Hey folks,

My RCA 61" was one model year prior to factory instaled
screen protectors. My freschnell lens is exposed and I
do not like having it exposed to the elements and the
possibility of getting nicked. When the repair guy came
back with the projection unit I asked him what held the
trim ring around the front of the TV's cabinent and I
explained that I wanted to remove the lens so that I
could measure it and have a shop cut me a piece of 1/16
thick lexan to go in front of the freschnell lens. He
said it was a great idea.

I called and got a price on a 4'x8' sheet of 1/16th
inch thick lexan and it will cost $80.00 for the sheet.
RCA sells a "Super Sheild" that retails for close to
$300.00 and it velcro's on to the outside of the trim
ring (cheesy!) And it's also tinted.

Why would I want to darken the on screen image by using
a tinted (filtered) screen protector? I run at the NTSC
standard of 6500K because I want the proper color temp
and I can't see why you would want to darken the image
any at all. So do you think my idea is a good one? It
will protect the screen, look factory installed and it
will not effect the image at all.

I'm not sure, but I believe the tint is intended to keep room light from making the fact that there is another screen behind the lexan, or to put it another way, that there is a screen in front of the original one, by preventing ambient light from reflecting off of the fresnel ribs.

Larry

Larry,

That could be the case.. But that's not what they claim
the benefit is. They say the tint helps improve the
sharpness of the image. My image is plenty sharp.

I am going to give it a try and see how it looks.Worst
case, I am out 80 bux instead of 3 bills.

Let us know?

Larry

Larry,

You can rest assured that I will let you know. I plan
on picking up the Lexan this week some time. I need to
do some measuring because I don't think a 61" diagonal
piece of lexan will fit in my Stratus (it may fit in
the back of the vette if I leave the hatch open) If not
I will need to get a friend to haul it in his truck. I
also need to pick up a 4'x8' sheet of mirrored arcrylic
and a 4'x8' sheet of 1/4" for my showcase in the new
garage stall that I am working on (part of my finished
basement that is becoming a shrine to automobilia)

I WILL keep you posted! :)

Just wanted to post an update..

I removed the trim on the front of my TV and measured
the freschnell lens assembly and went to a local home
improvement store to get some plexi cut. They were out
of 3/32" thick plexi so he had to order a 4'x8' sheet
and it should be here by the end of the week. And this
will cost me $37.00 which is even less than I expected
it was going to cost (see original post). And far less
than the $300.00 RCA wants for the velcro on cheesy
Super Sheild. This will look factory installed!

Brett (also known as MR. DIY): Every RPTV I have seen with a "protective" cover causes an unacceptable glare on the picture from any light source in the vicinity. I've finally placed a low-light source to the top and behind of the armoire that holds my 36" set, because I can't stand the reflection from the room lights. And the longer it's there, the more aggravating it becomes, ya know?

I'd risk the nicks. ... Mike

Mike,

Ya know I hadn't thought about the glare factor.Though
to be honest when I watch TV I usualy turn on my #2
"Theater Lamp" (Ok Technicly it's a Spider Lamp) and
this sits behind my TV in the corner and it stands like
8' tall. (See image below) so glare shouldn't be an
issue unless my drapes are open!



See the lamp in the background.

Mr. DIY: Hmmmm.... nice collection of 'Vettes there... Well, it looks like you have the glare-factor pretty much "covered".... ... Mike :-)

Mike,

I hate to nit pick but those aren't vettes :)
The 4 cars in cases on my speakers are:

Lotus Turbo Esprit, Lotus Turb Esprit (James Bond)
Lamborghini Diablo SV, Lamborghini Dialblo GT

The vettes are in these cases...

Do the hoods and trunk lids of all those cars vibrate with the bass the way those low-fidelity Bazooka-tubed car stereos do? :-)

Larry

Brett: thanks for straightening me out on that. I don't know how I've survived this far...

Say, is that your tummy I see reflected in the glare of that protective cover...? ... Mike

It does look like an elbow, yellow shirt, and jeans, doesn't it?

Larry

Yep fellas thats me being reflected in those images.
In fact that is probably the only known image of me
on the net :)

Larry I guess if I crank it up loud enough and a bass
note hits low enough... Anything is possible :)