
Contrast is king. The ViewSonic PX727-4K has the 0.47" DLP chip with a 1920 x 1080 mirror matrix, generating a 4K picture (8.3 million pixels) via four-phase pixel shift. I know that we are limited on any 8K media, but having the equipment now only will keep disc media alive because there is no way they can stream this yet and 4K up sampled to 8K would be excellent. jvc


This occurs in the first scene, where detail in the straw hat and the subtle texture of the leather jacket are more successfully resolved by the VW285ES. When comparing these projectors there were obvious differences in detail and image sharpness. And even in home theater, if you have a much larger than typical screen and you like to sit in the front row of a movie theater, the incremental picture resolution from a native 4K projector may be visible and relevant to you. With these two projectors, with respect to detail definition itself, there is very little if any discernable difference between the two pictures, even when viewed close up. ila jvc n7 When you take the steep price difference between these models and the native 4K alternatives, into account, its really worth giving them their dues. Take for instance cheap plastic lense used in expensive 4K Sony projectors. Let's now consider the display of an HD 1080p picture rather than 4K HDR. Small differences in image detail which are obvious when examined close up become insignificant or even invisible when you sit back to enjoy a movie in a typical theater set up. This is a fantastic article. Once again, the big issue is contrast - the UHZ65's 4K HDR picture is substantially brighter and noticeably higher in contrast than the VW285ES. So it does not produce 8.3 million pixels, and Epson has never represented that it did -- they market this class of projectors as 4K-enhanced. Now that doesn't mean that a projector with superior contrast or more accurate color won't be deemed superior in overall enjoyment. But every 4K projector you buy will end up scaling up to 4K to fill out its pixel count with a 1080p signal, whether it's a native 4K JVC or Sony, a full-4K DLP projector that does pixel-shifting, or an Epson with 1080p chips that doubles the pixels with Epson's enhancement. With true 4K source material, a true 4K projector that is displaying simultaneously the entire array of pixels will have an advantage in actual information visible. True 4K, provided color and contrast are of similar high quality is still a different and better beast. Once you back up to a viewing distance of two feet from a 5-foot wide screen (that is, 0.4x the screen width and a lot closer to the screen than anyone would want to be when watching a movie), all hint of visible pixel structure disappears on both projectors. Youre full of horse malarkey if you actually think youre capable of making that happen. A system is only as good as its weakest link. Certainly contrast is a critical one--both with HDR and SDR. Move up close, however, and you can see pixel structure.A picture generated by either the 4K DLP chip or by the 3LCD 4K-enhanced models will certainly appear higher in resolution than a standard HD 1080p picture from a distance of 1.3x the screen width. You get maximum benefit from 4K projectors when using them on 100" or larger screens, depending on your viewing distance.
Interestingly and curiously, the editor of this article has chosen to compare just one part of the 4K UltraHD specifications, the resolution (which is lets say about 1/3 or even just 1/4 of UHD), and actually leaves out the MAIN and MAJOR part of it, the HDR and Wide Color Gamut (WCG), which, if you read and document yourselves, youll find out is actually what makes UHD new and best, and makes images look so good!
And yet, even with tiny pixels and huge PPI numbers, the higher resolution photograph is obviously superior and anyone can tell that there is more information.
The revolution began with JVC's introduction of pixel shifting in 2013. At any normal viewing distance beyond 1.0x the screen width, the differences in perceived sharpness of upscaled 1080p material is entirely attributable to factors other than the physical resolution of the chips. I think the conclusion of this article is this: We didn't need 4k for home use at all. Total waste of money, earth resources and will result in huge electronics waste over the coming years. My gut says when 8k or 7680 pixel displays and content arrive that the human eye will not be able to notice a difference in appearance to 4k at a normal viewing distance 1.0 or greater vs screen diagonal size. My last projector was Epson Pro Cinema 9350 and have no clue on that lag time. If you are displaying still complex graphics in large scale, with viewers being particularly close to the image, the incremental resolution that can come from native 4K chips (like that which can be seen close up in the Sony VW285ES vs Optoma UHZ65 comparison) can be both visible and relevant to the application. I own the Epson 5040UB, and before I saw the image, I was suspicious about Pixel-shifting, because I had seen some pretty garish video enhancements before (Darbee comes to mind).
Thanks for this article, I am staying at 1080p for a few more years. The larger your image the bigger the frame. But also the level of digital noise, the image enhancement video processing, the color balance and saturation, and the optical precision of the projector's lens, all contribute to making a 4K projector's picture great or less than great. Only native 4k projectors? dla 4k jvc projector ila x5000 x9000 lineup projectors resolution eu contrast ratio A screen of reasonable size with a standard black felt frame will usually hide it, but if you project on a wall or maybe have a screen with a fine bezel it's just there. What is this? It is not surprising that the PX727-4K can deliver more 4K detail from a 4K signal, but it is surprising (to me anyway) that it can even upscale HD 1080p with a higher apparent level of precision. Youve got the added challenge of HDR (High Dynamic Range) to contend with. Pixel shifting was and probably still is used as a con game to convince people to buy a projector they thought they were getting instead of what they were actually getting. If you want to get the most out of your projector, take a moment to wrap your head around the different ramifications of this jargon dense as it might be.
uhl55 optoma projectors Different manufacturers implement this technology in slightly different ways, but for a very rudimentary explanation of the tech it essentially overlays two HD images on top of each other (depending on the projectors panel / chip), shifted by a half a pixel up, down, left or right quickly so the naked eye cant detect the shifting. Thanks for taking the time to share your insights and clearing up this (potentially) confusing topic for many. In this regard it is extremely similar to the PX727-4K. Visible pixelation (the screendoor effect) on lower resolution projectors was supremely annoying and desperately to be avoided. It has been reduced in size and its "noticeability" in the most recent generation of chips, but it's a reality for all single chip 4K DLPs as far as I know, at least those using the 0.47-inch DMD. Since few people would ever want to sit closer than 1.0x the screen width, we set up to view at a distance of 5 feet from our 5-foot wide images. Depending on the individual model, some projectors pixel shift twice, some do so four times with the former having a more convincing 4K effect in areas of the image where their is finite detail such as small text. Both have discernable discrete pixel structure, but the pixels on the UHZ65 are (by comparison) larger and more well-defined. Since "4K" is all about resolution, it is not surprising that so many folks have been preoccupied with native 4K vs. pixel shifting 4K, and debating the merits of each. projectors tw9300 tw7300 enhanced avforums
Subscribe now to never miss a thing from ProjectorCentral.com! 4K UHD resolution is the consumer market standard. The lens on Sony projectors has been well known as a limiting factor in transmitting true 4K resolution in the lower models. 4K UHD resolution is the consumer market standard. 4k projector benq uhd led dci dlp cinema p3 2200 ansi theater launches 2200lm pro imax brings into x2 2516 In other words, in this case we have a projector that many will dismiss as "faux-K" actually beating a "true native 4K" projector in perceived image sharpness. When you see a similar image, but one taken with a camera of lower quality, even if you can't discern pixels, there is no question as to which picture has more real data and more information. The bottom line is if you're happy with the large home theater image you have regardless of tech, who cares. In this case the UHD60 is higher in contrast than the UHD50, and in many scenes this contributes to the perception of it being the sharper of the two projectors. Viewing the pictures close up, at a distance of 12 inches from a 5-foot wide image, you can see an obvious difference in pixel structure. Rob - I agree with your comment above. Thanks for your comments, Felix. Why is this? Viewing distance is a huge factor in perceived resolution. Let's put these two projectors side by side and take a close look. The Sony VW285ES ($4999) uses three native 4K resolution SXRD panels. Notice how there is no debate on what a 1080p projector is. Talk To Our Experts. Thats QUITE a twist on what the article was saying. Contrast (and other factors like digital noise, lens resolution, and video processing) become the determining factors in one's perception of the picture's overall sharpness. For those of us pushing 21ft wide screens, yes, we want and need 4K. Think too about the projector in the context of your unique setup. But according to the Consumer Electronics Association (CEA), a projector being described as 4K UHD must have at least one HDMI input that can accept a native 4K UHD signal, and be capable of. It is the resolution and resolving power of micro-contrast that is a direct byproduct of fine detail retrieval. Different manufacturers implement this technology in slightly different ways, but for a very rudimentary explanation of the tech it essentially overlays two HD images on top of each other (depending on the projectors panel / chip), shifted by a half a pixel up, down, left or right quickly so the naked eye cant detect the shifting.The display panel, therefore, can be native 1080p (as seen in 3LCD and some entry level DLP models), Some DLP models might use a chipset using 2176x1528 micromirrors, the device projects the same pixels twice, thus creating twice as many pixels on the screen resulting in a crisper image. This means all the AV devices in the setup, any switchers, splitters, AV receivers and, of course cabling.Achieving the right level of data transfer speed with 4K content is a bit trickier than it is with standard HD. The original 4K signal is first down-converted to much lower HD resolution before being fed to each HD image panel. :). With true UHD content now available on nearly every media source imaginable, a projector that specifies a full UHD specification is the best chance to see every detail that is in the content. (So the low-end 4K projectors are not terrible the way some low-end 720p projectors were). projectors shift Evan, Fantastic real world review. That said, resolution is indeed a very critical aspect of the front projection experience given the larger screen size. The projector can only do so much: if youre not feeding in 4K content, expect to receive a poor quality reproduced image rather than a wow-factor 4K image.Further, the type of content youre watching on your projector also matters. Freephone 0800 073 0833, Projectorpoint 2022 all rights reserved, Top 7 Laser Projectors For Businesses 2022, Best Meeting Room Laser Projectors For 2022, Why Choose 4K Resolution Displays For Your Business, Choosing The Right Size Display For Your Meeting Room.
Optoma - I wonder if the differences between the phases affects refresh rates in the various 4K formats like 60hz etc and if it impacts input lag in anyway? What does 4K on the panel mean? jvc nx7 lcos The display panel, therefore, can be native 1080p (as seen in 3LCD and some entry level DLP models), Some DLP models might use a chipset using 2176x1528 micromirrors, the device projects the same pixels twice, thus creating twice as many pixels on the screen resulting in a crisper image.
The difference here is that native 4K projectors have roughly eight million distinct pixels on their panel to start off with, while pixel shifting tech starts with a lower number of pixels and creates the higher number by using the source image and processing it. I recall a decade ago when Dan from Marantz did demos of their 720p DLP vs some then new 1080p projectors that the better lens and contrast of the Marantz yielded an image that was strongly preferred by most. You know JVC and Epson will finally release a native 4k chip only in a year or so to add their next E-shift technology to take them to 8k when they already have this developed now. This is now. This is a different comparison entirely. Unfortunately, all of these vital factors tend to get sidetracked when the consumer becomes preoccupied with the almost irrelevant issue of device level resolution. optoma projector laser 4k projectors sponsoring epson classroom wish thank america report Ive seen no such projector that is 1080p look like a 4K image. And has been a god send) You could calculate how far the light overspill would be.
And at this distance, the pixel structure of the two projectors is obviously different. The UHD60 with its 0.66" chip and two-phase shifting produces a distinct pixel structure. The indistinct pixel structure on these projectors is a feature of the four-phase pixel shifting going on with the 0.47" chip. This is due to a combination of factors - as you move back from the screen the advantage the PX727-4K has in rendering fine detail becomes less visible so contrast becomes a more dominant factor in your overall perception of the picture's sharpness. HOWEVER. As enthusiasts have known for years, display resolution is not necessarily a major determinant of the final image quality. Different manufacturers use different terminology to describe this technology. So put me in the Pixel-Shifting convert category. Manufacturers are therefore able to apply the 4K UHD resolution label to devices that dont have this pixel count on their display panel but do have it on the screen. I bought my dad an Epson 5040UB last year and I recently bought an Optoma UHZ65. Excellent, thanks! When viewed very close up they look not quite perfectly identical as far as the indistinct pixel array is concerned, but they are pretty darned similar. jvc technology shift projector 4k avs discussions rs420 dla It makes senses this would work because they have already perfected this on the 1080p chipset, so they probably already have this 8k setup now on a 4 phase .66 chipset. Jim, After studying the operation of the XPR module with its pixel shift to achieve an apparent resolution of 4K, I think that the micromirrors cycle of the DMD chip is the same as in FHD. Meanwhile, contrast is of utmost importance. Partial frames from the lower resolution panels are minutely displaced by a rapidly-moving shifting device. In the end, as we go about categorizing and defining these products, the practical question is what makes a 4K projector 4K? Different manufacturers use different terminology to describe this technology. Notice how no one argues over whether the Sony VW285 is 4K or not. The big question is, can you see the difference between a projector using authentic native 4096 x 2160 resolution chips, and a projector using two-phase pixel shifting on a native 2716 x 1528 chip? A 30 inch computer monitor that you look at from 3 ft away - sure. So not only does native 4K imaging have a set of applications for which it is uniquely advantageous, 8K does too, and it is coming sooner than you think. (Don't believe us, come and check it out for yourself in our bat cave dark4K Demo Room.). lightest projectors Then Texas Instruments released an 0.66" 4K UHD chip with a physical mirror matrix of 2716 x 1528 which uses two-phase pixel shifting to create 8.3 million pixels, which is 4K UHD. projector disadvantages 4k true pixel vs 1080p projectors projector shifters uhd vz1000es manhattan native ghostbusters enhanced projected 2160 cgi sony lower resolution This constant jump would make pixel structure less distinct. So the HC 4000 paints two slightly offset 1920 x 1080 images per frame while the PX727-4K paints four. And this is true no matter if you are displaying a native 4K video signal, or if you are displaying regular HD 1080p and having the projectors upscale it. At the opposite end of the spectrum are the tech liberals who believe that if the projector takes a 4K signal and does something to make it look like an exciting, high resolution 4K picture on the screen, that is really what it's all about. You get the same results if you compare them at any size when maintaining the same ratio of viewing distance. As with any new development in technology, theres a whole load of jargon associated with 4K projection which, unless youre a tech expert, can often be quite difficult to understand.Whats the difference between 4K DCI and UHD? I reckon it should be a spec of the projectors so when we use your site's screen calculator ( been using for years! The term "4K projector" is open to any of several interpretations, and there is no chance of a consensus--it is an emotional subject for a lot of folks. So, what differences do we see? Anyone in the projector biz could tell at a glance just from looking at pictures on the screen what the native resolution of the projector was. projectors They followed that with an 0.47" DLP 4K UHD chip which has a physical mirror matrix of 1920 x 1080. Its all down to your individual perception of value and how much 4K content youre watching. It often connotes that there is something inauthentic and undesirable about the pixel shifting technologies and the 4K projectors that use them. I despise these Companies playing this game. This article was very specifically about comparing the perceived image detail of 4K-resolution projectors vs. 1080p-resolution projectors that accept 4K content, make use of HDR and wide color gamut encoding, and use pixel-shifting to bring more perceived detail to the screen. I've never had a 1080p projector with this problem why do the uhd dlp's have this, makes me wonder if we are getting a uhd picture made from less than the chip can produce. Good informative post Evan. Its also judgement as to what you deem as acceptable in terms of the price gap between the native and non-native 4K projectors. Manufacturers are therefore able to apply the 4K UHD resolution label to devices that dont have this pixel count on their display panel but do have it on the screen. And the results? The answer is clearly no -- in practical terms you see exactly the same amount of image detail on both models. I honestly found it such a distraction in dark scenes that I've gone back to a 1080p projector. The writer's conclusion -- that the differences in perceived detail are fairly minimal -- suggests that buyers are free to focus more on other factors that will improve the image quality (higher rated contrast, better rendering of HDR for example) or improve the set-up or user experience (powered lens functions, etc.). This was a radical new approach to getting substantially higher picture resolution out of native 1920 x 1080 D-ILA chips. And rest assured, those features are the ones responsible for the better contrast noticed in the article. To detect any visible differences, the detail must exist in the source to begin with, so we need to use a 4K source. Time and time again weve been surprised by new models and the seriously impressive images they can achieve.When you take the steep price difference between these models and the native 4K alternatives, into account, its really worth giving them their dues.Resolution: 3840 x 2160 pixels (achieved through pixel shifting)Total pixels: 8.3 million, Not to be confused with: Native 4K DCi resolution. Thanks for the article. It seems like it's become vogue to think one more 'in the know' if you bag on 4K and start touting the virtues of other things because it makes you sound like you have some kind of hidden knowledge that the masses aren't privy too. theatre projector vpl sony 4k nz enquire purchase currently All of these 4K projectors regardless of chip type are able to create images in a class that is legitimately understood as 4K resolution. The revolutionary technology of pixel-shifting has injected a lot of controversy and confusion into the world of 4K projectors. 4k projector vpl vw295es udx uhd 4k22 lumen Dont forget that your entire setup needs to be 4K compliant to allow your projector to display the striking 4K images you expect.
And as we know, high contrast makes a picture look sharper. Good active HDR+ along with 10bit or 12bit color with a powerful bulb or laser source will give a better WOW factory than any increases to resolution. What is questionable is the life of the XPR module, aside from the noise it makes. Likewise, we've seen something similar in a few single-chip 4K/UHD DLP models that use the 0.47-inch 1080p DMD before applying XPR pixel shifting for 4K; there's a mode where you can turn off the 4-phase pixel shifting and just view the output of the DMD prior to the shifting. Now, before you go dropping me a flaming email, I am NOT arguing that native 4K imaging devices are irrelevant, or that native 4K devices cannot be a critical feature in a projector. Joe, all TVs and projectors must by definition upscale or downscale a video signal internally so that it matches its native display characteristics, though some, like the native 1080p Epsons that accept 4k/HDR, do give you the option to manually turn off the pixel-shifting enhancement with 1080p signals and just view those signals organically via the 1080p chips without processing. This four-phase pixel shift is remarkably potent as far as rendering detail is concerned. Faux-K is great. But there is also objective reality. The difference here is that native 4K projectors have roughly eight million distinct pixels on their panel to start off with, while pixel shifting tech starts with a lower number of pixels and creates the higher number by using the source image and processing it.Depending on the individual model, some projectors pixel shift twice, some do so four times with the former having a more convincing 4K effect in areas of the image where their is finite detail such as small text.Weve made no bones about the fact that this is not native 4K. However, at the same time, the hair detail in the Scarlett Johannson close-ups appears to be better defined on the UHZ65.