The saga continues, I originally had a pearl (wv50), went to sony for warranty issues and they replaced it with a ruby (vw100). i complained to the tech about some on the features lacking anad since they took two months just to return my call, and now that the new black pearl is available, i am asking for the new black pearl to be swapped for the ruby. Good idea??

I just went from the Ruby to the Black Pearl and I really like it. Good idea! ;)

I just went from the black pearl to the PTAE2000U and damn!...DEFINITE UPGRADE!...Colors are fantastic!...Picture has POP...The improved smoothscreen is sharp...Black level not too shabby...This is the best FP out for anywhere near this price range ...IMHO...:D

My Black Pearl has impressed me much more than the Ruby or Pearl I've seen (and calibrated)

I have to say I agree. Especially after spending a good deal of time tonite tweaking it even more. I now have my blacks deep and inky. I wish I could effectively get a screen pic posted. My colors are very nice as well. Brightness is definitely not an issue since it is only mounted about 15 feet away from my 120.5" silverstar screen. I already have 120 hours and it is still very bright! I remember seeing the drop off level with my ruby after 100 hours or so with a new lamp. The Black Pearl's still looks like I just turned it on for the first time! :eek: And having panel alignment for adjusting panel convergence helps!!! :)

I have to say I agree. Especially after spending a good deal of time tonite tweaking it even more. I now have my blacks deep and inky. I wish I could effectively get a screen pic posted. My colors are very nice as well. Brightness is definitely not an issue since it is only mounted about 15 feet away from my 120.5" silverstar screen. I already have 120 hours and it is still very bright! I remember seeing the drop off level with my ruby after 100 hours or so with a new lamp. The Black Pearl's still looks like I just turned it on for the first time! :eek: And having panel alignment for adjusting panel convergence helps!!! :)

Joerod, can you share your settings when you get a chance please?

Sure thing. I am still tweaking more but like OmarF I am using the Custom 1 & 2 color Temp (I think he is liking 2 more) modes. From there you can really dial in your picture to you own personal liking. When I get a chance I will write down my settings and PM them to you or just post them. I so far have spent a lot of time working on 1 and really like how it gives that "pop" look to the picture. My black level is very inky. I have noticed that it is definitely darker than the ruby. And for awhile I thought they were the same until I started tweaking the custom 1 temp setting... :)

Also I am using gamma 3 and I think I last had it at black level LOW. Off is fine to but that extra umph looks good.

Sure thing. I am still tweaking more but like OmarF I am using the Custom 1 & 2 color Temp (I think he is liking 2 more) modes. From there you can really dial in your picture to you own personal liking. When I get a chance I will write down my settings and PM them to you or just post them. I so far have spent a lot of time working on 1 and really like how it gives that "pop" look to the picture. My black level is very inky. I have noticed that it is definitely darker than the ruby. And for awhile I thought they were the same until I started tweaking the custom 1 temp setting... :)

Also I am using gamma 3 and I think I last had it at black level LOW. Off is fine to but that extra umph looks good.

Thanks JoeRod. What would be of further interest too is if you are doing anything with the C2 to boost the BP at all. TIA

BTW, I just want to state that I'm of a differing opinion to what Joerod has posted. I think there is something about the Xenon lamp and perhaps optics and power supply of the Ruby that I prefer to the Black Pearl. I'd say that Alan here has posted his opinion on this subject and I have to second his opinion on this pretty strongly. There is a richness, beauty and a "settled" easy viewing analog or CRT nature to the Ruby that I have yet to see from the Black Pearl. The BP is an outstanding machine and I really trust Joerod's opinion so perhaps this projector has the capability to go beyond what I perceive to be it's limitations through good care and feeding. I can tell you unequivocally that the BP has a sharper picture (and I had a vy good Ruby) as well as being significantly brighter as a given. It also seems to have an ability to change dramatically with various settings, being a very flexible performer.

You are definitely right about the Ruby and rich colors. I really liked them. I am pretty happy about not having to pay so much for lamp replacements. Being able to get them for around 300 for the Black Pearl is to easy! :)

So far I have only calibrated the BP and not done much with my crystalio II. In fact it is on pretty much the exact same settings as it was with my Ruby. I am mainly calibrating for Blu ray and HD DVD lately. My Wife has noticed a lot of improvement so I at least know I am not that crazy! :D Anyway, the black level is better and I would say it is 20 to 30% sharper then the Ruby. The Ruby will still win with colors but they are very close. Of course I am really liking the 1080p/24 performance I get with the BP which I could not get with the Ruby. Yes, I did 1080p/47.95 with the DVI on the Ruby but they don't look anything identical. Worlds apart! :eek:

So in conclusion I was very happy with the Black Pearl's performance out of the box. Now though, after OmarF and myself began tweaking (a lot lately) I can honestly say I am blown away! Great Black level, super SHARP picture, jawdropping 1080p/24 performance, very good colors and spot-on convergence make this pj a winner.

You are definitely right about the Ruby and rich colors. I really liked them. I am pretty happy about not having to pay so much for lamp replacements. Being able to get them for around 300 for the Black Pearl is to easy! :)

So far I have only calibrated the BP and not done much with my crystalio II. In fact it is on pretty much the exact same settings as it was with my Ruby. I am mainly calibrating for Blu ray and HD DVD lately. My Wife has noticed a lot of improvement so I at least know I am not that crazy! :D Anyway, the black level is better and I would say it is 20 to 30% sharper then the Ruby. The Ruby will still win with colors but they are very close. Of course I am really liking the 1080p/24 performance I get with the BP which I could not get with the Ruby. Yes, I did 1080p/47.95 with the DVI on the Ruby but they don't look anything identical. Worlds apart! :eek:

So in conclusion I was very happy with the Black Pearl's performance out of the box. Now though, after OmarF and myself began tweaking (a lot lately) I can honestly say I am blown away! Great Black level, super SHARP picture, jawdropping 1080p/24 performance, very good colors and spot-on convergence make this pj a winner.


Good points, Joe. You make a great case for the Black Pearl and those settings rock! Where is your iris?

Well i have to say i am very happy with color and picture of the ruby, especially when watching hd dvd and blu-ray. However, with hd broadcasts, and xbox 360 the picture seems a bit soft at times. My sat box is set to output 1080i. Also there are some judder issues when there are panning sequences. I was hoping that the pearl would correct the above issues.