February 27, 2006

Real Life Viewing on the Big Screen

Let's take a look at common sources you might use with your home theater.

Television

NTSC Broadcasts (regular television)

Rabbit ear antennas are not as common as they used to be, but there still may be a few folks out there using over-the-air broadcasts as their primary television source. If you are currently getting good reception on your small screen TV, you will get decent results with your front projector. This is not the optimum arrangement, however. Those imperfections you see as reception fades are only amplified on the large screen.

Image Quality: Low to OK


Cable TV (satellite or terrestrial)

More common than NTSC broadcasts, cable television is a giant improvement in picture quality. With most cable services, there are both standard definition (480i) channels (typically below channel 100) and high-definition channels. You may have noticed that cable signal quality varies from home to home based on external factors like the length of cable from the outlet and the strength of the signal reaching your home.

High-definition cable services offer more high resolution (typically 480p, 720p, or 1080i) options. These high-def services convert all signals, even local channels, to a digital signal, which means you should receive consistently better looking images across the board.

Image Quality (Regular Cable): Good to Very Good
Image Quality (High-definition Cable): Very Good to Excellent


Home Video

With DVD and VHS players, there are two factors to consider. The source material (i.e. video or DVD movie) and the player. The general rule, as the saying goes, garbage in - garbage out. High-resolution source material will most likely look better on any display, be it low or high resolution. The best results will come, obviously, when high-resolution source material meets a high-definition player. Here's a little more about VHS and DVD players.

VHS and S-VHS Players

Remember the day when 4-head VCRs were the best thing ever? Well the good news is we have come a long way since those days. The bad news is your old VHS tapes won't perform terribly well on the big screen. However, for a gathering of friends and family (without Uncle Videophile) the image will look OK. If possible, s-video will provide a better image than composite video.


There are some S-VHS players available that can produce high definition resolution (usually 480p or 720p) images with high-definition videos. This is a somewhat niche product, and may be more difficult to find some of the titles you are interested in. However, when a high-definition combination is reached, S-VHS will look very good on a high-resolution projector.

Image Quality (4-head standard VHS): Low to OK
Image Quality (S-VHS): Good to Very Good



DVD Players (standard, upconverting, and high-def)

DVD players come in different varieties. Most will match current NTSC resolution output of 480i resolution. However, there are new DVD players which can convert standard NTSC up to a 480p (progressive scan), 720p, or even 1080p image. These new DVD players are much less expensive than they used to be, and cost less than external scalers but cannot upconvert all incoming signals as an external scaler does.

Image Quality (standard DVD player): Good to Very Good
Image Quality (upconverting DVD player): Very Good to Excellent
Image Quality (high-definition DVD player): Excellent


Video Game Consoles

If you enjoy playing video games, you haven't really lived until you have played your favorite games with a 120-inch screen. But to get the best image, gamers will need to invest in the high-definition cable options. Most game systems ship standard with composite video cables, which cannot carry high-resolution signals. For the best looking images from your game console you should order a component video (or at least S-video) cable. There is talk of next generation players offering HDMI outputs, which will give you the best image.

Quick Tip: Select video projectors with picture-in-picture can allow you to view more than one video source from your projector. A great feature for team gaming. Be sure to check that the projector can run two live feeds for picture-in-picture. In some cases the projector may only be able to do computer and video simultaneously.


Cables and Screens

Your cable and screen selection will also affect your final image. Our guide to cables and connections will walk you through some cable basics, but the short version is this: HDMI, DVI, or component video will give you the best image. The brand of cable can also affect picture quality, as cheaply made cables are less able to protect the signal from interference. Consult a projector expert for more about which cables will work best for you.

Quick Tip: Shorter cable runs usually mean less interference and better picture quality. However, when longer runs are necessary, cable quality becomes more important and distribution amplifiers may be required.

We are often asked the question, "Do I really need a screen?" The answer to that question depends on you, and what kind of image you are trying to achieve. The right projector screen can make a huge difference in your final image. Gray screens will help improve the appearance of black in an image, and are a good choice in rooms with some ambient light. In controlled environments, a matte white screen might also be a good choice.


Last But Not Least… the Projector Factor

So far you have learned that both your source material (broadcast signal, DVD or VHS movie) as well as your source input (cable box, game console, DVD or VHS player) all factor into creating the best looking images. But the road to the ideal image doesn't stop there. Getting the right video projector is the final element for perfect projection.

The single most important specification in home theater video projectors is resolution. If you purchase a WVGA (480p) projector, you will never have the benefit of seeing native 720p resolution in action, no matter how good your source, or source material are. However, WVGA will cost you a few hundred dollars less that WXGA - H. And if you don't have any high-resolution sources, it is a low-cost way (some as low as $799) to get a very big screen. But if you can spend the money, WXGA-H is going to look better and allow you to 'future proof' your home theater.

Quick Tip: Higher contrast ratios (2000:1 - 7000:1) are also desirable in home theater projectors. For more about projectors such as, brightness recommendations, aspect ratios, and differences between DLP and LCD, call a Projector Expert today, or visit our tutorials section.

Image Quality WVGA (480p) projectors: Good
Image Quality WXGA - H (720p) projectors: Very Good to Excellent


Wrap-up: The Essential Elements of an Ideal Image

  • High-definition cable service (satellite or terrestrial)
  • Upconverting or native high-resolution DVD player
  • Receiver with high-definition output
  • Game console with component video output (or at least s-video)
  • WXGA-H video projector with component, HDMI, or DVI input.
  • High-definition source material (DVDs or S-VHS)

Have more questions? Call a Projector Expert today for the best advice and the best price on projectors for work and home.

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February 06, 2006

Projector People on CBS News

(CBS) If you're thinking of getting a large screen high-definition TV to watch the Super Bowl, the Olympics or just regular TV shows and movies, consider your alternatives. In previous columns I've written about the plasma and LCD thin-panels as well as the less expensive rear-screen projection TVs, but this time I'm testing out devices that are smaller, often cheaper and at the same time bigger than any TV on the market.

A front screen projector can create a theater-like atmosphere in your home with screens just about any size you want. Even the least expensive projectors can give you the equivalent of a 50-, 60- or even a 70-inch screen, with high-definition units starting at just over $1,000. After trying out three projectors, I'm convinced that this is a viable option for some people, though not for everyone.

A projector is not a good choice as your only TV. If you plan to spend a half hour or so watching a sitcom or the news, you may be better off with a regular TV.

Projectors have to warm up and cool down. When you first push the power button a fan starts whirring to direct cool air over the lamp. The lamp itself doesn't come on for at least a minute or two. When you're done, the process reverses itself. The lamp goes dim but the fan stays on until it has cooled down. Failure to allow for a cool down results in the lamp burning out before it's time.

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How much screen can you get for the cash you've got to spend? Click here for Larry Magid's podcast interview of Jennifer Andrews of ProjectorPeople.com, who has tips on large screen options.

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Speaking of lamps, there is a usage cost on projectors. Lamps are generally rated for between about 2,000 and 5,000 hours and cost anywhere from $200 to $500 to replace, so if you plan to watch several hours of TV a day, you're going to spend a lot of money on replacement lamps.

Ideally, a projector should be in a dimly lit room. Although some can handle a certain amount of ambient room light, you are not going to get as clear a picture in a lit room as you will with a TV whose light source is shining through the screen.

Even Jennifer Andrews who works for ProjectorPeople.com – a website that sells nothing but projectors – admits that they're not for everyone: "The folks who should not consider front projection are people who want to use it as their primary TV all the time." Of course, she thinks they're great for watching movies or sporting events.

Unlike most High-Def TV sets, projectors don't come with tuners so you will need a source for your programs. That's not a problem if you have a satellite dish or a cable service since they provide the necessary hardware to get your signal but it means you can't just plug an antenna into a projector and watch TV.

Projector TVs also have either no audio or weak audio, so you'll need an audio system as well. On the positive side, projectors are a lot more portable than TV sets. They're pretty easy to move around, although it may take some time to position correctly (or hang from the ceiling) for optimal viewing.

I tested three units: the $2,999 Dell 5100MP, the Panasonic PT-AE900U (about $1,650 after rebate and the $1,299 Optoma DV10 MovieTime. I connected each to a high-definition Dish Network adapter and hooked up a DVD player to both the Dell and Panasonic. The Optoma has its own built-in DVD player.

Like digital cameras, PCs and just about all other technology products, there are specifications which, while important, do not tell the entire story. The main rating system for projectors is the number of "lumens" which is how much light they can emit. That's especially important in a room with ambient light because the more lumens the better the image in less-than-idea lighting conditions.

Presenters who use projectors in well-lit conference rooms care a lot about lumens because a high-lumen projector allows them to avoid having to dim the lights. If you watch TV with the lights on or during the day in a room that you can't darken, you may need some extra lumens.

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(CBS) Lumens also matter as you deal with larger images or "throws." If you plan to watch your video on a relatively small (say under 70 inch) screen, you can get away with under 1,000 lumens. If you want your screen to be 10 feet wide, you'll need to, literally, throw more light on the subject.

Speaking of screens, you can get away with a white wall but for best results it's a good idea to get a beaded screen which, depending on the size, can cost anywhere from $100 to $500.

ProjectorPeople.com recommends at least 700 lumens for "dedicated home theaters," at least 900 lumens for rooms with some ambient light and 2500 lumens or more for spaces with high ambient light.

My "media room" (actually a spare bedroom) is only 12 feet deep so the maximum "throw" I can get is an image that's about 84 inches diagonal. Still, that's bigger than any plasma HDTV that I could reasonably afford. 84-inch plasma TVs start at about $7,000 and go (way) up from there. A 70-inch JVC rear projection TV costs about $6,000.

What I discovered is that all of the units I tested put out more than enough light for nighttime use in my media room or even in my living room, which is larger. But with the shades down during the day, the room is far from dark and that's where the lumens started to make a difference. The $2,999 Dell which puts out 3,300 lumens, literally shone in this environment. The 1,100 lumen Panasonic did well – I could easily live with what I got. The 1,000 lumen Optoma was also acceptable, though noticeably weaker than the other two units.

Another important number is the projector's native resolution. All of the ones I looked at can accept a high-def 720p signal but the native resolution helps create a sharper looking image from high-definition sources. The Dell is rated at up to 1400 by 1050. The Panasonic's native resolution is 1280 x 720 while the native resolution of the Optomo is a much lower 854 x 480.

There are two basic technologies that are commonly used in projectors: LCD and DLP. Projector enthusiasts argue incessantly about which is better. Each has its adherents and detractors.

If you do a web search for "DLP vs LCD" you'll get plenty of arguments on both sides. All I'm going to report is that each has its tradeoffs and that there is no clear consensus that one is better than the other. Both the Dell (which is DLP) and the Panasonic (LCD) looked very good to me.

Another issue is inputs. Any projector capable of HDTV must have at least three component (RGB) cable inputs. The higher end ones (including both the Panasonic and Dell) have HDMI (high definition multimedia interface) and some (such as the Dell) also have DVI (digital video interface). Since these projectors also connect to PCs, they generally have VGA inputs as well.

The Dell or another high-lumen projector is a good choice if ambient light is an issue of if you want to project a very large image. I used it late last summer for an outdoor movie night with a very large screen on my garage door. Its extra strong lamp and high native resolution assures an excellent quality image.

Having said that, I was also quite impressed by the Panasonic, especially considering its lower price. It's a solid machine with very good image quality and exceptionally good contrast. As you'd expect, it's not as bright as the Dell which is largely irrelevant in a darkened room, but the Dell's extra lumens and slightly higher resolution does make a difference when the lights are on.

The Panasonic has some nice touches. like a large joy-stick-like mechanism for shifting the lens position, which makes it less picky about where you place the projector. It also has a 2x zoom lens, which allows you to increase the image size in a small room like mine.

The Optoma is in a class by itself. Yes, the quality of the image is not as great as the two higher-end systems and it doesn't have many inputs (though it does have VGA, component and S-video). Still, it looked very good, especially compared to a standard TV set.

What's more, it's quite a nice package. It not only has a built-in DVD player but built-in speakers as well. It's extremely portable and would be ideal for taking to "grandma's" house or even to a hotel room. My mother-in-law lives in an assisted living center and I'm very tempted to bring it over there to treat her and her fellow residents to a "movie night."

You can buy projectors from Amazon.com and many online merchants but you might start by shopping at a specialty site like ProjectorPeople.com. I found their site very helpful and their prices competitive. I also got good advice from Crutchfield.com, which handles a wide array of audio and video products.

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A syndicated technology columnist for more than two decades, Larry Magid serves as on air Technology Analyst for CBS Radio News. His technology reports can be heard several times a week on the CBS Radio Network. Magid is the author of several books including "The Little PC Book."

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Wireless Projectors - What They Can and Can't Do

Wireless presentations are already a reality in the business world. But as older (802.11b) wireless projectors are used for regular business applications, bandwidth limitations are brought to light. Some effects of the bandwidth deficiency include slower display of transition-heavy PowerPoint® presentations, and weak support for embedded multimedia.

What Wireless Projectors Can Do...

Projectors from manufacturers such as Epson have adopted faster transmission standards (802.11g) to help eliminate issues with bandwidth. The 802.11g standard is two to five times faster (from 11 mbps to 54 mbps) than the popular 802.11b standard. This new faster technology allows for smoother looking transitions between slides which add interest to presentations, and the ability to edit documents such as word or excel spreadsheets in close to real-time. Real-time meaning that you what you see on your computer will match exactly with what is on the projector.

There are other benefits to using wireless technology as well. Rather than having to plug and unplug several laptops during a group presentation, users can instead login and log out of the wireless network to display information on their computers. It also allows people to present from any location (within range of the network) in a room, so that individuals have more seating flexibility.

Epson was the first to market with an 802.11g projector, the PowerLite 835p. The projector includes a PC card slot which can be used with an 802.11g wireless card. They have also included a proprietary decoding algorithm that allows for MPEG-2 video to be displayed over the wireless connection. The 835p supports WEP, WPA, and LEAP wireless security protocols; by contrast, most competing Wi-Fi models currently support only WEP.

    Quick Take: Wireless Projectors Today Can…
  • Toggle between multiple computer sources.
  • Allow users to present from a computer placed anywhere in a room.
  • Run PowerPoint presentations (with limited animation).
  • Show edits to a document, such as an Excel spreadsheet, in real-time.

Click here for a complete list of wireless projectors.

What Wireless Projectors Can't Do...

You may be familiar with the 802.11g standard from your home PC wireless internet network. We know that we can see very fast transitions and animations on a webpage using this kind of wireless system at home. However, you will not see the same kind of performance with a wireless projector. This is because of the method of compression used by the wireless technology. Essentially the wireless system takes a 'snapshot' of your computer screen at a specific interval (a few times a second or so) and transmits the images to the display. This can create some 'jerkiness' in the image, or a slightly less smooth transition than you would see when surfing the web on a wireless connection with a computer.

Wireless video transmission beyond MPEG2 format has yet to become mainstream. There are some solutions available with various limitations and issues, but one effective and price appropriate method has yet to prevail. Many manufacturers are still working to make this happen, and an eventual resolution is sure to come.

External Wireless Solutions

In addition to fully integrated wireless solutions from manufacturers, there are also external options that can be used with most projectors today. The WiJet from OTC Wireless is one example of this kind of offering. The WiJet is a peripheral that will plug into your computer and into the VGA port of nearly any projector to create a wireless connection. You don't need a special PC Card slot to use this technology. The WiJet is now 802.11g compatible, with legacy support for 802.11b. An additional benefit of an external solution is that they are upgradeable, as the components are external and can be easily replaced.

PC Card Slots for Computerless Presentations

Not to be confused with wireless technology, PC card slots also make it possible to present without wires, and even without a computer. This convenient feature (available on the Epson PowerLite 745c and 835p) allows you to store a presentation on a small PC card, and simply insert the card into a built-in card reader on select projectors. The slide stores your PowerPoint® presentation, and you can advance slides using your projector's remote control.

Still have questions? Call a Projector Expert today for the best advice and the best price on projectors for work and home.

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