Dwin TV3 Owners Thread - Page 6

Mine has a dust problem and it is ceiling mounted. The theater is clean and I have an air filter (one step down from a hepafilter) in the air return and an electostatic air cleaner.

Blew air on the back of the lens again to try to solve the dust spots. They are less noticable now, but some are still there. Some could live with it, but I won't after spending so much on a projector. I'm going to try a lens cloth next and see if that does the job. Also got the bulb numbers for Don and whoever else wants it. This is everything written on the top of the bulb.

TOP
OSRAM
VIP R 200/P22
GERMANY qn1

If anyone finds a good price on replacement bulbs, please share. I noticed the bulb has a spot or two of silicone holding it in along with the screws. Course, so does some of the mirrors.

And about DWIN claiming the light path is shielded from dust. Is this like their claim of a light sealed cabinet? And then they admit light spills out the rear fans. But it's still a light sealed cabinet. If you look at a certain angle with the cover off, you can see the DLP chip. It would be simple for dust to get all over the light path and on the DLP chip (unless they have a glass cover on the DLP chip, I couldn't see one). You can stick your finger between the DLP chip and the lens. That's not dust shielded. Maybe they were talking about dust falling on the outside cover.

Thomas, I have a 12 foot ceiling and have the projector drop down 2 feet. It's noticable from my back row and in the second row when you are reclined.

Thomas-

How are you going to send your pj back to Dwin? In other words, do you have to mail it, or will Dwin let you drop it off in person (since you don't live that far away)?

I'm curious because I know of other companies that make you mail merchandise back for warranty work even if you live down the block and can return it in person.

Yes--the new board will completely change the color profile--so you're going to have to start over.

Apparently, the kit will contain a whole new board for your TV3 scaler box. Basically, you're getting a whole new scaler without the connections. And the firmware, I guess, will contain new gamma settings, yes.

Have you guys been able to blow the dust out without taking the PJ off of the ceiling mount or do you have to take it down, take it apart, blow the dust out, put it back up and reposition it with the screen, refocus, etc. etc.?

I guess I could be wrong. I haven't taken my box apart yet.

That was me that took the pictures inside the box. There are two boards in the scaler box. One out in the open and another for the DVI connections behind a cover.

xkode, the first time I tried to clean it, I took the projector down and then took the cover off, etc. That was because I was thinking about removing the lens and seeing where the dust was. But, I didn't have an angled allen wrench to reach all three screws. This last time I tried to reclean it, I just pulled the cover off while it was hanging from the ceiling. But remember, mine drops down from the ceiling so I have access to the cover screws. Those without a drop might have a problem getting to the screws, but it might be doable.

And for what it's worth, my projector came with some definite blue tinting.

Hmmm... ****

-twelly

Don,

Sorry if I kinda side tracked from the original intention of this thread. Your point is well taken. I'll remove my earlier comments. I'll keep stay tuned to this thread.

thanks,
twelly

Cool. Mine is flush-mounted, but even with the flush mounting, there is about 4" between the cover screws and the ceiling. It won't be as easy as having it on a table, but with an L-shaped tool I should be able to get the cover off without having to deal with mounting.

What kind of screws are they (I can only feel the holes)?

They are small phillips screws. A short screwdriver might work. The good thing is, the slots that hold the cover will hold the cover without any screws, at least for a short while. That helps when removing/replacing it by yourself.

twelly and whoever might be reading this thread trying to decide whether they want this projector or not. I do comment on the problems with the TV3 and it might look like I don't like the projector. The truth is I love our TV3 and wouldn't trade it for any other projector in the same price range. My dust spot are not outrageous, but I do notice them when the screen is all black. Others might not notice them, but I am critical because I want a perfect picture. And I would love to never have to worry about it with a sealed light path. And the light spill out the lens is noticable, but doesn't affect the picture on the screen. I can sit in my front row and never see it. I am just trying to improve the overall watching experience.

So I might complain about something I see as a fault with the projector, but know that I love this projector and am just trying to improve it with the help of other AVS members.

I met up with Mark Gower today. His Dwin was mounted about 10 inches or so below the ceiling.

Although he didn't remember having light spill from his Dwin, it was definitely there. This wasn't as noticeable on his ceiling as some, but he definitely had the notorious crescent shaped light on the ceiling that all the other TV3's that I have seen have had. This makes number 4!

If Dwin really can fix this, I would really be curious as to how they would accomplish it. The spill is definitely coming out of the front of the lens (not the sides or cover).

I still wonder if it is an issue with the lens itself. The InFocus 7200 has the same type of light spill, and it also uses a Carl Zeiss lens.

Mark has (had) a great setup. Had to hurt to let that go!

Thanks for the demo Mark.

I'll certainly ask what changes they will make to the PJ to reduce the light spill when I call to get my RMA, but that won't be until July/August. I'm in no rush.

I feel a little sheepish not noticing the light spill before. Honestly, I couldn't recall seeing it but then again I wasn't looking for it either. It is not as evident as Thomas Marshall's but the projector is mounted under the soffit and is probably 6-8" lower than his and the ceiling is darker.

Here is something some of you might try (I'm no longer is possession of the TV3 I installed). About a year ago I noticed a local retailer had placed a piece of electrical tape over a small portion of the lens on a TV1/TV2. The tape was not touching the lens itself just the housing and was no more than one piece wide. At the time I did not understand what the purpose of the tape was nor did I ask but I would assume that was their solution to the same problem.

Mark

We are building a theater room and it's almost finished and I had already ordered the TV3 from the dealer. It actually wasn't even on my list months ago when I ordered it, I wanted either the Sharp 10K or the Yamaha 1000, but he steered me towards the Dwin (he is also a Sharp dealer) and the more I learned about it the more I wanted it But now he contacted me this week saying that the first 6 units he installed have all had sync problems and he has had to send them back for repair. He said it looks like when a satellite picture breaks up and pixellizes. I am going to call him to get more details, but he says he is no longer recommeding the projector to me at this time and suggested the Infocus. I definitely don't want the SP7200 and I had my heart set on the Dwin. He said he will still sell it to me if I want it, but he wanted to be upfront about the problems he's had.

Sooooo, my question is, has anyone heard of or seen this problem? I have been reading all of the threads since the projector has been released and I don't remember seeing this issue. I think I am still going to take my chances as the two box solution makes every other projector seem inferior. But, I thought I'd see what you guys have to say. He did say that Dwin is taking care of it and that when it is working properly the picture is stunning

Don,

I think you are probably right that reflectivity within the lens is the most likely cause. It must be pretty far forward in the lens but I'm not sure why it seems to only disperse light in one direction. There couldn't be anything in the path that is acting like a prism or could there?

Mark

The light spill is not just in one direction. We just notice it on the ceiling because it is right next to the ceiling. People with a table mount notice it on the floor. The light spill is actually on all sides. I can see the spill on my side walls if the picture is all black. With a normal bright picture, the light spill is not really noticable. It's when there is a black screen that you can see all the spill. I have even been able to make out the blue border of the DLP chip on the wall around the screen.

Wade, I have never seen nor heard of the sync problem your dealer mentioned. Get your TV3 now and check it out before the theater is done. Then if needed, you can send it in and have it back by the time the theater is finished.

BTW, cleaned the projector. I still have a really light blur spot that I decided was unnoticable by anyone else in the blackest scenes. I'll have DWIN clean it when I send the projector in to fix the light spill. I'm going to call them and get another return authorization number and send it in the week before July 4th since noone will be here to use it that weekend.

Someone look really close at their lens for me. Under the outmost lens, there is what looks like a ring etched into the lens. It's a tiny ring in almost the center of the lens. I figure this is a flaw in making my lens, but wondered if it wasn't just my lens. I was cleaning the lens and saw the ring. Tried to wipe it off and couldn't. Then I noticed it was under the glass. So have a look if it's easy to check. It doesn't affect my picture but I was going to mention this to DWIN when I send the projector in. Maybe if I mention enough flaws in my projector, they'll send me a whole new one with a new bulb and new warranty. Then the 120 or so hours I have on this projector will have been free. Maybe not.

have you tried a lens hood?

Wade, how dare you bring up something that is not related to light spill on this thread!!

In answer to your question- I've had my TV3 for almost two months and I have never experienced the sync problem your dealer describes. I'm using a Sony 200 and a Marantz 8400 to feed the projector, but not using the DVI cables yet.

Has anybody else seen this problem?

This is the first I have heard of any sync problems as well.

John-

I think a lens hood probably would work. However, it is a matter of finding one that would fit. This is very unlikely. I think one would need to be made by hand in order to fit. If anyone is up to this task, and wants to make some extra ones, I'm sure they wouldn't have a problem selling them to the rest of the TV3 owners on this forum!

Wade,

No sync problems on my PJ. Don't let your salesman stop you from buying the best DLP on the market.

I now have my D1 and 931 running, the picture is SPECTACULAR, nothing short of STUNNING, this is the most beautiful picture I have ever seen on any PJ. I absolutely love it.

I watched Toy Story and Monster Inc. and I had to pick my jaw up off the floor, even my wife was blown away.

FYI, the light spill is a minor issue at best, the TV3 rules

Tom,

Let us know if you get a chance to do a good comparison between the 931 and D1.

Art

Gents,

On Wednesday Fedex brought me a Bravo and on Thursday my TV3. It's been a good week. Here are a few comments and questions:

1080i from Bravo to TV3 was stunning. We watched Die Another Day last night and frankly Halle Berry would look good over the composite connector... When writing is displayed on the screen, such as the Korean translation in some sceens, it looked very choppy, somewhat annoying. I guess this is a sacrifice of having high def dvd?

I have the light spill like everyone else. I'm not sure it bothers me like some of the threads I've read. It is not an overly quiet unit, especially compared to the lpx-500 I traded up for.

The controller box wreaks of quality. I didn't know what to expect but was impressed by the design and quality. The projector is nothing fancy. Plastic housing with venting front and back and noise.

Am I complaining? Not at all. I got it for the PQ and the connections. 1080i from my Sat520 and Bravo looks awsome.

I had to open my cover as there was a dust blob on my screen. A little compressed air blowing on the lense fixed it.

Questions:

How do you know if you have the most recent firmware and HDCP board upgrade?

Is DWIN really doing anything about the light spill? Has anyone shipped their projector back for a fix?

What about filters? Is DWIN doing anything here?

It seems if they came up with some kind of clip in filter on the inside of the vents it would reduce the dust and control the light spilling out of the vents.


-kraig

FYI - V Inc. (via Jim Noyd) recommends you feed the TV3 720p from the D1, I have run both 1080i and 720p and can't tell much difference. I'm currently using 720p as this matches the native resolution of the TV3.

I haven't had enough time to do a good comparison yet, but I can say both the 931 and D1 look fantastic to me. I will post my results after I do a closer comparison, hopefully this weekend. One of my fathers day presents from my wife is to be able to watch movies in the HT all day with no interruptions .

One other thing, just in case any of you TV3 owners haven't purchased either the D1 or 931, RUN TO THE STORE AND BUY ONE NOW!!!