CurtPalme.com Home Theater Forum

jp110099 · Joined: 02 Mar 2007 Posts: 7

What does everyone think about the Sony VPH-1031Q and DVDO iScan Plus MM101A line doubler? Would this be upgrading from my current rear projection CRT in terms of HD quality? Or since it is an entry-level projector will the HD quality suffer significantly even though it technically can support HD?

Thanks a lot.

JustGreg · Joined: 07 Mar 2006 Posts: 3098 Location: Kenosha, WI

What do you currently have?

jp110099 · Joined: 02 Mar 2007 Posts: 7

I currently have a Sony 51" rear projection HD CRT tv.

**kal** · Posted: Wed Jan 23, 2008 9:23 pm Post subject:

Most people don't need doublers or scalers unless you're using old sources like VHS or the like.
Use a HD cable/satellite box for TV and a Blu-ray or HD-DVD player for DVD and hidef on disc, or an upscaling DVD player if you don't want to get into HD on disc yet.

I'm not saying that a scaler's not a bad idea, it's just that they're needed less and less these days. What exactly are you trying to scale?

Kal

jp110099 · Joined: 02 Mar 2007 Posts: 7

I wasn't actually sure what the scaler was for, actually, thanks a lot for your info. I'm looking to buy a projector and there is one local to me that includes a line doubler, so I assumed it was needed. So the projector should accept my hd-dvd player and cable box and display it in HD? If that is the case will it look significantly better or worse than my current TV since it is an entry-level projector?

Thanks a lot.

**kal** · Posted: Thu Jan 24, 2008 1:01 am Post subject:

The Sony 1031 can do 1080i so stick with that. It can't scan high enough to do 720p, but 1080i is preferred for movies anyway.

I have no idea how mcuh better it'll look than your current 51" sony RPTV as I don't know RPTVs, and I don't know what condition the 1031 or your current TV is in.

One thing's for sure, the 1031 will produce a picture about x4 larger (in area) than the 51" RTPV. Everyone's different, but for me regular TVs are a non-starter as you can't get that immersive feeling because the pictures so small.

TVs are measured in inches. Projector owners measure in feet. Smile

Kal

**AnalogRocks** · Posted: Thu Jan 24, 2008 2:28 am Post subject:

Joust · Posted: Thu Jan 24, 2008 3:15 am Post subject:

**AnalogRocks** · Posted: Thu Jan 24, 2008 3:24 am Post subject:

I'm going 12' then I'm going plaid...

Brooklyn · Joined: 17 Sep 2007 Posts: 494 Location: Morgan Hill, CA

Sony 1031q's are nice small projectors, but I have heard they are a pain. They have analog convergence(that is under the projector cover), and a non-standard RGBHV input connect that requires a special cable, and a negative sync converter maybe as well. See here:

http://www.eboyztoyz.net/article.php?ncat=132

Nitmoe · Joined: 10 Jan 2008 Posts: 60 Location: Iowa, USA

I have owned a few 1031's, from various different stages of production. The older ones have trouble with 1080i, and it's tricky, but you can make it take the signal. However, unless you run from an HTPC (computer) with Powerstrip, you will not get the entire image left to right. On t he older ones, you have to squeeze the vertical size pot under the convergance board all of the way to minimum to get the widescreen aspect ratio to look right, and to hold proper sync. On the newer ones, you can get the entire image, and the vertical trimpot will have some room to play a little. A special cable is needed, but the scaler will almost have to come with one. It will either have a 4 or 5 BNC to 25 pin, or a 15 pin VGA to 25 pin wire. The 15 to 25 pin cable can hook to the VGA out of a computer, and this is really the best way to run this PJ. While these are capable of 1080i, it's a little soft. Don't get me wrong, it looks amazing compared to an SD signal or TV, but not as sharp as a higher end machine. I have found that this model actually looks best at 720i, which is similar to 720hp (which this unit cannot produce) but you can only get this resolution by running from a computer with a program like Powerstrip. If you can go this route, do it. Whether you choose 1080i or 720i you will have the most options for resizing the image and adjusting scan rates to reduce flicker. If you need a 15 pin to 25 pin cable, get a monitor cable, and an old printer cable, and splice them together. That is the easiest way. Otherwise, you can have a cable custom made for you, or buy the ends and cable, and make one yourself. If you go make the one I mentioned, you will also need a 25 pin gender changer, and I can supply you with the proper pin relationships to assemble it. You can get the gender changer (and lots of other cable items) here http://www.monoprice.com/products/product.asp?c_id=104&cp_id=10416&cs_id=1041602&p_id=1194&seq=1&format=2

Nitmoe · Joined: 10 Jan 2008 Posts: 60 Location: Iowa, USA

Another note - if you do need the cable, and you don't have an old printer cable lying around, you can get one here that doesn't require the gender changer, and the 15 pin cable as well

http://www.monoprice.com/products/product.asp?c_id=102&cp_id=10210&cs_id=1021001&p_id=384&seq=1&format=1#largeimage

http://www.monoprice.com/products/product.asp?c_id=102&cp_id=10201&cs_id=1020102&p_id=2898&seq=1&format=2

jp110099 · Joined: 02 Mar 2007 Posts: 7

Thanks for the help everyone. Maybe i'll wait and try to find a better unit that is more capable of 1080i.