LG PA70G LED 1280x800 700 Lumens. - Page 20

Wow, sorry to hear it. You must really be sensitive to RBE. I don't see it at all.

Whats RBE?

Rainbow Effect for DLP-based devices. Google it if you aren't aware of what it does. Not everyone is sensitive to it (I'm not, thankfully).

Unfortunately...I need to replace some projectors for business and I am afraid the PA70G is the best projector but someone may be affected by RBE.

hey man, what can you say about the black levels? Im thinking of getting the PB61U and after owning the hw300t, Im curious to know if blacks are blacker, that was my only complain about the hw300t, thanks

This is my first post, so please be nice to me

I just wanted to report that I fixed my PA70G focus issue by following Honzik1's directions in page 6 of this thread. I decided to contribute my findings to share my appreciation for all the information that I enjoyed reading over the years. Here's my story.

PA70G is my 3rd projector, and 1st LED projector. I had infocus, and then Mitsubishi (all together about 10 years). Mits lasted last 6 years and I was looking for a new projector. My family travels a lot. I I purchased Epson Duet 80" portable projector screen that we can bring with us. To make the long story short, I needed a projector that is portable, bright, and sharp enough to carry around when we travel. PA70G seems to be the right one.

I got PA70G from Fry's here in Renton, WA last weekend, when it was on sale for $499. I brought it home and turned it on. I confirmed other comments regarding focus. The dial on the left side of the projector can be used to control focus. I found out that it makes either left or the right corner of the screen very focused and sharp, but wouldn't make both side sharp and focused. I could control the dial to make both side balanced (this might be the wrong choice of the word, what I am trying to say is that I can make both left and right corners as sharp as I can, but when I did this, focus on both side was not as sharp or focused as when just one corner is focused). I also got nauseous while watching unfocused screen...

I decided to try out steps suggested by Honzik1. I looked at the QUMI page that he recommended. I also looked at the pictures that he took. I couldn't take pictures unfortunately. I only have phone camera, and it did not do a good job of taking pictures inside the projector, when I turned off the light to check the focus. Sooo... here're my steps.

1. Tools: one long nose philips driver with large enough handle to open the case, and to adjust screws inside the projector: one flash light to look into the projector; a knife or driver to pill off a black tape (I will explain it later)
2. Turn over the projector. On the bottom of the projector, there are 4 screws. Unscrew them, and put them on the side.
3. Turn it over while holding the case nice and tight. Set it up on a table. The case is divided into "the cover" and "the bottom cover".
4. Take the "top cover" of the case. Carefully and slowly. You will notice that the "bottom cover" holds all projector parts.
5. Connect the cables to the projector with a video source. I just connected it to my computer.
6. Turn the projector on. I played a video file with the media player visible on the projector screen, so that I can see the focus on the left and right corners .
7. Adjust the dial on the left side of the projector and make one (either left or right) corner sharp and focused. At this point, you will wish both side are THAT focused.
8. There are three screws (there might be more, but I could only see three). I know Honzik1 stated that he played with two screws. I guess you can fix the focus issue by manipulating just two screws. Anyway, one screw is located under the black tape. One is located (if you look at the lens) on the left side of the lens, and the last one is located on the right side of the lens. They are located around the lens at almost triangular locations. The ones on the sides are hard to reach. This is why you need a long philips driver with large handle. 2 screws on the sides are a bit difficult to reach if you don't have a long driver.
9. Carefully, take off the black tape with a knife (or something sharp). Your fingers wont work. I know, I tried.
10. Slightly unscrew top screw (the one located under the black tape that you just removed) slightly by turning it counter clockwise.
11. Slightly unscrew screws on both side.
12. Don't unscrew too much, just a little at a time. Like Honzik1 suggested, half or 1 full circle should be enough.
13. You will notice that the sharpness and focus changes as you unscrew them.
14. Screw, and unscrew one screw at a time until you achieve the most sharpness and focus. There was no magic trick. It took me about 5 minutes to find the best focus.
15. I actually stopped adjusting screws when I got a focus that I could read AVSforum posts and small texts on both side of the screen, and see video play sharp and focused.
16. Put the black tape back on.
17. Turn the projector over and screw the 4 screws to the bottom of the projector.

Even if you take the top cover off, and take the black tape off, I don't think that there is any way for the stores to figure out that you opened the projector (that is IF you decide to take it back even after you try these steps). So try it out.

btw, I want you to know I am not endorsing those who try this steps to return them to the stores if it does not work out, if you know what I mean. I hope you try these fix, because you are willing to keep it with even if it doesn't work out...

I wanted to try out the above steps because I really liked the brightness of the projector. I thought even if I cannot fix the focus issue, I could live with "balanced out" focus that I mentioned above before I fixed the focus issue.

I am really happy with this projector. It is portable, bright, and very sharp (after adjustment). The colors were exceptional (I actually followed the recommended setting that someone suggested in this post, but increased brightness to 85). My wife and four kids were really happy with it as well. My wife says that the colors were better than the other two DLP projectors that we had.

Let me know if you have additional questions.
Edited by hirochunsa - 10/12/12 at 3:53pm

indio22, how do black levels compare between the 300t and this one?? does it really look like a 15,000:1? is it day and night comapred to the 300t?

Well done , I played with my PA70Gs screws yesterday again and I have 99% good focus, just at the middle of the screen I cannot see pixels grid line as good as at all 4 corners, but its not visible for > 1m distance.

Can you see pixels grid lines even visible over the all screen?
Edited by Honzik1 - 10/12/12 at 12:50am

I updated my previous post to clarify a few areas.

Honzik1, thanks for the inspiration!

I must have done a pretty good job!! I can see the diamond shaped pixel grid lines all four corners and in the middle of the screen, and all around the screen. The focus is as sharp as it can be. Like you said, about 99%, maybe even 100%. I'm saying 100%, because the whole screen is as sharp as the one corner that I made sharp and focus before I adjusted the screws.

The diamond shaped grid lines were visible from about 1 meter away (or 3 feet or so). As I moved away from the screen. the grid lines became less visible, but I can see the details of the pictures and videos on the screen, and they were sharp and focused.

I hope it answered your questions.

Maybe these screws for these projectors around the lens were set at the wrong torque setting at the factory and who ever torqued them torqued them to tight ?
If I was near a Frys store I would buy one but the closest one is 500 miles away.
Would putting spring washers behind these screws help ?
Thin washers with some flex to them ?

From the pictures I saw of the projector apart I saw some tape around 4 or 5 wires going over the lens housing.
Does it look like those wires would interfere with the lens and lens housing movement ?
Wonder if there is another way to re-route those wires some place else ?

1. spring washers won't work. screws are really small and short (I would say that the head of the screw is only about 3-4 mm, and the length is no longer than 1cm). I don't think they make spring washers that small. Screws are tight, making me to have some faith that the lens housing will stay put with the adjustment that I made. Also because of the tightness, unscrewing and screwing requires a bit of effort. I mean you have to focus your strength to not to screw/unscrew too much too fast. Applying slow and steady pressure is important.

2. "Some tape" that you are talking about is the black tape on top of the lens housing that I am talking about. There are no wires underneath that tape. I think this tape is there to cover up the top screw, and at the same time prevent damage to the plastics joined by the screw. It is sticky. I used a small knife to slowly pill it off. Putting it back is easy.

Hi there!

BTW, a German magazine for home theater electronics rated the PA70G with 94 out of 100 points. It says: "sharp and bright projection, bright colors", compared to "restricted settings, audible whirring fan"

Kind regards
Thomas

link maybe ?

Great first post, man, and welcome to AVS! Looks like you registered six years ago, wow! I think you should take my "shameless lurker" title

People, use the "thumbs up" button to mark the post as helpful and say hi to the '10s!

Yes. I am ashamed OTL.. I will happily take the "shameless lurker" title from you and pass it along to the next person

Thanks for the complement on the post. Like I said, I have enjoyed reading others insights over the years, and wanted to contribute. I guess that opportunity finally came . I teach, and tend to be wordy when explaining things. Hope it doesn't bore you and others. Thanks.

When you need to open up a brand new projector just to get uniformity focus........ /facepalm.

PoisonWolf, I totally see your point. I felt exactly the same way even before I got PA70G.

But there is something that I call an 'experience cost'. It's the price that I am willing to pay for a good learning experience. In this case, $499 with tax And this time, it was well spent. Most of all, MY WIFE APPROVED!

Peace! V V

I am happy to say that I found this projector on sale for $499 at my local Fry's here in Renton, WA as well. I am upgrading from a LG HS200 that I've had for about a year and a half. I loved that it was so portable. The PA70G is slightly larger, but I'm happy to trade the size for the upgraded features.
If I get up the courage, I will try the focus adjustment detailed above, as I have noticed a slightly uneven focus. Sounds like it can be adjusted out with a little time & patience though.
I'm happy to be able to benefit from the knowledge & experience of the members of this forum. What an excellent resource we all have here!
Edited by Bullet220 - 10/14/12 at 12:15pm

I should have clarified what I meant by spring washers.
The kind of washers I meant was the washers that are made out of some kind of harden flexing mental with a concave shape not the coil spring washers.
Then again with the limited space in that area I guess shims would work.
In some of the pictures I saw back on page 6 I saw some wires going over the lens housing.

DLPProjectorfan,
I see. I think I know the the spring washer that you are talking about. and you are right. I don't think you will be able to make one fit in between the screw the plastic (or maybe there was a bolt, I don't remember).
I checked the picture and I found the wires that you are talking about. They don't go under the tape. Instead, if I remember correctly, they go into the gap between the lens casing and a board.

For focus issues and settings, I tried to play with "PICTURE." Here are my setup and results.

I connected 1080p LED LCD 40inch projector to my computer' DVI port (using DVI to HDMI cable). I also connected the PA70G to the other DVI port. TV is seating about 4 feet away, and the 80inch projector screen is located about 14 feet away (projector is about 7 feet (little over 2 meter? maybe) away from the screen. I am playing "Pride and Prejudice" on both TV and the projector screen. They look almost identical in sharpness and colors.

The first picture shows a pic from 1hr 40min into the movie. 1080p TV is closer and larger one, and the smaller one in the back is the 80inch projector screen (it is about 14 feet away from where I took the picture)



Here's the 2nd picture. I took this one from about 6feet away. This is a projected image from PA70G.



Here's the 3rd picture. I took this one from 4 feet away. This is an image from 40inch LED LCD 1080p TV.



Here are my settings. After fixing the focus with screws, Among other things, I tried adjusting "H Sharpness" and "V Sharpness" under "PICTURE" setting. This effort further increased the sharpness and focus of the projected image.

Energy Saving: Minimum
Picture Mode: Expert1
- Contrast: 82
- Brightness: 88
- H Sharpness: 100
- V Sharpness: 100
- Color: 55
- Tint: 0

I feel like I achieved maximum sharpness and focus. I will try out the "Expert mode" (a setting located right below "Tint") later.

Hi. I'd like to buy new projector (some time ago I had old Epson TW-20) and I was definitely decided to buy PA70G but after reading this topic I'm in two minds about that again.

I can buy ACER K330 for cca €435 or LG PA70G for €545 (conversion from CZK).

Are the differencies between these to PJs worth more than one hundred bucks?

Thanks!

LG PA70G sure

Depends. If you see rainbows easily then the Acer K330 will be better. Also if you need 720p 120hz 3D only the Acer will generate a dlp-link signal for dlp-link glasses. The LG PA70 disables dlp-link if it detects 720p 120hz. Dlp-link glasses still work on the LG but only at 1024x768 120hz.

Other wise the LG seems to offer a sharper lens and more accurate colors compared to the Acer.

Hi
I just received the projector yesterday,and run an office file from a usb stick,and from 10 feet you can see the focus problem clear ,so decided to go the same steps hirochunsa and the others did,to my surprise,the focus problem gone just after removing the cover ,didn't touch any screw at all?
after putting the cover again, running the projector with same file+others,the problem completely disappeared,now a clean and even focus on all sides,any explanation ?

i wouldnt risk breaking the warranty conditions. why not sending it to lg? so at least they get aware of a focus problem?

3dprojector,

You are very lucky I am assuming that pa70g stay focused even after you put the case back. I also noticed that flexing the lens case just a little causes focus change. But I had to work with the screws to make the changes permanent. I guess yours just required a bit of "nudge" or release some tension somewhere near the lens case, and removing the case was enough to fix everything. I'm very happy for you . Enjoy!

I have few days to return and before i make the decision, want to ask:

Does anyone know if this pj is sealed? or i will end with dust blobs?
And regarding the leds, does the cycle of turn on/off hurts it's lifespan? i know normal bulbs take a strike every time, so... what about this?

Regarding the post i made few days ago about RBE, i find that with some use, does not disappear, but it seems to be less bothering.