[PlasmicMike]




So I'm in the middle of trying to figure out what to get for a projector. I'm not looking for suggestions here (of course all are welcome) but I have a question on rainbows.


To see if I was / am suceptable to the DLP rainbow phenomena I borrowed a PJ from work. I think it is an HP XB31. I'm not 100% sure on the model number, but I know it is DLP. I hooked a laptop up to it and watched the intro to some movie about Virginia Wolf.


As the movie started I thought I saw some color flicker in the upper corner. But then a part came in where a the camera was panning and a fence was at the bottom. It started ok, but then the whole thing became a giant rainbow. I thought the rainbow thing was just supposed to be little trailing rainbows like an acid trip, but this was exceptionally disturbing.


As I continued to watch they kept popping up and were more than just irritating. To my surprise, the guy I was watching it with didn't see anything until I pointed them out and told him to move his eyes.


Ok, so here's the question. Was this a valid test for rainbows? If this was what my PJ experience was going to be, I'd rather stick with my 32" crt. Obviously, the source (an AVI file from a laptop) was far less than ideal - but it was all I could work with.


I'd hate to cut out DLP from my search entirely - obviously I'm not posting this in the 5k+ forum for a reason. I have seen about 30 seconds on a 10k DLP projector and didn't see anything (no clue what it was, it was about 6 months ago while traveling to Seattle and the price was too high for me to even care).


Yes, if I could find a place local I'd go out and demo, but the only stores I know of in the Boston area sell extremely high end equipment.


Thanks,

Mike

 

[Jackman11]

get an lcd.

 

[kbdog]

For all but the very rich, the purchase of a projector is a compromise between the features, liabilities and price. You need to buy a pj that will allow you to be totally absorbed in a movie or HDTV.

The previous post has summed it up succinctly. If you have a heightened awareness of rainbows, you will see them everywhere and your enjoyment will be ruined.

 

[xvader]

If you have a heightened awareness to screendoor or grey blacks avoid LCD.

 

[PlasmicMike]

Thanks - this sounds good, kind of what I was thinking. I have definitely come to understand there will have to be some compromises made, but I also know that (within reason) I'll be really impressed seeing a huge picture several feet in front of me.


Now to continue narrowing down my list of acceptable LCD projectors. When I get it down to two or three, I'll probably ask for some suggestions. Or maybe I"ll just crack from continuely reading this forum and the next post you'll read is my review of my new toy.


Many thanks for the responces.


Mike

 

[maxleung]

Your test was fine. I see them everywhere too. I can see them on a 4x color wheel projector (the HT1000) in many scenes, but I find them harder to see on a Sharp XV-Z90U (5x wheel).

 

[jacksonian]

Quote:

Originally posted by xvader If you have a heightened awareness to screendoor or grey blacks avoid LCD.

I disagree. There are many great LCD pjs with virtually no screendoor and blacks that are quite acceptable. Unless you're a "blackophile", then you should definitely go with DLP and enjoy the rainbows on the deep black background. It provides for stunning contrast.