madVR Envy vs Panamorph Anamorphic Lens: Achieving Cinema-Level Picture Quality in Your Home Theater

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In this video, we’ll examine two of the best ways to take your theater to the ‘next level’ - the madVR Envy Video Processor, and the Panamorph DCR Anamorphic Lens. Both of these devices provide significant benefits for watching movies, but there is often some confusion about what they each do, what benefits each provides, how to choose between them, and how they would work together.
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#madVR #Panamorph #hometheater
‪@madvrlabs‬ ‪@Panamorph‬
0:00 Intro
0:53 Panamorph Anamorphic Lens
5:35 madVR Envy
7:10 madVR Envy with a Panamorph Anamorphic Lens
12:00 Which one is best?
12:52 Outro
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[@nick18223]

The MadVR has taken the industry by storm over the past two years. The only complaint I ever see is the price but once you factor in the hardware used and the improvement seen in even the highest in projectors, it starts to make sense. Does it make sense for an entry-level projector?... Probably not. But if you consider 30%-60% (arbitrary numbers) increased improvement on high-end projection systems, it makes much more sense. When these were first introduced, I had a hard time justifying the price, but after seeing the difference in person, it's 100% worth it. If you can demo one in person, do it, and you'll be a believer!

[@AudioAdvice]

We completely agree! Thanks for sharing

[@KimmoJaskari]

You can put together a HTPC for movie viewing and run the freely available MadVR filters on it. It won't process other video coming in (maybe it's possible to get it to, by adding some HDMI in and out, no idea) but at least you can watch movies with the MadVR processing without paying $15 grand. A perfectly passable PC to handle the video processing can be had for a grand, maximum, it won't have the high end GPU that's in the Envy (which is just a beefy PC, hardware wise) but it will work. I maintain the Envy is way way overpriced, but I guess it's selling at that price, so...

[@OliM9595]

@@KimmoJaskariyeha, i use MadVR on my PC which is connected to a 21:9 monitor, it rescales any video to fit my screen removing blackbar but not losing image content.

[@michaeldee3380]

​@@KimmoJaskariFrom what I have read the Envy doesn't even feature a high-end GPU. It probably contains the cheapest hardware they can get away with, the equivalent of a GTX 1050 ti. You're basically paying for the interface which is more user-friendly. It would be interesting to know if the exact same results can be obtained with a homebuilt HTPC running the free software in conjunction with video playback software such as PotPlayer. AFAIK madVR does process the incoming video and allows HDR tone mapping. I am not aware of an aspect control feature on the freeware.

[@francespariz3741]

Very informative and super helpful!

[@AudioAdvice]

Glad it was helpful!

[@sethfm9773]

This was a great explanation of the advantages of these products. A madvr would really take my system to another level both in terms of performance and convenience.

[@AudioAdvice]

Thanks for watching 😁

[@JW-wt8yu]

Great job explaining! Thank You.

[@AudioAdvice]

Glad it was helpful! Thanks!

[@ericswenson6045]

Wow! Awesome explaination!

[@AudioAdvice]

Thanks, Eric!

[@chrisgargiulo304]

Great explanation of the products.

[@AudioAdvice]

Glad it was helpful!

[@jimwilliamson7798]

Well done. The MadVR is such an awesome piece of technology.

[@AudioAdvice]

Thank you! We agree 😁

[@axkicker8]

Great information. Really cool tech.

[@AudioAdvice]

We agree! Thanks for watching.

[@javidtaghiyev8650]

Great video. Very informative

[@AudioAdvice]

Thank you!

[@martybrazill7935]

This was an excellent explanation of the advantages of MadVR and Panamorph. Appreciate it!

[@AudioAdvice]

Thanks for watching!

[@michaelglenn2399]

I've seen both in action, and they're superb options. Pick the best fit for your theater/budget, and you won't be disappointed.

[@AudioAdvice]

Agreed! Thank you for watching!

[@michaelbeckerman7532]

I've seen the MadVR Envy in action and it really is wonderful. I didn't know that you could use it in conjunction with a Panamorph anamorphic lens as well though. Very cool!

[@AudioAdvice]

Yes, it makes for quite the combo! Thanks for watching

[@sage11x]

These videos are awesome.

[@AudioAdvice]

Glad you like them!

[@Nate-vq6bb]

Excellent video. I have an awesome projector with a Panamorph but am getting really bad barreling. Can't wait to pick up the MadVR, have seen and read nothing but positive reviews.

[@AudioAdvice]

Thanks! We hope you'll consider supporting us in your purchase 😁 cheers!

[@dlcphoto]

This is an awesome video - it provides an easy to understand explanation of what these devices do, which is no easy task! I can definitely see how both of these will provide a substantial boost to a home theater, truly taking it to the 'next level'!

[@AudioAdvice]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@Lbmwm3]

WOW 🤩. Always great explanation by Scott. Do you have any idea as to when the MADVR Envy Pro MK2 will be available?

[@AudioAdvice]

Please contact us to see how to get set up with the MK2: audioadvice.io/mk2-madvr

[@shanejohnson495]

This video was awesome! The detailed explanation of how each unit can enhance a theater experience was well done. I have personally seen both of these units working together in their Raleigh, NC showroom, so if you get a chance to stop by it’s worth it.

[@AudioAdvice]

Awesome, thank you!

[@will5287]

I agree!

[@danscardz]

very helpful

[@AudioAdvice]

Glad you think so! Thanks for watching

[@madvrlabs]

Incredibly well-executed presentation by Scott and the dedicated Audio Advice team, as usual! 🙌The simplification and eloquence of their explanations truly shed light on these complex technologies and their vast benefits. As always, your commitment to clarity and thoroughness is commendable. Keep up the outstanding work!

[@AudioAdvice]

Much appreciated! 😁

[@tharrigan5661]

Great explanation, thank you. Changing aspect ratio’s during a movie seems to be a trend (Top Gun Maverick comes to mind). What would be the recommended solution for handling changing aspect ratio’s during a movie. Doubtful I could afford both the MadVR and a Panamorph lens. Could either one address this issue?

[@kraM1t]

MadVR uses it's non linear stretch to make it always fullscreen even during aspect ratio changes

[@AudioAdvice]

The madVR would do that for you. You can learn more about this in our MadVR Envy Extreme MK2 review: audioadvice.io/mk2

[@popcornbobGCC]

The on the fly aspect ratio switching in the Envy seems like it would hurt the experience. Let's use the Interstellar clip as an example. A large part of the film is in scope and for the big sequences, the ratio goes to 1.78:1 to appear bigger and larger. This is an artistic intent. If you're running a common height/scope screen, having the envy adjust the 1.78 bits into the middle defeats that intent. I've found that for any of these shifting aspect ratio films, cropping the whole thing to scope is the thing to do, or even adjusting your masking to 2.20:1 and cropping so that the large sequences are mildly cropped and the other scope sequences are mildly letterboxed. This goes a long way to preserving the artistic intent of the work. Now if you have a comman width, large 1.78 screen, you'd want to run a film like this as is.

[@AudioAdvice]

Yes, it will all come down to preference at the end of the day. Some will want to keep the movie untouched but some prefer to use as much of the screen as possible. Thanks for bringing that up, as it is a very good point! Cheers!

[@scottnewnam6976]

Correct. In the madVR you have the option of turning on and off how it handles real-time aspect ratio changes. As you mention, most people will probably prefer to fill the screen each time and others will want to watch it exactly as it is edited for the reasons you mention. The madVR will let you do either.

[@ThommyGunnGaming]

SOLD! This is awesome, adding to my list, can't wait to get this ball rolling! Great info!

[@AudioAdvice]

Thanks for watching!

[@KrzysztofPabich]

Finally, I understood the whole thing about the anamorphic lens. Amazing video. Thank you!

[@AudioAdvice]

Great to hear!

[@jayden5924]

I've been familiar with these products but honestly never fully understood them. This video was really well done and I now feel like a truly understand them both. Nice work!

[@AudioAdvice]

Thanks very much. We are happy it gave you a better understanding.

[@IrfanKhan-ze4yx]

Well done and well made video. Loved the technical accuracy presented on a straightforward manner.

[@AudioAdvice]

Thanks very much! We really appreciate it

[@Andy-jq6ye]

Great video. I am trying to decide between a scope or 16:9 screen. The only deal breaker with a scope screen is subtitles get trimmed out when watching streaming content like Netflix through Apple TV. Is this true ? If so, is MadVR the only solution ? Projector is JVC NZ8

[@AudioAdvice]

Yes, MadVR would be a great solution for this and we highly recommend it. Chat with our team at audioadvice.com and they can further help you design and decide what's best for you!

[@briana6181]

Uhhh, halfway through the video I took a moment to check the prices on the units. OOOFFFFF! Also, the comments on this video seem like fake, paid for comments. That said, the video was well done lol.

[@AudioAdvice]

These are certainly for very high performance home theaters. Thanks for watching!

[@marcosdellavalle2309]

Great video!

[@AudioAdvice]

🙌

[@KASmonkeys]

I wonder if there'll ever be solutions for UST projectors 😀

[@AudioAdvice]

You could use this with a UST or flat panel as well

[@ramsayzaki]

I already own a MadVR Extreme. I understand that the settings you offer your customers are for those who have purchased the equipment from you. Would you offer a service where I could pay a reasonable fee and obtain those settings?

[@AudioAdvice]

Reach out to our team of experts at audioadvice.com! Thanks!

[@KimmoJaskari]

I wish projectors were 2.35:1 native. No anamorphic lens nonsense, just 2.35:1 native and aware it was in that AR so it could narrow down when a more square format showed up; this would match with a 2.35:1 screen, and if you had narrower material it would just add black bars on the sides. I don't get the 16:9 obsession in projectors for home theater. I want my movie experience to be the greatest experience, and then just narrowing down for TV content. But as long as projectors are 16:9 native, picking a 16:9 screen is probably the wisest choice, and live with literally having a smaller image than anything else for movies. Which is just stupid, but there we are. Anamorphic lenses do help there but they are a band-aid, and the MadVR is an extremely expensive... bandaid.

[@AudioAdvice]

We get your frustration. There are projectors that are native at 2.4:1 but they are usually very expensive projectors. Hopefully one day more budget friendly projectors will adopt this for all the reasons you point out. In the meantime, the Panamorph and madVR are great solutions.

[@marisagbecerra]

Great video

[@AudioAdvice]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@Darthbishop]

I was told that I don’t need my DCR Panamorph now that I have a video processor like the Madvr. I was told I would just be losing light and not pixel density. I’ve removed my panamorph from the projector and am ready to sell it.

[@AudioAdvice]

Odd, there is still a light output benefit on widescreen content.

[@Darthbishop]

@@AudioAdvice sorry I was told wrong advice no pun intended. It does offer pixel density as well as more brightness

[@AudioAdvice]

@@Darthbishop Glad you got clarity. You should not sell it. :)

[@Darthbishop]

@@AudioAdvice the lens is back on my JVC NZ8 as I type this lol. I definitely notice the difference now that it’s been off of it for a month.

[@SuperBloodyskull]

Odd the title is 'Achieving Cinema-Level Picture Quality in your Home' but every commercial cinema I have been to don't match up to my current setup which is minus a MadVR or an Anamorphic Lens.

[@AudioAdvice]

That may be true for older cinemas, but some commercial cinemas have gotten very good. Thanks for watching

[@SuperBloodyskull]

Both my locals were updated within the last 3 years but neither of them delivery anything like the clarity or black levels I see at home. The only area both beat mine is sheer scale of image and surround sound. otherwise I much prefer my home cinema because you don't get some git on their phone or the constant talking that you have to suffer at a commercial cinema.

[@Raistlin7070]

Im upgrading my projector and my av guy was telling me i didnt need my old panamorph! Thank god i saw this video!

[@AudioAdvice]

Great to hear! It can definitely help!

[@watching..........6494]

An oppo players even better to go along with your panamorph lens because when you apply your stretch from the player everything comes up in uniformity such as the menu subtitles you can move them up and they'll be on the screen with no black bars anywhere whatsoever so I'd have to say the oppo players are better but hard to find .

[@AudioAdvice]

Very very hard to find!

[@erod9088]

A Lumagen can do the same thing for a lot less.

[@TechinaSec101]

Agreed.

[@AudioAdvice]

While the Lumagen is very good, this is a different animal. Our founder had one and bought the Envy within 10 minutes of trying it out.

[@erod9088]

@@AudioAdvice I've spent time with one, too, and it doesn't achieve a better result in picture quality at all. It's the same. Menus are better, but Lumagen is working on that, and the Lumagen is 40% of the price.

[@juan.gonzalez03]

Lol all this info minus the pricing

[@AudioAdvice]

We try not to put pricing in our videos as they are out there for a long time and prices change. We always link to the written article which has all the pricing www.audioadvice.com/videos-reviews/panamorph-anamorphic-lens-vs-madvr-envy-video-processor?+madvr+panamorph Thanks for watching