An N6 review, Why it sucks. Options

[Aruna]

Sooo... I got the Viewsonic N6 primarily because I read a couple nice reviews (as well as some bad ones) on this site, and other sites, and thought I'd give it a try. At the time I purchased it, the good overcame the bad. Well, now it's been a couple of months, and I can really see the differences, and am quite annoyed. I'm building an HTPC just because the N6 sucks so hard. Here's what I'm talking about.

This BIG picture here shows what the N6 displays. The screen is 92" 16:9 diagonal. The DVD is House of Flying Daggers.


This BIG picture here shows the BenQ monitor calibrations.. Notice how it's nice and crisp, while the scaling in the N6 behind it just blows. Anyway.. For my usage, and because I work with high quality and high resolution imagery every day, I've decided to get rid of this N6 and go straight to the HTPC with HD and MCE2005. At least then I can control the resolution and the upscaling algorithms!


So if picture quality is of utmost importance, don't get this. If you want something to hold you over until you build an HTPC, then it'll work in the interim. Or if you want a wide variety of inputs, this would work as well.

[jmrguy]

What kind of cables are you using to connect to the N6 in this picture? Also, what DVD player are you using?

Thanks (I was thinking of getting one of these, but these pictures look pretty blurry).

This post has been edited by jmrguy: Aug 14 2005, 09:37 PM

[Chad N.]

I agree with Aruna. I have tried 4 different N6s with multiple cables with multiple setups. It is just a poorly designed product that needs to be pulled from the market.

DO NOT BUY ONE

As soon as I get time, I will post all problems I have found with this unit along with pics.

If you want component to VGA buy a transcoder like the Vdigi ($60).
If you want s-video, composite, tv-tuner to VGA there are plently of cheaper alternatives to the NSucks....I mean N6.

[Aruna]

I'm using the Monster component in with the N6 with a Sony DVD player..

[jmrguy]

Have you tried the VDigi (what did you think)? Does anyone have pics of the VDigi in action? Thanks.

[Chad N.]

Have you tried the VDigi (what did you think)?  Does anyone have pics of the VDigi in action?  Thanks.

I have not seen the Vdigi in action, but a transcoder by definition merely converts a component signal straight to VGA....no scaling, deinterlacing, line doubling, etc.
What you put in is exactly what you get out.

The Vdigi has only been tremendously praised. I have never heard anything negative about the image quality.

From my own experience, I have built a transcoder myself, and the only (minor) problem I have, is sometimes 1 or 2 horizontal rows of pixels get shifted right a pixel. It may be due to a slight flaw in the IC I used, or maybe a resistor value out of tolerance. It is only noticable on game menus.

However, a transcoder will take a 480P signal and output it as 640x480. Since there is no scaling involved, you will see a small black border around the image at 1024x768 if your monitor doesn't do scaling.

[jmrguy]

Interesting. How did you build your own? How much did it cost? That may be an interesting thing to put in one of these threads.

[Chad N.]

Interesting.  How did you build your own?  How much did it cost?  That may be an interesting thing to put in one of these threads.

I found a schematic for it. With everything, it probably ends up costing about $20-$30.

It is an old schematic from a guy that made these transcoders to convert Xbox component to VGA a few years ago. I am trying to get the schematic of the last version he made (no longer sells them) that has a few usefull features mine doesn't. As soon as I hear from him and get his permission to post the schematics here, I will.

[jmrguy]

Awesome. If he doesn't let you post them, can you email them to me? Thanks.

What sort of other features does it have?