First-timer DIY Screen

**clark17** · **08-10-09, 09:22 PM**

very good job

I like the pictures too....

**1canuck2** · **08-11-09, 12:35 PM**

Quote:

xflapx wrote:

The too-bright image is leading the cons right now, so much so I think it's going to be the deciding factor. Even with BW, closed aperatures, etc etc, I either destroy the details in the blacks, or I blind myself anytime a whiter image appears.

Can a too bright image really be a concern, can't you "dim" it down with some settings? There's gotta be something to do... Are you in econo mode already? How many hours on your bulb? I would not make permanent install decision because the image is too bright, as I don't think the brightness will last as your bulb ages...

Many would kill to have a "its too bright" problem.

**xflapx** · **08-11-09, 01:42 PM**

I figured a lot of it out after tweaking some settings. I moved the PJ back to about 17 feet using a large mini-fridge that sits in between the two lazyboys on risers to act as the shelf. It works out well, and it's not permanent so I can always adjust. I was losing detail in the shadows, and it turned out an enhanced signal from the HDMI cable fixed the issue for the most part (I had to over-correct to restore them, which led to the terrible brightness and white levels). It's still bright, but it's just above the sweet spot IMO, which means I can adjust later as the bulb fades. I always have it set in economode and I even have the aperature closed, so the picture could be worlds brighter. I think this is what the experts are talking about when they say don't trust the advertised lumen listings. This thing is a light canon. I've compared it with my lcd monitor, and I'm no longer losing any shadow detail, so I'm very happy. It's a lot different when you are calibrating the PJ to a source like a PC. There aren't the same standards so you really have to learn the settings well and be able to adjust them properly. So much so I'm going to have to do this all over again for the DVD/Bluray HDMI input on the PJ and actually store it as a different user setting.

**clark17** · **08-11-09, 09:09 PM**

Hmmm... according to the reputable review site at least IMHO... it should be the other way around.

Perhaps your lamp still needs to break-in. Try using some settings recommended by the review site.

PLV-Z60 review

One of the reasons the PLV-Z60 is one of the less bright projectors, is Sanyo's decision to use a 145 watt lamp. Most of the rest of the 3LCD projectors use a 160 watt or 200 watt lamp, so they have the brightness advantage. DLP home theater projectors mostly use 200 watt lamps or larger, but are less efficient ("green"?), and need the brighter lamp to match the 160 watt lamps in 3LCD projectors. Either way, though, the Sanyo uses the least bright lamp out there, and it shows when it comes to brightness measurements.

Quote:

xflapx wrote:

It's still bright, but it's just above the sweet spot IMO, which means I can adjust later as the bulb fades. I always have it set in economode and I even have the aperature closed, so the picture could be worlds brighter. I think this is what the experts are talking about when they say don't trust the advertised lumen listings. This thing is a light canon.

**xflapx** · **08-11-09, 11:01 PM**

I didn't say it was brighter than any other projector, I said it was bright for my tastes. I have adjusted every setting available to control it, and I'm happy. Thanks for the info, I read the reviews before buying, and was actually concerned it wouldn't be bright enough for my room. Maybe that is why I'm shocked at how strong the picture is. Or maybe I have sensitive eyes. I've only ever owned or seen (other than at sports bars and movie theaters) one projector, so I don't have a lot of comparative experience, I just know what I like and know what I'm comfortable viewing...

**clark17** · **08-13-09, 12:40 PM**

Quote:

xflapx wrote:

I didn't say it was brighter than any other projector, I said it was bright for my tastes. I have adjusted every setting available to control it, and I'm happy. Thanks for the info, I read the reviews before buying, and was actually concerned it wouldn't be bright enough for my room. Maybe that is why I'm shocked at how strong the picture is. Or maybe I have sensitive eyes. I've only ever owned or seen (other than at sports bars and movie theaters) one projector, so I don't have a lot of comparative experience, I just know what I like and know what I'm comfortable viewing...

As long as you like your setup, that is all it matters

I've tried using AVIA DVD with blue filter to calibrate my PJ (referb Optoma HD65 720P), after 15 mintues I gave up

as I was going nowhere.

I might revist this once I get my basement finished and Scorpion N8 up on the wall... At the moment temporarly I'm using white-off walls in my house to watch flicks. Btw... I've seen "the planet earth" on one of your screen shots, I would totally recomend gettting 'microcosmos' if you like that kind of stuff

**Harpmaker** · **08-13-09, 03:39 PM**

Quote:

xflapx wrote:

I didn't say it was brighter than any other projector, I said it was bright for my tastes. I have adjusted every setting available to control it, and I'm happy. Thanks for the info, I read the reviews before buying, and was actually concerned it wouldn't be bright enough for my room. Maybe that is why I'm shocked at how strong the picture is. Or maybe I have sensitive eyes. I've only ever owned or seen (other than at sports bars and movie theaters) one projector, so I don't have a lot of comparative experience, I just know what I like and know what I'm comfortable viewing...

Perhaps a contributing factor in the brightness of your setup is that you're using a HTPC as a video source. It can be challenging getting things setup between adjusting the PJ and setting up the video card since they both have color/contrast/brightness controls, and perhaps other settings in common such as gamma. There is a chance that your video card is sending the PJ a brighter image than something like a DVD player.

Really glad you're liking your screen.

**xflapx** · **08-13-09, 03:59 PM**

I completely agree. I have FAR more control over my video card than I do my PJ, but when I first started trying to calibrate it I only adjusted the PJ and that was a mistake. After even more tweaking it turns out that I am able to correct most of the shadow detail issues with the enhanced HDMI signal setting on the PJ, and the rest is done on the PC, so that basically the PJ doesn't have to be adjusted when I use a second HDMI source on it. Eventually I'm going to adjust the PJ to give the best picture on a PS3 bluray and leave the PJ at that, then go back into the PC and touch up any changes so that both have the best image possible.

With all of that said, however, the brightness of the image was not limited to my PC. I felt it was straining on a PS3, a xbox360, and a DVD player. Like I said, maybe I have sensitive eyes, but I really felt like more than 30 minutes of viewing made my eyes ache (and yes, the projector is in focus). After moving it back to 17 feet, I feel a LOT better, and was able to watch Jurassic Park beginning to end with no discomfort. I haven't seen a professionally color corrected image so I'm not even trying to mess with color settings, it's set at neutral (no adjustments) and I won't change it till I have the tools or the proper comparison.

I have to finish the fabric lining and I'm going to wrap some 6" hardboard strips in the excess velvet that I can attach to the screen when watching a 2.35 film. Once the theater is generally finished, I'm going to begin screen #2. I'll probably use MDF the second time around instead of hardboard, and I'll spray instead of roll. But that will be a "because I can" project, and will be based upon spare change so to speak.

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