BluRay Player w/ DVD to Sanyo Projector ? Copy Protection?

[egparadigm]

Hi,

I have very limited information to answer this query, so you guys might not be able to answer the question...

I have started helping out a local community cinema group. They have been having issues trying to send a digital sign via HDMI from a Sony BluRay player to the DVI-in on a Sanyo projector. The projector I think is a relatively expensive one, and the BluRay player is a standard consumer player.

As I see it there are two possible reasons for this. The first could be a setting somewhere that's wrong. The second, and the one that the projectionist thinks is the problem, is that it's related to copy protection.

Basically we can play everything fine via analog signal ? composite or component ? but when we play via HDMI-DVI we get a blank screen. Not blue, but black ? indicating that there is something being sent but no actual picture. Interestingly, at our last screening we tried another Sony player ? DVD-only ? via the same cable and this time we got a picture from the DVD player software, but it cut out the moment it tried to play the DVD itself.

Are there any DVD/BR/projector experts out there that can tell me how to resolve this issue? I will try to clarify as far as I can, but I don't have access to the kit, and I'm new to the group, so perhaps I don't know enough! Just putting it out there.

Thanks all.

[Lyris]

Sounds like the projector doesn't support HDCP.

Before we assume the worst, try connecting the BD player via one of the working inputs and force it to output in RGB colour space (may be called "RGB 4:4:4") instead of YCbCr. That might get you an image over DVI.

If not, you will need an HDCP stripper box. Can't you just use the Component video inputs on the projector though? These typically will have almost no quality loss.

Another possibility is that the projector only supports PC resolutions and scan rates over the DVI connector, and the player is outputting 24hz.

[egparadigm]

Well, I think the projector does support HDCP. (Incidentally, can you offer an explanation of HDCP?) On the input selection you can choose Digital with and without HDCP, appearing as two separate options.

I believe I can force RGB, because there is an option for that and YPbPr. I believe it was on RBG when we were trying to play through HDMI, because when we switched to component it came up black and white until we turned on YPbPr. Like I say, though, I don't have access to the equipment and this is from memory.

I would personally be happy to use component, but the other volunteers would prefer to use HDMI. However, I don't know how much the projectionist knows about video, certainly some of them know nothing and may be preferring HDMI for superstitious reasons.

One concern from the last screening was that the front row was perhaps too close to the screen and attendees (in that row) complained that the image was very blurry. This was through composite – so it could be related to that or perhaps the small number of pixels over a large area (the screen is maybe 3x2 metres, may be under-estimating). I hope moving the seats back further will prevent this issue.

What are the advantages of digital, would you say? I'm assuming perhaps some removal of artefacts if the component leads are improperly shielded and a slight increase in sharpness due to upscaling? But, perhaps it would introduce as many problems as it removes. I'm not an expert, I only gather this from my experience with TVs/consoles.

I know you can select 480/576p, 720i/p and 1080i/p from the menus, but I'm not sure exactly how these relate to the digital connection as such. I know that over component, selecting an HD resolution (720/1080) ruined the image in various ways (like pixelating and zooming ala zoom 16:9). I think there was a 24FPS option??

[Lyris]

Analogue Component vs HDMI will probably look identical. If you have cheap cables you might see slight ghosted edges with Component.

HDCP: a stupid copy protection system that pisses everyone off.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hdcp

[egparadigm]

OK, thanks. That's what I thought.

The projectionist has a box full of cables, so I'll get him to have a rummage and if not get hold of a good-quality cable.

Cheers!

[Lyris]

Whereabouts are you guys based? I could possibly come over and calibrate the whole thing?

[egparadigm]

Somerset? Might be difficult finding a convenient time – as I said it's locked away most of the time.

How is calibration done with projectors? I calibrate my own computer screen with an i1 device, which you obviously can place on the screen.

[Lyris]

If you have a non contact meter like that, you can calibrate from the projector lens. Alternatively I have access to a Klein K-10 which is a lensed meter, meaning you can just aim it at the screen and take readings from that. The advantage there is that you can counter any colour bias the screen is adding.

Somerset is not too near Glasgow but I would offer to do that if I'm ever nearby!

[egparadigm]

OK, no worries!

How do you actually run the software that uses the hardware device? When I do it to my screen at home I run the software on the computer and connect via USB. There's an option in the software for projectors and others but they're all greyed out...

[Lyris]

I use Calman Profession and yes, it just runs on a PC. I take along a laptop if I'm ever away from my test-bench