SIM2 Nero 3D-2 Projector - Performance
12/19/2011 - Art Feierman
On this page we take a look at the Nero 3D-2 projector's brightness, sharpness, and image noise. We'll discuss brightness in conjunction with 3D usage, as well. Also considered here are the physical attributes of light leakage and audible noise.
|
|
Pre-calibration Settings:
Settings for measurements (default values are in parenthesis):
Contrast (47)= 66
Brightness (50)= 53
Color (50)= 49
These setting were applied to each of the color temps, when measured
All other settings at default (untouched)
Measurements taken with lamp at 280 (max) power setting unless otherwise noted..
SIM2 Nero 3D-2 Brightness
We'll start of with Mike's results measuring each of the many "preset modes". Also included was the measured color temp for white, for each mode.
Lumen Output and Color Temp at 100 IRE (mid zoom):
Standard= 666 @ 7223
High= 675 @ 10601
Medium= 772 @ 8702
Low= 637 @ 7456
Native= 825 @ 8437
D75= 729 @ 8726
D65= 669 @ 7134
D50= 586 @ 5603
C= 610 @ 7817
User= 637 @ 7448
I didn't really view the 3D-2 projector before Mike calibrated it, although I've flipped through the various Color Temp modes.
There isn't a huge difference between calibrated results, and the brightest mode (Native), about 35%. Native mode was not bad looking at all, but definitely cool, with reds definitely a bit thin.
SIM2 Nero 3D-2 Brightness: Calibrated (zoom at mid-point): 605
SIM2 Nero 3D-2 Brightness: " Brightest" mode - Native mode: 825
It is important to note that which lens is chosen does affect brightness. The T-2 lens provided to me, is not their brightest.
Effect of zoom on lumen output (Native):
Zoom out: 881
Mid-zoom: 825
Zoom in: 749
The lens does not drop significantly in brightness, between wide and tele.
Lumen Output at each lamp power setting (Native):
280 watt = 825
270 watt = 786
260 watt = 741
250 watt = 666
240 watt = 622
230 watt = 587
The projector can be run in any of these six brightness settings. The fan pitch changes and the projector gets quieter as you lower the brightness.
Color Temp over IRE Range, Best mode (D65):
30 IRE – 7049
50 IRE – 7060
80 IRE – 7099
100 IRE – 7134
Not surprising for a premium projector, even the default grayscale is exceptionally consistent, although the measurements all hover right around 7100K, rather than the ideal 6500K.
Effect of iris on lumen output (Native mode):
Iris on 100 (fully open): 825
Iris on 50 (mid range): 750
Iris 0n 0 (smallest opening): 644
I was unable to ascertain if the effect of the manual closing of the iris, maintains or reduces the dynamic range of the image.
SIM2 Nero 3D-2 Projector - Post Calibration Greyscale
Color Temp over IRE Range (User mode):
20 IRE - 6522
30 IRE - 6519
40 IRE - 6552
50 IRE - 6496
60 IRE - 6550
70 IRE - 6502
80 IRE - 6491
90 IRE - 6488
100 IRE – 6461
Average gamma = 2.27
Lumens at 100 IRE: 605Mike's Notes: Grayscale calibration affects the full IRE range, but the RGB balance is so consistent across the range that excellent results can be achieved. The color temperature choices and white point adjustments are listed as color management, but there is no true color management available, at least not in the menu. The Rec. 709 CIE chart shows accurate primary colors, while the secondaries are slightly off.
The Calibration page provides the settings we used. That includes basic settings as well as gain and offset.
SIM2 Nero 3D-2 Sharpness
I expected a very sharp, single chip DLP projector. I was not in the least disappointed. The image was extremely sharp, the combination of a single chip design (no panel convergence), and some really good optics. All projectors should look this sharp, as it rivals just about anything out there.
For your consideration, our usual close up images:
Top left: SIM2 Nero 3D-2, Top Left Center: Runco LS-5, Top Right Center: JVC RS25, Top right: Sony VPL-VW95ES
Below: Panasonic PT-AE7000, left, Optoma HD8300 on the right
SIM2 Nero 3D-2: Bottom Line Sharpness
Sharpness is certainly one thing you won't have to think about at all, when considering this SIM2 projector. Excellent.
SIM2 Nero Light Leakage
I have not a single issue to report when looking for light leakage around vents and panels.
Coming out the lens is another story. There's definitely a fair amount of light exiting the light path, and hitting the screen and wall. It's mostly around the right hand side (projector upright), and mostly about a foot or so to the right of the rightmost part of the actual projection area.
If you have dark walls, you aren't likely to ever notice it, but, if your front wall is light, it will be visible on your wall, when you essentially have a black, or very dark image on the screen.
This could be better. However, this is hardly the first time we've seen light scatter outside the image area on very good projectors. An old favorite of mine, the InFocus 777, did the same thing.
In a dedicated theater, this light leakage really should not be any issue at all.
Nero 3D-2 Image Noise
It doesn't seem to matter what the price of the projector, single chip DLP projectors just seem to have a bit more image noise than other technologies. And as far as that goes, this Nero projector does have a bit more basic "mosquito" noise than many less expensive projectors. It does have the usual complement of noise reduction features, but I only looked at it using the default.
I had no issue with image noise, although if you really want to be picky - well, there is some. Of course, the amount of image noise is nothing compared to the noise due to the massive compression used by cable and satellite services. A close look at any DirecTV channel reveals compression artifacts that are downright ugly, and that's independent of your projector.
SIM2 Nero 3D-2 Audible Noise
Six different lamp brightness levels! At least 3 different fan levels. There is definitely a drop in noise as you reduce brightness from maximum (280 watt) or 270 watt, down to 260. By the time you are down to 230 watts, it's quieter still.
At full power (280 watt) this is not a quiet projector. It's up there with other single chip DLP projectors (the DLP projectors as a group are the loudest). I found this projector to be just slightly quieter than the Epson 5010, and noisier than the Sony VPL-VW95ES that were visiting the testing room at the same time as this SIM2.
For most, if you are sitting close to the projector, try the 260 watt setting for the lamp. You aren't likely to miss a brightness drop of only 10+ percent, but you may well appreciate the drop of a few decibels of audible noise.