G E A R G U I D E
Vidikron Vision Model 40
The connectivity suite, which
is located on the projector’s rear
panel, is fairly comprehensive.
You get one 480i-only component
video input with RCA connections,
plus a set of RGB inputs with H
and V sync; if you use only the R,
G, and B inputs, this connection
doubles as a high-bandwidth com-
ponent video input that’s capable
of displaying 480i/p, 720p, and
1080i sources. Of course, the oblig-
atory composite and S-video inputs
are also here (one of each), as well
as a DVI input with HDCP copy
protection for use with the new
crop of satellite and cable HDTV
receivers. Finally, Vidikron pro-
vides an RS-232 port for integrated
control systems like the above-
mentioned Crestron and AMX
touchpanel systems.
DLP Projector
detection for film-based material,
Possibly the best value in high-resolution
one-chip DLP projectors.
good color decoding, and a nice
features package. It’s also competi-
tively priced and, as such, is an
excellent value in its category.
The Model 40 has a compact,
squarish design with a white finish.
It measures 4.75 inches high by
15.75 wide by 13.625 deep and
weighs a reasonable 15 pounds.
The unit has a very solid feel,
which indicates good build quality.
The lens is offset slightly from the
center of the pro-
by Kevin Miller
DLP projectors have become all the
rage in the front-projection home
theater arena, thanks in large part
to the 1,280-by-720 chips that hit
the market a little over two years
ago. These chips raised the bar in
jector. Some of
the remote’s most
commonly used
buttons are also on
the top of the unit,
such as power,
menu, input, enter,
The Model 40 has few, if any,
consumer-type features, but that’s
to be expected with any front pro-
jector. However, it does offer a
few notable picture-enhancing
features, including a nine-point
system for calibrating
A
exit, and the arrow keys
for navigation within the menu
the gray scale that
picture quality for
affordable high-end front pro-
jection. Vidikron, a front-projection
gives the professional
installer and/or video
technician unprece-
B
A. The Model 40 has
a 1,280-by-720 reso-
lution and utilizes
the HD2 chip.
home theater pioneer, was recently
purchased by Runco International
and has launched a new line of
DLP projectors.
The company’s Vision Model 40
is a one-chip DLP projector with
dented flexibility in
this important setup
system. Heat is vented through
the front of the projector, and
there’s virtually no light leakage
from the lamp.
area. You also can set the gray
scale and all other picture parame-
ters for each input separately. A
total of 21 separate memory loca-
tions gives you more flexibility
than you’re likely to ever need in
terms of optimizing the picture for
all video and computer sources.
For added versatility, you can
choose either a short-throw lens
(1.38:1 to 1.63:1), or, for an addi-
tional $1,000, you can opt for the
long-throw lens (1.83:1 to 2.40:1).
B. Take your pick of
connection options,
including a DVI input a native resolution of 1,280 by
with HDCP.
The remote control, while not
backlit, is fully illuminated by glow-
in-the-dark buttons. The remote
does offer discrete access to all of
the projector’s inputs, aspect ratios,
and memories, which is very
important to a custom installer
who’s trying to integrate these
functions into a Crestron or AMX
touchpanel control system.
720, and it’s based on the second-
generation HD2 (or Mustang)
DMD chip. Compared with the
first-generation chip, this one defi-
nitely delivers better black-level
performance and a higher con-
trast ratio. The Model 40 has solid
video processing with 3:2-pulldown
110 Home Theater / November 2003
•
G E A R G U I D E
Vidikron Vision Model 40 DLP Projector
light-output and contrast-ratio
that the Model 40 is capable of
950 ANSI lumens and has a con-
trast ratio of 1,600:1. Since Vidikron
is now owned by Runco, they’ve
adopted Runco’s Cinema Standards
Measurement System (CSMS)
specification standards, which are
more realistic in terms of light-
output and contrast-ratio ratings.
In film, we measure
numbers. When you measure
these two specifications in an
actual home theater environment,
it becomes crystal clear that virtu-
ally all of these published specifi-
cations are totally bogus.
In particular, I watched Armed
and Dangerous on the HBO HD
channel and Harlan County War
on Showtime HD. I fired up my
reference Runco DTV-991 for a
quick comparison, and I found
the material to look quite clean
through this CRT projector. Unfor-
tunately, I was unable to evaluate
the Model 40’s HDTV performance
using its DVI input. However, I’ve
had enough experience in the field
calibrating digital displays using
both the component video and
the DVI inputs, and I don’t doubt
that the DVI input looks a lot
cleaner than an analog component
connection on a digital display. I
suspect that HD material would
have looked a lot better using the
Model 40’s DVI connection.
After I’d completed a full ISF-
style calibration for both NTSC
and HDTV sources, I sat back
and watched a variety of DVDs
and HDTV material. Chapter 31
of Charlotte Gray, still one of my
favorite reference DVDs, had great
snap and detail, plus very good
color saturation. In the beginning
of this chapter, a train travels
through the French countryside,
and there was some visible low-
level noise. This noise was more
prevalent in darker scenes, such as
the love scene between Charlotte
and the young British officer in
chapter 4. In fairness to Vidikron,
I’ve seen this low-level noise on
virtually every one-chip DLP pro-
jector, and I attribute it at least in
part to DLP technology. Part of
the problem could also be in the
video processing.
Chapter 4 of Training Day looked
excellent. Denzel Washington’s
black car looked really black, which
is a testament to the Model 40’s
excellent black-level performance.
DLP still can’t do black like a CRT,
and it probably never will. How-
ever, the new HD2 chip takes DLP
performance to another level. I
dare say it takes DLP to an accept-
able level for 99.9 percent of home
theater enthusiasts.
HIGHLIGHTS
light in foot-lamberts, so
• Good video processing with
3:2-pulldown detection for
film-based material
Runco has decided to
include foot-lambert
measurements in their
specifications, as well as
real-world ANSI-lumen
specifications after
• Excellent flexibility for setup
and optimizing picture quality
for all sources
• Great value for the dollar
proper calibration. This
is the first time I’ve ever
reprinted even a portion of a man-
ufacturer’s spec sheet, but it’s
worth illustrating, as it represents
real information that will aid in
your home theater’s design. If you
look closely at the spec sheet,
you’ll see the CSMS specifications
under “Light Output”: home theater
calibration: 480 ANSI lumens;
17.9 foot-lamberts (ft-L). Under
“Contrast Ratio,” the CSMS spec is
a much more realistic 148:1. The
company takes it one step further
by recommending a screen size
between 72 and 96 inches wide,
even though the projector can pro-
ject images up to 200 inches wide.
I have to hand it to Runco/Vidikron
for taking this bold step. I’ve long
been frustrated with video-display
manufacturers’ marketing depart-
ments for boasting ridiculous
Vidikron looks strong again.
Their Vision Model 40 is a very
respectable player in the 1,280-by-
720 one-chip DLP-projector cate-
gory. Good video processing,
black-level performance, and color
Vision Model 40 DLP Projector $8,995
With the Long-Throw Lens
$9,995
Vidikron
(510) 324-5900
Dealer Locator Code VID
decoding all add up to excellent
performance. There’s no doubt
that the Model 40 does a lot right,
and it’s a truly impressive DLP
projector, especially when you
consider its price. At $8,995 with
the short-throw lens and $9,995
with the long-throw lens, the
Model 40 is one of the most rea-
sonably priced DLP projectors in
its class, making it one of the
best values in its category.
HDTV from my Dish
Network satellite feed
looked mostly awesome.
Bright scenes looked
Vidikron Vision Model 40 DLP Projector
really good, but darker
scenes were plagued by
low-level-noise problems.
114 Home Theater / November 2003
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