JVC RS4500 (native 4K laser projector)

[Madfloyd]

I've been doing some comparisons between using my ISCO and zooming.  It's so close that it's hard to declare a winner.

I watched Oblivion in 4k on Saturday.  Wow, it looked great.  I'm now back to using HIGH laser for HDR (plus a boost to dynamic range of +3 on the Panasonic).  It just looks so 'right' that it trumps the fan noise.   

[AVSCraig]

I've been doing some comparisons between using my ISCO and zooming.  It's so close that it's hard to declare a winner.

I watched Oblivion in 4k on Saturday.  Wow, it looked great.  I'm now back to using HIGH laser for HDR (plus a boost to dynamic range of +3 on the Panasonic).  It just looks so 'right' that it trumps the fan noise.

I can't remember what type / size screen you have. Remind me please.

[Madfloyd]

I can't remember what type / size screen you have. Remind me please.

ST130 11' wide scope (132" x 54").

[AVSCraig]

I can see wanting to use high laser then. I'm probably at the cutoff for mid laser at 118" wide ST130. I've thought about adding some sound proofing to my projector closet to eliminate the sound of high laser, but I got lazy !

[Madfloyd]

I can see wanting to use high laser then. I'm probably at the cutoff for mid laser at 118" wide ST130. I've thought about adding some sound proofing to my projector closet to eliminate the sound of high laser, but I got lazy !

If your projector is at the back of the room in a closet, how is that the projector is still too close to use a lens?  Is your room not very deep?

[AVSCraig]

Less than 14' throw. 13'10" I think. That's pretty short.


It works though. I'm not a big fan of A lenses, especially with the cost of really good ones ( and who wants a mediocre one ? ) ! 

[mark_h]

You guys are making me appreciate my A-lens even more.

I couldn't live with the knowledge that I was deliberately introducing artefacts into my image.  I have an ISCO III with which I experimented in the past with a permanent A-lens, but I could always see aliasing when squeezing the image.  Not too mention a loss of ANSI-CR and the odd bit of pin cushion and chromatic aberration...

Still hoping for a perfect solution one day!

[Madfloyd]

I couldn't live with the knowledge that I was deliberately introducing artefacts into my image.  I have an ISCO III with which I experimented in the past with a permanent A-lens, but I could always see aliasing when squeezing the image.  Not too mention a loss of ANSI-CR and the odd bit of pin cushion and chromatic aberration...

Still hoping for a perfect solution one day!

How do you lose ANSI CR with a lens? Just when squeezing back into 16x9 or with 2.35:1 content as well?

Regardless, I will look for that (and compare further).  I appreciate your response.

[AVSMike]

I've been doing some comparisons between using my ISCO and zooming.  It's so close that it's hard to declare a winner.

I watched Oblivion in 4k on Saturday.  Wow, it looked great.  I'm now back to using HIGH laser for HDR (plus a boost to dynamic range of +3 on the Panasonic).  It just looks so 'right' that it trumps the fan noise.

If that is without A-lens, then perhaps you could go with medium and the lens and not give up as much brightness.

[Madfloyd]

If that is without A-lens, then perhaps you could go with medium and the lens and not give up as much brightness.

That was with lens.  There's not much difference in light between zooming and using the lens. Both results in a slight loss of light.

[Madfloyd]

But even with 16x9 HDR material (e.g. Planet Earth II) it just doesn't look that impressive in mid laser.  Feels too dim and uncomfortable - like I am wearing sunglasses.

[AVSMike]

I couldn't live with the knowledge that I was deliberately introducing artefacts into my image.  I have an ISCO III with which I experimented in the past with a permanent A-lens, but I could always see aliasing when squeezing the image.  Not too mention a loss of ANSI-CR and the odd bit of pin cushion and chromatic aberration...

Still hoping for a perfect solution one day!

Well you eliminate one of those problems by using a slide. You also gain brightness with scope, which helps with HDR. You get faster aspect ratio changes.

[AVSMike]

That was with lens.  There's not much difference in light between zooming and using the lens. Both results in a slight loss of light.

I gain some brightness when I use my lens for scope. I do have a slide, so not using lens all the time.

[AVSCraig]

I couldn't live with the knowledge that I was deliberately introducing artefacts into my image.  I have an ISCO III with which I experimented in the past with a permanent A-lens, but I could always see aliasing when squeezing the image.  Not too mention a loss of ANSI-CR and the odd bit of pin cushion and chromatic aberration...

Still hoping for a perfect solution one day!

I've had 2 lenses over the years, and the positives were always canceled by the negatives ( the artifacts you mentioned, plus the hassle and expense ). Lens memory is simpler and cheaper - that's for sure.

[Madfloyd]

I gain some brightness when I use my lens for scope. I do have a slide, so not using lens all the time.

To be clear, I have a slide too (Cineslide) and don't have the lens in play with 16x9 (unless, like you, I'm Anamorphic B mode to quickly access a menu).   I would have thought having the lens in play with scope material would have been brighter than zooming out, but it doesn't feel like it is.   Anyway, there are pros on cons.  Like you mentioned, it is SO much faster to slide in the lens and since you don't change lens memories there is no need to re-focus every so often.  There may even be a plus to on/off contrast. 

That said, I think I prefer the image zoomed out.  Maybe because the ANSI is better?  (this is just a guess based off a recent post) but it's very close and I alternate between the two methods. 

I have a feeling that I will end going with the zoom method only so it will be easier to build a hush box (which will be complicated due to the exhaust being out the front).  High laser, while overkill on SDR, just looks too good on HDR.