There was a bit of a thread about this, but I am so excited about this I had to start my own.
I have (like many) an LT150 and (like many) a Panasonic RP91 DVD player and (like a few) a Panamorph. I have been disappointed about the PQ of DVDs from the DVD player versus what they look like from a PC. Night and day, IMHO. I have built a number of computers in my time, but the thought of that added layer of inconvenience in my HT setup doesn't appeal to me. Wading through the software player issues and registry hacks over at the HTPC board is enough to make me crazy. I'm not a gamer either, so the PC would be for movies only.
There was a Widescreen Review (Aug. 2001) review of a Sony 7700 player with a MSB Technology modification that allowed switchable resolution from 480p to 1200p. Cool I thought. A call to MSB told me two things: only Sony and Toshiba players; and the mod was now $1295 instead of $895. Then this month's WSR came....
Cinematrix ( www.cinematrix.de ) MAKES the boards that MSB uses, BUT Cinematrix does the installs for almost ALL DVD players. The RP91 included. I spoke with Thomas at their California office, and he was extremely helpful. Not only that, but they are maintaining the $895 price. That's what I would have spent for a HTPC, but now I will have SIMPLICITY.
The output capabilities and format flexibility are amazing. For those with the Sharp 9000, the 720p mode of the board matches the HDTV standards (SMTE?), so you get NATIVE panel resolution. And for us LT150 owners, we can have...1,024x768. Further, they fully support 16x9 or 4:3 output at any resolution with full internal scaling. This means that there is internal scaling to get those 4:3 letterboxed movies (like Titanic) scaled up to 'appear' anamorphic at whatever output resolution you have selected. This means that the Panamorph can stay in place at all times with the LT150 (or any 4:3 PJ).
The outputs on the back are 5 BNC connectors, but there are jumpers on the board that switch between RGBHV, RGBS, or RGB sync. on green. I am hoping that the LT150 takes RGB sync. on green so I can maintain my component video switching through my preamp. Anybody know or do I have to get out my manual?
My mod date is scheduled for about 3 weeks from now (they are full 'till then). I'll post again about this when the mod is done. Better get in line soon!!
- Dieter
I have (like many) an LT150 and (like many) a Panasonic RP91 DVD player and (like a few) a Panamorph. I have been disappointed about the PQ of DVDs from the DVD player versus what they look like from a PC. Night and day, IMHO. I have built a number of computers in my time, but the thought of that added layer of inconvenience in my HT setup doesn't appeal to me. Wading through the software player issues and registry hacks over at the HTPC board is enough to make me crazy. I'm not a gamer either, so the PC would be for movies only.
There was a Widescreen Review (Aug. 2001) review of a Sony 7700 player with a MSB Technology modification that allowed switchable resolution from 480p to 1200p. Cool I thought. A call to MSB told me two things: only Sony and Toshiba players; and the mod was now $1295 instead of $895. Then this month's WSR came....
Cinematrix ( www.cinematrix.de ) MAKES the boards that MSB uses, BUT Cinematrix does the installs for almost ALL DVD players. The RP91 included. I spoke with Thomas at their California office, and he was extremely helpful. Not only that, but they are maintaining the $895 price. That's what I would have spent for a HTPC, but now I will have SIMPLICITY.
The output capabilities and format flexibility are amazing. For those with the Sharp 9000, the 720p mode of the board matches the HDTV standards (SMTE?), so you get NATIVE panel resolution. And for us LT150 owners, we can have...1,024x768. Further, they fully support 16x9 or 4:3 output at any resolution with full internal scaling. This means that there is internal scaling to get those 4:3 letterboxed movies (like Titanic) scaled up to 'appear' anamorphic at whatever output resolution you have selected. This means that the Panamorph can stay in place at all times with the LT150 (or any 4:3 PJ).
The outputs on the back are 5 BNC connectors, but there are jumpers on the board that switch between RGBHV, RGBS, or RGB sync. on green. I am hoping that the LT150 takes RGB sync. on green so I can maintain my component video switching through my preamp. Anybody know or do I have to get out my manual?
My mod date is scheduled for about 3 weeks from now (they are full 'till then). I'll post again about this when the mod is done. Better get in line soon!!
- Dieter
