Projector/Powerstrip/5.1 (1 Viewer)

[kyle-sm]

OK to start out with I'm a newbie. I've read the newbie section, and did some searches on this problem but I'm not finding exactly what I need so here is what I'm curious about.

My setup for reference:

Sharp PG-C30XU projector (this is my only computer monitor)
Dell PC pentium 4, 1700 MHZ, 256 RAM, XP professional, Santa Cruz sound card, GeForce2 MX with TV out
ONKYO 5.1 reciever

I read that I can get the picture quality of a $16,000 scaler out of a PC, although specifics were not stated. Is this done with powerstrip and a DVD player program? I found a tutorial on how to use powerstrip and I'm really interested in using it to improve the quality of my DVD picture (don't have anything to get a HDTV signal right now so I'm not worried about it). So am I missing something to get this supposed $1600 scaler picture??

 

[BenSC]

It is all true and then some. And its oh so simple.

1) Install powerstrip
2) Set your custom resolution as high as you like and your card/monitor/tv/projector can handle with powerstrip (I run HDTV widescreen resolution to my Panny 300 projector, this is essential if you are using a TV or projector)
3) Stick in the DVD and play.


There is one catch. Your MX probably has an RCA or S-video out that supports 1024x768. If this is the case, it's not good enough. What are you planning on running this signal to? Go DVI if at all possible with a new video card.

If you like the MX, a GeForce4 5200FX with DVI, svid, and vga with MPEG2 hardware chip will run you $40 shipped (just bought one off pricewatch). If S-video is the highest your TV has, then see if any other card will run S-video at 720p or 1080i, etc.

 

[kyle-sm]

wait I'm confused why would I use S video when I can use the computer monitor cable(vga) into my projector??

 

[BenSC]

Doh! I so read "TV" and not projector. VGA is perfect for projector. However if the projector has DVI and so does the Vid card, I would go that route.

Reading text won't be as perfect as a pixel for pixel ratio like you get through the VGA, but a displayed image will have better color.