Product Survey: Video Projectors : Sanyo PLV-Z3000
10. Sanyo PLV-Z3000
Our settings
We based our settings on the standard mode.
You have to admit, you get a nice image without too much alteration of the settings. We only looked at 2 things: the intensity of the lamp so as to put it on eco mode (the projector is then almost silent), and brightness, setting it on -1 or even -2 for films.
In the case of Matrix for example, I went down to 2 so as to avoid any flickering from parasite pixels in black shaded areas. At 1 they are already much less visible and at 2 they disappear altogether.
To get a temperature curve at 6500K, you need to choose the following parameters: red +11, green -3 and blue -5. To end up, if you want to correct the gamma curve which tends to rise towards the lightest white tones, you can also reduce the gamma settings to -1.
Exit the PLV-Z2000 and enter the PLV-Z3000, Sanyo’s new Full HD projector. This model will be a valuable addition to Sanyo’s top range of projectors and is a more expensive alternative to the PLV-Z700 also Full HD.
Handling, ergonomics
Like its predecessors the Sanyo PLV-Z3000 is a model of ergonomics. With very complete connectivity (2 HDMI, 2 YUV), motorised opening of the lens cover, powerful zoom, lens-shift… it has it all. Energy consumption is very reasonable at 1.1 watts on standby and 177 while turned on. To see the extent of the lens-shift, take a look at the PLV-Z700. Both are very quiet as long as the lamp is in eco mode. One point to note: the casing is now anthracite black/grey rather than off-white. No need to call out the emergency services! However there is no integrated speaker. A minor detail, as this is not really essential for a product like this, that will, in any case function with an amplifier or at the very least a set of 5.1 speakers directly linked to the video source.
Projected image
After getting a double adapter, we were able to carry out tests on different projectors at the same time from the same video source. The first duel was between this Sanyo Z3000 and the Mitsubishi HC5500. There are major differences between the machines. Sanyo gives a less flattering image, less luminous but more cinematic. The default seetings on the Mitsubishi give red cheeks to the on-screen characters and make the colors very bright. If you showed them side by side in a show, the Mitsubishi would certainly gain the favour of the general public. I do nevertheless have a weakness for the Sanyo. Sure, it has a less flattering image and the whites are not as bright, nevertheless it really gives good sound. Personally, I prefer its softer image.
Upscaling from a 576p (DVD) source is not as good on the Sanyo as on the Mitsubishi. On a fixed image it’s not a problem. But as soon as there is any movement, you can see the aliasing on diagonal lines. Its better to leave the upscaling to the player if it’s a good quality one. One point on image precision. It is a little down on the Mitsubishi and its DLP competition as you can see in this face-off comparison with the Optoma HD800XLV. At anything above 720p it isn’t very forgiving.
Do you get any beter than the PLV-Z3000 in terms of image quality? The answer is yes. But at what price? And is the difference really noticeable? In spite of the criticism and based on fact that we are being very demanding in view of the sale price of this product at over 2000 euros, it is worth underlining that this projector will suit perfectly well at least 95% of the population.
And 3D?
If you’ve been following the news on the site, you’ll know that 3D is the visual display buzz word for 2009. This will concern both games and films. We tested our first monitor able to give a 3D image, the Samsung SyncMaster 2233rz. To give this it combines several elements: a 3D source (film or game), a 120 Hz image and the (still indispensable) glasses. Unfortunately, (unless Sanyo can tell us otherwise), it seems as if this projector will be unable to project thi
"...For example, when these mirrors rapidly reflect red and yellow, you will see green..."
This mirrors reflect white light. The color wheel is the device which lets the right color component pass in synch with the DMD.
For example: the DMD is reflecting the blue channel of the image but this is white light coming from the lamp, so the color wheel is letting only the blue part of the spectrum. The same with red and blue.
There are also DLP projectors that use three dmd's with three colored light sources( red green and blue) so no need for a color wheel. A frame being displayed with all color information on the screen at once. This means you can obtain 3 times the frame rate at a broader color depth with no rainbow effect.
Besides being technically wrong as pointed out by bboysil, don't you mean red and green will create yellow? Red and yellow (which isn't a primary color of additive light) makes orange!
http:\\diyprojectorkits.com
I am a member there, and am going to build my own 1080P projector this summer. 40 *THOUSAND* hours of life per bulb. Commercial projectors are for amateurs...
COMPARISON CHARTS PLEASE
Either use standard Or metric but don't mix them both. Inches and ounces in one place, meters in another. Seeing how this is tomsguide/us I would assume standard US measurements, but at least be consistant. Even better, translate the articles or make a simple conversion program.
Wow, this article is a mess. Seems like it was written by half a dozen people and connected in random order. No format consistancy between products. Some mention power consumpsion, some price, some show screen shots, size, weight, etc.
COMPARISON CHARTS PLEASE
I'm guessing that's why no charts, no product has the same info.
OK, I swear this is my last comment:
I couldn't figure out why they were using a condom for size comparison. Turns out it is a Euro coin! How about using something recognizable by the majority it of people reading this article.
Why is this site generating such poor quality articles these days (look at the equally useless webcam article)? What is this Digital Versus? Some copy and paste bot?
I read the Panasonic review then gave up. Doesn't anyone bother proof-reading:
"The fans this shape can relax"
"I ended up forcing the it manually"
"The image below" - it's not below
"When uscaling"
And how useless is the zoom option to see the two(!) Star Ratings?
LOL!@! At first I thought that coin was a condom!!
A very wordy review. This needs metrics to compare each model if this is going to prove of any use.
Nic topic coverage. Bit weird as I have just persuaded the wife that our front room would make a great home entertainment room.
First purchase required.... Projector. Think I'll pop down to my local Sony shop and see for myself just what they are like. The reviews here have done nothing more than give me a starting point. Nothing that allows me to proactively compare the products.
I have the same prob, Firmware update doesn't help me use AC charger while projecting..HELP PLS!!
now my aiptek pocket cinema is dead.i've upgraded the firmware, now it won't turn on...pls help...