Happy H79/H78dc3 owners thread - Page 5

Al,

As Tom said, give me a shout and we'll answer any questions you may have. Maybe you'll benefit from the conversation!!!

If the projector is declared as a computer projector which is is. No duties are charged. You will pay the 14.5% we would normally pay in BC anyhow. The warranty is another issue, you would likely have to send the projector to the US for warranty.

Bummer, I got burnt on the Infocus I bought a few years back then, I had to pay duty on that one and it was used! $3k US converted to CDN and I ended up paying nearly $700 duty! I wonder if I can get that back from Revenue Canada?

Even without duty the warranty and returns issues would be a concern... Can anyone confirm that a US bought Optoma is not covered in Canada? Has anyone already talked to Optoma Canada.

Depending on the above warranty question, I may call Dave (AVS) and see what they can offer.

Al:If you go Cdn and I am assuming outside of bc you will save the 7% pst. As for duty as long as the projector handles computer generated digital images you should be able to avoid it - the worst possibllity is 6%. I dont know about the infocus but $700 sounds wrong unless you are including gst and pst in that amount.

You are right, from outside BC (but in Canada) you save 7% PST, as for the total I gave, I'll confirm this when I get home, but it was brutal!

And yes, the PJ I bought handles computer generated images, it's connected to my HTPC!

First, let met state that I'm a newbie when it come to pj. I've had 4 rear projector, the current one being a 57" HD WS Hitachi Ultravision. I have my first pj (H78) arriving Tuesday.

1. What would be the recommended setup for HD DTV and DVD running to both the H78 and the Hitachi. That's my first questions.

2. I've read where the processor in the H78 is very good but yet everyone seems to opt for an upconverting DVD player and even some go further by adding a SDI card with an outboard processor. If I were to do this in steps, in order of importance how would you rate each component?

3. A few things that I'm confused about. A. Why would you get an upconverting DVD player and add an outboard processor, isn't that overkill? I was going add a processor to my 480P DVD player. B. If you are going to add an SDI card wouldn't it be good enough to add it to a 480P, rather than to a 720P DVD player?

I can go in any direction, but I would like to get the best value for the $$$.

Thanks in advance,
Best Regards,
Mark

Did you get it shipped directly to your door from the US? You were likely charged 6% duties (should have declared as computer projector or LCD projector), AND brokerage fees from UPS or whatever shipping company. Those brokerage fees are a friggin ripoff. They'll charge you 100+ for large items just for showing customs the filled out declaration for you. You can actually request pickup from the depot and request that you handle declaration yourself. I don't know the details but I do know you CAN do it.

OK here we go, this is what I cost me to bring in a Cinema 12SF in August of 2002:

PJ: $3120 USD converts to CDN $4995 (very poor exchange rates at the time)

GST: $323
PST: $346
Duty: $0

Total: $5664

So I was wrong, no duty paid, and because of the 'expedited" shipping, no brokerage fees either.

Funny thing, this will pretty much be the total cost (based on MAP) for the H78DC3...

Guitarman, I am in the process of buiding my first HT. After all the positive reviews I have read I have decieded to purchace the H79 PJ from AVS. I am considering added an Iscan VP30 with the the SDI mod. If I go this route can I use HDMI out to the PJ or is it better to use DVI out to the PJ. I know that the H79 has a DVI connection but I am confussed about which cable is the better choice. Thanks for your valued input

If it was me I would run an HDMI cable and use the adapter provided with the H79. This way you have a smaller cable to run, a newer technology ready to go and if in the future you upgrade projectors then you are ready with HDMI. Signal wise it will be identical.

The new iScan should be a hit, give me a call or email if you have any further questions about it.

Hi!
Just last week i ordered the H79, now that it´s made available for us europeans also! I should get the projector at friday (got that day free from job also), i can´t wait...But i´m prepared mentally for some delays and waiting, there´s almost always something. Street price is at 3600-3800euros for H79 where i live.
Just wanted to ask your opinion: My screen is light gray, gain is at something like 0.8. Aspect 16:9, 88" diagonal . Is this gonna look too bright in light controlled room, dark walls and everything. Should i use some ND filter or Hoya FL-Day.
I like it quite dim and for example keep my HC900:s iris fully stepped down for good blacks and easy viewing, FL-Day filter and lamp at low.
I´ve been reading this forum with great interest from start of this year, especially H77/79 threads!
My 10th year of HT hobby, this H79 is nice way to celebrate it.

I've got a 130" diag. screen, with aprox 0.8 gain which i currently use with my Sony HS-20. I find the current setup quite nice in regards to lumens, but how would the Optoma H79 work in my cinema? Opinions?

I would like some guidance on what screen material to use. I just purchased a H78 and have been looking at a DaLite Model C with CSR, screen size of 54"x96". I've decided on this model because it fits my budget and it seems to be of good quality for the price. It's going to be ceiling mounted in front of my entertainment center. I had decided on the high contrast matte white (1.1 gain) until I talk to a representative from Dalite and he asked if I had considered the Video Spectra (1.5 gain) material. I have some ambient light during the day but 80% of my viewing will be during the evenings. He even mentioned the matte white material because the H78 has a very high contrast ratio.

I would appreciate any feedback as to which screen material would be the best match for the H78. If there are other screens that I should consider, I would appreciate any recommendations.

Thanks in advance,
Regards,
Mark

Mark,

Contact me and we can discuss some different options for you.

Lost last night Kicked butt in HD on this thing. My wife sat there with her mouth open. That was on a 126" diag picture. There was some scenes that were really dark and had torches flickering I swear if I moved my eyes left and right I saw rainbows but my wife didn't. Watched 30 hrs and this was the first. I suppose this is the rainbow effect? Didn't really bother me though.


John

Yeah, a one chip DLP is great when you're watching The Wizard of Oz!!! Dorothy's constantly going over the rainbow!!!

They don't really bother me either if it means anything.

just wanted to say how useful the power zoom on the H78 has been for me. Surprised at how much I use it. for DVDS that show 100% of the 1:85 screen I zoom it out a little. for 2:35 I zoom it in all the way on the screen. Old B&W films somewhere in between.

I really can't imagine me not having this feature now!

Hi, I just received the H78DC3, setup it, it has been running for an hour or so. Very nice clear sharp picture. I tried the Panasonic AE700 and the Sony HS50, what a difference. BUt ... I see lot of pixalization on fast moving scenes? I though this only existed on LCD type displays.
Can any body provide any input?

Thanks

What source are you using to see this pixalization?

But no where near DVHS quality... right

Tom,

The High Power is a high gain screen, I was under the assumption that with such a reflective screen it would show waves and wouldn't I be more apt to get hot spots? The matte white screen would not allow me to use the pj with any ambient because of the of the low gain of the screen. I was trying to get a screen that was going to be used mostly at night but could be used during the day with some ambient light.

I would appreciate your thoughts and explanations as to why those two material would work for me.

What would you recommend in a manual pull down that is tabbed tensioned, keeping value in mind. I choose Da-Lite because of the quality and value. I'm good to go on my audio system, but I'm looking at buying either a upconverting dvd player, but I really rather go with a DVDO iScan+ with a SDI card. I can't find a SDI card for my Toshiba SD-3800, which means I'll have to buy another dvd player (an inexpensive 480i or 480p since I'm just using it as a transport). Also, in my plans is a HD receiver, so you can see, or at least I can see $$$.

Best Regards,
Mark

Hi Dave,

I was wondering is you got my PM?

Mark

Hi Earz, I am using the component video input that is being fed from an Expresvu 6000. I was watching a high definition show at 1080I.
I am going to test the DVI-I input today.
A quick question - how come the Optoma's don't have an HDMI or DVI-D inputs? For a projector this price ...I would have expected to see one of these?

This is the first report I read where someone saw fast pan complaints on the H78?

I wonder if the Sat feed is so compressed it is at the source rather than the PJ causing it?

Can your STB output 720p from a 1080i source? I would like to know how that does?


Keep us informed?

Mark, yes I got your PM and email. Sorry, been very busy.

superman,

The Optoma does have a DVI-D input, it's just integrated into it's DVI-I connection. I think you are getting them confused. A DVI-D is actually limiting w/ connection possibilities and the DVI-I is the better choice. With DVI-I it can accept both analog and digital RGB signals, with DVI-D it is limited to only digital RGB.

For DVI-I, look at the connectors and do you see the extra 4 pins around the center pin that's located to one side??? These carry the analog RGBS signals. DVI-D doesn't have them.

It is also a better option for manufacturers to use a DVI-I connector on their products because then either a DVI-D or DVI-I cable will work with it, making it easier on the consumer. Try connecting a DVI-I cable into a DVI-D connection...ain't gonna work...unless you break off some pins!!!

tehotaone,

I have used the EVu system and I bet that's the problem. The HD signals are compressed badly, plus 1080i isn't the best choice for fast motion, especially sports. Yes, the EVu 6000 can output a 1080i signal at 720p. I don't think it will help though as it is most likely in the source.

Mark I have a 80x45 Video Spectra with a H77 and I think it looks great. I see no hotspoting or sparkles at all. I have the model C CSR and it does not have any waves. Also it has a great viewing angle.

Dale

Hey azjetski,

I've got to a point where I can't make a decision. At first, I thought I had it all planned out to get either the Da-Lite HCMW or the Video Spectra because of the quality, value and my budget. I've been told not to short change myself when it comes to the screen, that it can make all the difference whether you get a good or an excellent picture.

One recommendation was the Stewart Firehawk, which is at least 3 times the cost of the Da-Lite. Which would be doable if I fore go my other items I've planned for ie...new dvd player, iScan+/sdi card, plus all the other misc items.

You would totally recommend the Video Spectra and have no reservations? So, I assume if you had a chance to buy another screen you would still choose the Da-lite with the Video Spectra material? Can you give me your thoughts on the pros and cons (if any) on the screen.

Thanks, I appreciate the feedback. It's really hard you selected a screen without a change to demo one, so feedback is so helpful.

Thanks again,
Regards,
Mark