The Miller Channel
Vidikron Vision Model 40
1-Chip DLP projector $8,995
$9,995 with long throw lens
By Kevin Miller
August 8, 2003--DLP projectors have become all the rage in front projection home theater thanks in large part to the 1280 x 720 resolution chips that hit the market a little over two years ago, raising the bar in picture quality for affordable high-end front projection. Vidikron, one of the pioneers of front projection home theater, recently purchased by Runco International, has just launched a new line of DLP projectors. The company's new Vision Model 40 is a 1-chip DLP projector with a native resolution of 1280 x 720, and is based on the second generation HD-2 or Mustang DMD chip. This latest generation 1280 x 720 resolution chip definitely delivers better black level performance, and higher contrast ratios over last year's first generation chip. The Vision 40 has solid video processing with 2:3 pull-down detection for film based material, good color decoding, and a nice feature package. It is also very competitively priced, and as such represents an excellent value in its category.
The Vidikron Vision Model 40 is a compact squarish design with a white finish. It measures 4 ¾ x 15 ¾ x 13 5/8 inches (HWD), and weighs a reasonable 15 lbs. The unit has a very solid feel indicating good build quality. The lens is offset slightly from the center of the projector. Some of the most commonly used functions from the remote are also on the top of the unit, such as, Power, Menu, Input, Enter, Exit, and the left, right, up and down arrow keys for navigation within the menu system. The heat is vented through the front of the projector, and there is virtually no light leakage from the lamp. The remote control while not backlit is fully illuminated with glow in the dark buttons. The remote does have discreet access to all the projector's inputs, aspect ratios, and memories, which will prove to be very important to custom installers integrating these functions into control systems like Crestron and AMX touch panel remotes.
The connectivity suite located on the rear panel of the projector is fairly comprehensive. There is one 480i only component video input with RCA connections, and a set of RGB inputs with H and V sync that also doubles when using only the R, G, and B inputs as a high bandwidth component video input capable of displaying 480i/p, 720p and 1080i sources. Of course, the obligatory composite and S-Video inputs are on tap here (one of each), and a DVI I/O with HDCP copy protection for use with the new crop of Satellite and cable HDTV receivers. Finally, an RS-232 port is provided for integrated control systems like the above-mentioned Crestron and AMX touch-panel systems.
There are few if any consumer type features on the Vision Model 40 projector, but that is to be expected with any front projection system. There are however, a few notable picture-enhancing features. On the Model 40 a 9-point system for calibrating the grayscale gives the professional installer and/or video technician unprecedented flexibility in this important area of setup. You can also set grayscale, and all other picture parameters for all inputs separately. A total of 21 separate memory slots gives you more flexibility than you are likely to ever need in terms of optimizing the picture for all video and computer sources. For added versatility with the installation of the model 40 you can choose either a short throw (1.38:1 to 1.63:1) or for an additional $1000 you can opt for the long throw lens (1.83:1 to 2.40:1).
The Model 40 gives you five selectable color temperature settings: 0, 1, 2, 3, and 4. Of course, it also offers selectable aspect ratios: 4:3, Letterbox, Anamorphic and Intelliwide. The Intelliwide setting was designed specifically for blowing up 4:3 material to fill a 16:9 screen, and it does so with a minimum of distortion to the picture unlike many other similar implementations of this kind of ratio.
I evaluated the Vidikron Vision Model 40 with a Panasonic DVD-RP91 progressive-scan DVD player in the interlaced mode, and Dish Network's HD satellite feed on a 72-inch wide Stewart Filmscreen StudioTek 130 screen. I obtained a maximum Contrast setting of +18, which is about 2/3 on the sliding bar in the menu before clipping or "White Crush" set in. This produced an amply bright picture (See the measurements sidebar for HT's measurements with the Photo Research PR650). I measured 6150 Kelvins at 30 IRE, and 5975 Kelvins at 80 IRE prior to calibrating the grayscale. This is quite close to the broadcast standard color temperature of D6500. There was a distinct magenta hue to the top end of the grayscale that I was able to completely eliminate with grayscale calibration. Post calibration, I measured a very impressive 6500-Kelvins (X=.313 and y=.328) at 30 IRE, and 6450 (x=.314 and y=.327).
While it is clear that Vidikron makes a serious effort to calibrate the grayscale of this projector, it should be noted that the screen material and size are key factors in achieving a linear accurate grayscale. You also need to calibrate the whole system including using the DVD player in a given system for the best results.
The color decoder in the Model 40 is pretty accurate. After setting the color and tint with SMPTE color bars, I ended up backing down the color level 4 clicks from 34 to 30 as skin tones looked a little too red on "Montage of Images" from The Video Essentials test DVD. The video processing in the Model 40 is quite good. Looking at the opening sequence of "Star Trek: Insurrection", 2:3 pull-down was clearly evident as the bridge railing, canoes, and rooftops were all rendered pristinely. The bouncing ball in the Snell & Wilcox Zone Plate test pattern was also exceptionally clean.
The short throw lens option in my review sample does have some minor chromatic aberrations. Red was out by approximately one pixel or mirror mostly in the horizontal domain. The lens also appeared to have a slight barrel distortion at the top of the picture, which shows up as a very slight horizontal pincushion error on the top of the picture. This was only visible on 235:1 aspect ratio material like "Training Day". With that said, all of the latest generation 1-chip DLP projectors have lenses that exhibit some chromatic aberrations, and the Model 40 is certainly not the worst I've seen. In fact, I was hard pressed to see these issues with regular DVD and HDTV sources from my sitting position, which is roughly ten feet from the screen. I also commend Vidikron for offering both a long and short throw lens option for added flexibility. In my room, I would have no choice but to opt for a short throw lens even with my relatively small 72-inch wide screen.
If you look at the spec sheet you'll see the company claims the Model 40 is capable of 950 ANSI lumens, and has a contrast ratio of 1600:1. Since Vidikron is now owned by Runco International, they have adopted Runco's CSMS (Cinema Standards Measurement System) specifications standards, which are much more realistic in terms of light output and contrast ratio ratings, and are published right along side the much larger exaggerated numbers that the rest of the industry insists on maintaining. Since in film we measure light in footlamberts, Runco has decided to include footlambert measurements in their specifications as well, and real world ANSI lumen specifications after proper calibration.
This is the first time I have ever reprinted even a portion of a manufacturer's spec sheet, but it is worth illustrating, as it represents real information that will actually aid in the design of your home theater. Looking closely at the spec sheet under light output you'll see the CSMS Specifications: Home Theater Calibration: 480 ANSI lumens; 17.9 Footlamberts (fL.). Under Contrast Ratio the CSMS spec is a much more realistic 148:1. The company takes it one step further, and makes a point of recommending screen sizes of between 72 and 96 inches wide even though the projector can project images up to 200 inches wide. I have to hand it to Runco/Vidikron for taking this bold step. I have long been frustrated with the marketing departments of video display manufacturers boasting ridiculous numbers for both light output and contrast ratios. When you measure these two specifications in actual home theater environments, it becomes crystal clear that virtually all these published specifications are totally bogus.
After a full ISF style calibration for both NTSC and HDTV sources, I sat back and watched a variety of DVDs, and HDTV material. Chapter 31 of "Charlotte Gray", still one of my favorite reference DVDs, had great snap, detail, and very good color saturation. In the beginning of this chapter where the train is traveling through the French country side there is some visible low-level noise. This noise is more prevalent in darker scenes like the love scene between Charlotte and the young British officer in chapter 4 of the same disc. In fairness to Vidikron I have seen this low-level noise on virtually all the 1-chip DLP projectors, and attribute it at least in part to DLP technology. Part of the problem could also be in the video processing.
Chapter 4 of "Training Day" looked excellent. Denzel's black car looked really black, which is a testament to the Model 40's excellent black level performance. DLP still can't do black like a CRT, and it probably never will be able to. However, the new HD-2 chip brings it to another level, and I dare say to an acceptable level for 99.9 percent of home theater enthusiasts.
HDTV from my Dish Network Satellite feed looked mostly awesome. Bright scenes looked really good, but darker scenes were definitely plagued by low-level noise problems. In particular I was watching "Armed and Dangerous" on the HBO HD channel, and ""Harlan County War" on Showtime HD. I fired up my reference Runco DTV-991 for a quick comparison, and found it to be quite clean. Unfortunately, I was unable to evaluate the HDTV performance of the Model 40 with its DVI input. I have had enough experience in the field calibrating digital displays like the 40 for both component video inputs and DVI inputs, and there is no doubt that the DVI looks a lot cleaner on digital displays. I suspect the HD would've looked a lot cleaner on the 40 via a DVI connection.
The new Vidikron is looking strong once again. Their Vision Model 40 is a very respectable player in the 1280 x 720 resolution 1-chip DLP projector category. Good video processing, black level performance, and color decoding all add up to excellent performance. There is no doubt that the 40 does a lot right, and is a truly impressive DLP projector especially when you consider its price. At $8995 with the short throw lens, and $9995 for the long throw lens version the Model 40 is one of the most reasonably priced DLP projectors in its class, making it one of the best values in its category.
11/2/03
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