[Andrew P]

Im looking at various projectors such as the Lt150, but im not sure if there is a major difference between one being 4*3 or 16*9. Can anyone share the major differences?


Thanks,

Andy

 

[Morbius]

Andy,


The difference is in the native shape of the image.


A 4:3 projector has a shape which is 4 units wide and

3 units tall - the "unit" depending on the size of the

image. We're not talking size but aspect ratio.


A 4:3 projector has an image that is shaped like the

image on a TV. However, a 16:9 projector has an image

that is shaped more like widescreen movies, or HDTV.


You should decide what type of material you are going to

be watching the most of, and buy accordingly.


Also be aware that there are lenses like the Panamorph or

the ISCO that will effectively convert a 4:3 projector into

a 16:9 projector.


Either way - you can always display a 16:9 image on a 4:3

image - it is letterboxed - like showing widescreen movies

on a 4:3 direct view TV. There are black bars at top and

bottom - which are pixels that are off.


If you don't mind the black bars - and the fact that you

aren't using some of your projector's luminosity and

resolution - then it doesn't matter what you get.


Greg

 

[Andrew P]

I think id rather have the 16*9 capable projector since 100% of my material will be dvd viewings. Are there any below $5,000 that are really good??

Andy

 

[Jason Turk]

There are acutually only a handful of 16:9 units available right now, but they are becoming more and more common. Until recently, the only way to find a 16:9 native panel (on a digital projector) was to get an LCD. They just recently started coming out with 16:9 DLP units. Cedia is supposed to have several of them for show this September. I wouldn't eliminate 4:3 units altogether, though. As Greg said, you can add on an anamorphic lens which will effectively turn a 4:3 unit into a 16:9 unit. In many cases, this will be superior performance to 16:9 units. Mainly because the 16:9 units are still being perfected and do have some inherent flaws.


Thanks!


------------------

Jason Turk

AV Science, Inc.
http://www.avscience.com

716-454-1460 ext.204

[email protected]