Episode 11: Front PJ contrast

[cheech151337]

I have to disagree with Heron that 240:1 contrast ratio is a big deal in the projector world. I have a 1 year old Epson Pro Cinema 1080 UB, and that has 260:1 ANSI contrast (dynamic iris). The current gen inorganic 3LCD's and LCOS PJ's are in the 3-400:1 range, DLP is not far behind.

Side note, I think front PJ's should get more air time, there are plenty of sub 1.5k projectors out or coming out soon that have really amazing specs. Almost makes me want to upgrade mine, and I'm still on my first bulb!

[heron]

I have to disagree with Heron that 240:1 contrast ratio is a big deal in the projector world. I have a 1 year old Epson Pro Cinema 1080 UB, and that has 260:1 ANSI contrast (dynamic iris). The current gen inorganic 3LCD's and LCOS PJ's are in the 3-400:1 range, DLP is not far behind.

Hi cheech,
For the setup I mentioned (LED fp w/Stewart Filmscreen StudioTek 100 - 1.0 gain/full lambertian diffuser; lab environment [matte black walls/ceiling]) the 240:1 result was calculated using an ANSI checkerboard test pattern that would negate the use of a dynamic iris. Measurements were taken with a calibrated Konica Minolta CS-200 - the best tool of its kind for under $15K (IMHO). What setup/tools were you using to get the 260:1 result?

Robert Heron

[cheech151337]

I didn't measure it myself, and I'm not sure if the measurement was taken with the dynamic iris on or not. I regularly read http://www.projectorcentral.com/ reviews, and most of the time they post ANSI readings as part of their reviews. Unfortunately, they didn't post the ANSI for my PJ in the review they did, so I just did a Google search and found the 260:1 number, which sounds about right.

We're in the middle of projector season right now, and there are plenty of budget home theater projectors besting 240:1 by quite a large margin. For example the new Sony BRAVIA VPL-HW15 (http://www.projectorcentral.com/sony_bravia_hw15_review.htm) is 410:1.

Don't get me wrong, I'm not saying 240:1 is bad, but it's not great (even in the FP world), and its certainly not why people are paying 15k+ and up on for this runco.

[heron]

Thanks for the info cheech. Contrast comparisons are difficult at best when it's unclear what the testing methodology is - I looked around the ProjectorCentral site and found this article that describes the use of a "black tunnel":
http://www.projectorcentral.com/contrast_ratios.htm

I'll do some more research on my end to learn about the method used to get the result with the runco pj - I'm wondering if the PC folks are taking readings from a screen or from the output of the pj directly (and if from a screen, what screen/tools were used.)


r

[cheech151337]

I do believe they also use Stewart screens for reviews, not quite sure of the methods of measure tho. If it was me, I would measure contrast pointed at the PJ, and calibrate colors off the screen.

Anyway, its not really a big deal, I just wanted to tamper your excitement over 240:1, and bring a little perspective in :P Like the page you linked to said, contrast ratings mean relatively little in overall picture quality, and thats why people buy 15k projectors with "only" 240:1. I'm sure the Runco it looks far better than my PJ (and for 7x the price, it should!).

[heron]

One thing that I should clarify is that the CR result I mentioned included the room setup (pj/screen/room lighting & design) and not just the PJ itself - I should have described it as the "theater's CR" and not the PJ's.