The AV/IT Craze

Prior to InfoComm this past June, there was only one manufacturer of a 16:9 native aspect ratio projector: Sony. But, at InfoComm, Sanyo introduced a new projector dubbed the PLV-60 HT. Like the Sony, using three 1365 x 768 (native 16:9) LCD panels (actually manufactured by Sony), the PLV-60 HT is designed and targeted for the home theater installation market. But, it's 1200 ANSI lumens and 700:1 (claimed) contrast ratio market it a potential integrators dream in some niche boardroom and conference installations - like the Sony VPL-VW10HT and it's soon-to-be-introduced follow-up the VPL-VW11HT.

Is integrating a 16:9 projector in the corporate market a good idea?

The reality of the market is that the majority of projector installations in both boardroom and conference room environments are for PC projection - not video. Most projectors are used for projecting computer PowerPoint, excel, word and browser application well over 90% of the time. In addition, much of that leftover 10% is done with the plain old VCR. So, unless you have an installation that's primarily DVD media, designed as a screening room for movies or in the home, it's probably a better idea not to install a native 16:9 projector. The current generation of 4:3 aspect ratio boxes from Epson, Sony, InFocus and now even Christie are more than good enough. They all offer 2000, 3000 and 4000 ANSI lumens solutions, for all kinds of environments, are all optimized for PC projection of data and all offer interchangeable lens options for mounting the projector sin virtually any room.

But, if you're looking for the ultimate in home theater projection from a non-CRT device, look no further. For the home, I wouldn't hesitate at all in using a 16:9 aspect ratio projector well before using a 4:3 box.

Why?

Well, although the majority of television programming on a daily basis is still in 4:3 and NTSC, most prime time programming is already simulcast in HDTV at 16:9. In addition, when was the last time you rented a DVD or purchased a DVD that wasn't in 16:9. Sure, some are still available in 4:3, but most are now 16:9. And, in regards to the future, the writing is on the wall. Why do you think that Blockbuster is downsizing its stores? Sure, they love the idea of using less space, but the real reason is that they see the DVD as a medium that can take up much less space in storage and operation. Three times as many DVDs fit in the same shipping box as the VCR cassette. And, although there is potentially more chance for damage to the DVD than the VCR, they have found that in reality the percentages are very similar - helped by people's knowledge of how to handle audio CDs.

So, if you're in the market of integrating home theaters and don't want to install a CRT projector (everyone still agrees the CRT is far superior in quality to anything else out there for the home), these two LCD options are perfect. Both look great, are easy to operate, simple to maintain and make good pictures.

And, don't forget that it's the height of the picture that determines the optimum viewing spot in a theater - not the width. So, if you're currently using a 4:3 projector in home theater installs, remember that when you switch to projecting a 16:9 image, you are having to reduce picture height, thus affecting the optimum viewing spot in the room (moving it up). But, if you were to use a 16:9 projector and just watch 4:3 material on it, the sweet spot of the room doesn't move - just the picture width changes - the height of the image is still the same.