| Author |
Message |
lharris3571
Joined: 26 Jan 2009
Posts: 13
Location: Lawrenceville, Ga
|
| Posted: Mon Jan 26, 2009 10:52 pm Post subject: Elementary Question |
|
|
My husband put our theatre components together but the pc it's been running on has died and he doesn't have time to mess with it. I don't know that much about it so I thought I'd come to someone who does. We have a Sony VPH-1272Q projector and a Pioneer VSX-26TX receiver. The PC served as the DVD player and ran Theatre Tech and D-Scaler. Forgive me if I'm not using the right terms, like I said I don't know beans about this. It's my understanding that you can't just hook the components up to the receiver and run a cable to the projector that you need an intermediate component to translate the picture to the projector. If that is the case then what do I need to get without using a pc or do I need to get another computer? I'd appreciate any bits of wisdom that you all can supply. I've been reading some of the threads and most of the lingo is totally greek to me. Thanks a million!!
Laurie
|
|
| Back to top |
|
 |
Zebu Fellenz
Joined: 21 Dec 2006
Posts: 2567
|
| Posted: Mon Jan 26, 2009 11:01 pm Post subject: |
|
|
Welcome,
You'd most likely be best off getting the PC working again. The 1272 uses RGBHV inputs (5 cable) not component (3 cable) and the two signal types are different so you would need a transcoder if you wanted to run component in.
What is wrong with the PC, bets are it is a simple fix and you can be back up and running soon.
Erik
|
|
| Back to top |
|
|
ecrabb
Forum Moderator
Joined: 13 Mar 2006
Posts: 15909
Location: Utah
TV/Projector: JVC RS40, Epson 5010
|
| Posted: Mon Jan 26, 2009 11:06 pm Post subject: |
|
|
Yeah, depending on what's wrong, fixing the computer or upgrading it might be easiest and cheapest.
The Pioneer receiver is old enough that you won't want to use it to route any video signals - only audio. It's all standard definition 480i (i.e. bottom of the barrel - the 1272 is capable of MUCH better quality).
Given that, you have a couple of options:
1) Buy another computer or fix the old one. You could probably pick up another computer to duplicate the current computer's functionality with Windows XP installed for <$50, but either way, there will be some time to reinstall and reconfigure the software... some, meaning more than a few hours - especially if you're not up on it all, and it isn't of interest as a hobby. Total cost $50-75 and a few or more hours.
2) Buy a standard HD Fury for $100, and an upconverting HDMI DVD player from Best Buy for $100. Depending on how old your broken Windows computer is, you'll probably get scaling comparable to what you have, in a much smaller, simpler, easier to use and maintain, little set-top box. Total cost $200.
3) Use the opportunity to go HD. Blu-ray at 1080i looks amazingly good on a well-set up 1272. You can pickup a Blu-ray player for $200-300, and an HD Fury for $100-200, and you're off the races with HD. Total cost $300-500.
I vote for option 3, unless money is tight. Depending on what sounds good to you, we can chime in w/details.
SC
|
|
| Back to top |
|
|
AnalogRocks
Forum Moderator
Joined: 08 Mar 2006
Posts: 26706
Location: Toronto, Ontario, Canada
TV/Projector: Sony 1252Q, AMPRO 4000G
|
| Posted: Mon Jan 26, 2009 11:09 pm Post subject: |
|
|
You could go with Startech scaler/transcoder. You would be able to plug a stand alone DVD player into it and convert it to RGBHV for your projector.
Curt sells them here: http://www.curtpalme.com/CRTforSale_VideoProcessors.shtm
It may not look quite as nice as a PC running D-scaler but it will get you back up and watching movies.
_________________
Tech support for nothing
CRT.
HD done right!
|
|
| Back to top |
|
|
drice1234
Joined: 07 Oct 2006
Posts: 1309
Location: Allen, Texas
|
| Posted: Mon Jan 26, 2009 11:12 pm Post subject: |
|
|
You can also use a device like the Viewsonic NEXTVISION-6 that will allow you to take a video input into it and then you can use a VGA to 5 BNC cable to the projector. If your projector is capable of Hi Definition (HD) you can also use one the the HDFury devices which are sold through this website and use the HDMI output off of your DVD or Blu-Ray player. I commend you. My wife would never mess with a computer to watch movies, the simplier the better. You might want to add your location to your profile. There may be someone in your area who could help you out.
Dan
|
|
| Back to top |
|
|
ecrabb
Forum Moderator
Joined: 13 Mar 2006
Posts: 15909
Location: Utah
TV/Projector: JVC RS40, Epson 5010
|
| Posted: Mon Jan 26, 2009 11:14 pm Post subject: |
|
|
Oh, yeah - and welcome to the forum, Laurie!
SC
|
|
| Back to top |
|
|
lharris3571
Joined: 26 Jan 2009
Posts: 13
Location: Lawrenceville, Ga
|
| Posted: Mon Jan 26, 2009 11:18 pm Post subject: |
|
|
My husband started putting a new computer together but lost interest in it and it sits in the basement with its guts spilling out of it. I could probably have a look to see what he's done and see if I can get it running. As for the old computer, it's totally toast. A repair shop confirmed it. Thanks for all the really good advice. I'll see what I can do and if I have anymore questions I'll post them here.
Laurie
|
|
| Back to top |
|
|
lharris3571
Joined: 26 Jan 2009
Posts: 13
Location: Lawrenceville, Ga
|
| Posted: Mon Jan 26, 2009 11:25 pm Post subject: |
|
|
|
Oh yeah I did have another question. What is the comparison of the HD Fury to the PC as far as the picture is concerned? And thanks SC for the welcome.
|
|
| Back to top |
|
|
AnalogRocks
Forum Moderator
Joined: 08 Mar 2006
Posts: 26706
Location: Toronto, Ontario, Canada
TV/Projector: Sony 1252Q, AMPRO 4000G
|
| Posted: Tue Jan 27, 2009 12:40 am Post subject: |
|
|
| drice1234 wrote: | You can also use a device like the Viewsonic NEXTVISION-6 that will allow you to take a video input into it and then you can use a VGA to 5 BNC cable to the projector. If your projector is capable of Hi Definition (HD) you can also use one the the HDFury devices which are sold through this website and use the HDMI output off of your DVD or Blu-Ray player. I commend you. My wife would never mess with a computer to watch movies, the simplier the better. You might want to add your location to your profile. There may be someone in your area who could help you out.
Dan |
Yes the HDFury will work well too. The 12xx series Sony's look great at 1080i. I have the equivilent of the Viewsonic box hooked up to my projector running at 1024x768. It's great but there's no 3:2 conversion if you plug a DVD player into it. ( at least on the box I have )
First I need to ask though. Do you watch a lot of full screen DVD's? If so the scaller may be a better choice. When I ran my Sony 1252 it looked really good playing full screen DVD at 1024x768.
If you mainly have wide screen DVD then a new Bluray player and an HDFury( w/power supply ) would be a great combo into the projector at 1080i.
_________________
Tech support for nothing
CRT.
HD done right!
|
|
| Back to top |
|
|
lharris3571
Joined: 26 Jan 2009
Posts: 13
Location: Lawrenceville, Ga
|
| Posted: Tue Jan 27, 2009 1:08 am Post subject: |
|
|
|
We mainly watch letterbox movies. We may watch a sporting event from tv once in a while but other than that everything is wide screen.
|
|
| Back to top |
|
|
jask
Joined: 17 Mar 2006
Posts: 10187
Location: kamloops BC
|
| Posted: Tue Jan 27, 2009 5:05 am Post subject: |
|
|
Hi Laurie and Welcome!!
I was wondering how you were watching tv? how did you feed the signal to the projector?
I also think you should try to get the computer back up and running. Is the hard drive still good? A computer is a very flexible source and if you are already familiar with the controls you are past one of the biggest hurdles.
|
|
| Back to top |
|
|
lharris3571
Joined: 26 Jan 2009
Posts: 13
Location: Lawrenceville, Ga
|
| Posted: Tue Jan 27, 2009 2:24 pm Post subject: |
|
|
|
We have satellite tv. As far as how the signal was getting to the projector I assume it was going through the computer. I seem to remember launching the d scaler for watching tv and theatre tech for watching movies. I have no idea if the hard drive is still good. I thought a new computer for the theatre was being built but it turns out that that is not the case. I'm not sure I can get the computer running myself. I can install cards and drivers but I'm not sure I can do all the setup or that I even know what needs to be setup after I get all the hardware put back together.
|
|
| Back to top |
|
|
papalek
Joined: 08 Mar 2006
Posts: 1536
Location: Longs SC
|
| Posted: Tue Jan 27, 2009 2:52 pm Post subject: |
|
|
mmmmm. Why is your husband not interested in fixing it? Does he no longer care to watch it? I do not understand how someone could go to the effort of putting a system together and then not care about fixing it when it breaks.
_________________
My current list of PJ's AmPro 1 1/2-4600,4200, 1/2-3600,2600.
I do love my AmPro's
|
|
| Back to top |
|
|
lharris3571
Joined: 26 Jan 2009
Posts: 13
Location: Lawrenceville, Ga
|
| Posted: Tue Jan 27, 2009 2:58 pm Post subject: |
|
|
|
That would be the $64,000.00 question.
|
|
| Back to top |
|
|
papalek
Joined: 08 Mar 2006
Posts: 1536
Location: Longs SC
|
| Posted: Tue Jan 27, 2009 3:40 pm Post subject: |
|
|
Might be time to upgrade the husband. 
_________________
My current list of PJ's AmPro 1 1/2-4600,4200, 1/2-3600,2600.
I do love my AmPro's
|
|
| Back to top |
|
|
lharris3571
Joined: 26 Jan 2009
Posts: 13
Location: Lawrenceville, Ga
|
| Posted: Tue Jan 27, 2009 3:49 pm Post subject: |
|
|
|
LOL!
|
|
| Back to top |
|
|
ecrabb
Forum Moderator
Joined: 13 Mar 2006
Posts: 15909
Location: Utah
TV/Projector: JVC RS40, Epson 5010
|
| Posted: Tue Jan 27, 2009 4:08 pm Post subject: |
|
|
| papalek wrote: | | mmmmm. Why is your husband not interested in fixing it? Does he no longer care to watch it? I do not understand how someone could go to the effort of putting a system together and then not care about fixing it when it breaks. |
I do. It's called "pain in the ass" syndrome. I get it all the time. I'm constantly battling with myself, because as much as I love technology, tinkering, and playing with toys, I also dislike spending all my free time researching, reading, troubleshooting, downloading and installing updates, configuring preferences, networking, etc. At some point, I just want to sit down and watch some #$$%%^^^ movies... For some of us, THAT is what HT is all about - not the tinkering. That's why there isn't even an HTPC in my theater, currently. I'm a techie - I know Windows, system config, etc. - I just don't want to deal with it. I'd rather spend my time watching movies. Hence one of my potential solutions to ditch the HTPC altogether.
You could get a scaling Blu-ray player that will probably scale SD JUST as well as the older computer it would be replacing, but you'd gain simple set-top appliance operation and maintenance, simple power-on/power-off, simple remote, and best of all: HD on Blu-ray, which we can all agree smokes SD DVD, regardless of how great your scaling is.
It's a trade-off of course. To get the elegance and simplicity of a set-top box, you give up power and flexibility. But, that's a trade-off some of us are happy to make. Perhaps Laurie's husband is just sick of messing with the computer to get boring SD output.
Laurie - most of your system is getting a little long in the tooth... If you did a little light upgrading, could that help generate some interest and excitement for you and your husband? Are you interested in getting some HD goodness into your theater? Do you have a budget in mind to get things up and running, again?
SC
|
|
| Back to top |
|
|
papalek
Joined: 08 Mar 2006
Posts: 1536
Location: Longs SC
|
| Posted: Tue Jan 27, 2009 4:28 pm Post subject: |
|
|
I have not used the HTPC in my theater since after I bought the HD-DVD player. It upscales wonderfully and is a breeze to use. The HTPC is still connected in case I choose to mess with it,besides sometimes I like to put up ebay adds on the big screen and get a better look at what I might be buying.
_________________
My current list of PJ's AmPro 1 1/2-4600,4200, 1/2-3600,2600.
I do love my AmPro's
|
|
| Back to top |
|
|
lharris3571
Joined: 26 Jan 2009
Posts: 13
Location: Lawrenceville, Ga
|
| Posted: Tue Jan 27, 2009 5:01 pm Post subject: |
|
|
Getting rid of the PC would be nice. They aren't very stable and everytime there's a problem there isn't anything I can do about it (ie. the situation I have now) This is the first research I've done on my own to see what options I have for getting the theatre back up and running myself and make it more user friendly for me. I don't mind the computer if that was the only option but it seems that everytime I go to fire up the theatre something isn't working. You're right about the pain in the ass syndrome. I really haven't worked up a budget since I'm just now finding what my options are. That's my next project: pricing BluRay players and see what's available to do what I want done. I'm assuming that I'll have to have the HD Fury thingy too. I really appreciate you all taking your time to give me advice. I'll take some pictures of our theatre and post them. I think it's pretty cool.
Laurie
|
|
| Back to top |
|
|
draganm
Joined: 08 Mar 2006
Posts: 8990
Location: Colorado
|
| Posted: Tue Jan 27, 2009 5:19 pm Post subject: |
|
|
| papalek wrote: | | I have not used the HTPC in my theater since after I bought the HD-DVD player. It upscales wonderfully and is a breeze to use.. |
that's exactly my situation too. I had the HTPC , theatr tek and all that stuff. It was great back inthe day but a simple set-top player plugged directly into an HDMI card makes my theatre so much more enjoyable. Computers belong in the den, not the theatre 
| drice1234 wrote: | You can also use a device like the Viewsonic NEXTVISION-6 that will allow you to take a video input into it and then you can use a VGA to 5 BNC cable to the projector. If your projector is capable of Hi Definition (HD) you can also use one the the HDFury devices which are sold through this website and use the HDMI output off of your DVD or Blu-Ray player. I commend you. My wife would never mess with a computer to watch movies, the simplier the better. You might want to add your location to your profile. There may be someone in your area who could help you out.
Dan |
wow Viewsonic, that brings back some really bad memory's. 5 years ago the cheapest good scaler was like $5K, and I didn't want to go HTPC so I tried and Pukesonic. It was simply amazing what an awful pictuere that $400. box put out. fought tooth and nail to get it returned and my money back  Wound up spending $1200. on an HTPC instead 
People are spoiled nowadays and it's funny when some of them bitch becasue the Moome card is so "expennsive" at $450.  I mean add a BD player to that an for $650. you get a true HD pic that people could only dream about back then.
I agree with everyone who recomeneded a fury though, it's a fine $100. solution for 1080i to the 12XX .
|
|
| Back to top |
|
|
|
|
