Screenplay 5700 projector - HD?

[Number 7]

I’m currently using an InFocus Screenplay 5700 projector, which only has native resolution of 1024 x 576, so not HD. The manual says that it is compatible with 1080i and 1080p signals, but I assume that the projector re-scales these somehow. As and when I go down the Blu-ray / HD route, I guess I will need to change the projector, or is there an alternative solution?

7.

[OldSkoolRS]

Your projector will downscale the HD input to the projector's native resolution. Same as what happens on many TVs that aren't full HD, for example. You may find that the image does seem better using a BluyRay source even though you aren't seeing the higher resolution (down to a better source than DVD). However, in the longer term the only 'solution' is to replace it with a full HD model if you want to see the extra resolution. The good news is that the price of 1080p projectors starts under £1,000 which may well be less than the 5700 cost when it was new, such is the pace of progress.

EDIT: You may find that your 5700 won't accept 1080/24p which is usually the rate on most BluRay discs, so you would be forced to output them at 1080/60i which can result in some considerable judder especially on panning scenes. My TV is unable to accept 24p so I've seen the judder caused, though not an issue as I use my projector to watch BluRays.

Edited by OldSkoolRS on Monday 4th January 12:15

[Number 7]

Thanks OldSkool - I suspected I would need to upgrade at some point - maybe in a year or so, as I've just replaced the lamp

According to the manual, it will accept 24 Hz signal.

7.

[DavidY]

Number 7

13 months ago I had a 5700 which I had replaced the bulb on about 4 months previous, but comparing it with an IN81 it showed what a dinosaur the 5700 had become, the IN81 had a much sharper picture, much better contrast (blacks noticably improved) and was quieter. I upgraded. I sold my 5700 privately and as it's old school only got £325 for it, which I thought was a fair price given the current new projector market.

The 5700 was £2995 when released, I'd paid £2200 for mine and the IN81 was nearly a thousand pounds less than that, such is the pace of progress

davidy

[OldSkoolRS]

That could be good news re the 24p input, but (and not trying to be too negative here) you might find it internally converts it to 60Hz before it displays the image as some TVs do this. However the Panasonic AX200 accepts 1080/24p and just downscales it to (and displays at) 720/24p IIRC, so it's not unheard of. Certainly worth a try as you can pick up a BluRay player for under £100 these days (even less if you don't mind buying used as there are a few for sale on the AVForums classifieds).

http://www.avforums.com/forums/dvd-blu-ray-player-...

[Number 7]

DavidY said:

Number 7

13 months ago I had a 5700 which I had replaced the bulb on about 4 months previous, but comparing it with an IN81 it showed what a dinosaur the 5700 had become, the IN81 had a much sharper picture, much better contrast (blacks noticably improved) and was quieter. I upgraded. I sold my 5700 privately and as it's old school only got £325 for it, which I thought was a fair price given the current new projector market.

The 5700 was £2995 when released, I'd paid £2200 for mine and the IN81 was nearly a thousand pounds less than that, such is the pace of progress

davidy

Yeh, mine's about 4 1/2 years old, and I think I paid around £2.5K for it!

That's a heck of a hit in depreciation though.

7.

[DavidY]

Agreed, especially when he unit now is only worth slightly more than a new bulb!