Projector-related technical inquiry from a Playback reader

Hello Warren,

On behalf of Playback, I wanted to respond to the questions you recently submitted to us. I routed your inquiry to my colleague David Birch-Jones, who is the author of most of the video product reviews you see in our magazine. I hope his responses, below, shed some light on the points you raised.
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Reader's original inquiry, Part 1

Comments: I am a big fan of your publication, although I wish it was still available in print form. I have a Dwin TV-3 projector that is just now in need of a new bulb. It will cost $500 to replace. I've also been seriously thinking about purchasing a new Bluray player, but I'd like to know a few things about compatibility first. The Dwin is only 720p, not 1080p capable. I was assured at the time that I bought it that it had an „HDCP compliant‰ DVI input. This was before HDMI entered the picture. Recently I've been told that I may run into problems with a DVI/HDMI conversation cable because not all Bluray players will complete the "handshake" with DVI inputs.
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David Birch-Jones replies:

You may very well have an HDCP problem with the DWIN's DVI connection (or not). Only way to know for sure is to purchase (with return/full refund privileges) a Blu-ray player, or find a friendly dealer who'll let him take a demo unit home overnight to try out and rent or borrow a couple of recently-released movies.

But, the DWIN is 720p. Set the Blu-ray player's output to 720p, and use the component connection to the projector's scalar/controller box. I'll be shocked and surprised if you sees any difference at all between component and HDMI/DVI connection, assuming no HDCP/DVI issues with the projector. Again, there's nothing to lose by going the component route. Joe Kane's DVE HD Basics BD disc has all the test patterns one needs to verify this.

If you are sitting closer than three a half picture heights away from the screen, then you'll be able to see detail improvement with a newer 1080p projector compared to what you have now. But, from about four to four and a half picture heights (or more) away from the screen, the difference between 720p and 1080p is negligible, if not outright unnoticeable. Many fine articles are on the 'net regarding visual acuity and picture resolution vs. distance. Go to www.CarletonBale.com for some great stuff there, including calculators and lots of other goodies.
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Reader's original inquiry, part 2

I'm inclined to buy a new bulb for the Dwin and settle for 720p resolution for a while, but I want to make sure a Bluray player will work properly with the Dwin. I'd hate to buy a new bulb and Bluray player and then discover that they won't work together without forcing a "downrez" to 480p. Would you please let me know whether I‚ll have compatibility problems with this combination? If so, I‚d rather save the bulb money and put it toward a new 1080p projector.
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David Birch-Jones replies:

We simply can't predict whether or not you'll have compatibility problems. Given the age of the DWIN, I'm guessing there's a good chance that there might be HDCP issues. Also, I read in a video trade mag somewhere that some BD releases aren't HDCP protected, but others are, and no quick easy way to find out. My DVDO VP30 scalar includes an HDCP on/off toggle setting, for example.
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Reader's original inquiry, Part 3

Also I can't seem to be able to contact Dwin either by phone or e-mail. I've left multiple messages for them using both, but have received no response. The dealer from whom I purchased the projector says they usually respond to an inquiry the following day, but
I've heard nothing from them. Perhaps they would respond to an inquiry from your publication?
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David Birch-Jones replies:

The above is troubling - DWIN is not a large firm - it can't be good news if they're not even answering the phone (many companies in and out of our industry don't do email communications very well, if at all). I never use email for a customer service/purchase issue - keep at it with the phone calls, I say.

Also, get on the horn with the folks at ProjectorCentral - I'm guessing that there are alternate sources for the DWIN's bulb - I'm sure the projector's an OEM'd unit from one of the majors, and that the bulb/housing is not 100% exclusive to the DWIN.
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Thanks again for your inquiry, and good luck in tracking down a bulb for the Dwin.

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