Hambone Posted April 22, 2006 Share Posted April 22, 2006 I'm doing a function in June, and can't use my projectors and 8' x 6' rear-projection screens become of space constraints. Any advice on an economical place to hire 2-3 50" plasmas for a weekend in the Cambridge/Newmarket area? Cheers! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tomo Posted April 22, 2006 Share Posted April 22, 2006 PSCo near Reading do them - fair distance away though. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
allsounds Posted April 22, 2006 Share Posted April 22, 2006 Db Systems www.dbsystems.co.uk - There based in tewkesbury however should be able to sort you a good price Matt Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SeanT Posted April 23, 2006 Share Posted April 23, 2006 My advice wherever you get them from is to hire 42s rather than 50s if cost is an issue, and get them dry hire if at all possible. (ie. do the expensive bit yourself!) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hambone Posted April 23, 2006 Author Share Posted April 23, 2006 My advice wherever you get them from is to hire 42s rather than 50s if cost is an issue, and get them dry hire if at all possible. (ie. do the expensive bit yourself!) That sounds good. The increase in hire price from 42" to 50" is ridiculous! All I'm doing is plugging the three of them into my VGA splitter. I think I can handle that myself, so dry hire is definitely the way to go. On the other hand, I may look at this as the opportunity to purchase them for future use. There are many sources of sub-£1000 40" plasmas around. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SeanT Posted April 23, 2006 Share Posted April 23, 2006 We (that is to say my boss) have some ex-hire (2 year old) stock for £550 a pop (+VAT am afraid), we also have some K-bases and binoculars that we are getting rid off as they are a bit shabby - not trying to sell anything, just help out, drop us a pm if interested. We also have a source of new stock for about 700 + VAT that I can pass on. Do bear in mind when purchasing though to factor in the cost of a wall mount, floor stand, some way of transporting them (flight cases if moved around a lot), speakers and input cards if required. You'll probably (well, you will) find secondhand plasmas over on avforums.com - which was how I found this site in the first place - hope to be knocking around a bit on here when I have time. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
djw1981 Posted April 23, 2006 Share Posted April 23, 2006 Richer Sounds were/are selling Pansonic 42" plasma screens, with a SVideo/Composite and Component insert cards for £899.95. Other insert cards cost more. This deal is good. the panasonic screens themselves are very nice, and I know of a couple of places which used them for an install, and a friend who bought one for his lounge. The 'cardboard boxes' are a bit thin and care needed when carrying, but when flightcased they look ok. The reason they are cheap - no tuner, no speakers (but speaker connections). The have standard fixings on the back which means that Unicol binoculars fit fine. Panasonic Plasma @ Richer Sounds Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SeanT Posted April 23, 2006 Share Posted April 23, 2006 Not a bad deal that, unless you want speakers. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hambone Posted April 23, 2006 Author Share Posted April 23, 2006 What about VGA inputs on plasmas? My VGA splitter currently runs two projectors via VGA, and another VGA output goes to a scanconverter, then S-Video out to a hard-disk DVD recorder to record the gig. I suppose I could S-video split from the scanconverter. I'd rather not have the speakers or tuner. All of my video work is 4:3 at 1024 x 768, and I know I won't find 4:3 plasmas. Guess I'll have to live with black stripes, or alternatively, re-do my video 16:9 at 1365 x 768. My projectors will output 16:9, but my rear-projection screens are 4:3. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
djw1981 Posted April 23, 2006 Share Posted April 23, 2006 The Richer Sounds one says it takes computer input, which I take to be VGA. I know the ones used for an install had VGA on them, but not sure if that was built in, or an add on purchase. Panasonic's website Panasonic Plasma Pageindicates that the VGA input is standard, but I would imagien that a quick call tomorrow would sort that one for definite. As a side note, if you are buying 2 or 3, try to get the sales staff to throw-in the VGS inout card if it is not included, since a £2000+ sale will normally help their sales target. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SeanT Posted April 23, 2006 Share Posted April 23, 2006 Most plasmas do a reasonable job of downscaling XGA and showing it stretched slightly with only minute black borders - always feed VGA if you can it's mucho better. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pete McCrea Posted April 24, 2006 Share Posted April 24, 2006 If you can output at the plasma's native resolution, then that is often better, but as others have said, most Plasma's will do a good job of scaling. DB Systems are good guys- we use them for subhire when we run short (as they are nice and close, Cheltenham to Tewkesbury), but they usually supply Aerospace clients, so you'll definately find Plasmas at a more competitive price, especially when you factor in the transport. I'd try a yell.com search for Audio Visual Services- this should list the guys in your area that hire them. Failing that try B&H Sound based in peterborough. I'd hazard a guess and say the PWD7's are last years models, as then manu's are changing their models at the moment. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
David Lee Posted April 24, 2006 Share Posted April 24, 2006 you could try these guys http://www.cambridgeav.co.uk/ . I Have not used them or worked for them but have been to there place and they seem ok. They don't appear to have Plasmas on there list but you could always see if they can get hold of them for you. If not, Stage Electrics have a Cambridge place. They should be able to get them to you without problems. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bottle Posted April 25, 2006 Share Posted April 25, 2006 Hambone Yep, try Stage LX in Cambridge on (01223) 423010 - dunno if they've got anything, but the staff are great there. Alternatively, try Cambridge Sound & Light in Coldhams Lane on (01223) 411406. Richard or Martin may be able to sort you something out. Best of luck. Hope that the gig goes well. HTH Ian Sherlock Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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