[lillbabs]

I am currently running a Select HT200 (v 1.16) via component outputs from a Pioneer 737 (progressive scan). Projection is on a masked Screen Master 90" screen.


I absolutely love the picture it gives me, especially the deep, dark, lush reds and the (IMHO) great black levels.


However: there is always room for improvement. If I wanted to improve on the picture, what would be the next step (e.g. outboard scaler, panamorphic lens) ?


I view mainly DVD's, some regular-TV (no HDTV in Sweden) and the occasional VHS tape.

 

[Kirk]

Lillabs-


A Panamorph would improve brightness and eek out those additional 30 lines of vertical resolution lost when you view DVDs. As for TV and VHS viewing, a doubler/deinterlacer like the iScan should give you some improvement as well. I also have a Faroudja piece, the VP100 TV Enhancer, which is basically a high quality comb filter with chroma timing adjustments that I find does a great job with my lesser quality sources (ie., VHS). You can pick these up pretty cheap on Ebay ($100US). Enjoy your PJ!


Kirk

 

[uncle_miltie]

I'm using the HT-200 with a Camelot DVD and an ISCO II lens projecting onto an 84 inch width Stewart Grayhawk screen and my personal opinion is that the image is superb!! I'm projecting the image in a darkened room and am completely satisfied with this combination of components.

 

[trevorone]

Uncle


Does the ISCO reduce the "halo" or stray light around the picture ?

 

[dr1574]

Uncle M:


In your decision process, why did you go w/ an ISCO II lens vs say a panamorph or IMX930-VT lens from Cygnus?? I ask from a point of relative ignorance and just wanted some guidance. Also, what kind of pricing are we talking about?


Dr D

 

[KeithR]

the isco would not decrease light spill, but rather spill it in a 16:9 fashion making it much better with a 16:9 screen. the frame of the screen will be soaking up most of the light therefore

 

[Greg94]

What kind of price is the isco II lens at in the states ??

I just want to know the difference with respect to Europe !

 

[uncle_miltie]

To Trevorone, DR1574 and Greg94:


I went with the ISCO lens for several reasons listed below.

1. It was immediately available.

2. Alan Gouger uses this lens with his HT-200 setup and was very pleased with the performance. I respected his judgement as he has tried several combinations and ended up with what he feels is an eminently satisfactory solution both technically and economically.



The lens was approximately $1400 US.


I was not familiar with the IMX930 so didn't consider that lens for that reason and the panamorph wasn't being delivered at the time I ordered the ISCO II. The decision was an HT-250 with no lens or an HT-200 with the ISCO. The HT-250 was not being delivered in quantity when I wished to place my order and the HT-200 with an ISCO lens actually gives a few more lines of vertical resolution as you load the entire 800X600 panel and then stretch the image to fit the 16:9 screen. At a viewing distance of 9 feet and approximately 12 feet on the 84 inch width screen there is no pixelization visible.


My setup includes a Stewart Grayhawk screen with the Luxus border which is black and fairly wide and absorbs any light overflow plus the screen is in front of a heavy reddish brown drape that further absorbs stray light. There is no halo effect that I nor anyone else has observed and there is no light being reflected from the drapery material. The drapery was installed more for sound control than light control but the light control is a nice bonus. I hope this helps answer your respective questions. I'm really enjoying the Home Theater experience and very pleased with this particular setup. The Home Theater is actually in what used to be our living room but the wife likes to watch movies as well as I do, perhaps even more so and was amenable to allowing me to convert the living room into a Home Theater even though we can still entertain guests as well as watch movies but the room is definitely furnished and arranged as a Home Theater room.

 

[dr1574]

Uncle M:


What about everyday direct-tv watching? Is the HT200 compatible w/ a RCA DTC-100 HDTV DSS tuner or any HDTV DSS tuner? My HT set-up is still in planning stages. . . but the HT250 w/ the RCA unit is my goal.


Light output on the HT200 is only rated ~800 ansi lumens. Doesn't the low gain character of the Grayhawk screen (0.95 gain)sacrifice what little brightness you have?


Dr D

 

[Pete]

You may already know this, but try hitting the "auto" button every now and then. It can make a big difference, as it optimizes synch for a given source.

 

[uncle_miltie]

To DR. D


I neglected to mention that my only use for the HT-200 is watching DVD movies. For this purpose in a darkened room such as you would have in a regular theater the image brightness is totally satisfactory. I am constantly amazed at the "theater experience" that this combination of components delivers.


That said, I think the HT-250 with an outboard scaler would be a better choice if you're going to watch HDTV as well as DVD's. The more resolution you can get the better. We don't have HDTV here in St. George so I wasn't uncomfortable going with the lower resolution HT-200. Even the HT-250 might not be bright enough if there is considerable ambient light and I think you'd also want to go to a higher gain screen.

 

[lillbabs]

Kirk, Uncle Miltie:

To the best of my understanding (and please correct me if I am wrong) a panamorphic lens "expands" the compressed image so that:

- The entire 800*600 pixel area in the HT200 can be used

- The "panamorphic expansion" is done by a lens and not by recalculation in the projector.


This is all good and well, but how do I cope with material having different aspect ratios? Do I have one 2:35 lens, one 1:78 lens, etc.?

 

[Alan Gouger]

lillbabs

When using the isco or panamorph with the seleco you will use the projectors internal aspect ratio controller for you different ratios. You never need to remove the anamorphic lens.


Also I tried the Richard Gray power companies power conditioner and my picture was sharper and cleaner. It works for me. I'm sure there are other units that may give an even larger improvement but this box made a positive improvement.



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

Alan Gouger

Thanks for supporting AV Science.
www.avscience.com

 

[uncle_miltie]

lillbabs:


As Alan stated, you have just the one lens that is made to "unstretch" the image on the 800X600 panel to fill the 16:9 screen. a 1.78/1 aspect ratio movie will then fill the screen and aspect ratios greater than this such as 2.35/1 etc. will result in bars at the top and bottom of the screen. The only way around this would be to get an expensive screen with motor driven masking. I have gotten so used to just "getting into the movie" that I don't even notice the bars at all. The grayhawk screen helps in this regard as it tends to reflect less extraneous light back to the viewer. In our darkened room, the bars are not particularly noticeable until you actually start looking for them.

 

[mndavenport]

Alan,


Re he Richard Gray's (which I have in my current system and love, are you suggesting a Gray unit which the projector itself plugs into? I was going to plug whatever processor I use into a Gray unit.I'm doing some remodelling which will give me dedicated home theater (hurray!) and need to pre-wire it.

 

[larsan]

(message will follow in Swedish, sorry.


LillBabs! En mediekändis med hemmabio =) HOHO

Varför välja LillBabs? Jag måste säga att det är rätt kul...


/David

 

[Kirk]

Lillbabs-


Actually, the Panamorph vertically compresses the image from bottom to top in order to give you a 16:9 aspect ratio. The ISCO lens stretches the image horizontally to give you 16:9.


Kirk

 

[Alan Gouger]

mndavenport


I have the rack mount unit and love it. I do see a difference.


Larsan:


Please translate!


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

Alan Gouger

Thanks for supporting AV Science.
www.avscience.com

 

[larsan]

Alan,


Sorry I could not resist to have a laugh in my own tung, since LillBabs is a famous swedish 60 year old female singer. I just could not picture her on this forum that´s all. =)


Translation:


LillBabs! En mediekändis med hemmabio =) HOHO

-- LillBabs! A celebrity with a HT =) HOHO

Varför välja LillBabs? Jag måste säga att det är rätt kul...

-- Why choose LillBabs? I must say I find it quite amusing...



/David

 

[lillbabs]

Larsan,


I have used the "Lillbabs" handle for about 7-8 years now, and this is actually the first time that anyone has made any comments about it. http://www.avsforum.com/ubb/smile.gif


Just hope she doesn't take any legal action.... http://www.avsforum.com/ubb/smile.gif