Understand Resolution

[Travis]

I went to projectorpeople.com, on the Finding Projector page, they give you a list of resolutions to pick from (about 384 of them). It is a real alphabet soup.

Should we avoid getting projectors that aren't 720p or 1080p. So is 1280x720 ok, but 1024x768 isn't? What about 1280x800?

Will resolutions other than 1280x720 and 1920x1080, stretch and squeeze Blu-ray pictures? Or will we wind up with thicker and thinner black bars.

Projector Finder page is here for refence: http://www.projectorpeople.com/proje...tor-finder.asp
Their definition of resolution is very basic, number of dots and lines makes a picture.

[Brain Sturgeon]

That resolution list does look painful.

Rather than use that search engine, if you post what you are trying to set up (room qualities, screen size) and a rough budget, I'm sure the users here would be more than happy to suggest some projectors that might work for you.

[PatrickL2009]

I am of no means an expert on projectors or even know very much about them but I do think sticking with 720p/1080i, 1080p, etc. is the best choice. I have set up electronics in a close by school and they use an Epson 1280x800 in just about every classroom. The picture is NOTHING close to your average 720p projector and even DVDS look anything but fantastic. The picture is deadly average and watchable, in a boring manner. Do the projectors with unfamiliar resolutions have HDMI inputs? That is what truly matters. I wouldn't purchase on my words, but I know my experience with an 1280x800 projector is nothing like a 720p HD projector; not even close. I would think it messes up the image on a Blu-ray disc because it even does so somewhat with a standard DVD.

[Another_Dude]

Originally Posted by Travis

I went to projectorpeople.com, on the Finding Projector page, they give you a list of resolutions to pick from (about 384 of them). It is a real alphabet soup.

Should we avoid getting projectors that aren't 720p or 1080p. So is 1280x720 ok, but 1024x768 isn't? What about 1280x800?

Will resolutions other than 1280x720 and 1920x1080, stretch and squeeze Blu-ray pictures? Or will we wind up with thicker and thinner black bars.

Projector Finder page is here for refence: http://www.projectorpeople.com/proje...tor-finder.asp
Their definition of resolution is very basic, number of dots and lines makes a picture.

What's your budget? We'll find your projector.

[Travis]

I'm in Taiwan, so my budget will change daily with the exchange rate. Now it is terrible.

Was looking at 100,000NTD (2,900USD) for a 52"Sony. Wife thinks too much for TV, not too too much though. Prices here are generally a little more than the US, even though it is made here or across the strait in China or up the road in Japan, I guess market for AV stuff is smaller.

I can probably after screen, good HDMI cable, stand (or ceiling mount) and projector get away with close to 80,000NT (say 2,000 US). Maybe more if I lie about the costs, pay cash not credit card, etc...

I'd like to have great 720p quality rather than a poor 1080p.

That is why we currently have a 32"Toshiba 720p could have bought a 52" Viewsonic, BenQ, Chimei or Teco for the same price, but they are big and look like SHHHH...ugar.

Don't need to spend all, if something like Optoma HD65 is great, fine. It is here, we also have BenQ, viewsonic, and Epson in stores.

[Beta Man]

Originally Posted by Travis

Don't need to spend all, if something like Optoma HD65 is great, fine. It is here, we also have BenQ, viewsonic, and Epson in stores.

How much are you seeing the HD65 for there? It's pretty highly regarded..... but BenQ is a pretty good one too... depending on the model.

[PatrickL2009]

You can get an amazing 720p projector for $2,000.

[Travis]

Thanks for the help so far, appreciated.

Long road ahead, I researched for over 3 months before I bought my AVR, speakers and DVD player (Marantz, B&W and Pioneer) Glad I did it never had buyers remorse.

Bought PS3 without researching. Thought I'd use it for games (last console was the first Nintendo with DuckHunt and Super Mario Bros.) found out I have no time for football, racing, boxing or war. Worst was I found out PS3 cannot deliver HD audio unless receiver has HDMI, thought Toslink would do it. Should have bought a player that had 6 RCA jacks. Want oe that plays SACD too.

I know I can get a good 720p projector for under 2k, what about 1080p?

The HD65 I think is around 29,000NT (850US)

[Anthony P]

I know I can get a good 720p projector for under 2k, what about 1080p?

yes, I like the Epson's at that price

[Travis]

Still would like to know if I get a projector and the resolution is X by 800 or X by 768 or x by 1050 will I regret it.

XGA (1034x768)
WXGA (1280x768) (1280x800) (1366x768) (1366x800)
SXGA+ (1400x1050)

Right now I'm just looking at numbers that are 720p OR 1080p, better safe than sorry. Also, I would hate to limit myself because of a resolution number that I don't understand.

[ryoohki]

Originally Posted by Travis

Still would like to know if I get a projector and the resolution is X by 800 or X by 768 or x by 1050 will I regret it.

XGA (1034x768)
WXGA (1280x768) (1280x800) (1366x768) (1366x800)
SXGA+ (1400x1050)

Right now I'm just looking at numbers that are 720p OR 1080p, better safe than sorry. Also, I would hate to limit myself because of a resolution number that I don't understand.

IMHO you should check 1280x720 or 1920x1080 NATIVE resolution only. Any other resolution would result into RESCALING witch you absolutely don't want. a 1034x768 projector can take 1920x1080 but it will rescaling it to 1034x768 and there not always good a doing that...

Browsing by Native Resolution will also shorten the list..

[Travis]

Originally Posted by ryoohki

... other resolution would result into RESCALING witch you absolutely don't want. a 1034x768 projector can take 1920x1080 but it will rescaling it to 1034x768 and there not always good a doing that...

Thanks,
Just wasn't sure if odd resolutions would be similar to watching films in 4:3 or 2.35:1 on a 16:9 screen, have films with black bars. Black bars don't bother me, native picture is important. Sqeezing and pulling a picture is just awful.

[Travis]

Just read this at http://www.projectorcentral.com/optoma_hd73.htm

The HD73 is a 1280x768 projector, known as WXGA. WXGA is an unusually flexible resolution, due to the fact that it can display three common signal formats in their cleanest native form without scaling. In addition to the computer format 1280x768, the HD73 can display standard XGA (1024x768) with black bars to the left and right, as well as the high definition video standard HDTV 720p (1280x720) with small black bars at the top and bottom. So if you have a mix of both video and computer data sources to display on your projector, the HD73's WXGA format is ideal for it.

I thought it would be strange for Optoma, or any projector company, to put out a machine that scales the picture by stretching and pushing it together.

I guess I can add a few more then start the rounds of elimination. First round DLP or LCD, I guess, don't really know, need to research it more.


Edit:
After more research:
Review on amazon http://www.amazon.com/Optoma-HD73-72...7350112&sr=8-1 said there are extra black bars, and they are different in color than the ones from the disk. So Pirates would have thick black bars and then smaller lighter black bars. That would be annoying.

I guess I'm back to just looking at 1080p or 720p

[WriteSimply]

Originally Posted by Travis

JThe HD73 is a 1280x768 projector, known as WXGA. WXGA is an unusually flexible resolution, due to the fact that it can display three common signal formats in their cleanest native form without scaling.

The "scaling" issue is not due to the LCD/DLP panel. It is how the video graphics chip are programmed to handle the video inputs. The good ones do 1-to-1 pixel mapping based on the video content, either PC, DVD or BD.

Edit:
After more research:
Review on amazon http://www.amazon.com/Optoma-HD73-72...7350112&sr=8-1 said there are extra black bars, and they are different in color than the ones from the disk. So Pirates would have thick black bars and then smaller lighter black bars.

The reason for that could be that the reviewer was using a HTPC BD. The black value for PC video is 0 while the black value for NTSC is 16. Because it's WXGA, it shows the PC black and then NTSC black.

Originally Posted by Travis

Bought PS3 without researching. Thought I'd use it for games (last console was the first Nintendo with DuckHunt and Super Mario Bros.) found out I have no time for football, racing, boxing or war.

Well...

Worst was I found out PS3 cannot deliver HD audio unless receiver has HDMI, thought Toslink would do it.

Toslink on any BD player can't deliver HD audio.

Should have bought a player that had 6 RCA jacks. Want oe that plays SACD too.

Should have gotten the original 60GB PS3. It has SACD playback. Now you can wait for the Oppo.

I know I can get a good 720p projector for under 2k, what about 1080p?

The Panasonic AE2000 is available at 2K. It's a 1080p PJ. All previous 1080p models are sold at a lower cost. But seriously, spend the extra US$500 for the AE3000 or the latest models of other manufacturers, if you can.


fuad

[Travis]

I'll check on the AE2000, it sounds good.

Originally Posted by WriteSimply

The "scaling" issue is not due to the LCD/DLP panel. It is how the video graphics chip are programmed to handle the video inputs. The good ones do 1-to-1 pixel mapping based on the video content, either PC, DVD or BD.

Pretty sure I didn't imply scaling was caused by LCD or DLP setups. I just need to start making cuts on my list. Order of criteria so far was cost, brand, and resolution. Next I think will be DLP vs. LCD, then ??? what next...

I know specs don't accurately present the quality, so what features are must haves, ceiling mounting, pull-down ratio, can-opener, etc.. Also, are there any specs that are important, that should be above a minimum # .

Originally Posted by WriteSimply

Toslink on any BD player can't deliver HD audio.

I became aware of this HD-audio fact shortly after buying PS3, thought(before purchase was made) optical cable would do the trick. Lesson learned, do research. "And knowing is half the battle," G.I. Joe.

Originally Posted by WriteSimply

you can wait for the Oppo.

Never seen Oppo in Taiwan, none of the sales reps have even heard of it. Maybe it has to do with China-Taiwan trade relationship, problems importing a China/San Jose product. Reallly don't know why it isn't here, just guessing.

Thanks for all the info guys, I think I understand the alphabet soup of resolutions now. I will go for 1280x720 or 1920x1080.

[Travis]

Research is going on. Here are 3 choices, Optoma HD65, Optoma HD71 or Mitsubishi HC1600
http://www.projectorpeople.com/proje...436&do=compare

I think I want 720p now, because of DVD collection and screen will be 8' wide, DLP because of black levels. Not sure what to pick. Heard great things about the Mitsu HC-1500; hope 1600 can do it too. But, Optoma has great rep also.

Confused on specs of Contrast Ratio and Bightness. In reality, what is the actual result produced? I'm assuming the higher contrast ratio is more important than the brightness. Is Optoma HD65 it? Or should it be out for the higher noise level, 31dB or 37dB any real difference. Any other stats to be concerned about.

[Driver_King]

Here are three more choices:

Sony

Epson

Another Sony

[Trogdor2010]

Resolution Benefits more in the Projector realm than in the TV realm. Thanks to it's larger size.

[Damage Inc.]

So I have this projector with a native resolution of 1024x768.
In general I could get HD-video of 720p then, as it's limited to 768.
And, according to the manual, it does accept signals of 720i/p and 1080i/p etc.
But would I get any issues still?

[Suntory_Times]

Originally Posted by Damage Inc.

So I have this projector with a native resolution of 1024x768.
In general I could get HD-video of 720p then, as it's limited to 768.
And, according to the manual, it does accept signals of 720i/p and 1080i/p etc.
But would I get any issues still?

All it means is that the projector is able to accept that signal, but then scales it to its native resolution. Whihc in you're case is that of an XGA projector, which is not yet in HD territory (not that it will look bad as XGA can look very good, ceteris paribus it obviously doesn't reach the same level as a 720p or 1080p projector). Hence there should be no issues, the only scaling/ steaching would occur due to the scaler calculating incorrectly (hence a slighly streached image etc..), or extra black bars. Given that it XGA though I doubt you'll have a problem (remember its AR is 4:3, so you'll have the mamoth black bars).

Hopefully that answered your question.