How's screen compare to PSPs?

Krelyan · 05-03-2006, 09:14

I saw my friend's PSP playing some movies and was really amazed. But I heard Sony limits the resolution of movies to 320x240 if you play off the memory card so does the Cowon's screen look even better? Also, if I rip a DVD that's originally in 4:3 aspect ratio will it distort the picture putting into Widescreen (I've heard the A2 has problems with this and that the AV500 is better in this respect?)?

roger767 · 05-03-2006, 09:29

"if I rip a DVD that's originally in 4:3 aspect ratio will it distort the picture putting into Widescreen"

No not anymore, with the latest firmware they added Pan & Scan. Its really amazing.

What is this Pan & Scan Thingy? => http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pan_and_scan

ymlccc · 05-03-2006, 11:12

IMHO, PSP's screen is finer with slightly smaller pixel... but between A2 and PSP is very close since I wrote a Chinese review on a Taiwanese forum... I have couple pictures that show's side by side with PSP... maybe because my PSP is first batch (the long live myth of first batch PSP LCD is manufacturered by Sharp)

anyways, A2 has sorta "ultra bright" screen similar to laptop and AV500's screen is dimmer in my opinion... I prefer A2's screen more than AV500/G500... of course, it's far more superior than Archos 7" monster table...

bobby stilly · 05-03-2006, 17:15

You don't need Pan&Scan to view 4:3 aspect ratio video properly. The A2 has 3 modes, 'auto', '4:3' and '16:9'. If left on auto, then the A2 will detect the aspect ratio and (almost without fail) display the video in its native aspect ratio. You could of course use one of the other modes if you wanted to. But there's no reason too.

There are no issues with any aspect ratio.

Krelyan · 05-03-2006, 19:09

Yes, but that leaves it with the big black bars on the side, no?

Blankwire · 05-03-2006, 21:41

Quote:

Originally Posted by Krelyan

Yes, but that leaves it with the big black bars on the side, no?

Yes, it does.

But pan and scan allows you to zoom in on the video, filling the screen.

I'd just stay with the black bars.

Krelyan · 05-04-2006, 01:15

Quote:

Originally Posted by Blankwire

Yes, it does.

But pan and scan allows you to zoom in on the video, filling the screen.

I'd just stay with the black bars.

How much of the screen is it cutting off? What resolution should I be ripping my 4:3 DVDs to?

PeZzy · 05-04-2006, 01:27

Why do you want to compare it to the PSP? The LCD resolution of the PSP is the same as the A2, BUT you're stuck with 320x240 if you covert your own movies (a tedious process) and you certainly don't want to buy UMDs. Sony has been trying to get us to use their UMDs for at least a decade - didn't they learn anything from the Betamax?

Krelyan · 05-04-2006, 10:49

Right, I was just trying to decide between a ZV:M and an A2 and after seeing how gorgeous the PSP screen was, I knew I had to have an A2.

ziziwawa · 05-04-2006, 13:28

the only thing zvm beats a2 is portability ......

Nightwing · 05-04-2006, 14:36

Here is the catches with the PSP.

Untill Sony can offer a burnner for UMD you are stuck with Memory sticks. Flash prices are dropping as fast as Gas prices are rising but even with a 1gb going for around 40 after rebate you are looking at mutiple 1gb compared to 20/30gb.

The same video is much larger in size when converted for the PSP format. So you need a large Memory Stick.

You can get a 4gb HD/Batpack for the PSP but by that time you are about the cost of a 30GB A2. 200 PSP + 200 4GB HD. And not counting on the size of this combo.

I have a Dell x3i that also played video but is 4:3 - 320x240 format screen size. Anything wide and its really reduces the picture size. Its greate for standing in line.

But desided to add to the collection a A2 for wide format 480x272 video, storage of 30GB vs 2GB SD card and running time of 10 hours A2 vs 2 hours on std x3i batpack. On a plane trip playback time and amount of storage are major item! I think the CL Z:M is only 4 hours playback time and a much smaller screen.

Actually nothing wrong with black areas on a 4:3 video. In this case on the sides.

Remember something got to give or you will have that distortion you are inquring about. Just saw some shots from the British UFO series. One the DVD 4:3 and the other shots after "wide" screen the same clip for broadcast. Will take the black bands any day since it lost video at the top and bottom. If you want can post a link to those shots.

On 4:3 conversion I set the vert to 272 and let the width float. Usually will be around 384 to about 368 wide. Normally 384 is the width. whick means you should have around 50 pix of black on the sides. But remember its NOT encoding that ~100 pixels of black. The A2 just centers the video. AKA you save on space taken by the file!

Krelyan · 05-04-2006, 15:50

I was just wondering what the screen size comparison was between the ZV:M and the A2 (after the black bars).

OSXrulesipodsux · 05-04-2006, 15:55

The a2's screen blows the psp screen away. it is much more visible in light and even if the psp screen is better with photos as some say (although i prefer the a2 screen with photos) the psp screen has a HORRIBLE response time. This is why it ghosts, and yes i did own one of the first batch of japanese psps, i was a psp fanatic. The screen ont he psp is good except for the ghosting. The a2 screen is better overall and does not ghost (faster response time).

05-03-2006, 09:14	#1
Krelyan Member Join Date: May 2006 Posts: 72	How's screen compare to PSPs? I saw my friend's PSP playing some movies and was really amazed. But I heard Sony limits the resolution of movies to 320x240 if you play off the memory card so does the Cowon's screen look even better? Also, if I rip a DVD that's originally in 4:3 aspect ratio will it distort the picture putting into Widescreen (I've heard the A2 has problems with this and that the AV500 is better in this respect?)?

05-03-2006, 09:29	#2
roger767 All Seeing, All Knowing Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Netherlands Posts: 95	"if I rip a DVD that's originally in 4:3 aspect ratio will it distort the picture putting into Widescreen" No not anymore, with the latest firmware they added Pan & Scan. Its really amazing. What is this Pan & Scan Thingy? => http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pan_and_scan __________________ iRiver ihp 120 (with Rockbox) - iPod 5G 60 GB (With Rockbox)

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05-03-2006, 11:12	#3
ymlccc Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: QC, Canada Posts: 60	IMHO, PSP's screen is finer with slightly smaller pixel... but between A2 and PSP is very close since I wrote a Chinese review on a Taiwanese forum... I have couple pictures that show's side by side with PSP... maybe because my PSP is first batch (the long live myth of first batch PSP LCD is manufacturered by Sharp) anyways, A2 has sorta "ultra bright" screen similar to laptop and AV500's screen is dimmer in my opinion... I prefer A2's screen more than AV500/G500... of course, it's far more superior than Archos 7" monster table...

05-03-2006, 17:15	#4
bobby stilly Junior Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Posts: 18	You don't need Pan&Scan to view 4:3 aspect ratio video properly. The A2 has 3 modes, 'auto', '4:3' and '16:9'. If left on auto, then the A2 will detect the aspect ratio and (almost without fail) display the video in its native aspect ratio. You could of course use one of the other modes if you wanted to. But there's no reason too. There are no issues with any aspect ratio.

05-03-2006, 19:09	#5
Krelyan Member Join Date: May 2006 Posts: 72	Yes, but that leaves it with the big black bars on the side, no?

05-04-2006, 01:27	#8
PeZzy Junior Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Posts: 23	Why do you want to compare it to the PSP? The LCD resolution of the PSP is the same as the A2, BUT you're stuck with 320x240 if you covert your own movies (a tedious process) and you certainly don't want to buy UMDs. Sony has been trying to get us to use their UMDs for at least a decade - didn't they learn anything from the Betamax?

05-04-2006, 10:49	#9
Krelyan Member Join Date: May 2006 Posts: 72	Right, I was just trying to decide between a ZV:M and an A2 and after seeing how gorgeous the PSP screen was, I knew I had to have an A2.

05-04-2006, 13:28	#10
ziziwawa Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Posts: 35	the only thing zvm beats a2 is portability ......

05-04-2006, 14:36	#11
Nightwing Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: California Posts: 254	Here is the catches with the PSP. Untill Sony can offer a burnner for UMD you are stuck with Memory sticks. Flash prices are dropping as fast as Gas prices are rising but even with a 1gb going for around 40 after rebate you are looking at mutiple 1gb compared to 20/30gb. The same video is much larger in size when converted for the PSP format. So you need a large Memory Stick. You can get a 4gb HD/Batpack for the PSP but by that time you are about the cost of a 30GB A2. 200 PSP + 200 4GB HD. And not counting on the size of this combo. I have a Dell x3i that also played video but is 4:3 - 320x240 format screen size. Anything wide and its really reduces the picture size. Its greate for standing in line. But desided to add to the collection a A2 for wide format 480x272 video, storage of 30GB vs 2GB SD card and running time of 10 hours A2 vs 2 hours on std x3i batpack. On a plane trip playback time and amount of storage are major item! I think the CL Z:M is only 4 hours playback time and a much smaller screen. Actually nothing wrong with black areas on a 4:3 video. In this case on the sides. Remember something got to give or you will have that distortion you are inquring about. Just saw some shots from the British UFO series. One the DVD 4:3 and the other shots after "wide" screen the same clip for broadcast. Will take the black bands any day since it lost video at the top and bottom. If you want can post a link to those shots. On 4:3 conversion I set the vert to 272 and let the width float. Usually will be around 384 to about 368 wide. Normally 384 is the width. whick means you should have around 50 pix of black on the sides. But remember its NOT encoding that ~100 pixels of black. The A2 just centers the video. AKA you save on space taken by the file!

05-04-2006, 15:50	#12
Krelyan Member Join Date: May 2006 Posts: 72	I was just wondering what the screen size comparison was between the ZV:M and the A2 (after the black bars).

05-04-2006, 15:55	#13
OSXrulesipodsux Junior Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Posts: 27	The a2's screen blows the psp screen away. it is much more visible in light and even if the psp screen is better with photos as some say (although i prefer the a2 screen with photos) the psp screen has a HORRIBLE response time. This is why it ghosts, and yes i did own one of the first batch of japanese psps, i was a psp fanatic. The screen ont he psp is good except for the ghosting. The a2 screen is better overall and does not ghost (faster response time).