Full HD Widescreen Projector
February 28, 2009 by admin
Filed under Electronics
With a contrast ratio up to 15, 000:1 (with Advanced Iris on), guess where your friends and neighbors are watching the big game this year? Built on Sony’s SXRD technology, the VPL-VW100 1920 x 1080p projector is built from three micro display panels supporting a Full High Definition 1080 line resolution image. This technology ensures support of full HD resolution with a film-like image presented in accurate color rendition and high contrast ratio providing you with that “at home” theater experience you’ve always desired.Providing the illumination is a Sony 400W Pure Xenon Lamp providing equal brightness output for each of the primary colors – red, green and blue, which are used to produce the trillions of colors that you as the viewer enjoy on the screen. The projector’s Advanced Iris technology also helps to improve images by monitoring algorithms and adjusting the iris diameter so images in bright scenes are crisp and clear while black levels in dark scenes are deep and detailed. And forget the annoying loud projector sounds of the past; the VW100 is designed to remain ultra quiet while it removes heat at a noise spec of just 22dB.
User Ratings and Reviews
4 Stars HD Ready and then some
I saw this PJ in action last night. The source was a Sony BluRay DVD player and a BR pressing of Spiderman 2. The picture clarity was amazing. Rock solid image with (not surprisingly) incredible definition. I can’t, however give it 5 stars. Perhaps the colour calibration was not perfect (altough Sony reps were on hand so “their bad” if they set it up poorly) – in particular the reds were far too prominent.
This is a 3 chip, native 1920×1080 unit, so no colour wheel and, hence, no rainbow effects. It also runs super quiet (again, no wheel) and pushes surprisingly little air out of the read-ported vent. The air that was coming out *was* pretty hot, so any room that hosts this bad boy should have good ventilation.
It’s an attractive unit and, stealing from Apple, the “sony” logo is rear-lit when the unit is turned on. The screen was a pretty small Stewart Filmscreens Greyhawk, so contrast ratios were additionally boosted. Due to the small size, the image was exceptionally bright.
At this resolution, it was interesting to note how clearly computer generated the Spiderman scene appeared. On SD units, there’s enough softening of the edges to hide the CG nature of the image and complete the illusion. At HiDef res, however, the blue-screen and CG became quite obvious.
Hollywood Actors/Actresses: beware! Your wrinkles and blemishes will soon be splashing their way across 120″ HiDef screens all over the world! 
At under $9K for a 3-chip DLP, Sony have really thrown down the gauntlet with this one. Expect competitors to follow and hopefully we’ll all be able to afford something of this spec within just a few more years.
Epson Powerlite Home Cinema 400
February 22, 2009 by admin
Filed under Electronics
Epson Powerlite Home Cinema 400
A versatile home theater projector, the Epson PowerLite Home Cinema 400 ensures a true cinematic experience, with advanced video processing and maximum installation flexibility. Now you can view movies the way filmmakers intended you to see them, with incredible color and detail.In designing the Epson PowerLite Home Cinema 400, Epson blended engineering ingenuity with the world of theater and art. Top-of-the-line technologies are hard at work in this projector, so you can enjoy the ultimate movie experience. Color settings are optimized for the ITU709 color standard, ensuring the most accurate HD quality available. And, with six specialized color modes, you get optimum performance, whatever the setting or situation. In addition, innovative Epson 3LCD technology offers the best possible image quality, even in dark areas of the picture. With one LCD panel each for red, green and blue, it’s truly a better way to see.The Epson PowerLite Home Cinema 400 delivers a premium home theater solution. With HDMI connectors, you’ll enjoy true HD digital viewing. And, with Epson cinema filters, sharpness and gamma adjustments and many other advanced features, you’re sure to see the home theater experience in a whole new light.It’s all possible with this high performance projector, the ideal fit for any home theater setting.The Epson PowerLite Home Cinema 400 is the next best choice to the top-of-the-line Epson PowerLite Pro Cinema 800. Designed for professional home theater and the AV enthusiast, the PowerLite Home Cinema 400 provides maximum placement flexibility and has many of the same features as the Pro Cinema 800. With advanced video processing, the PowerLite Cinema 400 is an ideal solution for those looking for a premium HD solution with some cost savings.
User Ratings and Reviews
5 Stars My first Projector! now in HD!
This review is probably more a complementary one to my already published HD Universe list-mainia piece. OK lets walk down the path again of what i wanted to do:
1. i made my decision on the DVD Wars format
2. I bought a high end Pioneer 24fps Bluray player
3. I am not planning on a big surround system except for a yamaha single closure system (which i wil connect directly to pioneer optical output)
4. The final piece was the actual eye candy!
I was doing allot of digging around with LCD vs Plasma vs SXRD vs LCOS from JVC and honestly when my brother in law pointed me in this direction, it was like a big slap on the face!!! when i saw this Powerlite in action i was instantly blown away.
I was made aware that in fact for me the cinematic true experience was in the size of the screen in addition to the actual Pixels being projected! i very much dumped the idea of a traditional windscreen box to watch my movies and opted for this gorgeous projector.
It was especially sweet because the store that carried this had no idea of what HD means! it was in a stock pile marked down in price too. i had no choice but to run home and grab my apple tv (loaded with some HD material) and test this puppy with HDMI hookup.
The contents were amazing and since apple TV shoots maximum at 720p, it was a match made in heaven. I didn’t really cared for 1080p vs 720p anymore. All that mattered now was 103′ diagonal view of actual 1 megapixel movie being projected on my white wall! Best part is all that eye candy from a Bluray 24fps player with digital optical for audio.
guys all i can say this piece is the ultimate in any HD mega setup.
5 Stars Epson Powerlight Projector
Great Product. It’s hi-def picture is incredible. It’s a little bulky, but its projected picture is wll worth it. It’s so bright, no screen is needed. Just a painted wall works fine. And it was delivered a week AHEAD OF SCHEDULE.
FAVI 100 16 9 HD Motorized Projector Screen w 2 Remote Controls HD 100
February 21, 2009 by admin
Filed under Electronics
FAVI 100 16 9 HD Motorized Projector Screen w 2 Remote Controls HD 100
FAVI electric / motorized projector screens allow for an affordable, high quality home theater experience. All FAVI electric projection screens are both IR and RF remote controlled with a washable matte white surface.
-Brand: FAVI
-Model: HD-100
-100 inch diagonal viewing area
-White Viewing Area: 87 x 49 inches
-Black Borders: Top 6 inches, Sides 1.75 inches, Bottom 2.25 inches
-1.3 Gain
-Matte White Surface (washable surface)
-White Steel Casing
-Mounting Hardware Included
-Quiet Motor with easy stop and start function
-Voltage: 110 / 220-240
-Comes with IR and RF Remote Control
-1 year warranty (Parts and Labor)
-14 Day Money Back Satisfaction Guarantee
User Ratings and Reviews
5 Stars Wow what a screen!
Great screen and great price. Comes with 2 remotes. One of the remotes can go through walls and has a distance of 80 feet. Highly recommend!
Mitsubishi HC1600 720p DLP Home Theater Projector
February 9, 2009 by admin
Filed under Electronics
Mitsubishi HC1600 720p DLP Home Theater Projector
If you are a high-definition video enthusiast who’s looking for a more affordable way to bring a front-screen projection to your home theater or family room, the Mitsubishi HC1600 projector is the right choice for you.This native 720p high definition projector shines bright at 1700 ANSI lumens and includes a sharp 2500:1 contrast ratio for extraordinary crisp details even when the lights are on. It includes the Texas Instruments DDP3020 DLP chip with BrilliantColor processing technology for added boost to brightness and color to your images. Additionally, it includes a flexible HDMI connectivity input, a lamp life of up to 3000 hours and operates at an ultra-quiet 25dBA noise level. This native 720p projector makes the high definition home theater experience even more affordable.
User Ratings and Reviews
3 Stars Adequate
I liked this projector, it had what I needed mostly. Very good picture for this price range.
I was a little frustrated with the adjustment controls, it wasn’t quite as vertically flexible as I would have liked.
I ended up returning the projector, because it didn’t have the throw range I needed for my projector room. I needed something with a 20 ft throw range, and the Mitsubishi only had a 15 ft throw for the 100 inch screen I have (my fault I should have checked this ahead of time).
It’s too bad because the picture was solid. I ended up getting a Panasonic, which has a large thow capability.
4 Stars Theatre for home personal use
Unlike other people, I don’t know about the performance of other projectors. I found this projector pretty good value for what I paid ($800) to see movies projected on my wall (which is off-white in color).
The 16:9 ratio gives a theatre like image and the remote works bouncing off the wall itself. Have not seen much difference between using a VGA cable and HDMI when watching DVDs. The only objectionable part would be the rainbow effect – you tend to catch the RGB separation if you blinked at the screen while moving your head and this can be somewhat irritating.
Overall, I would rate the projector worth the value I paid.
5 Stars Great value for an entry level projector
Installed this projector to replace an InFocus SP4805 projector, and I’m in love. This projector offers everything you need for a a quick and easy home theater setup. It’s insanely quiet. The first time I turned it on, I didn’t realize it was working because I couldn’t hear it. That’s a huge change from my old InFocus. It’s bright, and gave a fine picture in the middle of the day. The contrast is great, and the color is as accurate as I have seen in a sub $1000 projector. I highly recommend this if you are looking for a good value.
5 Stars Very nice product.
I had trouble trying to figure out what I wanted as a first projector. Well…I had to make up my mind sooner or later, and glad I got this one as my first. Entry level at its best I guess.
I did spend a few evenings researching the technologies and projectors with different price levels and was willing to spend much more than the price of this unit.
I have no idea what the “better” DLP projectors are all about, but when the ol’ lady started watching the commercials…her tongue was hanging out and I could see “wow” from her lips.
I would highly recommend this unit to anyone who does not rip everything apart and is not critical about minor details. Great price and I know we will probably not upgrade for a LONG time as we are both happy with this unit.
We watch this unit regularly now for I guess about a month.
We ended up painting the wall over the fireplace, and framed it using the reflective paint available online line (somewhere), but it looks great even on the bare wall!!
If you can, try and get the lowdown in real life on these units though…and do a “little” research on the technologies. DLP vs LCD, etc…both have their “pros and cons”, both are reasonably priced,
What sold me on DLP was that it won’t “burnin” but we shut our “stuff” off anyway, so LCD would have made a good choice also. Just try and check them out in real life if possible.
Overall…I’ll give this unit a “10″ and for the price…”11″, and just to let you know…I am a little anal on perfection.
2 Stars Could not show 720p HD signal. Support non-existent.
The picture on the projector is good and the price attractive BUT it refuses to show a high-def signal (720p) from my Sony Blu-ray so I have to run it in standard low-def 480p. I tried contacting support many times but they were completely useless – they do not answer email or web support and phone support you wait ages and they offer to call you back and then don’t.
Sony BDP S350 1080p Blu ray Disc Player
January 21, 2009 by admin
Filed under Electronics
Sony BDP S350 1080p Blu ray Disc Player
Experience the next wave of home entertainment with this Blu-ray Disc player, featuring Dolby TrueHD and BD-Live compatibility. Featuring BD-Live compatibility, you can take full advantage of the Bonus View feature of select Blu-ray movies as well as acquire the latest features and updates as they become available. This player also outputs a Full 1080/24p True Cinema picture, plus upscales your existing DVD collection to 1080p when using the HDMI connection. Superior picture quality isn’t the only thing you’ll notice, the BDP-S350 comes with Dolby TrueHD which delivers sound as stunning as the high definition picture itself. Bringing it all together is the icon based Xross Media Bar, which provides simple navigation of the player’s menu system. Quick start-up mode allows operation in less than 6 seconds from when Sony Blu-ray Disc player is powered on. Dolby TrueHD delivers lossless studio master quality audio designed specifically for high definition entertainment like Blu-ray Disc. An incredible sound stage, dynamic range and a stellar Home Theater experience await you with Dolby TrueHD. With up to 7.1 channels of surround sound and audio that is indistinguishable from the original studio version, Dolby TrueHD/DTS-HD promises you an extraordinary surround experience. DVD Upscaling via HDMI gets the most out of your existing DVD collection by upscaling standard definition video to near HD quality. Precision Cinema HD upscale uses high bandwidth digital-to-analog conversion and processing to detect image changes at the pixel level, rather than at the level of whole scan lines. Additionally, separate algorithms are used to process the moving and still parts of an image, resulting in sharp backgrounds with moving objects that are free from motion artifacts. Ethernet port provides connectivity to a home broadband connection so you can download network updates.
User Ratings and Reviews
5 Stars Excellent Player, Especially for the Money
I just ordered my fifth BDP-S350, as I slowly upgrade all of our DVD players to Blue-ray. We’re not into the super techie stuff, we were just looking for a reliable, reasonably priced player. We found it. I currently am using this player with a Dwin front projector, a 40″ Sony Bravia 720p and a few things in between. Even with standard DVD, the picture seems deeper and more crisp. Our experience has been nothing but positive. I paid close to the list price for the first two players and the price has been dropping slowly since. At the $243 price, it would be hard to beat.
1 Star Terribly SLOW!! Get the PS3.
I did a side by side comparison with the PS3. The PS3 loads disks more than twice as fast. Plus some newer Blu-ray disks wouldn’t even work on this model. The PS3 also has a great system for storing pictures, videos, and music. Don’t waste your money on this…get the PS3 even if you don’s play games.
5 Stars WOW!!!
I can’t compare to other players because I have nothing to compare to but for people wondering whether blu-ray players really are an improvement over regular dvd all I can say is wow, what a picture! Blu-ray is awesome and I highly recommend this player. I also bought an hdmi cable Mediabridge Ultra-High Speed HDMI Cable – 6ft – Version 1.3b Category 2 – 1080p – PS3 – Blu-Ray here on Amazon and it is so easy to hook this player up. Awesome!
5 Stars Sony Blu Ray Player
Great product, so much better than the BDPS-300. Loads in 5 seconds and does not freeze. Shipped quickly and arrived on time. Highly recommend to everyone.
4 Stars Great player – easy setup
I did my fair share of searching for a decent Blu-ray player for a good price. After searching for a couple of weeks, I came across this Sony WITH the HDMI cable included; after seeing this deal I had one word – SOLD!
Received the player within a couple of days after ordering, plugged in two wires (HDMI and power cord) and a few color adjustments and five minutes later it was up and running. Good purchase.
