4. Sanyo PLV-Z4

You no doubt remember the first PLV model, the Z1, which hit the tri-LCD video projector market like a bombshell. Now the fourth generation of the PLV family is out, and it's no disappointment. It stacks up as one of the best - if not the best - tri-LCDs of its generation.

The projector impresses you right out of the box with its sleek gray shell and resolutely modern looks, which mean it will fit nicely into any contemporary décor. The lens is hidden by a motorized door that opens and shuts with the press of a button on the remote control. This little gadget adds to the smooth looks of the projector body and also protects the optics from dust. In case this precaution is not enough, Sanyo has added a dust-removal blower that activates via the menu.

Like any good piece of entertainment equipment, the Z4 comes with a remote control, though admittedly it is not anything to get excited about. It's basic, but effective, with backlighting and a nice feel - functional, but no more.

On the back of the projector you will find the usual connectivity: two YUV inputs, one HDMI, VGA, cinch, and S-Video. The connectivity is quite in line with the Z4's video possibilities, since it boasts the ability to project 720p images natively thanks to the new LCD matrix with a resolution of 1280x720. You can also feed it 1080i or 576p signals with no problem; the results were still excellent.