Sanyo PLV-Z700 Newbie

[AudioArcher]

I am hoping to make the jump very soon into the HD projector club. I am looking seriously at the Sanyo PLV-Z700. Anybody here with pros or cons of this projector? My throw range would be 12-13 feet and viewing range at about 12 feet. 8 Foot ceiling. One window with black-out curtains. Any comments will be greatly appreciated.

 

[BMXTRIX]

This projector is brand new and I would recommend reading whatever reviews you can on this model.

There is one at Projector Central....
http://www.projectorcentral.com/sanyo_z700_projector_review.htm

Seems like my biggest gripes would be contrast and the use of organic LCDs. But, the Sanyos have typically done pretty well, and this one seems to be no exception.

On the other hand, I would be hard pressed to believe that the new Panasonic will not be the 1080p projector of the year for popularity. Even though the Z700 is less, I think the Panasonic does a fair bit better.

 

[Sherardp]

+1 with BMX, if you can swing the coin go for the Panasonic 3000U or the Epson 1080UB. Both are superb performers. Pair either up with a Carada and call it a day. You'll be one happy owner. Carada screens and customer service is A+. The build quality is 2nd to none as well.

 

[AudioArcher]

I thought Carada only had fixed screens? I need a manual ceiling screen. I think a DaLite Model B in Matte White will do it for me as far as screens go though.
I wish I could afford the Panny, but it is a little too much at this time. How about a Mitsubishi? Are any comparable to the Sanyo or better?

 

[jostenmeat]

I need a manual ceiling screen. I think a DaLite Model B in Matte White will do it for me as far as screens go though.

Depending on the size of screen, real world calibrated lumens, and light control, I'd take a hard look at the High Power versions of DaLite manuals, whether B or C.

Cons:
-narrower viewing cone (you'd like all viewers to be within 20 deg if you can help it).
-PJ should be mounted as close to eye level as possible.

Pros:
-virtually no hotspotting
-stiffer material that is more resistant to waves
-increases gain, from about a true 1.5x and up. Actually rated at 2.8x, with zero degrees I think its actually over 3.
-a sweet pic!

I wish I could afford the Panny, but it is a little too much at this time. How about a Mitsubishi? Are any comparable to the Sanyo or better?

I'd probably use advanced search looking for BMXTRIX's post, using keywords. However, if whatever anyone says was just only a month or two ago... well new stuff is out already. I'd go to AVS, but I'm a regular there.

Panny is about 2.5k, and the preset focus/shift memories are too cool. Once you start getting to that budget, there are some folks who are going to sell their JVC RS-1u's to go RS-20, etc. I've got an RS-1, and its hands down the most ridiculously amazing picture any of my friends, family, or I have seen. Beyond words. None of us have anything to compare it to. Of course, I'm sure the darker room helps a lot . . .

 

[jostenmeat]

One window with black-out curtains. Any comments will be greatly appreciated.

Part of the reason I recommended HP was because the above was not quite enough info on light control. (ie all your walls are white?).

Just found this current thread. Angles of incidence + relative gain on HP:

Axis Angle in degrees. Screen Reflectance Gain.
0------------------------------- 3.08
5------------------------------- 2.47
10------------------------------ 2.05

Half Gain
13.5 degrees-------------------- 1.54

15------------------------------ 1.40
20------------------------------- .95
25------------------------------- .80
30------------------------------- .72
35------------------------------- .69
40------------------------------- .65
45------------------------------- .62
50------------------------------- .59
55------------------------------- .58
60------------------------------- .57

 

[AudioArcher]

Walls are a medium brown.

 

[BMXTRIX]

I thought Carada only had fixed screens? I need a manual ceiling screen. I think a DaLite Model B in Matte White will do it for me as far as screens go though.
I wish I could afford the Panny, but it is a little too much at this time. How about a Mitsubishi? Are any comparable to the Sanyo or better?

There is little information or comparisons between the newest HD projectors and the ones which were released late last year. The Sanyos tend to be excellent, but not very bright compared to some other models. Likewise, their image processing leaves a bit to be desired (generally) so it's important to feed them a high quality source for best results.

I'm not sure Mits. really is much better.

But, if your budget doesn't permit the jump to a Epson 1080UB or Panasonic AE3000, then the Sanyo is still a really great choice. Just NOT as great. Your are picking between several very good projectors, not between 'mediocre' and 'excellent'. The difference is quite minimal, and likely not noticable unless the projectors were all side-by-side.

Sucks - and I mean SUCKS about having to use a manual screen. You will get waves in the material unless you go with a tab-tensioned model. This typically occurs within about a year of ownership and is really unavoidable. Fixed screens, like those from Carada, are a far better way to go, but tab-tensioned electric screens can get the job done nicely. Not much you can do about it if your budget/space doesn't allow for it.

 

[gmichael]

There are several DIY projects for making your own screen if you want to save some coin. Haven't built my own, but I've read good reviews on a few.

 

[AudioArcher]

I find the Wilsonart idea extremely interesting. What a cool idea. I wish I could apply it to my situation. Dalite has a tensioned Model B manual ceiling screen for less than $300 that I think will do the trick though. Now all I have to figure out is how I am going to set this up in my limited area. Geesh !

 

[jostenmeat]

Repeat after me:

Projector first. Screen last.

Projector first. Screen last.

Projector first. Screen last.

What I mean is to get the PJ first, and do NOT buy the screen, fire it at the wall for a week, play with zoom. Trust me.

Then buy the screen.

 

[AudioArcher]

Ok, OK. That was my intention. Didn't mean to mislead you. Thanks JM!

 

[BMXTRIX]

I find the Wilsonart idea extremely interesting. What a cool idea. I wish I could apply it to my situation. Dalite has a tensioned Model B manual ceiling screen for less than $300 that I think will do the trick though. Now all I have to figure out is how I am going to set this up in my limited area. Geesh !

No, they don't.

http://www.dalite.com/products/product.php?cID=9&pID=237

The Deluxe Model B, does include a tensioning arm, but this must not be confused with a tab-tensioned screen, and the effects of it should basically be ignored other than it may help to keep your screen from getting waves in it within the first year of usage.

Yet, it won't really keep the screen flat because nothing is pulling on the sides solidly.

A tab-tensioned screen...
http://www.dalite.com/products/product.php?cID=29&pID=289

Uses a slightly softer screen material which gets pulled evenly in all four directions (up/down/left/right) at once. The bottom bar weighs about 30 or more pounds to provide this tensioning to the entire screen.

You can see via eBay that even an inexpensive tab-tensioned screen isn't going to be under about $500 for the cheapest of brands...

http://cgi.ebay.com/TAB-TENSION-ELECTRIC-PROJECTOR-SCREEN-ELITE-41-x-73_W0QQitemZ200266609117QQihZ010QQcategoryZ48655QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

If that's to much, then I suggest going really cheap with a manual screen (under $200) and then upgrading when you can.

 

[AudioArcher]

That $500 one on E-bay may do, if not your last sentence will be my path. Thanx man.

 

[AudioArcher]

I possibly may swing that $500 one on E-bay, but if not, your last sentence will be my path. Thanx much !

 

[jostenmeat]

I urge you to research High Power versions at AVS. They don't even offer them as tab tensioned, because the material is so stiff. Im not saying its the magic bullet, but I believe you'd be remiss in not researching. IIRC, 120" could be as little as $300?? (or was that 100"). That's new. EXTREMELY affordable.

HIGH POWER a Review! Part 1

 

[AudioArcher]

Intersting article. Thanks for the info JM. You've been very informative.