Projector/resolution questions

[SpOoNmAn]

I see myself as a guy who tries to stay up with the latest numbers but when manufacturers start garbling stuff, I get confused so I need you PGL brethren to help give opinions/facts and such.

Let me lay this out...

I was going to get the Infocus 5700 DLP projector(native 720p) but have since decided to get its replacement, the IN76.

Inputs:
DVI: Number of Inputs: 1
Requires M1 to DVI cable

M1: Number of Inputs: 1
Accepts VGA and DVI through M1 cable

HDMI: Number of Inputs: 1
HDCP Supported

Component: Number of Inputs: 1

VESA(HD15): Number of Inputs: 1
Requires M1 to VGA cable

S-Video: Number of Inputs: 1
4-pin DIN, no progressive support

Composite: Number of Inputs: 1
Computer: M1-DA
HDCP Support: Yes

Enhanced Definition TV: Component RCA, HDMI, M1-DA
High Definition TV: Component RCA, M1-DA, HDMI

Ok so it has HDMI atleast I am no stranger to the Infocus M1 connection, I have the adapter for the 4805 already.

More info...

Data Compatibility: 640 x 480, 800 x 600, 1024 x 768, 1280 x 1024

Video Compatibility: Full NTSC, PAL, SECAM, 480i, 480p, 576i, 576p, 720p, 1035i, 1080i, 1080p/24, 1080p/30, 1080p/50, 1080p/60

Is Data compatability what the M1/VGA can receive? Or is that just a way of showing the highest native resolutions it can output regardless of which connection I use?

It would be safe to assume that say if I send it a 1080p signal via the 360 HD DVD drive, it would be scaled down to 720p correct?

What projectors actually project a native 1080p picture?

Heres the direct link, poke around...
IN76 Specs

Heres a little blurb from projectorcentral:

The IN76 is compatible with the 1080p/24 format. This is not really relevant to the consumer since 1080p/24 transmission is not used in the consumer electronics world. But it is used in post production facilities, and compatibility with 1080p/24 makes the IN76 viable as a product for that market. Meanwhile, both projectors are compatible with 1080i25/30 and 1080p50/60, as well as 720p50/60, which are the HDTV signals of interest to consumers.

None of this matters much because 720p is plenty for these eyes I'll just use the component connection until I get bored and want to tinker.

Did I have a point to all of this? I just dozed off, hahaha. I swear I did, for about 10 minutes, wow I need sleep!

[SpOoNmAn]

Oh and I can get it for about a grand under its list price of 3,000.00

A seller on ebay who I've dealt with before(99.3% with 8,157 feedback[excellent]) has them for 2,100 NIB(includes shipping/insurance).

The cheapest I could find elsewhere was 2,700.00

[Jon Liu]

I'm not quite sure what the difference is between video and data. but, with that said, I think it won't matter too much. I think the focus should just be on the video resolutions.

It seems like the data is just regular compute resolutions...

[SpOoNmAn]

Yeah I saw those resolutions and thought VGA right away.

Im looking 2 deep into it, as long as I get beautiful 720p, I'll be in heaven

[KEEZY]

I saw that projector when I was looking around. Looks sexy just by itself! Let us know how it goes.

[ProPain]

Spoon, any problems with your 4805? or, do you just have the upgrade bug?

My 4805 has been solid (i'm on my second bulb though)

[Jon Liu]

I don't look forward to buying another bulb for my projector. But, then again, it could be worse... I could have to buy a bulb for the Sony Ruby... 1000 bucks!? ouch!

[SpOoNmAn]

Originally Posted by ProPain

Spoon, any problems with your 4805? or, do you just have the upgrade bug?

My 4805 has been solid (i'm on my second bulb though)

The 4805 is a rock, as are the other 5 scattered amongst the family. Its been 2.5 years since Ive had the upgrade bug, well as far as a display goes. I was going to make the leap last fall when the 360 hit but I figured newer models would come out and prices would drop, both happened

I might wait until spring to do this, depends on my budget. If I get a roommate, its being bought asap

[SpOoNmAn]

My decision was made Thanks to a thread Peench started and Wood Ghosts reply
Peenchs projector question

I love Infocus but Im always up for trying something new, especially when its so affordable

What Im used to:
Infocus 4805: Single Darkchip 2 DLP/6 segment color wheel/480p Native

And now the Optoma..
Optoma HD70: Single Darkchip 2 DLP/7 segment color wheel/720p Native

A definite improvement!!!

Here's the relevant info that led to my decision...

Thanks to Peench for asking his initial question. Without doing so, Wood Ghost wouldnt have responded and informed us of the Optoma. Ive decided to snag one in the next couple weeks

I found a review pitting the Optoma HD70s bigger and ever so slightly better brother, the HD72, against the Infocus IN76 I was looking at. Here is that review..
InfocusIN76 vs. Optima HD72(starts about 3/4 of the way down)

And a different review of the Optoma HD70 from what Wood posted:
HD70 vs. HD72

Conclusions:
ALL are native 720p DLP

Infocus list is $3,000.00, can be had for $2,300.00
Optoma HD72 List is $3,000.00 and can be had for $2,000.00
Optoma HD72 list is $1,000.00!!!

Optomas warranties are 2 years, Infocus is 1. The IN76 has the best picture but barely edging out the HD72, while the HD72 is barely better than the HD70!

The HD70 it is!! The only glaring difference is the Infocus The IN76 is compatible with the 1080p/24 format while the Optomas are not, but that doesnt concern me one bit. I'll worry about that in a couple or 3 years. For $1,000.00 you can't go wrong! I'll put up a Review of the Optoma(If I'm permitted)

Peench and Wood Ghost get a cookie!

[Jon Liu]

awesome, optoma is a good choice for projectors!! Lookin' forward to hearing your thoughts on it!

[alter_ego_trip]

Originally Posted by SpOoNmAn

It would be safe to assume that say if I send it a 1080p signal via the 360 HD DVD drive, it would be scaled down to 720p correct?

What projectors actually project a native 1080p picture?
:

Spoon, if the 360 is indeed outputting a 1080p signal then that is what the projector is going to display. You definitely wouldn't want to downconvert a 1080p signal to 720p if your projector is capable of displaying a 1080p image.

[SpOoNmAn]

But its not a native 1080p, those are all 6 grand and up. Just like the 4805, its 480p native, but still looks good when getting 720p, but not as good as a native 720p projector does/would.

Im not going to mess with 1080p at all. Everything I send the Optoma or Infocus will be 720p, period.

[alter_ego_trip]

Originally Posted by SpOoNmAn

But its not a native 1080p, those are all 6 grand and up. Just like the 4805, its 480p native, but still looks good when getting 720p, but not as good as a native 720p projector does/would.

Im not going to mess with 1080p at all. Everything I send the Optoma or Infocus will be 720p, period.

Aaron, I would definitely experiment with both settings to see which one looks the best. These new projectors have pretty amazing scalers now a days and you might be surprised how good an upconverted 1080p signal looks. Take the SXRD's for example, they certainly aren't 1080p native and they throw a wicked looking pic. I myself prefer 1080i on my panny to 720p, that's just me.