BenQ 8720 Hints & Tips [Text View] - Page 2

Kerry W

07-12-06, 12:05 PM

OK, I'm being sucked into this PJ like a number of others have.........

I still have a number of reservations and concerns and I haven't seen all answered here yet. One of my biggest concerns is that I am moderately sensitive to rainbows - the first PJ in my house was the Infocus 7200 and both my wife and I saw rainbows (though not popping off the screen all over the place - just when I quickly turn to my wife or kids to say did you see that or a quick dart to one side of the screen when some action scenes appear, etc). We then tried the Sony HS-10 and it was good - no rainbows and no strain whatsoever while watching.

But, with that came no blacks, just dark grays, slight panel misconvergence, low light level (110" Stewart Firehawk screen in a 90% light controlled room with light colored walls/carpter) and SDE (minimal) and noise from fan (PJ is ceiling attached <4' behind and above my head). Sold the HS-10 and got the HS-20 - but still have all the above with only a very little better dark grays. I need another PJ that I can afford - trying to hold out for an affordable 1080p PJ but seeing the comments from those with/seen the Ruby and 3-chip DLP's still prefer this PJ has got me very interested.

And finally, if I do go with DLP it is between this unit and the Mitsu WD2000U, so I will cross post this in the 2000U thread for any real comparisons/feedback.

Thanks,
daggerNC

I recently sold my home theater with my house and it had the Sony HS20 in it. I replace it with the 8720 and have been very happy with the upgrade. I seem to be rainbow sensitive also, and am glad to see that they are almost non-existent for me with this projector. Blacks are significantly better on the 8720, day and night better :). The image is much more 3D like, especially with HD material. Hope that helps.

BTW, daggerNC, are you in North Carolina?

Kerry

Whitestar

07-12-06, 11:23 PM

To the person who enquired about the Oppo DVD player & PAL 8720 compatibility. Last night I got to have a play with a friends OPPO OPDV971H which had the first major firmware update installed on it (but not the latest). It worked at 720p 50hz but there were a few things that popped up from time to time that I found odd. This included some ghosting during movement & occasional jagged edges in some scenes that would disappear & re-appear. I dont know if this was related to the DVD player / PJ combination or if it was just an issue with the Oppo and that particular disk (Gladiator).

I have been having a problem with my 8720 that I haven't seen mentioned before on this board. I'm on my second unit and both have had the same problem of random Solarisation (a fine greenish color in the shadowy areas of the image). It typically occurs when switching to the Family Mode preset from another preset. Once it appears it is then present on all the presets & can only be removed by re-setting the unit, alternating the fan mode, or moving the CW timing up / down 1 notch in service menu. The problem is not localised to my setup as it also occurred at the local service center and at a friends place. As my unit was shipped from another country it was a major hassle getting the first one replaced, so i'm very hesitant about going through the same process again.

Has anyone else out there experienced this problem or something similar?

Digital2004

07-13-06, 04:46 AM

anyone has bulb issue ? friend has a 8720 with blinking red light, projector tries to turn on but refuses. his daughter turned off the 8720 last night by clicking very fast on the remote (without waiting for the red message "are you sure...." then clicking again).
i think it's a lamp failure.... again with Benq

agrsiv95

07-13-06, 07:10 AM

I double click the remote to power off all the time and mine works like a charm. From what I've been told, there have never been any bulb issues with the 8720. The high fan speed with ver. 1.14 was a bug and nothing more. I have heard that shutting the projector off then turning it back on again without letting the lamp cool can lead to early failure. Check the filter and door on the side to see if that is closed as that will stop a power up as well.

Jeremy

isamu

07-13-06, 07:36 AM

bairda

07-13-06, 10:31 AM

I'm just curious, but is burn-in possible on this projector? Not that I've seen any, but there are times when I'm playing a videogame for hours upon hours and the HUD is displayed on screen(a racing game for example) whilst playing. Could this cause burn-in on the 8720?

It is impossible to have burn-in on any DLP projector. The technology is based on micro-mirrors reflecting light. So keep that HUD up and frag away!

Hope this helps!
-Alex-

Mojo_LA

07-14-06, 02:25 PM

I currently own an Infocus 5700 and will most likely upgrade to the 8720. It's one of the few projectors with a long enough throw that I can actually get a 100" image from as far back as 18 feet (where my projector shelf sits). Lucky for me, it actually seems like a real winner of a unit and from what I've read has great blacks (my #1 selling point).

Can anyone talk about the black levels as compared to other projectors? For example, on a totally black screen (let;s say you've muted the image), can you still cast strong, detailed shadows on the screen with your hands? I used to tease my friend who had a really bad projector by making hand puppet shows on his screen during dark scenes :-)

Also, is it true about a price drop? Online I've seen prices range from about 4-6K.

What should I expect and where are the best places to get the Ben Q with the new price? Having some sort of grace period to return it is of high importance, since I'll be buying it sight unseen...

TomsHT

07-14-06, 05:45 PM

There are some places with lower prices then others but make sure wherever you purchase it, is an authorized dealer or the warranty with BenQ will be void!

Adam Gutierrez

07-14-06, 09:13 PM

Mojo_LA,
AVS is now a fully authorized BenQ dealer and they have a very good price. Contact Jason Turk for details and support the forum at the same time... ;)

Expletive

07-14-06, 10:31 PM

Is the power lens shift position part of the memory presets?

awtryau89

07-14-06, 10:31 PM

Is the power lens shift position part of the memory presets?

No. Its set and forget.

Expletive

07-15-06, 12:09 AM

No. Its set and forget.

Thanks Eric, i was hoping to use it as part of a manual masking solution but oh well... :)

ALIASJT

07-15-06, 08:05 AM

Expletive

07-15-06, 11:41 AM

No. Its set and forget.

Incidentally, have you tried to send the 8720 a 720p/48hz signal (or any 48hz signal)? Will it display such a signal? I believe the manual says minimum 50hz but 48hz is just SO close! :)

Hyrax

07-15-06, 12:58 PM

I have been having a problem with my 8720 that I haven't seen mentioned ... random Solarisation (a fine greenish color in the shadowy areas of the image). It typically occurs when switching to the Family Mode preset from another preset.
I'm still waiting to receive my BenQ 8720 so I have no answer to this question. But I do have questions. Why would you be switching to the Family Mode from another mode? I could see doing this when you first get the PJ, but once you're up and running would you not stay in the same mode? Do people usually switch modes? I've never had a PJ that had modes, so I cannot see the need to change them.

Does mode switching do more than change the gamma and a few other user accessable settings? Could you not emulate what the Family mode does by setting one of the user settings?

Just wondering.

Adam Gutierrez

07-15-06, 03:23 PM

Hyrax,
I have a dedicated, aways dark theater. However, some people may not. They may be dealing with ambient light issues during the day (family mode), then, after dark (theater mode).

Like you mentioned, someone could setup different user settings to do the same thing, not sure about the gamma settings though...

Whitestar

07-15-06, 08:24 PM

I have seen maybe a similar problem with my 8720, but I am not sure. What happens in my case is in dark brown areas, there are some steps created in the image, as if the PJ is working with a small number of colours (Turn your PC image to 16 bits resolution, you will see what I mean. For example in the beginning of MATRIX DVD, the torch lamp beams are affected that way. Does it fit your own problem ? In fact, I do not know if it comes from the PJ or from the DVD player.

Hi ALIASJT, it sounds like your Color Wheel timing might not be at the optimimum setting for your unit. If you pause the image & adjust the CW timing in the service menu up or down it may correct your problem.

Of course this will invalidate your warranty, so you may wish to get Benq to arrange for someone to do this for you.

Whitestar

07-15-06, 08:39 PM

I'm still waiting to receive my BenQ 8720 so I have no answer to this question. But I do have questions. Why would you be switching to the Family Mode from another mode? I could see doing this when you first get the PJ, but once you're up and running would you not stay in the same mode? Do people usually switch modes? I've never had a PJ that had modes, so I cannot see the need to change them.

Does mode switching do more than change the gamma and a few other user accessable settings? Could you not emulate what the Family mode does by setting one of the user settings?

Just wondering.

Hi, the only reason I was switching to the Family Mode preset was during my diagnosis of the unit. My solarisation problem was also happening on the other presets but nowhere near as often. These days I just stay in Home Theatre mode & hope a future firmware upgrade will sort the problem out.

Hyrax

07-15-06, 10:54 PM

Hi, the only reason I was switching to the Family Mode preset was during my diagnosis of the unit. My solarisation problem was also happening on the other presets but nowhere near as often. These days I just stay in Home Theatre mode & hope a future firmware upgrade will sort the problem out.

Thanks, Whitestar & Adam. I was wondering if I was going to be wandering into Family mode. It sounds like I may not. Although it does sound useful for watching football on a sunny afternoon.

ALIASJT

07-16-06, 06:53 AM

Hi ALIASJT, it sounds like your Color Wheel timing might not be at the optimimum setting for your unit. If you pause the image & adjust the CW timing in the service menu up or down it may correct your problem.

Of course this will invalidate your warranty, so you may wish to get Benq to arrange for someone to do this for you.

1) How do you enter into service menu
2) Once you change the CW timing, doesn'it only displace the problem ? i.e. won't it appear in other scenes ?
3) Did you experience yourself this adjustment ?
4) Is there a rational for this problem ?

awtryau89

07-16-06, 03:03 PM

Whitestar,
What you are seeing is an issue with the Gamma on Family Room. It can also happen with Home Theater but I bet you rearely is ever see it with Cinema. If you do see it with Cinema, then you have your brightness set a good bit too high. Basically, Family Room and Home Theater are set to a Graphic gamma curve from the factory. The graphic curve is tuned much better on HT mode than on FR mode so this posturization shows up very easily. I have tried all the gamma curves in the service menu and I have tuned them as well. The only one worth using is the Film mode. It can be applied to all modes. The great thing about it is once applied to each mode, it will give you a different overall curve with the factory presets because of the Senseye technology. I found it yielded a 2.18 curve with Cinema and a 2.35 curve with HT mode. I have not tried it with Family Room because I just never use that preset. I may try it in the future. Now what I am telling you is all service menu related and you have to have the proper equipment to tune it. I can't just give out some blanket numbers and everyone plug them in, so don't ask. You can get into the service menu at your own risk and change the gamma to Film though and see what you think. You have to remember to save the current settings before exiting or it will revert back upon power cycle. The other thing I would suggest if and when you change it, make sure to set brightness correctly. Do this by using the BTB bars and reducing them until you see no dithering then turning them back up one click. I hope this helps. My disclaimer as always is I do not recommend anyone getting into the service mode. BenQ has stated they will not honor the warranty on any unit returned due to someone messing something up in the service menu. So proceed at your own risk if you do go in.

Hyrax

07-16-06, 10:51 PM

BenQ has stated they will not honor the warranty on any unit returned due to someone messing something up in the service menu. So proceed at your own risk if you do go in.

Who can enter the service menu? Or put another way, can authorized dealers and installers go into the service menu? I've asked my dealer to reduce the overscan before sending me the PJ - how does BenQ know that my dealer or I made the change?

awtryau89

07-17-06, 12:09 AM

Who can enter the service menu? Or put another way, can authorized dealers and installers go into the service menu? I've asked my dealer to reduce the overscan before sending me the PJ - how does BenQ know that my dealer or I made the change?

Read exactly what I wrote again. Anyone can go in, just don't mess anything up and your fine.

Paulidan

07-17-06, 12:41 AM

I'm right on the cusp of ordering this so I need to know- is overscan the only *significant* thing that you need to go into the service menu for.

let me re-phrase that- How far do the end user picture adjustments get you to an optimal image? Is there something besides overscan that negatively impacts the image across the board, that I can only rectify thru the service menu?

Whitestar

07-17-06, 01:05 AM

awtryau89,
Interesting, you may well be right in your diagnoses but the thing that stumped me was the random nature of the problem. Sometimes the solarisation would occur when switching presets, sometimes it would not. When it did occur it then effected every preset & could be fixed by alternating the fan mode or resetting the unit (via the menu). I could emulate the level of solarisation by entering the service menu & changing the CW timing to around 41 (down from 50).

Hyrax,
I would be very wary about going into the service menu. I told Benq I had entered the service menu (initially at the request of the local agent who wanted me to verify some settings) and their whole attitude changed. From that point onwards it was a battle to get them to replace my first unit. Before they sent me my second unit I had to agree not to enter the service menu again otherwise they wouldnt honor my warranty. As I have no way of knowing if they can tell or not, i'm keeping out of it.

ALIASJT,
I think someone mentioned elsewhere in this thread how to get into the service menu. I was told by Benq that the optimum CW timing may vary from unit to unit. As the firmware obviously has a default CW value it may not necessarily be the best one for you. My old unit had a value of 48 which I found produced a similar effect to what you described with your unit. Adjusting that to 51 improved things.

Jeff Lampert

07-17-06, 04:01 AM

I did have the chance to view both of these projectors and thought the 8720 was the definetly right choice for me

Why did you choose the 8270 over the WD2000u? Thanks.

DirectViewer

07-17-06, 06:36 AM

I'm right on the cusp of ordering this so I need to know- is overscan the only *significant* thing that you need to go into the service menu for.

Several earlier posts here recommend that the overscan should be set to 100% if you have an outboard processor (like the DVDO VP30) and want to get pixel-to-pixel matching.

TomsHT

07-17-06, 07:56 AM

Why did you choose the 8270 over the WD2000u? Thanks.

I thought the screen door effect stood out more on the WD2000u compared to the 8720. I think the 8720 did a better job showing black details. And (I may be wrong about this particular model) but I've read where there is based on being used as a business projector rather then specifically for a home theater.

bairda

07-17-06, 09:45 AM

I thought the screen door effect stood out more on the WD2000u compared to the 8720. I think the 8720 did a better job showing black details. And (I may be wrong about this particular model) but I've read where there is based on being used as a business projector rather then specifically for a home theater.

The Mitsubishi IS a Darkchip 2, business projector and is listed as so on the Mits website...
http://www.mitsubishi-presentations.com/products/projectors/WD2000U.html

Here are the recommended uses:
• lecture halls
• executive meeting rooms
• conference room
• boardroom
• auditorium
• church auditorium

Now that DOESN'T mean it can't be used in an HT. But it isn't designed or marketed to be used in one. Mits has other projectors that are specifically designed for HT use and are quite good.

I have not seen the Mits in action so I can't tell you what kind of pic it puts out. I have read the Mits "WOW" thread with interest and even considered getting one myself, but my impression was that there were a ton of hoops to jump through to get a good pic out of it (including ordering a service menu CD, having to put the output through a processor, dealing with the 768 size panel, color adjustments, etc...), that may or may not put it in the same class as the 8720. I would think that the DC3 on the 8720 would produce better blacks, and the tighter mirror configuration on the DC3 (as opposed to the DC2) would show less SDE, but like I said, I haven't seen the unit.

I will be interested to see Jason's review of the 2000...

-Alex-

TomsHT

07-17-06, 09:50 AM

I'm not trying to talk anyone out of it, just answering your question of why I chose the 8720 over it

bairda

07-17-06, 10:05 AM

I'm not trying to talk anyone out of it, just answering your question of why I chose the 8720 over it

I am agreeing with you! I have the 8720 and think it is great.

I do question the hubub around the Mitsubishi. It seems all the heat about this projector is being generated from one or two users who are repurposing a business projector to light up some truly giant screens (150"+). One of these users has 3(!) of these projectors!

That doesn't mean that the projector doesn't throw a good pic, but all the caveats and work that seems to be needed to get it to perform is a bit daunting. I really want to see a pro review this projector and get the facts out.

I think the Mits sounds like a good projector if you have a HUGE screen or alot of light in your HT. Otherwise, your money would be well spent on a projector designed for your environment.

-Alex-

TomsHT

07-17-06, 10:49 AM

It might have been the way the installer had it set up in order to bring out the details but the one I viewed seemed kind of dull...

jbegosh

07-19-06, 01:24 PM

This projector is currently on the top off my list and I was wondering if anyone knew where I could see a demo. I live in Maryland around the rockville, gaithersburg area.

Thanks,

Jamie

TomsHT

07-19-06, 01:35 PM

Check the benq site, they should have a "Dealer Locator" option

jbegosh

07-19-06, 04:22 PM

I remeber seeing a site that people can list their home theater equipment and if someone is looking for a set of speakers or TV they can see who has what and can contact the person to see if they could demo their gear. I can't remember the website though.

foghorn17

07-19-06, 07:43 PM

It could have been AudiogoN (http://www.audiogon.com) or it's sister site VideogoN (http://www.videogon.com)

TomsHT

07-20-06, 07:26 AM

When I was looking to see this projector, I found someone local on this very thread that offered to let me come to there house.

jbegosh, I'm about an hour outside of Philly which might only be 2-3 hours from ya. I'd offer if your willing to travel that far

sethk

07-20-06, 06:07 PM

I'd say the only reason to choose a Mits 2000 over the 8720 would be if you need the lumens. If you do, then you can consider it as compared to its high lumen (and more expensive) competition which would not be the 8270. The 8720 is a lot of things but its not a light cannon.

If you have more of the usual HT needs (darkened room, < 120" screen) then the 8720 would be a superior product, IMO.

Adam Gutierrez

07-21-06, 02:07 PM

phisch

07-21-06, 04:11 PM

Other than that, I'm pretty pleased with the picture, BUT, I don't think the scaler/deinterlacer is a good as the Sammy 710 was.

Having read this entire thread, I was under the general impression that the on-board processer was pretty good. Is this maybe not the case?

Paulidan

07-21-06, 04:22 PM

Adam, have you gone into the service menu and reset the overscan to 100%?

bairda

07-21-06, 04:33 PM

Having read this entire thread, I was under the general impression that the on-board processer was pretty good. Is this maybe not the case?

I think the SD processing on the 8720 is very good. I had the VP30 in here (without the daughter card!) for a bit and think that the 8720 SD cable conversion and processing is on the same level. Plus you get that nice non-linear stretch for 4:3. I think the VP30 has that now to via a software upgrade(?).

I would be very interested to hear what people think is the best 1080i processor to pair up with the 8720 would be. Would it really show that much of a difference over just a straight connect to the projector with HDDVD and HD cable?
-Alex-

Expletive

07-21-06, 10:56 PM

Got mine yesterday (Thanks AVS!!), v1.14 software :mad: (I can't believe BenQ didn't update these things before they sent them out), loose screw rattling around inside unit (pulled the air filter and I got it worked out without pulling it apart). Best black levels I have seen to date. No BTB or WTW with HD-A1, tried v1.4, dropped black levels WAY down, had to crank brightness all the way which blew out the blacks on my Dish HD feed, downgraded to v1.2 and the black level returned to normal (minus BTB). Not sure what I'm doing wrong to not get BTB or WTW...

Other than that, I'm pretty pleased with the picture, BUT, I don't think the scaler/deinterlacer is a good as the Sammy 710 was. When viewing Serenity for instance on the opening scene I get some jaggies around the left edge of the planet as the scene pushes in towards it, also noticed it on the edges of the Univeral logo as it circled around earth. My BenQ is set to "Real" and the HD-A1 is set to 1080i/HDMI. Either the 710 does a better job of deinterlacing/scaling than the BenQ or I have something not set up correctly or the optics are so much better I didn't notice this artifact with the 710. If anyone has any suggestions as to my scaling artifacts, I would love to hear them.

Also very disappointed in the 1.14 firmware being on my new unit. I set the HD-A1 to enhaced black "off" and the PJ to 7.5 IRE and i DO see the drop shadow on the THX logo during the optimizer (which IIR is BtB). How are you testing for WtW?

Mind you i'm going through an anthem D2 so that may have something to do with it but the Anthem, as far as i can tell just sends the input along.

Adam Gutierrez

07-21-06, 11:19 PM

Overscan was set by BenQ to 100 for both data and video. Doesn't DVE have a WTW test pattern? I've gotten into a bad habit of going straight to the test patterns, I need to sit down a follow along with the narrative again...

I can live with the scaler/deinterlacer issues. Everything else is a big step up from the 710.

romy101

07-21-06, 11:39 PM

I can live with the scaler/deinterlacer issues. Everything else is a big step up from the 710.

I agree 100%. I just need to calibrate. Just changed overscan to 100% and picture mode to real ... getting better.

isamu

07-22-06, 01:21 AM

I got firmware version 1.12. Does 1.12 have the same issues 1.14 has? Or were the issues actually introduced in the 1.14 firmware? I honestly dont see the black level issues you guys are talking about, but then again, I haven't really looked too hard either :)

Adam Gutierrez

07-22-06, 08:33 AM

I want to make sure I'm looking in the right place for the overscan setting. Under the factory settings sub-menu, video and data settings. Is that right? Both areas say +100.

ALIASJT

07-22-06, 08:44 AM

stanger89

07-22-06, 04:29 PM

Maybe you guys can put my mind at ease, I saw this in another thread:

...the Benq8720... has the same 250W UHP lamp inside [as the BenQ 7700]
http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?p=7843811&highlight=8720+7700#post7843811

I realize that the problems with the 7700/MT700 are almost certainly due to the PJ, not the llamp (considering the new lamps didn't help), but coming from an MT700, that's rather scary.

Anybody have lamp problems with their 8720 (I haven't seen any threads/comments and considering it's been out almost a year...)?

Also, anybody compare this to the 7700, how would you compare it, specifically on brighness?

Expletive

07-22-06, 06:27 PM

Hyrax

07-22-06, 11:56 PM

Can someone tell me what their colorwheel speed in the DLP service menu is set to? (Mine is set to 5x without SLR). I'm having some bad contouring problems (in whisper and regular mode) and wonder if thats it.

EDIT:definitely having some contouring issues and cant seem to track it down. I'm sending a 720p signal from a D2 but see them when going source direct from any of my devices over HDMI as well.... Any help on tracking down what this might be is appreciated!

The color wheel goes to 4X in whisper mode.

Is the D2 an upconverting DVD player? Try sending a 480i signal and see if the problem goes away. If it does go away, it is possible that the problem is partially caused by the upconversion process.

The contouring may also have something to do with HDMI. Alan Granger (I did a quisk search but couldn't find it) has a thread somewhere where he talks about how the Toshiba HD DVD player is the first device that does not show contouring over HDMI. He, and a number of other people seem to think that component connections are often the way to go.

Expletive

07-23-06, 12:00 AM

The color wheel goes to 4X in whisper mode.

Is the D2 an upconverting DVD player? Try sending a 480i signal and see if the problem goes away. If it does go away, it is possible that the problem is partially caused by the upconversion process.

The contouring may also have something to do with HDMI. Alan Granger (I did a quisk search but couldn't find it) has a thread somewhere where he talks about how the Toshiba HD DVD player is the first device that does not show contouring over HDMI. He, and a number of other people seem to think that component connections are often the way to go.

The CW timing fixed it (from 54 to 59) which is odd as i didnt touch it to begin with. All is well now but its largely irrelevant as i'm gonna have to have this flashed anyway to get 1.15. Thanks for the response though!

Incidentally, is your CW in the service menu set to 5x with SLR or 5x without SLR?

awtryau89

07-23-06, 02:48 PM

Got mine yesterday (Thanks AVS!!), v1.14 software :mad: (I can't believe BenQ didn't update these things before they sent them out), loose screw rattling around inside unit (pulled the air filter and I got it worked out without pulling it apart). Best black levels I have seen to date. No BTB or WTW with HD-A1, tried v1.4, dropped black levels WAY down, had to crank brightness all the way which blew out the blacks on my Dish HD feed, downgraded to v1.2 and the black level returned to normal (minus BTB). Not sure what I'm doing wrong to not get BTB or WTW...

Other than that, I'm pretty pleased with the picture, BUT, I don't think the scaler/deinterlacer is a good as the Sammy 710 was. When viewing Serenity for instance on the opening scene I get some jaggies around the left edge of the planet as the scene pushes in towards it, also noticed it on the edges of the Univeral logo as it circled around earth. My BenQ is set to "Real" and the HD-A1 is set to 1080i/HDMI. Either the 710 does a better job of deinterlacing/scaling than the BenQ or I have something not set up correctly or the optics are so much better I didn't notice this artifact with the 710. If anyone has any suggestions as to my scaling artifacts, I would love to hear them.

This projector clips BTB and WTW on the HDMI input receiving a 4-2-2 signal. You have to send it a RGB or 4-4-4. This is a problem with the HDMI chipset. Before you start bashing BenQ, the Marantz 12S4 has the same problem because it has the same chip and there are many others as well. No firmware update will fix this. It is a hardware issue. The best way to get it to work is get a scaler. This will solve any issues you can throw at it.

Also, BenQ does try to update all their PJs before leaving. Some do slip through the cracks. Most of the time, a previous version of firmware gets to a customer because the unit came from a distributor that had previous versions in stock.

Expletive

07-23-06, 03:09 PM

This projector clips BTB and WTW on the HDMI input receiving a 4-2-2 signal. You have to send it a RGB or 4-4-4. This is a problem with the HDMI chipset. Before you start bashing BenQ, the Marantz 12S4 has the same problem because it has the same chip and there are many others as well. No firmware update will fix this. It is a hardware issue. The best way to get it to work is get a scaler. This will solve any issues you can throw at it.

Also, BenQ does try to update all their PJs before leaving. Some do slip through the cracks. Most of the time, a previous version of firmware gets to a customer because the unit came from a distributor that had previous versions in stock.

I have a D2 which can send either of these (444 or RGB), is there a better one between the 2 to use?

My sources would be an oppo 970hd DVD player, toshiba HDA1, and Scientific atlanta cable box via HDMI.

Also, if you might have info on what the CW setting in the service menu should be, that would be great. (i know its 5x just not sure with or without SLR)

These projectors (Adams and mine) were sent from Benq to AVS last week (i saw the tracking numbers) so hopefully theyll work out a way to get this latest firmware to us without having to send the unit back because i think that was unfair. BenQ was actually asked about this before they shipped the units and said they would ahve the latest FW on them. I know these things happen so i'm not bashing BenQ, i just hope they handle this properly.

Adam Gutierrez

07-23-06, 03:25 PM

ALIASJT

07-23-06, 04:04 PM

Is there any experience of solarisation or banding effect with the 8720 fed by an HD source ? This question because there is a possibility that these effects simply come from the scaling processing only.

Anyone with an answer ?

TomsHT

07-23-06, 05:36 PM

awtryau89

07-23-06, 06:36 PM

I have a D2 which can send either of these (444 or RGB), is there a better one between the 2 to use?

My sources would be an oppo 970hd DVD player, toshiba HDA1, and Scientific atlanta cable box via HDMI.

Also, if you might have info on what the CW setting in the service menu should be, that would be great. (i know its 5x just not sure with or without SLR)

These projectors (Adams and mine) were sent from Benq to AVS last week (i saw the tracking numbers) so hopefully theyll work out a way to get this latest firmware to us without having to send the unit back because i think that was unfair. BenQ was actually asked about this before they shipped the units and said they would ahve the latest FW on them. I know these things happen so i'm not bashing BenQ, i just hope they handle this properly.

I would definitely use RGB. The conversion to RGB has to be done somewhere before the PJ can spit out an image. I feel the scaler is going to do a better job on this than letting the PJ do it in most cases. On the input side, use only 4-2-2 from the Toshiba, use either 4-4-4 or RGB from the Oppo and the SI box most likely is RGB no matter what you do.

As far as the CW, I have never experimented with this. I know alot of people were tinkering with it on the 7700 but it uses less segments on the CW and is also slower I believe. I know most think this helps the banding but in most cases, you are seeing the banding from an incorrect Gamma setting or having contrast or brightness set too high.

awtryau89

07-23-06, 06:42 PM

Eric, I don't think I was "bashing" my 8720, just reporting on how it was working with my HD-A1, hoping someone might repond with "Hey stupid, you forgot to set ______ , and that will solve your issue."

Quote: "Not sure what I'm doing wrong to not get BTB or WTW..."

Mine was from a fresh batch that was just shipped straight from BenQ to AVS this past week. Mine was not the only one recieved with 1.14 this week.

I don't think I stated your were bashing. You just read it out of context. My intent was to keep the overall AVS community from bashing the 8720 on this issue when the Marantz, Yamaha and others are using the same HDMI receiver chip and have the same issue.

ALIASJT

07-23-06, 07:14 PM

I received my 8720 from avs almost 2 months ago now and it had the latest firmware. I'm kind of surprised its being mentioned now that someone just received one with an older firmware date.

I have not seen any noticable problems with my HD-A1 source as of yet.

Could you please check with a DVD such as Matrix, introduction scene, if you see the phenomenom on the torch-lamp beams ?

Hyrax

07-23-06, 10:44 PM

BUT, I don't think the scaler/deinterlacer is a good as the Sammy 710 was. When viewing Serenity for instance on the opening scene I get some jaggies around the left edge of the planet as the scene pushes in towards it, also noticed it on the edges of the Univeral logo as it circled around earth. My BenQ is set to "Real" and the HD-A1 is set to 1080i/HDMI. Either the 710 does a better job of deinterlacing/scaling than the BenQ or I have something not set up correctly or the optics are so much better I didn't notice this artifact with the 710. If anyone has any suggestions as to my scaling artifacts, I would love to hear them.
Adam-
Are you sure you're supposed to use the "Real" mode setting if you're sending it a 1080i signal? I don't have my 8720 yet, so I cannot test, but I believe that "Real" is intended for 1:1 pixel mapping - meaning you need to send it a 720P signal. Since the Toshiba HD-A1 does a bad job of scaling 1080p to 720p, would not that mean you should be using the movie mode on the 8720? Or am I way off base here?

Expletive

07-23-06, 11:21 PM

I would definitely use RGB. The conversion to RGB has to be done somewhere before the PJ can spit out an image. I feel the scaler is going to do a better job on this than letting the PJ do it in most cases.

Great I was hoping you waould say this as it confirms what I thought i was seeing with my own eyes.

On the input side, use only 4-2-2 from the Toshiba, use either 4-4-4 or RGB from the Oppo and the SI box most likely is RGB no matter what you do.

Do i have this choice with the toshiba? I dont recall a menu setting for this.

As far as the CW, I have never experimented with this. I know alot of people were tinkering with it on the 7700 but it uses less segments on the CW and is also slower I believe. I know most think this helps the banding but in most cases, you are seeing the banding from an incorrect Gamma setting or having contrast or brightness set too high.

Thanks for the response. What i was seeing was an unnatural controuring around light sources and skin tones. It was so bad that my wife even asked me what was wrong with Johnny Cash's face, oh the pain!

TomsHT

07-24-06, 07:25 AM

Could you please check with a DVD such as Matrix, introduction scene, if you see the phenomenom on the torch-lamp beams ?

Hi, I had the 8720 and hda1 hooked up for testing for a couple weeks but currently the 8720 is boxed back up, they are currently sheetrocking my HT room. The HDA1 is hooked up to my plasma tv untill then. I could run your Matrix test on that if you want but if your specifically looking for it on the 8720 it will probably be 2-3 weeks till I get everything hooked back up.

Adam Gutierrez

07-24-06, 08:56 AM

Adam-
Are you sure you're supposed to use the "Real" mode setting if you're sending it a 1080i signal? I don't have my 8720 yet, so I cannot test, but I believe that "Real" is intended for 1:1 pixel mapping - meaning you need to send it a 720P signal. Since the Toshiba HD-A1 does a bad job of scaling 1080p to 720p, would not that mean you should be using the movie mode on the 8720? Or am I way off base here?

As far as I can tell, real mode seems to be the only mode that keeps the HD-DVD picture looking normally proportioned. Every other mode distorts, zooms or shrinks the picture.

BTW, I just crossed over the 12 hour mark and things are looking alot better, the original poster said his image was slightly noisy for the first 10 hours and it was related to the new lamp, I guess that is what I was seeing when I first fired it up. I watched Blazing Saddles last night, WOW, that's an old movie and it looked fantastic.

Hyrax

07-24-06, 11:48 AM

As far as I can tell, real mode seems to be the only mode that keeps the HD-DVD picture looking normally proportioned. Every other mode distorts, zooms or shrinks the picture.

Hmmm... something doesn't see right about that. Do you see the same behavior when you watch other 1080i (HDTV) sources? They should be no different than a HD-DVD source. Anyway, I hope to get my 8720 this week from AVS and I'll be able to talk from experence.

BTW, I am really looking forward to seeing Blazing Saddles in HD DVD - I've not seen the movie in ages. There are times when Mel Brooks makes me laugh so hard that it becomes hard to breath.

ALIASJT

07-24-06, 03:19 PM

Hi, I had the 8720 and hda1 hooked up for testing for a couple weeks but currently the 8720 is boxed back up, they are currently sheetrocking my HT room. The HDA1 is hooked up to my plasma tv untill then. I could run your Matrix test on that if you want but if your specifically looking for it on the 8720 it will probably be 2-3 weeks till I get everything hooked back up.

Thank you for your reply. Indeed, it would be interesting if you first test the "solarisation" effect on your plasma, and then on your 8720. I am not in a hurry for the latter.
Again thank you

Adam Gutierrez

07-24-06, 08:15 PM

stanger89

07-25-06, 12:36 PM

I'm sure it's been covered, but do the AR modes on this PJ apply to HD (>480i/p) sources as well?

Specifically, can you pillarbox a 720p or 1080i signal?

Hyrax

07-25-06, 01:32 PM

Could you please check with a DVD such as Matrix, introduction scene, if you see the phenomenom on the torch-lamp beams ?
Can you explain what you mean by this phenomenom?

ALIASJT

07-25-06, 06:13 PM

Can you explain what you mean by this phenomenom?

Solarisation, or colour banding : as if the image is coded with a too low number of bits. Colour steps appear, for example around lamps, or on flat dark scenes such as sky or faces.

Toe

07-25-06, 06:30 PM

So is this solarization thing a huge deal, or is it minor? Is this a deal breaker for this unit?

bairda

07-25-06, 06:54 PM

SEARCH1990

07-26-06, 04:48 PM

Don't know if this is the right place for this post, but:

I'm trying to connect a computer thru the component inputs of a denon 2807 av reciever, then out thru the hdmi connection into the 8720. I purchased a vga to component cable, but no luck. I tried the dvi out on the computer (with adapter to hdmi) to the hdmi in of the 2807and I get picture, but it is way oversaturated, and I really don't want to tie up one of the 2 hdmi inputs on the 2807 for a computer.

Any help is appreciated, trying to only run 1 cable from the denon to the 8720...

agrsiv95

07-26-06, 06:09 PM

ALIASJT

07-26-06, 06:46 PM

A very good movie to watch for solarization problems is 2001:ASO. The space shots with the sun can really bring this out.

I recorded it off HDNet last month and could NOT see any of the banding on my 8720.

YMMV.
-Alex-

I just made a very interesting observation by watching a movie coded in DIVX. The surprise is that there is no "solarization" effect at all, even on many scenes where it should have been present ! Therefore, I think there is some relation between some characteristics of the 8720 (colour wheel speed, upscaling processing...) and the MPEG2 coding that causes the "solarization" effect

agrsiv95

07-26-06, 07:01 PM

I just made a very interesting observation by watching a movie coded in DIVX. The surprise is that there is no "solarization" effect at all, even on many scenes where it should have been present ! Therefore, I think there is some relation between some characteristics of the 8720 (colour wheel speed, upscaling processing...) and the MPEG2 coding that causes the "solarization" effect

I have not seen any solarization on anything but everything goes through a vp30 so you may be right.

Jeremy

Adam Gutierrez

07-26-06, 07:49 PM

OK, lets nail this thing down. What does everyone have their sharpness control set to, or are you running it with filter "off"? I get significant softening with the filter set to off. The default on my 8720 was filter on and sharpness set to "2"...

Come on guys... Some please post how you have your filter and sharpness settings... BTW, I am not experiencing any solarization with my 8720.

agrsiv95

07-26-06, 07:55 PM

Come on guys... Some please post how you have your filter and sharpness settings... BTW, I am not experiencing any solarization with my 8720.

My filter is on and set at -5. I used Avia sharpness and looked for and information to the image. With the filter off, It looks to soft and above -5 adds noise.

Jeremy

stanger89

07-26-06, 07:56 PM

I purchased a vga to component cable, but no luck.

You can't convert VGA to component (YPbPr) with a cable. If you need to use component, your best bet is to get a video card that offers component output.

DirectViewer

07-27-06, 02:38 AM

Is anyone successfully using the Oppo DV-970HD over HDMI to the DVDO iScan VP30 and then over HDMI to the PE8720?

When I try it the VP30 draws its "curtain" and covers the 970's output. But when I connect the 970 over HDMI directly to the Benq it works o.k. :confused:

Adam Gutierrez

07-27-06, 10:21 AM

Well crap... That explains alot! I have my sharpness setting 7 clicks too high!! In my haste to set the thing up I never even threw up the sharpness pattern. I gotta wait 3 weeks to make the adjustment to fix my "scaler" problem as I am on business in Bangkok. Sorry folks for raising the red flag on the scaler, rookie mistake that I should not have made. Thanks a bunch Jeremy!!

My filter is on and set at -5. I used Avia sharpness and looked for and information to the image. With the filter off, It looks to soft and above -5 adds noise.

Jeremy

spete

07-27-06, 10:26 AM

I received my 8720 last Friday and got it hooked up over the weekend. I have a few comments and a question:

1. The firmware was 1.14 (Jan 2006), and this was the recent batch of projectors that Jason at AV Science just got in.
2. The overscan was set to 94 out of the box.
3. The CW speed was set to 5X with SLR.
4. There was no solarization out of the box. HOWEVER, I adjusted a few settings in the service menu including the CW speed (just toggled it across the four settings and then put it back to 5X with SLR); toggled the setting that goes from Theater 2 to Film (can't remember the label now); and turned on and off the first IN filter on the third or fourth menu. These were the only changes I made, and I put the CW speed and the filter toggle back to where they were before starting watching a movie again. Then I noticed solarization. I paused on the scene where it was evident (Arwen's face on LOTR ROTK during her vision of her son on way to Gray Havens). To get rid of it, I went back into the service menu and changed the CW speed. As soon as I toggled the setting, the picture seemed to reset and the solarization was gone. Note that I toggled through the four CW settings back to 5X with SLR and it disappeared even though I didn't leave the menu in a different setting than when I entered. BIG CAVEAT: I was moving quickly and I may be remembering incorrectly what I did, but the point is that I was able to introduce and eliminate the solarization through the service menu.

Now for my questions:
1. I have an Oppo970 hooked up via a Component cable to the projector. When I adjust the overscan from 94 to 100, I saw NO difference in the picture quality. I actually preferred the 94 setting due to have the picture be a little "bigger". Does the overscan setting only affect when you are using an HDMI connection? And does anyone know if using HDMI will make any difference in the picture quality? (I am pretty happy with it where it is right now and I haven't even calibrated it.)

2. I know this has been discussed, but why does the Real setting "shrink" the picture to be so small? My screen diagonal is 148" but when it is set to Real, the picture is more like 90". Is that setting only for HDMI?

Thanks in advance for your help and I hope this helps those who are having solarization problems.

Peter

Kerry W

07-27-06, 10:39 AM

I received my 8720 last Friday and got it hooked up over the weekend. I have a few comments and a question:

2. I know this has been discussed, but why does the Real setting "shrink" the picture to be so small? My screen diagonal is 148" but when it is set to Real, the picture is more like 90". Is that setting only for HDMI?

Thanks in advance for your help and I hope this helps those who are having solarization problems.

Peter

Peter,
From your description it sounds like the Oppo isn't set to upscale to 720p. The 'Real' setting on the 8720 is a pixel for pixel mode, i.e. no scaling of the input signal. If you are getting the DVD image too small in the center of the screen, I would guess that the Oppo is outputting a 480 signal, and not upscaling it to 720.

Kerry

spete

07-27-06, 12:06 PM

Kerry,

Thank you for that tip. I will check it out tonight.

Peter

J-dubb16

07-27-06, 12:25 PM

spete

07-27-06, 04:01 PM

INow for my questions:
1. I have an Oppo970 hooked up via a Component cable to the projector. When I adjust the overscan from 94 to 100, I saw NO difference in the picture quality. I actually preferred the 94 setting due to have the picture be a little "bigger". Does the overscan setting only affect when you are using an HDMI connection? And does anyone know if using HDMI will make any difference in the picture quality? (I am pretty happy with it where it is right now and I haven't even calibrated it.)

2. I know this has been discussed, but why does the Real setting "shrink" the picture to be so small? My screen diagonal is 148" but when it is set to Real, the picture is more like 90". Is that setting only for HDMI?

I think I have gotten the answers to both of my questions:

1. Because I am using component cables, I am only outputting at 480p (according to the Oppo user's manual which says it is limited due to copy protection issues), which the projector then has to scale to 720p to output it. I think that explains why the overscan setting to 100 didn't change the quality of the picture. I am going to put in an HDMI cable hopefully tomorrow to see the picture difference and the overscan setting from there.

2. Once I go to HDMI, I should get true 720p which then will make the Real setting work as expected.

I will report back this weekend, but am optimistic this will solve the problem.

Hyrax

07-27-06, 04:37 PM

Does AVS and other dealers that most of the people are getting this PJ NOT verify the latest version of the firmware is installed and set overscan to 100. I would think these two items would be part of a typical purchase from any dealer trying to 'above and beyond' every other internet dealer. Maybe I am expecting to much?
Yeah, I think you're asking too much. Most people don't like getting 'Opened Box' merchandise from Internet sources unless they've specifically requested it. The blame for the firmware belongs to BenQ - they should not be shipping firmware that has bugs in it.
I asked my dealer to do both of these things to my PJ, and they're gladly doing it. However, it slowed up the delivery by more than a week (and counting).

J-dubb16

07-27-06, 05:10 PM

I guess I just expected since there are reliable internet sources, one a member of this board, that includes these items when they sell you a $4000 PJ. I guess that is why I recommend certain people/dealers for certain product - a value added service.

I also think it is good for people to know that there are dealers that have this and other PJs and will ship it with the latest firmware available if they wish.

Arcadia88

07-27-06, 11:56 PM

I'm now a proud owner of the BenQ 8720. I've been running this monster for the past 4 days. I say monster because it suprised me just how big this thing is. It fits on my shelf perfectly. Lens shift made set up a breeze. And finally I have real connections for real devices.
For the past 2 years or so I've been watching a Dell 2300mp. I'm still on the original bulb now at close to 2000 hours. I hope this low usage doesn't disqualify me from posting here. :)
It's amazing how well the Dell held up over time but its limitations 'forced' me to pull the trigger, and go into debt again. Just when I got out. Darn credit cards.
I checked the Firmware and it is 1.15
Amazing picture. It's like others have said. A giant screen plasma. I'm still using the same 106" diag. Draper white pull down screen that came free with my Dell. I'll be looking for a tensioned screen in the future.
Rainbow effect. The Dell is a 2X speed wheel and I can say I don't normally see rainbows but I can see them in certain situations like high contrast white on black scenes. (stars behind spaceships, streetlights on a dark street.) and the images had to be moving fast across the screen. then I could see the red and blue 'shift'.
I have yet to see a rainbow on the BenQ. I'm in the clear YES! Now to test it on friends and family.

I have a few worries that I hope are just nothing.
1. The Iris makes a ratchet sound sorta like gears or something stripping. It however moves as I belive it should regardless. I'm assuming the ratchet sound is a motor moving a stop and then a second motor moves the iris to the stop. Is this normal?
2. The projector is disturbingly quiet I Wasn't sure if it was running at first. However it does vibrate causing the case to buzz. if I press on the case as if I was picking it up it will stop. Then come back after while. Setting the projector to whisper mode 4x speed reduces the vibration and noise level. Even with all this case vibration the image is rock solid and never moves. So not really a big deal. But is this normal? or do I have a color wheel thats about to fly apart?
3. The Xbox 360 looks amazing on the BenQ. It's the only thing I have with 720P output and I've seen the trailers in 720P. I'm using component cables but it's still squishing the image a bit horizontally by about 3 or 4 inches on the right side of the image. Anamorp, Wide, Real. Makes no difference it just doesn't light up the mirrors on that side of the screen. The image isn't cropped or anything and It did this on my Dell. Is this normal? If I set the xbox 360 to 1080I it fills the entire screen. Image looks just the same too my eyes as the 720P. So I guess I should just leave it on 1080I.

Other than those worries I'm loving this projector. Now I know why so many people on this forum mention black levels. When A movie scene fades to black the whole room goes black. This is great. The dell would leave the room lit no matter what was on the screen. No more black hell. I can watch dark scary movies on the big screen now. ROTK Frodo in the spider cave. I can actually see the walls of the cave! instead of a moving blob of dark.
and when the scene switches from dark cave walls to the main battle in daylight it's 3d punchy! and the clouds have detail and arn't 'blown' out. Amazing what I've been missing all this time.
My first post, I'm hoping to join in the big debates in the future.

Expletive

07-28-06, 03:33 AM

Thank you for your reply. Indeed, it would be interesting if you first test the "solarisation" effect on your plasma, and then on your 8720. I am not in a hurry for the latter.
Again thank you

Can you provide a movie/chapter/time for some of us to confirm? Sorry if youd already posted such specific info earlier, its late though... :)

DirectViewer

07-28-06, 04:57 AM

I'm now a proud owner of the BenQ 8720. ...
Amazing picture. It's like others have said. A giant screen plasma. I'm still using the same 106" diag. Draper white pull down screen that came free with my Dell. I'll be looking for a tensioned screen in the future.

I also started with the 8720 and my old white screen (Stewart Studiotek 130) and I thought the picture looked wonderful. Then I upgraded to a larger screen and at the same time I switched to a gray one (Stewart Firehawk) and the improvement was extraordinary ... much higher contrast ratio, deeper blacks, and a much richer color palette. It was not a subtle difference.

So don't just get tensioned ... get gray as well!

agrsiv95

07-28-06, 07:32 AM

I'm now a proud owner of the BenQ 8720.

Welcome to the club! When the iris is adjusted it does make a loud noise. As far as the xbox 360, I believe it's the scaler in the xbox not the projector. I stepped up from an Infocus X1 so I'm with you on the improvement in picture quality. This projector is supposed to be on of the quietest ones on the market but the case humming is not normal. Is the filter door in properly? I wouldn't drop to whisper to stop the case noise, call Benq and talk to someone there about it.

Jeremy

SEARCH1990

07-28-06, 08:26 AM

I don't think the 2807 will convert signals to hdmi. I believe it is only a video switch. What I mean is it may convert rca video and s-video to component but will only switch hdmi with inputs.

Jeremy

Jeremy.

Thanks for the reply.

SEARCH1990

07-28-06, 08:27 AM

You can't convert VGA to component (YPbPr) with a cable. If you need to use component, your best bet is to get a video card that offers component output.

Thanks for the reply, decided to bite the bullet and run a second cable from the computer directly to the 8720.

Hyrax

07-28-06, 09:09 AM

I'm now a proud owner of the BenQ 8720.
...
I'm still using the same 106" diag. Draper white pull down screen that came free with my Dell. I'll be looking for a tensioned screen in the future.
...
Mine gets delivered tomorrow. The anticipation is wonderful agony.

Along with the projector, I ordered a DaLite High Power. I was using a DIY gray screen that was pretty good, but I decided that I wanted more 'pop'. I've calculated that I'm now getting a gain of 1.7 so I can use the low setting for the bulb and still get a bright picture. The problem (it is minor) with the Firehawk is that the picture doesn't seem uniform - the right side of the screen is a little brighter than the left. I must admit that I only see the problem in test images. The Grayhawk screens are good, but with a gain of .95 they may seem a little dull.
AVS sells the HP and are a good source for screens (DaLite or otherwise). I got the cheapest pull down and don't see the need for it to be tensioned.
Here's one thread for the HP:
http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=677936&goto=newpost

SeattleSuburbia

07-28-06, 01:13 PM

I fired up my 8720 for the first time last night. Shooting on a 106" High Power in a light controlled room.

Wow.

I've watched a few movies on 480p projectors like the 4805 and the improvement is great. I'm quite pleased with the performance. Big thanks to Jason @ AVS

ALIASJT

07-28-06, 02:30 PM

Can you provide a movie/chapter/time for some of us to confirm? Sorry if youd already posted such specific info earlier, its late though... :)

Try Matrix DVD, introduction scene, torch lamp beams

jwade5

07-28-06, 02:54 PM

Try Matrix DVD, introduction scene, torch lamp beams

I think what he is trying to say is the "FLASHLight" beams where the Police are in the hallway approaching the room where Trinity is sitting.

I will try tonight.

I have the 8720 on a 126" Carada BW with a LumgenHDP fed with a HTPC.

Attached JPG is not a screen shot just a thumbnail I captured on PC

-John

Expletive

07-28-06, 03:25 PM

Try Matrix DVD, introduction scene, torch lamp beams

Thanks. I'll give it a try later on.

phisch

07-28-06, 04:33 PM

I also started with the 8720 and my old white screen (Stewart Studiotek 130) and I thought the picture looked wonderful. Then I upgraded to a larger screen and at the same time I switched to a gray one (Stewart Firehawk) and the improvement was extraordinary ... much higher contrast ratio, deeper blacks, and a much richer color palette. It was not a subtle difference.

Is a gray screen the preferred screen for use with the 8720? I would not have thought that the 8720 would need help with blacks, unless you are using the pj in a multi-purpose ambient light filled room.

ALIASJT

07-28-06, 06:06 PM

I think what he is trying to say is the "FLASHLight" beams where the Police are in the hallway approaching the room where Trinity is sitting.

I will try tonight.

I have the 8720 on a 126" Carada BW with a LumgenHDP fed with a HTPC.

Attached JPG is not a screen shot just a thumbnail I captured on PC

-John

Absolutely : Torch in English, Flashlight in American.

Arcadia88

07-28-06, 11:54 PM

Thanks for the answers. The vibration buzz turned out to be the part of the case that covers the bulb. The screws were rather loose and once tightened it's now nice and quiet. No worries anymore.
My overscan setting was at 92. A bit low in my eyes. With a dvd component input of 480P it really should be set at whatever doesn't show the 'trash' around the edges. With The Incredibles movie dvd overscan at 96 was perfect. I guess each dvd will be different I tried several and 96 seemed to be the best setting for a 480 input. The machine automagically sets the overscan to 100 when it's receiving a 720P signal. So no need to really touch it.
Next big purchase will be one of those Oppo dvd players. I'm going to wait on the HD-DVD for a while. Oh what the heck maybe I'll get one.

Hyrax

07-29-06, 12:11 AM

I'm going to wait on the HD-DVD for a while. Oh what the heck maybe I'll get one.
Go for it. I'm glad I did.

Expletive

07-29-06, 09:36 AM

Try Matrix DVD, introduction scene, torch lamp beams

I gave it a look last night and didnt see any problems in that scene, looked fine to me.

Also, is the Iris setting not part of the user memories? It doesnt seem to be sticking when i save different aperatures to different memories.

DirectViewer

07-29-06, 03:03 PM

Is a gray screen the preferred screen for use with the 720?

Yes, and for any DLP PJ. Those machines are trying to create black from a 250 Watt light bulb so they can use all the help they can get. Unless you don't have enough light output, or you have people watching way off axis, there's no downside to gray for a DLP. (Whether it is worth buying a new screen is a separate issue, but you are planning to do so anyway.)

I would not have thought that the 8720 would need help with blacks, unless you are using the pj in a multi-purpose ambient light filled room.

My room can be darkened completely, but the walls are light and can reflect the screen light back to it. Firehawk is designed to inhibit side reflections, which it does very well.

Vikes4ever

07-31-06, 05:40 PM

Having read through most of this thread, I would like to know if there is anything visual on this projector that I'm going to have problems accepting if I don't want to go into the service menu? Can any of these solarization problems, etc., etc. be taken care of without potentially voiding my warranty? Are some of these problems possibly introduced because of entring the service menu and adjusting settings that we shouldn't?

I guess when it comes down to it.....Do I have to go into the service menu to get the most out of this projector or will I be extremely happy with the picture regardless?

agrsiv95

07-31-06, 11:54 PM

funlvr1965

08-01-06, 01:11 AM

The main thing depending which firmware it comes with would be overscan. Make sure if you go with the 8720 to ask that they check the projector for ver. 1.15 and you'll be good to go.

Jeremy

Jeremy. It was great to have you and your family over this past weekend, hope you guys can make it again soon, by the way the replacement highpower screen arrived today (monday), wife and I took the old one down and installed the new one, no problems with the new one so far

ChodTheWacko

08-01-06, 01:40 AM

Got my 8720 today!

First thing: checked firmware (1.15, whew), set overscan to 100. Standard TV has noise lines now. Oh well.

I am a bit confused about what Aspect Ratio to use with my HD-A1. Tests show that 'Real' is the only mode that doesn't chop off picture when the HD-A1 is outputting at 1080i. However, shouldn't it be truncating since 1080 > 720?

my HD-A1 is set to 16:9, connected via HDMI.

Adam Gutierrez

08-01-06, 07:27 AM

Mine acts the same way, Real mode seems to be the way to go with the HD-A1. Someone else may have a different idea, but I get the same image cropping with all the other modes.

Hyrax

08-01-06, 09:37 AM

First thing: checked firmware (1.15, whew), set overscan to 100. Standard TV has noise lines now. Oh well.
By Standard TV, do you also mean DVDs? Another post suggested using an oversacn of 96. Supposedly there is no overscan when you give it a 720P or 1080i signal.

I am a bit confused about what Aspect Ratio to use with my HD-A1. Tests show that 'Real' is the only mode that doesn't chop off picture when the HD-A1 is outputting at 1080i. However, shouldn't it be truncating since 1080 > 720?
my HD-A1 is set to 16:9, connected via HDMI.
What happens with 1080i HDTV?

Mine just arrived 10 minutes ago.... It will be hard to get any actual work done today.

Adam Gutierrez

08-01-06, 10:35 AM

Dish HD feed (720p) has the same picture shape and size as the HD-A1. I use Real mode for both sources.

Hyrax

08-01-06, 11:16 AM

Dish HD feed (720p) has the same picture shape and size as the HD-A1. I use Real mode for both sources.
With my Sharp 9000 and with my Sony RPTV, there are two aspect ratio options with HDTV OTA (and with the HD-A1). My old TVs have a Stretch (which I thought was the same as BenQ's Anampophic) and normal. Normal makes it look squeezed into a 4:3 screen, whereas Stretch makes it look just right. I thought this was something of an industry standard. It is very odd that BenQ doesn't allow Anamorphic to work the same. Perhaps it has something to do with HDMI? I'm going to have both analog and HDMI hooked up to the BenQ, so I'll do some testing tonight.

ChodTheWacko

08-01-06, 07:22 PM

By Standard TV, do you also mean DVDs? Another post suggested using an oversacn of 96. Supposedly there is no overscan when you give it a 720P or 1080i signal.

What happens with 1080i HDTV?

Mine just arrived 10 minutes ago.... It will be hard to get any actual work done today.

No, I mean OTA regular TV.
I only tried a couple of dvds, although I played them at 1080i interpolated through the HD-A1.

HD-DVD played at 1080i has no 'noise' on the top either.

I intend to leave it at 100%

Hyrax

08-01-06, 11:55 PM

I am a bit confused about what Aspect Ratio to use with my HD-A1. Tests show that 'Real' is the only mode that doesn't chop off picture when the HD-A1 is outputting at 1080i. However, shouldn't it be truncating since 1080 > 720?
my HD-A1 is set to 16:9, connected via HDMI.
The need to use 'Real' with HD 1080i and 720p material definitely has something to do with HDMI. It almost seems as though HDMI has a high overscan value when you use Anamorphic. I could well believe that it is 10%. I tested with HD DVD, with upconverted SD DVD, and with OTA HD TV... 'Anamorphic' works as I expected when you use component cables.

Quaxtros

08-02-06, 04:45 PM

Oh well. I put the 8720 on for about 15 mins. or so with no source and could not hear the fan in whisper mode. It was very quiet!

However I'd rather not have to ship it back but at the same time I don't want to have to worry about any firmware bugs once I start using the pj on a regular basis.

Does anyone who has the 8720 with firmware v1.14, when did you notice the fan ramping up problem? Was it as soon as you got it out of the box or only after using it for a peroid of time?

If there is no problem with the fan noise now while I'm just starting to use it will it stay that way? Or will the bugs in v1.14 eventually rear its ugly head?

Quaxtros

Vikes4ever

08-03-06, 01:37 PM

Stephanie M

08-03-06, 02:01 PM

Generally retailers will know if their stock has V1.15 or 1.14. For example, we know that our stock is 1.15 because of the manufacturing date that we cleared with BenQ. So if you ask when you purchase, they will usually be able to tell you!

Quaxtros

08-03-06, 03:43 PM

Does the projector have to be opened up by the retailer in order to check the firmware. It's not written on the box label or indicated by serial #/ manufacture date is it? It sucks if it has to be played with by one more set of hands on the way to the customer.

Yes. You have to power up the pj and access the hidden service menu. I had the pj on yesterday for about 15 mins. with no sources attached and it seemed very quiet to me. However I can't really use it till I get my screen which should be in another week or two.

I'm just not sure if I should bother to update the firmware to v1.15 or just leave it. As long as its quiet and works fine I don't mind.

What I would like to find out from other owners is if once they had the v1.14 firmware did the bugs in the software show immediately (fan speed problems etc.) or did it take awhile to show up. If it showed up immediately I'm probably OK...however if it took weeks or months to show up I would want to have the firmware updated.

Stephanie M

08-03-06, 04:01 PM

Quaxtros, that is a good way to check the firmware after the customer has received it, generally retailers will know what firmware they have, usually from the manufacture date or their agreement with BenQ themselves.

An authorized dealer, usually, will not have to turn the pj on to check the firmware.

Expletive

08-03-06, 08:30 PM

By Standard TV, do you also mean DVDs? Another post suggested using an oversacn of 96. Supposedly there is no overscan when you give it a 720P or 1080i signal.

Broadcast Tv has always had some noise around the edges for me (both SD and HD). You need a scaler to crop that off or use the overscan setting in the PJ. However, if you use the PJs ovcerscan youll lose good picture information (albeit only a little) on sources with no noise (like HD DVD) as well.

ChodTheWacko

08-04-06, 09:07 AM

I was trying to figure out a simple way calibrate things, and discovered that selecting the
'Color Bars' menu option turns off Whisper mode.

I did a comparison of the same dvd playing on the X1 and 8720 at the same time. Pretty amazing difference, and you could swear the 8720 is pulling out additional detail, regardless of what common sense is. (using HD-A1 outputting at 1080i')

Hyrax

08-04-06, 10:01 AM

I did a comparison of the same dvd playing on the X1 and 8720 at the same time. Pretty amazing difference, and you could swear the 8720 is pulling out additional detail, regardless of what common sense is. (using HD-A1 outputting at 1080i')
I did the same thing comparing the 8720 to my Sharp 9000. The funny thing I noted is that there were some videos where the Sharp 9000 was the better projector to use. For example, the Sharp's inability to show shadow detail is an asset (while the BenQ's ability to show all of the detail of the video is not) when playing poor quality DVDs. If you've got digital noise in the source, the BenQ shows all of it and the Sharp shows much less of it. With the BenQ, I can now easily tell the difference between low bitrate HDTV and OTA HDTV.

Fortunately good quality DVDs look great on the BenQ. I also discovered a trick to use with poor quality DVDs. If you set your DVD player to 480P out and use REAL mode, the BenQ shows a fairly small image in the middle of the screen. This works well with DVDs I've made from home videos on VHS tapes, for example.

My wife didn't think the HD DVDs were that much of an improvement over the SD DVDs before we got the BenQ. I disagreed, but she just gave me the old "Right, dear" (meaning "You're nuts, but I don't want to talk about this stuff"). Now it is rather obvious.

Now here is where things get very interesting. Plain old analog NTSC broadcasts actually look better on the BenQ. I could not stand them on the Sharp. I can actually watch the 6 PM news on the BenQ.

I no longer get D*, but I suspect that its SD material will look terrible on the BenQ. Is that the case? Or does it look more or less like analog NTSC broadcasts?

Quaxtros

08-06-06, 10:00 AM

funlvr1965

08-06-06, 10:36 AM

heres what is says under the specification for benq 8720 on their website

Zoom Ratio 1) 1.35x (Long Throw Lens)
2) TBD (Short Throw Lens)

does any body know if they actually came out with a short throw lens? In my ideal location above the ruby the long throw lens wouldnt work for me, hopefully they have a short throw version

Hyrax

08-08-06, 10:52 AM

ablegoy

08-08-06, 12:59 PM

When watching shows I recorded in HD (low bitrate 'HD Light' stuff), I've noticed a bit of a problem with HDMI and 720p/1080i material. If I use the Anamorphic setting, there appears to be about 5-10% overscan. If I use Real setting, there is no overscan, but I bypass the BenQ scaling and see all sorts of MPEG artifacts. For example I see large orange squares instead of flames in explosions in Real Mode. In anamorphic mode the flames look reasonable.

Anamation from SD DVDs looks terrible using HDMI - either in Real of Anamorphic setting. I was watching Beauty and the Beast and there were lots of digital jaggies everywhere. If I use component connections, the look is definitely a little less sharp, but definitely more pleasing. To me this means that HDMI has the real possibility of making things look digital. Quite honestly, using the component connection made it look like it should.

So my current belief is that HDMI + Real Mode is a good idea only for HD DVD (HD DVDs look wonderful with that combo). The Anamorphic setting is best for everything else even though there is overscan. Component cables may be the best choice for everything except HD DVD.

I will keep on testing with HDMI to see when it should be used, but for now component seems to be the better option.

Hm... I just upgraded to the Benq 8720 from the PLUS Piano HE3200, and I really LOVE the picture the benq throws. it really was a huge upgrade... except: Solarization!! I am using my HTPC via DVI to HDMI-adapter into the HDMI port on the BenQ and while the picture is extremely sharp with great punch and colors, I can see solarization in many scenes. This is getting to be very distracting!

Anyway, if component output fixes this to some extent, then I am glad to hear it. Also, if HDMI-connection is ok and reasonably free of this artifact with HD-DVD players then that is a little comforting too. I only have the HTPC for viewing at present. Anyone else noticing the great amount of solarization over HDMI?

Hyrax

08-08-06, 03:40 PM

Hm... I just upgraded to the Benq 8720 from the PLUS Piano HE3200, and I really LOVE the picture the benq throws. it really was a huge upgrade... except: Solarization!!

I'm not seeing any solarization or banding when using either the HDMI or the component connection. In an earlier post it was said (by Eric Awtry, I believe) that this solarization is the result of contrast and brightness not being correctly set. I had my 8720 calibrated before I started using it and I've got no solarization or banding issues.

J-dubb16

08-08-06, 03:57 PM

I as well do not have banding or solarization. My PJ was calibrate by Eric prior to shipping it to me.

All is good in BenQ land for me:)

Paulidan

08-08-06, 04:47 PM

wouldn't those be gamma related issues?

J-dubb16

08-08-06, 05:01 PM

I believe so, but Eric would know better. I know he adjust the gamma on my PJ and sent me the correct gamma charts.

ablegoy

08-08-06, 05:10 PM

Ok, so the solution would simply be to have it professionally calibrated then?
Well, I guess it would be stupid NOT to get the best picture possible out of this projector! :)

Hyrax

08-08-06, 06:08 PM

Ok, so the solution would simply be to have it professionally calibrated then?
Well, I guess it would be stupid NOT to get the best picture possible out of this projector! :)
Yeah, it is worth the cash to have someone who knows the machine to work on it.

That being said, you might want to try tinkering with the user controls. Assuming you've got recent firmware, one thing you may want to try is switch to the Cinema preset and see how this looks. I believe I've heard that it uses the 'Film' gamma curve and it is pretty good. You may not see any solarization with the Cinema preset. If you do, next try to lower the brightness and/or contrast a bit and see if the solarization goes away. It shouldn't take much of an adjustment.

Obviously, write down numbers before changing anything :)

ablegoy

08-08-06, 07:38 PM

okay, will try that! :)

ablegoy

08-08-06, 08:17 PM

Tried using the cinema preset, but that didn't change anything (yes i have firmware version 1.15).

Lowering contrast and/or brightness didn't seem to help either.
Increasing color wheel delay (in the service menu) from 51 to 54 seemed to help a little bit, but the problem is far from gone... This is really bugging me! Faces look... digital.

Hyrax

08-09-06, 09:23 AM

ablegoy

08-09-06, 10:22 AM

Ablegoy, everything looks great on my PJ. The only time I see solarization/banding is when it is in the source material. Faces (with a good transfer) look beautiful. Even with a bad transfer, the picture quality is impressive. My wife and I watched Pride & Predujice last night and, in spite of all the digital noise, everything looked great.

Have you tried component cables yet? Using my Toshiba HD-A1 DVD player, the component image is a bit softer and often a bit more pleasing than HDMI.

If I remember correctly - My settings for Cinema on HDMI are -3 (contrast), 6 brightness, 4 color, 0 tint, 1 filter, 0 for sharpness. IRE is set to 0 (if you set it to 7.5, the contrast and the brightness both increase)

Well, I just watched a few clips from swordfish 1080p, which is a spectacular transfer as far as I can tell, and there were very little solarisation there compared to what I saw on some of my dvds, but it's still not completely gone. When Halle Berry shows up for the first time in a red dress, it seems far from natural. Very digital-looking. But this effect is most distracting when it appears on faces I think.

My settings are for cinema (HDMI): -3 contrast, 11 brightness, 4 color, o 1 filter and 0 sharpness (out of box settings). Tried lowering brightness and contrast, but this had no effect on the solarisation. I am starting to think maybe I need a thorough color-calibration? Could some sort of incorrect color-setting be what is producing this digital-look?

The only source I have is my HTPC and an ancient dvdplayer with only composite and svideo out, so I haven't been able to check up on the component performance.

Adam Gutierrez

08-09-06, 07:55 PM

ablegoy

08-10-06, 09:14 AM

Try setting the filter on, put up a sharpness test pattern, and adjust the sharpness of the pattern so that it does not soften or add artifacts to the test pattern. Most have reported -5 being the sweet spot...

HAve tried this, but I do think the picture gets a bit soft with the -5 setting. Will have to try it with an HD-clip. Maybe the improved sharpness from a higher setting than -5 is indeed artificial.

Bob Ray

08-10-06, 09:30 PM

johnny_marin

08-11-06, 01:37 PM

I'm having color problem too. Just opened by 8720, put in star wars with RCA connection and everything's great. I switch to component video cables and the entire picture is a purple/blue. And it doesn't seem to respond to the standard color adjustments. What am I missing?

One of your component cables is either defective or incorrectly terminated. Check your connections and make sure all three cables are connected correctly at both ends. If that is OK then you need to measure the resistance of each cable using a meter to see if one of them is open. The reason I know this is I had the same problem in my setup.

John :)

Hyrax

08-11-06, 02:10 PM

Try setting the filter on, put up a sharpness test pattern, and adjust the sharpness of the pattern so that it does not soften or add artifacts to the test pattern. Most have reported -5 being the sweet spot...
-5 to work best for me also. Basically everything else seems to add some fairly objectional artifacts.

Expletive

08-11-06, 02:47 PM

-5 to work best for me also. Basically everything else seems to add some fairly objectional artifacts.

Youre turning the sharpness all the way down? When i turn mine all the way down i feel like i lose some detail with HD material...

Hyrax

08-11-06, 03:19 PM

I'll go back and check with HD material and some HD test patterns. I was viewing a SD DVD last night and the artifacts were terrible above -3. It was a toss up between -4 & -5. I believe I ended up watching most of the movie at -5. I was watching animation - an old Disney movie, because I had noted artifacts in other material. These old cartoons are a good way to look for edge enhancement artifacts, because the solid color fields emphasize any aboration.

What I was watching looked a lot better at -4 than at 0. However, I didn't go back and check other sources - and I should.

Expletive

08-11-06, 08:49 PM

panosp

08-13-06, 12:03 PM

Guys, I need your help.
I purchased a 8720 to replace my 3 years old Sharp XVZ10000 after reading
reviews and satisfied owner's comments. Besides, I thought that
advancing to the Darkchip 3 technology would make a big difference.
I recieved the 8720 last night and what a great dissapointment it has been so far:

1) overall picture quality is the same as the Sharp
2) there is no significant difference regarding brightness
3) black is not black; its rather grey and significantly worse than the Sharp.
I have an old "Video essentials" DVD guide, which has a test pattern for adjusting the brightness and contrast. The pattern which has a black background, has 2 thin vertical lines on the left and 1 thick vertical grayscale bar on the right. One of the two left lines is "blacker than black" and the other is dark grey. In order to adjust the brightness/contrast the "blacker than black" line should blend in with the background leaving the dark grey line almost visible. Doing this adjustment with the Sharp works perfectly and the background remains black after the adjustment. But doing the same with the 8720 is impossible as in order to have the grey line barely visible and at the same time having the "blacker than black" blending with the background, leaves the background grey.
4) black details in scenes are exactly the same. There is simply no more details to see

I tried playing-tweaking various settings in the user's settings and in the service menu after reading all the user's postings. Besides the fact that most of the settings are like Chinese to me, I haven't managed to achieve any better results that the factory settings.

I suspect the origin of the problem to be my old Pioneer DVD 737 player. It is connected via component to the 8720 as it was for the Sharp. But this raises the question: no matter how bad the source might be, how come the same source gives same results for both projectors? (or even worse for the 8720 regarding the black performance?).
As a last point, my friend before bringing me the 8720 from the USA tried a similar test:
he compared the 8720 with his Optoma HD72 using a cheap DVD player with a lame RCA connection.
He warned me on the phone that the 8720's black was inferior to that of the HD72 and that the overall picture quality was the same or even worse.

Please help, any advise and comments would be greatly appreciated.

Panos

Hyrax

08-14-06, 12:19 PM

Look forward ot your reports, i'll give it a try with SD stuff tonight. I will say that SDE is less noticeable in my front row with a lower sharpness....
After a lot of testing, I've found -3 to be optimal for most SD DVDs and HD material. -4 is the best with my SD test pattern, but -3 looks better in real life. However, if the source of the DVD is old (or of poor quality)...shows like the 1970s PBS series Upstairs Downstairs), using a sharpness of 0 seems to help.

benthx

08-16-06, 07:16 AM

I would be happy to hear from 8720 owners the following:

A Hour many hours per week do you run the pj?

B How many run lamp in full mode 250w?

C Hour many hours before the bulb dims?

Thanks
Ben ;)

Adam Gutierrez

08-16-06, 07:44 AM

OK, another question for you 8720 guru's. I have set up my projector with all the settings I prefer under Preset 1. However, every time I power off the 8720, it defaults back to the Cinema setting and I have to push the preset recall button to get my settings back. Is there any way to have to projector boot with my user presets instead of the Cinema presets?

BTW, after some fine tuning, -2 seems to be the best sharpness setting for my setup.

Hyrax

08-17-06, 12:36 PM

...every time I power off the 8720, it defaults back to the Cinema setting ...
BTW, after some fine tuning, -2 seems to be the best sharpness setting for my setup.
I've the same problem with the presets. I'm looking for a way to set the default startup mode.

I'm using a Dalite High Power screen and I can definitely see ringing at all sharpness levels above -4. I tested 5 different HD movies and several HD sports shows. I assume that there is no edge enhancement in HD sports broadcasts, so any ringing must be introduced by the Benq. However, I found the picture to look a bit soft at -4, so -3 (or even -2 with some material) was where I left it.

Hyrax

08-17-06, 11:57 PM

Is there anyway to attach a ND filter to this PJ? I bought a DaLite HP screen, and it is too bright right now. I love the HP screen for watching sunday afternoon ball games, but see rainbows in a completly dark room. I never saw rainbows with a .95 gain screen, but then afternoon ball games were washed out on the low gain screen.

Bob Ray

08-27-06, 11:31 PM

One of your component cables is either defective or incorrectly terminated.
John :)

Thanks John... I threw away the companant cable that came with the PJ and I got a new componant cable and it works just fine. The picture is suburb. I'm only seeing artifacts (mainly halo effect) from non-HD cameras being used in live TV sports events.

Arcadia88

08-27-06, 11:35 PM

Last night after watching Poseidon I just laid there on the couch fumbling for the remote in complete darkness, and my eyes managed to ajust to an artifact about 2 feet to the right of the screen on the wall. It's a strip of light taller than the screen but only about 3 fuzzy inches wide. It's comming from inside the lens and I can see where the light is reflecting off something from inside the machine by looking into the lens. (when it's projecting black). It's the same brightness or rather 'darkness' as the main screen. So I never noticed it before untill I sat there in darkness. Anyone else have this?
By the way Poseidon was an ok movie but you may want to wait till it's on cable.

Bob Ray

08-27-06, 11:42 PM

I assume that there is no edge enhancement in HD sports broadcasts, so any ringing must be introduced by the Benq.

Actually, I don't think just because a live sports event may be on an HD channel means it's all being shot in HD. For example, during the PGA tournament, the permanent camera locations (generally behind tee and green) were crystal clear, but the roving cameras, and some of the fixed ones, were fuzzy, with dark auras or halos especially on distant or small objects (like the ball).

drbobt

08-28-06, 05:09 PM

agrsiv95

08-28-06, 05:30 PM

I am now part of the 8720 club. Still trying to learn about all the settings to acheive the best pix.
If I'm sending the pj a 720p signal from my oppo 971 through hdmi, does this effectively bypass the scaler/deinterlacer in the projector or am I in effect scaling the signal twice? Do I have to be in Real mode to bypass the scaler and then set the aspect ratio in the oppo.
Thanks for your help.

You are correct. The 8720 has to be set to real if the Oppo is set to output 720p for 1 to 1 mapping. This setup will let the Oppo scale the image and "bypass" the internal one in the projector.

Jeremy

drbobt

08-29-06, 10:08 AM

Thanks Jeremy,

That could explain why I was seeing more noise and motion artifacts than I expected.
Will try Real mode tonight.

stevejack

08-30-06, 10:21 PM

Hi All,
I have a momitsu V-880 DELUXE dvd player which I use for all my PAL dvd's, and can get 720p 60hz perfectly, but when I select 720p 50hz I just get a black screen.
Anyone know why this is? Is the 8720 unable to sync 50hz?
50hz worked fine with my Panna AE900.
The player and projector are connected via HDMI.

agrsiv95

08-31-06, 06:01 PM

My 8720 will not take anything but 60hz for input over hdmi. I have not tried any other inputs to see if there is a difference and I'm in the U.S. so I do not have any PAL, only NTSC but the VP30 will output whatever to it.

Jeremy

Gilbarian

09-01-06, 03:49 AM

I bought my 8720 over here in Germany and my DENON 1920 delivers DVD material in 720p@50Hz. Works fine. Both devices are connected using HDMI cable.

ZaneBoyJ

09-02-06, 08:11 PM

Hello! :0)

I am a new member of the Benq PE8720 club. My short list of wishes from this thread would be answers to a few problems I have encountered so far.....

1.) Why the secrecy on the service menu entry code?
2.) Where can I find the latest firmware downloads? (Benq support shows no download sites currently for this model other than brochures)
3.)So... where can I find the service manual download?

I thank you in advance for your help. I am looking forward to this NFL season ticket on my new toy and time is of the essence.

Z

agrsiv95

09-02-06, 08:43 PM

ZaneBoyJ

09-02-06, 08:56 PM

Thanks already...

I recieved an instant reply on some of my questions. It is much appreciated.

z

ZaneBoyJ

09-02-06, 09:03 PM

Wow instant responses! Thanks so much to you responders. I am bummed about the inability to update firmware already. Sending an expensive projector that survived the mailing process once already back into the destructo gammut of the commerical mailing systems sucks. So I suppose there is no non-proprietary software interface to copy the firmware from a projector with the latest update already installed? I don't have my projector yet so I can't discover this for myself. Thanks for the quick responses.

Z

stevejack

09-03-06, 09:40 AM

TomsHT

09-03-06, 10:43 AM

Try changing the batteries... :D

Joe Przybylski

09-03-06, 11:59 AM

Has anyone else experienced this:

For the last couple of days whenever I use the backlight on my remote, all other buttons are disabled.

I cannot use the lit-up keypad at all to press the remotes buttons, which is getting pretty annoying. :confused:

Any ideas? :(

I"m have same problem. Replaced batteries twice since I've noticed this in less than one month... Didn't have this problem when I first got the projector...

Arcadia88

09-03-06, 12:41 PM

I have also had to replace the batteries in just under 2 months. I now have my Harmony remote programed to do all the most used buttons like aspect ratio.

ablegoy

09-03-06, 04:27 PM

Hm... There are a few issues creeping up with this projector that I haven't seen mentioned in reviews. Maybe this is because they're so common with all dlps?

Banding or solarisation, especially easy to see in scenes depicting the blue sky or water, but even to some extent in faces of actors, making hteir faces look...digital. I very rarely saw this artifact with my previous projector (Plus Piano HE3200). Never saw it mentioned in any reviews!

Clayface, I think this is the term? Where in darker scenes faces of actors seem to be made up of only one colour, or two at most, making the picture appear very flat and unconvinving. It looks overly processed. Bright scenes don't seem to show this... Never saw this mentioned in any reviews either.

I have my Benq hooked up to a HTPC with DVI out via HDMI adapter to the projector. Nvidia fx 5600 videocard. Using theatertek (overlay).

Are these problems related to the HDMI-DVI, to the HTPC or to the projector itself?? Prevoiusly I used the same HTPC with the Plus Piano, and hardly ever saw any artifacts like these.

I turned the CW delay up two notches in the service menu, and this seemed to reduce banding somewhat, but mr clayface seems to be here to stay. HELP!

Kuyu

09-03-06, 04:51 PM

do you think 48hz would be possible by firmware upgrade? just thought of this considering br 24p output...

ALIASJT

09-03-06, 06:29 PM

Kuyu

09-04-06, 05:05 AM

takisot

09-04-06, 05:11 AM

Having almost 200 hours in my 8720, I thought it would be a good idea to provide some tips for this pj (since some of you might consider buying it after the price-drop ;) )

1) During the first 10 hours you might experience some image noise. It is related to the lamp and it will go away after that time.
2) If you want to enter the service menu, all I have to say that the procedure is the same with the BenQ 7700 (I am not sure if it is ok to disclose the key combination)
3) In any case, it is ESSENTIAL to enter the secret menu in order to fully enjoy this pj in its full glory, because for a strange reason the Benq technicians have set the overscan rate at 93% instead of 100%! This is even worse with this pj because if the 8720 is not at 100% then you do NOT have 1:1 pixel maping! So, you just have to enter service menu, then select:video signal, overscan rate where you have to set it to 100.
4) If you want to calibrate it by using the user menu gamma settings, first of all you have to select normal preset, because user1 and user2 preset do not allow to save any changes made to gamma settings!
5) If you want to playback PAL material and you own an OPPO dvd player, bad luck! They don’t like each other!
6) Through HDMI, this projector only operates at 7,5 IRE. So if you want not to have crushed blacks and whites, you have to set your DVD player at 7,5 as well.
No problems connecting with HTPC’s.
7) In my setup I prefer to have the lamp at full (250W) and the iris set at 24/38. This way I can have a very punchy imaqe with great blacks and more than enough light.Of course I had it D65 calibrated.
As you can see, most of the above issues are firmware related (my unit has the first firmware edition). As long as it may take for BenQ to release a new firmware with this problems solved, I suspect that the 8720 might find my tips helpful!
I just hope that someone from BenQ is reading.. :rolleyes:

Okay,
let's revise what bugs are fixed with the latest firmware (1.15) :

1) If you want to calibrate it by using the user menu gamma settings, first of all you have to select normal preset, because user1 and user2 preset do not allow to save any changes made to gamma settings! FIXED! Now, you can, and you MUST, save any changes to user1 and user2 and NOT to the normal preset!
2) Through HDMI, this projector only operates at 7,5 IRE. So if you want not to have crushed blacks and whites, you have to set your DVD player at 7,5 as well. FIXED! You can select either 0 or 7,5 IRE according to your setup.

3) The OVERSCAN issue remains the same, so you have to adjust it manually.

4) I do not have an OPPO so I cannot comment if the problems have been fixed yet.

Another strange bug I had with this PJ is some flickering in the right half of the screen which would start and stop unexpectedly and it was evident ONLY when I projected static images or when I do not feed the pj with any signal..The strangest thing is that when I playback movies with my HTPC, it is not evident!
I thought it was the lamps fault, so I exchanged it (for free). With the new bulb, the problem was fixed at first, then it came back.... Now, I do not have flicker but maybe I will tomorrow... I am closely monitoring the problem and will inform you as soon as I know more...

giudice69

09-04-06, 06:22 AM

Banding or solarisation...

yes, or contouring, too. I experienced these issues, maybe depending on the firmware-release (which, for my projector, is the first, the 1.04. But other users, as Takisot, never had these problems :confused: ).

giudice69

09-04-06, 06:26 AM

I never noticed this PB with HD sources. Did you ?

Yes (unfortunately :( )

benthx

09-04-06, 06:36 AM

simple question: does the whispermode affect the lamp setting / any other settings? sry for bothering you with that simple stuff but since my 8720 is on its way for 1.15 right now i can't find out myself....

The colour wheel speed is 4x so it may have a tendancy introduce rainbows.

The lamp setting drops to 200w from 250.

Brightness decreases a little.

Refresh rate changes

Thats all I know of ;)

Ben

benthx

09-04-06, 06:38 AM

[QUOTE=takisot]
4) I do not have an OPPO so I cannot comment if the problems have been fixed yet.QUOTE]

What are the problems that they are refering to???

Ben

takisot

09-04-06, 06:57 AM

[QUOTE=takisot]
4) I do not have an OPPO so I cannot comment if the problems have been fixed yet.QUOTE]

What are the problems that they are refering to???

Ben

There was a problem with PAL discs (no image at 50hz).

benthx

09-04-06, 08:13 AM

stevejack

09-04-06, 09:39 AM

Hey guys, thanks for all the responses to my past posts, they have been really helpful. It seems the more I use this machine, the more things I notice which distract/annoy me. Not deal breakers, but I would like to get them resolved all the same.

Lately, on both HD-DVD and SD-DVD I am noticing a strange (very brief) glitch - I am unable to reproduce this (ie it happens reandomly) but occasionally the screen changes to white and olive-green stripes whilst playing a movie. It only flashes for a moment, and then it is gone. But it happened to me twice tonight, and a few times over the last week.

Could this be an issue with my HDMI cable or are others also experiencing this? I would test it myself, but I haven't got another HDMI cable spare at the moment to try it. It seems to be happening more frequently lately, but it might just be that I am watching it more :o

On a positive note, changing the CW Delay in the service menu has greatly reduced solarization. watching 24 series 3 on DVD tonight still showed a fair bit though, and also showed terrible 'clayface' problems. The 24 DVD is a crappy source to be sure, but none of these problems were present on my old AE900 so I guess I am just used to LCD. I find the faces almost impossible to watch on a bad quality source with the 8720. :(

giudice69

09-04-06, 12:00 PM

On a positive note, changing the CW Delay in the service menu has greatly reduced solarization(

I had good results not only by changing the Cw delay, but also the contrast setting.

Try it

bye
gianluca

ablegoy

09-04-06, 12:02 PM

I see some evidence of banding on hd sources, but admittedly to a much lesser degree than on dvds.

The clayface artefact is incredibly distracting! Much more so than inadequate contrast, or even dithering artefacts I think.

Dark scenes were supposed to look great on this very high-contrast projector, but now I find myself almost dreading them. Anyone seen "Slither" yet?
Not the greatest dvd transfer in existence to be sure, but there are plenty of dark scenes where the clayface artefact is incredibly obvious. Let's hope someone can come up with a cure!

(yes I have firmware version 1.15)

ablegoy

09-04-06, 12:03 PM

I had good results not only by changing the Cw delay, but also the contrast setting.

Try it

bye
gianluca

Can you please elaborate? To what did you change it? And what were the results?

giudice69

09-04-06, 12:29 PM

Can you please elaborate? To what did you change it? And what were the results?

well, my worst issue was the contouring effect, expecially in the faces of the actors (for example, in LOTR when Aragorn's talking to Arwen). I saw that this artifact (and partially the banding, too) decreased by changing the cw delay (in the Service menu) to 53 (from 49, default setting), and lowering the contrast (in the User Menu) to -1. But my release firmware is the 1.04: default settings could be different

TomsHT

09-05-06, 07:59 AM

Wow thanks for that!!

A friend suggested I get an oppo dvd player. I have put a deposit on a 8720 because the price is ridiculously low. So I am looking for a dvd player to replace my ageing 6 year old pioneer dvd player.

Any suggestions from 8720 owners???

Thanks
Ben

The Toshiba HD-A1 HD DVD player is my recommendation. For <$500 it is a great upscaler and will also give you the ability to play HD DVD movies that look fantastic on the 8720

benthx

09-05-06, 08:08 AM

The Toshiba HD-A1 HD DVD player is my recommendation. For <$500 it is a great upscaler and will also give you the ability to play HD DVD movies that look fantastic on the 8720

Thanks for the recommendation!

If I could buy a toshiba hd player in Australia then I would no questions asked. The only problem the distributor is dragging their feet about bringing them in :mad:

I am a little cautious about buying something like this from overseas.

Why did tosiba drop the 5.1 analog outputs from the european model :confused:

Ben

TomsHT

09-05-06, 08:15 AM

Thanks for the recommendation!

If I could buy a toshiba hd player in Australia then I would no questions asked. The only problem the distributor is dragging their feet about bringing them in :mad:

I am a little cautious about buying something like this from overseas.

Why did tosiba drop the 5.1 analog outputs from the european model :confused:

Ben

Someone else would have to answer about the european models, I couldnt tell you. I do use the digital output for audio though...

Paulidan

09-05-06, 08:35 AM

I've had my eye on this pj since early this year, and it finally seemed like it was falling into my budget range- but now it also seems like more an more issues are cropping up with it
-the contouring/banding
-the 'flickering' (indicitive of coming bulb/ballast problems?)

It sounds like the flickering is just cropping up with some(one) of the early users, so when more people begin to log the same kind of hours on it, this may prove to be more widespread too?

and what of this contouring problem...was this noticeable from the outset or is this something that has cropped up with use as well.

this seemed like such a hell of a pj before and now just when I can actually afford it, I'm getting skittish and, even worse, I can't see anything else around that lacks serious issues either that fits into my budget and room.

takisot

09-05-06, 08:41 AM

Paulidan, it is a hell of a projector and especially at this price, it is a no brainer.
Besides me, I know at least 4 people who own it and do not have any contouring /banding problems. Only one of them has reported some minor flickering which comes and goes just like mine.

agrsiv95

09-05-06, 12:30 PM

I've had mine since March and it runs like a top. No remotes issues, banding, contouring or flickering. I've said this before, a friend of mine purchasd a Sony 42'' 720p plasma and his wife is very picky about every detail and she said the picture I have at 110'' is better then thier plasma. Granted, the plasma isn't calabrated but for me that says alot.

Jeremy

ablegoy

09-05-06, 03:35 PM

After watching some 1080i-files on the HTPC last night (true lies, underworld, gladiator) I must say that I saw very little banding and no instances of clayface on these HD-clips.

On some dvds however, it's painfully obvoius (although setting cw-delay to 53-54 rather than the 51 default helps a little, at least with the banding).

Those of you who DO see banding and clayface artefact, what sources do you use, and what connections? I have an HTPC and use DVI-to-HDMI. Firmware version 1.15.

I do have flicker once in a while. When trying to get the benq colour-calibrated, the guy who was doing it had some problems getting the colours right, because of the flickering lamp. This flickering seems to happen at the 200W lamp setting. Changing it to 250W makes it go away.

Like I said, with the above mentioned 1080i HD-clips I had very little artefacts of ANY kind, and then the picture is truly spectacular.

giudice69

09-07-06, 03:54 AM

Those of you who DO see banding and clayface artefact, what sources do you use, and what connections? I have an HTPC and use DVI-to-HDMI. Firmware version 1.15.

two different sources:
- player dvd denon 2910, hdmi-hdmi;
- skybox hd decoder, hdmi-hdmi

benthx

09-07-06, 05:50 AM

I would like to know who feeds their 8720 576i from the dvd player? Do you have any issues?

I am trying to determine what is at fault here, the benq or the oppo dvd(970hd) player. Some members have reported that they dont get a signal/picture from a 576i source. This will help me decide the correct path to follow.

Thanks
Ben

giudice69

09-07-06, 06:34 AM

Bing

09-07-06, 12:05 PM

hi there,

I'm hoping to find a solution to what I believe to be color banding and solarization problem. I am using a Pioneer DV79AVi via HDMI, although the problem occurs on component (both long and short cables) and also when using my Denon DVD2800. I see no problem when connecting these two DVD players to my Tosh CRT RPTV. Dalite Cosmopolitan, Video Spectra screen. Calibrated with AVIA.
I don't have HD sources yet. Contrast 5, bright 0, color 8, tint -2, sharp -3, 250W mode, iris closed 2/3, 7.5IRE on both PJ and player, 5x CW speed, warm. Color decoder also calib by eye: ramped up red a bit (to 16 from 15) and down ( to 9 from 15) on the green. Definitely a green push. Adjusted in the user menu. Firmware version 1.14

I have tried diff resolution settings on the player but no help. 480p, 720p, and 1080i. 720p looks best to me for most material.

The problem is the PJ's inability to produce an even gradation from light to dark. Instead I see bands of color, as if there wasn't enough resolution to show enough colors so it steps from light to dark in larger chunks.

The worse offender so far is Finding Nemo. Please look at track 2, the scene right after nemo's mom dies, and the dad (marlin) discovers the only egg left. advance to track 2 and pause. The sea in the background clearly shows banding. Then play the disk and watch for Marlin's close up. The light hitting the top of his head creates oval patches as light turns into shadow. When this scenes cuts, immediately i think solarization occurs on the 5 circular corals on the right hand side when you see the egg (Nemo) for the first time. All of this occurs within 20 seconds.

other disks: certain patterns on AVIA (vertical gray ramp - not lines, but a gradation), Fifth Element, and I'm sure many others which I have not discovered.

About clay faces: it bothers me if I look for it. but I see this on my regular tv also.
But since it is smaller, it's not as noticeable. Example: Miracle (SD DVD) Certain faces look as if it taken from a cheap camera phone. i think it has more to do with the encoding.

I'll play with cw delay tonight but I don't think my problem is with contrast or brightness that Eric eluded to. If anything, it's a bit low. And I briefly tried Finding Nemo on my dealer's 7700 and didn't see the problem. I'll play with the 7700 some more but I'm not sure if i want to have a bulb problem. In the meantime, I'd love to hear from someone who can confirm what I'm seeing on Nemo.

I also can't save my settings with i unplug the PJ. Yes I do hear fan noise and the iris does make a slight mechanical ratchey noise.

gandley

09-07-06, 12:51 PM

Paulidan

09-07-06, 01:53 PM

I'm may be off base, but doesn't this sound like a problem with regards to the gamma tables? wouldn't that be where smooth gradiations would need to be calibrated?

romy101

09-07-06, 02:33 PM

This problem is not with the DVD. I have seen in on HD and non HD sources as well. I cannot comment on the solution but hooked up to my CRT projector or to my RPTV the problem does not show itself.

Adam Gutierrez

09-07-06, 05:06 PM

romy101

09-07-06, 06:44 PM

I have nothing else to compare mine to but I think my blacks are fine. I do not get blacker than black though. I compensate in the low ire dept with the gamma adjustment. I have 2.0 and 1.14 on the benq

Adam Gutierrez

09-07-06, 08:43 PM

Did you notice a lower overall black level when you went from 1.2 to 1.4/2.0? I had to jack the brightness WAY up when I went to 1.4, then it blew out the blacks on my other sources. Going back to 1.2 solved it for me. I really want to load 2.0 to get TrueHD and to check out the 720p output out of the HD-A1, I just don't want to kill my blacks again like I did with 1.4.

romy101

09-07-06, 09:39 PM

The moment I bought the player I hooked it to the web and downloaded 2.0 so I don't even know what it looked like before the update.

takisot

09-08-06, 05:43 AM

spete

09-08-06, 07:50 AM

TomsHT

09-08-06, 07:59 AM

Repeating my question from another thread here as this seems to be the thread everyone reads:

When I jumped from v1.2 to v1.4 firmware on the HD-A1 my blacks were crushed hard on the 8720. I went back to v1.2 and everything was fine again.

Has anyone upgraded to v2.0 and experienced black crush? I'm afraid to upgrade to v2.0, get the black crush again as I won't be able to go back to v1.2 on the HD-A1. (8720 firmware version 1.14)

I'm still on firmware 1.2 for the HD-A1 so I couldnt say either way. My pj still has all its default settings. I am waiting for v2.0 disk to be mailed before loading it, after which I plan on having the projector ISF calibrated. This may not be for a few weeks yet but if there is any before and after type comparison I can make for you, let me know.

Also I do have a question about calibrating this projector. I found a ISF calibrator here on AVS that is local to me and plan on having his come do the work as I stated above. Also as stated, all my 8720 settings are still out-of-the-box settings, is there any changes at all I should make before he does the calibration?

I've seen a few settings mentioned throughout this thread that most are changing, some I believe which are in the service menu. Should I make these changes or will the calibrator know to do this. I dont know how familar he is or not is with the BenQ 8720.

benthx

09-08-06, 08:23 AM

I see reference to ' clay face' effect. Can someone please post pics or link for an example.

Thanks
Ben

benthx

09-08-06, 08:25 AM

Come to think of it I think I have seen this on the faces of many girls out on the town :eek: :eek: :p

Seriously

Ben

Kuyu

09-08-06, 10:05 AM

I think alot of what you are seeing is in the source. many dvds have colour banding/graduation issues due to the encode. The better the projectors optics are the worse this will look, and add the big screen thing and so on.

If you dont see it with HD, then its a dvd encode issue. (probaly due to the 8bit ramp.)

I see these issues on most high end projectors with high quality optics

i think so too. often color banding is only an issue that comes up with the big screen. if it's basically on the disc the pj will make it more visable. i think it pretty much comes down to the videoprocessing here. i can see color banding even on hd (slightly) but it's basically wiped away when using my htpc (ffdshow).

@spete: you can't upgrade yourself. you might be able if you had everything (correct interface cable + all the software, although i don't know if they do anything else) but usually you don't. i just called the lg hotline and ups picked it up 2 days later and got it back yesterday!!! didn't cost me a cent. just had a brief look, i think it's so worth upgrading... do it!

K

videonut

09-08-06, 11:23 AM

Adam, there IS black crush with 2.0 when going from HDMI to DVI.

Adam Gutierrez

09-08-06, 05:22 PM

Let me be clear. I have not loaded 2.0. I want to load it but I am afraid of the crush issue which I experienced with 1.4. I am connected HDMI/HDMI right now. 1.2 has normal black levels.

Bing

09-08-06, 11:44 PM

takisot

09-09-06, 05:17 AM

Way to go Bing!

stevejack

09-09-06, 11:02 PM

I FIXED IT!!!!!!!!!

It was CW delay after all. It was factory set at 53. It is now at 50. All banding is gone and the solarization also. This change has not altered the picture in any other way. I don't think rainbows are any more visible. I really thought my PJ was a lemon and began to think less of BenQ. Thanks so much to all. I love this place.

Spete: That's weird. Ny numbers are the exact opposite of yours. I could use 49 but I thought the less deviation from factory the better. I wonder why this is...........who cares.......we're both loving our pictures now!

Excellent, glad you got it fixed. I had similar problems and went from 53 to 55, but have taken it back to 54 to try this out for a while. It really makes a big difference which is great.
But going back to 52 or 51 really makes it worse for me. Strange how it is reversed, very interesting indeed. :)

videonut

09-09-06, 11:27 PM

I just received my 8720 and quickly hooked it up. I can't believe how great the picture is right out of the box. The bulb now has 14 minutes on it and I'm quite relieved to see that the latest firmware is installed. I'm also really happy to see all the correct patterns with the THX test disc -- BTB is there along with the correct white levels; I'm using the Toshiba HD-A1 (2.0 firmware) via HDMI. :p

I'll let the unit burn in for 12 hours and then begin calibrating. This machine is incredibly quiet and loves the 120" Stewart Firehawk screen. I can honestly say that I now won't be sad to see the Seleco go bye bye. :rolleyes:

spete

09-11-06, 09:47 AM

I FIXED IT!!!!!!!!!

It was CW delay after all. It was factory set at 53. It is now at 50. All banding is gone and the solarization also. This change has not altered the picture in any other way. I don't think rainbows are any more visible. I really thought my PJ was a lemon and began to think less of BenQ. Thanks so much to all. I love this place.

Spete: That's weird. Ny numbers are the exact opposite of yours. I could use 49 but I thought the less deviation from factory the better. I wonder why this is...........who cares.......we're both loving our pictures now!

Bing,

AWESOME!!!

It makes such a huge difference when that setting clarifies the entire picture. It's too bad that you have to enter the service menu to do it; there must be a ton of people out there with this projector who have no clue how to fix their picture because the setting is accessible to professionals only.

Last night I put in Titanic and saw banding on my setting of 53 so I put it down to 51 and it went away again. My guess on the deviations for the setting is manufacturing variances of when the wheel is installed. Just a hunch, but that seems to explain it to me.

Peter

pramod1969

09-11-06, 10:24 AM

Hi there, I have a BENQ PE 8720 and having problems with HDMI compatibility with most brands of DVD players like denon, panasonic, sony, yamaha, Toshiba HDA1. It is not even compatible with my halcro SSP 100 HDMI processor. So far the only HDMI unit it works flawlessly is dish PVR 620 and with JVC HDMI DVDR/VCR. All the above players work with my Vizio HDTV so some thing must be wrong with PE 8720 or hand shake issue. Most of the time it locks onto a black screen at selected resolution or it keeps looking for HDMI signal. Since it is working with my dish network unit, I can't say that it is defective. I tried sending th eHDMI signal via RGB from most of these players rather than 4:4;4 but with no luck. I tried various HDMI switchers which work only with components working already by direct connection like my PVR 620 but fail to resolve the HDCP issues. Some members in other posts mentioned that their PE 8720 worked with Toshiba HD-A1 but I have no such luck! I am getting my latest firmware CD from toshiba but heard that it doesn't resolve HDMI issues.
I was wondering if any one had success with DVD players/ HDMI switchers with PE 8720 and I really appreciate any response from members.
thanks
pramod

drbobt

09-11-06, 10:40 AM

I'm glad to hear that there are ways to eliminate the most common problems people are having with this pj. I was wondering if these problems are obvious to see with a test disk like Avia. I have been watching quite a few SD DVD's since I installed my 8720 and
some of them, especially the ones with hand-held cameras and rapid panning sequences
are extremely hard to watch. Way to much motion blur and other artifacts that are driving me nuts. A good example would be 'The Bourne Supremacy' car chase scene.
Even a film like Spike Lees 'Inside Man' which employs handheld cameras throughout.
The bouncing of the cameras looks very blurry to me.
Could be just my aging eyes or just the way DLP is, but I was wondering if anyone else is experiencing similar issues and is there anyway possibly to improve the image.
I'm using an Oppo 971 feeding 720p through Denon 3806 to pj. PJ in Real mode.
Thanks for your help.

stevejack

09-12-06, 07:09 AM

This has happened to me twice now - when watching a movie, the projector simply stops displaying an image (black screen) and becomes non-responsive. Switching inputs etc. makes no difference. I have to shut it down and turn it back on to get an image back.
Has anyone else experienced this? This is really annoying when it happens.

dlouw

09-12-06, 02:37 PM

I would like to thank you all. After months lurking on this forum I finally pulled the trigger on a 8720 and a A-1. Just got it up.. WOW! A couple more hours and I get to learn to adjust it and make it dance. Your knowledge and comments have been invaluable.

TomsHT

09-12-06, 04:46 PM

timps

09-12-06, 04:49 PM

agrsiv95

09-12-06, 05:56 PM

I was looking at the specs on the new W10000 and the internal components (for the most part) look identical to the 8720. What do you think the odds are of changing out the 780 chip for the 1080p chip as a Benq upgrade? Are there many other issues present that would not allow this to occur?

I heard there was a newer firmware version available for the 8720 also. Does anyone know what it is going to fix now??

I talked to Benq about trade-ins or upgrades and they do not offer them. He recommended to check with retail sales to see if they do anything like this. I will not upgrade as I bought mine for $5k back in March and will not spend another $8k to get a 1080 chip as the only difference.

You mean a firmware later then 1.15?

Jeremy

timps

09-13-06, 09:06 PM

I fired up my 8720 last night and again tonight and notice a bulb flicker. I run on 250 and only have about 100 hours on the bulb. Has anyone else noticed this?? It goes away if I switch to 200. Then after about 5 minutes on 200 if I switch back to 250 the flicker is gone......weird

ZaneBoyJ

09-13-06, 10:41 PM

Just received the 8720. Manufacture date: May 2006 Firmware Version 1.15 I have only played around with it for a few minutes. On a white sheetrock wall with an inferior progressive scan dvd player it looked very impressive.

ZaneBoyJ

09-13-06, 11:18 PM

Quick one for you guys. I went to the factory menu, aka secret menu. I exited without changing a thing. Now everytime I hit the menu button it automatically goes back to the secret menu. Help!!

Bing

09-13-06, 11:53 PM

Just go to "factory" and then "return to OSD". Easy.

Bing

09-13-06, 11:55 PM

Timps:

yeah I notice a bulb flicker too. I run 250W also and it's unpredictable. I just switch inputs and back to HDMI and it goes away. 75hours on bulb

agrsiv95

09-14-06, 02:10 AM

Bing,

I also experienced the banding and clay faces on my 8720. I am using an Oppo970 player connected over Component at 525p. The fix for me was to pause the screen on a scene with the banding, enter the service menu (directions elsewhere in this thread), and adjust the CW Delay under the DLP menu until it disappeared. I set mine to 53 from a factory-shipped value of 49. I am using 1.14 as my firmware. This change not only fixed the banding but made my picture look a TON better than it was previously.

BTW, anyone know how to get and upgrade to 1.15? I have not seen the procedure here.

Thanks,
Peter

I FIXED IT!!!!!!!!!

It was CW delay after all. It was factory set at 53. It is now at 50. All banding is gone and the solarization also. This change has not altered the picture in any other way. I don't think rainbows are any more visible. I really thought my PJ was a lemon and began to think less of BenQ. Thanks so much to all. I love this place.

Spete: That's weird. Ny numbers are the exact opposite of yours. I could use 49 but I thought the less deviation from factory the better. I wonder why this is...........who cares.......we're both loving our pictures now!

I think the color wheel delay changes depending on what preset (cinema, home theater) you are on. Which presets are you guys "tweaking"? I have 1.15 and have adjusted the cinema preset with Avia but still seem to lack the shadow detail for some reason. I have the iris 10 steps from closed.

I've also seen the bulb flicker but it does it at random. I don't remember seeing it on 1.04 though. Maybe it's a fix in the new firmware update someone mentioned.

Jeremy

timps

09-14-06, 08:54 AM

I think the color wheel delay changes depending on what preset (cinema, home theater) you are on. Which presets are you guys "tweaking"? I have 1.15 and have adjusted the cinema preset with Avia but still seem to lack the shadow detail for some reason. I have the iris 10 steps from closed.

I've also seen the bulb flicker but it does it at random. I don't remember seeing it on 1.04 though. Maybe it's a fix in the new firmware update someone mentioned.

Jeremy

I think I just misunderstood the sales rep about a new version. Mine currently has 1.15 and I think that is the most recent. They are sending me a new projector to replace the one I currently have and they told me that it was loaded with the "new'" firmware which threw me off.

takisot

09-14-06, 09:47 AM

ZaneBoyJ

09-23-06, 01:27 PM

bairda

09-23-06, 01:49 PM

Well after 5 days of testing the PE8720 with the OPPO 971, I have reached several conclusions. I have been involved in support and calibration roles of systems of all types for 25 years. I read this entire forum, as well as every other review vehicle I could find for months before I purchased. Unfortunately there are no stores where I am that have projector displays set up. What I found:

I am not ready for a projector. Critically, the only thing that comes close to my satisfaction with the aforementioned setup were Dreamworks Creations. Star Wars, Shrek etc.... mind you, I am working off of a sheetrock wall. However, I am talking about noise, dithering, solarisation etc.. With a good transfer source and the Oppo, I was able to minimally tweak this unit in the factory settings menu and gain a respectable image. However, it is still miles away from where I would like to be... A big image without perfect quality does not do it for me. I guess I require a High-def projector and High-def source material. While this projector does an admirable job with up-scaled, limited source material. It can't make a diamond out of a turd. I am used to my Hi-def Sony Cathode Ray Tube. Headed for Plasma and a smaller screen. Someone please save the day and tell me that high-def dvds downscaled to 1280x720 are awesom. Tell me that the Toshiba HD-a1 is the answer. If not, "PE8720 for Sale with OPPO"

Thanks for all your informative posts....

Z out

Have you seen this projector with any HD source material or with a dedicated scaler?

I use the 8720 with HD cable (sho/hbo/espn/networks, etc..), an HD-a1, and an HTPC. The HD cable can vary from outstanding (CBS Sports, HDnet, Discovery HD) to bit starved (NBC NFL on local affiliate HD). THe HTPC is very good at 720p with DVD upconverted on TheaterTek running FFDshow. The HD-A1 is uniformally outstanding on DVD upconverts (to 1080i) and unbeliveable on HD-DVD. Head and shoulders above other HD content.

I have only done a basic calibration of the projector and have been very satisfied with the pic. I had an 8700 and tested out another DC3 projector. The 8720 is noticeably sharper, brighter and more accurate. On SD content it is a crap shoot...I don't use a scaler currently, relying on the scaler in the projector via HDMI. The 8720 does an adequate job here, but my SD viewing is an increasingly smaller amount of time in my theater, so I just don't see the benefit of getting a scaler now. Most SD content is fairly good, and the new "wide" stretch-o-vision mode on the 8720 does a good job of non-linear expansion on my 120" screen.

The HD-A1 is a great mate for the 8720, providing excellent upscaling on much DVD content and a picture that must be seen to be believed on the HD-DVD. I might venture to say (although many would disagree) that the scaling on the Toshiba HD-A1 is better then the Oppo. However this is based on my perceived merits of the two based on user feedback as I have never owned an Oppo. I know with great certainty that the HD-A1 provides as good (once again others will disagree) if not better picture then most maxed out HTPC's when upscaling DVD's.

The 8720 is a very solid projector that provides an bright, sharp and accurate picture at 720p. Some early reviews have indicated that the new 1080p's are hard pressed to provide a better picture at a given viewing distance.

I would definitely give the 8720 a look with the HD-A1 and some solid HD feeds.

Hope this helps!
-Alex-

kiwishred

09-23-06, 03:00 PM

Sorry, if this has been mentioned before, but I couldn't find this in a quick search - Does the 8720 synch to 24 or 48 Hz (eg: film source from an HTPC) ?

Thanks,
Brent

takisot

09-24-06, 04:40 AM

Sorry, if this has been mentioned before, but I couldn't find this in a quick search - Does the 8720 synch to 24 or 48 Hz (eg: film source from an HTPC) ?

Thanks,
Brent

No, it doesnt.

rlemesle

09-24-06, 04:51 AM

No, it doesnt.

That's not a good news :(

And 72hz over HDMI is a no go i suppose...

So using a scaler or htpc to send a 24hz or multiple synchronized on original film frames is a no go with the Benq 8720 (perhaps it works on RGBHV entry ?) :(

Richard.

takisot

09-24-06, 04:55 AM

takisot

09-24-06, 04:58 AM

That's not a good news :(

And 72hz over HDMI is a no go i suppose...

So using a scaler or htpc to send a 24hz or multiple synchronized on original film frames is a no go with the Benq 8720 (perhaps it works on RGBHV entry ?) :(

Richard.
It is a no go unfortunately, unless they fix it with a firmware update...
Most of today's digitsl pj's have the same issue..

Hyrax

09-24-06, 12:22 PM

Well after 5 days of testing the PE8720 with the OPPO 971, I have reached several conclusions...
I am not ready for a projector.
Z out

Z-
The PE8720 is wicked awesome with the Toshiba HD-A1. I love it. In fact after watching a HD DVD, it is hard to accept the quality from SD DVDs.

The PE8720 is also very, very good with OTA HDTV and Cable HDTV. I've been timeshifting by recording HDTV shows on my computer and burning them to DVD+R DL disks. The Toshiba plays these just like blue laser HD DVDs and they look great. You can fit 80-120 minutes of Cable HDTV to

The main irritation with HDTV is that NBC doesn't give football (and other sports I assume) enough bandwidth. The Benq is so good at showing detail that you see every time NBC screws up the broadcast. But this is a good thing! It means that the PE8720 performs gloriously with HD DVD material.

You also must consider the fact that you are not actually watching movies at this point. You are looking at the MPEG files on the disk. You are probably pausing at looking at edge enhancement, the grain in shadows, and other flaws in the MPEG data. I assume that everyone does this with a new projector - sort of kicking the tires and taking the buggy out for a spin to see what she can do. At least that is what I do. After a while you'll settle down and enjoy the show - you'll stop looking for flaws and start watching the movie.

To make things more enjoyable you may want to replace the Oppo with a HD-A1. I never liked the Oppo, in fact I found I prefer a $50 plain jane DVD player to any of the players like the Oppo. Until the HD-A1 came along I believed you needed to spend more than $1000 to get a decent DVD player (and my wife would never let me spend $1000 on a DVD player :) )

Also, since you're willing to go down to a small screen (like a 50" plasma), why not try the PE8720 with a 84" or even a 72" image? A 50" plasma is not much more than 36" wide, so you'll still be using a much bigger screen.

ChodTheWacko

09-24-06, 12:23 PM

I have been watching quite a few SD DVD's since I installed my 8720 and
some of them, especially the ones with hand-held cameras and rapid panning sequences
are extremely hard to watch.

The worst thing I've seen on my 8720/HD-A1 so far was the opening of Sahara, where they pan around the room during the initial credits. It seems very very choppy.

However, I then took it to a friend's house, who had a Philips DLP rear projection, and it was equally choppy. So I don't know if it's just the A1 is too slow, DLP can't handle it or what, but it wasn't a 8720 problem specifically.

ZaneBoyJ

09-24-06, 12:25 PM

Just a little frustrated. I understand that the end result I am looking for may take more effort. So, thanks for the reply......

Z

ZaneBoyJ

09-24-06, 12:34 PM

Thanks for all the replies... You guys hit the nail on the head. I have a critical eye and this projector easily exposes the flaws of poor source material. I think I will go pick up the Toshiba and pair the OPPO with my Hi-Def CRT. I was looking at projectors 8 years ago and knew I would be waiting for the technology to improve. I feel that Hd-dvds may just be what this projector needs.

Z

agrsiv95

09-24-06, 06:04 PM

I've been tweaking my 8720 for about a week on and off with the Spyder2 Pro, Calman and the Getgray dvd. I will be the first to say that the presets are way off and as I get closer to perfecting the image, it shows when you thought it couldn't get any better it does by leaps and bounds.

Jeremy

humbland

09-25-06, 08:41 AM

It seems a no brainier that the Toshiba HD-A1 will give a better picture with HD DVDs.
But what about with standard DVDs? Does the HD-A1 upconvert that much better than the Oppo? Has anyone done a side by side comparison with the PE8720?
We have directv HD and an Oppo paired with our PE8720. I have tried outputting 1080i from both the HRD-250 and the Oppo, letting the PE8720 scale it to 720p. I can't see any difference from having the HRD-250 and the Oppo output 720p directly. Some of the posts here seem to indicate differently, am I missing something?
Jeremy, can you describe your DVD tweaking algorithm? also, where did you get the software?
Thanks,
Eric

TomsHT

09-25-06, 09:07 AM