Support NeoGAF

[Leguna]

Ok, all of the following images are of the Sony VPL-HS51. I don't have access to a Panasonic PT-AE700, so to simulate the AE700 I decreased the contrast and then took another photo.

Being that the Sony projector has a contrast ratio of 6000:1 and the Panasonic one has a ratio of 2000:1, I decreased the contrast on the Sony projector by 70%. Would this be an accurate way to test this?

ALSO! I noticed that the image was still a little too soft for my liking even with the Sony VPL-HS51 (sharpness was max out). Is this normal? Should I go rear projection instead? I'm trying to way the decision between size vs quality. What do you guys think?

Tekken 5 on Widescreen mode:

Dark scenes in movies are front projector's worst enemy:

Here's a brighter scene in Fight Club:

 

[PistolPete]

I don't know the particulars of that projector, but I know that image quality (especially sharpness) will suffer when using this type of display device. I have the lowest of the low end projectors (infocus X1) and still enjoy games and movies on it, even though the picture quality isn't that great (Metroid Prime on an 80" screen cannot be beat)

Check avsforum.com. Those people live to answer questions like this.

 

[mrklaw]

first, thats not a fair comparison of an AE700. You'd calibrate based on your device, so you'd adjust brightness/contrast etc differently. You'd have a simlarly bright image as your HS51, you just wouldn't have the dynamic range.

As to the softness issue - how are you feeding the projector? If its a 720p native projector then you should get great results with a progressive scan DVD player or HTPC. You certainly shouldn't be getting 'soft' images on movies.

Games might be a little soft depending on the source - how is the scaler in the projector regarded? If its good, it might be worth trying an interlaced output from the PS2 and leaving the rest to the projector

 

[teiresias]

ALSO! I noticed that the image was still a little too soft for my liking even with the Sony VPL-HS51 (sharpness was max out). Is this normal? Should I go rear projection instead? I'm trying to way the decision between size vs quality. What do you guys think?

What are you feeding it to judge sharpness? The scaler comes into play at some point, and even if you're feeding it a progressive scan DVD player there's still scaling going on since the video is natively 480p.

 

[123rl]

Comparing contrast like that won't get very accurate results. Specs are, at the best of times, complete bullshit. If they're measured even slightly differently, in different rooms, with different equipment then the results will show that (but won't tell you why)

tbh the only accurate way to compare it is to test both in the same room. Calibrate them using the same equipment, use the same test material (films, games or whatever) and then you'll see a fair comparison

 

[levious]

maybe dumb comment but make sure the projector is not in some sort of eco-mode before judging the brightness.

 

[Warm Machine]

A PC hooked up to it and set to the native resoultion of the projector should be pixel for pixel perfect. I've seen it done on older model projectors and the results are astonishing. DVDs and current gen consoles are just not enough to judge a projector with.

 

[Leguna]

TO ALL:
I'm beginning to think that I didn't have the projector completely in focus. That's probably why the image was a little blurry.

PistolPete:
I did post there, no one seems to be replying. Probably not enough people there read.

mrklaw:
Is there a spec number I could look at to judge latency on with a scaler chip? I experienced no latency issues with this projector.

123rl:
There isn't a theater store around here that I could do that at.

levious:
Come to think of it, quite possibly the projector wasn't focus well enough and that's why i wasn't a getting a sharper image!

Warm Machine:
Good call, ill hook up my Laptop to it next time.

 

[Mr_Furious]

Sharpness is BAD! It adds artificial edge enhancement to the image and if your set is properly calibrated, sharpness should be turned VERY low (if not all the way down/off).

 

[isamu]

TO ALL:
I'm beginning to think that I didn't have the projector completely in focus. That's probably why the image was a little blurry.

PistolPete:
I did post there, no one seems to be replying. Probably not enough people there read.

mrklaw:
Is there a spec number I could look at to judge latency on with a scaler chip? I experienced no latency issues with this projector.

123rl:
There isn't a theater store around here that I could do that at.

levious:
Come to think of it, quite possibly the projector wasn't focus well enough and that's why i wasn't a getting a sharper image!

Warm Machine:
Good call, ill hook up my Laptop to it next time.

Wait a second you just bought a Sony HS51??? Dude, that was a VERY dumb decision in my opinion. You definitly should have waited until either the new Mitsubishi, Hitachi or Epson pjs come out in the next month or so. All three of those projectors are going to BLOW away the Sony HS51!!

 

[FightyF]

Wait a second you just bought a Sony HS51??? Dude, that was a VERY dumb decision in my opinion. You definitly should have waited until either the new Mitsubishi, Hitachi or Epson pjs come out in the next month or so. All three of those projectors are going to BLOW away the Sony HS51!!

He can probably return it if he just bought it. Phew!

 

[Norse]

Being that the Sony projector has a contrast ratio of 6000:1 and the Panasonic one has a ratio of 2000:1, I decreased the contrast on the Sony projector by 70%. Would this be an accurate way to test this?

No, that would not be accurate. Go to this website and read reviews by owners of them all...they have reviews of almost all projectors out there...from low priced to the mega buck ones. For the money you cant go wrong with either a sanyo z4 or a panasonic a7000u. Both rock. The sanyo z4 has nice bonus of H/V lense shift so it gives more placement options...both have very good pictures and are 1280x720 native resolution. I had a sanyo z2 and it looked amazing when playing games and even hdtv looked fantastic.

price was great too. Thinking a sanyo z4 or panny a7000u will be my next one.

 

[XMonkey]

re: HS51's contrast levels...

"High contrast is achieved via a dynamically reconfiguring aperture."

Basically, that 6000:1 number you are quoting is when the iris (or, aperture) is closed down to it's limits. Obviously, this does not happen all the time so you're average contrast levels aren't really going to be 6000:1 all the time.

So no, that type of comparison is not accurate.

 

[chinch]

not to be a jerk, but it would be pretty dumb to buy the Sony HS51 NOW with all the new 720PJs shipping now and next month. LOL. :lol

you need to to earn about setup. i'm afraid to ask what you're using for a screen. the old rule of garbage in garbage out holds true here again too. tekken is like vhs resolution and that fight club looks like it's marginally crisper. a $599 clearance Z1 can produce a better picture if setup properly and fed HD or quality DVDs.

either way this is 100% user error.