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New h78.............

1507 Views 14 Replies 8 Participants Last post by Nedtsc, Dec 31, 2005

Nedtsc

Discussion Starter · Dec 19, 2005

I got my H78 from AVS Dave Harper with full callibration. Great service and would highly recommend him. Quite glad to have it calibrated before delivery, colors are vibrant and great blacks.

The only thing I noticed is that the projector seems to be on the dim side. I'm using 106 inch graywolf and it just won't handle any kind of indirect ambient light. The dimest light would make the image washed out. Is this your experience with this combo? What is the easiest way to measure lumens output? TIA

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Ursa

· #2 · Dec 19, 2005

If it is 106" wide, you're expectations are probably a bit on the aggressive side with a Graywolf, especially if the bulb is on low.

To measure light output, check the calibration forum. You will be spending about $150 on either an Extech or AEMC meter.

Later,

Bill

romanesq

· #3 · Dec 20, 2005

That's odd because I have the exact same setup. I had replaced another screen that was only 92" and it was not handling well the daylight hours. But when I got the Graywolf, I was thrilled I could watch baseball.

When I got the Optoma H78, it was only another improvement from the Panny AE700.

Maybe you need to switch the settings somewhat but I don't even do so with the high lamp for daytime and it's fine.

Ursa

· #4 · Dec 22, 2005

If you figure a gain of 1.8 for the Graywolf and 450 lumens, this comes out to 18ft-L on a brand new bulb on economy. That should reject a bit of ambient light, but that really depends upon where the light is coming from and how intense it is. I prefer something north of 30ftL for my ambient nightmare living room (I'm getting about 20 on my somewhat aged bulb now, and it shows).

Later,

Bill

bubbawilly

· #5 · Dec 22, 2005

I thought that the Graywolf was a negative gain surface, like .9? And, I doubt you can get 450 lumens out of the 78 calibrated in economy mode. Probably more like 300 at best (I think I recall reading that projectorreviews measured 270 from a calibrated H78).

Assuming a 106 diagonal, you are at about 8FL, which would be a bit dim in a darkened room, and would certainly not tolerate ambient light.

bubbawilly

· #6 · Dec 22, 2005

Coundn't find where I read 270 lumens for a calibrated H78, but I did see that PJ Central measured the H79 at 450 lumens. I'd still say about 300 to 350 lumens on the H78, and that leaves you under 10FL. That also assumes that the Grayhawk actually measures .9. I've read numerous reviews that find Stewart's gain values a little overstated.

Earz

· #7 · Dec 22, 2005

Quote:

Originally Posted by bubbawilly
I thought that the Graywolf was a negative gain surface, like .9? And, I doubt you can get 450 lumens out of the 78 calibrated in economy mode. Probably more like 300 at best (I think I recall reading that projectorreviews measured 270 from a calibrated H78).

Assuming a 106 diagonal, you are at about 8FL, which would be a bit dim in a darkened room, and would certainly not tolerate ambient light.

Gray Wolf is 1.8 gain retro reflective....not .9

shaneoneill

· #8 · Dec 22, 2005

This thread is on target with a ? I have too. I bought an H78 (still in the box--killing me) for a new house. PJ going in a very large media/sports combo room, no windows on media side, a few on the sports side (40 ft away). Controllable light, but i hate totally dark. I like movies, but it will be for normal watching in social settings too.

Thinking Stewart Firehawk based on discussions and recommendations from others. Anyone feel differently or have recommendations?

Regards

Shane

bubbawilly

· #9 · Dec 22, 2005

Sorry. Thinking Grayhawk.

Earz

· #10 · Dec 23, 2005

Quote:

Originally Posted by shaneoneill
This thread is on target with a ? I have too. I bought an H78 (still in the box--killing me) for a new house. PJ going in a very large media/sports combo room, no windows on media side, a few on the sports side (40 ft away). Controllable light, but i hate totally dark. I like movies, but it will be for normal watching in social settings too.

Thinking Stewart Firehawk based on discussions and recommendations from others. Anyone feel differently or have recommendations?

Regards

Shane

With the possibility of premature bulb dimming or bulb life...its hard to make a recommendation imo.

I am sure the FH would look good at first...but I would go with at least some more gain.

I use a Gray Wolf 1.8 gain when the bulb is new and after it dims quite a bit...switch to a Dalite hi power 2.8 gain with both screens being 106" pull downs that are mounted one directly in front of the other.

If you do not like watching in the dark...I would go with something like the HI power or Vutec silver star with the 78...or if you have an extra bulb on hand..may be stay with the FH.

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Nedtsc

Discussion Starter · #11 · Dec 29, 2005

Update....

I got a replacement bulb from optoma and it is now much brighter. This is on a brand new h78.

BJM

· #12 · Dec 29, 2005

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nedtsc
Update....

I got a replacement bulb from optoma and it is now much brighter. This is on a brand new h78.

That's great but now the cal Dave did for you is shot. I'm sure it's close but every bulb is different. Hopefully you didn't pay too much extra for the calibration.

The way the bulbs are frying in these projectors I sure would never pay for an ISF calibration (I actually considered it on mine but never did thank God). You wait to get past 100 or 200 hours, pay $300 to $500 for a ISF cal and then 100 to 200 hours later your bulb craps out and your looking at another $350 bulb which is brand new and completely invalidates the D65 ISF cal. How nice

Please somebody correct me if I'm wrong on this.

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Ursa

· #13 · Dec 30, 2005

You are not incorrect. Each lamp will generally need to be completely recalibrated. In some cases, it takes less time than others, but that doesn't negate the need itself. This could be one impetus to get into DIY calibration. Of course, that opens up a whole new bag of expendtiures!

Later,

Bill

guitarman

· #14 · Dec 31, 2005

As a bulb hour test I ran the NEC HT1000 and out of box had an excellent tuned grayscale, nice flatline with colorfacts test. 1200hrs later for giggles I ran the stock film mode and got the same excellent flatline with colorfacts test.

Nedtsc, you're probably in good shape. At stock the H78 needs some tuning so your balance is much better now. Other than being brighter how does the image look, colors look natural like before? Face tones etc

Nedtsc

Discussion Starter · #15 · Dec 31, 2005

Quote:

Originally Posted by guitarman
As a bulb hour test I ran the NEC HT1000 and out of box had an excellent tuned grayscale, nice flatline with colorfacts test. 1200hrs later for giggles I ran the stock film mode and got the same excellent flatline with colorfacts test.

Nedtsc, you're probably in good shape. At stock the H78 needs some tuning so your balance is much better now. Other than being brighter how does the image look, colors look natural like before? Face tones etc

Thanks Tom I'm relieved. It actually looks quite similar both in color and contrast.

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