I just picked up a DLP Sharp DT-400 to replace my failing Panasonic LCD PT-LC75U (designed back in 2001?). The colors and contrast on the Sharp do seem a bit better, but overall things seem fuzzier. I'm not talking about adjusting the focus -- when I have the projector menu up it's crisp and clear as can be. But when playing back a movie or watching something on cable, it's not "fixing" images anywhere nearly as nicely as my Panasonic did.

When I say "fixing" I'm referring to the way the device interpolates the signal to create the final image. In other words, if Cable TV and DVD is going through my S-Video cable at 720X480, then my Panasonic Projector had to do some manipulation to make that fit into 1024X768 and still look clear, which it did marvelously. But when I hooked up my new Sharp projector (1280 X 720) it looks noticeably fuzzier. I don't know if this is an effect of the higher contrast, the different aspect ratio, DLP instead of LCD, Sharp verses Panasonic, or if I have simply picked the wrong setting. The effect is like this image:


http://www.dynamic-arts.com/ebay/tava-ad.jpg

These aren't eally images from one to the next projector, I'm just describing the effect. The first image would be equivalent to native images on a computer. The second would be the appearance on my Panasonic. The third would be the Sharp.

Any ideas? Suggestions?

"S-Video cable"

This is your problem. Try using DVI or Component.

I'll give that a shot. I'll grumble a lot about it because it means climbing back up into the cieling and dropping wires down by the edge of the roof, but I know I want DVI for when I go Blue Ray this fall. My current DVD player doesn't have DVI though. Only S-video and component video.

Is the problem that the S-video on the Panasonic was geared for analog signals where the Sharp is geared towards digital? Why was the Panasonic clearer using the same S-Video cable?

I'll give that a shot. I'll grumble a lot about it because it means climbing back up into the cieling and dropping wires down by the edge of the roof, but I know I want DVI for when I go Blue Ray this fall. My current DVD player doesn't have DVI though. Only S-video and component video.

Is the problem that the S-video on the Panasonic was geared for analog signals where the Sharp is geared towards digital? Why was the Panasonic clearer using the same S-Video cable?Use component video. The reason? Component has no limit to lines of color resolution so you can put a much better signal through to your PJ. S-video was originally created for VHS and has not been updated since. It cannot carry even the full analog signal possible from a dvd. Your 1024x768 pj was better about displaying this limited signal but the true quality of s-video has become evident with your new PJ.

Thanks ReconLabTech.

Is Component video preferred to DVI? I would have thought DVI would be superior since it's digital. I was thinking about putting a PC in my entertainment center and running a VERRRRY long DVI cable to the projector. I haven't even started researching them, but I'm guessing that Blue-Ray set top players and HD cable doesn't use a DVI cable. Running the DVI cable would let me play PC games at high resolution.

Thanks ReconLabTech.

Is Component video preferred to DVI? I would have thought DVI would be superior since it's digital. I was thinking about putting a PC in my entertainment center and running a VERRRRY long DVI cable to the projector. I haven't even started researching them, but I'm guessing that Blue-Ray set top players and HD cable doesn't use a DVI cable. Running the DVI cable would let me play PC games at high resolution.

The only reason I suggested component as your solution was to maintain backward compatibility with your equipment. Run DVI if you aren't worried about older equipment. You can always use some hdmi to dvi adapters like they sell at monoprice.com to get other devices hooked in. A switcher might be handy with several devices trying to connect to your PJ.

It's also possible that the Panny has a much better scaler than the Sharp. I know Panasonic has generrally gotten very good reviews for their scalers. I don't know if this is the case with Sharp, especially with this particular projector.

But I also strongly agree to use the best type of cable you can. In fact I'd run both DVI and component to save you some time in the future.

Jim