Sanyo PLV-Z5, Panasonic PT-AX100U or Mitsubishi HD1000U

[NainoKami]

Hello fellow audioholics.

I am about to upgrade from my Hitachi PJ TX-100 to one of the above mentioned projectors. I am upgrading to get better black levels and lower noise, and potentially a bit more lumen output.
I have already ordered a Sanyo PLV-Z5 but I am still doubting my choice a bit.

Would I get superior black levels from the mitsubishi since it's a DLP? Would the increased lumen output of the panasonic be a moot point since the LCD panel won't be able to entirely block the light?

I am projecting in a light-controlled room from about 13 feet on a 95" 16:9 grey screen with a gain of 0.8.

I would appreciate any feedback.

Kind regards,

Simon Westenholz

 

[Rob Babcock]

In practical terms, the Sanyo will probably give you as good or better blacks due to it's Image AI. But this won't give you deeper blacks on every type of image; if you have darks and bright parts within the same frame the AI can't ratchet it down.

FWIW I've heard a lot of bad things about Sanyo's warranty service. And it sounds like the Panny isn't really designed to be used for long stretches at a time- there's a big stink over the Australian version having a provision where watching it for over 4 hours a day 3 times a week voids the warranty! You can read about this in detail at AVSforum.

Both the Panny & Sanyo PJs are quieter than the Mit's. But the Mits isn't loud by any means, just not LCD quiet.

I've researched those three PJs myself. And I plan on ordering the Mitsubishi within the next couple weeks. The reviews are very good, the PJ is bright with good black levels. And having owned DLP PJs for about 5 years, I know RBE isn't an issue for me.

 

[NainoKami]

Many thanks for the advice, though am I right in believing that the mitsubishi doesn't support 1080P? I know it's a 720P panel, but it would be nice to know if it could downscale on it's own.

I have just cancelled my order of the Sanyo, but the sad part is that there's an offer going at the moment, so I might be losing out if I choose the Sanyo after all.

I just want the best for the money, you know? And for that matter I'd like to know how much more I'd get if I spent a bit more...

Kind regards,
Simon

 

[Hi Ho]

I just ordered a Mitsubishi HD1000 this morning from ProjectorPeople. It shipped today and should be here by Saturday (I went cheap and chose FedEx Ground).

I pondered getting a projector for years and I was dead set on Panasonic and Sanyo for quite a while. When I discovered the HD1000 I fell in love with it, mainly because of it's price/performance ratio. I'll know how it really performs when it gets here, but I'm pumped.

Now I need to figure out some sort of screen. I don't even have a blank wall to shine it on.

 

[Rob Babcock]

I was planning on buying a Mitsubishi HD1000U, but right now the HC3000U is under $1300! That complicates things a bit. The '3000U has no clear segment on the color wheel; it's not as bright as the '1000U but has better blacks and reportedly a bit better color. The '3000U was hailed as one of the best PJs under $2500 back before the price drop and is an even better bargain now. Plus, the '3000U has a 2 year warranty vs the 1 year warranty on the '1000U.

Ah, decisions, decisions...

 

[Hi Ho]

My projector arrived this morning (thank you FedEx!) and now I'm really anxious! I have to build a screen today. I'm using Do-Able board which has been widely praised on AVS Forum as a DIY screen material. I have to make it removable because it covers my regular TV and other components.

One pleasant surprise was that it does appear to have a 3 year warranty, contrary to their own website, though the brochure PDF for the HD1000 says it has a 3 year warranty their website and retailer websites say 1 year. The warranty information that came in the box says it has a 3 year parts and labor warranty. I have attatched a scanned PDF of the warranty inormation. Maybe I'm reading something wrong?

Mitsubishi Warranty Information

 

[BMXTRIX]

DLP will almost always deliver a better black level in the real world when compared to LCD. While LCD has made huge strides in recent years, and most people would be hard pressed to tell the difference if you gave them a few hours between viewings, in side-by-side comparisions you will quite often see better black levels from DLP.

DLP has a few other advantages, most notably is that the color wheel is far less likely to degrade the way that the LCD panels may. I keep seeing LCD after LCD that has the blue polarizer failing and a slight yellowish tint to the image. This is a $500+ repair for LCD. Personally, if it were my money and I were replacing my front projector today, I would go with DLP.

 

[Rob Babcock]

I agree with you BMXTRIX, with one caveat- some people are bothered by RBE. I am not, and I think the actual numbers are quite low (despite the whining and gnashing of teeth at AVS ), but it's best to try before you buy or buy from a vendor with a liberal return policy.

I was handed my bonus check today at work, so the time is very near for buying my new PJ! At this point I'm leaning towards the HC3000U. The blacks are blacker and the color is better than the HD1000U, or so I've heard. And I have to admit, the fact that it carries a 2 year warranty vs the 1 year warranty of the 1000 is a big advantage in my eyes.

The next thing then will be my oft-postponed Carada.