General Info

1: What are the top features of the Piano HE-3100?

- DLP Digital Technology using latest 848x600 Dual Mode chipset allowing for true 16:9 or 4:3 aspects (pixel use = 848 x 480 in 16:9 mode)

- 6 Segment, 4X sequential speed RGB color wheel for enhanced color reproduction & film-like smoothness.

- High Contrast Ratio (700:1) meaning truer blacks and resonant colors.

- Built in progressive processing from Silicon Image's SIL503 chipset (same as the iScan Pro from DVDO).

- Compact size and very portable in a sleek stylish design. Broader appeal through use in table top, ceiling mounted or portable applications

- Multiple color choices (Red, Blue, Silver, White, Black)

- May be installed on ceilings (mount available) or in a rear screen projection configuration.

- 2 Year Warranty (Parts and Labor) -- 90 days warranty on lamps.

- PRICE: $2,999.00!

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2: How does Piano's Price Compare to other Home Entertainment Projectors?

Piano includes features that until now have only been found on projectors $8,000 and higher. Built-in progressive processing, and the DLP 848x600 Dual Mode chipset are two of those features previously found exclusively with more expensive projectors. In fact, some more expensive projectors lack built-in progressive processing.

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3: What is "built-in Progressive Processing"?

With interlaced images each video frame is split into two fields, one containing the odd numbered scan-lines and the other containing the even scan-lines. With Progressive Scanning/Processing the complete frame is actually scanned from top to bottom in one pass. Without getting overly technical, a video signal that has not been processed via a progressive processor usually looks "noisy" or full of artifacts and jagged edges. A progressive processor cleans-up standard interlaced video signals, improving color level and detail, creating a screen image that looks more "movie-like".

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4: Is Piano available in different colors?

Yes, you can choose your Piano in one of 5 different colors; Red, Blue, Silver, White, and Black. Depending upon your application (installed or portable) you may wish to match one of Piano's designer colors to the décor in your home.

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5: Why the name Piano?

The naming is based upon the Italian meaning of the word Piano, which is "quiet." Additionally, when writing or reading musical scores the inclusion of the word "Piano" indicates the need for a quieter rendition of that particular sequence. The tie-in between the "quiet" definition of the word "Piano" itself and our Piano projector is that the Piano projector is known for its extremely quiet operation.

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6: Does Piano Support HDTV signals?

No. Piano was designed as an affordable Home Entertainment projector for use with DVD Players, Cable/Satellite Receivers, and VCR's. At this time the broadcast usage of HD is limited to a very few specialty channels or events and its wide spread availability will take several years.

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7: Your literature states the projector supports 480p but it doesn't support HDTV, please explain how it displays 480p images.

Correct, Piano does display images in 480p but does not allow you to input a 480p signal. When viewing movies in Piano's 16:9 mode you are viewing images that are 848x480 in resolution. Video that is inputted to Piano is sent through Piano's built-in progressive processor and converted from interlaced video to progressive video. By definition 480p is progressive video with a resolution of 480 horizontal lines of resolution.

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8: Can I use Piano with my Cable or Satellite Receiver?

Yes, as long as your Cable or Satellite Receiver has an output for Composite Video or S-Video. The Cable/Satellite's built in tuner allows Channel selection capability.

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9: What type of Lighting can I have in my room with only 450 ANSI Lumens?

Because of Piano's 700:1 contrast ratio, the image you see on the screen appears as if it is around 600 ANSI lumens. Rooms with lighting 60 Watts or less would be the ideal lighting level if you had to have light on while Piano is in use. Any projector on the market will suffer negative effects from lighting that hits the screen head on, no matter how bright the projected image. Sunlight and fluorescent lighting are the worst offenders. To create the most satisfying home movie theater we recommend the ability to create the total darkness common to all public movie theaters.

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10: How many hours will the lamp last?

1000 hours. After 1000 hours you will need to replace the lamp. After 1000 hours the lamp's ability to maintain good light levels and color temperature begins to drastically fall off resulting in a poorly displayed image. Given average movie viewing usage of 10 hours per week the 1000 hours equates to 2-years. Please keep in mind that unlike many other front projectors that have lamps costing $500-$1000 the cost to replace the lamp in the Piano is just $259.

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11: Is the lamp user replaceable?

Absolutely. The process takes less then 15 minutes and requires a Philips head screwdriver. Replacement lamps can be purchased through your local dealer or directly from PLUS.

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Technical Resources

1: What video signals does the Piano Accept and what are the differences?

Component Video (YCbCr), S-Video and Composite Video.

Composite Video is considered the "dirty" video signal. Composite video contains all information that is sent from a video source on one channel. Processing is required to compress all that information into a single channel and then de-compress it at the other end. The compression process results in a signal that is different than the original source often times resulting in colors that are inaccurate, noisy images and video artifacts. Composite video is also susceptible to the highest amount of interference of any type of video signal often resulting in bands, dot-crawl and a general deterioration in image quality.

S-Video is a much cleaner video signal that is far less susceptible to noise than composite video. S-Video is a two-channel video signal. S-video signals produce images that have better color and clearer images.

Component Video breaks out the video signal into its raw color parts (components). With Component Video signals, there are three channels of video information and a sync signal to keep it all together. The resulting image has better resolution, crisper color information and the least amount of noise out of all the video signals supported by Piano.

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2: Can I input Progressive Component Video into Piano?

No. Piano's built-in progressive processor eliminates the need to input a progressive video signal.

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3: Piano has a fixed lens, where should I locate the projector if I ceiling mount it?

We recommend contacting a dealer from our dealer locator if you are unsure about the specifics of image throw and screen placement for installation applications.

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4: How does a 700:1 Contrast Ratio make 450 ANSI Lumens "look" brighter?

The simple answer is, the higher the difference between black and white, the brighter spread of colors you are effectively able to see. Ex. Viewing a typical blue-sky scene with a contrast of 300:1 will look significantly brighter and more vivid when viewed at 700:1 contrast.

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5: What is DVI-D?

DVI-D is a straight digital input connector available as an output from some laptop PCs and Home Theater PCs. It will become more of a standard output on DVD players and other Video Components in the months ahead.

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6: Can I project a computer resolution of 848x480?

No, currently Piano only supports standard computer resolutions via the DVI-D port. Ex. SVGA (800x600) & XGA (1024x768)

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7: I have a 16:9 wide screen, but I cannot align my image to the screen (I still see black bars)

First your DVD player must support the 16:9 mode. Unfortunately not all DVD players list whether they support the 16:9 mode on the outer cabinet, please consult your user manual or call the manufacturer to see if 16:9 mode is supported by your DVD Player. We've found that many older models of DVD players do not, while most newer ones do. If your DVD player does not support 16:9 mode then you should view all movies on Piano using the 4:3 Aspect ratio selection on Piano. If your DVD player DOES support the 16:9 mode then the following will apply:

A common misconception about the 16:9 aspect ratio is that it is one viewing format. In reality, there are two popular forms of 16:9 format in the US. One has an aspect ratio of 1.78:1 and the other 2.35:1. Piano's 16:9 Aspect mode displays an image that would fill a screen whose 16:9 measurements are 1.78:1 aspect ratio.

DVD's that are created using the 2.35:1 aspect ratio will display black bars (also known as letterboxing) at the top and bottom of the images when the Piano is in 16:9 Aspect mode. This is common to most projectors on the market. Assuming that your DVD player supports the 16:9 mode, the correct aspect mode to use for 2.35:1 on Piano is the 16:9 selection available via Piano's aspect selection menu.

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