Optoma RD50A Owners Thread - Page 2

hopefully the price doesn't skyrocket in the near future.

That VA price is the cheapest, by far for the "A" model.

I think the HD2+ chip is still highly respected in the DLP world and 1080p (1080i deinterlacing) sets are quite a bit more expensive at present. I think it'll last you awhile at this price range. If you've got 4 gand burning a hole in your pocket, then, I guess you could hold out for a month or 2. I wouldn't. Oh wait. I didn't. Buy now and start enjoying.

Ok, I have done the THX Optomizer from "The Incredibles" and "Finding Nemo" and it looks like I have a slight vertical stretch problem with my 4:3 aspect ratio, where the circle in the box looks like an slight vertical oval and the second bottom box line is not visible, but is shown in the "Native Resolution" mode (which also shows a perfect circle). It also was apparent today while watching the Disney Channel in SD. In "Native Resolution" mode you see the Disney Channel logo in the bottom left corner where the lettering is stacked with the words "Disney" above, "Channel" underneath and small gap underneath "Channel". This logo is a good test because it is so low on the screen. When I go to 4:3 only the top half of the letters in "Channel" are visible. They probably have Monday off, so I went be able to be at home to call Optoma during business hours until Friday. Bummer.

I, too, am looking at a purchase in Mid-July and have the jitters about VA upping their price. I'm just sick about it, because I am decided that this is the way I want to go at this price, I just don't really have anywhere to put it until we move to our new place.

If the price jumps, I'm going to freak out. Is there any precedent or experience with VA that we can look to in order to ease our fears or that would cause us to pull the trigger now? Is anyone from VA monitoring this thread that can comment? The sales woman I talked to at VA a couple weeks ago seemed pretty confident the price would at least be stable, but I don't have enough digits on my body to count how many times first-line sales people have been wrong regarding a purchase I made or intended to make.

Layaway?

Don't know really what to tell you at this point. To be honest, in a month and a half you will probably buy a different tv because you never what deals are going to come and go.

It looks fantastic in that entertainment center! The pic from the standing position look really good and bright, but that TV is way to far off the ground. There has got to be a nice reduction in brightness from your seated viewing location unless you are about 20 feet back or have the Tv tilted down.

Keep in mind that the best height for any RPTV is having the center of the screen at direct eye level from you seated position. That put you in the best part of the viewing cone.

My wife has approved the purchase for the RD50a. I just realized I dont know what all I need to set up HDTV in my home. I have a few questions before I order.
1. What atsc tuner did you all buy.
2. I dont have a hd sat but use Direct TV, what should I get so I can recieve HD Sat and where to buy?
3. I would love Tivo but will proly have to wait a while for that.
4. Do I need cables, convertors etc...? I have a dvd with component outs but no component cables came with it...

Also where is the best place to buy these components?
Thanks

You should search other forums on this site. There is a real commotion over on the HDTV Programming forum about HD-Lite, which is a sarcastic term for DirecTV's HD programming because they have increased the channels but not increased bandwidth. There seems to be buyer's remorse among DirecTV users because they had to buy the equipment and now they are stuck with sucky HD programming. Dish Network and the cable companies don't require you to buy the equipment, even the DVRs/PVRs (Tivo equivalent). Most HD receivers will have an ATSC tuner built in, but besides the tuner you will need to figure out what kind of antenna you need. Because I am in a hilly area I have given up on the ATSC tuner because I would need a big-a$$ ugly antenna attached to my house.

I read all the other threads about cables. There is some real debate over the difference between $10 and $100 cables, especially in a run less than 10ft., with a company like Monster being on the high end. I went with Ram Electronics (a forum sponsor) and I am very impressed with their quality at about 1/3 to 1/4 the price of Monster. For part-time uses like hooking up the laptop to the tv to use as a monitor I was going to go to monoprice.com where they have ridiculously inexpensive cables.

Thanks for the compliment on my entertainment center and the advice, but if you'd read my review, you would've seen that I am 10-12' back with my eyes about 6" below the bottom of the screen. I was fully aware of the difficulties I may face, but was not willing to pay more than twice the price for a comparable sized plasma when SED is around the corner.

I had planned to shim the back of the base and angle the set down, but once it was in, I found it unnecessary. From sitting to standing, I can discern about a 5% difference in brightness. Believe me, I'm sitting right here. If you were in my living room right now, you would be as surprised as I am. Unless you are looking for it, like you or I would, you would never notice a difference standing up and centering your eyes to the screen center vs. sitting down. Having viewed the rest of the sets on the market, I was prepared for a situation. However, during my extensive research, my guinea pigs reported excellent vertical viewing angle with the Optoma and by George (what does that expression mean, anyway) they were right!

This set should hold me for a few years until SED sets come out and the rest of HD technology is refined. A nice 180 deg., vert., flat panel set with little or no base will be perfect over that fireplace. All in good time. For now, I'm lovin' the hell out of my Optoma!

Last I heard, Dish does make you pay a little something for the equipment if you get an HD-DVR. Not sure about the rest. DirecTv charges big. You can likely switch to Dish at little or no cost with a year contract.

I love my cable HD. If you have it in your area, I recommend looking into it. I pay 13 bucks a month. That includes the lease on an HD-DVR and and DVR (tivo type) service. I've got 11 channels of HD for a very moderate price, too. Add 3 megs down and 254K up of broadband for like 25 bucks and I'm huge!

Thanks, very helpful info. I dont understand the "didnt increase bandwidth" issue? What effect will that have on HDTV as compared to Dish. Who else offers sat access?
So the advantage to switching to "Dish Network" would be monthly rental fees and no up front purchase costs for the equipment and better hd programming...
How can I recieve local hd channels from nbc etc...do I have to pay the 5.99mth from dish or can I just buy an antenna and get them?
When you say " figure out the type of antenna I need " are you reffering to off the air hd broadcasts for my local channels?

I hate to ask this, but since their website doesn't even show this 'A' version, does this set have a ATSC/QAM tuner built in and why is this set so cheap through VA?? Next, other than the reported better SD quality, why have those who ordered this set choose it over other DLP's other than price?

Um, does there have to be a reason other than price?
This TV is the best bang for the buck out there right now. End of story.

Hear Hear!

Take a leap of faith.

They're a small company. Stateside wise and they haven't updated their site yet. Buy the non-"A" version from Costco, if you're concerned. Or you can take advantage of a great deal while you can before it's too late. Everything you ever needed to know is posted on this website.

There is no ATSC tuner built in, so it is HD-ready. The SV50XF listing on the website is pretty close to the "A" series specs with the exception that the "A" has a lower contrast and is not factory ISF callibrated.

Superfan, I'm curious. How do you know the "A" has a lower contrast ratio? The site IS pretty screwed up. Under the 50XF page the contrast ratio is listed twice and they don't jive. One says 1500:1, the other 2500. It also specs. the HD2 vs HD2+. From what I understand, they both have the same chip (HD2+) and would thus have the same, basic contrast. To me it looks like they're just too damn lazy to fix their site. That or they're just not concerned. Maybe they're folding and all of our warranties won't be honored. Oh God! Someone check their stock!

Calm down.

I got an email from Optoma saying what I posted. The contrast ratio is 2000:1 for the 50A versus 2500:1 for the 50XF. I also previously printed out from Optoma's website the press release for the "A" series and in it they listed the contrast as 2000:1. I don't know why they don't cut and paste that press release into their website since it had all the detailed specs. When I find it again I will post it.

EDIT: It is my educated guess that the 50XF is a just 50A that they pull off the assembly line to tweak and perfect. Maybe it's just the ISF factory callibration that results in a higher contrast. Maybe there is some other "personal touch" that is not feasible to do during mass production of the 50A.

Yes, the new HD-DVR from Dish requires a $250 up front equipment charge for the lease option. Has DirecTV ever had a lease program? Buying the equipment sucks. I would go to Cable, but all College Football is usually not in HD and I worry about cable SD signal quality. I also just paid $100 two months ago to have Dish installed at my new house (existing customer), and I want some return on it. I have until September 3rd to decide what to do. If I stay with Dish, it is thru SBC and they don't offer the HD-DVR yet, so I would have to add an HD receiver, but not be able to record the HD stuff.

Hmmm. Thanks for clearing that up, SF.

Cool. I'd really like to read that press release. Please find it and post it.

I thought Samsung and LG (more so) had confusing model numbers!

i'm having a hard time calibrating my screen. the menu just about covers the entire screen and its hard to adjust the picture. does anyone else feel this way?

Just go into the service menu and select the smaller setting. I think the code is "619" to get in there. I don't have it in front of me.

Did anyone on this thread consider the SV50XF model of Optoma. I will be purchasing for delivery in August. I would love some comments.

Rob

I did because for a time earlier this year that was all Optoma had in new models. I started off being really intrigued by the Optomas Costco had, then I did more and more research to the point that I wanted the newest technology from them, but the 50XF was too much (in the $4K+ range at the time).

My comments now would be, don't buy the 50XF if it is more than $400 more than the RD50A. I don't think there is any difference in the components, so it comes down to the factory ISF callibration. For $400 you should be able to get a ISF callibrator guy to come to your house and not only callibrate your tv, but all your other components as well. If you live in a rural area, it may be hard to get someone out to your house, so that should be factored in. There is also a zero dead pixel policy for the SV50XF, but dead pixels is a problem more with LCDs than DLPs. JMHO.

OK guys, I found the press release. If anybody wants the original version, PM me and I will email it to you.

Press Release


FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE


Press Contact: Suite Information:
Kenneth Tompkins Jackson & Carter Room
Optoma Technology, Inc. Hilton Atlanta Hotel
kennetht@optoma.com 255 Courtland Street, N.E.
(408) 456-3812 Atlanta, GA 30303
June 9-11, 2004


OptomaTV Launches World's First HD2+ DLP Based Rear Projection Televisions - The RD-50A and RD65A

Astounding contrast ratio of 2000:1 with virtually no dithering.

Milpitas, Calif. and Atlanta, Georgia. (June 09, 2004) OptomaTV has launched the world's most advanced rear-projection technology into the consumer electronics marketplace with two new, currently shipping models - the RD-50A and the RD-65A. With a contrast ratio double that of other products in its class and with the virtual elimination of the dithering artifact, these televisions are poised to revolutionize the television display industry with unrivaled image quality.

OptomaTV has achieved this astounding result by deftly deploying the latest high-definition technology from Texas Instruments - the HD2+ DLP chip - in a rear-projection application. This digital micromirror device (DMD) chip achieves both higher brightness and deeper black levels by filling in the area where the digital micromirror connects to its hinge - the so-called dimple. Enhancements to the color wheel in the RD-50A and RD-65A further improve picture quality and motion video so much that viewers will swear they are looking through a window instead of merely watching a television.

As improved versions of their award-winning, long-popular brethren - the RD-50 and RD-65, the RD-50A and RD-65A maintain all of the advanced features and unsurpassed characteristics of the RD series. The RD's non-reflective screen allows the widest viewing angle of any television on the market. Overscan at a scant 1% enables the brightest image possible with the least amount of discarded pixels, in the slimmest of cabinets. Discrete IR commands mean one-button control of viewers' entire home theaters - from lighting to AV component selection to television settings. The RD-50A and RD-65A also follow the trailblazing path set by the RD series by offering the consumer electronics marketplace the most flexibility of image controls, source inputs, separate audio outputs and two V-chip PIP/POP. Whereas most televisions would make this array of advanced features a source of confusion and distraction for viewers, OptomaTV has made them supremely simple by creating separate memories for each input and signal type. The installer or consumer need only adjust RD-series televisions once for each signal type and source; these settings will not require readjustment, even when switching between channels with different signal types (e.g., 1080i and 720p) on the same input.

The RD-50A's and RD-65A's major improvements - quality of their video images - are achieved by incorporating HD2+ technology from Texas Instruments. Optoma was the first to publicly demonstrate this technology in an HDTV at CES 2004. Featuring a 1280 x 720 high-definition resolution, these TVs offer an impressive 2000:1 contrast ratio.

The so-called dimple fix of the HD2+ is revolutionary in that, by filling in the point at which the micromirror attaches to its hinge, the brightness of an on' pixel and darkness of an off' pixel are both enhanced, thereby increasing the RDs' already high contrast ratio by 33%. OptomaTV's proprietary coated DVE (Dark Video Enhancement) color wheel further increases the punch of motion pictures by adding a dark segment which virtually eliminate an artifact in all previous DLP displays - the dithering effect.

RD-50A/65A User Friendly Features and Advanced Specifications:

§ Non-reflective, fine-grade, 0.15 mm screen-pitch display with extremely wide viewing angle.
§ Industry's lowest overscan: 1% overscan enabling brighter picture with higher contrast ratio.
§ Extremely bright picture. RD-50: 450 nits. RD-65: 400 nits.
§ 2000:1 contrast ratio for more visual punch and shadow detail.
§ High Definition 1280 x 720 (native 720p) resolution.
§ Precision Pixel Matching technology with 1:1 scan conversion.
§ Superb image processing utilizing Silicon Image deinterlacer, Oplus Scaler and 3-D comb filter.
§ Unique manually adjustable color gamma fine tuning.
§ Lightweight and trim design. RD50: 90 pound, 14.8 inches deep. RD-65A: 280 pounds, 22 inches deep
§ Extremely long-lasting, easy-to-replace lamp. RD-50A: 10000 hours. RD-65A: 8000 hours.
§ DVI-HDCP connector ensuring connectivity with future digital devices.

For additional Optoma information and to view product photos, please visit http://www.optomausa.com/press.

About Optoma Technology, Inc.

Optoma Technology, Inc. is an award-winning developer of projection and digital display products for business and home. The company manufactures multimedia projectors for mobile users, fixed installations and home theaters, HDTVs, LCD flat panel monitors plasma display, and thin-client terminals. Optoma products combine superior image processing technologies with exceptional engineering and innovation to deliver images that are bright, crystal clear, and finely tuned for tone and color. Optoma's award-winning products are sold through the company's global network of pro AV dealers, major consumer electronics retailers, and Internet resellers. Optoma's worldwide headquarters is located in Milpitas, California. For more information about Optoma please call 888-942-2929 or visit http://www.optoma.com/.

© 2004 Optoma Technology, Inc. Optoma names and logos are registered trademarks of Optoma Technology, Inc. Other product names mentioned herein may be trademarks and/or registered trademarks of their respective companies and are hereby recognized.

Earlier someoen was going to post their calibration settings for people to compare.

Could anyone who has calibrated their RD50A possibly do this for those who will be doing a DVE calibration so that we can see what options seem to be similar between users, and what varies more according to 'feel'.

My TV is scheduled to be delivered Friday... I'm THAT close to taking off work just to play with it...lol

I know this not the HTPC forum but I am seriously considering a purchase and would like to know what peoples general impression of the VGA inputs. I looked at a toshiba DLP in the same price range as the 50A. It has major issues with displaying PC images. My plan is to do a MythTV setup along with the other devices...
I think I will pull the trigger... DLP at the price of CRT with HD 2+ . Cant go wrong. Good PC capability will seal the deal for me.

I have not tried all the inputs, but I can tell you that the VGA input is in the front and the DVI-D input is in the back. For asthetics, I think you would want to hook up the HTCP to the DVI-D in the back. I also saw on the Ram Electronics website that the VGA input is not a pure digital input, so if you are putting in the effort for a HTPC then you want to go DVI-D. Here is a link:

http://www.ramelectronics.net/html/howto-av.html#v


Note that they call "VGA": RGB or RGBHV on the site.

Just got my TV.

Its on the floor in the living room waiting for me to put it on the existing entertainment stand (til Sunday when I buy one thats much lower for this TV since its twice as large). Looks beautiful.