Ok got my player in. The build date was October of 2004 so I knew I would have to reload the original firmware. That was really easy to do. I burned the bin file to a data CD put it in the player and powered on and off. The player automatically loaded the new version.
Next I cycled thru the conversion level 420p, 720p, and 1080i. Each time I checked the L300U projector to see what mode it was in. For 420p it said 525p and for the 1080i it showed HDTV60. Which according to the manual is the best resolution input for the projector.
I next ensured that the projector was at its best focus. I actually used a novel approach because my eyes aren't like the used to be. Using binoculars at the projector I could see a extreme closeup of the pixels on the screen. I simply adjusted the focus until the pixels were at their sharpest.
Wanting to get definitive proof I set up my digital camera on a tripod next to the screen. I captured a photo of 420p, 720p and 1080i, I used the intro screen displayed by the player as the base. I tried to capture the exact position for each sample pic.
In the attached photo the far left is 420p and the far right is 1080i. 720p is in the middle. As you can see there is a difference in the sharpness. I guess ideally I would test against my old progressive scan but this is what I have time for.
I will have to say the picture for 1080i is very nice. I am pleased with the purchase. Everything is sharper and the colors seem to be more vibrant. Hope this helps.
If you can zoom into the photo and you can see the differences better.
sample 420p 720p and 1080i image displayed on panny L300u
