[kyrill]

Well, I have a G11 and the better the input , better the output http://www.avsforum.com/ubb/smile.gif and a HTPC (powerstrip + PowerDVD both registered) while waiting for my modified Toshiba SD500 DVD player plus Cinematrix board. The difference is more than worth the money.

See for yourself http://www.cinematrix.de/psm1/psmframe.html

ky

 

[Phat Phreddy]

How did you find the cinematrix better ?? I have demo'ed a cinematrix and found a HTPC to have better picture quality if correctly configured... Then there is the additional things a HTPC can do that may / may not be of interest...


...Of course for plug and play there is no contest...


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[email protected]
HTPC without using windows... GUI Front Ends for Home Theater

 

[Gary McCoy]

Many folks are better off if they don't ever have to use Windoze.


Gary

 

[Frank Doorhof]

Hi,


I also use both, cinematrix and HT-PC.

But I must say on my G70 CRT the PSM-1 is superieur, the fact is however that the PSM-1 is very sensitive for the programming.


I have tweaked some settings for the D-ILA and I must say that the picture is stunning. The PSM-1 can do the same as the HTPC, even a bit more.


PSM-1 can upconvert LTBX to ANAMORPHIC (same as HTPC).

But can also add a filter for softening (against bad edge enhancements) or it can add a filter to sharpen the picture.


My opinion is, that natural is best so I don't ever use the settings, but it's there.


This weekend I'm hoping to do some final testing between the Onkyo and the SD-500 and give a result on tuesday.


Frank Doorhof

 

[clehner]

Quote:

Originally posted by Frank Doorhof: Hi, ... The PSM-1 can do the same as the HTPC, even a bit more. ... Frank Doorhof

How do you mean? Can you do the same with the PSM-board that you can do with e.g. YXY. I doubt it, but let me know.


Cheers

Christoph

 

[Frank Doorhof]

Tell me something YXY can do and PSM-1 can't.


PSM-1 can :


MAKE:

LTBX to Anamorphic (or double anamorphic)

Anamorphic to LTBX

4:3 in 16:9 screen


BUT ALSO (I don't use these, but it's there)

Anti alliasing filter for softening

Sharpness filters for edge enhancements


Tell me something YXY does more, and we will try to implement that.


Frank Doorhof


PS.

Kyril, the 500 has been modded, There are no problems at the moment, I hope to have the player to you this weekend, or mid of next week.

We did have some serieus trouble at the start, but I now have ONE working version over, the 500's are now ordered (keep my fingers crossed for fast delivery) after the first batch arrive, you are the first to receive.

 

[DaViD Boulet]

From what I understand, the xyx HTPC route will let you customize various "zoom" aspect ratios...giving you the ability to tailor one that slightly windowboxes 1.66:1 4x3 encoded titles while preserving all vertial picture in the 16x9 frame, for instance. Also, you could "pan" the image window up and down for a 2.35:1 4x3 encoded title (when converting to 16x9) to compensate for sub-titles placed below the letterboxing area. Can the cinematrix do that?


I'm really interested in the cinematrix option. I can't understand how they can do so much at such a reasonable cost while NO manufacturers of progressive-scan DVD players even start to come close to their features (such as scaling).


Any chance that cinematrix will one day provide analog video inputs on their upgraded players so you can scale outbaord sources via the same chip?


[This message has been edited by DaViD Boulet (edited 04-27-2001).]

 

[clehner]

Quote:

Originally posted by Frank Doorhof: Tell me something YXY can do and PSM-1 can't.

Well, I am not absolutely sure, but how about:


- Expand application window (useful in case of underscan)

- Move up/down, left/right

- Blanking part of the window (useful for open matte)


That are three important features, there may be more.


Christoph




[This message has been edited by clehner (edited 04-27-2001).]

 

[Frank Doorhof]

In THEORY.


The PSM-1 can zoom, becuase we use a digital manipulation to make LTBX to ANAMORPHIC it should also be possible to make for example a 10% more zoom function, however who would want this ???

We are doing everything in our power to make the displays as natural as possible, and than we are looking to not perfect round circles. (but again in theory it should be possible).


A "drift" function was possible at the start of the development, but there is no real use for it, in movies there is constant movement so why drifting, this is only usefull as screensaver function for static pictures.


The option with the subtitles, is according to me player related, when for example I select 16:9 display all subtitles are placed IN the movie, when selecting 4:3 the subtitles are placed BELOW the movie.


In our software there is an option for zoom, so it should be possible, but I never used it :-0.


There will be no analog input for scaling, why .......?

I also wish that would be possible, but the whole concept of the PSM-1 is for straight scaling of the MPEG-2 stream, I believe however that in the near future Cinematrix will come out with a scaler, I thought that in their new pre-amp (MYTHOS) there would be option for a scaling unit inside.

 

[clehner]

Quote:

Originally posted by Frank Doorhof: ... however who would want this ??? ... ... but there is no real use for it ...

Well, I guess I rest my case http://www.avsforum.com/ubb/rolleyes.gif


Conclusion: An HTPC gives you the best possible control over your picture whereas consumer products like the PSM-1 (provided there is acceptable customer support) may be more plug-n-play.


In the end, everybody has to decide for his/her own.


Cheers


Christoph

 

[Phat Phreddy]

Without wanting to add more to the list (I have seen a cinematrix <Thanks Frank> and it is good) but in my setup top aligning a DVD within the projectors 4:3 panel is vital to maximize screen real estate...


When I saw the Cinematrix it was v a GeForce card... How does it look v ATI ???


I dont want to go too geeky on everyone (I will reserve that for the HTPC forum http://www.avsforum.com/ubb/wink.gif ) but the DVD functions have become a subset of what I use my HTPC for... When I bought it I was certain it would be DVD playback only machine but the appeal of big screen gaming, MP3 jukebox for non critical listening, scaling of SDTV with dTV, etc has won over... I realise thats not how the question was raised but the cinematrix, well... "you cant touch this" http://www.avsforum.com/ubb/cool.gif


Also should be noted (and no offence impled at all) but Frank is a Cinematrix dealer... Frank was extreemly welcoming and brought me into his home for a long demo that was obviuosly not going to make a sale.. I had a lot of fun and questions with his setup but...


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[email protected]
HTPC without using windows... GUI Front Ends for Home Theater

 

[[email protected]]

"Even the DVD player has only 480/576p resolution, I'm serious consider retird my Radeon HTPC at 960p! For only $300, better get 1 fast! http://www.avsforum.com/ubb/smile.gif "


Maybe PSM 3 should have FLI2200:
http://www.avsforum.com/ubb/Forum4/HTML/002857.html


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bbq in Kowloon

 

[DaViD Boulet]

Frank,

Quote:

The option with the subtitles, is according to me player related, when for example I select 16:9 display all subtitles are placed IN the movie, when selecting 4:3 the subtitles are placed BELOW the movie.

I'm talking about movies that hard-code their subtitles in the lower region of the 4x3 image area (such as RAN).

Quote:

In our software there is an option for zoom, so it should be possible, but I never used it.

it would be nice to have a zoom for 1.66:1 4x3 encoded titles as well as tranditional 1.85:1 + 4x3 encoded titles.

Quote:

There will be no analog input for scaling, why .......? I also wish that would be possible, but the whole concept of the PSM-1 is for straight scaling of the MPEG-2 stream.

well...the MPEG2 decoder on my VHS deck and laserdisc player lack a 480P output option http://www.avsforum.com/ubb/wink.gif I As long as that doubling/scaling ability lived in the DVD player, why not let your other analog sources benefit? It seems to me that a decent video a/d is all that's needed.


-dave