[rbhargan]

Hi,


I am spec'ing out a new home theatre system, and have just about settled on either the Sharp 9000 or Seleco HT300. From what I have read over the last few months, it seems that both systems come with what are generally regarded as very good deinterlacers. If that is the case, is there any real advantage to using a higher end DVD player, or are you better off simply feeding an interlaced signal to the projector?


I had been looking at the Denon 3800 (I know - it has the chroma bug) or similarly priced, higher end players, but I really don't know if it is worth the expense. I was curious what the experience of owners of the 9000 and/or HT3000 has been - do you notice a significant improvement in video quality when you feed the projector a progressive signal? If so, what DVD players are you using? I am not interested in external scalars, since they are way out of my budget range. Initially I will only be watching DVD's on the projector, but will probably add OTA HDTV at a later date.


For the last few months I have been lurking on this forum trying to learn more about HT. When I started, I knew nothing about HT, and now, after months of reading, I have come to understand how little there is that I know.


Thanks!

 

[Paul Hayward]

Hi rbhargen,


I think the general wisdom is that you get the best from the Sharp Z9000 when used with a progressive signal. Whereas, with the HT300 and the Marantz, the best signal is provided by your good old vanilla interlaced signal. I've only used one DVD player with the HT300 and that is the rather basic Pioneer 717. You may well get a better picture using more expensive DVD's but I doubt that the difference is worth the extra $$$. My image is just stunning and wild horses would get me to change my 'bog standard' DVD player. Good luck with your choice,


Best Wishes,


Paul H

 

[d4lions]

Panny RP-56


Best Bang for your buck DVD player on the market.. Cant loose with this one... and if you dont like it... you will have plenty of cash to get something else

 

[jkscherk]

The new Denon 3800 uses the Silicon Images Sil504 chipset and is supposed to eliminated the chroma bug found on earlier Denon models. This is the same chipset used in the new Focus Enhancements CS-1 processor/scaler which is getting a lot of press….especially on this site. If you go with the Sharp, I’d lean toward that player. If you like the Seleco, I’d probably use a really good interlaced player. I use an iScan Pro (which uses the Sil503 chipset) coupled with a Panasonic H1000 player (no chroma bug.) Even though it has progressive scan output, I use the interlaced outputs. The results are quite good, although when I recover from the cost of just completing my new theater, I’ll probably upgrade to the CS-1 processor to get the newer Si504 chipset. Regardless, either of your choices are good ones.

 

[rbhargan]

Thanks for the feedback.


Sounds like I would be better off sticking with a less expensive DVD player and put the money saved towards the Seleco HT300.


Now, I just have to get the basement finished ...

 

[Martin Butler]

It seems to me that if you spend say.. $11,000 on a pj, $1,500 on a screen, you shouldn't skimp on your DVD player. I think you WILL see a difference between mid price and high priced models, so pop for the best DVD player you can afford. The Sony 9000ES has a superb picture ( near reference) and can be had at a reasonable price at various internet sites. Good luck.

 

[Cain]

Hi rb,


You are correct that Denon has now admitted that the 3800 does have the Chroma Bug, and remember that will also show up on interlaced stuff as well. That ruled it out for me as well.


The fellow who said the RP56 is correct, but the RP91 has an even better picture and adds digital coax output for your audio, which some prefer. The Panasonic players are far and away the best bang for the buck these days.


I own a Seleco HT300. Love it, and presently use an interlaced input. I need to fiddle with the progressive input, but have not had a chance.


Good luck, have fun!!


-- Cain

 

[d4lions]

Cain is right, and the RP91 will do DVD audio, but it is 2x more expensive (give or take)


if interlaced is your issue....


you can always get an RP56 or RP91 with SDI out, to a KD leeza or vigatec..



The earlier Seleco had some issue with the Faroudja chips that were in them, but they have seemed to straighten that out now as far as I can tell


You cant go wrong with either player, and the difference between the 91 and 56 is not that much...


I have installed several of both... either is a good choice..


-a-

 

[rbhargan]

I suppose what I am really interested in hearing is the experience of HT300 and Sharp 9000 owners - have you found that feeding the projectors interlaced signals is better/equal/worse than feeding in progresive signals, and if so, what DVD player are you using? What I am hearing is that the HT300 has a better deinterlacer and should be fed an interlaced signal, while the Sharp can benefit from a good progressive signal. (Thanks Cain!).


I am not trying to find the "perfect" combination of DVD player to projector - that is too subjective and after a certain point falls into the "how many angels can fit on the head of a pin" argument. I am just trying to get a feel from Seleco and Sharp owners what their experiences have been regarding feeds from various DVD players.


I have heard very good things about the Pannies and they seem to give very good performance for their price range (and certainly have a loyaly following). There is an inclination to go with a higher end DVD player on general principal, but if I am only going to run interlaced video out from it, what is the point of paying for a deinterlacer that I will never use?


Audio is another matter, and I have not explored that as much as I should. Since I plan on using a digital audio connection to a Denon 4802, is there anyting I should take into account there? Sorry if the thread is starting to venture more into DVD/receiver areas.

 

[keithsimp]

I am using a Denon 4800 DVD player to feed my HT300. I use it in interlaced mode, becuase I prefer that picture. I think the Faroujda chips in the HT300 do a much better job than the progressive out on the DVD player. IMHO you do not need a progressive scan DVD player, but I'm sure others will have different opinions on this subject.

Any other HT300 owners feeding de-interlaced signals to the HT300 need to speak up........

 

[keithsimp]

BTW, I am also using the Denon 4802 and I have no lip sync issues with the HT300, the Seleco Remote Interface and 4802 combo.

 

[rbhargan]

Thanks Keith - appreciate the info.


Any other Seleco owners want to add their experiences?

 

[Cain]

Take a good look at the messages on this board. You will find that all of the Seleco HT300 users are thrilled out of their monds with their projector, while many of the Marantz and Sharp owners are unhappy with theirs.


The Seleco HT300 is currently the top of the heap of digital projectors, it is one of the most expensive, but it was worth it for me at least.


Be sure to go and audition the projectors yourself, and remember the screen choice is also a huge factor in the quality of the image you will see.


Take care,


- Cain

 

[Spizz]

Quote:

The Seleco HT300 is currently the top of the heap of digital projectors

If money wasn't a factor and this projector is released instead of being vapourware then currently I would place the Barco new Cineversum with its switching box as top of the heap in native 16:9 DLPs. That is until the new HD2 projectors appear year end? then the gauntlet may be passed but that is the nature of HT.

Quote:

Be sure to go and audition the projectors yourself, and remember the screen choice is also a huge factor in the quality of the image you will see.

Excellent point that's why I would also suggest you check out the Marantz VP-12S1 before deciding on either the Sharp or Seleco.


Spero D.

 

[rbhargan]

I have seen the Sharp 9000, and was quite impressed with the picture. After reading the forum for a couple of months, I saw that some people were having some problems with the Sharp - most notably lip synch issues. I did not notice this in the demo I saw, but I do not know how the feed was being sent to the projector and the speakers.


The 12S1 caught my attention, but it sounds like they are having some annoying flicker problems. I believe Dan Miller from Marantz just did a post that indicated that they thought they might be narrowing down the cause (I am guessing it is a bulb problem), but I crossed the Marantz off the list until it is resolved.


The Dwin Transvision II looks like it might be interesting, but it is not yet out.


The Seleco HT300 was out of my price range (I thought), but I have found that I can get it for a price that will not break the budget (thanks Jason!). Also, as Cain pointed out, a search of the forum finds Sharp and Marantz users who are less than thrilled, while finding an unhappy Seleco buyer is rare (or do they have a roving hit squad to take care of unhappy customers?)


I still want to see the Seleco first hand before committing (and probably the Marantz). Expect I will be getting a Stewart screen, but I have not done any research in that area yet.


Of course, if my basement remodeling drags out too long, I might have to get an HD2 system


Thanks for the feedback - it is much appreciated!

 

[Paul Hayward]

Hi Richard,


About a month ago, I spoke to a dealer who had compared progressive with interlace on the HT300 using one of the newer Denon DVD players. He fed both progressive and interlace NTSC signals from a variety of discs including Toy Story and the Matrix among others. He felt that interlace was superior in most instances. The only way to really tell would be to see for yourself and compare if the demonstrator will let you. Good luck,


Regards,


Paul H

 

[rbhargan]

Thanks for the info Paul.


No doubt the best way to decide is to demo the exact system one wants to purchase. Unfortunately that is not always possible. I will be going out this weekend to look at the Seleco, Sharp and hopefully the Marantz (mostly out of curiosity). Will see if I can get a demo of interlaced vs progressive feeds into the projectors.


Thanks to all who contributed to this thread.

 

[Cain]

"..Also, as Cain pointed out, a search of the forum finds Sharp and Marantz users who are less than thrilled, while finding an unhappy Seleco buyer is rare (or do they have a roving hit squad to take care of unhappy customers?) .."


One guy bitched about the HT300 but Paul and I dropped by his house late one night, now he is afraid to post..





Seriously, I think all of these HD1 projectors have their strong points. But the Seleco HT300 with that last software upgrade got to be as bright as the Sharp, and formerly the HT300 was pretty dim. As I said earlier the HT300 is currently the top of the heap for digital projectors, and you can find it at prices that will surprise you (pleasantly).


I seriously doubt you will see much, if any difference with a HD2 projector.


The jump these DLPs made from last year to this year was the largest one they will take for the forseeable future:


16:9 1280x720 native panel

5X Color Wheel

1000:1 Contrast Ratio


Those are HUGE improvements over last year's DLPs.


Best wishes!!


-- Cain

 

[rbhargan]

I think I will be pretty happy with the HT300, the only thing that leaves me a little bothered is that I would rather have a native 16:9 capable of 1080p with DVI for

Of course, like computers, there is always something much better just over the horizon. If you postpone buying in till the technology "peaks", you will find yourself sitting in front of your 27" RCA while you type letters on your Olivetti.

 

[Cain]

I agree..