CurtPalme.com Home Theater Forum

ddtemplar · Joined: 28 Jan 2009 Posts: 12

Hi,

I have a second (third, fourth?) hand Sony VPH-1270Q that I currently use to watch 480p content via a DVD player hooked up via a doubler.

I have recently discovered that it can display both 720p and 1080i content (using a computer hooked up by a vga->rgbhv cable). However, doing so looks awful as the projector needs to be realigned and refocused for the new input device.

I was wondering if anyone has had experience with watching 720p/1080i content on this CRT projector, or similar, and whether it is worth the effort of setting it up for the new input. While 720p is far superior than 480p in terms of video fidelity, I am not sure if the optics of this 1990s projector is capable of producing a 720p image that is any more clear than a 480p one.

Thanks for your insight Smile

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CasetheCorvetteman · Joined: 09 Nov 2008 Posts: 6326 Location: Australia

It doesnt need to be re-focused, only aligned.

Better off going with 1080i and ofcourse it is worth the effort.

Ofcourse a 1990s projector can produce 720p better than 480p... Even a 1270 can... Although an NEC can do it better Wink

RaWsHaRk · Joined: 01 May 2009 Posts: 131 Location: Finland

I have a Barco 801S with same/similar tubes and lenses, and enjoy watching 720p. looks great to me, in past 2 years I have put 1200 hours on it. so yes its definitely worth it. I wont watch dvd´s anymore, even on smaller tv set because its just soooo much better experience in 720p.

Dave Lister · Posted: Mon Jan 02, 2012 12:41 pm Post subject:

480p on a 1270 is a waste of the projector's capabilities.

720p, 1080i or 1440 x 960p (double 480p) are all good resolutions for the 1270, most people won't be able to tell the difference between them, partly because they will be blown away by the picture size and quality compared to what they are used to, everyone i have shown my VPH1000QM to think it's 1080p and are shocked when I tell them it is 720 x 576i (SD PAL). Rolling Eyes

CasetheCorvetteman · Joined: 09 Nov 2008 Posts: 6326 Location: Australia

They must be in some sort of shock Dave, i have 2x 1001QMs, which have better tubes than a 1000QM, and it looks NOTHING LIKE 1080p!! It must be f***en soft mate!! Hahahaha!!

**kal**

**Curt Palme** · Posted: Mon Jan 02, 2012 5:12 pm Post subject:

Most of how good it's going to look is how well you do the setup and what shape the tubes are in. ES focusing tubes as found in your 1270 do lose focus over time, so if you can't see the 'H' patterns clearly on the screen now on each color, then your tubes are 'soft'. No question HD will look better than 480p, but if your tubes are soft, then you'll never get the full potential.

Also pull the lenses to clean between the lenses and the tubes, there's a lot of dust that gets in there, and causes massive halos. A clean optical path helps a lot as well.

BTW, if it's an 'effort' to realign your projector, then you haven't done it enough.. Smile

Well worth the effort IMHO!

ddtemplar · Joined: 28 Jan 2009 Posts: 12

Hi everyone,

Thanks for your replies. It appears that the answer to my query is a resounding yes! It is possible that this projector's tubes are well aged, but any increase in visuals would be awesome.

So my next issue is equipment/costs. My first attempt was connecting a MacBook to the projector using a VGA connector. Unfortunately, the laptop seems to be missing a few key resolutions when outputting to the projector (namely 720p and 1080i...). I may need to buy new equipment to get HD onto this projector.

Is there any budget ways to do this? I was looking into HDMI to RGBHV converters, but they cost more than I paid for the projector. Buying a dedicated PC would also cost as much.

Nashou66 · Joined: 12 Jan 2007 Posts: 16171 Location: West Seneca NY

SwitchResX http://www.madrau.com/indexSRX4.html is a program where you can make custom settings for any display.

Athanasios

CasetheCorvetteman · Joined: 09 Nov 2008 Posts: 6326 Location: Australia

ecrabb · Posted: Tue Jan 03, 2012 2:55 am Post subject:

**Curt Palme** · Posted: Tue Jan 03, 2012 4:14 am Post subject:

I'm not familiar with the Macs, but I'm assuming they have resolutions from 640 X 480 to something ridiculous like 1600 X1200. The CRT projector doesn't really care what you feed it, it will accept all signals within reason. I'd select something like 800 X 600 or 1024 X 768.

Make sure your H and V cables aren't interchanged, otherwise you'll get nothing out of the 1270. THe Mac should drive and display on the 1270 just fine.

CasetheCorvetteman · Joined: 09 Nov 2008 Posts: 6326 Location: Australia

HAHAHAHA!!! Why on earth would he need to do that!! I cant say ive ever had this issue Wink

( or any other "common" PC issues either!! )

Getting a Mac to do something useful though is like asking a rat to mind a turd for another rat... You just wouldnt expect too much Laughing

Im sure theyre quite good computers, provided you dont want to do too much with them.

A Rogers · Joined: 14 Feb 2011 Posts: 133 Location: Toronto On

Macs are great computers a little over priced, but very capable for the average user. That said if Apple made a CRT projector the case would be glued shut, it would need a special cable and every resolution besides 480p would cost extra.

I did some research and found this bit of software might be helpful. I did not test it in anyway as I am a pc user so use at your own discretion.

http://www.madrau.com/indexSRX4.html

/e oops Nashou66 beat me to it

ecrabb · Posted: Tue Jan 03, 2012 5:12 am Post subject:

**AnalogRocks** · Posted: Tue Jan 03, 2012 6:18 am Post subject:

Grab a dual core PC, an ATi 3870 card 2GB ram and either XP pro or Win 7 ( stay away from Starter Edition ), download Powerstrip and start tweaking.

Should be able to find this cheap on the used market.

ecrabb · Posted: Tue Jan 03, 2012 6:27 am Post subject:

ecrabb · Posted: Tue Jan 03, 2012 6:31 am Post subject:

**AnalogRocks** · Posted: Tue Jan 03, 2012 7:09 am Post subject:

ecrabb · Posted: Tue Jan 03, 2012 7:29 am Post subject: