[GanChan]

I have inherited an old LCD projector (NEC MT 800) which is 800x600 native, with upconversion to 1024x768 (supposedly).


What kind of standalone DVD player should I pair with it? I currently own a Panasonic RV32 and a Toshiba SD2800, but both of these are interlaced players. Do I need progressive, and if so, what's a good cheap progressive model for this projector?

 

[Huey]

HTPC with Radeon (or newer Nvidia) graphics card outputting at SVGA will do best with your PJ. Older PJ may not accept 480i or 480p component. Svideo and composite is 480i only. Thus, depends on your PJ's ability to process the input, we can't recommend a good player for you. For 480i, your Panny RV32 will be as good as any. For example my old Sony LCD CX-1 only accepts 480i component using VGA->3RCA breakout cable, 480i Svideo, and 480i composite. Most digital PJ will look best if your PC does the DVD playback in its native resolution bypassing its internal scaler/dinterlacer. Check out HTPC forum for more ideas. Another alternative is buy a $100 VB50HRTV scaler to convert your 480i Svideo into SVGA RGB signal for your PJ. These external scalers will beat your PJ internal video processor. There is a new scaler in this price range (check out the "VB50 killer" thread in the Video Processor forum that is even better as it has a better video processing chip and 16:9 squeeze (useful for anamorphic DVD's).

 

[GanChan]

If I understand you correctly, then I'm okay, because it looks like this PJ just has S-video and composite inputs for video components. So, since I'll be using s-video, there's no sense in getting a progressive player, and my current player will get the job done. This is good to know.


But that external processor is an interesting thought too....since it would get me RGB progressive output. (RGB and component are the same thing, only delivered through different means, yes?) And THEN I'll want a progressive player, I assume.

 

[JeffDM]

Component and RGB aren't quite the same thing, the signalling is different. Theoretically you would get the same results, but that assumes that the projector can take component signalling. Even if you had a converter (called a transcoder), the panel might interpret the signal as 640x480 rather than 720x480, if so, then you may have obvious scaling flaws.

 

[GanChan]

So to get a 480p image, I'd need to go:


480i DVD player's s-video out>VB50>SVGA in with PJ set to its native 800x600 res.


Yes? No? Depends?

 

[JeffDM]

I just remembered something. You might be able to look up whether this projector will take 480p component through the VGA jack. I know the MT840 does, it is the SVGA version of my MT1040. I wouldn't count on it unless you find information that confirms it.


At least the VB40 (or similar) or HTPC are still viable routes. I did find some new Viewsonic box that does what their VB40, I don't know if there are any improvements though.

 

[GanChan]

If it does, then would I simply go from progressive player to some kind of component-to-VGA adaptor?

 

[JeffDM]

Quote:

Originally posted by GanChan If it does, then would I simply go from progressive player to some kind of component-to-VGA adaptor?

yes, _if_ the projector can take 480p, then you just need that type of adaptor. I made one myself, but if I had to do it over again, I wouldn't, I would just buy one.

 

[Huey]

 www.a2zcables.com has VGA breakout into 3 RCA for $40. You can find them for $20 or less on Ebay and internet. www.ramelectronics.net also has some for $18 for a 6 foot section: http://www.ramelectronics.net/assets...deo/55-873.gif , ramelectronics part number: 55-873-RCA-6


VB50 does not do 16:9 squeeze which won't allow you to benefit from anamorphic DVDs. It also suffers Macrovision pulsing. I would get the other scaler for $110 (Trident-chip based) with 16:9 squeeze and possibly less MV effect (preliminar testing is good so far from another member). VB50 or similar scaler + your RV32 will beat a new 480p (DCDi or not) progressive player due to its superior scaling to match your PJ native resolution (bypassing your mediocre built-in video processor).


HTPC is best though for DVD playback. Keep that in mind. Free Dscaler software and a video capture card (IOmagic PVR, Xcapture, or Flyvideo) with composite and Svideo inputs will also work well with your RV32, cable box, or VCR. The older and cheaper the PJ; the more benefit HTPC will give you.

 

[GanChan]

These component to VGA cables are very appealing to me, because the only way my MT 800 allows for fine-tuning the picture (pixel clock, etc) is from inside RGB mode. I notice it says that the projector needs to support "sync on green" for the cable to work. I called NEC and confirmed that the MT 800 does indeed support sync on green. So, can I be fairly sure that this cable will work with my projector, or are there any other compatability issues I need to worry about?