[krichter1]

Originally Posted by RICKYJ

I have just managed to get the X55 out of the box after the Sunday shootout. The settings are the same, and I can see much more shadow detail than I did on Sun, including `the building`. I can only think the black signal was being crushed due to a handshake or something else as the brightness was set up at the demo....?

Mooro's updated pic looks sooo much better!

I didn't even think about the HDMI settings Kelvin brought up. That could definitely cause havoc if both don't match. My pic was taken with normal setting (I keep going back and forth on this whole issue because I have so many sources its hard to know which one's doing what so I did all my cal's without enhanced mode enabled... is this a mistake IYO??).

You should have Jason post a pic using his gear... top notch for sure!

Can't wait to find time to update the Lumagen and get a 3D LUT on the RS56 (x75)! Should look fantastic (I hope!).

[krichter1]

Originally Posted by soupdragon

When it all boils down to it, all the projectors on offer these days are all excellent. You often get threads on the forums on which is the best projector but in reality, there is no such thing as a best projector. There are so many factors which make up a great image, with some preferring great sharpness, or great blacks, or top motion or quick lag times...the list goes on. Add in all the different content we use them for, the different rooms, the different screens - its enough to probably put Einstein's head in a pickle!

Bearing in mind we've had almost 4000 views and counting on this thread - spare a thought for the newbie's - Any newbie coming along to read some of these threads and also over on AVS, they will have their head melted trying to decipher which one to choose if they can't do a home demo such as Jagadeepp

But for all those a little bewildered trying to take it all in (and I include myself in that bewilderment) you can rest assured that they all throw an tremendous image and the scale of 100+ inches in your home theatre is a wonderful thing regardless of which projector it is - all this crazy analysis which I frequently find myself getting sucked into is just for the nut-jobs that want to find the Holy Grail!

Edit: but it's great being a nut-job and a home theatre enthusiast. I'll take that over being a trainspotter/stamp collector any day

Edit 2: my name is soupdragon and im a projector-holic. It's been 3 weeks since my last projector

Excellent post and perspective SD!

[alebonau]

Originally Posted by mikeybabes2

Well I'm glad we have you guys to do it for us. I think after an hour or so of testing I'd just stick on a good movie and get out the beer and peanuts - which wouldn't be too helpful for everyone else.

So you guys didn't ....... Nah ... you would't have....

hehe very true for me too I'd say.

but yeah well done guys, read with some interest the comparisons. all kudos for all the trouble gone through and am sure many have appreciated

[KelvinS1965]

Just done some checks and the VW50ES has too big an image from my long throw. At minimum zoom from 19' the 16:9 image will be 124" diagonal compared to 95" for the X30 (Projector central calculator Pro). Same goes for the VW95ES which I did briefly consider also.

This takes it out of the running for me as I wouldn't be able to use my lens with it. That puts me back between the X35 and the X55 I guess, seeing as I can't watch DLP, unless I've overlooked some other option?

[Chevyonfuel]

Originally Posted by KelvinS1965

Just done some checks and the VW50ES has too big an image from my long throw. At minimum zoom from 19' the 16:9 image will be 124" diagonal compared to 95" for the X30 (Projector central calculator Pro). Same goes for the VW95ES which I did briefly consider also.

This takes it out of the running for me as I wouldn't be able to use my lens with it. That puts me back between the X35 and the X55 I guess, seeing as I can't watch DLP, unless I've overlooked some other option?

Pana...pana...pan...I cant say it...

[chienmetallique]

Originally Posted by KelvinS1965

Just done some checks and the VW50ES has too big an image from my long throw. At minimum zoom from 19' the 16:9 image will be 124" diagonal compared to 95" for the X30 (Projector central calculator Pro). Same goes for the VW95ES which I did briefly consider also.

This takes it out of the running for me as I wouldn't be able to use my lens with it. That puts me back between the X35 and the X55 I guess, seeing as I can't watch DLP, unless I've overlooked some other option?

I'd written the Sony off on lens memory alone, but having checked my throw calc's, Kelvin is right, the image will be huge, this must be targetting the US market with massive screens. I think either x35 with Lumagen or x55 is my xmas present.

[KelvinS1965]

Originally Posted by Chevyonfuel

Pana...pana...pan...I cant say it...

Wash your mouth out. Think it's going to be X35. I just had Casino Royale on for my son, with the lens and the Darbee (first time I've watched it with the Darbee). It looks really good, just need a bit of room treatment and some extra contrast from the X35 (less iris than the HD350 and a new lamp of course, plus 125 point CMS from the Mini3D) will do for me I reckon.

I'd better call Ricky in the morning.

[soupdragon]

At full zoom both projectors throw a very similar size image, but the jvc is X2 zoom and Sony is x1.6 so the jvc has a bigger range which gives you the option of a smaller image at the same throw position.
This extra zoom comes at a price and the lens in the jvc likely costs a bit more to make than the Sony because of this. The Jvc lenses have always been regarded as very good quality across the range whereas Sony only put their best lenses in the VW range.
Joe Bloggs will hardly notice the difference in lens quality but when you run test patterns the Sony hw range can be seen to be not quite perfect in some examples. Very hard to pick this up in normal viewing though.

[KelvinS1965]

I've been comparing zooming to fill my 2.35:1 screen and using my lens. Perhaps because I'm at minimum zoom, with my lens I actually find that things like the projector menu text looks sharper with the lens than just zoomed. There is a significant change in the projector lens aperture in my set up so using the lens barely gives me any extra brightness as the aperture change makes up the difference when zooming. However, what this also means is that in my set up there is also a similarly large increase in the contrast caused by the aperture change over this range. It'll be interesting to see how zooming on the X35 holds up as I believe the lenses have improved since my HD350. At the very least they have smaller steps for the focus, which would be welcome.

Bottom line is that so long as the X35 is still bright enough then I may be able to use it with the iris near fully clamped down, so I could be close to getting the full 50,000:1 contrast. In theory it is 30% more lumens than the HD350 even if they both have new lamps, plus my HD350 lamp must have dimmed a bit by now so I've got the iris open further, so I'm currently maybe at under 20,000:1.

Anyway, just had a reply from Ricky and I could have an X35 with me by Saturday morning. Have to speak nicely to the OH as I'm off to my work's Christmas do tomorrow night and won't be back until lunchtime at least.

[krichter1]

Kelvin . . . if you can swing the 55 price wise I would highly recommend you waiting a couple days until some updated news is posted...

[KelvinS1965]

Already pushed the button, my X35 comes on Saturday, which may also explain why I'm posting at 3:30am since I'm now struggling to get to sleep. Though your post intrigues me, I'm happy with my choice, having seen an X30 previously I'm happy that the X35 will match (or maybe exceed) it, especially for 2D only.

I have an Isco II lens, Darbee and Lumgen Mini3D to help it along too.

[D A N]

Originally Posted by KelvinS1965

Just done some checks and the VW50ES has too big an image from my long throw. At minimum zoom from 19' the 16:9 image will be 124" diagonal compared to 95" for the X30 (Projector central calculator Pro). Same goes for the VW95ES which I did briefly consider also.

This takes it out of the running for me as I wouldn't be able to use my lens with it. That puts me back between the X35 and the X55 I guess, seeing as I can't watch DLP, unless I've overlooked some other option?

I had the exact same revelation a couple of years ago, considering the VW85. I'd say both the zoom and the lens shift range puts sony projectors out of the equation for many users.

[jagdeepp]

Papa's got a brand new band ....,
Attachment 357920





Picked this up from RickyJ last night. Sony + Darbee.. Tested these out on my setup last night. Got a call from the mrs at 1am asking me if I intended to sleep at any point... My response? Yes, when I'm dead! I carried on playing.

Not yet connected up the darbee as I was short of an extra hdmi cable. Having spent some more time with the reality creation I'm seeing little difference when adjusting it down. Introduces quite a lot if artefacts. Worst on some blu rays than others. When watching 16:9 material with bars in either side of my scope screen it's a tad better. At 4m scope artefacts are a tad more apparent. Saw the darbee running with the Sony when Ricky was here and look forward to seeing it work its magic!

I actually enjoy the image without RC just as much. A tad softer but very pleasing indeed.

Made a few adjustments to the gamma etc but settings out of the box are generally very good indeed!

Tested out some bluray material that performed really well on my 350. Pleased to say the blacks are as good as my 350.

Love the image! Don't particularly like the manual zoom as the lens also shifts but to be honest even then it's quicker than motorised zoom and shift! Not as good as lens memory but at this price something's got to give. I prefer a punchy image to lens memory!

Can't wait to get home tonight.......

May possibly add an Isco lens in the coming weeks.

[KelvinS1965]

Sounds like you're a happy man Jag. Get that other cable and have a play with the Darbee. Then give me a shout when you get that lens so we can get it set up 100% spot on (I'll just try not to look to closely at the picture since I can't fit a HW50ES in my room as it turns out).

EDIT: Jag you need to change your signature. Mmmm bit quiet on here this afternoon, stuck in the office today and looking forward to getting home tomorrow morning to a nice X35 shaped box.

[pRot3us]

Originally Posted by KelvinS1965

Already pushed the button, my X35 comes on Saturday, which may also explain why I'm posting at 3:30am since I'm now struggling to get to sleep.

You sound like a kid at Christmas Kelvin

On a slight tangent it was about 03:30am when I bought my HD350 a couple of years ago when they had their second production run from Richers. I'd convinced myself that they'd be flying off the shelves within a day so at said time, after my mate had just staggered off home, I put in an order, heavily ****faced. I even left a reminder to my sober self on my phone that I'd bought one just in case I ordered another one as soon as I got up.

Most expensive and best drunk purchase ever.

Anyway enjoy your X35 and Jag your HW50, I'm not jealous, honest.

[soupdragon]

Looking forward to hearing everyone's thoughts and with a bit of luck, the number of owners will rise and post their views.

Finally got my dark knight rises and Bourne box set delivered so that's this weekends viewing sorted. The kids are away sat night so a few friends round for poker, drinks, snacks and then the dark knight rises

Can't wait to give the sound system a good blast at reference level volume. Doesn't happen often these days and the amp and sub could do with getting the pipes cleaned out with a dose of high octane thrills

[sammy the squid]

Originally Posted by jagdeepp

Got a call from the mrs at 1am asking me if I intended to sleep at any point... My response? Yes, when I'm dead! I carried on playing.

Congrats on the purchase Jagdeepp your above quote made me laugh I normally get a text off the other half asking me when I'll be done (even though I'm only downstairs) I'm not as brave as you, my response is normally "I'll be done in 10 mins" enjoy the new toy on that super sized screen mate

Asif

[KelvinS1965]

Just back from my work Christmas do, so waiting for the delivery man to arrive.

Not sure how much I'll see of the projector today as I didn't get back to my hotel until 3am today. Getting too old for that sort of night out.

[Fangorn]

I am Z5 owner and finaly looking to upgrade. These projectors are in my budget. I do not have a a bat cave. Will be projecting from from about 14 feet. 92 inch max screen size. Do you guys feel these pj are a little too much for what I need, over bright etc. 3d is something I would like too.

[Graham]

I've got an HW50 and only a 77" screen - it's not too bright in low lamp mode. Setup sounds similar to yours, i.e. light walls etc. What's great is that football - watched MOTD last night - is perfectly bright and watchable even with the lights on a fair bit.

[KelvinS1965]

Originally Posted by Graham

I've got an HW50 and only a 77" screen - it's not too bright in low lamp mode. Setup sounds similar to yours, i.e. light walls etc. What's great is that football - watched MOTD last night - is perfectly bright and watchable even with the lights on a fair bit.

Are you using the '50 in (low) manual iris mode as otherwise that image must be pretty bright on that size screen: I'm running my X35 on a 112" wide 2.35:1 scope screen which is 100" diagonal approx for 16:9 and I have to put the iris to -15 minimum to get it down to 12-14fL (measured). Even then there were a few snow scenes on a film last night that made my eyes twitch when they cut from inside to outside such was the brightness. Of course if you want to watch with the lights on for some reason then the extra brightness could be useful too, but there are other settings on both projectors that will allow this. They may not be too accurate, but if watching with the lights on that's probably not a priority.

Certainly for 92" diagonal either model would be plenty bright enough and would probably have to be trimmed down especially when the lamp is new.

Being able to close down the JVC's iris is what will give you better blacks. Last week when I saw the X5 it was zoomed right out and at half iris. I wasn't blown away with the blacks, such that when I got home my HD350 seemed that it wasn't any worse. I went with my instinct in the end and sure enough with my X35 set up at minimum zoom and minimum iris the blacks seemed much more impressive, despite seeing the X55 in a dedicated room and my X35 in a living room. In a small screen set up like 77" or 92" depending on throw you should be able to do the same, so bare in mind that the comments about the Sony blacks being as good as the X55 (and by inference the X35) that it was a very large screen set up with lots of zoom. Of course if 3D is more important then the Sony still might be the better choice and also the shootout gave the Sony the nod for motion too (I find the X35 is an improvement over the HD350 but it never bothered me particulary anyway).

Bottom line is that projector choice can be very dependent on the environment, screen size/gain and throw.

[Graham]

Hi, I have the iris on auto limited, cinema 1 or 2 mode. Yes it is bright but not ever overwhelming, although like you say there are a few uncomfortable moments if a very bright screen comes up! The 'bright TV' mode would be way too much with the lights off but for the football with the lights on it's fine.

[mooro1973]

I've finally cracked and gone for the Sony.

[cl7gr]

I think that you should test X35 with firmware update and jvc glasses against hw50 since x35 is brighter than x55. You can add darbee if possible...

http://translate.google.com/translat...77%26catid%3D2