How can some projectors be HD 1080 and have a resloution of 800 X 600?

Question

I'm looking for a projector for my x-box 360 and I want to get the true HD picture I saw this very well priced Infocus IN1 DLP gaming projector that was HD but low resolution. Whats the point of having HD if it can't get a high resolution? Then it's not really HD or is it in some why i'm missing?

Answer 1

Well, it is true that your projector can mean different things by an 800 X 600 resolution, but sometimes you may need to adjust output or input for the projector, however, 800 X 600 is not high def.

Answer 2

I doubt the 800x600 projector is sold as an HD projector ... since it really isn't. But it can accept an HD signal.

Any digital display (flatpanel or projector) has two resolutions that matter: the native resolution -- which is what all images will be displayed at -- and the accepted input resolutions -- what signals can be accepted and deinterlaced/scaled to fit the display.

It is normal these days for a projector -- one with say a 800x600 native resolution -- to accept the common standard signals (including 4801, 480p, 720p and 1080i). Note that this includes HD resolutions.

However, the image you see isn't actually an HD image unless it can be displayed at 720 pixels or more ... which it can't on a 600 pixel (vertical) display. That said, it does accept an HD signal and does give an image -- which in many cases will look darned good.

It might sound like fraud, but in concept it isn't any different than a 1080i signal displayed on a 1366x768 (720p) display ... the input resolution is scaled down to fit the available pixels.

Is the picture on an 800x600 display as good as on a 1280x720 display? Maybe not, but at normal viewing distances you won't see a difference due to resolution differences (although there may be differences due to the quality of the lens or video processing -- and they could even favour the 800x600 model!).  

But you probably pay a fair bit less for the 800x600 model. As with most things, you get what you pay for. The trick is to know what matters and what doesn't. In this case, the lower price may be worth the slightly lower resolution ... or it may not ... that would be your decision.

I hope that helps.

Answer 3

True HD resolution is 1920 X 1080 (1080p) or 1280 X 720 (720p) anything less is more for computer use and 800 X 600 is not even any sort of widescreen format either.

I would suggest to shop around for a projector with the resolutions I mentioned above.

Answer 4

This is it - The InFocus Play Big IN1 - a home entertainment projector with integrated high-output stereo speakers for gaming and video projection!  Acoustically engineered to mimic the compact performance of high end car audio systems, and featuring DLP® chipset technology the IN1 supports full screen and widescreen video with rich contrast and beautiful colors. Every gaming system you own, movie and TV show can now be projected to huge proportions in amazing clarity with wall-shaking sound. Think of the IN1 like a hi-fi sandwich of home theater components you can take to another room, outside, to a neighbor’s house or on a road trip. You can’t pack a plasma TV in your car, but the IN1 will give you an impressive 100”+ image anywhere.

Live the Game

How about a life-sized bowling alley, tennis court or 8-v-8 battle arena? Just plug your Wii or Xbox into the IN1 and blow up the gaming experience to well over 8 feet, accompanied by the thumping audio you need to immerse yourself in the action. All this performance lives in an awesome projector and dock combination with nothing else to plug-in, swap around or fuss with to stop you from world domination. Featuring component video input, your games will be crystal-clear, easier to navigate and track down your on-screen enemies.

this is the stat sheet on that projector direct from the infocus website. where ever you saw or read it beign hi def is most likely not a reputable place or very knowledgable place. i would recommend staying away from there. some places are using the term hd a little to liberally and confusing unsuspecting shoppers. dont be fooled