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Late Model Barco Performance Mods (Barco2)
>> What projectors can be modified
with Barco2 mods?
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What improvements do these Barco2 mods offer?
The Barco2 mods offer the following image quality enhancements to the Port 5 (RGBHV BNC) input:
- Better black level, gamma, and shadow detail - even during bright scenes. Details previously lost in the shadows/background can now be seen!
- Increased sharpness, allowing the projector to run at higher resolutions with increased detail without scan-line overlapping.
- Better, more accurate colours.
- Reduced blooming at higher contrasts, giving the picture more 'punch'.
- Increased bandwidth.
These improvements are accomplished by:
- Cleaning up the sync pulses to eliminate residual noise on the sync lines from getting into the video chain.
- Introducing better sync pulse management to upgrade the video chain from one that was designed for VESA computer graphics, to one required for today's high performance HDTV signals.
- Upgrading and changing necessary components to maintain the absolute best DC offset and black level reference during subtle to harsh scene changes.
- ON HOLD* (see below): Modifying and replacing the entire video front end section on the port 3 board to offer the exact same high performance characteristics as the improved port 5 input.
- Adding precision calibrated pulse reference pots for the most accurate HDTV performance possible.
Note: These mods work perfectly with add-on DVI modules such as John's BG-DVI module that connects to the Port 3 board.
The existing port 5 (5 BNC) and port 3 (DB9) connectors continue to function
as before after the modifications are in place, thus providing the end user with
a high quality RGBHV port 5 input and the existing Port 3 input. No other changes to the video chain in your home
theater are
necessary.
All boards are tested and pre-calibrated by Mike Parker's team prior to being
shipped back the owner. The only adjustments that the owner will have to perform
upon re-installing the boards will be a basic brightness and contrast adjustment
to compensate for the changes made to the boards. Basic installation
instructions will be provided with the returned boards.
These mods represent years of cumulative research and development which result in extracting the highest possible performance out of Barco projectors for use in a high definition home theater environment. Barco2 mods are not simple component replacements. They are complete circuit redesigns of the signal path using custom printed circuit boards that are attached to your existing boards. Each set of mods is then perfectly hand-tuned by Mike himself. Only the latest in available electronics technology is used.
* Mike has suspended port 3 mods for now, because he is not able to confirm how well they work with the test unit. So at present, the port 3 part of the mod is not being done. Do not send in your port 3 board. When the time comes when he can get back to the port 3 card, it will be made available to those who have purchased the mods.
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What boards do I need to send to Mike Parker?
Six boards must be removed from the projector and sent to Mike Parker for modification. These boards are:
- RGB Input & Switching board (Barco part number R762719)
- RGB Driver board (Barco part number R762720)
- RGB Analog Auto Sync Input board [aka Port 3 board] (Barco part number R7621055)
- All three 120Mhz black neck-boards (Barco part number R762746)*
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| R762719: RGB Input & Switching board | R762720: RGB Driver board |
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| R762746: The three 120Mhz black neck-boards (connected to the CRT tubes)* |
* If you own a Barco Data 808s you will be sending in your 75Mhz silver neck-boards (R7621735) instead. They are different from the 120Mhz ones depicted here. For a picture of the 75Mhz neck-boards, see here.
The boards must be in good working order prior to being sent to Mike Parker for modification.
Please ensure that your projector boards have matching part numbers before purchasing Barco2 mods. The Barco part numbers are printed on little stickers affixed to the boards. An example is shown below:
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What's the best way to package my boards for shipment?
To properly package your boards for shipment, wrap each board separately in
at least three layers of the large bubble wrap and place them in a box. Use
bubble wrap with large 1" bubbles if possible. The thinner wrap with 1/4" bubbles doesn't
protect the board well (you'll need to use a lot more). Electronic anti-static bags are not necessary.
Boards individually wrapped in multiple layers of big bubble wrap are well protected
from shocks and bumps. Put the packaged board into a snug fitting box, or use
more bubble wrap to fill the box so the boards don’t bang around in transit.
How do you know if you packed it tight enough? When you give the box a good shake and turn it over
in all directions, the contents inside should not
shift or slide at all.
Please ensure to package your boards properly for shipment. Printed circuit boards are relatively fragile. It is not uncommon for parts to be sheared off if the boards are not packaged properly. Mike Parker cannot be held responsible for boards he receives that are damaged beyond repair due to improper packaging.
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Pricing / Place your order
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Disclaimers:
The purchaser is responsible for the costs
associated with shipping the boards to Mike's team in Maryland USA for
modifications as well as any taxes/VAT/duties when the boards are returned.
The purchaser must be willing to
accept that their boards will be retro fitted with components that are not part of the original Barco design. This retro process also includes the
proprietary protection of the design and parts being used in the upgrade
process. As such, Mike Parker will be covering certain sections of the boards
with a concealment material (potting). This process is not reversible. Once the
mods are ordered and the process begins, there cannot be a cancellation and
refund. All sales are final.
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Reviews and Testimonials
"First impressions from a Barco 1208s/2 (8") projector:1) Very noticeable improvement in spot
size and sharpness increase over the OEM boards.
2) Color - more vibrant and detailed.
3) No blooming from 0-100 Contrast.
4) INKY BLACKS - even with high Brightness in the image (aka Sin City).
5) NO Issues with running 1080p - if it is not fully resolved, the overlap is
so slight that it is not an issue.
...On a side note this [Barco 1208s/2] is one of the sharpest 8"
projectors out there - the G70 has an edge in color - but the 1208s/2 is sharp
as a tack. It was amazing to me to be able to clearly see an improvement in
sharpness with Mike's Boards. I expected the improvement in Black level and
low-end gamma (one area that needs help with Barco - all projectors actually).
But even at 100 contrast the Blacks held together...
...Not to bash 9" projectors - but the difference between my MP modded 1208s/2
and Clarence's G90 is fairly slight. And are actually more on the color side
than the image resolution side. Honestly at this point I am looking at a HD
Scaler (not just a loaner) to be able to view 1080p from Cable - all the time.
So - Once you have upgraded your projector with MP mods - your next upgrade will
need to be either color correction and/or Video Signal (aka 1080p scaler)
upgrade...
Long Live the 8" projector!"
- Pete (forum member Z-photo)
Barco2 Tester
__________________
"After seeing several mods on several projectors, it has always been a challenge
to quantify the improvement. I usually look for some clear discriminator or
scenario that presents a repeatable improvement, and my rule of thumb is that it
has to be significant enough for my wife to be able to see the difference and
consistently pick the mod as "better".
For example, in the latest mods I was previewing [Mike Parker Barco2], a clear discriminator was any fine detailed text at 1920x1080. With the stock cards, the text is sharp at 60Hz, but gets soft at 72Hz. Insert the mods. The same text is sharp at 60Hz and is now also sharp at 72Hz.
Is that 200% improvement? I don't know. But I'm comfortable in finding and demonstrating a repeatable objective threshold like that... achieving sharpness at 1080p at 72Hz is a critical practical improvement over being limited to 1080p@60."
- Clarence
Barco2 Tester
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q: How can I be sure that my Barco projector can be modified with Barco2 mods?
A: Any Barco projector with the following Barco board part numbers may be modified
with Barco2 mods: R762719 (RGB Input), R762720 (RGB
Driver), and R762746 (120Mhz black
neckboards).
Q: My projector isn't listed, I don't have these boards in my projector, but I want these mods! What can I do?
A: Alternate Barco1 performance modifications are offered shortly that cover earlier Barco units. More information can be found on our Barco1 mods page.
Q: I have the boards required in my projector but my
projector isn't listed as a model that is supported. What can I do?
A: Contact pre-sales support at info@MPmods.com with your projector model information and board numbers and we will let you know what your options are. Odds are we simply forgot to list your model as being supported.
Q: My projector is listed as one of the models that is supported, but my board
numbers are different from the boards that are required.
What can I do?
A: Contact pre-sales support at info@MPmods.com with your projector model information and board numbers and we will let you know what your options are. Barco is known to have a few variations in their board numbers so likely you will still be ok.
Q: How long does the mod'ing of the boards take?
A: Turn around time from the moment the boards are received to the time they are shipped back is usually 1-2 weeks.
Q: How do you ship?
How long does shipping take?
A: We ship all packages via US Postal Service which includes tracking and insurance. Ground shipping is never used. Shipping within the continental US usually takes 2-3 days. Shipping times to other locations in the world varies, but usually takes less than 5 days.
Q: Where do you ship from?
A: We ship from the United States. More specifically: Camp Springs, Maryland, USA.
Q: Who pays for shipping?
A: The buyer pays to have the boards shipped to Maryland, USA. Return shipping via USPS to anywhere in the world with tracking is included in the price of the mods.
Q: Do you ship worldwide?
A: Yes. We will ship to anywhere in the world. We use USPS shipping with tracking for all our orders.
Q: Is there a warranty period?
A: Yes. There is a 1 year warranty on all parts & labour. If you experience any problems with your Mike Parker Barco modified boards within 1 year of receipt, please contact technical support at support@MPmods.com with your order number and product information and we will make things right.
Q: I'm selling my Barco projector that includes MP Barco2 mods. Is the warranty
transferable?
A: No. The warranty period of 1 year is only valid if you are the original purchaser of the mods.
Q: Since Curtpalme.com is somehow affiliated with Mike Parker, can I buy a projector from
Curtpalme.com and have the mods added to it
before it ships to me?
A: No. Not at this time. The sale of Mike Parker Mods is a separate from Curt's projector sales. It is recommended that once you receive a projector new to you, that you run it for a few weeks to ensure it works to your satisfaction before you modify any of the boards. Seeing the before and after of adding Mike Parker mods is also the best way to really appreciate the performance gains that these mods bring to your projector!
Q: I'm good with a soldering iron. Can I save money by mod'ing my boards myself? Will you sell me the
parts or tell me how?
A: No. The modifications must be done by Mike's team such that they may be adequately tested and calibrated. As well, the modifications include proprietary designs that we will not be released to the general public.
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