Thinking of taking the plunge

Archived from groups: alt.tv.tech.hdtv (More info?)

[I posted this on alt.home-theater, but got no response, thought I'd try
here...]

I'm thinking of finally getting an HD front projector (stairwell to basement
has a sharp turn, and my 46" Ultravision CRT rear-proj barely fit last time)
and hence I'll need a happenin' home theater receiver that can also do video
switching (or else end up running a million cables to the ceiling-mounted
projector and living in remote-switching hell).

I haven't decided on LCD or DLP, to get 1280x720 it looks like LCD is a lot
less expensive (Sanyo Z3 vs. BenQ PB8700).

Since my main video sources will be HDMI output (Scientific Atlanta HD PVR
via Rogers Cable & in future Xbox II as DVD player) I would like to get a
receiver that does HDMI switching, and ideally upconverting from
component/composite/S-Video to the HDMI output as well.

I can't seem to find any receivers that do this. Am I dreaming?

Also, I'm trying to understand progressive vs. interlaced as it relates to a
fixed-pixel display. Wouldn't e.g. a DVD player with 480i output and one
with 480p output look the same on a fixed-pixel display (LCD or DLP), or am
I missing something?

Thanks for any pointers, and feel free to steer me to an FAQ if this is old
business here.

Gord

Archived from groups: alt.tv.tech.hdtv (More info?)

"Paul Kienitz" <paul-NOZPAM@paulkienitz.net> wrote in message
news:e5747637.0411210115.46c7371f@posting.google.com...
> "Gord in Ottawa" <gord@smithottawa-make-obvious-changes.calm> wrote in
> message news:<ocOdnZe__odV_gLcRVn-oQ@rogers.com>...
>
>> I'm thinking of finally getting an HD front projector (stairwell to
>> basement
>> has a sharp turn, and my 46" Ultravision CRT rear-proj barely fit last
>> time)
>
> You prepared to watch everything in the dark, so as to not wash out
> the picture?

Basement's pretty dark, should be fine.

> Rear projection units are often thinner front-to-back nowadays...

I know, I could probably get a 60" DLP/LCD rear-proj down there, but I'll be
able to have a 100" screen with a front projector and know it will fit (and
be servicable without a house-call).

>> I haven't decided on LCD or DLP, to get 1280x720 it looks like LCD is a
>> lot
>> less expensive (Sanyo Z3 vs. BenQ PB8700).
>
> I think the two are converging toward the same prices nowadays. To my
> eye, a 720-line LCD picture looks dramatically inferior to a true 1080
> one, so I would recommend going for real 1080-ness, which probably
> means non-LCD. Of course, if your most important usage is with a 720p
> source such as an Xbox, disregard this.

Difference in price for the two models I quoted up here in Canada is $3k vs.
$5k.

Most important usage will eventually be HD cable (720p or 1080i I assume)
and DVD upgrading eventually to it's descendant (Blu-ray or the other
format, whichever wins). I thought 1080 displays were cost-prohibitive at
this point?

Archived from groups: alt.tv.tech.hdtv (More info?)

"Gord in Ottawa" <gord@smithottawa-make-obvious-changes.calm> wrote in message news:<XI-dnV9CctCuUj7cRVn-iw@rogers.com>...

> Most important usage will eventually be HD cable (720p or 1080i I assume)
> and DVD upgrading eventually to it's descendant (Blu-ray or the other
> format, whichever wins). I thought 1080 displays were cost-prohibitive at
> this point?

They certainly shouldn't be, though I understand that in direct-view
LCDs, true 1080 is showing up only on the newest and biggest models...
I mean, there's no technical reason other than the industry making an
effort to squeeze your wallet...

Score one more point for cheap CRTs: they do 1080 with no trouble at
all.