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I have just completed a frustrating (but not at all surprising) exchange of e-mails with NEC Customer Support regarding NEC's plans to ensure that its VT-series projectors will still be able to project HDTV once 5C/DVI/HDCP arrives. In a nutshell, NEC said that they have no plans to do anything.
BUYER BEWARE! If I had to do it all over again, I would not have bought my VT-540 projector.
Here is the entire exchange of e-mails:
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You have been warned.
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Scott Gammans
The Scooterplex Cinema 1
[This message has been edited by Scott Gammans (edited 08-10-2001).]
BUYER BEWARE! If I had to do it all over again, I would not have bought my VT-540 projector.
Here is the entire exchange of e-mails:
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Date: 08/01/2001 03:38:55 PM From: Scott Gammans To: Technical Support/East/NECTECH/US Subject: vsdxxx MultiSync VT540 I would like to know NEC's plans for ensuring that my new VT-540 will still be able to display full 1080i and 720p resolutions in light of upcoming 5C/DVI/HDCP standards. --Scott Gammans |
Date: Monday, August 06, 2001 2:01 PM From: TSC VSD [mailto:[email protected]] To: [email protected] Subject: Re: vsdxxx MultiSync VT540 The VT540 specifications state that it will display 1080i and 720p and will always be able to display those [sp]reolutions. Regards, NEC VSD Tech Support |
Date: 08/06/2001 01:12:05 PM From: Scott Gammans To: TSC VSD/East/NECTECH/US Subject: RE: vsdxxx MultiSync VT540 Yes, but what will NEC do about ensuring that I can view HDTV from sources that only emit a digital 5C/DVI/HDCP signal (versus the analog HDTV signal that the VT540 currently accepts)? --Scott Gammans |
Date: Friday, August 10, 2001 8:53 AM From: TSC VSD [mailto:[email protected]] To: Scott Gammans Subject: RE: vsdxxx MultiSync VT540 What is it about the 5C/DVI/HDCP standards that worries you? Regards, NEC VSD Tech Support |
Date: 08/10/2001 09:00:28 AM From: Scott Gammans To: TSC VSD/East/NECTECH/US Subject: RE: vsdxxx MultiSync VT540 My concern is that the VT540 does not have the HDTV digital interface that will be required shortly for the copyright protection that these new standards mandate. Since HDTV set-top box manufacturers will be forced to cut off the analog HDTV signal whenever the HDTV source providers tell them to do so, I'll be forced to watch down-converted non-HDTV video, since the VT540 won't have the necessary DVI interface. While the VT540 technically is still an HDTV-capable projector, I'm afraid that I've spent $3,000 on a unit that -- because of its lack of a DVI interface -- will soon have no analog HDTV sources to project! THAT'S what I'm worried about! --Scott Gammans |
Date: Friday, August 10, 2001 2:08 PM From: TSC VSD [mailto:[email protected]] To: Scott Gammans Subject: RE: MultiSync VT540 No company can give any guarantees about changing standards in the industry. The VT540 was manufactured with specific functions and capabilities and will be able to perform within it's stated specifications. Please see the attached specification sheet for the VT440/540 projectors. Regards, NEC VSD Tech Support |
Date: 08/10/2001 02:37:23 PM From: Scott Gammans To: TSC VSD/East/NECTECH/US Subject: RE: vsdxxx MultiSync VT540 In other words, what you are saying is that NEC will not offer any kind of upgrade path (such as a DVI retrofit) to ensure that its expensive HDTV-compatible projectors will **STAY** compatible with these new anti-consumer standards. Nice. You realize, of course, that no one is going to want to buy a HDTV projector from NEC if NEC won't guarantee that it will still be able to **project** HDTV a year or two from now. Thank you for clarifying NEC's position on this subject. Your comments are being posted at http://www.avsforum.com so that potential buyers of VT-series projectors will have fair warning that their $3,000+ investment will be incompatible with HDTV come 2002 or so. If NEC cares to change its customer-unfriendly policy regarding this issue, please let me know and I will be happy to pass along this information to my fellow A/V enthusiasts. --Scott Gammans |
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Scott Gammans
The Scooterplex Cinema 1
[This message has been edited by Scott Gammans (edited 08-10-2001).]