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Codecs & Compression

4K Ultra HD Buying Guides Codecs & Compression

HDTV Expert - SMPTE Fall Technology Conference: UHDTV Symposium - Pete Putman

The SMPTE Fall Technology Conference featured a one-day technical symposium on next-generation image formats, including a presentation titled 'UHDTV: The Big Picture on Bigger Pictures' examining Ultra High Definition Television technology. The symposium addressed the broader landscape of pixel density, image quality, and format advancements, separating verified technical claims from speculation. Attendees gained practical insight into where UHDTV stands relative to competing next-gen formats and what those differences mean for real-world display and broadcast applications.

Pete Putman •
Columns
HD DVD Home Theater Projection HD

HDTV and Home Theater Podcast - Podcast #588: Netflix SuperHD

Netflix SuperHD delivers 1080p streaming at 7Mbps using MPEG-4 compression, which the authors calculate as roughly equivalent to a 9-11Mbps MPEG-2 signal, placing it near over-the-air HD quality on a multicast channel. Supported devices include PlayStation 3, Apple TV, Roku, and TiVo Premiere, but access requires an ISP participating in the Open Connect network. Picture quality tested noticeably better than DVD and comparable to some broadcast TV channels, though short of Blu-ray, with Dolby Digital audio tracks performing impressively close to disc-based counterparts.

The HT Guys •
Podcasts
Laser TVs Market Trends & Analysis Codecs & Compression

HDTV Expert - End of the Road for RPTV - by Pete Putman

Mitsubishi has ended all production of rear-projection DLP televisions effective November 30, 2012, discontinuing its 73-inch, 82-inch, and 92-inch models as part of an orderly exit from the consumer TV business. The collapse was driven by plummeting LCD prices, with Sharp's 70-inch Aquos undercutting the category at under $2,000, while global RPTV shipments fell nearly 75% from 32,000 units in Q4 2011 to just 9,000 in Q3 2012. For consumers, this marks the definitive end of large-screen rear-projection as a viable display option, leaving Mitsubishi to refocus on commercial AV, front projection, and laser and LED light engine development.

Pete Putman •
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HD DVD Home Theater Codecs & Compression

HDTV and Home Theater Podcast - Podcast #525: Acer H6500 DLP projector

The Acer H6500 is a native 1080p DLP projector rated at 2100 ANSI lumens (1680 in Eco mode) with a 10,000:1 contrast ratio, priced at approximately $865. It supports 24 fps playback, dual HDMI inputs, and screen sizes up to 330 inches, though the absence of lens shift capability complicates some room installations. For buyers willing to trade deep blacks for affordability, the H6500 offers a practical entry point into front projection at roughly the same cost as a mid-size flat-panel TV.

The HT Guys •
Podcasts
3DTV Codecs & Compression DLP TVs

HDTV Expert - Useful Gadgets: Mitsubishi HC7800 3D DLP Home Theater Projector - Pete Putman

The Mitsubishi HC7800 is a single-chip DLP home theater projector using a .65-inch 1920x1080 DMD with a 240-watt lamp, priced at $2,999 and supporting HDMI v1.4a frame-packed 3D. Post-calibration brightness measured 388 ANSI lumens in low lamp mode, with ANSI contrast at 477:1 and sequential contrast at 1048:1, making it a strong 2D performer but light-starved for 3D on low-gain screens. Buyers pairing it with a higher-gain screen will get solid value, though the bundled active-shutter glasses draw criticism for bulk and discomfort.

Pete Putman •
Columns
HD DVD Home Theater 3DTV

Sharp® Unveils New 3D High Definition DLP® Home Theater Projector

Sharp's XV-Z30000 is a 1080p DLP home theater front projector delivering 50,000:1 contrast ratio and 1,600 ANSI lumens, with a 6-segment, 5x speed color wheel for accurate 3D and 2D imaging. The motorized lens shift, 2x optical zoom, and center lens design provide flexible installation options for dedicated home theater rooms. Priced at $4,999.99 and available March 2012, it includes two sets of 3D glasses and supports Crestron, Control4, AMX, and RS-232C control systems for custom integration.

Bulletins
Blu-ray Review: Conan the Barbarian
Blu-ray HD DVD Home Theater

Blu-ray Review: Conan the Barbarian

The 2011 Conan the Barbarian Blu-ray delivers a reference-quality DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 track with a 5.0-star dynamic range and subwoofer performance, though dialog intelligibility suffers noticeably against the heavy action mix. Video is encoded in MPEG-4 AVC at 1080p with a 2.40:1 aspect ratio, earning 4.6 stars for strong clarity, minimal film grain, and accurate skin tones despite a deliberate bronze color grade. The disc rewards home theater enthusiasts looking to stress-test their audio setup, even if the film itself is more entertaining for its unintentional humor than its storytelling.

The HT Guys •
Reviews
HDTV and Home Theater Podcast - Podcast #497: Optoma HD33 3D 1080p Projector
HD DVD Home Theater 3DTV

HDTV and Home Theater Podcast - Podcast #497: Optoma HD33 3D 1080p Projector

The Optoma HD33 is a 1080p DLP projector priced at $1500, featuring a Texas Instruments DLP chipset, 1800 ANSI lumens (closer to 1200 in practical use), a 4000:1 contrast ratio, and dual HDMI v1.4a inputs with support for Blu-ray 3D and gaming consoles. The RF-based 3D sync system requires no line of sight, and a separate 3D calibration mode lets users optimize brightness independently from 2D settings. Buyers should note the absence of lens shift, the need for careful mounting alignment, and the additional $200 cost for two pairs of 3D glasses.

The HT Guys •
Podcasts
HD DVD Home Theater 3DTV

3D All the Rage as Mitsubishi Electric Visual Solutions Debuts 3D DLP Home Theater Front Projector

Mitsubishi Electric's HC7800D is a 1080p DLP front projector built around Texas Instruments' .065-inch DMD chip, delivering 1600 lumens and a contrast ratio of up to 30,000:1 full on/full off. The projector supports dual HDMI 1.4 inputs for 3D signal passthrough, operates at a near-silent 25 dBa in low mode, and offers a lamp life of up to 5000 hours. Priced at $3,495, it targets home theater enthusiasts seeking large-screen 3D performance with proprietary 2D-to-3D frame conversion and minimal crosstalk using active shutter glasses.

Bulletins
Blu-ray Review: The Eagle
Blu-ray Buying Guides Codecs & Compression

Blu-ray Review: The Eagle

The Eagle arrives on Blu-ray with a DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 track that delivers standout bass performance, from horse hooves to tribal drums, alongside a sharp MPEG-4 AVC 1080p encode at 2.35:1 that renders fine skin and leather detail despite minor compression artifacts and a deliberate green tint. Bonus features include both theatrical and unrated cuts, an audio commentary, and a notably stronger alternate ending. Viewers seeking a moody, character-driven Roman-era adventure will find the technical presentation largely justifies the format upgrade.

The HT Guys •
Reviews
Blu-ray Review: Hobo with a Shotgun
Blu-ray HD DVD Home Theater

Blu-ray Review: Hobo with a Shotgun

Hobo with a Shotgun arrives on Blu-ray encoded in MPEG-4 AVC at 1080p with a 2.41:1 aspect ratio, delivering surprisingly vibrant visuals with strong compression scores (5.0/5) and excellent skin tone reproduction despite intentional high film grain. The DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 track features a synthesizer-heavy soundtrack with punchy bass, though dialog occasionally gets buried by a hot mix that opens up considerably in the third act. Viewers who appreciate grindhouse-style filmmaking will find a well-rounded disc with an extensive bonus package, including a 45-minute making-of featurette and dual commentary tracks.

The HT Guys •
Reviews
Blu-ray Projection HD Streaming HD

Streaming Inflation

Streaming video at 2-5 Mbps versus Blu-ray's 30+ Mbps transfer rate represents a significant quality gap that becomes apparent on large screens at proper viewing distances, particularly given that many streaming services deliver lossy stereo audio rather than lossless formats. A key technical nuance often overlooked is that 720p/60fps actually requires 12% more bandwidth than 1080p/24fps (55M vs. 49M pixels per second), making frame rate as critical as resolution when evaluating format efficiency. For viewers prioritizing convenience on small screens or at extended viewing distances, streaming serves as a practical alternative, but those with large displays and quality-focused setups will find the compression trade-offs difficult to ignore.

Rodolfo La Maestra •
Articles
Codecs & Compression DLP TVs Programming

HDTV Almanac - Mitsubishi Chooses the Big Picture

Mitsubishi is exiting the small-screen consumer TV market, refocusing its rear-projection DLP lineup exclusively on displays 65 inches and larger, including a 3D-capable 95-inch diagonal model. The company has formed a new subsidiary, Mitsubishi Electric Visual Solutions America Inc. (MEVSA), to manage both large-format consumer sets and commercial display applications. For buyers seeking a compact LCD for secondary rooms, Mitsubishi is no longer an option, but the brand remains relevant for large-screen and projector installations.

Alfred Poor •
Columns
Blu-ray Review: Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, Part 1
Blu-ray Buying Guides Codecs & Compression

Blu-ray Review: Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, Part 1

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 1 arrives on Blu-ray with a DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 track that delivers reference-quality subwoofer performance and surround effects, earning a near-perfect 4.9-star audio score. The MPEG-4 AVC 1080p encode at a 2.40:1 aspect ratio excels in shadow detail and skin tone accuracy despite the film's predominantly dark color palette. Bonus content is substantial, including a Picture-in-Picture Maximum Movie Mode and eight deleted scenes, making this a strong purchase for both fans and home theater enthusiasts.

The HT Guys •
Reviews
Codecs & Compression DLP TVs Laser TVs

HDTV Almanac - Mitsubishi Abandons LCD HDTVs

Mitsubishi is exiting the LCD HDTV market to concentrate on DLP rear projection displays sized 73 inches and larger, including a 92-inch model demonstrated at CES 2011. A 73-inch Mitsubishi rear projection set retails on Amazon for $1,200, roughly 60 percent of the lowest price for a 65-inch plasma HDTV, underscoring a significant cost-per-inch advantage. For consumers prioritizing screen size over slim form factor, this repositioning signals that large-format rear projection may remain a viable, budget-friendly option despite declining mainstream appeal.

Alfred Poor •
Columns