Testing for the Rainbow Effect

Marky1973

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Right, following recent posts I am pretty much set on getting an Optoma HD65 sometime very soon. However, I am a little (read very) limited in my options/opportunities to preview the model locally before buying, so have some concerns over the rainbow effect. I have had a quick google and found a few tests that can be applied to the projector once I have it and have seen a few suggestions on the forums regarding certain scenes in certain films that may be susceptible.

However, I was wondering if there was any "real world" test that one could do to give someone a rough idea if they would be affected? Probably not, but I guess it is worth asking! :D

Thanks
 
Right, following recent posts I am pretty much set on getting an Optoma HD65 sometime very soon. However, I am a little (read very) limited in my options/opportunities to preview the model locally before buying, so have some concerns over the rainbow effect. I have had a quick google and found a few tests that can be applied to the projector once I have it and have seen a few suggestions on the forums regarding certain scenes in certain films that may be susceptible.

However, I was wondering if there was any "real world" test that one could do to give someone a rough idea if they would be affected? Probably not, but I guess it is worth asking! :D

Thanks


Scrolling movie titles i.e bright white text on black backgound is as good as anything. Also watch the material as you would normally rather than just staring at the screen without blinking or moving your eyes.


AVI
 
Marky try out some black a and white material like Sin City, Casino Royale opening scene and Kill Bill Vol:1 opening scene and opening credits should do. If you don't see any RBE in any of the segments then you're fine but if you do see RBE check to make sure whether you are bothered by it like if you get a headache and/or eye strain. If you do get eye strain and/or a headache I think it's best not to go in for a single chip DLP unit and opt for LCD instead. Try and get a long demo say atleast 30mins before you decide on the purchase.

Good Luck.
Amal.
 
Thanks AVI

I presume you are talking about when I have the projector set up and I am watching it? I might have misinterpreted your message, but I was thinking about a test I can apply before buying the projector - but I guess if this is something only seen on DLP projectors then it might not be possible......

I guess if I get it online somewhere like dixons I should be able to sort out a return quite easily (or relatively easily)
 
Right, following recent posts I am pretty much set on getting an Optoma HD65 sometime very soon. However, I am a little (read very) limited in my options/opportunities to preview the model locally before buying, so have some concerns over the rainbow effect. I have had a quick google and found a few tests that can be applied to the projector once I have it and have seen a few suggestions on the forums regarding certain scenes in certain films that may be susceptible.

However, I was wondering if there was any "real world" test that one could do to give someone a rough idea if they would be affected? Probably not, but I guess it is worth asking! :D

Thanks

Can you return it if you don't like the picture ? Are you sure you can set it up with the right throw distance ? Will you need lens shift and does the PJ offer it if you do ?

I think the 1st question is key.

DLP PJs can be restrictive in where you can site them and tend not to offer lens shift, therefore in some instances they can be impossible to accomodate if you don't have flexibilty in putting the PJ exactly where it needs to be.

If you can return it, then you have an ideal opportunity to home demo the PJ.

When I demo'd the HD80, for rainbow effect potential, the black and white beginning of Casino Royale is a tester.

If you can't return the PJ, then definitely demo it in a shop somewhere- I would strongly advise against buying without demo. The worst case scenario is you will be selling it on in a couple of weeks for a significant loss.

I remember demoing an optoma 720p PJ a few months back and I thought the picture lacked stability IMO. I bought a HD80 in the end. How much are you paying for the HD65 ?
 
Can you return it if you don't like the picture ?

Ambient light can be a factor in RBE so seeing a PJ at PC world with ambient light may yield different result than a very dark room at home.

If the OP is unable to arrange a proper demo his best bet is to purchase from a UK internet, telesales or mail order retailer. By doing this he is covered by distance selling regs and in most circumstances the purchaser has 7 days to return the product if it does not meet requirements. Providing he doesn't damage it of put more than more than reasonable testing hours on the lamp this may be the best option. However, always check out the specifc retailers returns policy and always use a credit card (not debit).

AVI
 
Thanks for the replies!

I think I am looking at about ÂŁ430 for the hd65 from Dixons with discounts and Quidco - will need to check their returns......I think richer sounds do a 14 day no quibble return, but they only have the HD720x in my price range and I suspect, for the extra ÂŁ30 the HD65 will be a better bet.

But if I suffered badly with the 720, I presume the effect is likely to be the same on the 65? I have read a few comments on here about people getting used to it or ignoring it, even reducing its effects with careful calibration?

I am going to have to go with a pull up screen to keep the wife happy :)grin:), so placement is going to be a bit of a hassle, but the projector will not be fixed, so should not be a massive problem (I presume, hopefully).....

I shall do some terms and conditions reading I guess!

Thanks for the comments

Mark
 
Ambient light can be a factor in RBE so seeing a PJ at PC world with ambient light may yield different result than a very dark room at home.

If the OP is unable to arrange a proper demo his best bet is to purchase from a UK internet, telesales or mail order retailer. By doing this he is covered by distance selling regs and in most circumstances the purchaser has 7 days to return the product if it does not meet requirements. Providing he doesn't damage it of put more than more than reasonable testing hours on the lamp this may be the best option. However, always check out the specifc retailers returns policy and always use a credit card (not debit).

AVI

Good point, although I didn't have PC world in mind :D proper lighting conditions obviously.

Many distance sellers charge an extortionate 'restocking' fee should you want to return, so as Avi says, check their policy before you purchase, and do not rush ! Good advice above.

Looking forward to your take on PS3 vs BD30 comparison Avi :smashin: BTW, did you find that component cable ;) 480i as well as 576i please if possible !
 
Looking forward to your take on PS3 vs BD30 comparison Avi :smashin: BTW, did you find that component cable ;) 480i as well as 576i please if possible !

Just posted some intial stuff. Still looking for a cable :)

AVI
 
Hey Marky i saw that you have mentioned in one of your posts that you suffered badly with the 720x. Did you end up with eye strain or a headache or any discomfort at all?
 
sorry, must have been typing with my fists if I wrote that.....not had a projector at all yet, just did have an option of the 720x at Richer Sounds - the attraction of getting it from somewhere physical outweighing the attraction of the HD65 for an extra 30 odd quid......RS also said thay did a 14 day trial period......

I think one of the posts I made, might have asked a question about whether the likelihood of RBE was the same with the 720x as the HD65 - which is almost as good as asking how long a piece of string is.......

So sorry, not had the chance to have a look at any yet....
 
Oh ok Marky I just misunderstood that post lol. Anyway you could check on a DLP Tele to see whether you do suffer from RBE.
 
are rear projection TVs generally DLP? I think they are pretty hard to find in showrooms now as well? Or am I being stupid - is there an obvious place to find one?
 
I think most rear projection TVs were LCD. Sagem were the only DLP rear proj TV that I was aware of and I doubt there are any on show now.
 
Great! :(

might just have to bite the bullet then.......:eek:
 
well, ironically enough, I was walking past BrightHouse at lunch and noticed they had a DLP rear-pro TV - so got to havea look at the - the problem is that just doesn't give me the opportunity to properly test myself....and the picture wasn't the best.

Crouched in front of it (about 6 feet away from a 50inch screen) with lots of bright backgrounds and didn't notice anything untoward.....apart from the assistant behind me - stayed for as long as I could without looking weird and without a DVT forming and it all seemed fine.......just not a good enough test as far as i am concerned.......will have to try going back at lunch tomorrow and pretend to be trying out one of their chairs too!

Popped into a little electronics shop in town which does havea viewing room, ubt they don't stock DLP projectors as no-one buys them.....no-one buys them 'cos you haven't got them in stock to test!
 
Hi just thought id share my experiences so far. Hadnt noticed any rbe at all with my new hd65, until the other night whening playing "tears of the sun" on dvd on my old player at 570p.

It became apparent in the night jungle scenes with lots of movement. Since then clocked it a couple of times on other movies, but not serious.

I have to say though as as it is my 1st pj, Im tending to scrutinise the image for faults and I dont think this is helping either, plus the bulb is still burning in and the pj is uncalibrated.

I have just watched "National Treasure" on my new Samsung 1080P7 player, and didnt noticed it in one scene.

I think others maybe right, once I stop looking to hard as you always do with new av stuff as well as getting used to the format, I dont think it will be a problem.
 
Marky its great that you found a DLP projection tele. Try and give it a thorough look-see. The thing is I didn't notice any RBE on DLP rear projection teles but I do see RBE on my HD70. I have no idea how this is possible but I think its just my bad luck.

I do think as a8ch stated you will eventually get used to it no doubt. Even proper calibartion helps a bit.

Hey a8ch how many hours is it on your HD65 and have you got any idea how long it usually takes for the bulb to burn in properly.
 
Marky its great that you found a DLP projection tele. Try and give it a thorough look-see. The thing is I didn't notice any RBE on DLP rear projection teles but I do see RBE on my HD70. I have no idea how this is possible but I think its just my bad luck.

I do think as a8ch stated you will eventually get used to it no doubt. Even proper calibartion helps a bit.

Hey a8ch how many hours is it on your HD65 and have you got any idea how long it usually takes for the bulb to burn in properly.

I will try and have another look if I can manage without being looked at funny! OF course knowing my luck I will find out I am not affected but my wife can't watch it and then we are in trouble!:D
 
Marky its great that you found a DLP projection tele. Try and give it a thorough look-see. The thing is I didn't notice any RBE on DLP rear projection teles but I do see RBE on my HD70. I have no idea how this is possible but I think its just my bad luck.

I do think as a8ch stated you will eventually get used to it no doubt. Even proper calibartion helps a bit.

Hey a8ch how many hours is it on your HD65 and have you got any idea how long it usually takes for the bulb to burn in properly.

About 5 hours use so far. Ive put all the settings to zero, until the bulb has burnt in.

Not sure about burn time, seen varying reports here from 20 to 100 hrs.

Going to look into calibration at 20 hrs, and/or when I have got my setup (room wise ie pj in final resting place etc) complete. Slowly getting there :)
 
Hey a8ch I was wondering how the brightness on the HD65 is and whether it has affected you in anyway. I have the HD70 and the brightness is very high even after proper calibration and it is quite uncomfortable on the eyes especially switching from a dark scene to a bright scene in a movie. I haven't still got around to getting myself an ND filter. Lately I have been feeling dizzy after watching the projector for about 1 hour or so. I never felt dizzy before even after watching entire movies maybe a bit of sore eyes because of the brightness but that was it. I wasn't bothered by the RBE when I got the projector so I don't think that is what is causing the problem now maybe it is the intense brightness. I'm stuck with the HD70 so might as well try and make it work in some way or another and hope that I get used to the PJ, anyway I'm sad to say that its no more DLP for me ever again. I'm just one of the unlucky ones to suffer but to people who aren't bothered thank your lucky stars because the picture is amazing.

Marky if you or anyone from your family see any sort of RBE while testing the DLP tele I suggest getting a LCD projector no questions asked because this getting used to thing with DLP is just not worth it. The colour wheel is anyway different from projector to projector sometimes so you might not see RBE on one pj and you might end up seeing it on another pj. LCD pjs do put out a good picture as well so you don't have to worry about that. There is SDE (Screen Door Effect) but that is so minor these days and you aren't gonna sit real close to a massive screen anyway. The only thing is they tend to cost a bit more.

In the end what we all need is to enjoy the picture with piece of mind without always fearing you might see RBE.

Amal.
 
Yeah, been slowly changing my mind over the weekend - if I don't suffer, great, but then what about the wife and then the kids - they are still quite young, but the eldest is getting close to that time when I would want to start brainwashing her into being a film-fan, and the logistics of getting everyone together for a viewing is too much at the moment - and I am not sure I would be able to explain the RBE to her just yet.....

Anyway, now started looking at either the Sanyo PLV-Z5, Sony HS60 or the Panasonic 200 thingy.....but you are right - they are more expensive, so gonna have to do a bit of saving - unless I stumble across a great deal somewhere........

I am sure it shouldn't be this hard!:rotfl:
 
Hey a8ch I was wondering how the brightness on the HD65 is and whether it has affected you in anyway. I have the HD70 and the brightness is very high even after proper calibration and it is quite uncomfortable on the eyes especially switching from a dark scene to a bright scene in a movie.
SIZE=2]Amal.

Absolutely fine here, now Ive got my 1080p7 and have time Im watching. Last night it was the Matrix the HD65 did a superb job between differing brightness scenes in the film, very watchable indeed.

I have to kerb my enthusiam, to keep the missus sweet, otherwise Id be watching it all the time (us boys and our toys hey! :D)

I guess as the replacement for the HD70 they must have ironed out a lot if not all the faults, as the HD65 continues to gain rave reviews.

Sorry to hear you are struggling to get used to dlp technology, its obviously as you say not suited to everyone.
 

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