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Budget 2.35:1 setup HELP ! ?

2713 Views 34 Replies 13 Participants Last post by CAVX, May 24, 2007

TravisP

Discussion Starter · May 17, 2007

What is the least expansive way to have a 2.35:1 CIH setup with a 2.35:1 screen not a 16:9 screen ?

I currently own a Mitsubishi HD1000U projector, but it does not do the needed vertical stretch for a CIH setup.

So I was thinking about buying a external scaler, and a affordable Anamorphic lens.

What affordable scalers and lenses are out there ?

Everything I have seen has been in the $1,500 and up prices.

My projector is a 720p HD projector with HDMI and I wouldlike to be able to use the HDMI and Component connections in this kind of setup.

Can you tell me some affordable brands and models that will work good for a affordable price ?

Any information and suggestions are welcomed and greatly appreciated.

Thank You

Travis

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1 - 20 of 35 Posts

McCall

· #2 · May 17, 2007

The cheapest way is simply zooming the picture to fit the 2.35:1 screen thereby zooming the black bars off the screen as long as you have a black wall behind your screen this works, assuming your projector will zoom that much.

beyond that some DVD players do the vertical stretch for your movies and then you just need the lens, which one depends on your projector and what you are looking to do.

howburger

· #3 · May 18, 2007

When I finished my theater about 5 months ago I was looking for an inexpensive entry into CIH. Besides building a DIY screen, I found a used Panamorph P752 vertical compression lens for $275 on Videogon.com. There were more (P752's)out there on the used market. I'm sure it's not as good as the other newer and more expensive lenses, but it got me 90+% there with a fraction of the expense. When I upgrade projectors I most likely will also upgrade lenses.

Harold

TravisP

Discussion Starter · #4 · May 18, 2007

Cool !

I'm not much on zooming the image manually just to fill the screen, I want to do it properly.

Any idea on what HD DVD players do the vertical stretch so I don't have to buy a external scaler ?

I was planning on buying the Toshiba XA2 but I'm not sure it does the vertical stretch.

I wil keep my eye open on videogon for a lens.

Thanks

Travis

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CAVX

· #5 · May 18, 2007

Quote:
Any idea on what HD DVD players do the vertical stretch so I don't have to buy a external scaler ?

I don't think any of them do...

Mark

acegamer

· #6 · May 18, 2007

Quote:
Originally Posted by TravisP /forum/post/0

Cool !

I'm not much on zooming the image manually just to fill the screen, I want to do it properly.

Any idea on what HD DVD players do the vertical stretch so I don't have to buy a external scaler ?

I was planning on buying the Toshiba XA2 but I'm not sure it does the vertical stretch.

I wil keep my eye open on videogon for a lens.

Thanks

Travis

None of them do, but check out the thread on "the least expensive scaler for CIH" and read up on the Key Digital unit. It is a discontinued unit but there were still units available last week and it is only $600. The only caveat is that it cannot accept a 1080p signal, but you don't need that since you have a 720p projector anyway. It would be perfect for your situation.

Read the first hand accounts from EBR in the thread: Key Digital unit impression

McCall

· #7 · May 18, 2007

As stated you have a 720 projector, so you can use a Samsung DVD player models HD 860,

HD 870, and HD 960 which are upconverting and also do the proper scaling and can be had pretty cheaply

acegamer

· #8 · May 18, 2007

Quote:
Originally Posted by McCall /forum/post/0

As stated you have a 720 projector, so you can use a Samsung DVD player models HD 860,

HD 870, and HD 960 which are upconverting and also do the proper scaling and can be had pretty cheaply

That's true, but if he wants to start buying high def dvd media then he will need to go the scaler route. Upconverted dvd looks good, but it is not in the same league as true high definition media.

TravisP

Discussion Starter · #9 · May 18, 2007

Thanks for the input.

I'm checking out all of these items.

How do you figure out what kind of lens you need ?

example "VC or VE" ?

This is the part that I'm still trying to learn about, how do you know what lens is compatible with your particular projector ?

Thanks

Travis

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CAVX

· #10 · May 19, 2007

It will depend on how much throw you have. A VC works really well when you have to mount the projector right back and can not zoom down any, so effectively increases the throw. A HE lens does the opposite, so is useful when a short throw is required.

The only other pro to a HE is that if your moving the lens for 16:9, the height does not change, hence a true CIH...

Mark

rombullterrier

· #11 · May 19, 2007

Hey, what time is it in Aussieland?

CAVX

· #12 · May 19, 2007

Right now it is 10:45am...

Mark

TravisP

Discussion Starter · #13 · May 19, 2007

2

Quote:
Originally Posted by CAVX /forum/post/0

It will depend on how much throw you have. A VC works really well when you have to mount the projector right back and can not zoom down any, so effectively increases the throw. A HE lens does the opposite, so is useful when a short throw is required.

The only other pro to a HE is that if your moving the lens for 16:9, the height does not change, hence a true CIH...

Mark

Mark

I appreciate all your time in answering all my questions here and on the other forum.

I want this kind of setup so darn bad that I think about it 24-7.

So I'm constantly reading, asking questions, sending PM's etc....

Its a hunger that needs to be filled fi you know what I mean.

LOL ! I went to my retail store yesterday and when I meantioned tot he sales guy "CIH, 2.35:1 they just stood there with this blank look on their faces not even remotely knowing what I was talking about.

I thought that was funny.

I'm looking at a couple of scalers on videogon for farely cheap prices, so wish me luck.

I see that the DVDO VP30 and the VP50 have HDMI in and out, the VP20 also has HDMI in and out and says "Precision Video Scaling IIT

10-bit Scaling with Enhanced Sharpness Control" in the features section.

Assuming that means possibly "Vertical Strestch" option, I Hope.

You can order the VP20, VP30, and the VP50 direct from Anchor Bay and they also have B-Stock for $300 less.

I would hope that the VP20 does everything that is required for CIH like the VP30 and VP50 does. the VP20 being the cheapest of their line for $1,199 B-Stock.

Here are the specs. and features of the VP20
http://www.anchorbaytech.com/products/systems/vp20.php

Thanks

Travis

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rombullterrier

· #14 · May 20, 2007

It's just a thought but if you are trying to save $ the AX100 has very good built in scaling capability for HD over HDMI, which would save you from having to buy a scaler. It would free up more cash for a great lens and screen. You could always upgrade the pj and buy an outboard scaler later.

TravisP

Discussion Starter · #15 · May 20, 2007

Quote:
Originally Posted by rombullterrier /forum/post/0

It's just a thought but if you are trying to save $ the AX100 has very good built in scaling capability for HD over HDMI, which would save you from having to buy a scaler. It would free up more cash for a great lens and screen. You could always upgrade the pj and buy an outboard scaler later.

Thanks for the thought, but I already have a projector, that I baught just 3 months ago.

This 2.35:1 idea was a after thought.

I don't want to have to get another projector.

although, I'm woundering if my projector will be bright enough for a 2.35:1 setup.

I want to go pretty wide for a screen, "11' to 12' wide" for example.

So I'm looking at different scalers.

here are the specs for my projector.

Specifications

ANSI lumens: 1500

Contrast (full on/off): 2500:1

Light Engine: 1280x720, native 16:9, 0.6" single-chip DLP, with a 7 segment 4x rotation speed color wheel and a 200W lamp.

Video Compatibility: 1080i, 720p, 576p, 576i, 480p. NTSC/PAL/SECAM.

Data Compatibility: Computer resolutions up to SXGA

Connection Panel: One HDMI port, one 15-pin VGA port, one set of YPbPr component inputs, one s-video input, one composite video input, one 12V trigger, one serial port, and one USB port.

Lens and Throw Distance: 1.20:1 manual zoom/focus lens. Throws a 100" diagonal 16:9 image from 11.9' to 14.5'

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MAZMAN808

· #16 · May 20, 2007

hmm, so the hd1000u doesnt do vertical stretch?

I wonder if my hd70 does? if not, im in trouble as well!!!

I was told, to find out if it does vertical stretch, to click one of the buttons, wich is native or letterbox(cant remember) and the image will be skinner and stretched vertically(skinny and tall).. and this is what i see when i press one of those buttons.

I hope i dont need no scaler, that would put me completely off, due to $$$

unless a dvd player can be bought cheap that does it?

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Tony S

· #17 · May 20, 2007

Hi Travis.

Please check the sticky at the Video Processors forum.

AVS is offering the VP30 and VP50 for reduced prices. Looks like a pretty good deal. I've found AVS and Jason Turk in particular, to be excellant to do business with.

Good luck.

Tony

acegamer

· #18 · May 20, 2007

Quote:
Originally Posted by TravisP /forum/post/0

...

I would hope that the VP20 does everything that is required for CIH like the VP30 and VP50 does. the VP20 being the cheapest of their line for $1,199 B-Stock.

Here are the specs. and features of the VP20
http://www.anchorbaytech.com/products/systems/vp20.php

Thanks

Travis

Travis, any reason why you aren't considering the Key Digital unit that I mentioned earlier as one of your scaler options? It is the cheapest way to do what you are trying to do right now as long as you are already happy with the quality of picture your projector is currently puting out.

CAVX

· #19 · May 20, 2007

Quote:
Originally Posted by TravisP /forum/post/0

Mark

I appreciate all your time in answering all my questions here and on the other forum.

Your more than welcome Travis

Mark

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[email protected]

· #20 · May 20, 2007

Quote:
Originally Posted by MAZMAN808 /forum/post/0

hmm, so the hd1000u doesnt do vertical stretch?

I wonder if my hd70 does? if not, im in trouble as well!!!

I was told, to find out if it does vertical stretch, to click one of the buttons, wich is native or letterbox(cant remember) and the image will be skinner and stretched vertically(skinny and tall).. and this is what i see when i press one of those buttons.

I hope i dont need no scaler, that would put me completely off, due to $$$

unless a dvd player can be bought cheap that does it?

I also have the Hd 70 with the Prismasonic HFE 700. You don't need a scaler. The hd70 does the vertical stretch on all inputs. Hit the LBX button.

Greetz Brian

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