resolutions for projectors?

Question

Hi,

I'm planning to buy a Panasonic PT-AX100 projector.
However, I came across quite a few reviews which said they got "jaggies" (i assume thats jagged lines, right?) at 1080i (and i assume that means a type of resolution, right?)
Anyway, here are the "compatibilities" of the projector I want to get.
When and for what would I use each one? And what will difference be between each one?
And which one would I use if I want to show films played from a DVD player?
And which one would I use if I want to play Sky television on the projector?
And finally, which one would I use if I want to hook up an Xbox and play Xbox on the projector?


Compatibility: HDTV:
720p, 1080i, 1080p/60
1080p/24, 1080p/50, 525i
525p, 576i, 576p
625i, 625p, 1125i


Thank you very very much!!!

Answer 1

This long list simply means you can connect a lot of different output signals and expect to get a picture.

As a primer, the number after the slash (e.g. the 24 in 1080p/24 refers to the frame rate while the first number is the vertical resolution and the "p" or "i" refers to progressive or interlaced (how the picture is drawn).

The issue re resolution is that a projector has one "native" resolution. In the case of the PT-AX100 this is 1280x720 pixels. All other resolutions require the electronics to "scale" the incoming signal to display on the projector. Scaling includes both resolution and frames per second.

It is difficult to predict what resolution to use for a projector given that scaling can also be done in a DVD player or external scaler. Which has the "best" scaling?

Also, scaling over a digital connection (DVI or HDMI) avoids analog-digital conversion and may give better results than component.

So which to use? A good starting point would be 720p output from a unpconverting DVD player over a DVI or HDMI cable. But you would also have to try 1080i and 480p (or even 480i) to see how they compare. You might be able to guess based on the price/sophistication of the external devices vs the projector ... but in reality you will have to try different combinations to be sure. That said, differences may be subtle in terms of jaggies, and you may be more likely to see other types of artifacts / noise particularly DVI/HDMI vs Component. You can be sure that S-video or composite WILL give inferior results though.

I am not familiar with Sky Television so can't advise.

Answer 2

read this.
http://www2.panasonic.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/vModelDetail?storeId=15001&catalogId=13401&itemId=98987&catGroupId=24980&modelNo=PT-AX100U-EC&cacheProgram=11002&cachePartner=7000000000000005702