Progressive scan or upconverting player?

[EM3]

I have been seriously looking at PJ's. I still haven't made my mind up on which one but I have looked hard at the Optoma EP719 it has DVI input. This is not a very high priced one but it is XGA. I know it isn't a native 16:9 but that may be a trade off. My room is small and the projector will be 8ft from the screen. So I am really wondering if I should go with an upscaling player or progressive scan. Which players do you recommended?

[Pirate]

Originally Posted by EM3

I have been seriously looking at PJ's. I still haven't made my mind up on which one but I have looked hard at the Optoma EP719 it has DVI input. This is not a very high priced one but it is XGA. I know it isn't a native 16:9 but that may be a trade off. My room is small and the projector will be 8ft from the screen. So I am really wondering if I should go with an upscaling player or progressive scan. Which players do you recommended?

I think most upconverting players are also PS.

[tomdkat]

Originally Posted by piratehunter

I think most upconverting players are also PS.

I've never heard of an upconverting player that wasn't progressive scan. If you can afford $200, check out the Oppo.

Peace...

[EM3]

UGH the more I read the more I get confused. Maybe the lottery fairy will bless me this weekend and make this easier. This projector stuff is confusing

[Pirate]

Originally Posted by EM3

UGH the more I read the more I get confused. Maybe the lottery fairy will bless me this weekend and make this easier. This projector stuff is confusing

That's why we're here. Ask away!

[EM3]

Ok I plan on watching almost always dvd's in this room. It will double as a computer room so I have to take that into consideration. The only dvd's that I have that are not in widescreen are the Buffy, Angel, Looney Tunes and Miami Vice sets. So should I just get a native 16:9 projector? I'm not sure if I will ever run cable for television in that room. Ok here is how I understand it. XGA is better than VGA. So since my seats will be 8ft from the screen then I should find a native 16:9 XGA right? My budget for the PJ is 1K. Several people have tried to tell me that I don't want to use an Optoma EP719 since it is used for business. However I am using the wife's Optoma from school and it is a VGA and it looks pretty good. I have no manual for it. I like the DLP's since I don't see the rainbows. I have also been looking at the Sharp XR-10x projector but the more I read the more muddied it gets for me with lumens, contrast etc. Then I try to figure out the difference between progressive scan and upconverting dvd players. All I want is a good picture that suits me with a good dvd picture and close to hd quality. But I refuse to buy into Hi Def until there is a winner. So there you go. Oh yes I am making my own screen and using black out cloth for the screen. Still not sure what to cover the windows with rigth now I am using trash bags.

I'm off to get a beer. Any suggestions? Or should I just say screw it an get a HTiB and save up?

[Pirate]

Originally Posted by EM3

Ok I plan on watching almost always dvd's in this room. It will double as a computer room so I have to take that into consideration. The only dvd's that I have that are not in widescreen are the Buffy, Angel, Looney Tunes and Miami Vice sets. So should I just get a native 16:9 projector?

You can adjust the PJ to 4:3 so you can watch your non-widescreen DVDs. It’ll put black bars on the sides and keep the correct aspect ratio. But, yes, definitely get a 16x9 PJ.

Originally Posted by EM3

I'm not sure if I will ever run cable for television in that room. Ok here is how I understand it. XGA is better than VGA. So since my seats will be 8ft from the screen then I should find a native 16:9 XGA right?

Again, 16x9 is the only way to go. If you end up getting digital cable or satellite, you’ll be able to watch 16x9 content on your 16x9 PJ.

Originally Posted by EM3

My budget for the PJ is 1K. Several people have tried to tell me that I don't want to use an Optoma EP719 since it is used for business. However I am using the wife's Optoma from school and it is a VGA and it looks pretty good.

It’s not DLP, but highly recommend the Sanyo Z line. You could probably get a Z2 or Z3 for around 1k. A feature a highly recommend is lens shift, which allows you to mount the PJ and then move the image around freely. This is a big help when matching the image to the screen. All of the Sanyo’s have this as do a few others now.

A few things to keep in mind:
1. PJs in your price range have bulbs that burn out between 1000-2000 hours (depending on the PJ). These bulbs can run $200+.

2. PJs are meant to be watched in the dark, so keep that in mind when planning other things in the room. You can have some light, but not that much. If this is to be the main TV area, you’ll be watching TV in the dark.

3. PJs need cleaning on a regular basis. Dust is a PJ’s worst enemy. They are high maintenance machines.

4. When looking at PJs, pay attention to the fan noise. Some in the 1K area may be loud and if you sit close to the PJ, this can be very distracting.

5. All of the above are worth it.

[plissken99]

Everything PH just said.

You most defnitly want 16:9, and I can't recommend a PJ that has a native res lower than 1280x720, again the Sanyo Z line is a sure bet, their made for HT.

The bulb thing is a drawback to digital pjs. Actually most projector bulbs do 2000 hours, and 3000 in econo mode(low light). Many people deal with that by having a jar in the HT room, and putting a dollar a day in it.

The research is the hard part, once you have it, it's all gravy. I researched for a year, but that was having to scrounge up all the info myself, here you have tons of helpful sources, ask all you like.

Oh, XGA are 4:3 native pjs, WXGA are 16:9(w = wide). VGA , in graphical terms is 4:3, and being extreme low resolution(640x480), otherwise VGA is known as the 15 pin connector.

Oh, the DVD player is simple. You want the Oppo upconverting player, for $200 it performs on a level with the 2-3k Denon players, it's got the highest rating in a shootout involving dozens and dozens of players.

[Wirehed]

In your price range I wouldn't bother looking much further than the Z2 or Z3 if you can find it for a good price. This is a highly regarded "low price" projector and honestly I've never seen anythign (in the price range) out perform it. --there's probably nothing better until you spend upwards of 3x as much..and then people STILL debate it.

The opto seems to be the best DVD player for the money, possibly the best for 3x the money as well.

Projector's are TOTALLY worth it, nothing makes a movie look and feel more like a "real" movie.

[Pirate]

Check my HT if you want some screenshots of the Sanyo Z2 in action.

[EM3]

Well thanks for all the answers from you all. Sorry I didn't get back sooner but yesterday my family did the father's day thing by renting a boat. So I was gone all day yesterday and I've been busy today. Thanks for clearing up the wxga thing for me. The Z 3's are about $1300 and if I save a little more I should be able to swing it. At 8ft I should get a decent sized picture. I am going to read some more about it. The room lighting shouldn't be too hard to tame since it is only 2 windows. I am looking at curtains with blackout cloth. I have started reading more at the AVS site.

The research is fun but time consuming. It may be a while before I get the PJ but I can have fun planning. Bear with me I am sure I will have more questions about screens etc.

The only Sanyo listed as in production is the Z4. I need to get a second job to afford my hobbies.

HA! Someone just recommended the Optoma H31 that is 16:9 but VGA but has a higher resolution at max. This is going to get interesting. Someone also said that sitting 8ft was too close and I should just get a 50 inch tv. Don't think that will happen.

General question how do you get max resolution?

[plissken99]

Hell I sit 8ft from a 120in screen, you'll be fine. Good that your going for the Z3, it should work flawlessly with Blu Ray or HD-DVD. What do you mean by 'how to get a max resolution'? Most digital pjs native res is 720p, and they ACCEPT a 1080i input. That is to say, they convert 1080i to 720p. So you'll want an upconverting player like the Oppo for 720p output.

[EM3]

Ok here is an example.

On the specs of the Optoma EP719 it lists the native resolution as 1024 x 768 XGA. Then it also lists a Max-Resize as 1400 X 1050 SXGA plus. Here is the listing from Projector Central in case I'm not real clear http://www.projectorcentral.com/Optoma-EP719.htm

Hey PH all I see are pics of the screen. Maybe I am overlooking them after all it is early.

I am guessing that the "s" in SXGA means it is stretched?

[Pirate]

Originally Posted by EM3

Hey PH all I see are pics of the screen. Maybe I am overlooking them after all it is early.

The screenshots are at the very bottom of the page.

[EM3]

Yep I'm impressed!

I can tell it's going to be a long process to do this but it will be worth it. Your carpet is almost the same color as what is in the room I am going to put this theatre in. The walls are a dark green so that won't be bad. But I have to deal with white trim and a white closet door behind the screen. I plan on seating for two or 4 if they want to sit in the floor. Maybe I should name it the mini-thea.

[Pirate]

Originally Posted by EM3

Yep I'm impressed!

I can tell it's going to be a long process to do this but it will be worth it. Your carpet is almost the same color as what is in the room I am going to put this theatre in. The walls are a dark green so that won't be bad. But I have to deal with white trim and a white closet door behind the screen. I plan on seating for two or 4 if they want to sit in the floor. Maybe I should name it the mini-thea.

I loooooove my red shag carpet. Perfect for a theatre!

Paint that white trim and closet door. Shimmer is bad.

P.S. The Z4 should look even better than the Z2, so you're in for a treat!

[mighty mint]

Great link to the Oppo units - I wonder if anyone can comment on the two units shown? Too bad the universal unit doesn't have the same technology for upconverting that the first unit shown. I wanted to have it all

[Iguana Man]

Originally Posted by piratehunter

P.S. The Z4 should look even better than the Z2, so you're in for a treat!

If I'm not mistaken, I think EM3 is considering a Z3, not Z4. I may be wrong though.

EM3, I too can attest to the pq of a Z2, and after calibration even moreso. However, I *may* be selling mine and if interested, pm me.

Also, don't forget the Panny 500u? Something like that...my calibration dude mentioned it as another fantastic pj even after commenting that the Z2 grey scale out of the box is incredible. I'll try and dig up the exact model # for ya later.

PJ's ROCK!

[EM3]

Your right Iggy it is the Z3 I am considering and not the Z4. I did find the Z4 on sale on the net today for about $1699. If someone wants to buy your Z2 get what you can out of it because it will be at least September before I can purchase. Right now I am in the planning and research stage.

Every time I watch a movie in this room my wife says we really need to get some chairs. So I tell her to donate some cash to the cause.

With time and luck I may win this one.

Wish me luck.

[Iguana Man]

Originally Posted by EM3

I did find the Z4 on sale on the net today for about $1699.
Wish me luck.

What? The Z4 is only $1700?? Are you sure?

That, if true is a bargain and all I can say is wow....now personally, I'm gonna wait for the Z1080P.

Good luck man...and if need be, send the wife over. I'm sure I can convince her that your intentions are good and worthwhile.

[EM3]

Well CRAP I can't find the site. Everything I see now says $1995. Maybe it was a halucination . Really what I am hoping is that maybe after September when the prices drop after the new model announcements I can get a 720P with lense shift for cheaper than what they are now. If not I may get the 4:3 XGA as a starter and wait till this HD stuff gets straightened out.

Trust me you would send my wife back! She is a true type "A" personality. There are times I want to send her back to her parents.

[tomdkat]

Originally Posted by EM3

Trust me you would send my wife back! She is a true type "A" personality.

That came in handy in the sack....

Peace...

[Iguana Man]

Originally Posted by EM3

Maybe it was a halucination .

You should leave those things to me EM3....the world is safer that way.

[EM3]

Not to mention she is a teacher also. Teachers always make you do things over until you get it right.

[tomdkat]

Originally Posted by EM3

Not to mention she is a teacher also. Teachers always make you do things over until you get it right.

Yup and when she wore those glasses, so looked so... *ahem* sorry.

Peace...

[EM3]

Somebody has to love the ugly ones and she took pity on me.