http://www.favientertainment.com/product_p/riohd35.htm

this is the new favi, now, then lat time i talked about favi, i dissed it, and i do again, this favi has component, composite, s-video, hdmi, vga, Scart, AND tv... all good, wait..... goes up to 1080p?! woah.......wait........600:1 contrast rate.. now.... my evo 1.2 has 600:1, and well, it gets blotchy when i comes down to dark scenes, so, how is this going to look on 1080P on hdmi? i really dont know.... and so i need your word on it, plz answer me back, thx

Native resolution 640x480, um Pass

Always look at the 'native resolution' of a projector not the hype the seller has to offer:

"Native Resolution: 640 * 480 with New Rio Image Enhancement Chip™ (increases pixel clarity and color)"

Okay, contrast ratio only has to do with how much brighter the 'white' is compared to the 'black'. The most commonly used projector in cinemas currently only has a contract ratio of 500:1, it's a projectors grey scaling ability that allows you to see the 'detail' in the 'blacks'. Sadly, very rarely do companies post this stat, which imo is more important then contrast ratio. (note, the above refers to when a projector is used in a light controlled room, if you want to show a movie with all your lights on, a much higher contrast ratio will be neaded, but as is, 600:1 is more then is really neaded).

I agree about the resolution though, that's a craptacular attempt to try and sell more units (which it probably will as a result). I'll stick with my favi 1040 for the time bieng.

I just about choked on my Dr. Pepper when I saw the Favi Rio in the LL store.
I wonder if LL will provide some screenies to prove that the Favi Rio is actually worthy of being sold by LL.

It looks like it is the Favi Entertainment Rio HD V3 LCD Projector

* Manufacturer: FAVI
* Brand: FAVI Rio
* Model: riohdv3
* Technology: TFT LCD
* Aspect Ratio: 4:3 or 16:9
* Operation: unit controlled or remote controlled
* Brightness: 1500 Lumens
* Lamp Life: 6,000 – 8,000 Hours
* IllumiBright™ Lamp: 150 Watt
* Native Resolution: 800 * 600 with New Rio Image Enhancement Chip™ (increases pixel clarity and color)
* Contrast Ratio: 800:1
* Compatible Resolution: 1080i, 1080p, 720p, XGA and SVGA
* 5” LCD Panel
* Picture-in-Picture
* Speakers: 2 (3 Watt/speaker)
* Image Size: 40” – 200”
* Digital Keystone Correction: +/- 15 ŽŽŽŽŽŽŽ°
* Fan Noise Level: 28 db
* Projection Mode: Front or Rear
* Input Ports: 1 HDMI, 1 YPbPr, Audio/Video (red, white, yellow), S-Video, VGA (PC) and S-Cart
* Output Ports: Audio (Red, White)
* Projector Dimensions: 10" x 8" x 4"
* Weight: 6.8 lbs
* Reverse Imaging Option for Rear Projection or Ceiling Mounting
* Accessories: HDMI Cable, User Manual, Power Cable, Remote Control, Spare Fuse, VGA Cable, Audio/Video Cable, Lens Tissue and Spare Lamp (in addition to the lamp inside the projector)
* Warranty: 1 Year Parts
* Warranty: 45 Day Labor
* 14 Day Money Back Satisfaction Guarantee

http://www.aboutprojectors.com/Favi-Entert...-projector.html
http://www.favientertainment.com/FAVI_Rio_...r_p/riohdv3.htm

The lamp appears to be a HIT DE 150w with RX7S base. I have no idea what makes it "IllumiBright". I wonder if it'll accept a Ceramic MH lamp. I also wonder how loud it is.

well kiss my grits, that is a suprise. The spare lamp and HDMI eh? Im also curious to see some screenies.

In todays market for projectors there is no reason to not buy a HD projector. Despite this new projectors name and the fact it has HDMI, it is not a HD projector.

Of course its not HD. And i totally agree with your first statement. Just curious how well it handles the scaling. The spare lamp is clearly the big selling point on this one.

I just bought one and I am must say the hdtv looks really good compared to my diy unit much brighter.. I must say the pc mode looks grainy at 1024x768 not very crisp but at 800x600 looks alot better.. I will get some screenshots I have the rio favi hd 640x480 native they have a new one thats 800x600 native so there getting closer too true hdtv... I have a 1 year warranty and a extra bulb thats 12,000hrs and free vga and hdmi cable and rca cables plus remote and manual..

Manufacturer: FAVI

· Model: Rio HD V2™

· Technology: TFT LCD

· Aspect Ratio: 4:3 or 16:9

· Operation: unit controlled or remote controlled

· Brightness: 1200 Lumens

· Lamp Life: 6,000 to 8,000 Hours

· IllumiBright™ Lamp: 150 Watt

· Native Resolution: 640 * 480 with New Rio Image Enhancement Chip™ (increases pixel clarity and color)

· Contrast Ratio: 800:1

· Compatible Resolution: 1080i, 1080p, 720p, XGA and SVGA

· 3.5” LCD Panel

· Picture-in-Picture

· Speakers: 2 (3 Watt/speaker)

· Image Size: 30” to 150”

· Keystone Correction: +/- 15 °

· Fan Noise Level: 32 db

· Projection Mode: Front or Rear

· Input Ports: 1 HDMI, 1 YPbPr, Audio/Video (red, white, yellow), VGA (PC), S-Cart

· Output Ports: Audio (Red, White)

· Projector Dimensions: 11" x 9" x 4"

· Weight: 6.8 lbs

· Reverse Imaging Option for Rear Projection or Ceiling Mounting

· Accessories: HDMI Cable, User Manual, Power Cable, Remote Control, Spare Fuse, VGA Cable, Audio/Video Cable, Lens Tissue and Spare Lamp (in addition to the lamp inside the projector)

· Warranty: 1 Year Parts

· Warranty: 45 Day Labor

stumms, if your projector's (Rio HD V2) native resolution is 640 x 480, then any video signal you put into it will be downscaled to 640 x 480. Setting your PC to 1024 x 768 (or even 800 x 600) isn't going to change that.

I understand that is downscales it but the picture looks good I am very impressed.. It has hdmi and component hdtv inputs.. I will show some pics of my 360 tonight..

here is some pics from the Xbox 360 through a hdmi connection on the rio hdtv favi native 640x480

http://img29.imageshack.us/gal.php?g=cimg1302.jpg

I paid 350$ for it here is how I rate it..

9/10 hdmi connection looks great with the 360 and my hdtv dish reciever.
9/10 component looks just as good in hdtv
6/10 composite looks very dark just tried my dvd player haven't tried ps2 or anything else..
7/10 pc mode looks good at 800x600 but at 1024x768 its hard to read fine print on webpages
5/10 sound is ok but I don't really need it since I have a home theater sysytem.
0/0 scart haven't tested


8/10 overall It will never be better then a Diy Projeector but if your having a hard time tweaking your Diy projector like me this will do the job.. Bulb life is 5000-6000 hours and you get two bulbs so thats 10-12000 hours very nice and the hdtv looks really good but if your using for pc mode you will want to keep it in 800x600 because like I said it looks grainy at 1024x768 and up maybe if you watch movies or pc games it would be ok but for reading webpages stick at 800x600.. if you loved the Evo this is a clone just has more hdtv inputs and is very quiet compared to the very loud evo..

how did you end up getting it that cheap?

ebay

Has anybody purchased the Favi on LumenLabs? I'm interested in finding out some thoughts on it.

no but i would buy if they come down to 350-400 800x600 is not bad for native..

i paid 379 for the unbranded version with all the same specs so the upscaling chip thing is advertising bull! i just watched my first blu ray on it (speed racer) last night at 85' inches and i must say im impressed sure its not receiving all the full benefits of hd but the picture looked damn crisp. for the price range the next best thing was a toshiba with 480i output and 99 dollar bulbs. im very pleased. i say def worth it if you dont have time or skill in diy right now.

Any chance for a few screen shot of both cartoon and live images? Am serious considering this purchase but would first love to how it performs...

i can post a few videos and pics if you guys are interested?