The Seleco HT200DM is a “dual mode†projector that runs in either 848 x 480 (optimized for DVD playback) or 800 x 600. We’ve heard from several posts here that it does a great job right out of the box with a progressive DVD player, using the 848 x 480 mode. I just ordered one, and I’m planning on using it with a 16:9 screen.
Our main use of the projector will be for DVD movies, but we’d like to watch some satellite TV and VHS tape movies on the big screen if the quality isn’t too objectionable. If it is, we can just watch NTSC video on a 27†tube in the same room. I’m new at this high-end video stuff, and I’m having some trouble understanding how this dual-mode projector works with 480i/4:3 source video. I'm also trying to figure out whether or not an outboard doubler/scaler would be useful. Maybe some folks here who have played with the HT200DM can help me understand this:
1) If I've been watching a DVD movie in 848 x 480 on the 16:9 screen, what happens when I want to watch something off satellite TV or VHS tape (feeding the projector through the S-video input, and presumably using the built-in line doubler)? Do I keep the projector in 848 x 480 mode, and the 4:3 video is shown in black bars?
2) If that’s the preferred way to view NTSC video with this projector, then should I consider adding a basic outboard line doubler like the iScan Pro, which might do a better job than the projector’s built-in doubler?
3) Or, will NTSC look better on this projector if I use the 800 x 600 mode? Wouldn’t that throw the extra 120 lines off the top and bottom of the 16:9 screen, if I’ve been previously using the 848 x 480 mode? I’d rather not have to deal with zooming the lens to resize the image, unless this is some kind of automatic operation.
4) If 800 x 600 is the preferred way to view NTSC/4:3 video on this projector, then should I consider an outboard scaler (maybe a CI or Quadscan), which might do a better job than the projector’s built-in scaler?
I plan to try the new projector with no additional processing after it arrives, to see how well it does with NTSC video. I’m just curious about how this works. Has anyone seen the projector running an NTSC source, and had a chance to A/B the projector’s scaler vs. an outboard scaler… preferably an inexpensive one (<= $2000)? I know it probably looks great with something like a Faroudja NR. But since the projector is optimized for DVD playback and I’m feeding it from a Panasonic RP91 player, I’d only be buying an outboard scaler to clean up satellite TV and old VHS tapes. I don’t want to spend a fortune for that application.
Thanks!
