The Ultimate(?) Po' Boy's High-end projection system for under $1500.

Video Asylum

TVs, VCRs, DVD players, Home Theater systems and more.

Well, I did say Po' Boy's system, right?
Okay, here we go:
InFocus X1 DLP projector (under $1000 from Best Buy; as low as $899 with the right discount offer; add around $30 for S&H, or tax, if purchasing locally) - SVGA native resolution (600x800 pixel ...but don't let that fool ya, it's capable of fine film-like resolution aided by a proprietory Faroudja chip; almost XGA detail in the correct set-up).
Da-Lite 70" X 70" (2.5:1 high contrast glass bead screen (available new from internet vendors on eBay or Projectorzone for less than $100, but let's just leave it at $100 including S&H); this provides a beautifully vivid picture even in screening rooms with mood lighting (i.e., especially when combined with the X1's excellent 2000:1 contrast ratio), but you WILL have to pull this model down manually. Hey, what do you expect for under $100?
Panasonic RP91K Progressive scan DVD player (under $400 from many vendors including etronics.com & PCMall; let's round it off to around $400 including S&H) - This player or one with similar flexibility is required to make this system sing! More on that later.
Cables: Component video cable (25' to 40', male RCA to male RCA, purchasable at any local electronics or computer superstore such as Fry's or over the internet for around $30; 15 pin male breakout adaptor with RCA female RGB for $3 to $20 dependent upon source ...or, just purchase a similar breakout cable on eBay or elsewhere for approximately $50 that has RCA male RGB to a male 15 pin computer output; add in around $5 S&H or tax) for direct connection to the InFocus 15 pin female input.
Thats...
$930 for the InFocus X1 projector (inc. S&H)
$100 for the 70" X 70" Da-Lite screen (inc. S&H)
$400 for the Panasonic RP91K prog. scan player (inc. S&H)
$55 for the component video cable(s); adaptor, if needed (inc. S&H or tax)
Total cost: $1485 (this, of course, may be scaled much higher, dependent upon screen size and type)
So, how does one make this system's performance really pop? The trick, for want of a better word, comes from the Panasonic DVD player's versatility. Once hooked up through the InFocus X1's computer input the picture should automatically adjust to video source. Unlike the S-Video and video inputs however, the calibration to a close NTSC picture is limited due to the lack of tint control, but this can be easily compensated for through the RP91K's tint control (+15/-15) by searching through the menu (note: the -8 setting on the DVD player's tint control should bring the color level very close to NTSC on the projected image, assuming that all of the other settings, such as contrast, brightness, color temperature, etc., were made earlier through the projector's set-up menu)
This is the "trick" part, keeping in mind that we're working with the projected image through the RP91K's menu: After some experimentation I noticed that clicking -1 on the "edge" function (0/-3) which is next to the tint control on the DVD player's menu removes noise from the image without softening the picture; in fact, it tightens and sharpens the image without adding any unwanted information (i.e., such as edge enhancement)! Now I'm not quite certain what combination of factors brought about this synergy, but in this mode of operation pixel detection is negligable and image clarity is astounding; very film-like.
I'm not sure whether this is simply a fluke or luck or simply utilizing the best features of the engineering in both units and screen to produce the optimum image, but it certainly raises the level of home theater experience for a modest investment. I say this having viewed systems costing $10,000, $15,000, $20,000 plus in HT Emporiums and High-End A/V specialty shops.
The X1 has been praised as a great entry level DLP HT projector, noting the limitations of it's SVGA pixel format, but I'm here to tell you that properly set-up that this unit is capable of being nudged up several rungs on the high resolution video ladder. At least that has been my experience, but I'm NOT inclined to say YMMV! :o)
Cheers,
AuPh

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Topic - The Ultimate(?) Po' Boy's High-end projection system for under $1500. - Audiophilander 12:34:05 07/09/03 (9)

You have my attention with high end performance claims @ $1500. - theob 18:56:55 07/09/03 (3)

Those are good questions: - Audiophilander 22:37:00 07/09/03 (2)

Thank you!! - theob 14:41:55 07/10/03 (1)

You're welcome & nope to any negatives! - Audiophilander 21:43:46 07/10/03 (0)

Very interesting and informative review, Auph! - padreken 15:48:29 07/09/03 (0)

Thanks for some great info! The RP-91 is one heck of - EdM 12:57:42 07/09/03 (3)

Me too! I have a sneaking feeling ... - Dalancroft 12:48:14 07/10/03 (2)

The manual leaves something to be desired... - EdM 07:53:38 07/11/03 (1)

Thanks for the tip! - Dalancroft 13:52:12 07/11/03 (0)

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