Newest Topics - PJreview Discussion Forum

2005 July 29

The new content management system and FAQ for this web site are still being worked on.

2005 March 07 - Media Portal

Media Portal is a good and free open-source alternative to Meedio or Microsoft Media Center Edition.

2005 March 07 - X10 UR86a and Niveus PC mouse remote

I've been testing this type of PC mouse remote control which supports RF and IR. I'll have a review for you guys soon. The Niveus PC remote and X10 UR86a are based on the same OEM remote with some minor differences between them.

After using the remote for a while, I actually prefer it more overall compared to the other "up there" remotes such as the Logitech Harmony series. However, you will have to do some custom programming and use Girder or Total Home Remote software to really make the remote shine.

I now finally have one single remote that can control everything in the home theater. I have this one PC remote controlling the projector, CRT TV, VCR, cable box, DVD player, HTPC, 7.1 receiver and lights. It's much better being able to use one single remote instead of switching between 7 different remotes while in the home theater room! You are not the master of your own home theater domain until you find that one remote that binds and rules them all.

2005 Feb 26 - X15e HTPC case with 7" LCD

This looks like a great HTPC case for those of you prefer the traditional equipment look and feel with a modern touch. For those of you shopping around, definitely look into the X15e.

http://www.iuneed.com/x15e.html

2005 Feb 21 - PJReview.com Beta stage progress report

This web site is still in its Beta stage.  Data is being organized for this web site such as screenshots, review data, FAQ content and much more.  The FAQ system is going through an overhaul with some new enhancements to improve data contribution and management.  Our dynamic content management system is still being worked on as it's not ready for production use yet.

Things are taking a little more time than expected yet there is steady progress being made.  It's a matter of making sure everything runs stable with all the needed functionality while being able to scale well.  We've decided it would be better to not rush and get things done right.

Once all of these systems are in place, more content will be added to this web site (thousands of screenshots are already created, dozens of new content pages will be added to the FAQ system and more hardware reviews - projectors, projection screens, paint formulations, PC remote controls, HTPCs, software and so forth.

2005 Feb 18 - Claro's Holographic Television System

This looks/sounds like an amazing feat if it works out as intended for projector viewing in brightly lit rooms.

Quote:

http://www.gizmag.com/go/3271/

The CLARO represents the latest innovation in TV and display technology combined with a visual design aesthetic to introduce the TV system of the future - a transparent glass TV and media system utilising holographic technology.

The Holoscreen is a revolutionary holographic film which displays any image fed through a projector at a specific angle on to a transparent display. All other light is ignored. The result is a remarkably bright and sharp image quality - even in brightly lit environments. The screen is a 1.5m x 1.0m rectangle of 10mm glass with a 610mm x 814mm sheet of translucent attached to it. Any type of projector can be used to cast the image.

2005 Feb 17 - DVI vs HDMI vs Component cables

Here's an insightful read about assumptions that DVI or HDMI cables provide a better image in all situations over analog.

Quote:

http://forum.ecoustics.com/bbs/messages/34579/122868.html

As DVI and HDMI connections become more and more widely used, we are often asked: which is better, DVI (or HDMI) or component video? The answer, as it happens, is not cut-and-dried.

First, to clear away one element that can be confusing: DVI and HDMI are exactly the same as one another, image-quality-wise. The principal differences are that HDMI carries audio as well as video, and uses a different type of connector, but both use the same encoding scheme, and that's why a DVI source can be connected to an HDMI monitor, or vice versa, with a DVI/HDMI cable, with no intervening converter box.

The upshot of this article--in case you're not inclined to read all the details--is that it's very hard to predict whether a digital DVI or HDMI connection will produce a better or worse image than an analog component video connection. There will often be significant differences between the digital and the analog signals, but those differences are not inherent in the connection type and instead depend upon the characteristics of the source device (e.g., your DVD player) and the display device (e.g., your TV set). Why that is, however, requires a bit more discussion. 

2005 January 15 - Projector Wall Screen DIY (Do-It-Yourself) Painting/Rolling Guide

A new guide on painting/rolling your own projector screen is online.  It features Behr Ultra Pure White as the paint of choice.  However, you may substitute any paint of your choice.

2005 January 09 - Infocus X1/X2 projector mini review with screenshots

A mini review of the Infocus X1/X2 with some screenshots and comments is online.

2005 January 05 - Consumer Electronics Show 2005 (January 6-9) coverage

LetsGoDigital.nl has good coverage of the past CES shows in Las Vegas and will be covering this upcoming show which takes place from January 6-9.

2005 January 03 - HTPC cases reviewed by AnandTech

Those of you shopping for a new HTPC case, Anandtech has a good review of various models from the major HTPC case players.  These include the Ahanix D.Vine 5, CoolerMaster Cavalier 2, SilverStone Technology Lascala 10M5 and NMedia HTPC 100.

2005 January 01 - Happy New Year

Hopefully everyone had a great Christmas.  Did everyone get some new toys home theater toys?  The holiday rush has been busy.  More time will be available to add content for this site as the holidays are over.

December 26 - BenQ PB6100 $639 CAD Refurbished Boxing Day Hot Deal!

NCIX.com has a hot projector deal for Boxing Day. They have the BenQ PB6100 projector for $638.98 Canadian Dollars. You can find it at the following link:

http://www.ncix.com/products/index.php?sku=13592&promoid=1022& affiliateid=472595

December 21 - Mississippi Mud Vs Behr Ultra Pure White

A test comparison of Mississippi Mud and Behr Ultra Pure White with screenshots are online.  More details, screenshots and information will follow.  One side is the MMud while the other side is the Behr UPW.  Can you guess which side is which?  The answer will be posted once most people have a good chance to guess.

December 17 - Light Fusion, Carada Brillian White, MMud, Da-Lite High Power, Optoma H30, Panasonic AE700 Shootout

Some screenshots and comparisons of the Light Fusion, Mississippi Mud, Da-Lite High Power, Carada Brilliant White and projector shootout in Vancouver are online. A group of us who frequent the AVS forum got together on December 16 to compare the Optoma H30 and Panasonic AE-700 on these various screens.

December 09 - Optoma H30 being tested now

I'm currently testing a new Optoma H30 which is another projector to get an in-depth review here.  I'll have some first impressions and photos/screenshots online soon.

December 07 - Meedio featured on TV

Meedio, one of the leading HTPC front-ends, is featured on a TV show.  You can watch a video of it at the following link:

http://www.wfaa.com/perl/common/video/wmPlayer.pl?title=www.bcb.com/tech321.wmv

December 06 - Ultra Pure White

Ultra Pure White is another DIY screen that will be tested against the others.

December 05 - Optoma H31

Optoma's H30 successor will be the Optoma H31 which incorporates the Texas Instruments Darkchip2 that's used in the Infocus 4805.  The H31 should be a great projector.

December 04 - Home theater projector calibration

Today, I just thought of some interesting ideas on a home theater do-it-yourself Calibration article based.  I'm writing down the ideas and will make it into a calibration guide article to share with everyone later.

December 02 - Panasonic AE-700, Optoma H30 and Infocus X1 Shootout on Light Fusion, plain MMud and Behr SilverScreen

Today, an appointment is made for a shootout of various projection screens.  Some screens to be reviewed will be the Light Fusion screen, plain MMud and Behr SilverScreen with some fellow AVSforum members.  Next weekend, the event will take place and there will be a comparison of three different projectors (Panasonic AE-700, Optoma H30 and Infocus X1).  More progress is being made on completing the web site.