Projectors - Dynamic Contrast, Auto Iris, etc.

Serendipity

Was just wondering -

Do any FP owners here use the image enhancement features on their projectors? On the Epson 1080 UB, I find the most natural image with all image enhancements turned off - that is, zero sharpness, no "Dynamic" mode, auto iris off, noise reduction off, and low lamp mode. It seems like any of the image enhancements make the picture look artificial and less realistic.

With that said, do any of you use these features on your projector? I personally find auto iris and dynamic contrast annoying, as the image is constantly changing. But I'm sure there are some benefits of using an iris...

Thanks!

Sherardp

Same here, low lamp mode, advanced settings off. That Epson you have should be blowing you away. They compare it along the lines of the JVC HD1, however at a much lower price point. How about a screenshot of some HD material?

Serendipity

Sherardp wrote: »

Same here, low lamp mode, advanced settings off. That Epson you have should be blowing you away. They compare it along the lines of the JVC HD1, however at a much lower price point. How about a screenshot of some HD material?

I've tried, but I can't get the image to focus with my point and shoot camera. When I get a chance, I'll borrow a friend's DSLR and try to get better screenshots!

As per the Epson, is it really true that in some cases, the image quality can be very close to the HD1?

Sherardp

appadv wrote: »

As per the Epson, is it really true that in some cases, the image quality can be very close to the HD1?

Very close but the JVC still trumps it. But that is purely subjective to the viewer. Heres a nice read though

http://www.projectorreviews.com/Best1080pProjectors032008/EpsonHomeCinema1080UBvsJVCRS1x.php

Serendipity

Sherardp wrote: »

Very close but the JVC still trumps it. But that is purely subjective to the viewer. Heres a nice read though

http://www.projectorreviews.com/Best1080pProjectors032008/EpsonHomeCinema1080UBvsJVCRS1x.php

Wow, that's much closer in performance than I had expected!

If I understand correctly, the JVC trumps the Epson in color accuracy, contrast, and flesh tones...while the Epson displays a *slightly* sharper image than the JVC and in high lamp mode is almost twice as bright (not really important to me though).

I'd say then the two are comparable, but not exactly the same. If I had the money I'd still go with the JVC!

mutelight

I have all the image enhancements disabled as well.

hockeyboy

I used to have the auto iris disabled on my Mitsu but when I turn it on when playing blu (which is most of the time). It seems to be pretty seamless with the BR player.

Serendipity

Coming from a CRT display like the XBR960, I've learned that more is not necessarily better when it comes to PQ. Sure, you can have a super-enhanced image with sharpness cranked up and color in "Dynamic" mode, but after a while it just doesn't seem accurate (like the display TVs in a store). Most of the time when I go to a BB or CC I'm blinded when looking at their TV's.

I'll try the auto iris feature, but when I had it on before the picture kept changing (ex: from a dark scene to a light scene then back to a dark scene, the picture brightens/dims/brightens like the pic is different).

Serendipity

Sherardp,

A while back you were mentioning the JVC HD1 vs. the G90. What do you think an Epson 1080UB would look like compared to a single G90?

kuntasensei

Picture enhancements are useless. I'm running a Sanyo PLV-Z2000 in my setup, and I have auto-iris, contrast enhance, etc. off. A lot of LCD-based projectors use these tricks to get better contrast numbers, but the cheats they use (like Dynamic Gamma) run counter to the goal of cinematic accuracy that most of us movie nuts strive for. I do admit, however, that I'm using the Auto 2 lamp mode on my Z2000 post-calibration.

Speaking of calibration... if you're a total dork like me and want to eke every ounce of performance out of your projector, buy yourself a X-Rite EyeOne Display LT colorimeter. It'll run you about $160, and can be used with a laptop and the free HCFR software to get your projector set to D65 cinema standards. It'll also help you max out the LCD panels to get the brightest pic possible with the lowest lamp mode possible. For more info, give this a quick read.

Serendipity

kuntasensei wrote: »

Speaking of calibration... if you're a total dork like me and want to eke every ounce of performance out of your projector, buy yourself a X-Rite EyeOne Display LT colorimeter. It'll run you about $160, and can be used with a laptop and the free HCFR software to get your projector set to D65 cinema standards. It'll also help you max out the LCD panels to get the brightest pic possible with the lowest lamp mode possible. For more info, give this a quick read.

I actually have quite a bit of experience with calibrating displays - if you remember before I used to be a CRT enthusiast

Anyways, calibration should make a huge difference and help to get the most out of your projector. However, 99% of the time the Epson is being used for Wii, PS2, and Xbox 360, so I haven't gotten around to a full calibration yet.

kuntasensei

Heh... oh yeah. But my advice stands for anyone else! That EyeOne has proven to be very accurate, and my Z2000 looks AMAZING now.

The only drawback is that once you start tweaking, you don't stop. Next for me - calibration with a CC30R filter on the lens so I can correct the red deficiency in the bulb. WHEE!

Sherardp

kuntasensei wrote: »

Heh... oh yeah. But my advice stands for anyone else! That EyeOne has proven to be very accurate, and my Z2000 looks AMAZING now.

The only drawback is that once you start tweaking, you don't stop. Next for me - calibration with a CC30R filter on the lens so I can correct the red deficiency in the bulb. WHEE!

Wow, sounds like youre having too much fun over there. Good info passed on the Eyeone, I ordered one today. So I'll post my thoughts later. I was looking into something like this before, however it was in the 600-1000 buck price range. At the time I wasnt into it so I didnt go for it, but this Eyeone is definitely something I can try out.

As for a G90 vs Epson vs JVC HD1. I've only recently seen the G90, but I'd still have to give the black level to the Sony. Supposedly its one of the best CRTs out there. Ive only seen two, the other a NEC model. But there are still cons with a G90, and for me the main one was size. I'm extremely happy to get excellent PQ out of the JVC and can handle the thing by myself if I need to take it down etc. I've seen the Epson up close and personal on a 100-110 inch screen and it was amazing also. They're pretty much running neck and neck. The JVC was considered reference, so then of course everyone is trying to surpass it. My dealer has the RS2/HD100, I'll see if I can get my eyes on it for a few hours, but I heard its a pretty sick picture, not as bright as the HD1/RS1 though. Fighting the upgrade while Im at it, I cant see forking over 7k for a projector, Im not on the level with the hobby yet.

Serendipity

I'm sure that the G90 puts out a much better black level than the Epson, but aside from that would the pictures be similar?

P.S. I'd love to see a G90 stack vs. one Epson or JVC - I'd think that the G90 stack would blow away a single Epson or RS1.

jon s

I have been through a number of projectors...
my first projector was a Davis DL450 800x600 DLP projector. I think the contrast ratio was a paltry 800:1 or something like that. When connected to a DVD player, the output was a measly 640x480 from the 800x600 screen, which meant black bars all around which sucked.

my first CRTwas a NEC G6000 CRT then upgraded to a NEC XG750 CRT. these weighed about 150 lbs and are a **** to configure. they are designed for fixed positioning since the lens are not zooms. they had like a dozen fans inside and sound like a hurricane was in the room. Picture was gorgeous but for the fact that light output was pretty dismal.

I then got a NEC HT1000 DLP, 1024x768 which was nice but too pixelated. So that went out the door for a marantz VP12S3 1280x720 DLP. It was nice but it also had very low lumens, about 500 calibrated.

I am now on a JVC RS-1. 1080P and 15,000:1 contrast ratio, native. this unit has NO dynamic iris and the picture is to die for, except that it is not too accurate in the color spectrum. I cannot stand dynamic iris sets as you can often see the iris in action. also, on dark scenes, the highlights get dimmed when the iris closes down. this is especially noticeable when watching outer space movies. nothing beats native contrast.

Sherardp

jon s wrote: »

I am now on a JVC RS-1. 1080P and 15,000:1 contrast ratio, native. this unit has NO dynamic iris and the picture is to die for, except that it is not too accurate in the color spectrum. I cannot stand dynamic iris sets as you can often see the iris in action. also, on dark scenes, the highlights get dimmed when the iris closes down. this is especially noticeable when watching outer space movies. nothing beats native contrast.

Well said. Nice PJ you have there.

Serendipity

jon s wrote: »

I have been through a number of projectors...
my first projector was a Davis DL450 800x600 DLP projector. I think the contrast ratio was a paltry 800:1 or something like that. When connected to a DVD player, the output was a measly 640x480 from the 800x600 screen, which meant black bars all around which sucked.

my first CRTwas a NEC G6000 CRT then upgraded to a NEC XG750 CRT. these weighed about 150 lbs and are a **** to configure. they are designed for fixed positioning since the lens are not zooms. they had like a dozen fans inside and sound like a hurricane was in the room. Picture was gorgeous but for the fact that light output was pretty dismal.

I then got a NEC HT1000 DLP, 1024x768 which was nice but too pixelated. So that went out the door for a marantz VP12S3 1280x720 DLP. It was nice but it also had very low lumens, about 500 calibrated.

I am now on a JVC RS-1. 1080P and 15,000:1 contrast ratio, native. this unit has NO dynamic iris and the picture is to die for, except that it is not too accurate in the color spectrum. I cannot stand dynamic iris sets as you can often see the iris in action. also, on dark scenes, the highlights get dimmed when the iris closes down. this is especially noticeable when watching outer space movies. nothing beats native contrast.

Wow - do you still have the NEC XG? I've always wanted a PJ like the NEC XG or a Sony G90 (IMO, the XG performs VERY well for an 8" set)