Here's one that I'm having trouble understanding. I just finished installing a new, front projector-based (Screenplay 5700 - great PJ)theater for a client. Although I'm routing the primary video sources (DirecTV/HD tuner and DVD) directly to the projector, I also have a composite video connection from the receiver (Harman Kardon AV430), allowing the client's son to jack in an XBox using the front panel inputs on the AV430.

In other words, I'm switching composite video throught the receiver.

The issue: the client's son (a HARD CORE gamer - plays in national tournaments) claims he detects a delay in the video response - he'll control the joystick, but perceives there's a delay between his input and when that input is displayed on the screen.

This doesn't make a lot of sense to me - could the circuitry in the receiver actually be introducing some kind of delay?

Obviously, I can just connect the XBox composite output directly to the PJ. But I'm curious if anyone else has run into this.

Why is a "Hard core tournament gamer"using Composite video on his console thats capable of High definition output?

Is the problem occurring when playing a local game or network game? He could be experiencing some lag with his isp connection.

Just wondering if the national tournaments he attends are the ones sponsered by MLG? I helped my roomate set it up in Philly, recently, and they will be taking the show to Dallas soon.

www.mlgpro.com

I have alot of experience with projection system setups and gaming consoles...

I don't think that it is likely, but is it possible that the increased perceived resolution (larger image) making it possible to discern details that he wasn't before, making it seem that the projector is introducing lag?

Has he changed the controller scheme at all?... like different brand or moving to something wireless?

There might be a frame or two of delay in the upconversion from composite to the fixed pixel device. ...maybe using the component to HDTV adapter will help?

Is there another projector aimed across the light path at a 90 degree angle? Perhaps that projector is causing intereference that is slowing down the light from the projector to the screen? ;)

How are the controllers hooked to the X-box?, extending the length of the controller to xbox breakaway cables can introduce lag over the original factory length.

If he is using wireless contollers, even the Logitech's, he will experience lag due to the latency of sending from the controller to the receiver unit. This lag is not typically as noticable on single player games, but will be evident on system link and X-Box live games. Wireless contollers and X-Box live will produce the most lag. Hopefully we will see 80211G wireless controller/receiver combos from Microsoft soon, they have applied for patents for them but they may not ship until the next gen X-Box is released.

In terms of ISP based lag, keep in mind that most lag on X-Box live is caused by the ISP's limiting of the up or return Path to the internet. Comcast, for example offers up to 4MB down from the net but only offers 256Mb up/Back for normal service(up from the original 128). You might want to look into a Pro based connection from the Cable provider which has higer down speed and much higher up speed. The ideal for gaming is parity up and down, but this is cost prohibitive unless the client wants to pay for a T-1.

Xincom is coming out with a router next month that would allow you to combine two standard cable, two DSl, Cable and DSL Modems with combined throughput speed increases and redundant failover capability.

If your client's son is really a tounament player you should cinsider installing an additional Xbox as a dedicated server for live play. This eliminates what is commonly know online as "host advantage" and will make gameplay harder, better for training for tournements.

Finally, you may also want to consider putting the Xbox/Boxes on a separate subnet on the router for the house that isolates it from other internet computer traffic.

Good Luck!

There is an article in this month's Residential Systems about just this issue, authored by Tony Grimani. He addresses video display lag on fixed pixel devices such as plasma displays and LCD/DLP projectors, and says that delay times of up to 100ms (1/10th of a second) are known. He's addressing this in terms of lip sync in movies, but the gamer would be in the same slightly delayed boat.

I love this site....

Let me correct that:

I love you guys....

I too just read the article in this month's residential systems, and I plan on photocopying it to have on hand when people complain about lip sync delay. I've run across this on several occasions with high end monitors and until now I've been a loss to explain to customers why their brand new $15,000 television has this problem that doesn't exist on their 20 year old Sony. I guess just write it off as a growing pain associated with new technology.

Ernie: That is the most endearing post I've seen here to date. And maybe the most humorest, with the possible exception of Qs post about 3 falling plasmas.

Oops *humorous. Shouldn't post at 4:00 AM during a bout of insomnia.