Projector upgrade for £269
Discussion
I don't know if any other PHers have read about the Darbee Darblet device, but I bought a used one recently for £220 (new price just went up to £269 as per my thread title). I thought I'd just post up some of my thoughts of this device.
I just had chance to try this with my projector and it really seems to add extra sharpness to the image and detail in certain scenes too (tested it with the BluRay of MI4 and some of the recent Bond films). There have been some big debates about this gadget on AVforums and AVSforum especially from those who aim for the highest image accuracy (aka 'As the director intended').
I have a fully calibrated setup: Not done by ISF, but to the same standards (rec709, with a gamma of 2.3) using a meter and software, plus a Lumagen VP to give some idea of my standards. I also use a separate anamorphic lens made by Isco (pretty much the Rolls Royce of lens makers).
The result is a noticeably sharper image, with certain details being clearer as if the projector has just 'snapped' into true focus. It doesn't seem to add any ringing or halos like normal sharpening and so far I can't see any side effects on test patterns: I believe it works on very small areas of the image, so maybe it 'cheats' the test patterns, but it works so well on 'real' video that I can forgive it. I can't watch a DLP projector due to 'rainbow effect' which gives me a headache, but this seems to add the DLP sharpness to my DILA projector (currently an older JVC HD350, but plan is to get a newer X30 once owners start selling them off to buy the new X35/55 models
).
I was really against the idea of this box when I first read about it, but having actually tried one now, I'm quite taken with the effect: Having a near 10' wide screen looking pretty much as sharp as a 42" TV is a stunning effect, plus it seems to bring details out in dark scenes which counteracts the lower contrast of my older projector.
Hope this is useful to the projector owning Phers.
(It will work on TVs too, but I felt the effect was much reduced on my 40" TV unless sat very near to the screen, though plenty of AVforums owners used them only with TVs).
Link to their website showing demos of the device:
http://darbeevision.com/
I just had chance to try this with my projector and it really seems to add extra sharpness to the image and detail in certain scenes too (tested it with the BluRay of MI4 and some of the recent Bond films). There have been some big debates about this gadget on AVforums and AVSforum especially from those who aim for the highest image accuracy (aka 'As the director intended').
I have a fully calibrated setup: Not done by ISF, but to the same standards (rec709, with a gamma of 2.3) using a meter and software, plus a Lumagen VP to give some idea of my standards. I also use a separate anamorphic lens made by Isco (pretty much the Rolls Royce of lens makers).
The result is a noticeably sharper image, with certain details being clearer as if the projector has just 'snapped' into true focus. It doesn't seem to add any ringing or halos like normal sharpening and so far I can't see any side effects on test patterns: I believe it works on very small areas of the image, so maybe it 'cheats' the test patterns, but it works so well on 'real' video that I can forgive it. I can't watch a DLP projector due to 'rainbow effect' which gives me a headache, but this seems to add the DLP sharpness to my DILA projector (currently an older JVC HD350, but plan is to get a newer X30 once owners start selling them off to buy the new X35/55 models
).I was really against the idea of this box when I first read about it, but having actually tried one now, I'm quite taken with the effect: Having a near 10' wide screen looking pretty much as sharp as a 42" TV is a stunning effect, plus it seems to bring details out in dark scenes which counteracts the lower contrast of my older projector.
Hope this is useful to the projector owning Phers.
(It will work on TVs too, but I felt the effect was much reduced on my 40" TV unless sat very near to the screen, though plenty of AVforums owners used them only with TVs).
Link to their website showing demos of the device:
http://darbeevision.com/
I've had a couple of PMs about the seeing the Darbee. Sorry I can't do any home demos, but there is one for sale on AVForums classifeds for about £220 so you wouldn't lose money if you decide it isn't for you and sold it on. Also some suppliers do a 30 day return deal on it, so just the cost of postage to try out.
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