Resolution of lcd television compared to FP (1 Viewer)

[DanielKee]

I really want a PLV-Z1 or Z2 so this is my question. What rez does the lcd rear projection boast and how does it compare to front projection, will the screendoor effect be about the same or worse in a FP. And also , I will be watching 90% DVD and 10% football. Do I really need the Z2's extra rez for this? Aren't DVD's kinda low rez anyway? The raeson for the first question is I really like the picture on a particular Sony rear projection lcd and just want to know how it compares.

 

[Matthew Todd]

The Sanyo Z1 has a resolution of 964x544. The Z2 is 1280x720. I would bet that nearly all (if not all) the rear projection LCDs are 1280x720.

DVD is 720x480.

The screen door effect will generally be worse the bigger you blow up the picture if you're sitting the same distance away. Generally though, as the picture gets bigger, you move back, especially with a FP.

I think most people sit farther back relatively from a rear projection TV than they do a FP. Most people sit about 1.5-2.0 screen widths back from a FP. I bet it's 2.0-3.0 screen widths back from a RPTV on average. Because of this, the screen door will probably be less noticeable on a RP (because you're sitting farther back).

Another thing to consider is the contrast ratio. I'm not sure, but I bet that CR is probably lower for RP LCDs than FP.

If it were me and I could go FP, I would.

Matt

 

[DanielKee]

Thanks for the input. I sat down in a local B&M to view the rp television and purposely sat about 1.5x the width and screen door and pixelation were very vague if not present at all, really depended on the material being displayed. Really want the Z2 but for 2x's the price do I get 2X's the picture quality. Does anyone know the release date of the Z3 and the AE700 , and if so, how will this effect pricing for the Z2 and AE500. What about the Hitachi PJ-TX100 J, just found this thing and the reviews say it kicks the z2's but. Anyone familiar with this one?

 

[SolomonP]

I sit about 1.5x screen width from my Z1's picture (maybe a little less). There is SDE. My wife doesn't notice it, but I do, especially when the picture or large portions of it is/are static. If I had a Z2, I doubt there'd be any SDE.

That being said, don't get too worried about picture artifacts like SDE. No matter where and how you watch a picture, you're going to have some issue, whether it be glare off of the screen of a direct view TV, or low light levels and dirty prints off of film (to say nothing of screaming children, sticky floors, and uncomforable seats), or SDE on a FP. There is still no technology that can compete with reality. If you go with an LCD RPTV, you're also going to have viewing area issues. Given my 1 gain projection surface (wall), I can watch at just about any angle and get a good picture. That beats the pants out of an RPTV.

 

[John S]

Well the newest Sony LCD RPTV's certainly impressed me too in the store.

They improved the viewing angles somehow.
The blacks are better.


Hard call, but FP for DVD is really fantastic. I question how good of a fit it is with football, where you would generally want some substantial lighting present while watching.

Not that I had any relavent info for you with my post. Just more to think about. I dare say if the latest version of the Sony LCD RPTV would have been out when I bought, I may have purchased it over what I bought.

 

[Chris PC]

With any and all LCD projectors, you can defocus the image and eliminate screendoor almost entirely while maintaining a very sharp picture. I do this with an L200 which is 856 x 484 pixels. I have seen the Z1 and it took even less defocussing before eliminating artifacts. It didn't have screen door, just a look of scanlines every so often. The owner defocussed it a hair and the image remained very sharp and very nice

I can't imagine a 1280 x 720 projector having screendoor bad enough such that a very subtle defocus wouldn't eliminate it. Of course, if you're watching a 100" diagonal picture with your face two feet away, then I'm sure you'll see screen door, in fact, you'll find new artifacts to find names for. Seriously though, at normal seating distances of roughly 1.5x from 100" diagonal screens, you'll be fine with a Z1 or higher resolution PJ.

 

[Matthew Todd]

They are probably using a lower gain screen on the LCD RPTV than what you're used to seeing on a CRT RPTV.

If you haven't already ruled it out, another FP technology to consider is CRT. That's actually what I've chosen, but I'd say if you want to watch football with the lights on even some, this will not work for you. It does eliminate SDE though . . .

Matt

 

[DanielKee]

To be honest with you I would love to have a crt but the WAF is a big NOWAY. Atleast until I have a dedicated room. The only reason I'm going digital is the ability to remove the system when not in use. I will be 16ft from the screen and am looking to do between 96" and 100" for diagonal size. I'm thinkin for the time being I'll go with the Z1 due to cost and the ability to upgrade if I get a dedicated room.



The CRT thing is being looked at closley by myself and my brotherinlaw who has a dedicated room in which he can place one of these monsters. Any recomendations on a reputable dealer for CRT equipment. I see them on auction for 500 to 1000 bucks but just can't beleive that you can get a good one for that. Thanks for all the input guys and gals.

 

[Matthew Todd]

If you hop on over to www.avsforum.com they have a very good forum area devoted entirely to CRT projectors. Lots of good info there. You will find a handful of reputable CRT resellers there, probably the most well known is Curt Palme.

Believe it or not, you can get a good CRT for $500-$1000. You could get a 7" ES focus Ampro 2000 in that price range buying from a reputable reseller who will provide support with set up and in case anything goes wrong. For more than that, you can start getting into the better 8" EM focus machines, LC lenses, etc.

Matt