Sanyo PLV-Z1

[guzzi]

Thought I'd make my 2 cents worth in the projector forum. Looked at all the new HDTV RPTV's for the last 6 months!!! Wavered back and forth among Sony-Hitachi-Toshiba-Mitsubishi 51-60" sets. All were either not right with hookups or "bloated elephants"!!! Finally started looking at the newer "small" projectors. What a "great" deal. Finally purchased online one of SANYO's new PLV-Z1 LCD projectors. Now, after 2 months, This was the biggest bargain of them all!! The quality of projection is really good!!! Have the unit hooked up through my Onkyo A/V receiver with a new Zenith HD-SAT520 off air HDTV receiver. This lets me use both off-air and NTSC standard broadcast signals. The DVD quality is superb; likewise HDTV at 1080i, and up scaling of NTSC to a full 480i!! Just cant say enough for this small, inexpensive projector!! It works great!! Using the flat white wall in the family room for projection. Before buying any of the HUGE, HEAVY selfcontained HDTV's on the market today; look closely at the new crop of small front projectors. You won't be sorry!!

[57U]

Just to be clear, these LCD projectors are limited in their resolution capability. Although these can look great, they do not actually display HDTV - 1080i as you intimated in your post.

Your particular unit is limited to a resolution of 544 x 964 (roughly 540P), which is just above Fox' EDTV (480P).

I understand there are more expensive units that can do 720P...

[guzzi]

57U! You are basically right, as far as the comparison of resolution ability; however this little unit does everything my 6 month old Toshiba 50hdx82 cinema series does, and to my eyes it does it BETTER!! This is not unusual on a per person basis; thats why we all wear and have different tastes in shoes! HA!
The Toshiba was professionally aligned (at $300) and it does quite well. The Sanyo, for the money was simply the BEST thing I could find here in central Florida, and after comparing, visually, 10 different projectors, ranging in price from $3000 down; it clearly came out the winner in my eyes($1500). The Toshiba cost me $2500 6 months ago!!! I quickly found out, that comparing specifications from a magazine was no substitute for actual viewing. We have over the air HD (6 channels here in central Florida)thru our Zenith HD-SAT520 along with Direct TV HD. This is fed to the projector and or the Toshiba 50" HD set thru our Onkyo A/V receiver, either componant or RGB. The Zenith box automatically up-converts all signals to a minimum of 480i, so regardless of what we are watching, the picture quality is VERY good. DVD is a JVC FV900 progressive scan 7 disc unit. Projector is approx 10 feet from the screen and the picture size is approx 92"; seating is approx 15'. There is certainly better, and GOD knows, more expensive equipment out there, but for an OLD-CHEAP codger like me, this is paradise!

[RTBrandy]

Hey, 57U, can you tell if if there are any negative limitations to the Sony VPL-HS10??
thanks

[57U]

I had a very quick look at the specs and nothing negative jumped out. It does 768P - good. Has the inputs - good. I don't know that much about front projectors.

[RTBrandy]

Thank you VERY much. I guarantee you know more than I do. :)

[laveller]

RT,

I have an HS10 ... outstanding machine...had it for almost three months now...what do you want to know?

[RTBrandy]

1) Can I use my XBOX with it?

2) What's the best screen to get for it?

3) I assume I'lll need to get component video AND an S-Video to run to it? (so 10ft+ of each of those)

4) Do I need pitch Blackness, or will some light (not between projector and screen be OK)

5) Anything I need to know NOT to do, i.e. burn danger, don't leave it on, etc.....

[laveller]

I've been meaning to post some photos of my setup, maybe I'll take some tonight...to answer your questions:

1) Can I use my XBOX with it?
...
sure, it has 2 component inputs, s-video, composite and DVI.

2) What's the best screen to get for it?
...
you better sit down for this...I use seamless photographic paper, super white on a 117" wide roll. My projected image is 10.5ft diagnol (110w X 62h) and the image is outstanding...would it be better with a higher quality screen?, yes but its not in the fiscal plan until '04 ;-) ...BTW my screen is double the diagnor size of the largest RPTV on the market...with FOUR TIMES the viewing area...Yea baby!...and since the HS10 is a native 720P machine the resolution is outstanding.

3) I assume I'lll need to get component video AND an S-Video to run to it? (so 10ft+ of each of those)
...
I use the supplied multiconnector for the component feed
from my DVD and the s-video feed from my Laser Disk...all the aforemetioned run thru my a/v receiver (yamaha)
All other video comes from a samsung TS160 and that is connected to the HS10 via DVI...and use the shortest DVI you can use...the spec for a DVI transmission is about 10 ft and (trust me) after that with a $400 repeater the signal goes to hell...I have
the samsung slaved to 720P so the projector has no converting
to do.

4) Do I need pitch Blackness, or will some light (not between projector and screen be OK)
...my HT is in a finished, below grade basement. The only light I have is artificial...the system tolerates some light...incandescent lights in a different part of the basement are ok...halogen torch lights at the back of the HT have to kept off, it hates those.

5) Anything I need to know NOT to do, i.e. burn danger, don't leave it on, etc.....
...
lets see...hang it upside down from the ceiling(easier said than done)...be carefull on you program a universal remote if your going to use one, there are some demons in that process...when you adjust the focus, be standing right in from of the screen and focus the pixels in the cross hairs, do not focus on the image from the back of the room...don't block the units ventilation...I have two DVD's; I use my stupidly expensive pioneer 45a for DVD-A's and SACD's but the picture is only fair...sooo, I use a cheap panasonic model 82 for DVD video, it is (IMHO) the best picture on the market, at any price by any manufactorer...I don't use the cinema filter, don't like it...I do use "cinema" mode on the projector itself with the brightness boosted just a little...I have it on a switch, and turn the unit off completelywhen no in use; sony says you don't have to, but I do it anyway, no real reason, I'm just anal about power and electronics...friends how have a similar
setup to mine have recently painted the walls and ceiling flat
black and it made an improvement in the environment, I'll do that
in the spring.

other questions???

[laveller]

that should be "without a repeater"

[RTBrandy]

What is the average air-speed of an un'laden swallow?

Just kidding!

Thanks for the awesome feedback!! This'll really help!!

[kevinw]

Laveller,
Panasonic RP82 --Lucky Guy If you can find one of those for less than 500 on Ebay you are lucky.
I wanted the Rp82 but I am now looking at the 45a for Audio and Video. You say Video is not that good? May have to start looking at a different model

[RTBrandy]

I'm told this is the same model [just different size but same ratings and features), and in stock

http://www.abtelectronics.com/scripts/site/site_product.php3?id=10391

Only $200!! Sounds like a great deal to me....

[laveller]

RT and Kevin...see if this link helps ya

http://www.hometheaterhifi.com/cgi-bin/shootout.cgi

The 82 is discontinued but the XP30 IS identical in terms
of video quality.

Kevin...I feel real stupid saying this but I got partially
hosed on the 45a...the sound for dvda's and sacd's is
outstanding but the image quality is visually inferior to
my 82...and if I
told you what I paid for the 82 as a open box item about
6 months ago you'd fall over.

oh, and the swallow airspeed thing ... 20-30 mph except
when being chased.

[LanceFlash]

How are you liking this projector(Sanyo PLV-Z1) now??

[LeeS]

What is the average air-speed of an un'laden swallow?
European or African swallow?

http://www.gazeta.sky.pl/priv/jones/swallow.htm

Arthur: Well, you have to know these things when you're a king, you know.
Sorry, couldn't help myself :)
Lee

[markm]

Lance,

I have had the Z-1 for about 10 months and put about 700 hours on it. It was by far the best toy I have ever bought. I still get excited every time I put a movie on.

High Def looks great on it, especially football.

I can't imagine why anyone would buy a RPTV, when you can have 3 times the picture size for 1/3 of the price.

[HorrorScope]

Throw in the Z2 now which does true 720P and is Native WS and everything else for >$2000. Your cookin.