My projector arrives tomorrow!!! - Blu-ray Forum

Cwoodall334 · 07-24-2008, 12:59 AM

I think the title says it all

I ended up ordering the Sony VPL-VW40.

This will be my first projector, so I would like a list of do/don't if y'all wouldn't mind. Also, should I worry about getting a 3rd party warranty?

Oh, and what movie should I try first?

Brain Sturgeon · 07-24-2008, 01:52 AM

During viewing, if you want to take a break for a bit, it's better to leave the projector on for that little bit rather than turn it off and on multiple times in a number of hours. The fewer times you strike the lamp, the less wear and tear it will have.

Always make sure to allow the lamp to cool after you turn it off-- do not unplug the PJ of turn it on/off using a switch. Again, this preserves lamp life. Some people consider getting a UPS in case of power interruptions while viewing.

The lamp will dim as it ages, so most people use economy settings on their projectors, and then just switch to normal lamp mode when the lamp starts to dim-- of course, if you prefer it brighter, you can run it in normal and consider replacing the lamp before failure for brightness reasons.

Mack warranties for projectors are popular, and not only extend the warranty but also provide for 2 lamp replacements within 3 years. This is a pretty good deal assuming you use the PJ regularly. Check out www.mackcam.com/servicecontracts/index.htm

You might want to try this for your first "movie":

If you calibrate a bit, you'll enjoy the picture more. A full ISF calibration would be better, but you'd have to shell out $400+ for this. It's probably worth it for anyone with a projector though. Just remember to check your settings as the bulb ages, as your picture will change a bit (bulbs tend to lose red as they age, iirc). Most people get ISF'd after about 75 hours or so to allow the bulb to mature.

Otherwise, the usual standards: Cars, Ratatouille, Kingdom of Heaven, Casino Royale, POTC: DMC will give you plenty of eye candy. Enjoy!

Cwoodall334 · 07-24-2008, 12:43 PM

I bought my projector from the people at AV Science and I had them calibrate it before they shipped it to me. Was that a bad idea to have it calibrated that early in the lamp life?

bhampton · 07-24-2008, 02:23 PM

Well,

Chances are good that they confirmed you have little or no convergence problems.

I imagine there isn't much to do for calibrating a VW40. It it's well designed (and I imagine it is) then the sharpness, color, and hue should be disabled for HD sources. (At least that's how Sony used to handle HD sources hopefully they still maintain that.)

So,.. since you setup the focus and throw distance and all that and geometry and convergence is not an issue I would imagine the "calibration" was simply getting the set to a 6500k mode and setting greyscale. Wouldn't make any sense for them to do greyscale since they don't have access to your screen material and room from thier site so I imagine to some extent that calibration may have been a waste.

Anyway... it's a fine pj and a great place to buy it from... Hope you enjoy it.

-Brian

Cwoodall334 · 07-24-2008, 02:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bhampton

I imagine to some extent that calibration may have been a waste.

Cwoodall334 · 07-24-2008, 02:32 PM

Here are the before and after calibrations sent to me:

Before

After:

bhampton · 07-24-2008, 03:59 PM

Hi,

To be clear....

First off... I love AVS.

Second... I love Sony SXRD pj's. And... I love Sony projectors as well. Currently I have a Sony VPH G70 and it's the display I've always dreamed of owning and I couldn't be happier and yet I hope if I ever consider replacing it that Sxrd pj's will still be available.

Most importantly though... I don't yet have a Sxrd pj no matter how much I've researched them I can't say for certain that the calbration they did was a good or bad value. I would and do completely trust them.

It would not be possible for them to set the black level of you pj outside of it's final configuration in your room. And I also think calibration may be better performed after the projector has been run it for maybe 200 hours or so.

I don't know what you paid for the calbration and can't honestly say if it was worth it. I perhaps shouldn't have commented in the first place because setting up my projector is part of the fun that I have that makes Home Theater a rewarding interest for me and as such I would never pay anyone else to do it. That's why I have my own SPL meter,.. my own color meter, and Digital Video Essentials on Blu Ray and DVD and the laserdisc version called "A Video Standard."

I believe there is a lot of value in buying from AVS. It supports AVS which has given so much to HT as a hobby over the years. I don't think you can buy much from them without getting more then your money's worth... So,.. Don't worry.. be happy,.. I think you made a terrific choice.

-Brian

Beta Man · 07-24-2008, 04:13 PM

congrats!!! I'm entering this strange world of projection myself.... Time to start my theater!

Brain Sturgeon · 07-24-2008, 06:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cwoodall334

Here are the before and after calibrations sent to me:

Before

After:

I'm guessing Jason did both a QC check and a formal grayscale tracking and color gamut calibration to the best your unit is capable of.

The QC checks are good for SXRD's, as they have been known to have convergence and uniformity issues. Jason will make sure you've got a good unit. I think the grayscale tracking and color gamut calibration should also be of value to at least get you in the ballpark.

It looks like your color gamut (I presume REC 709) is significantly improved following the calibration. Red and Green look much better-- I didn't think that the VW40 was so oversaturated out of the box. Your blues will be a little undersaturated, but I'm guessing that won't bother you as much. It looks like the VW40 (like most other PJ's out there) won't dial in colors perfectly without a outboard VP.

How does your grayscale track after the calibration?

Don't worry too much about the extra expense of the calibration-- I think you will find that you got your money's worth. It would make sense to check the basics of your settings (using DVE, etc) once you have your system set up.

I'm sure you're feeling like a kid at Christmastime waiting for UPS/FedEx at this point.

I know I was.

Cwoodall334 · 07-25-2008, 12:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Brain Sturgeon

I'm sure you're feeling like a kid at Christmastime waiting for UPS/FedEx at this point.

I know I was.

Even more so than ever now!! The shipment got delayed a day

bhampton · 07-25-2008, 06:56 PM

Hi,

Sorry to hear about the delay.

If I were you I would watch Cars first (after further setup of things like black level from DVE or even the test patterns found on Sony Blu Rays or the THX patterns as a last resort on some discs (Terminator 2, perhaps others.)

I was just watching Cars down in my HT and the PQ is just stunning. Really draws you right in with it's pristine flawness nature.

-Brian

Beta Man · 07-25-2008, 07:30 PM

I keep having crazy thoughts that I'll connect my projector, and just not be impressed with the PQ.... but I have no reason to have those thoughts... I guess it's the pessimist in me!!!!

Look at it this way.... the Delay will give you a chance to "Fine-tune" the room.... if you had the projector in your hands right now.... you'd be sitting there watching so many movies, you wouldn't get anything done

Cwoodall334 · 07-26-2008, 12:33 PM

I finally got my projector yesterday. I threw in Casino Royal just to test the image quality, and I ended up watching the whole thing because I couldn't help but be fascinated by the image. The same thing happened with Batman Begins and The Rock. So, in roughly the first 7 hours of owning my projector, I already had about 7 hours on the lamp. Oh well

I usually have those post purchase doubts whenever I buy something, but not with this. I couldn't be any happier. I don't have a camera, but I'll try to borrow my friends to post some pictures later.

Thank you everybody (especially Brian) who helped me make my decision.

Cwoodall334 · 07-26-2008, 12:56 PM

Here's a picture of The Rock that I took with my phone.

Cwoodall334 · 07-26-2008, 01:02 PM

Oh yea, I meant to ask another question. After I turn off the projector, what's the minimum amount of time I should wait before turning it back on.

Beta Man · 07-26-2008, 01:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cwoodall334

Oh yea, I meant to ask another question. After I turn off the projector, what's the minimum amount of time I should wait before turning it back on.

Mine has a red light that flashed while the fan ran....then it stopped.... I'd say waiting until the fan is done... mine was 20 seconds or so.... which seems like FOREVER when all you want to do is unplug it, and put it back in the box!!!!!

I was FASCINATED by the menu on "Reds" and I was projecting onto an all-but-ideal wall...... I even left the lamp setting on "low" with a light on in the room, and it looked fantastic!!!!!!

on a side note, I'm finishing up my coffee so I can go to the new house, and work some more on it, and prepare the theater room...... but there is so much to do, so little time!!!

We're putting chalk-board coverings on all of the walls in one room, and making it our son's "play-room" he's only 9 months old, but by the time we move in, and he's older, etc... it should be a good time for him!!!!

bhampton · 07-26-2008, 05:47 PM

Hi,

Quote "Thank you everybody (especially Brian) who helped me make my decision."

Do you mean me? I think you're talking about someone else though I do suggest everyone buys a Sxrd pj. (And the other very helpful fella is actually Brain Sturgeon which sort of looks like Brian but... it's different... Don't know what his real name is.)

Anyway.... If I helped you made that choice then you made my day. I'm always talking up sxrd and have yet to know of anyone who took my advice for it. (My step father and I went hunting for discontinued sxrd rear projection TVs and found a 60" for $1300 and he just kind of got cold feet

)

-Brian

jomari · 07-28-2008, 06:20 PM

heres some quick tips as well for first time pj owners,

-consider purchasing a good ups as protection for it. most pj owners i know have some roaming black outs, power outtages etc, these babies protect your high earned investment by giving you just enough time for it to power down and cool itself properly, compared to a sudden loss of power.

- have you thought about buying a replacement lamp for it? i bought mine immediately when i purchased my pj, due to two issues:
1. you can never gauge the economys output thus not knowing how much in demand they may be for em in the future
2. what if you're watching cars and reach 5 minutes till the end of the movie and bam! your pj lamp dies on you? emergencies bud, emergencies.
3. on a serious note, its always good to have your back up, others suggesting put up a fund each time you use it, put 5 dollars in a jar - but i feel that its not worth that hassle and just save up for a lamp.
4. INVEST IN A LENSPEN. - found mostly in wolf camera stores near you.

http://www.lenspen.com/

Cwoodall334 · 07-28-2008, 10:48 PM

Jomari, thanks for the advise. I'll definitely get a lenspen. I've also looked at a UPS. Which UPS would you recommend?

jomari · 07-29-2008, 08:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cwoodall334

Jomari, thanks for the advise. I'll definitely get a lenspen. I've also looked at a UPS. Which UPS would you recommend?

there are a number of em out there, depending on your budget.

when this went on sale for about 79 clams or so, it was definitely worth the purchase...

sorry, can only access the canadian website for bb, no us access...

http://www.bestbuy.ca/catalog/prodde...83&catid=20196

you get the picture...

07-24-2008, 12:59 AM	#1
Cwoodall334 Active Member Member since:Nov 2007	My projector arrives tomorrow!!! I think the title says it all I ended up ordering the Sony VPL-VW40. This will be my first projector, so I would like a list of do/don't if y'all wouldn't mind. Also, should I worry about getting a 3rd party warranty? Oh, and what movie should I try first?

07-24-2008, 03:59 PM	#7
bhampton Blu-ray Count Member since:Aug 2007 4K collection:986 Blu-ray collection:2542 DVD collection:67 Blu-ray reviews: 6 Trading Score:18	Hi, To be clear.... First off... I love AVS. Second... I love Sony SXRD pj's. And... I love Sony projectors as well. Currently I have a Sony VPH G70 and it's the display I've always dreamed of owning and I couldn't be happier and yet I hope if I ever consider replacing it that Sxrd pj's will still be available. Most importantly though... I don't yet have a Sxrd pj no matter how much I've researched them I can't say for certain that the calbration they did was a good or bad value. I would and do completely trust them. It would not be possible for them to set the black level of you pj outside of it's final configuration in your room. And I also think calibration may be better performed after the projector has been run it for maybe 200 hours or so. I don't know what you paid for the calbration and can't honestly say if it was worth it. I perhaps shouldn't have commented in the first place because setting up my projector is part of the fun that I have that makes Home Theater a rewarding interest for me and as such I would never pay anyone else to do it. That's why I have my own SPL meter,.. my own color meter, and Digital Video Essentials on Blu Ray and DVD and the laserdisc version called "A Video Standard." I believe there is a lot of value in buying from AVS. It supports AVS which has given so much to HT as a hobby over the years. I don't think you can buy much from them without getting more then your money's worth... So,.. Don't worry.. be happy,.. I think you made a terrific choice. -Brian Last edited by bhampton; 07-24-2008 at 04:09 PM.

07-26-2008, 05:47 PM	#17
bhampton Blu-ray Count Member since:Aug 2007 4K collection:986 Blu-ray collection:2542 DVD collection:67 Blu-ray reviews: 6 Trading Score:18	Hi, Quote "Thank you everybody (especially Brian) who helped me make my decision." Do you mean me? I think you're talking about someone else though I do suggest everyone buys a Sxrd pj. (And the other very helpful fella is actually Brain Sturgeon which sort of looks like Brian but... it's different... Don't know what his real name is.) Anyway.... If I helped you made that choice then you made my day. I'm always talking up sxrd and have yet to know of anyone who took my advice for it. (My step father and I went hunting for discontinued sxrd rear projection TVs and found a 60" for $1300 and he just kind of got cold feet ) -Brian Last edited by bhampton; 07-26-2008 at 06:15 PM.

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07-24-2008, 01:52 AM	#2
Brain Sturgeon Expert Member Top ranked HT gallery Member since:Sep 2007 Home Theater Gallery:39	During viewing, if you want to take a break for a bit, it's better to leave the projector on for that little bit rather than turn it off and on multiple times in a number of hours. The fewer times you strike the lamp, the less wear and tear it will have. Always make sure to allow the lamp to cool after you turn it off-- do not unplug the PJ of turn it on/off using a switch. Again, this preserves lamp life. Some people consider getting a UPS in case of power interruptions while viewing. The lamp will dim as it ages, so most people use economy settings on their projectors, and then just switch to normal lamp mode when the lamp starts to dim-- of course, if you prefer it brighter, you can run it in normal and consider replacing the lamp before failure for brightness reasons. Mack warranties for projectors are popular, and not only extend the warranty but also provide for 2 lamp replacements within 3 years. This is a pretty good deal assuming you use the PJ regularly. Check out www.mackcam.com/servicecontracts/index.htm You might want to try this for your first "movie": If you calibrate a bit, you'll enjoy the picture more. A full ISF calibration would be better, but you'd have to shell out $400+ for this. It's probably worth it for anyone with a projector though. Just remember to check your settings as the bulb ages, as your picture will change a bit (bulbs tend to lose red as they age, iirc). Most people get ISF'd after about 75 hours or so to allow the bulb to mature. Otherwise, the usual standards: Cars, Ratatouille, Kingdom of Heaven, Casino Royale, POTC: DMC will give you plenty of eye candy. Enjoy!

07-24-2008, 12:43 PM	#3
Cwoodall334 Active Member Member since:Nov 2007	I bought my projector from the people at AV Science and I had them calibrate it before they shipped it to me. Was that a bad idea to have it calibrated that early in the lamp life?

07-24-2008, 02:23 PM	#4
bhampton Blu-ray Count Member since:Aug 2007 4K collection:986 Blu-ray collection:2542 DVD collection:67 Blu-ray reviews: 6 Trading Score:18	Well, Chances are good that they confirmed you have little or no convergence problems. I imagine there isn't much to do for calibrating a VW40. It it's well designed (and I imagine it is) then the sharpness, color, and hue should be disabled for HD sources. (At least that's how Sony used to handle HD sources hopefully they still maintain that.) So,.. since you setup the focus and throw distance and all that and geometry and convergence is not an issue I would imagine the "calibration" was simply getting the set to a 6500k mode and setting greyscale. Wouldn't make any sense for them to do greyscale since they don't have access to your screen material and room from thier site so I imagine to some extent that calibration may have been a waste. Anyway... it's a fine pj and a great place to buy it from... Hope you enjoy it. -Brian

07-24-2008, 02:32 PM	#6
Cwoodall334 Active Member Member since:Nov 2007	Here are the before and after calibrations sent to me: Before After:

07-24-2008, 04:13 PM	#8
Beta Man Moderator Top contributor Member since:Jan 2008 Location:Juuuuuuuust A Bit Outside.... Home Theater Gallery:4 Blu-ray collection:268 Blu-ray reviews: 18 Trading Score:25	congrats!!! I'm entering this strange world of projection myself.... Time to start my theater!

07-25-2008, 06:56 PM	#11
bhampton Blu-ray Count Member since:Aug 2007 4K collection:986 Blu-ray collection:2542 DVD collection:67 Blu-ray reviews: 6 Trading Score:18	Hi, Sorry to hear about the delay. If I were you I would watch Cars first (after further setup of things like black level from DVE or even the test patterns found on Sony Blu Rays or the THX patterns as a last resort on some discs (Terminator 2, perhaps others.) I was just watching Cars down in my HT and the PQ is just stunning. Really draws you right in with it's pristine flawness nature. -Brian

07-25-2008, 07:30 PM	#12
Beta Man Moderator Top contributor Member since:Jan 2008 Location:Juuuuuuuust A Bit Outside.... Home Theater Gallery:4 Blu-ray collection:268 Blu-ray reviews: 18 Trading Score:25	I keep having crazy thoughts that I'll connect my projector, and just not be impressed with the PQ.... but I have no reason to have those thoughts... I guess it's the pessimist in me!!!! Look at it this way.... the Delay will give you a chance to "Fine-tune" the room.... if you had the projector in your hands right now.... you'd be sitting there watching so many movies, you wouldn't get anything done

07-26-2008, 12:33 PM	#13
Cwoodall334 Active Member Member since:Nov 2007	I finally got my projector yesterday. I threw in Casino Royal just to test the image quality, and I ended up watching the whole thing because I couldn't help but be fascinated by the image. The same thing happened with Batman Begins and The Rock. So, in roughly the first 7 hours of owning my projector, I already had about 7 hours on the lamp. Oh well I usually have those post purchase doubts whenever I buy something, but not with this. I couldn't be any happier. I don't have a camera, but I'll try to borrow my friends to post some pictures later. Thank you everybody (especially Brian) who helped me make my decision.

07-26-2008, 12:56 PM	#14
Cwoodall334 Active Member Member since:Nov 2007	Here's a picture of The Rock that I took with my phone.

07-26-2008, 01:02 PM	#15
Cwoodall334 Active Member Member since:Nov 2007	Oh yea, I meant to ask another question. After I turn off the projector, what's the minimum amount of time I should wait before turning it back on.

07-28-2008, 06:20 PM	#18
jomari Moderator Top contributor Member since:Nov 2007 Home Theater Gallery:18 Blu-ray reviews: 2 Trading Score:2	heres some quick tips as well for first time pj owners, -consider purchasing a good ups as protection for it. most pj owners i know have some roaming black outs, power outtages etc, these babies protect your high earned investment by giving you just enough time for it to power down and cool itself properly, compared to a sudden loss of power. - have you thought about buying a replacement lamp for it? i bought mine immediately when i purchased my pj, due to two issues: 1. you can never gauge the economys output thus not knowing how much in demand they may be for em in the future 2. what if you're watching cars and reach 5 minutes till the end of the movie and bam! your pj lamp dies on you? emergencies bud, emergencies. 3. on a serious note, its always good to have your back up, others suggesting put up a fund each time you use it, put 5 dollars in a jar - but i feel that its not worth that hassle and just save up for a lamp. 4. INVEST IN A LENSPEN. - found mostly in wolf camera stores near you. http://www.lenspen.com/

07-28-2008, 10:48 PM	#19
Cwoodall334 Active Member Member since:Nov 2007	Jomari, thanks for the advise. I'll definitely get a lenspen. I've also looked at a UPS. Which UPS would you recommend?

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