Ordered it today from Jason at AVS. The special pricing is amazing! My only regret is the HT won't be ready until November if I can get a drywall installer to ever show up.

Sweet. I don't know how you'll be able to wait that long. I ordered mine last week from Jason and it's due to arrive tomorrow. I've been suffering. Can't ask for a better deal, great price & great service!!!

The old HT has been all packed away since July. We are getting really excited about finally having a new one.

I got mine from Jason last week and got it set up properly yesterday. It is a great projector. I am very happy with it. I'm sure you will be too. For the price, I doubt it can really be beat. Especially if you consider the sealed light path and no dust blob cleaning (a big factor for me b/c I'm not one to vacuum every week).

I put a mini-review in this thread:
http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?s=&threadid=459182

just ordered mine from Jason yesterday. Can't wait.
Question - how is the internal scaler vs using a progressive input?
I hear the BenQ scaler is very good.
Has anyone tried both? If so, which one looks better?
I was hoping to use the internal de-interlacer.
PS - I chose the 7800 over the IF4805. Hope I made the right decision.

idog1969,
I was just like you. I was all set to buy the 4805 until I got the 7800 price from Jason. I bought iy strictly based on the specs. I have an X1 now and I've always used the DCDi that is built into the X1 via S-Vid. For the 7800, I ordered a 25-ft component cable to use with a Panny CP72

Mine is scheduled for delivery Friday. Considering the fact that list price on this pj is $5,500, I'm sure I'll be quite happy based on the special pricing we got. Since the HT isn't complete, I'll probably give it a test drive on a wall this weekend.

Jeff,
I pretty much bought mine sight unseen too, although Jason was a big help! I'm surprised there isn't more talk about this projector on the forum. It sort of falls under-the-radar. I did see this review though and although I don't look much into reviews, I found this one to be helpful. If you haven't seen it, check it out:

http://www.projectorreviews.com/article.aspx?artid=20

idog1969,
you are correct, there isn't much on the forum about the 7800. The only other similar DLP I knew about was the Infocus 5700, which has the same chipset and rez. The 7800, however, has better contrast. If any of you out there reading this are leaning toward the 4805, you should call Jason at AVS. For not too much more, you can get a 7800 if there are any left at this price.

BTW, that was a nice review, I had not seen it before.

Thanks for the advice you gave me via PM, Jeff. I changed some settings on the dvd player and now I don't get digital artifacts when during slow panning scenes anymore. :) Now the picture is seemless. I'm just in awe. What a fantastic picture! :) :) :)

Not only did the new 7800 arrive today, but my Monster Power HTS2600 and my new screen all arrived! Cables arrived yesterday. I have too many new toys. Aint the internet great!

The first thing I noticed about the new pj is the size and weight of it. Compared to the X1 it's replacing, it's larger and a lot heavier. Hopefully, I'll get some time to at least plug it in and project something onto a wall or even the old Dalite screen. The X1 and Dalite are now offically for sale

I've been watching tons of dvds since I set up the projector last week. The only negative I've seen now that I've setup my dvd player correctly is dithering in dark scenes. I've got a hi-power screen, so it is supposed to be more apparent on that type of screen anyway. In a movie with a lot of dark scenes like Master and Commander I simply turn down the brightness and the dithering lessens.

Anyway, besides dithering in very dark scenes, the picture is practically perfect, IMHO. I honestly cannot see spending a penny more for the difference in picture quality between this projector and the more expensive projectors I've viewed. I don't have HDTV signals, so extra resolution is not really a factor. Also, in my opinoin, the black level and contrast are great on this projector, so darker blacks or more contrast on more expensive projectors would not be that big of a deal for me. Everything is smooth, colorful, and sharp on this projector. Thus far I am a very happy camper. :)

The 7800 is based on the matterhorn at 1024x576 or something like that for PAL. Why did you choose it over the 4805? Was there any reason, esp bought sight unseen?

Native Rez: BenQ7800 1024x576 vs IF SP4805 854x480
Brightness: BenQ7800 800 vs SP4805 750
Colo Wheel: BenQ7800 6-seg/5x vs SP4805 6-set/4x

Those specs are similar, but the 7800 does have an edge. Based on list price of $5495 vs $1499, the 4805 would be a no brainer.

My selection process:
I bought an X1 back in 2002 just after it's intro for over $1600. I had a mental block over paying less for the 4805 and feeling that I got an upgrade. I honestly don't think the 4805 was enough of an upgrade for me over my X1. Now, the AVS special buy made a huge difference. The 7800 special pricing is/was SIGNIFICANT! FYI, when I ordered mine, they only had about ten. Hint, you'd probably have to spend close to an additional $2k to do better.

Since I see a lot of questions regarding the PE7800 and the IF 4805. I have seen them both, have the 7800 and seen the IF on several ocations. Now latly in a big shootout with other similar ones.

The PE7800 is quite a bit better then the IF 4805 so if you bought it instead, good for you!

For more info on what I think about it compared to other projectors and my earlier review go to:

Shootout thread compaing it to several projectors (http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?postid=4552386#post4552386)

My review of the PE7800 (http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?postid=4064311#post4064311)

One point I'm unclear about and that is due to my technical ignorance is that the 7800 uses BNC connectors for progressive scan. In layman's terms or for tech idiots like myself, what does this mean in practical terms. Do I have to buy special expensive cabling to get pro scan. And don't these projectors all have some type of internal de-interlacing chips.

Thanks in advance to anyone who can clear up this confusion. Was thinking of the IF 4805 along with my cousin, but the new lowered pricing on the 7800 may have us both switching.

moretothepoint,
I'll get right to it;-) BNC connectors are similar to RCA plugs except they have a collar around the plug with a slot that fits over a pin. You slide it on, turn the collar and it's locked. The 7800 provides a BNC adapter so you don't have to go out and buy new cable. A couple of years ago, I had CRT pjs and they all had BNC connectors.

Hmm..

quick PE7800 vs IF4805

1024x576 vs 854x480
5x wheel vs 4x wheel
210w vs 160w (while being quiet)
Brighter and punchier than 4805's
and with AVS price..
Long throw..same optics as the 8700

hmmmmmmmmm
Only negative is that 2000 hrs on the lamp ..
That seems to be the clearest communication I have seen so far Jeff..
Wonder if the 4805 folks are looking here..for a PJ originally in the $5K range.

Remember, jason only had about 10 last week. So Speedy, if you want one, you better order it first and then tell everyone on the 4805 forum. I think most people ignored Jason's post about the special because the posted retail price is $5495. One thing, it's probably a typo, but you said 6x vs 4x wheel. They both have 6segment wheels but the 7800 is 5x and the 4805 is a 4x wheel. The faster wheel should be better for those with rainbow problems.

5x..still better than 4x. Correction noted. Still thinking of the JVC GR1HD...but I definitely use the PJ more.

Jeff, are you running a progressive input into the pj, or are you using the interal deinterlacer? I hear the BenQ deinterlacer is quite good...

pc - My projector arrived yesterday. Very excited!!
In the process of finalizing my room, and I still need to buy a screen so I'm a couple weeks away from turning it on.

Originally posted by idog1969
Jeff, are you running a progressive input into the pj, or are you using the interal deinterlacer? I hear the BenQ deinterlacer is quite good...

pc - My projector arrived yesterday. Very excited!!
In the process of finalizing my room, and I still need to buy a screen so I'm a couple weeks away from turning it on.

idog,
Mine is still in the box and probably will stay there until sometime in Nov...I'm still trying to get drywall installed in the basement. Maximus or Havocsi will probably be able to help you on that one.

Originally posted by Havocsi
Since I see a lot of questions regarding the PE7800 and the IF 4805. I have seen them both, have the 7800 and seen the IF on several ocations. Now latly in a big shootout with other similar ones.

The PE7800 is quite a bit better then the IF 4805 so if you bought it instead, good for you!

For more info on what I think about it compared to other projectors and my earlier review go to:

Shootout thread compaing it to several projectors (http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?postid=4552386#post4552386)

My review of the PE7800 (http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?postid=4064311#post4064311)

Havocsi,

In your review you mentioned you used DVI with HTPC to do 1:1 pixel mapping..Is this in PAL? because you get more lines in PAL. My question about PE7800 vs IF4805 pertains strictly to NTSC. So with NTSC do you know if the quality is distinguishable from the IF4805's 1:1 pixel mapping from a DVD source?

SpeedyHTPC:

When you use a HTPC you upscale the source material to that of the outputted image. Which means that I for instance use ffdshow to upscale it to 1024*576 which further adds image quality and then I output it in that resolution to the projector. Its no different if you use PAL of NTSC for upscaling the picture and I whatch both on mine since I import movies.

When you use a native DVD player and native resolutions you still by some reason feel a bit of a differance between them due to the resolution, dont ask me why but the IF4805 just feels a little bit more pixlated.

Someone asked why I chose the 7800 over the 4805 since the 7800 costs more.

First of all, the light path is sealed in the 7800 and it isn't in the 4805. While I've heard that dust problems are rarely an issue with DLP, I do remember seeing a post or two where people with the 4805 had dust on their panel. I am not a super cleanly person (don't vacuum weekly, etc.), so that is one reason why I went for the 7800 over the 4805 or an LCD.

Also, I read in a thread on one of these forums that while the 4805 is native DVD resolution, some detail is lost from a 480 rez source. While I cannot remember the specifics, it was supposedly due to some kind of data interference (or something like that). It was said that when you have higher resolution projector, the interference gets moved into higher frequencies (or something) when scaled(?) and therefore you get more detail in a higher rez projector even from a 480 rez source. I figured that more detail for dvds would be better. The thread that mentions this point has a post that says this point has been discussed on the forum many times in the past and confirmed by many. Is it true? I dunno. It just made sense when I read it. I'll see if I can dig up the thread, but I'm not gonna spend much time looking for it. If anyone has the link, please post it for others.
Ben

Originally posted by maximusPSO

Also, I read in a thread on one of these forums that while the 4805 is native DVD resolution, some detail is lost from a 480 rez source. While I cannot remember the specifics, it was supposedly due to some kind of data interference (or something like that). It was said that when you have higher resolution projector, the interference gets moved into higher frequencies (or something) when scaled(?) and therefore you get more detail in a higher rez projector even from a 480 rez source. I figured that more detail for dvds would be better. The thread that mentions this point has a post that says this point has been discussed on the forum many times in the past and confirmed by many. Is it true? I dunno. It just made sense when I read it. I'll see if I can dig up the thread, but I'm not gonna spend much time looking for it. If anyone has the link, please post it for others.
Ben

I actually think it’s the other way around. A high rez source could look very good even on a low rez projector. The point was that HD looks much better than SD on the 4805.

Originally posted by maximusPSO
[B]Someone asked why I chose the 7800 over the 4805 since the 7800 costs more.


My reason is pretty simple, the image just looks much better in my eyes.

Well, I took the plunge on the AVS PE7800 deal today -- my first projector. I was able to audition an Infocus 5700 and I didn't have any problems with RBE, so since the 7800 also has a 6/5 color wheel, I'm assuming there will be no RBE with it either.

I got a 92" diag. manual Da-Lite Hi-Power screen to go with it, which while not ideal, is what the budget would allow for at the moment.

Thanks to all of you for your postings, which made my decision easier. It is weird that there isn't more enthusiasm about this projector, especially considering the AVS price.

I'm not trying to sound like a smart ass but that's all a 1024x576 pj should cost For now that is, next week it will be less and so on.

I believe it is already below a price/performance value given the starting price point of the next batch 1280x720 projectors.

found the quote by Dave W:

This topic has been discussed at length here in the past. In a nutshell, the answer is that showing a pixelized image at it's native resolution does contain all the detail, but it also contains so much erroneous high frequency content induced by the pixel transitions that the fine detail is obscured. By scaling the image up to a higher resolution, the fine detail is left intact, and the high frequency "noise" is moved much higher in frequency, thus revealing all the original image detail. It's the same concept that oversampling D/A converters use on CD players. Of course for this to work, good quality scaling algorithms must be employed, or else the scaling will add more artifacts than it reduces. Perhaps this is why your LT150 didn't demonstrate the concept too well. I don't believe its image scaling is sufficient for quality video. That's why many here used a HTPC with this projector, as well as many of the old business quality projectors in the past, myself included .


from this thread:
http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?s=&threadid=424766&perpage=20&highlight=7800&pagenumber=3

genmax,

While I might agree that this price is all a 1024x576pj should cost, it doesn't seem that is what most of them DO cost. Unfortunately most retailers do not sell according to "should" :) For instance, I was at a local retailer today looking at an Infocus 5700, which has an MSRP of $3999, and while I'm sure they would have come down some, they certainly would not have come down that much.

I thought about saving some $ and getting a 4805 or the Optoma H30, but the reviews seem to suggest that the 7800 gives a much better picture, and I didn't want to be thinking "what if." Since I could not begin to afford a 720pj at the moment, the 7800 was a good compromise. Also, I am only purchasing for DVD, and it will be a while before I am buying an HD-DVD player I imagine.

That being said, I realize that there will be something new and better and cheaper out before long. That is the curse of this audio/video affliction with which we have been yoked. :rolleyes:

Originally posted by timjuliani
genmax,
Also, I am only purchasing for DVD, and it will be a while before I am buying an HD-DVD player I imagine.


Same here. I stated that somewhere in one of my first posts. I'm not someone who is a HD TV fanatic. We're build a dedicated HT with the emphasis on theater.

Originally posted by Havocsi
SpeedyHTPC:

When you use a HTPC you upscale the source material to that of the outputted image. Which means that I for instance use ffdshow to upscale it to 1024*576 which further adds image quality and then I output it in that resolution to the projector. Its no different if you use PAL of NTSC for upscaling the picture and I whatch both on mine since I import movies.


This I know. Not really asking about the HTPC..


When you use a native DVD player and native resolutions you still by some reason feel a bit of a differance between them due to the resolution, dont ask me why but the IF4805 just feels a little bit more pixlated.

This is what I wanted to know but it remains to be answered.

Thanks to the Dave W thread somebody posted.

Guys - I am also considering buying the 7800 - however, I want to use the projector to watch HD sports as well as regular dvd's.

I prefer the overall picture of DLP over LCD, but if I am HD ready, should I instead buy a LCD that is native HD resolution instead?

Also - any serious issues with HTPC's when using this particular resolution vs. a native HD resolution?

Help!

michelle

Depends on the amount of loot you got and the "must-have" factor plus RBE effect. Otherwise I would save for a HD2(+) PJ. Optoma H77.

My first post. But I have read the forum ... a lot.

I am building my first HT system and am set on the 7800, based on my needs and intended uses, and perceived value. Now that I will overspend on the projector (sorry honey), I'm looking at DVD players and cabling. Does anyone have enough experience with the 7800 to know whether it is better to send it a progressive or interlaced signal? If the 7800 scales an interlaced signal well, then is it possible that a decent DVD player sending a simple 480i signal will produce a nice picture? Are there suggestions on a good DVD player for this projector? I'm probably inclined to underspend a little on the player, to make up for my budget deficit (understanding this may not be possible).

Also, does anyone have any experience with using a DVI connection rather than component, and which works better (for the 7800)? Thanks.

Jake1:

I cannot really comment on the interlaced vs progressive signal since I've only feeded mine with progressive over the good cableing. (did some interlaced over S-video and it worked fine, but s-video is not really fun compared to component and especially DVI)

However what I can comment about is DVI rather than component. There is an overall quality increes in using the DVI, there is more snapp to the image throught it. It also feels that the overal brightness of the 7800 goes up a bit through it as well, without sacrificing the contrast. The DVI is the way to go if you have the possibillity, but the component will do just fine if you dont.

As long as the source media is in progressive, sending that to any projector will always result in better PQ over sending non-progressive or down-converting the progressive to non-progressive only to have the PJ make it progressive yet again.

Connectors in order of quality:
DVI/HDMI
RGB
Component
S-video
composite

I gave the edge to RGB over component simply because of the discreet timings available over RGB. Doesn't affect PQ too much, but does make getting correct image geometry easier.

Just ordered the 7800 myself. I missed the first batch but got a call from Jason saying they were getting some more next week. The price was right so I took the plunge.

This will be my first projector so I am not getting a screen right away. I am just going to use a white wall until I finalize how I am going to mount it and decide on a screen size.

Primarily I will be watching DVDs. However, I do get HD through cable (component output, no DVI on the cable box) and might occassionally watch a little through my Tivo.

I don't know if this is the proper place, but I would like to ask how everyone is feeding their 7800? I am having a hard time determining the best way to go.

Since my DVD player (Toshiba 4800) and HD feed are both component out, I will need to get a switcher or just manually disconnect/reconnect each source as needed. I could get a scaler like the Dvdo Iscan HD, use the component pass through for HD, scale the other sources and use DVI. I could also buy a DVD player with DVI which would solve my component bottle neck.

Anyone have any ideas?

Thanks,
Keith

I feed mine with DVI from a NorthQ 5001 (Momitsu clone). The picture is abselutely great!

The 7800 has PiP so I was planning to

-initially go DVI from DVD player only.
-HDTV from Comcast continues to be on 1080i to the RCA-BNC conversion tabs included with the 7800 via 480p+ BNC.
-Connect another source, 480i to the RGB input, for PIP. Might be HDTV since I dont think connecting a second DVD player for PiP makes any sense. Then again, having my HDTV at 1080i..what to do about getting a 480i input..:confused: Well the antennae still carries SD signals so if you split it, you get 480i for PiP.

Converting all to DVI-I (not DVI-A) is my ultimate goal prob use a DVI switch but I havent found any good DVI-I switches. Those at Smartech.com looks to be DVI-As for PCs.

Torture!
Ordered my PE7800 last week, and fedex.com indicated that I could expect delivery next Tuesday.
Well, while I was in the basement screwing around with the projector I had borrowed from work, they attempted to deliver it! I never heard the doorbell. My wife was napping, and said she heard it, but assumed I got the door. Aaargh! Now I have to wait until Tuesday!

That truly sucks:eek: I had a similar, yet much less heinous experience yesterday.

I had to go out for awhile, so I left a signed note for Fedex to leave the package by our door (inside a locked building). When I came back, the note was gone but I didn't see any package. When I checked FedEx online, it still said "On Truck for Delivery." So I waited from 2-6, called FedEx, which informed me that Home Delivery goes until 8, so I waited until 7:45, and when I checked the online tracking for the 50th time, it said "Delivered at 11:30." So I went downstairs and the driver had hidden it around a corner -- very nice, but also frustrating because we were already late for a party. Then out all day hiking today, so just now am I setting it up.

Not quite the same, I know. Won't they try again on Monday?

I forgot all about the PIP and POP functions. As I read the instructions, it says for PIP one source must be from the video group and one source must be from the graphic group. However, it doesn't seem to have this limitation for the POP function, is that correct?

-Keith

Has anyone done any research into which screens work best with the 7800 in a light controlled environment?

I was thinking about CinemaVision at 106"

Thoughts?

I'm thinking about a Da-Lite Model C, 92" High Power. My wife likes to multitask while watching movies, so I figure that the extra brightness might help if there is some ambient light. (Not during every movie, mind you -- usually just things we've seen before).

The reviews on the forum for the High Power seem good, and I also have read that the material resists wrinkling, or at least is at least less prone to showing the wrinkles.

I'll be using an acoustically transparent screen with a 1.0 gain. I think Jason at AVS suggested a DaLite HCCV 1.1 gain

I too ordered this projector and I am looking forward to the delivery. Thanks for all the info folks.

Wow this pj is really going mainstream..a matterhorn based pj at target.com.

Arrgh. The deal is gone? I hesitated a few days and it's gone... Bring it back, Jason... Please...

I called him yesterday and he said that he would still be good on the deal for a week or so. I found a better deal for less than his offer but i bet if you call him you can still get it. There was only 1 left where i got mine, but it might be worth your while to check around. His price is still a killer deal.

Rick

I got in on this deal earlier today thanks to Jason. Can't wait for the PJ to arrive now! :)

I have mine set up provisionally until my screen and 30' component cable arrives. The colors are amazing, even uncalibrated -- and that is projecting on an old white wall.

I did experience my first rainbows last night, but I would not say they were distracting at all. I had to really try my damndest, but of course once I saw one, I couldn't stop myself from trying repeatedly. My guess is if that these rainbows bother you, you should not get a DLP pj.

The bigger problem is that I am already feeling like I should upgrade my DVD player from the nearly 4 year old Toshiba SD-9200, but the budget is blown for the foreseeable future...:rolleyes:

With the old X1, I used to see an occasional rainbow. I think that most people new to the technology think that they are actually going to see a big band of color or an actual rainbow lingering on the screen. This scares them away before they even have a look at DLP. The RBE is a flash of color that for me is gone before my even brain registers it (I'm slow). After a while, I realized that I wasn't even seeing them anymore on the X1. My 7800 is still in it's cocoon waiting for the HT to be completed. However, with it's 6-seg 5x wheel, I don't expect to see very many rainbows.

For me it is a small stack of color usually in bright spots, but like I said, rare and not distracting. Mileage may vary.

Fishingeek,
You got my PM.

When I display a the DVE test pattern for 1.73:1..its cutoff on the right side..is this how it is with matterhorns?

Jeff,
I ended up going with the CinemaVision screen material. It was between that and the HCCV gray screen. I have a light controlled environment, so I figured with the higher contract of this pj, colors were going to be more important to me than black level. Jason was a big help in pointing me in the right direction.

Jeff Hovis,
you said you had an x1 before.i have one of those now.
How would you compare them?
Is the 7800 brighter? better colors? better resolution?

Would you say its a real noticeable jump ?

I bought 7800 last night from Jason. I think I picked up one of a few left and got the special sales price. It'll be here next week although it's got to wait for a few weeks to be installed in the HT...

Quite honestly, I bought it on faith. We moved and are building a new HT and I decided that it was time to look around for a new pj. I had the X1 for almost two years. I bought it in 2002 right after it's intro and paid over $1600 for it. My goal was better resolution, brightness, better color and newer chip ($2k-2.5k range). With that criteria, the 4805 was a logical choice and there were quite a few others who had "upgraded" from an X1 to the 4805. The 7800 specs were better than the 4805 but for the regular price of $5k+, it was no deal. I was on board to get the 4805 and then Jason put the 7800 special on the board. After his comparison and some feedback from Jason, I went with the 7800. Was it the right choice? I don't know, it's still in the box. My plan is to upgrade every 2-3 years as technology changes and prices come down. One other thing: A couple of months ago, AV123 had the BenQ 8700 which is an HD2+ pj on a special promo. I put in my order for it, but they only had about 12 at the price and I didn't get one. It was still almost twice the price of the AVS 7800 special and from the reviews I've read, most people can't really tell the difference in pq.

My contract says my basement will be finished by Dec 3. After that, I'll have full access to the HT room. Since my travel tends to slow down a lot after Thanksgiving, I'll have more time to work on it and I plan to have a Christmas Eve Premiere.

Originally posted by edgebsl
Jeff Hovis,
you said you had an x1 before.i have one of those now.
How would you compare them?
Is the 7800 brighter? better colors? better resolution?

Would you say its a real noticeable jump ?

The PJ crops like crazy. I can't even fit a DVE 1.78:1 pattern in it's anamoprhic mode. Again, is this how it is with matterhorn based PJs?

Mini review..

While I also have the X1 and did install the PE7800 the following is what I noticed. Note Im highly sensitive to everything. The X1 is the basis of my comparisons.

Norcent DP-501M (LiteOn LVD 2001 3.02) All modes - PAL, NTSC, PSCAN 480P, 720P, 1080i.
Panasonic RP-82 for DVE tests.
Screen size is 150"+ diag with 1.85:1 as base.
Plain white matte wall with Behr UPW.


Besides the strange cropping the rest of the CONs are NOT that annoying.

Pros
- Huge improvement in color. Much more vibrant.
- Less SDE in HDTV.
- Colors at "Normal" is 6500K. Defaults at warm.
- Contrast and brightness settings hit right on target using DVE out of the box. Even at a plain white matte wall.
- Powers completely down after its locomotive like cool down process.
- 800 Lumens that makes a difference compared to the X1's 450.
- Well built, comes with the RCA to BNC converters for 480p and up.
- Power cord galore.
- Much quieter than the X1 but there is a high pitched color wheel whine. Can't notice it after a while.
- Auto mode in PC/HDTV mode that helps you adjust for incoming signal.

Cons
- Strange cropping. Cannot fit 4:3 within its 1024x576 matrix. None of the modes - ana, wide, 4:3, thro fits a 4:3 image within the 16:9 native DMD.
This issue might kill a lot of game consoles because they usually use the edges for meters, scoring, etc.
There seems to be cropping all around - top, bottom, left, right.
- It's own pattern shows its aligned but DVE shows its off on the horizontal centering by +18 ticks.
- Ana and wide modes can get confusing. Only way to get it right is to see if the image is stretched. 4:3 and Thro are probably good for testing but I dont think I'll use it for viewing.
- Auto mode under "Display" doesnt work right. Horizontal centering is off.
- No way to update firmware (that I can see by user).
- Menu doesnt have enough adjustments for video. I'd like a sizing option only because of my first cropping issue.
- Memory functions do not correspond to remote number keys.
- There is a strange lens curvature issue that is best seen when the scene scrolls. I can see it just off the center.

Other things I noticed
- 1.85:1 is now huge. Covering what used to be 1:78:1 on the X1. Again some cropping happens and I dont think the ratio is correct. Image is either too tall or too fat.
- Tiny 4:3. SD is just as bad as it was on the X1.

I plan to use ours for DVD viewing only. I have a 16:9 screen which is the native setting for the pj. I don't think I'll have any problems. However, I am keeping my Dalite 4:3 pull-down screen that I'm probably going to mount out of site above the new screen.

Speedy,
I sent a PM to Jason and to another 7800 owner who has had his running for a while. I also posted a question about this on the >$3500 forum since this pj still qualifies for that forum. I had a thought, could it be the setting on your DVD player?

Well, I tried 480p on the RP-82 and 480p, 720p, 1080i, PAL on my Norcent. They are all configured for 16:9.

One interesting thing is that using PAL on the Norcent, the image never achieves the correct aspect ratio. Its stretched wide. Probably because Im using a region 1 dvd.

Another item I didnt expect was to see the DVE menu chopped off on the left and right sides.

Note that Havocsi uses a HTPC to scale it to 1025x576. I do not want to use a HTPC. If thats the only way, then I'll have to talk to Jason.

Will try tinkering some more..

PE7800 service menu? The following from the 8700 thread:

Open the Menu and press Power On (Green). The menu should dissappear and the osd in the bottom right should turn red. Press menu again and you should have some different options. Do the same to switch back.

The screen has landed! PJ shows up on Monday. :cool:

hah! I'm in the opposite boat. PJ showed up today, screen on monday! :)

dusted off an old sony DVD player and hooked it up via s-video to the PJ and threw a picture on our living room wall.

Even w/ s-video, and with quite a bit of ambient light i thought the picture (Saving Private Ryan) was pretty darn good, not to mention very visible giving the lighting conditions.

I wouldn't say the PQ was as good as my Sony GWIII/XP30, but once the screen gets here, and I can hook it up to my XP30, i think I'm gonna be in awe.

liquidh2o, do you notice any cropping or off-centering of the dvd?

I had it up and running for 10 mins or so, but one thing i did notice, it seemed like the top portion was cut off a bit. The only reason I noticed this is that the sony dvd player has a blue bar across the top when you're accessing the menu. About half of it was not visible (it is a small bar though) along w/ the "MENU" text that is displayed in it.

I'm not sure Whether the PJ just needs to have a few user menu adjustments made as I won't really get into using it until I've finished building the HT in the basement.

I'll let you know first thing when I get it setup. Probably be a couple more weks or so though.

Yeah I noticed theres cropping and thats my biggest gripe..its not just a little bit. It crops on all sides and leaves you with an image that is zoomed in.
I thought it would fit a DVD mastered at 720x480 within it's 1024x576 matrix regardless if its NTSC or PAL..

Been watching HDTV and developing a headache with this PJ...

I am unable to obtain the proper aspect ratio with HDTV at 1080i from Comcast. Ana or Wide are incorrect. Only 4:3 gives me a proper ratio but its very small.

Does anyone have any ideas why this is?

Screenshot of SW:ESB first two only. Came out rather dark but the actual movie has a high contrast and color.

http://gallery.avsforum.com/showphoto.php?photo=10834&sort=1&cat=500

Strange that you have so much cropping, I dont have, or very little, cropping at all. I do hower run 1:1 pixelmap to it through HTPC and DVI.

Have not read many people before that have had these issues with cropping, which is odd :(

I too am trying to figure this cropping out. Here is what I have found so far...

using RGB (required for HD, unless using DVI input) seems that
480i material is seriously cropped both top and bottom
480p material looks fine (XBOX display is not cropped, neither is 480P output from DVD)
1080i material looks fine as well (using Hughes E86 directv receiver)

I am going to try the other inputs for 480i (component and svideo). Hopefully, this will solve the problem. Does this mean that the projector is having trouble scaling 480i correctly?

If the trouble is only with 480i material then I could see why it would have been missed on the reviews.

ok... this was my issue. Previously, I was using a 4:3 projector and was not being affected by a choice in setting for my directv receiver... it was the culprit in the cropping... now all seems to be well. feeling much better now.

Originally posted by SpeedyHTPC
Been watching HDTV and developing a headache with this PJ...

I am unable to obtain the proper aspect ratio with HDTV at 1080i from Comcast. Ana or Wide are incorrect. Only 4:3 gives me a proper ratio but its very small.

Does anyone have any ideas why this is?

Do you have your Comcast set top box configured correctly? It would seem to me that Ana would be the correct setting for a 16:9 high definition channel. Ana is also the correct setting for all anamorphic DVDs. I would guess that the problem is with the source.

A little bit of relief...

- The "thro" key as one explained in the >3500 forum for the 8700 is mislabeled. This doesnt mean 1:1 for PC-HD mode, where Im currently plugged in to via BNC. The 4:3 mode is meant for 1:1 pixel mapping for 480i or svideo, and I guess DVI. My Comca$t box doesnt have a working DVI so I cannot check.

From the 8700 thread:


Anamorphic mode - no stretching. (for 16:9).

Wide Mode - Assumes the input is a 4x3 image and stretches it into a 16x9 image, but the stretch is done in such a way that the center of the image doesn't appear stretched, but the outer areas are stretched. Very similar to the stretch modes on CRT RPTVs.

LetterBox mode - I believe this stretches the image vertically - good for non-anamorphic 16x9 letterbox video.


These seems to be the same as for the 7800.

I'd like to keep this thread alive to help support those who purchased the 7800 since theres very little of it covered technically.

gthal - youre right. I didnt have my comcast box configured correctly. It is fine for HDTV but I think the cropping issue is still there. For now the aspect ratio is fixed. Reason why it was off because I pull the plug out of the comcast box when it crashes in order to reset it. This effectively clears those settings.

I've also checked with Monster's Inc running at 480p to confirm. The scene where Sully is sleeping with the alarm clock on the nightstand. This is a pretty familiar scene as I see most screenshots use it. On the 7800, I cannot see his entire arm and I cannot see the entire clock. Thats some serious cropping because on my X1 I saw the full image. That sucks for a 1024x576 >3500 PJ.
I heard the IF5700 has no cropping or "overscan" as videophiles call it.

Jeff Evans, do you have DVE? take a look at the grids they provide..especially the one with four circles at each corner. If you owned a X1, you'd see all four circles perfectly but not on the 7800. Also I had to move the image vertically by +18 ticks to get a 4:3 image centered.

<deleted>

IF 5700 image..

Looks cropped. Maybe this is the nature of 16:9 PJs..

http://gallery.avsforum.com/showphoto.php?photo=9293&sort=1&cat=all

SpeedyHTPC, do you have any screenshots with your PE7800? I ordered one recently and will hopefully receive mid-week. Can't wait to get it hooked up. thanks

Ok my gallery has been updated.
Some notes about the screenshots..

They are not accurate at all. For some reason ISO 50, 100, 200 on my Canon G2 are not working right. Dark areas is too dark..color areas are too bright just a bit.

ie, look at the two Vader scenes in the carbon freeze on ESB. The darker one is on fully automatic mode with no flash. The brighter one is on ISO 50 and all else auto and no flash.

It is not a accurate representation of the screen..sorry.

We'll work through these issues. My 7800 should show up today. Installer on Wednesday and Comcast on Thursday (and furniture on Friday!). I'm picking up a Denon 1910 and the installer's bringing a 50ft DVI cable so I can test the cropping on the DVI input. I'll also have component run to the BNC inputs.

Just as an aside, I was getting plain old expanded basic cable and the upgrade to 8 to 9 hi-def channels with the box was only $10. And get this, 24 hour support! I called at 9:00pm on Saturday to order.

Jason said there are some overscan built-in. Wow I didnt want that feature.

Checking out the cropping between these two shots both based on the matterhorn. Pay close attention to the windows on the building behind her. See the extra pillar next to the last window?

IF5700
http://gallery.avsforum.com/showphoto.php?photo=9293&sort=1&cat=all

PE7800 (mine)
http://gallery.avsforum.com/data/508/30170IMG_5394.JPG

If you have DVE, go to the grid test with the four circles on each corner. You'll see what I mean. Also I noticed that in the two shots above, the right side is cropped much more than the left.


I also had plain old expanded cable with HD..but they said I had to get Digital Classic for Discovery HD..and..still waiting. But the box is $5 and another $5 to add HD.

BenQ's second level support "Andy" said theres no firmware updates for this PJ. A fix is unlikely but he will test out with DVE. :( :rolleyes:

Originally posted by SpeedyHTPC
Jason said there are some overscan built-in. Wow I didnt want that feature.

Checking out the cropping between these two shots both based on the matterhorn. Pay close attention to the windows on the building behind her. See the extra pillar next to the last window?

IF5700
http://gallery.avsforum.com/showphoto.php?photo=9293&sort=1&cat=all

PE7800 (mine)
http://gallery.avsforum.com/data/508/30170IMG_5394.JPG

If you have DVE, go to the grid test with the four circles on each corner. You'll see what I mean. Also I noticed that in the two shots above, the right side is cropped much more than the left.


I also had plain old expanded cable with HD..but they said I had to get Digital Classic for Discovery HD..and..still waiting. But the box is $5 and another $5 to add HD.
It's hard to judge if the croping is really bad since youre two picture are not exactly the same. For exemple on one picture you can see the pool behind the woman.

I was gonna buy the 7800 now I don't know anymore. thanks a lot ;)

What were your selected outputs and inputs?

Originally posted by SpeedyHTPC
Jason said there are some overscan built-in. Wow I didnt want that feature.

Checking out the cropping between these two shots both based on the matterhorn. Pay close attention to the windows on the building behind her. See the extra pillar next to the last window?

IF5700
http://gallery.avsforum.com/showphoto.php?photo=9293&sort=1&cat=all

PE7800 (mine)
http://gallery.avsforum.com/data/508/30170IMG_5394.JPG

If you have DVE, go to the grid test with the four circles on each corner. You'll see what I mean. Also I noticed that in the two shots above, the right side is cropped much more than the left.


I also had plain old expanded cable with HD..but they said I had to get Digital Classic for Discovery HD..and..still waiting. But the box is $5 and another $5 to add HD.

I realize that photos don't show the true pq of the pj. However, I will say that the picture from the 7800 is MUCH better than the one from the 5700 even if it is a little cropped. I think the swimming pool thing is because the what's her name probably moved or the camera angle changed a little or the scene was paused at a slightly different point. It also looks like the lighting changed. The 5700 photo doesn't show as much detail on the church or the blades of grass. I think my old X1 did similar image compressing in 16:9 mode.

Originally posted by Jeff Hovis
I think the swimming pool thing is because the what's her name probably moved or the camera angle changed a little or the scene was paused at a slightly different point.

Yes I know that's my point. It's hard to judge the severeness of the cropping since it's not the exact same frame.

Thanks

You can see the cropping now on some DVE screenshots I posted in my gallery.

I also want to comment that the spiderman scene was shifted to the right because I havent figured out why saving a setting doesnt correspond to the memory keys on the remote. So when I hit memory 1 on the remote, it went back to default, thus shifted the output to the right.

Oh and BTW, the 7800's service menu can be obtained by pressing power on with the OSD displayed. But there is no adjustments for the cropping in there.

Originally posted by SpeedyHTPC
I also want to comment that the spiderman scene was shifted to the right because I havent figured out why saving a setting doesnt correspond to the memory keys on the remote. So when I hit memory 1 on the remote, it went back to default, thus shifted the output to the right.

Oh and BTW, the 7800's service menu can be obtained by pressing power on with the OSD displayed. But there is no adjustments for the cropping in there.

Could the cropping be a result of the input source (DVD or HTPC)? I have the Zenith 318 and there is noticeable cropping from it when watching DVDs that is not there when watching other sources.

Originally posted by gthal
Could the cropping be a result of the input source (DVD or HTPC)? I have the Zenith 318 and there is noticeable cropping from it when watching DVDs that is not there when watching other sources.

I think that a read somewhere that the Zenith 318 induce some cropping.

Ill try to find it

EDIT :I found it

This search has a lot of info on the Zenith 318 cropping issue
http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/search.php?s=&action=showresults&searchid=1955128&sortby=&sortorder=

Thanks

Originally posted by Frichard
I think that a read somewhere that the Zenith 318 induce some cropping.

Ill try to find it

Thanks

That's exactly my point... maybe the cropping is from the source not the projector? In my case (I have the 8700+) all of my cropping issues are from my DVD player and not the projector.

Originally posted by gthal
That's exactly my point... maybe the cropping is from the source not the projector? In my case (I have the 8700+) all of my cropping issues are from my DVD player and not the projector.

Hmmm...

Yeah sorry. I miss that point. I must be tired or something.
Sorry :)

EDIT : By the way is the cropping really bad on the Zenith. I have this player but it's not hookup yet because I can't choose a projector :o
I will have some major cropping if my projector and my DVD has a lot of cropping

thanks

Originally posted by gthal
Could the cropping be a result of the input source (DVD or HTPC)? I have the Zenith 318 and there is noticeable cropping from it when watching DVDs that is not there when watching other sources.

Nope. The cropping is not from the dvd player.

I have said at the top I'm comparing this to my X1 with the same dvd players.
The X1 only crops in 16:9 mode when being fed 480i or 480p. It does not crop at all when fed 720p or 1080i. It scales the entire picture. The latter two modes is what Im comparing with on the PE7800. I've had the X1 a bit longer than Jeff Hovis and Im pretty used to exactly what Im seeing on the same dvds.

I have a Panasonic RP-82 and a Norcent DP-501M. The latter is an upconverting dvd player. At all feeds 480p/720p/1080i it crops. It crops from the panny as well at 480p. The same way.

Why dont you guys with two projectors test this out yourself with DVE instead of guessing?

Speedy,
I have the CP72, which is basically a 5-disc version of the RP82. I always ran mine connected via S-vid cable and used the DCDi on the X1. I think I probably saw some cropping but since I really didn't have anything to compare it to in those days, I never could confirm.

Since, I sold the X1, I don't have two projectors now to use as a comparison. Based on your comments above, I had the X1 from Dec, 2002 through mid Nov, 2004 (not that it matters). I think I'm going to remove myself from this thread now since it is taking a turn to frustration, irritation and other words that rhyme;-)

Well I'm staying on target and since I bought this I will help those who have it.

I'm merely trying to point out something that irritates me - cropping - which no other reviewer points out. It is an additional pain when a $1400-1600 PJ can show you more than a PJ that was originally $5K.

Besides, I'm trying to show everyone what is going on here and all I seem to be getting is bashing. How about showing me some proofs that Im wrong? I actually would really welcome someone to tell me Im wrong.

Originally posted by DataModel
What were your selected outputs and inputs?

Using straight component from the Panny RP-82 to the BNC connectors for RGB, using the supplied rca-bnc tabs.

OK, so I didn't remove myself. But I have skimmed through the entire thread again and I see no bashing...only my feeble attempt at humor as I've pasted here: "I think I'm going to remove myself from this thread now since it is taking a turn to frustration, irritation and other words that rhyme;-)" All I have seen is people trying to help you trouble shoot. It is comments like this from you that will piss people off: "Why dont you guys with two projectors test this out yourself with DVE instead of guessing?" Trouble shooting is in large part trial and error and yes...guessing. Boy have I learned that over the last 16-yrs in my business!;-) Since I own this projector and actually started the thread, I'm also an interested party. On the subject of being wrong: I don't recall one person saying you are wrong. IMHO, I'm sure you are correct. Again, all anyone has done is try to help you trouble shoot the problem. I'm hoping you'll get it worked out first so I won't have to be frustrated. I'm not Bill Clinton...but I do feel your pain.

I sent a note last week to Jason whom I haven't heard from yet. I bought mine based on his comparison to and recommendation over another pj that is much more popular. I'm hoping he or someone who is supposed to be an expert will assist. I think you still have the option of returning it. By the time I take mine out of the box, I probably won't have that priveledge. The drywall phase of our new HT begins Saturday.


Originally posted by SpeedyHTPC
Well I'm staying on target and since I bought this I will help those who have it.

I'm merely trying to point out something that irritates me - cropping - which no other reviewer points out. It is an additional pain when a $1400-1600 PJ can show you more than a PJ that was originally $5K.

Besides, I'm trying to show everyone what is going on here and all I seem to be getting is bashing. How about showing me some proofs that Im wrong? I actually would really welcome someone to tell me Im wrong.

Hey Jeff,

I have the CP72 also. I will be setting it up this weekend and I will let you know how it works with the PJ. My 7800 comes in on Thursday, and I hope my screen makes it here on Friday. If all goes well, I should be able post how it turns out this weekend.

Speedy, I haven't noticed any attacks on you either. I hope that the answer can be found soon. I have the AVE disk and I will test it out as soon as everything is set up. Hopefully we can find a good solution. Your posts do have me worried a bit, but I still think the 7800 will be the best PJ I can get for the money.

Cheers,
Rick

Rick,
Excellent news! I will be very interested in your findings. Please let us know.

Well the 7800 showed up today. Official install is still two days away, but in the meantime there's nothing like a wall for a screen. I stopped by the way home and picked up a Denon 1910 to see if the DVI output would provide an improvement over component video. I don't own the DVE disks, so my only reference material was the THX tuning provided on some DVD's I own. For all of the THX video tests where they show rectangles around a circle, everything "looks" normal with no cropping issues. What would be helpful for me, SpeedyHTPC, is if you could do a screen shot of the THX test where you have the rectangles with the circle in the middle. Do you notice cropping in that test?

Cropping aside, DVD material looks very nice. I've been playing with the HD upconversion feature on the 1910 to see if 480P looks better than 720P. I couldn't notice any difference, but then, the true testing will start once the screen is mounted.

Yes I want to beat that return policy. I believe its very short. Something like 5 days. Thus my hustle to get it resolved.

I will refrain from arguing about why I said what I said. I still stand by it. All I say now is test it.

Return policy is 15 days. I don't own Spiderman, so I can't comment on cropping for that movie. I've got Monster's Inc., Pearl Harbor, MI2, if you'd like to compare screen shots on those.

And how do you set the camera to take a screen shot?

Originally posted by DataModel
What would be helpful for me, SpeedyHTPC, is if you could do a screen shot of the THX test where you have the rectangles with the circle in the middle. Do you notice cropping in that test?


I agree the image looks far better than the X1. Colors are much more vivid.

I do not see the cropping on the THX test. Its too dark to see the boxed lines in my screenshot.

http://gallery.avsforum.com/data/508/30170IMG_5421.JPG

Spiderman shot redone. If you look at this shot its different than my other one. I centered the image. Now the church is cut but the window pillar is seen more. Given that this is the same video feed as before and I'm "panning" using the horizontal adjustment, this is another way to show that cropping.

I understand that some say the frames between my shot and the 5700 shot is different but if you watch the clip in the movie, its only the people that move. The background buildings do not. Also look at the flower at the left corner.

before
http://gallery.avsforum.com/data/508/30170IMG_5394.JPG

after
http://gallery.avsforum.com/data/508/30170IMG_5418.JPG


How about the THX grid? The white and black boxes are cut short. Compare them to the other color boxes.

With both sides cropped, it makes the image bigger.

http://gallery.avsforum.com/data/508/30170IMG_5419.JPG

Speedy, first let me say thanks for all your input in this thread. The 7800 will be my first projector and I have found the information very helpful.

I'm merely trying to point out something that irritates me - cropping - which no other reviewer points out

I was thinking that about the reviews I read also. Before I decided to purchase this projector I read as much as I could on it. I didn't read a single thing about the overscan/cropping issue at all. I would have thought anyone writing a review on a display device would have looked at some test grids and noticed this.

My projector is due to arrive tomorrow. I had been very excited but now I am more concerned. Hopefully a solution can be found.

-Keith

timjuliani..please read my explaination above the shots.

keith, thanks..somebody saw that I am the one running around giving screenshots.

One more below..something I found interesting..

For what it is worth, I just checked the Spiderman shot on my 36" Sony tube TV. It is in wide screeen mode. Mine looks exactly the same as the second picture. The flower and church are the same in the second shot shown above. I'm not sure what this means, but it looks to me like there isn't a cropping issue in this movie anyway unless my TV or DVD player are cropping the picture also.

The infamous Sully screenshot..
http://gallery.avsforum.com/data/508/30170IMG_5426.JPG
Compare this to what you have..

http://gallery.avsforum.com/data/508/30170IMG_5427.JPG
This is the same DVE grid for 16:9 anamorphic but this time its in 1080i from the Norcent DP-501M (LiteOn LVD-2001) upconverted. I noticed less cropping.
Just to be sure, the 480p mode exhibits the same cropping.

I have noticed that 1080i provides the best and sharpest output. The 480p pics have been somewhat fuzzy because of the cropping/stretching.

Speedy,

I used AVIA to test the pixel cropping with my Denon 1600.

Here are the numbers:

Left:8 pixels Right: estimate @30 pixels(it went beyond the index lines)
Top: 6 Bottom: 6

It is fed via HD component.

Mattammo

Fishingeek..yes there is. For another explaination, try this..

Pause the screen.
Go in the OSD menu and go to the horizontal adjustment.
Just move the picture left and right..see how much you are missing.

I was able to see more of both sides while using the flower on the left and window pillar on the right.

mattammo, do you have 1080i upconversion dvd player? If so I wonder what is the loss with that?

do you mean HD component meaning 1080i?

720p was too fuzzy for me to test.

30 pixels is a lot..:mad: :rolleyes:

My guess is that your image is off-center as well like mine. I had to make -13 ticks horizontal adjust to mine to center it.

Sorry, I do not have an upconversion player.

Not until a dvi switcher will cost less than the player!

MY HR10-250 uses the DVI right now, and it seems to me (based on my HD Tivo) that the DVI is so superior to the component that I want to be able to use the DVI when I get an upscaling player.

Mattammo

No, I am refering to the BNC inputs, which require a progressive signal.

Mattammo

480P from the Denon

Thanks mattammo..

I believe 1080i is less and I find the picture sharper. It makes sense since the 1024x576 native grid would have to scale more at 480p if it lost ~38 pixels horizontally.

OK, I just checked the Monsters INC video. Your shot actually shows more of the clock than my TV does. I can't see the right side of the clock. It is cut off just past the foot on the bottom. Based on this I am thinking it has more to do with the DVD player than it does the PJ. I am seeing less on a standard TV than in your shot unless you are saying that it crops to the right. But based on the Spiderman shot, and I did check hand placement on the couple in the background, they were the same. Please don't think I am trying to say you are wrong because I'm not. I'm just saying that the cropping on my standard TV is worse than your PJ at least on the Monsters INC shot. I did make sure that I was at 6:04 on the clock as it changes to 6:05 as it pans out.
I was going to check the DVE disk but I realized i have the AVIA disk and comparing to a 4:3 TV wouldn't do much good anyway. This is proving to be an interesting test because there seems to be different cropping on different set ups.

Cheers,
Rick

Just spoke to my neighbor and he's got the DVE disk. I'll borrow it and post my findings tomorrow. Right now, I'm going to check the sleeping sully pic for comparison.

Just checked the sully shot and mine looks just like speedy's pic. For fun, I pulled up the scene on my 4x3 tv in widescreen letterbox format and I saw even less. So my cropping was worse in letterbox and I'm actually better off. :rolleyes:
BTW, I ran the sully test using the DVI input in 480p.

I have no cropping on the 7800 with DVI and 576p.

As I have stated before, I have no cropping isues with mine which I use a HTPC to. I will try to dig up a DVE disk and post some screenshots later, but not the next couple of days though.

I checked yesterday by going from a computer screen to the Benq7800 and then moved the picture through the OSD to see if i would get more, and no I did not have any cropping

I use the 7800 with 625p (= 576p) over DVI on a HTPC (Radeon 9600, Powerstrip), because this is the only resolution (sigh) which works correctly with 50Hz PAL (hearable colorwheel speed change). All other resolutions use internally 60Hz and therefore have massive stuttering at 50Hz material. My cropping is about 25px on each side and about 10px on top and bottom.

The answers to my questions to BENQ support were ambivalent. One time they said, that no firmware update is planned, the other time the statement was, that a firmware update is probably intended. :confused:

Well I just got my 7800 in the mail last Friday and got a chance to temporarily hook it up last night.

This is my first projector, and here are some of my first impressions:

1) the thing is built like a tank. Good quality.

2) it comes with every cord imaginable and then some. The box of cables is amazing

3) it has the most straightforward and easy to read users manual I have ever seen. The manual for the crappy Toshiba progressive scan dvd player I am using with it is three times as long and much more confusing

4) it is really easy to use. Just plug stuff in and turn it on. For all newbies out there - this is great

5) we were trying it out in less than optimal conditions. We were projecting onto beige painted panelling! And despite this, and the fact that our dvd player is probably worth $80 if we are lucky...The picture was terrific and really impressive. Especially with darker material like LOTR - which was really crisp and punchy.

For all of you who have ordered this and are nervous - don't be. This is a great projector. I have spent what has seemed like the better part of a year researching here and on projector central. I have gone to a shoot out and have demo'd all kinds of projectors around town. I have no doubts about this projector. Just sit back with a smile on your face knowing you got a fantastic deal.

Incidentally, I saw the 7800 go up against the 8700 at a shootout in the spring. My impression was that there wasn't enough difference between the two projectors to warrant the extra cost for the 8700. They really were that close in picture quality.

I haven't had the opportunity to see the new 700 or HS51 yet, but I really prefer the picture of DLP to LCD, so even with the improvements of these two projectors, I have no regrets pulling the trigger with the 7800. I can't wait to get the theatre room finished and get it installed now!

TV's are not a comparison. They do crop more and thats expected.
I would have said 'so what' if it cropped on the X1 but not on the PE7800. It is the cropping difference between the X1 and the PE7800 that makes me say they can do better and the support is pretty bad.

Using a HTPC may be a workaround because this really shows that the scaler is weak within the PE7800.

For this bug, I like to ask that you use a straight feed of 480p,1080i. Like I said, and the DVE grid shows, the 1080i sourced 16:9 anamorphic video is sharper than the 480p, and 480p from both dvd players crop the same. Plus the cropping is less in 1080i fed to BNC.

Would like to see how DVI shows since this bypasses the D-A converter. Can someone post similar grids, movies shots using DVI?

I also discount that the dvd player is cropping for this issue. I dont know anything about the Zenith but the Panny and the Norcent both displayed the grid in it's entirety on the X1 in 16:9 mode. I wouldnt have a very good argument if that was cropped to begin with.

I have received my 7800 (first pj), and it's in the box along with some other equipment waiting to be assembled. One of the last things I need to do is buy a DVD player, and I think I'm going insane with the information overload reading about the choices. I've tried asking in the DVD Forum, without much success.

Following is an informative post from Paul Bigelow in the Panasonic 97 thread in that forum:
---------------------------
"As it stands, DVDs are all glorified 480i. That's why I wouldn't spend lots of money on a standard definition DVD player ($300 is a lot for some, nothing to others). I have a D-VHS High-Definition recorder that can outperform this or any other DVD player. HD DVD players will be around in a few years.

Until then what can be done with 480i? One step would be to make it a progressive (de-interlaced) signal. To do so properly is not an easy task. There are many progressive tests that DVD players routinely fail. Does passing or failing these test make a difference to one's own viewing? Only the viewer can decide.

What else can be done with the signal? Today's High Definition and Extended Definition TV's are designed to accept 480i/480p/720p (most)/1080i. If the TV doesn't perform a good job at converting a 480i signal to the display's native format then the task can be performed at the DVD player. That's one of the reasons for getting an upconverting player.

My Panasonic TV does a mediocre job of converting 480i and 480p signals to the display's native rate. However, it does a superlative job of processing 1080i signals. My best course of action would be to supply a 1080i signal to the TV every time. Thus, the reason for acquiring a DVD player that supplies a 1080i signal. The Panasonic DVD-S97S supplies such a signal."
---------------------------------
So I am wondering if anyone has an opinion on the 7800's deinterlacing and scaling capabilities. Perhaps this would help me decide whether it makes sense to buy an upscaling player. It just doesn't make too much sense to me to scale something up to 720 only to have the display take it back down to 576.

While I'm sure my best choice is to buy a nicer Denon or something of genuine quality, I think I will buy something cheaper ($100-300) while the technology changes so rapidly. I am SO open to suggestions. Thanks.

The Denon is so so quality in my opinion from the dvd reviews. Not that its bad but I dont think its worth the money. I think the Panasonic S97 is a great player based on previous experiences with other upconverting player and the RP-82.

I do agree that upconverting dvd players are glorified 480i players. But this isnt the issue here. It seems that the PE7800 treats incoming signals differently in terms of cropping.

The scaler in the PE7800 is weak. If a HTPC can help it scale correctly then an iScan HD may be in my future plus a DVI dvd player.

Theres no real rush..wait for the HD-dvd players.

Thanks. This is to get me to five posts so I can post a link.

Originally posted by SpeedyHTPC
I'm merely trying to point out something that irritates me - cropping - which no other reviewer points out.

Just came across this in a review of the 8700, here:

http://www.projectorcentral.com/benq_pe8700+.htm

Overscan. Most video displays factor in a slight bit of overscan to ensure the entire screen is filled with the image. Ideally the edges of the image fall just barely off the screen with minimal loss of picture information. We found overscan tolerances to be just fine with component 480i input, losing less than 2% on both sides of the image. DVI input was of course perfect with the full overscan pattern visible and no image loss. However with component 480p input we found the projector was losing about 5% of the image on the right edge. Generally there is not much going on in this area of the picture, so the loss is not normally noticeable. However when there is subject matter that you know is supposed to be centered on the screen, such as a movie title perhaps, a 5% loss on the right edge is enough to make the title appear off center. We would encourage owners of this projector to use the DVI input anyway for best overall performance, and with DVI overscan errors are a non-issue. Nevertheless, for this projector the overscan loss in 480p is one more reason to get set up with DVI sources.

Excellent.

DVI all the way and no scaler needed. Thanks jake. In most cases the 8700 also applies to the 7800.

Also, to (perhaps) answer my own question about scaling, I found this from the same review of the 8700. I do not know if the 8700 and 7800 use the same scaler/deinterlacer, but the 7800 review suggests that nearly everything is the same in the two projectors:

"Scaling and deinterlacing. In general the PE8700 delivers a sharp, stable image. Scaling and deinterlacing from the Silicon Image SI504 chipset are relatively clean and may be described as typical of this class of product. We see fewer motion artifacts when using 480p and bypassing the internal deinterlacer. The scaling of HDTV 1080i is very good and competitive, but not the best among the population of HD2+ products."

Also, this is what was suggested for the 8700 to obtain the best image (less applicable to the 7800 since it is not 720 native):

"On the PE8700 the cleanest possible image from DVD is derived from a DVD player or video scaler that upscales to 720p and outputs via DVI. This time around we tested it with the DVDO iScan HD video processor and got outstanding results."

Originally posted by SpeedyHTPC
Excellent.

DVI all the way and no scaler needed. Thanks jake. In most cases the 8700 also applies to the 7800.

I should be able to test DVE through the DVI input tonight.

Originally posted by jake1

"On the PE8700 the cleanest possible image from DVD is derived from a DVD player or video scaler that upscales to 720p and outputs via DVI. This time around we tested it with the DVDO iScan HD video processor and got outstanding results."

Also makes sense...I can tell from seeing the image that putting in 1080i results in a cleaner image than 720p.

HDTV on the PE7800 is indeed better than that of the X1.

Also want to point out that the Degamma table which is talked about in the 8700 thread under the service menu should apply to the 7800. I do find the contrast needing some adjustment.

Service menu access is obtained by bringing up the OSD, then pressing power on (left button on top of remote). The bottom right message turns red. Then press menu again to bring up the service menu. I dont remember the degamma table navigation right off top of my head.

The internal Sil504 isnt used but instead the Sil504 in the iScan HD is used. Isnt that silly? Does the 7800 also use Sil504 internally?

These are very sharp on the PE7800 from DVE via 1080i RGB/BNC.

http://gallery.avsforum.com/data/508/30170IMG_5428.JPG
http://gallery.avsforum.com/data/508/30170IMG_5429.JPG

Pirates of the Caribbean
http://gallery.avsforum.com/data/508/30170IMG_5436.JPG
http://gallery.avsforum.com/data/508/30170IMG_5439.JPG

Revised DVE shot of redhead using 1080i RGB/BNC. Theres less red push. Was the fault of my camera.
http://gallery.avsforum.com/data/508/30170IMG_5435.JPG

I borrowed the neighbors DVE disk to compare with SpeedyHTPC's screenshots. I used two different DVD players, a Denon 1910 with a DVI HD upconverting output and a plain jane Panasonic with a progressive scan output. I still don't know how to do camera shots, so no pics. All comments are relative to speedyHTPC's pics.

First up is the Denon 1910
DVI to DVI set to 480p: This looked just like speedyHTPC's DVE pics showing cropped circles.
DVI to DVI set to 720p: This was the best setting. No cropping whatsoever.
DVI set to DVI 1080i: No cropping whatsoever. I did, however, notice an overscan line at the bottom of the screen. This was not apparent in the 720p or 480p settings.
Component to BNC or 480i - This showed minor cropping, but full circles were still visible. Not nearly as bad the DVI set to 480p. Using the 7800 BNC inputs or just the 480i inputs provided the same results.

Second up is the Panasonic. Not nearly as many tests. Just Component to BNC or 480i. This matched the minor cropping on the Denon. Full circles were still visible but still visible cropping. Very neglible IMHO.

My conclusion: To get full resolution with no cropping the best setting is the Denon 1910 using a DVI set to 720p. However, I won't be using that setting. The minor amount of cropping using progressive scan output to the BNC inputs is not worth the extra cost of a 50' DVI cable, professional install of cable, and a DVI enabled DVD player. Additionally, I couldn't tell the difference in video quality between the component and DVI cables. Not to mention a 50' DVI cable may not even work.

Kudos to speedyHTPC for his thorough analysis of the cropping issues with this projector. Fortunately, this can be overcome if desired.

drapp1952's calibrated settings with ColorFacts (brought over from the 8700 thread) did add some punch to the default settings against my white matte screen. Supposedly my screen is <1.0 gain. The end result is a very colorful and saturated image.

Factory Service Menu Settings:

Gamma
Index 70
Red 68
Green 70
Blue 69

Gamma Gain (actually found on the regular OSD on the 7800)
R 512
G 480
B 455

All above must be saved to Video and Data Color Temp 2-6500K

DLP
Brightness: -2 (0 for older bulbs) (set to -1 on 7800 YMMV)
Contrast: 48 (50 for older bulbs) (set to 49 on 7800 YMMV)
Degamma Table: Film

All above must be saved on exit from Factory Service Menu

Picture Menu

Brightness 19
Contrast 21
Color 39
Tint 15
Color temp 2 – This must be the setting for each input to apply above Gamma Gain and Gamma changes.
Red 15
Green 15
Blue 15
Yellow 15

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?postid=3576558#post3576558

You might at least want to center the image if cropping is not an issue.

Received my 7800 today. I hooked it up and popped in a few different movies. First let me say my current set up is temporary and not ideal. I hope to pick up a copy of Avia or DVE in the next few days so for now, all picture adjustments are done by eye.

Environment:
I have no screen (using a white wall that is not completely smooth). White walls, white ceiling. I have some ambient light coming in, yes even at night, because I have some thin drapes covering large windows overlooking a patio. I will either get some dark, lined drapes or tint the windows. Because the projector was not in its final position, screen size was limited to about 73 inches (diag). I have it mounted low in front of the seating position. After I get it set up in its final location, high behind the main seating position, I will be getting a screen.

DVD Player:
Toshiba 4800, running progressive through component/BNC input.

I watched about 20-30 minutes of Dark City, Hamburger Hill and Romeo+Juliet.

Brief thoughts:
Since this is my first projector, the experience of having such a large screen (even only 73) was quite amazing. I am moving up from a 40" 16:9 Toshiba. It just feels much more like a movie experience. I played around with the lights in the room to see how bright I could make it and still have a watchable picture. I may use one of the memory settings to create a "daylight" calibration for non-critical viewing.

The 7800 seemed quiet in operation. My Series 2 Tivo is easily louder. It didn't matter if I was sitting behind or standing in front, very quiet. Not silent though, you can here a slight fan sound but no color wheel whine.

I think I saw an occassional rainbow. Certainly nothing that I would consider close to a deal breaker. Given my current evironment, I was surprised just how good the picture looked. If it never got any better I would still be happy. The picture seemed VERY bright to the point of being too bright. I am guessing part of that is because I am running such a small screen size, is that correct? I will probably end up around 85"-90" (diag) but I am sure it will be plenty bright for that.

I will hold off on any detailed comments until I get it calibrated especially since the big screen "wow" factor will take some getting use to. I will say based on what I saw tonight, that I am very happy with this projector.

On a side note, I would like to say "THANK YOU!" to every one that has contributed to this thread and the forum in general. Not only did a get a good deal on the 7800 but also for the information/comments by the forum members. Without which, I would still be watching movies on that old Toshiba.

-Keith

SpeedyHTPC:

In regards to the brightness and contrast settings, they should be calibrated through a DVE or AVIA disc by yourself, even if the color settings are really good with the ones you copied.

I found that the brightness and contrast varies quite a bit from projector to projector. I recently had mine switched due to a broken DVI port (I must complement BenQ on their hotswap service, worked flawlessly for me) and the brightness and contrast settings did differ between the projectors in the same enviroment.

Speedy,
My hat is off to you. It sounds like you found a workable solution to the cropping for yourself and others. My equipment has been packed away since July and I can't remember the settings on the Panny CP72. I'll probably use the component/BNC connection. I do remember that I had to use an optical cable with it which I didn't llike...I preferred a coaxial connection, but that is a different forum.

Originally posted by GinSonic
I use the 7800 with 625p (= 576p) over DVI on a HTPC (Radeon 9600, Powerstrip), because this is the only resolution (sigh) which works correctly with 50Hz PAL (hearable colorwheel speed change). All other resolutions use internally 60Hz and therefore have massive stuttering at 50Hz material. My cropping is about 25px on each side and about 10px on top and bottom.

The answers to my questions to BENQ support were ambivalent. One time they said, that no firmware update is planned, the other time the statement was, that a firmware update is probably intended. :confused:

Sorry Ginsonic, I dont mean to ignore your post but I do not have 50Hz PAL to test with. Anyone in the 50Hz PAL recommend some settings on the HTPC?

Originally posted by Havocsi
SpeedyHTPC:

In regards to the brightness and contrast settings, they should be calibrated through a DVE or AVIA disc by yourself, even if the color settings are really good with the ones you copied.

I found that the brightness and contrast varies quite a bit from projector to projector. I recently had mine switched due to a broken DVI port (I must complement BenQ on their hotswap service, worked flawlessly for me) and the brightness and contrast settings did differ between the projectors in the same enviroment.

Totally agree. Just posted as an example.

Coming from a simpler X1 menu for these adjustments, I frankly got lost trying it myself. For example, I noticed that the User OSD adjustments for brightness and contrast wasnt as dramatic as the one under Service -> DLP. That made a huge difference. I need to play around it some more.

Originally posted by Jeff Hovis
Speedy,
My hat is off to you. It sounds like you found a workable solution to the cropping for yourself and others. My equipment has been packed away since July and I can't remember the settings on the Panny CP72. I'll probably use the component/BNC connection. I do remember that I had to use an optical cable with it which I didn't llike...I preferred a coaxial connection, but that is a different forum.

Thanks.

I also prefer coaxial over optical. Luckily my AVR8000 has 3 of each. I suppose if theres noise in the audio, one would pick optical over coaxial.

Would that be an HK AVR8000? I have the HK AVR 7200. My old Toshiba DVD player had coaxial but the Panny CP72 doesn't. Does the RP82? It has always been my understanding that they were basically the same player.

Yes the RP 82 has coaxial out and yes its the HK AVR 8000..yesteryear's 5.1 system. :D

RP-82 manual
http://service.us.panasonic.com/OPERMANPDF/DVDRP82.PDF

HK AVR 8000
http://www.harmankardon.com/specifications.aspx?cat=REC&ser=&prod=AVR%208000&sType=H

Yeah!! I got mine last night and fired up right away... Remind you that this is my first PJ. Wow is the only word that I and my family were able to come up. We watched finding nemo on it and originally I was going to put some other movies on, but kids just did not allow me to switch. So, we ended up watching the whole thing, again.

It was on my white wall in family room since my HT is not done yet. It was bright enough and punchy. The colors were a little off and there are little things but this baby needs tuning once it gets to its permanent residence and a good screen. I am so glad that it is already very good and it will only get better with a screen and other good stuffs that dedicated HT will offer.

Now I have such a great reason to speed up the building process. Thanks everyone.

I just got mine and I can not wait to get the picture looking good. It looked a little washed out when I hooked it up to my Denon 5900 via component (waiting for a DVI cable). Does anyone else use the Denon 5900 with this projector. Also AVS sent me a Chief projector mount is anyone else using this it seems that the base plate is to small.

sda1906,

I also noticed that the picture is a bit washed out. I found that the brightness is cranked way up to cause this. So you might want to adjust it under the service menu -> DLP -> brightness first. Set it to -2. Then fine tune it on the regular OSD menu brightness, then save.

SDA1906,
Yes I'm using the Chief projector mount also. I've yet to mount to the ceiling as I'm unsure of the hardware to use. I've got an installer coming tomorrow to terminate some cable prewire, so I'll probably just let them mount the projector. I'll followup with the details of how they did it. You should have gotten a DVI cable with your projector. Personally, I couldn't notice much difference in PQ between the DVI and component. What DVI does give you is the ability to upsample if your DVD player supports it. Upsampling to 720p or 1080i was the only way I was able to fully eliminate all of the well documented cropping problems.

I got mine today. I have the PJ mounted but still need to mount the screen. I should get my longer cables tomorrow.
SDA, the chief works great. There is 4 screws you need to screw into the 7800 (not the 4 on the plate already). Just use the white washers between the pj and the plate. You will also need to get a 1 1/2" floor mount and a small piece of 1 1/2" pipe. It works great.

Rick

Good timing. A lot of us appear to be going through the same things at the same time.

I have a ceiling mount question for the 7800. I have a workable plan to DIY a connection from the ceiling to a plate. My issue is connecting a plate to the bottom of the projector. There are four mounting holes on the bottom of the projector, and I'm wondering if anyone knows what screw size fits those holes. Thanks for any help.

Comcast cable dropped by last night with my new digital hi def cable box. Hooked it all up and WOW! It's been a long road to audio and video nirvana but alas I have arrived. A complete 7.1 surround system with a 106" screen throwing hi definition images that are simply amazing. Just to be on the safe side, I called my neighbor over who has the Infocus 7200 (a full rez DLP pj) to check out the picture and he too was impressed at the clarity. All this at 1/3 the price. WoooHoooo!:D

Same here..Comcast 6200 model with DVI-D to the PE7800 using the supplied DVI-I cable... watched part of ER last night was pretty amazing.

Does anyone here have any experience with the Dish Network HD receivers? We currently have three standard and a PVR receiver but I really know very little about HD.

DataModel,

How far back is your seating position is from the screen? I deliberated between a 106" and the 92" and finally went with the 92" because I'm only going to be about 12' back. Just curious...

Also, I'd be interested to know what DVD players you are all using, and whether you're using component, DVI or HDMI->DVI. I have an older Toshiba SD-9200 connected via component, and I'm trying to decide whether it would be worth it to get one of the +/-$300 upsampling players and try out HDMI->DVI. How did we all catch this addiction to a hobby in which everything is twice the quality at half the cost so quickly? It makes explaining to my wife so much more difficult...:rolleyes:

timjuliani,
I'll be using a Panny CP72. With the old X1, I connected via S-vid. I bought a component cable to use with the 7800. Remember in order be progressive, you must use the BNC connections. My stuff has all been boxed for several months and I don't know what other connection options I have on the CP72

Originally posted by Jeff Hovis
Does anyone here have any experience with the Dish Network HD receivers? We currently have three standard and a PVR receiver but I really know very little about HD.

The Dish receiver shouldnt be too much different than a regular HD cable box, other than coming from a dish..any question in particular? My wife's granfather has HD Dish going to a RPTV.

Jeff, Thought this might be useful..CP72 manual

http://service.us.panasonic.com/OPERMANPDF/DVDCP72.PDF

Looks like theres no coax on the CP72 but does have optical. You have component for 480i/480p.

Originally posted by timjuliani
DataModel,

How far back is your seating position is from the screen? I deliberated between a 106" and the 92" and finally went with the 92" because I'm only going to be about 12' back. Just curious...

Also, I'd be interested to know what DVD players you are all using, and whether you're using component, DVI or HDMI->DVI. I have an older Toshiba SD-9200 connected via component, and I'm trying to decide whether it would be worth it to get one of the +/-$300 upsampling players and try out HDMI->DVI. How did we all catch this addiction to a hobby in which everything is twice the quality at half the cost so quickly? It makes explaining to my wife so much more difficult...:rolleyes:

I just returned a Denon 1910 with HD upsampling DVI output. Basically, I couldn't tell the difference between the two. Any minor differences were just different, not better or worse if that make sense. What the 1910 did offer was a solution for the minor cropping issues when using component inputs. Setting the DVI output to 720p removed all cropping from DVD source material. My seating is set back at 14-15 ft. But even at 12', there's no visible SDE. You have to get close to 8' to start noticing SDE. And I have very good eyesight.:o What I would be more concerned about sitting 12' back is the size. 106" at 12ft might be too much to handle.

There are four mounting holes on the bottom of the projector, and I'm wondering if anyone knows what screw size fits those holes.

I would be interested in this information as well.

I was finally able to get a copy DVE and did some basic calibrations (brightness, contrast, color, tint). Other than the brightness running way high, I found the other settings pretty darn close, at least closer than my CRT RP television was when I first bought it.

I am really liking my first projector. :)

-KeithP

Rec'd my 7800 yesterday (1st projector), have it running tonight on just a dark tan colored wall until DIY BOC screen is complete. Amazing picture! Thanks to all for informative posts. Few questions:
- Is it better/cheaper to have video sources (hdtv cable box and dvd player) closer to projector and run shorter video cables and longer audio cables (audio system is in the front of the room where the screen is) or vise versa?
- What type of cable is used between hdtv cable box and projector? thanks

Jeff, no problem with the CP72! This is better than I ever imagined! I am so glad that I decided not to go with the RPTV.
I just got done watching Shrek2 and Seabiscuit. Both looked amazing. I also got my HDTivo going today, I never knew what I was missing with HD content.
Jesaikido, I have 30' component and DVI cables running to mine and they both look amazing. No need to worry about distance. I'm not getting any lag in the audio either, so you should be fine with whatever you need to run.

Rick

Rick,

Have you done an A/B comparison between the component and the DVI from DVD?

Thanks,

Tim

Tim,

The DVI is for my HDTivo and the component is coming off my Dennon 3805 which the DVD is fed into. They both look great. HD looks slightly better than the DVD but it should. I'm not sure if there would be a big difference between the two but someone else could probably give a true comparison. All in all this is an amazing looking machine.

Rick

The screws are called M4, at least here in Sweden so I dont know is USA..hope it helps though.

Rick,
Thanks for the report. Are you using component?


Originally posted by fishingeek
Jeff, no problem with the CP72! This is better than I ever imagined! I am so glad that I decided not to go with the RPTV.
I just got done watching Shrek2 and Seabiscuit. Both looked amazing. I also got my HDTivo going today, I never knew what I was missing with HD content.
Jesaikido, I have 30' component and DVI cables running to mine and they both look amazing. No need to worry about distance. I'm not getting any lag in the audio either, so you should be fine with whatever you need to run.

Rick

Hey Jeff, Yes I am using component for the DVD. I have it hooked up to the adapters so I can use progressive scan. The only problem I am having is the remote doesn't work through the screen (it hangs in front of my entertainment center). I can move the DVD player down so it sits lower than the screen and all will be well. I am trying to feed the DVI and Component through a 2" PVC pipe right now and need to take a break. What a pain. It would go better if my 4 rear speaker wires and sat feeds weren't already run :( . I should be able to have everything up and running again soon.

Rick

Blacklevel is pretty good on here..
http://gallery.avsforum.com/data/508/30170IMG_5446.JPG
http://gallery.avsforum.com/data/508/30170IMG_5444.JPG
http://gallery.avsforum.com/data/508/30170IMG_5442.JPG
http://gallery.avsforum.com/data/508/30170IMG_5443.JPG

can you all post some examples of your settings? I found that the brightness and contrast was way too high out of the box.

how would you compare this to a panasonic ae700? I know they are 2 diff. techs but has anyone compared the 2 for a 110"-120" screen??

Brian

Brian: if you dont have any problems with rainbows, which most people dont. Then the pe7800 stomps all over the AE700, it produces a much better image.

Thanks Hav....in what aspects does it stomp?? also how about ease of setup and the like? If I can get them for the same price why (in your opinion ) should I opt for the BEnQ

thanks!!

BRian

A very pleasing experience. Switching between the normal and hidef channels on Comcast, was almost laughable. To think I thought I had a good picture on my old CRT Mits. But I do actually have a question here. On most of my hidef images on the anamorphic setting, the image is letterboxed. The projector says its displaying in 525p (on my BNC inputs). Anyone getting "full screen" hidef images? I can switch to letterbox (LB on the remote) setting and get a stretched version of anamorphic (isn't this backwards BTW?) and the will give me full screen, but the image is stretched.

Havocsi,

I tried to use the default factory setting but all of a sudden my screen went into some kind of reversed video. Luckily I saved my settings and was able to recall them.

Do you know what I should be doing after recalling the factory settings? It looks as if I'm using 8-bit color instead of 32-bit color.

Hey Speedy, mine did the same thing when I first set it up. It acted like it lost signal and the image flipped upside down and I had the same color issue. It did this like 3 times. I had to turn it off and restart it and everything went back to normal. It hasn't happened since I got all my cables ran and am feeding it with my good quality cables. I was thinking it was the cheap cables I was using just to fire it up and see how it worked but now I'm not sure. Anyway, it hasn't happened since Friday, the first day I fired it up.

Rick

My projector is due to arrive this week ... what screen type/material is everyone using?

I am in the market for a new projector and right now i have it narrowed down to the 7800, ae700u, and the Z3...........I was wondering if anyone have seen these projectors next to one another........and which one do you think is best......i will be using the projector for mostly dvds, xbox, and a little hd......and i am also wondering how good is the high definition picture on the 7800 since the resolution isnt as high........thanks ahead of time for the help

Originally posted by fishingeek
Hey Speedy, mine did the same thing when I first set it up. It acted like it lost signal and the image flipped upside down and I had the same color issue. It did this like 3 times. I had to turn it off and restart it and everything went back to normal. It hasn't happened since I got all my cables ran and am feeding it with my good quality cables. I was thinking it was the cheap cables I was using just to fire it up and see how it worked but now I'm not sure. Anyway, it hasn't happened since Friday, the first day I fired it up.
Rick

I think what happened in your case is that your power off and on effectively did the same as what I did - recall the saved settings.

I bet if youre brave enough to overwrite your settings while the video is from factory default with everything reversed, it wont come back. :rolleyes:

I tried the autosync function and it did nada.

Originally posted by Oldstryder
My projector is due to arrive this week ... what screen type/material is everyone using?

Matte white...usually is best with BenQ PJs. Also I think a slight gray screen will also help with this highly bright PJ.

Originally posted by bigkev4123
I am in the market for a new projector and right now i have it narrowed down to the 7800, ae700u, and the Z3...........I was wondering if anyone have seen these projectors next to one another........and which one do you think is best......i will be using the projector for mostly dvds, xbox, and a little hd......and i am also wondering how good is the high definition picture on the 7800 since the resolution isnt as high........thanks ahead of time for the help

I feel that youre in the wrong thread. The 7800 is a DLP. Guess what the rec will be? Dont you mean this to be in the shootout thread?

Originally posted by Oldstryder
My projector is due to arrive this week ... what screen type/material is everyone using?

Da-lite hccv 106". Looks fabulous.

Well OK I just ordered from JAson will be here on Friday! Hope I enjoy it....I am just a little concerned about the offset as it is not as easy to setup as the ae700 but thats ok,,,might not be a probelm...is it more or less quiet compared to the ae700?

Anyway I look at it I am excited to audition my first projector in homE!!!

BRian

Here's an interesting problem I've run into with my 7800. I finally got the projector hung and all the cables run. I have 4 coax cables running to the BNC inputs on the projector. Three are for component video and one is for composite video so I can display the menu system on the A/V receiver (B&K). On my component inputs to the receiver I've got my Comcast cable box and a Panasonic DVD player. The cable box is working great. The DVD player, however, is not. Now when I ran component cables out of my DVD player directly to the BNC inputs on the projector, everything worked fine. But now when I run component out of my DVD player through my A/V receiver and then to my 7800, the projector says "unsupportable format". I checked the B&K manual and it says the component switching is passive. So that tells me what goes in is what comes out. Anyone else seeing this problem?

What size screens are you guys running? Is it practical to put this projector 20' back for a 138" diaganol screen? Is there enough light output?

Hey Data,
I have my DVD running through my Dennon 3805 . It is working fine. I am also running my LD player and X-Box through the Dennon. I am able to switch between all of them.

Brian, setup is easy, just go by the formulas the the book gives you. When I first set mine up I hung the screen right on the ceiling but it was to high. I just got some chain from Home Depot and added a short piece of pipe to my mount and it is at a great viewing height now.

Speedy, the only way I could get things back to normal was to shut down and restart. I did try different things through the menu but nothing helped. I am hoping that the better cable fixed the problem but only time will tell.

I am using a dalite high power. It is only 77" diag but I only sit 8.5' back. It looks great!!

Rick

Originally posted by SpeedyHTPC
Matte white...usually is best with BenQ PJs. Also I think a slight gray screen will also help with this highly bright PJ.

I used to have a 100" Dalite model B matte white screen. I was very happy with the picture. But then I bought a grey 0.8 gain screen. The picture was so much better. I was really surprised.
If you are going with a 100" screen or less I can absolutely recomend a 0.8 gain grey screen!

:)

Very cool OleM..

From my experience, if you have a picture that seems washed out from too much brightness, that can be cured with a gray screen. I'm sticking with matte white because I like the truer color and punch.

Right now I have a slight glow to my picture that unfortunately cameras will correct (as in my earlier pics). This glow results from too much brightness and not enough contrast. I have mine dialed at 22 on the user's menu which is a ok balance between HDTV and DVD. Anything below it seems to darken the whole picture a bit.

My inputs are DVI for HDTV and BNC for DVD. Appears to be the same controls for these inputs.

Originally posted by Mike Boulanger
What size screens are you guys running? Is it practical to put this projector 20' back for a 138" diaganol screen? Is there enough light output?

My screen is something like 150" diag when viewing a 1.78:1 movie diag corner to corner at 18' back from the lens. This PJ has the power to do it without dimming. I think you'll make it just within it's minimum or no zoom.

On the other hand I think it is also the cause of why Im having a hard time dialing it in correctly on the contrast/brightness.

A true picture of what I see on my screen is if you look at my screenshots, imagine it with a very very slight brightness. It isn't that dark.

Originally posted by fishingeek

Speedy, the only way I could get things back to normal was to shut down and restart. I did try different things through the menu but nothing helped. I am hoping that the better cable fixed the problem but only time will tell.
Rick

Rick, thanks..

I just recommend "dont do it" to a factory reset. Esp when you dont have a saved preset. My god it gave me a quick scare.

Originally posted by DataModel
Here's an interesting problem I've run into with my 7800. I finally got the projector hung and all the cables run. I have 4 coax cables running to the BNC inputs on the projector. Three are for component video and one is for composite video so I can display the menu system on the A/V receiver (B&K). On my component inputs to the receiver I've got my Comcast cable box and a Panasonic DVD player. The cable box is working great. The DVD player, however, is not. Now when I ran component cables out of my DVD player directly to the BNC inputs on the projector, everything worked fine. But now when I run component out of my DVD player through my A/V receiver and then to my 7800, the projector says "unsupportable format". I checked the B&K manual and it says the component switching is passive. So that tells me what goes in is what comes out. Anyone else seeing this problem?

Thats weird..I think you've narrowed it down to your AVR...try those in the amp/receiver forum?

The only time that showed for others is when you try feeding 480i into BNC which requires 480p. Did it downconvert?

DataModel,

I am switching component output to 7800 through my receiver (and in fact one of the inputs to the receiver is an AA1154 4:1 component/digital audio switch, other input in the dvd player). My receiver is the Integra8.2. I know this doesn't help you get your situation resolved but does let you know that it can be done without issue.

With your new setup you would also have had to introduce a second cable... is it possible that this cable is defective?

--jeff

I will have mine setup by this evening and will report my findings after. Thanks for all those who have helped!

Brian

I calibrated my 7800 with DVE and the THX optomizer. I would have to say the THX optomizer did a much better job. So far, I'm not impressed with DVE. DVE brought the contrast and brightness down making the picture dark and dull. Anybody else calibrated it with both and feel the same? Unless I'm doing something wrong. Any comment is appreciated.

The darker values are just somthing I think you will have to get used to. MInd you I have not calibrated a PJ just a RPTV but at first I thought everything was too dark until I got used to it. now I feel that non -calibrated sets are way too bright. If I am not answering your question I am an idiot and I apologze hehe

Brian

I used the AVIA disk and my picture looks great now. Haven't tried a THX one but I see no need to now that I have it dialed in good. One very nice feature if this PJ is you can use the red filter during calibration. No need to hold up that little piece of film, just turn the filter on and calibrate. The only problem I have now is a the picture isn't cropped enough for 4:3 viewing. I get a little white line on the top of the picture. Anybody seeing this?

Rick

I used to have an occasional white line at the top or bottom of the screen. Then I figured out that the Comcast cable box was set to ouput 4:3. Setting to 16:9 fixed this problem.

And yes, the contrast settings on these pj's when set to DVE or THX specs are too low for dark material. This is especially evident on hidef material. The blacks in dark scenes are just too low. I've decided to give up on tuning to a DVE or THX standard and just go with what I like. BTW, on a CRT based TV, I did like the DVE and THX settings.

That's good to know. I thought I may have missed additional settings after falling asleep during calibrating with DVE. =) But yeah, I think I'm giving up on DVE and adjust based on how it looks best to my eyes. Thanks.

Yes white lines from SD channels on top and a white line on KQED's HD channel on the left. Just living with it.

What is the red filter? How do you turn this on?

Hey Speedy, sorry I meant the blue filter feature not red. When you go into the service menu, go to test mode and hit blue filter. This is helpful when using the AVIA disk as one of the major tests is using a blue piece of film. On the 7800, you just hit blue filter and you can do the adjusting without looking through the film. Pretty nice. It looks like you can do allot of adjusting from the service menu. I have my picture looking great right now. It would be nice if someone with a service manual could explain some of the other features, but I'm sure you would have to be a service tech to get the manual.

Rick

Do you notice that if the picture is displaying white that your dark areas are lightened? This causes dark areas to lose detail.. Just another thing I never saw my X1 do.

Thanks Rick..I'll check it out.

OK well...I have three days and about 15 hours of viewing on this projector and all I have to say is ...I am BLOWN away. I cant believe how film like the image off a DVD is. It really has that movie theater look...nice smooth even picture with INCREDIBLE black detail. I am projecting onto a matte white wall from about 16' onto a ~110" diagonal screen. viewing is about 16'. last night I got up to 2' without seeing screen door and I see NO rainbows(thank God)

the projector is big and heavy...but it's placement and dialing in was a breeze. I hope to get some screen shots up soon. I also plan on putting up a felt border to frame it. Thanks to all that answered my questions...the cable guy is coming today so I Will report back on how HD looks on it!

Thanks---A happy Benq owner!

Brian

Hey Brian, I've been waiting for your report. I'm glad you like the 7800. It will be interesting to see how the AE700 compares when it shows up. I couldn't be happier with mine. If you get the chance, I would suggest getting the AVIA DVD to dial in the picture. It's good out of the box, but with a little tweaking it mine looks great now.

Rick

Thanks! I have already calibrated with AVia and I tell you I didnt have to do much to get it dialed in!! But it does look amazing. I am looking forward to comparing the two myself.

Rick- do you have a DVI cable? and if so where is a good place to purchase a 30' one? I will be hooking my HDTV cable box up through this input...probably will need a hdmi converter as well...Thanks!!

Hey Brian, I got mine from Ram Elec on the front page. They have cables that have DVI on one end and HDMI on the other. They also have adapters as well. I went with the adapter to my HDTIVO. Ram is great to work with and ship fast. I have heard good things about Bluejeans also.

Rick

I had my initial experience with the 7800 last night in a very temporary setup, after it sat in its box for about two weeks waiting for other equipment. We watched "A Bug's Life" on a Panasonic 97S, with an HDMI/DVI cable, projected onto a light-yellow wall in a dark room to about a 78" diagonal (open space between cabinets). I didn't even have batteries in the remotes, so I couldn't tell you what signal the Panasonic was sending, but I assume it must have been 480i. I am so much not a videophile that it is laughable, so my opinion should be not be considered valuable by anyone serious about the hobby. In addition, this is not only my first projector, but my first experience with one (no friend's house, dealer, etc.).

That said, I was thrilled to learn that the superlatives people throw around here -- blown away, plasma-like, stunning -- are indeed true. No calibration, no screen, no idea what signal the DVD player was sending, and the picture was brilliant and beautiful. I'll eventually do all the right things, but I think I'll be very happy with my decision to take this AV route.

To be honest, I'm a little relieved, as I had been through Costco recently and seen their rows of "other" TVs in 50-60 inch sizes for around the cost of my 7800. The picture quality of these sets seems to have improved a lot, with the sweet spot issues greatly diminished from not long ago.

Considering how apparently unpicky I am about my image, I have to wonder if I went overboard on my equipment a little bit. I needed to have a good upsampling DVD player, so I paid up for the Panasonic. I needed to have a DVI connection, so I bought the HDMI/DVI cable. I considered the Infocus 4805, but I wanted rainbow insurance, and the price difference seemed narrow enough to justify the 7800. Perhaps it is because I bought all these items that my inital impression is so favorable.

Considering the obvious weaknesses in my setup, I chose to not evaluate the image critically (blacks, etc.), but I can say that I did get close (3-4 feet) to the screen to see what the screen-door effect looks like. I didn't have any problems with it from a normal 8'-10' viewing distance. I didn't see any rainbows, or get a headache. I don't know what macro-blocking and dithering look like, and I'm not going to try to find out.

With the holidays and all the related time commitments coming, I'm not sure I'll be able to get everything set up the way I want for a while. As it is, the time and money I have already spent has used up just about every last drop of spousal patience (e.g., should have been cleaning bathrooms last night in anticipation of Thanksgiving company, rather than testing the 7800). When I do, I'll try to put together a more comprehensive report.

Thanks for the input, and thanks AVS for the 7800. Good luck to everyone.

Rick- ok heres anotehr question.....I have my DVD player hooked up by components through the BNC. (the player is sending progressive) NOw the HDTV will send a progressive signal correct? or am I wrong. If this is the case I might just send the HDTV to the BNC...and then an interlaced sig. form the DVD player through the regular component. In this scenario...how is the 7800's processing chip to show a progressive signal from an interlaced signal? WOuld I be losing pic qualtiy...the reason I ask is cause I have to run my cables 30' and it is much more cost effective to buy another set of component cables than to buy a 30' run of DVI. thanks for your help!

Originally posted by SpeedyHTPC
Do you notice that if the picture is displaying white that your dark areas are lightened? This causes dark areas to lose detail.. Just another thing I never saw my X1 do.


Kind of answered my own question here..

Initially I noticed that my Puss Da Boots picture earlier in the thread lacked background detail however my adjustments of user OSD brightness and contrast are 35/20 which is fairly bright. Going back to what I noticed before the DLP service menu settings of brightness and contrast I was able to bring the background detail into light. The thing I noticed is that the service menu contrast does not brighten the overall picture as does the user OSD menu.

So with my service menu brightness and contrast set higher, I was able to get my background details back and make Shrek2 look like a cartoon again.

Warning: setting the contrast too high may burn a hole in your retina. I'm serious this is one powerful PJ.

Originally posted by Brian Fineberg
the cable guy is coming today so I Will report back on how HD looks on it!
Brian

HDTV is awesome on the PJ. Totally bright..I watched the KC/NE game last night on ABC and the field detail was awesome. I also did NOT notice or get bothered by any jaggies on the white lines.

The band that was playing on KROND felt like I was right there in the bar/studio. The lights were so bright.

Brian, I have my HDTV going DVI and my dvd player going in BNC. I saw very little difference between component and DVI HDTV. DVI is however just a tad more crystal clear.

A little OT but was wondering if the benq6100 can be table mounted or is the projected angle too much mine seems to want to shoot the screen half way up my wall from 14' back ?

DVI should eliminate any overscan issues that may be present via component. Might be best to buy or borrow a short run of component cables to see how(if any) much overscan there is.

Can you get an HDTV image using component cables with this projector? I thought I read you needed the pin connector for this? Thanks

BenQue - the angle would be different for the 6100 but in any case 14' is too far for table mounting.

I want to clarify. Overscan != cropping. This PJ has a little bit of overscan and a bit of cropping depending on the signal fed.

Cowher36 - yes. the PJ has two sets of component inputs. One for 480i and another for 480p/720p/1080i. The kit includes RCA to BNC conversion tabs so you can connect your component 480p to the BNC using these RCA tabs.

Just purchased the 7800 (site unseen) today from AVS (Thanks Jason!!). The feedback was fairly positive on this forum, so I am sure I'll be happy with the purchase... plus the low price was really hard to pass up.

Planning to build a DIY 110" to 120" 16:9... I'll post some initial feedback next week.

Question for Speedy: you stated that your screen allows you to project a 150" diagonal 16:9 picture... that is pretty big... I saw the screen caps in your gallery. Does your screen have gain?

<1.0. matte white. Ceiling primer + Home Depot's Behr Ultra Pure White 3-4 coats.

I just re-adjusted and its brighter now, so bright it burns my eyes at one setting esp in the flashes during the potion creation in Shrek2.

You'll definitely enjoy this PJ. My satisfaction increases daily as I tweak it.
It absolutely blows away the X1 with double the lumens. I saw the 4805 finally and did not think it was worthwhile from the X1 since I also have a panamorph lens.

My test is to compare my Sony 36HS510's display of Shrek2 and tweaking it to match. The Sony is a direct view TV.

New pics uploaded..brighter pics. The Shrek2 forest shot was really brightened after the adjustments.

ok new question ?? is there such thing as a dvi-to-component cable?? That would be great since my cable box only has one component out andi wasnt to send it both to tv and PJ. My tv does not have dvi and I dont want to buy a 30' dvi anny suggestions??


Brian

ok new question ?? is there such thing as a dvi-to-component cable?? That would be great since my cable box only has one component out andi wasnt to send it both to tv and PJ. My tv does not have dvi and I dont want to buy a 30' dvi anny suggestions??


Brian

do a google search for DVD-I component adapter. you may have to go DVI-I to VGA to component.

I haven't seen any cables but it looks like there are a number of adapters out there.

great thanks!! Oh by the way...with some annoying switching of cables I was able to veiw HD on the PJ...AWESOME AS clear as my WS tv.

if anyone has a Denon 3801...how do you get 2 differnt digital audio signals in?/


Brian

Wow, it looks like this thread has helped Jason sell some 7800s. I want my commission from AVS;-) Our basement is now all drywalled and the trim and paint go in early next week. Then it's carpet. After that, it's time to move on to the HT for: screenwall installation; riser installation; columns; acoustic treatment/fabric; equip rack; HT chairs and....yes, the 7800 will finally come out of it's box. I probably should have given it a test to make sure it wasn't damaged. I think I've had it over a month now, so I hope it's OK.

Now, I have a couple of questions for you pioneers who have already installed and calibrated your 7800s:

1. I've seen some mention of screens. I was planning on using an 80" wide 16:9 acoustically transparent screen. I also still have my 100" diagonal 4:3 Dalite that I can use as a pulldown for TV. Now, finally, the question for you guys who have calibrated your pjs: Are you using screens wider than 80:? My HT will be 26x16x8, so it can handle a larger screen. I'm just a little cautious about the resolution. The speakers also have to go behind the screenwall and on each side of the screen. I don't want them up against the walls.

2. Is anyone using a Dish Network HD tuner? I have Dish and three tuners, but none are HD. I really didn't plan to use the HT for TV. However, I'm now thinking about the Superbowl in HD. Especially if the local team makes it.

Originally posted by Brian Fineberg
great thanks!! Oh by the way...with some annoying switching of cables I was able to veiw HD on the PJ...AWESOME AS clear as my WS tv.
if anyone has a Denon 3801...how do you get 2 differnt digital audio signals in?/
Brian

:confused:

Your 3801 has optical inputs for audio. I dont see any coaxial.

See your manual here

http://www.usa.denon.com/catalog/pdfs/AVR3801DFU.pdf

Originally posted by Jeff Hovis
Wow, it looks like this thread has helped Jason sell some 7800s. I want my commission from AVS;-)

And your 7800 is still in the box!

Now, I have a couple of questions for you pioneers who have already installed and calibrated your 7800s:

1. I've seen some mention of screens. I was planning on using an 80" wide 16:9 acoustically transparent screen. I also still have my 100" diagonal 4:3 Dalite that I can use as a pulldown for TV. Now, finally, the question for you guys who have calibrated your pjs: Are you using screens wider than 80:? My HT will be 26x16x8, so it can handle a larger screen. I'm just a little cautious about the resolution. The speakers also have to go behind the screenwall and on each side of the screen. I don't want them up against the walls.

2. Is anyone using a Dish Network HD tuner? I have Dish and three tuners, but none are HD. I really didn't plan to use the HT for TV. However, I'm now thinking about the Superbowl in HD. Especially if the local team makes it.

1. Mine is wider than 80".
2. I asked earlier what were the specific questions. Never saw any. But I'll tell you this. SD is better on the 7800 vs the X1 because the color is richer. Otherwise its the same.

Originally posted by SMP01
do a google search for DVD-I component adapter. you may have to go DVI-I to VGA to component.

I haven't seen any cables but it looks like there are a number of adapters out there.

Before anyone feels the need to get a DVI-D to VGA converter, think about what this is doing compared to your component inputs. Ram's converter is $300 I would only suggest that if you have absolutely no alternative and there are.

i bought a dvi to component adap[ter.....for 30$shipped....mind you it is only going to my tv not my PJ. I am sending the component to the PJ.

Thanks!

Brian

Originally posted by Brian Fineberg
ok new question ?? is there such thing as a dvi-to-component cable?? That would be great since my cable box only has one component out andi wasnt to send it both to tv and PJ. My tv does not have dvi and I dont want to buy a 30' dvi anny suggestions??


Brian

I use my AVR to do component switching. Cable goes into one component input, DVD goes into the other component input. I run one set of components to the BNC inputs on the projector. The only caveat is the DVD player must put out a 480p (not 480i) signal.

Originally posted by Jeff Hovis
snip

Now, I have a couple of questions for you pioneers who have already installed and calibrated your 7800s:

1. I've seen some mention of screens. I was planning on using an 80" wide 16:9 acoustically transparent screen. I also still have my 100" diagonal 4:3 Dalite that I can use as a pulldown for TV. Now, finally, the question for you guys who have calibrated your pjs: Are you using screens wider than 80:? My HT will be 26x16x8, so it can handle a larger screen. I'm just a little cautious about the resolution. The speakers also have to go behind the screenwall and on each side of the screen. I don't want them up against the walls.


I'm running a DA-lite HCCV 52x92 (106" diagonal). I sit about 14ft away. Any closer would be nauseating. :D

2. Is anyone using a Dish Network HD tuner? I have Dish and three tuners, but none are HD. I really didn't plan to use the HT for TV. However, I'm now thinking about the Superbowl in HD. Especially if the local team makes it.

You're really missing out if you don't use this pj for hi-def sources. Monday night football looks three dimensional. Absolutely fantastic picture. I sweated bullets over the limited resolution on this pj but from where I came from to where I am now, I couldn't be happier.

Hey, this is starting to look like the "official 7800" thread. Any seconds?

Originally posted by DataModel
Hey, this is starting to look like the "official 7800" thread. Any seconds?

I second that. 12 pages and counting...

This will be my first projector, currently have the Pioneer Elite 510 RPTV. Got the da-lite 106" High Contrast Matte White screen. What do I need to do first when I receive everything? Is it hard to line the projector up with the screen and get the correct height? The projector will be mounted on the ceiling about 15' 3" back from the screen. I assume I want to mount the screen first? Thanks for any help as I am pretty nervous about this

Cowher36,

I plan to mount the PJ first... then install the screen. If you install the screen first, you run the risk of not completely lining the PJ image with the screen.

T

You want to mount the screen first. Then the projector. From 15', your offset is approximately 11". Using a Chief ceiling mount add about another 6" to your offset (the distance from the ceiling to the lens). That gives you 17" to the top of your screen. Be sure to take into account the border on the da-lite screen. It's much easier to move the projector than the screen. A big plus for the da-lite is you can easily slide the screen horizontally. So if you're off center a touch, no problem.

Originally posted by SpeedyHTPC
:confused:

Your 3801 has optical inputs for audio. I dont see any coaxial.

See your manual here

http://www.usa.denon.com/catalog/pdfs/AVR3801DFU.pdf


The only problem is that the ONLY source input that my reciever is saying that accepts dgital audio input id the DVD input which is obviously used for DVD audio...do I am stuck...the Sat/Cable source says analog only...so I am stuck...do I need a switcher??

Brian

by the way...HAPPY THANKSGIVING ALL!!!


and my screen is 98" wide


Brian

forget it!! Thanks Speedy!! I read the manual and I have to use the onscreen display to ASSIGN the digital inputs to each source...thanks for you help...dont ewat too much turkey!!


Brian

While watching my 7800 last night and again today I noticed a yellowish tint band on the bottom of the screen starting in the right corner 2 inches high and extending toward the middle of the sreen where it tapers down and eventually disappears. It is mostly visible during light colored scenes (white, tan etc.). Anybody no what this might be and how to fix? thanks

Originally posted by Brian Fineberg
forget it!! Thanks Speedy!! I read the manual and I have to use the onscreen display to ASSIGN the digital inputs to each source...thanks for you help...dont ewat too much turkey!!
Brian

Cool..I'm running my AVR just like that now..labels dont mean too much anymore on my remote.

Originally posted by jesaikido
While watching my 7800 last night and again today I noticed a yellowish tint band on the bottom of the screen starting in the right corner 2 inches high and extending toward the middle of the sreen where it tapers down and eventually disappears. It is mostly visible during light colored scenes (white, tan etc.). Anybody no what this might be and how to fix? thanks

First step I'd recommend is to see who is the culprit. This could be coming from your source, audio video receiver, or the 7800.

Need some more data..

- what kind of screen?
- which source does this happen in?
- What input are you using?
- Does it show up when you display the internal filter colors of the 7800 and grids?

etc..

-Source - orinally showed up on on HD cable box viewing and I swithched source to dvd player and it is still there.
-screen - using DIY black-out-cloth; doesn't seem to be the screen because when I physically lift the projector, the yellowish band moves with it.
-Input - using comp cables to comp input for both HD and dvd
-filter colors and grids - not sure what this is?
-No av receiver being used; just running sound from source to pre-amp in two channel audio system
thanks

Originally posted by Brian Fineberg
The only problem is that the ONLY source input that my reciever is saying that accepts dgital audio input id the DVD input which is obviously used for DVD audio...do I am stuck...the Sat/Cable source says analog only...so I am stuck...do I need a switcher??

Brian
If it hasn't been said already............
Many outfits carry a Converter to go from Optical to coaxial and vis versa you just need to make sure which one you get.
www.partsexpress.com carries one from Dayton I believe
Singles should cost you less than a Andrew Jackson:)

Originally posted by jesaikido
-Source - orinally showed up on on HD cable box viewing and I swithched source to dvd player and it is still there.
-screen - using DIY black-out-cloth; doesn't seem to be the screen because when I physically lift the projector, the yellowish band moves with it.
-Input - using comp cables to comp input for both HD and dvd
-filter colors and grids - not sure what this is?
-No av receiver being used; just running sound from source to pre-amp in two channel audio system
thanks

Sounds like you have tried HD cable and dvd player through the BNC connection. Have you tried 480i through the RCA connectors just to see if its input related? Tried DVI?

The color filters was brought up by someone else in this thread that uses the PJ's native test pattern to display the primary colors when the filter is turned on. This is accessed in the service menu (hit menu for the user OSD then hit power on, menu again). I dont recall right off my head but in the test pattern area there is a way to turn on Red, Green or Blue from the PJ without any source.

If this still shows that yellowing, it may be the PJ. I think the best thing to do is to call BenQ support tomorrow and request for a swap. I hear they are pretty fast with a 22 hr turnaround.

I have what I hope is a minor problem.

After coming back from vacation, I fired up a movie on the 7800 and noticed that a piece of lint/fuzz had taken up residence inside the unit. It appears in the lower right hand corner of the projected image. I know it is not just sitting on the lense because I used my anti-static lense brush from my camera on the lense surface and the object didn't move. So I have a couple of questions...

How does one go about removing such dirt? I assume I will have to open up the unit.

Is this common in projectors? Might it be a good idea to invest in some sort of enclosure/hush box to try and protect the projector from dust/lint?

-Keith

The 7800, I've heard, has sealed optics. If that still holds then I believe what youre seeing is a dust on the DMD itself. I've never opened my unit up to see how it looks behind the bulb but if there is lint on the DMD, a blast of air will clear it up. Shouldnt hurt to remove the bulb and see if theres any lint in the path.

For those doing a ceiling mount, which mount (brand/model) did you choose, and where did you purchase it?

I checked out MountsAndMore.com, and a chief mount (including ceiling plate, and 18" fixed length rod) will run about $230. This is a specific 7800 mount. Peerless was cheaper... but still high.

Any difference between Chief and Peerless? I just need an inexpensive (but not cheap) mount and extension for my 10' ceilings.

Thanks...
T

Hey T-Bone, call Jason here at AVS. I got my chief for much cheaper than that. I didn't go with the Chief extension, I just got a 2" floor flange and a short piece of pipe from Home Depot. It worked out great. Mine is galvanized but it would be easy enough to paint black if so desired. The nice thing about the pipe is you can change the distance by changing the piece of pipe at a small cost.

Rick

fishingeek,

Thanks for the feedback... I sent Jason a PM last night, but had not heard from him yet, so I figured I'd ask you guys in the meantime.

I'll call Jason today!!

T

I went with Chief ceiling mount. With all the adjustments, quick release mechanism, and extensions, it was worth my time in trying to find someone from home depot that knew what they were talking about. :D

BTW, with a 10' ceiling you should go with the 18" fixed extension. No reason to pay for the adjustable extension.

Mandarax who has sold a ton of mounts for the Infocus X1 and 4805 can also do the Benq. Since I have the X1 mount, I will be upgrading with a new mounting plate... good quality and reasonable pricing.