[uphilli]

All;

Still trying to learn and develop my HT in the basement....

I'm an avid PC gamer (1942, RtCW, soon: HalfLife 2!!!), plus I'm planning to upgrade to Dish 811 receiver for their HD content. Of course, got to throw in DVD movies.


So: My plans are leaning on the Panny 300U FP. From what I'm reading it has both VGA and DVI inputs (DVI-D).


Not interested in any type of PVR capabilities on the PC.


1. Do I get the HTPC equipped w/ an ATI 9800 AIW Pro and use the DVI out to the FP (as my game PC AND DVD player)?

2. Can I save a few $$ and get the 9800 non-AIW Pro?

3. Can I even use the DVI out to the FP? Or do I need to use the VGA connector?

4. If using the VGA connector, any loss in PQ (with re: to DVD playback)?

5. Just go w/ the D1?


Thoughts? Comments? Am I way off base and keep researching?


TIA

Phil

 

[vpopovic]

From your goals (not interested in PVR) it looks like you do not need AIW series and Pro should do it. I have 9800 Pro and works like a charm. AIW has special theater chip, but that is dedicated only to PVR function and should not impact PQ for DVD playback (I am sure not in software decode mode


9800 Pro might be better solution for you than D1 player - for $150 more than D1 you get 9800 Pro and can have the best DVD playback and play games in style. There is an interesting thread that compares D1 with 9600 Pro and looks like 9600 Pro barely won in PQ. I did test 9600 Pro vs. 9800 Pro and 9800 Pro is definitely better - did not take much time to figure that one in my set-up. So for $150 (plus you will need another $50-100 for DVD playback software) I'd go 9800 Pro.


I do not know much about Panny 300U FP, but if it is digital projector and has DVI it should work with 9800 Pro after proper set-up. I am not sure if it has HDCP, but for DVD playback that should not matter. Not sure for HDTV though - lack of HDCP might be a problem. DVI gives you significantly better PQ than RGB, unless your projector is analog, which I believe is not the case. For analog projectors you are mostly better off doing D/A conversion with 9800 Pro (unless you have super hi-end whose scaler is superior to 9800 Pro).


Good luck.

 

[uphilli]

thanks for the good info.

The Panasonic 300L is a digital LCD projector. From what I'm reading, the 300L has a DVI-D input, and I think the 9800 has a DVI-I. I don't think those are compatible (need more research).


Yeah, my thoughts are if I can get by with one less componet in the HT set up, the better.

 

[vpopovic]

uphilli,


I think you should be OK. See this link:

http://www.ramelectronics.net/html/D...bles.html#hdtv


By the way, I have both LCD and DLP rear projection TVs (not projectors, but they work based on the same technology) and to me DLP technology is superior to LCD. Smoother, more film-like, deeper blacks, no apparent pixelation, etc. Did you audition LCD vs. DLP projectors?

 

[Axel]

Quote:

Originally posted by uphilli thanks for the good info. The Panasonic 300L is a digital LCD projector. From what I'm reading, the 300L has a DVI-D input, and I think the 9800 has a DVI-I. I don't think those are compatible (need more research). ....

Yes, they are compatible. "D" stands for digital, "I" does both, digital and analog. The only thing you need to keep in mind that when you buy a cable that you get the correct one, as the connectors, actually the amount of pins are slightly different between the 2. The "D only" has less pins, so you would not be able to fit an "I" cable (male) in a "D only" projector connector (female).


Hope this helps.

____

Axel

 

[uphilli]

Quote:

"By the way, I have both LCD and DLP rear projection TVs (not projectors, but they work based on the same technology) and to me DLP technology is superior to LCD. Smoother, more film-like, deeper blacks, no apparent pixelation, etc. Did you audition LCD vs. DLP projectors?"


Yes, I've been going back and forth on the FP's, and the LCD (specifically the panasonic) fits my budget (less than $2k) and quality. I've been reading good reviews on the Panny and its LCD image.


Of course, still more reading needs to be done!!

 

[uphilli]

Quote:

Originally posted by Axel Yes, they are compatible. "D" stands for digital, "I" does both, digital and analog. The only thing you need to keep in mind that when you buy a cable that you get the correct one, as the connectors, actually the amount of pins are slightly different between the 2. The "D only" has less pins, so you would not be able to fit an "I" cable (male) in a "D only" projector connector (female). Hope this helps. ____ Axel

Thanks...after a few more searches, I did find exactly what you're saying. That's great news for me!!