TESTED: DreamVision Dream'E 3-panel LCoS projector

Bright In All Kinds of Light

Detail: As with most episodic television, this new series is shot on film and then converted to HD. NBC/Universal didn’t skimp on production values, as the Dream’E puts out a solid, sharp as a tack image.

Color: The emphasized color palette tends to give skin tones some extra “blush,” something that can’t be tamed by turning the color control down (a malady by no means unique to the Dream’E). 

Blacks: Here again, LCoS technology helps to provide very good deep blacks, and the Dream’E low lamp mode and variable aperture let me dial down the overall brightness to get even better blacks.

Shadow Detail: In a car garage, the two actors are only partially lit, and the darker background elements are easily visible. 

Artifacts/Noise: None noted.

BOTTOM LINE:

Once you get past the quirkiness of the picture adjustments noted earlier, the Dream’E puts out a satisfyingly bright picture which will appeal to users who want to have a front projection home theater system but don’t have a dedicated light-controlled room. The range of brightness that the Dream’E provides via the two lamp settings and multiple aperture opening choices means that the projector can be tweaked just right for a wide variety of screen sizes and types and desired light output.

The availability of an optional turn-key anamorphic lens setup is a major plus and will certainly appeal to movie buffs who want to see films in their original aspect ratio without annoying black bars. That the anamorphic lens, customized mounting plate and custom hood trio together add only $4,300 to the price (keeping the total under $10K) is another plus. But DreamVision will have to fix a few flaws if they want to really satisfy the true purist.

SPECS & PRICING

DreamVision Dream’E

Pixel resolution: 1920 x 1080
1:1 Mode: Yes
Video inputs: 2 HDMI, 1 component, 1 S-video, 1 composite, 1 RGB PC (up to SXGA)
Other connections: 2 12V trigger outputs, 1 RS-232C serial port for external control
Dimensions (WxHxD): 20.5” x 7.6” x 20.7”
Weight: 37.5 lb.
Warranty: 1 year parts & labor (6 months/500 hours on the bulb)
Price: $5,295 (projector only), $9,595 with anamorphic system

AUDIO PLUS SERVICES (North American distributor)
(800) 663-9352
www.audioplusservices.com