc! The possibilities were endless. Soon though, an entirely new projection technology arrived on the scene--the digital projector. LCD came first, then LCOS and DLP. Serious home theater enthusiasts scoffed at these early digitals with their lousy blacks and poor contrast. But as always happens, technology advanced and the digitals soon began replacing CRTs in HTs everywhere. A few brave souls continued the good fight though--hooking their CRTs up to high powered computers to created integrated playback/scaling systems that still bested all but the most expensive digitals. Time marched on. Technology advanced. And the day has finally come...the end of an era...

Edit: New Date--Sunday, July 9th, 2006 The Barco CRT begins a new life
Come see the final showing on a CRT projector at the Mirus Miniplex!
Get your souvenir photo taken with one of the last CRT projectors!
Tell stories of the "old days" when it took six people to mount a projector!

Mark Hayenga · 06-21-2006, 09:32 AM

I thought they were working you too hard to have the time to post like this?

Also, I'm assuming this means you pulled the trigger on the IN76? If so, I'm sure we can still manage a good half-dozen folks to put it on the ceiling and help calibrate it for you

And I wouldn't miss it for the world.

Jonathan DA · 06-22-2006, 10:44 PM

I haven't ordered the IN76 yet, but probably will once I get back from the July 4th weekend. The Barco is already sold, so it's definitely coming down.

Hank Frankenberg · 06-24-2006, 04:26 PM

Wow! Doc's longest post! This fellow trecker will be there if at all possible.

Mark Hayenga · 06-24-2006, 05:30 PM

I just had the mental image of Hank with Spock ears.

**HTF Ads**

Hank Frankenberg · 06-24-2006, 09:20 PM

Not trekkie, trekker. Pay attention boy. You know, I just had a thought: if you'd cut TV out of your daily activities, your IQ would increase, and you'd have time to find gainful employment. :-)

Live long and prosper.

Mark Hayenga · 06-24-2006, 09:30 PM

TV serves as background for the internet surfing mostly. Except for Futurama. LONG LIVE FUTURAMA!!!

Jonathan DA · 06-29-2006, 06:50 PM

Ok peeps, I have to change the date from Friday the 7th to Sunday the 9th.

I haven't seen many responses; where's the love? So far I have 4 confirmed, there's plenty o' room for more. We have to give the Barco a proper send off!

Mark Hayenga · 06-29-2006, 07:02 PM

"This is the way the Barco ends. Not with a bang, but a whimper."