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Should I buy a XGA projector or "SVGA + anamorphic len"? Please help me decide.

279 Views 5 Replies 3 Participants Last post by Jason Turk, Apr 21, 2001

shihtzu000

Discussion Starter · Apr 20, 2001

I was thinking about buying a LP350($4k). But after I read a lot of posts on this board, I found myself another option, that is a LP340($2.9k) + either an ISCO or Panamorph len. My question is: Which image will look better, for about the same amount of cost? I will be watching DVD 95% of the time. My understanding is the anamorphic len will make screen door effect less visible(will this even make a lower priced LCD SVGA attractive??), and increase SVGA projectors' vertical lines when watching 16:9 material. My calculation as follow:

XGA without anamorphic len: (1024*16/9) = 576 horizontal lines

SVGA with anamorphic len: 600 horizontal lines.

Vertically, XGA projectors still have an advantage of 1024 vs. 800.

I know some of you may ask me "how about a XGA projector + anamorphic len?" well, I have a very limited budget to work with. And I think it's an interesting question of which system will look better.

I have never seen an anamorphic len myself(can someone post a picture of the len?), so I don't know what other effect(good and bad) the len will bring. Anyone with experiences please help me out, cause I need to make a buying decision soon. Your opinion are greatly appreciated.

- Isaac

[This message has been edited by shihtzu000 (edited 04-20-2001).]

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Jason Turk

· #2 · Apr 20, 2001

Though it is true that an 800x600 unit with a anamorphic lens will yield a higher resolution picture than an XGA without a lens, you also have to consider the "extra work factor". These 2 units you are considering are not HT projectors, but rather presentation units. The potential problem with that is if you are planning to use 4:3 at all (ie. sporting events and such), you would have to keep removing the anamorphic lens out of the way. On a HT projector, you can do internal setups to work with the lens in front of the projector at all times. Just something to consider.

Thanks!

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

Jason Turk

AV Science, Inc.
http://www.avscience.com

716-454-1460

[email protected]

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shihtzu000

Discussion Starter · #3 · Apr 20, 2001

Thanks for your reply, Jason.

It's good to know there is a difference between HT projectors and presentation units when using anamorphic lens. But I am still confused about how a HT projector can switch between 16:9 and 4:3 without removing the len. I guess the problem I have is I have never seen a len, and all my limited knowledge of the lens are from the reading on this board. The local AV stores I went don't carry the Cygnus Panamorph or ISCO lens.

Another question: Which "HT" projector is around my $3k - $4k range, if there's any? I prefer DLP cause luckily I don't see rainbow myself, and pixalation is my major complain when I watch a FP image.

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DanHouck

· #4 · Apr 20, 2001

However, Jason, correct me if I am wrong, you can also provide this capability by feeding the unit with an HTPC? Like one of those beauties from AVS?? http://www.avsforum.com/ubb/smile.gif

Issac, just make darn sure you are not sensitive to rainbow artifact and neither are the other family or friends you expect to be watching with. These presentation projectors are based on last generation technology and have rainbow up the wazoo!

Dan

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shihtzu000

Discussion Starter · #5 · Apr 20, 2001

Dan, I have watched DVDs with my friend's Proxima DX3 and tried everything I could to see the rainbow, like moving head back and forth, scrolling eyeballs left and right. I just didn't see the rainbow artifact. Only when I used a white pencil moving across I could see a slight trace of colors. He uses his homemade HTPC (1GHz T-Bird, Elsa GeForce2 MX) through the VGA cable(not DVI). The result was amazing! Since his DX3 (costed him $5k) is out of my price range, and I have read rave reviews about LP340/350, I am interested in getting one of these, probably refurbished or demo to cut the cost further. Also I am considering LT84/LT140. I will be real happy to see the same result at my home(I have 2 PCs at home that I can use as HTPC, all I need is a nice sound card). A real HT projectors, like Jason mentioned, are beyond my price range.

Back to my original, has anyone done any comparison between XGA and SVGA+len? How do they compare as far as the overall image quality? I am really curious about this. I will be using a 92x52 screen, considering it's pretty big, do i really need a XGA? I don't know how SVGA looks on this size of screen, with or without the an anamorphic len.

-Isaac

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Jason Turk

· #6 · Apr 21, 2001

Unfortuantely, there aren't a lot of HT projectors in that price range. I just wanted to let you know of the limitations when it comes to an anamorphic lens with a presentation unit. The reason that HT units work with the anamorphic lens is that an HT unit can have various inputs setup for the differnet ratios, thus allowing the anamorphic lens to stay in place. A presentation based projector doesn't have that capability.

Thanks!

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

Jason Turk

AV Science, Inc.
http://www.avscience.com

716-454-1460

[email protected]

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