Vidikron 40 HT manual Vidikron Vision Model, DLP Projector, one-chip DLP projectors

G E A R G U I D E

A

Vidikron Vision Model 40			The connectivity suite, which
DLP Projector			is located on the projector’s rear
			You get one 480i-only component
			panel, is fairly comprehensive.
			video input with RCA connections,
		detection for film-based material,	plus a set of RGB inputs with H
Possibly the best value in high-resolution		good color decoding, and a nice	and V sync; if you use only the R,
one-chip DLP projectors.		features package. It’s also competi-	G, and B inputs, this connection
		tively priced and, as such, is an	doubles as a high-bandwidth com-
by Kevin Miller		excellent value in its category.	ponent video input that’s capable
		The Model 40 has a compact,	of displaying 480i/p, 720p, and
	DLP projectors have become all the	squarish design with a white finish.	1080i sources. Of course, the oblig-
	rage in the front-projection home	It measures 4.75 inches high by	atory composite and S-video inputs
	theater arena, thanks in large part	15.75 wide by 13.625 deep and	are also here (one of each), as well
	to the 1,280-by-720 chips that hit	weighs a reasonable 15 pounds.	as a DVI input with HDCP copy
	the market a little over two years	The unit has a very solid feel,	protection for use with the new
	ago. These chips raised the bar in	which indicates good build quality.	crop of satellite and cable HDTV
		The lens is offset slightly from the	receivers. Finally, Vidikron pro-
		center of the pro-	vides an RS-232 port for integrated
		jector. Some of	control systems like the above-
		the remote’s most	mentioned Crestron and AMX
		commonly used	touchpanel systems.
		buttons are also on	The Model 40 has few, if any,
		the top of the unit,	consumer-type features, but that’s
		such as power,	to be expected with any front pro-
		menu, input, enter,	jector. However, it does offer a
		exit, and the arrow keys	few notable picture-enhancing
		for navigation within the menu	features, including a nine-point
				system for calibrating
				the gray scale that
	picture quality for	B		gives the professional
	affordable high-end front pro-			installer and/or video
	jection. Vidikron, a front-projection			technician unprece-
A. The Model 40 has	home theater pioneer, was recently			dented flexibility in
a 1,280-by-720 reso-	purchased by Runco International			this important setup
lution and utilizes	and has launched a new line of	system. Heat is vented through	area. You also can set the gray
the HD2 chip.	DLP projectors.	the front of the projector, and	scale and all other picture parame-
B. Take your pick of	The company’s Vision Model 40	there’s virtually no light leakage	ters for each input separately. A
connection options,	is a one-chip DLP projector with	from the lamp.	total of 21 separate memory loca-
including a DVI input	a native resolution of 1,280 by	The remote control, while not	tions gives you more flexibility
with HDCP.	720, and it’s based on the second-	backlit, is fully illuminated by glow-	than you’re likely to ever need in
	generation HD2 (or Mustang)	in-the-dark buttons. The remote	terms of optimizing the picture for
	DMD chip. Compared with the	does offer discrete access to all of	all video and computer sources.
	first-generation chip, this one defi-	the projector’s inputs, aspect ratios,	For added versatility, you can
	nitely delivers better black-level	and memories, which is very	choose either a short-throw lens
	performance and a higher con-	important to a custom installer	(1.38:1 to 1.63:1), or, for an addi-
	trast ratio. The Model 40 has solid	who’s trying to integrate these	tional $1,000, you can opt for the
	video processing with 3:2-pulldown	functions into a Crestron or AMX	long-throw lens (1.83:1 to 2.40:1).
		touchpanel control system.

110 Home Theater / November 2003 • www.hometheatermag.com