DLP Rainbows - my story

[Marky1973]

Well after seeing the DABS offer for the Optoma HD700x with screen I got excited and started looking into getting a projector - also looked at the 720X, the HD65, then the HD75, a bit of the HD70 and then today, finally I got to have a demo of the HD73. I had been looking at some LCDs in the same price gap but was keen on the DLP for that more 'filmic' quality that I was looking for.

First things first....the picture was great.....when I could look at it!

I think I must be in a minority of people who can not only see the rainbows, but is made to feel physically sick by them - althought that minority seemed to include my wife who was with me at the time.

I took my Sin City SD-DVD with me to view and its was like the fourth of July, rainbows everywhere.....and I had not even told SWMBO about the rainbow effect and she could see it....10 minutes and we both felt physically ill. Tried Lord of the Rings, which was okay,but there were still rainbows. Sin City is a very contrasty film and we were probably going to see RBE whatever, but I just never expected as much......

I would recommend Sin City as a tester if you demo a DLP as if we had seen minor rainbows on other test discs we may have had a shock when we got it home.

My wife, several hours later is still complaining that it made her queasy.

Not one to be a drama queen, I just wanted to stress to everyone to get a demo if they possibly can. I am still sure it is a minority of people who see the RBE and it could possibly be ignored/gotten used to in very small doses, but this was unbearable!

Not saying don't buy DLP, but definitely try before you buy and I hope you don't suffer like we did......really annoyed as they have an HD70 for £549 and I would probably have got it today if things had been different......so back to the drawing board and its LCD for me......now if I can just find a new Sanyo PLV-Z5 for £300 we'll be laughing....

[stuartbrown21]

I think the very best advice with pj's is to research them to death on this forum, but before buying always take a demo. LCD, DLP & LCOS are all fantastic technologies but any of them may or may not work for you.

From all the reading I've done, I'd say that the majority of people do see them, but that only a minority such as yourself have a strong reaction to them.

[Marky1973]

I did do quite a lot of research....and have been pestering various forum members over the last couple of weeks........to get some views on the PJs......just thought I would stress the importance of viewing before buying, especially after today's efforts.....I'm quite annoyed we saw them so badly...but at least we did see them before buying!

Otherwise I thought the picture quality was great and wouldn't want to put anyone off - just check it out first!

[DrugstoreCowboy]

The thought of rainbows put me off DLP, have to admit I never even looked at a DLP projector before demoing an HD73 recently but curiosity got the better of me and I had to see what the fuss was about, glad I did because I'm not as sensitive to them as I expected.

Bought it a week later and out of the numerous LCDs and plasmas I've owned or used this is my favorite display of them all, the colour, motion...sheer size is amazing for the price, 'tis a shame you find them uncomfotable but at least you had the sense to try before buying

[Marky1973]

as I said the HD73 was impressive otherwise......still just can't believe it was as bad as it was. Unless the shop has some sort of deal with Epson as they were very keen to give me details of all the Epson LCDs they could get their hands on!

[x liddy x]

Is there anyway of knowing wether you are prone to rainbow effect? Also, would wearing glasses effect it?

[Marky1973]

I think the demo is the main way to find out - I tried a DLP rear projection TV before the projector demo and that was completely different and not in ideal conditions.....not sure if wearing glasses would make a difference.......

As I said above get a demo to be sure, but don't let the possibility put you off.....

[tabs]

have you considered the sanyo Z3 or Z4 ? ... both have good reviews,

Z3 review here http://www.projectorreviews.com/sanyo/plv-z3/index.php

Z4 review here http://www.projectorreviews.com/sanyo/plv-z4/index.php

[stuartbrown21]

Originally Posted by tabs

have you considered the sanyo Z3 or Z4 ? ... both have good reviews,

Z3 review here http://www.projectorreviews.com/sanyo/plv-z3/index.php

Z4 review here http://www.projectorreviews.com/sanyo/plv-z4/index.php

Another good option would be a Panasonic PT-AX100 or 200, as these are 1080/24p compatible.

[Marky1973]

Hi Stuart - noticed you have the Panny 100 - which I can find within my price range - the 200 would be nice, but that would mean some more scraping of money - just wondered if you had seen the 200 in action to compare to your 100 and whether there are any major differences - gonna go do some internet/forum trawling for details, but just wonderd if you have seen them both in action.

Cheers

Rainbows? What rainbows.....

Probably find my eyes are just weird and I'll go LCD to find everything looks like the Money for Nothing video!

[Avi]

Originally Posted by Marky1973

Cheers

Rainbows? What rainbows.....

Probably find my eyes are just weird and I'll go LCD to find everything looks like the Money for Nothing video!

DLP colour separation aka rainbows is physiological. Some people are more susceptible than others. Also other techs such as LCD/LCOS have have their own phenomemon such as motion blur/smear that again is physiological.

Not all DLP or LCD/LCOS products are equal and some may present more issues to some people than others.

AVI

[Marky1973]

Hi AVI
Yeah, I appreciate that, all joking aside...I might just have to take the plunge with an LCD though as the chances of viewing anything locally is pretty slim.....hopefully that will be okay.....or at least not have the same affect as the RBE - still shocked at how bad it was (for me).....

[Avi]

Originally Posted by Marky1973

Hi AVI
Yeah, I appreciate that, all joking aside...I might just have to take the plunge with an LCD though as the chances of viewing anything locally is pretty slim.....hopefully that will be okay.....or at least not have the same affect as the RBE - still shocked at how bad it was (for me).....

I see RBE it and it's a big problem for me on some mono DLP's but not on others. Hence my comment about not all products being equal. I found over time that motion smear on my JVC HD1 bugged me as much. We're all wired differently so go by your own observations.

Good luck !

AVI

[Marky1973]

HAving viewed the HD73, I have to accept (in my own way) that I am probably going to suffer with all the DLP PJs within my budget - I am sure there are some out there that would be okay, and maybe future improvements will get rid of them.......its just after almost giving my wife a migraine (it really was that bad) - and she would have had a full-on migraine if we had watched any more - she refuses to have one in the house!

I don't know, the things we men have to put up with!

[Hillskill]

Just had my first weekend with my HD70. Been noticing some RBE on certain inputs.....Watched "American Gangster" off Sky box office in HD (via HDMI), the last hour seemed to suffer the most but it wasnt something that bothered me. I asked my girlfriend if she had noticed them and hadn't. On the other hand absolutley hammered COD4 on my XBOX360 (via Component) and everything was faultless.