 Front Projectors
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Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 30
enthusiast
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OP
enthusiast
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 30 |
Hi all,
Does anyone here have either the Sanyo PLV-Z5 or the Panasonic AX100U front projector? What are your thoughts on them? These two are very closely matched.
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Re: Front Projectors
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Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 5,422
axiomite
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axiomite
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 5,422 |
Sorry man. I have the Z3, and Sirquack has the Z2. We both really like them. I think that you would be happy with either one. Hey, if you come over on Thursday to demo my speakers, we'll fire up the Z3 as well. I can give you the ins and outs of that typs of setup. The current models blow mine out of the water, and mine is just 2 years old. A good site for some information is Projector CentralHere are the specs for the Sanyo Z5Here are the specs for the Panasonic AX100UHope that helps...
Farewell - June 4, 2020
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Re: Front Projectors
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Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 13,840 Likes: 13
shareholder in the making
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shareholder in the making
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 13,840 Likes: 13 |
I've had my Z2 for a few years, Nickbuol has a Z3, can't remember if anyone has the Z5. The Z5 is a killer projector and one I wish I did own, especially for my constant height 2.35 screen setup. It will do the needed stretch required before the anamorphic lens is introduced. My next projector will most likely be a Sanyo Z5, Z6, or whatever is out at the time... 
M80s VP180 4xM22ow 4xM3ic EP600 2xEP350
AnthemAVM60 Outlaw7700 EmoA500 Epson5040UB FluanceRT85
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Re: Front Projectors
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Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 5,422
axiomite
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axiomite
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 5,422 |
Like I stated above, both projectors that you are looking at are very popular since they offer a great price/performance combo. Yes, there are "better" projectors, but they will cost you thousands of dollars more. My wife doesn't fully understand the need for new technology, so it will be the Z10 series or equivalent before I will even think about talking to her about an upgrade.
Farewell - June 4, 2020
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Re: Front Projectors
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Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 13,840 Likes: 13
shareholder in the making
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shareholder in the making
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 13,840 Likes: 13 |
demo Nick's speakers, hey man you never got back to me after the new year? I'm just kidding, the invite is still there any weekend as I mentioned back in 2006.
M80s VP180 4xM22ow 4xM3ic EP600 2xEP350
AnthemAVM60 Outlaw7700 EmoA500 Epson5040UB FluanceRT85
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Re: Front Projectors
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Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 30
enthusiast
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OP
enthusiast
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 30 |
Hey guys!
From what I've heard the Z5 is a great projector that offers a sharper image than the Panny. The Panny does have the "smooth technology" and also is much brighter which works better for ambient light. Do you know of any places in Des Moines that demo these models of projectors? Best Buy or American don't have them. I haven't checked Traviss A/V or Pratt A/V.
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Re: Front Projectors
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Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 30
enthusiast
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OP
enthusiast
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 30 |
Quote:
demo Nick's speakers, hey man you never got back to me after the new year?
I'm just kidding, the invite is still there any weekend as I mentioned back in 2006.
Lol, I haven't forgot. Nick had the M60's so I wanted to hear those. I'd love to demo your 80/600 system!
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Re: Front Projectors
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Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 13,840 Likes: 13
shareholder in the making
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shareholder in the making
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 13,840 Likes: 13 |
nope, I just based my purchase on reviews online, just like my Axioms, and never looked back.
M80s VP180 4xM22ow 4xM3ic EP600 2xEP350
AnthemAVM60 Outlaw7700 EmoA500 Epson5040UB FluanceRT85
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 Re: Front Projectors
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Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 30
enthusiast
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OP
enthusiast
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 30 |
For me whenever it comes to dropping over 1K on technology all the negatives that "might" happen start bugging me. Not good! So it just comes to manning up and click 'Submit Order'.
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Re: Front Projectors
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Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 5,422
axiomite
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axiomite
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 5,422 |
Quote:
Hey guys!
From what I've heard the Z5 is a great projector that offers a sharper image than the Panny. The Panny does have the "smooth technology" and also is much brighter which works better for ambient light. Do you know of any places in Des Moines that demo these models of projectors? Best Buy or American don't have them. I haven't checked Traviss A/V or Pratt A/V.
Good luck finding anyone in Des Moines with either of these models.
As for ANSI lumens, there is more to it that just more light coming out. For example, my Z3 has 800 ANSI lumens, and 2000:1 contrast ratio. I had it in my basement with a LOT of ambient light. I used a screen designed for ambient light, and it worked OK. No projector, I don't care what the specs are, will look best with any ambient light. Ambient light is the enemy of front projectors. Keep in mind that your blackest black can only be as black as the screen with the projector off. Think about it for a second, and it will make sense. If you have a screen the looks grey with the projector off, you can't make it look black. You can only make the non-black image brighter and throw a good contrast ratio at it to fool your mind into thinking that it is seeing black.
So the Z5 has 1100 ANSI lumens, and 10,000:1 contrast ratio. Pretty average ANSI lumens, but GREAT contrast. The PT-AX100U has 2000 ANSI lumens, better than 1100, but still in the "average" range for today's specs, and it does have a pretty good contrast ratio, but not as good as the Z5.
So to make your decision worse, the PT-AX100U's combination of more light but less contrast, without doing a side-by-side comparison, would end up about equal to the Z5's less light output, but greater contrast.
The Sanyo line has been known for being one of the quietest projectors in the price range, which is nice when watching a movie with a quiet scene in it. The Sanyo also has a wider range in the throw distance (how far, or close the projector is from the screen) which may, or may not, be a factor in installation. The Sanyo also has a 3 year warranty vs. the 1 year for the Panasonic.
Again, I am not saying that the Panasonic isn't a good product, you will like either one.
Some sample pricing from a reliable source is as follows:
PT-AX100U $1,899 - $400 rebate = $1,499
PLV-Z5 $1,495 - $200 REBATE = $1,295
So to me, the better performance/price winner is the Z5, but I will say it yet again, you will like either one. Just match it to an appropriate screen, and keep the ambiant light away, and you will love it!
Farewell - June 4, 2020
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Re: Front Projectors
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Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 5,422
axiomite
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axiomite
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 5,422 |
Quote:
demo Nick's speakers, hey man you never got back to me after the new year?
I'm just kidding, the invite is still there any weekend as I mentioned back in 2006.
Hey, he can come over to my house, and then we both will come over to your place!
Farewell - June 4, 2020
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 Re: Front Projectors
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Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 79
old hand
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old hand
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 79 |
Hey all,
I have the Z5 and had it ISF calibrated, 19' throw, 15' viewing from the screen which is a DaLite Cinemavision 1.3 gain and 96" diag. Dedicated HT with full light control. 4months old, 400 hours, no problems. PQ is stunning in all aspects being fed by Oppo 971H.
This is a smoking PJ regardless of how cheap it is. If I was picking a screen again I would go matte white 1.0 gain, just don't need all the extra brightness.
Chris
Emotiva DMC1, MPS-1 ,M80v2 ,Klipsch RC64,Mirage Omni260 surrounds,Paradigm PW2200 sub
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Re: Front Projectors
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Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 13,840 Likes: 13
shareholder in the making
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shareholder in the making
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 13,840 Likes: 13 |
I have the Z2 with a DIY Dazian matte white screen (1.0). I would not want to go any brighter, heck I use low lamp mode also, which I highly recommend unless you don't have control of your light.
M80s VP180 4xM22ow 4xM3ic EP600 2xEP350
AnthemAVM60 Outlaw7700 EmoA500 Epson5040UB FluanceRT85
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Re: Front Projectors
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Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 79
old hand
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old hand
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 79 |
Quote:
I have the Z2 with a DIY Dazian matte white screen (1.0). I would not want to go any brighter, heck I use low lamp mode also, which I highly recommend unless you don't have control of your light.
Randy, same here, Econo mode too and the ISF guy had to crank down all the settings because the screen is so bright.
Chris
Emotiva DMC1, MPS-1 ,M80v2 ,Klipsch RC64,Mirage Omni260 surrounds,Paradigm PW2200 sub
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Re: Front Projectors
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Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 13,840 Likes: 13
shareholder in the making
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shareholder in the making
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 13,840 Likes: 13 |
What did it cost to have it calibrated? Why didn't you just get a setup DVD like Avia, DVE, etc. and do it yourself. Heck, I've found that even with the THX setup on their movies I get it looking pretty nice.
M80s VP180 4xM22ow 4xM3ic EP600 2xEP350
AnthemAVM60 Outlaw7700 EmoA500 Epson5040UB FluanceRT85
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Re: Front Projectors
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Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 79
old hand
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old hand
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 79 |
I do have DVE and it looked really good. I found a guy that did it for $240 bucks and owns the Z5 and said what the heck?
The difference is night and day, if you saw the equipment they have you would understand, I suspect your grayscale tracking is so far off its funny , just for starters. I have watched the Eagles Farewell DVD at least 100 times(ok, I like them) and the light show isn't what i saw the previous 90 times, LOL. Not joking either, its just incredible, the colours now so rich and vibrant and the black levels are soooo..deep.
Folks, if you have a good PJ, its very much worth the money to get it done, you should see "Sin City" now, its out of this world...really, same with "Hellboy", eyecandy for us big kids....drooling...hehe
makes me want to go watch one right now
Chris
Emotiva DMC1, MPS-1 ,M80v2 ,Klipsch RC64,Mirage Omni260 surrounds,Paradigm PW2200 sub
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Re: Front Projectors
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Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 13,840 Likes: 13
shareholder in the making
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shareholder in the making
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 13,840 Likes: 13 |
I wish there was an affordable way to calibrate a projector and get the same quality your talking about without having to pay for the service. I will tell you that the contrast is a hard one, as for some reason using the auto setup DVD's I really don't see any difference as I adjust up/down using the grids provided. Right now I have the contrast at -15, brightness at -1, sharpness -4, Color mode using Low1 mode, that is all I can remember.
M80s VP180 4xM22ow 4xM3ic EP600 2xEP350
AnthemAVM60 Outlaw7700 EmoA500 Epson5040UB FluanceRT85
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Re: Front Projectors
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Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 79
old hand
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old hand
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 79 |
Randy, its impossible to achieve using setup discs. There are too many variables and settings on the PJ. Its also very difficult as you stated to set contrast correctly because it doesn't really show up on the test screens. For example, you didn't mention the RGB settings, the ISF guys use that to set grayscale, makes a huge difference.
As far as cost, I looked at it as a percentage of total investment. For me it was very small compared to my Emo "Big Dogs" for example.
Again I have to say that untill you see the difference, its hard to justify the cost, however this is not snake oil stuff, it is a very worthwhile investment.
Last edited by KlipschGuy; 03/31/07 03:55 PM.
Emotiva DMC1, MPS-1 ,M80v2 ,Klipsch RC64,Mirage Omni260 surrounds,Paradigm PW2200 sub
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Re: Front Projectors
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Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 2,854
connoisseur
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connoisseur
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 2,854 |
Keep in mind that ISF calibration usually involves diving into the service menus, where you can really hurt the unit if don't understand what you are tweaking. That process usually includes the use of some fairly sophisticated/expensive equipment. The combination is why there is a charge for the service. Having said that, buying that expertise will not be as painful if you view it on the basis of "dollars per hour of fantastic PQ from a unit that has been maxed out". The ISF calibration, and the ambient light / screen choice (an art in itself) / distance to screen), combine to render the use of someone else's settings to be of questionable value. Given the desired end result of the best PQ for the buck, you might want to scour the web (AVS Forum and Projector Central are two prett good sites) to see what users have to say about the projectors, screen choices based on ambient light, ISF calibration, etc. It can only help. I was on the fence between a PJ and a plasma and opted for the plasma in January (58" Panny) mostly because of bulbs (plasma doesn't have any), finding the "right" screen, flexibility and most importantly - the "pop" relative to colors, blacks and details. However, had I chosen the PJ, I would have done the ISF calibration. Hmmm, re-reading this post, I hope you can find SOMETHING of use before it puts you to sleep. 
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Re: Front Projectors
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Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 4,444 Likes: 16
connoisseur
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connoisseur
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 4,444 Likes: 16 |
Read this review: http://www.projectorreviews.com/bestprojectors/1000-1500.aspI'm a Panasonic guy. I just upgraded from the 900 to the 1000. That being said, if I was looking for a 720P unit, I'd be a tad bit nervous buying the Pany 100. User comments are mixed on this machine. Some folks are having a hell of a time with it working right, while others love it. The Z5 looks to me to be an excellent choice. I would not be concerned that it does not have Pany's smooth screen. That was a cool feature, but is no longer really needed unless you like to sit about three feet away from your screen. I wish they would not have put in on the 1000, because it definitely does not need it. If you don't mind single chip DLP's (don't get headaches from watching rainbows), the Mitsubishi HD1000 is an outstanding value and throws up a great picture. You are severely limited with mounting this unit though. But it's only $1000. I could get pretty creative to save a grand or so and still get a great picture. Sure wish I could have my projector calibrated. No one around my parts that can do that unless I fly him/her into town. I have been playing with the idea of setting myself up to do that, but GAWD it's expensive. Those instruments cost some serious coin, not including the lap top and software....
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Re: Front Projectors
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Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 79
old hand
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old hand
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 79 |
Hey mdrew, thats a heck of a nice PJ you have there. I have also read that the 100's are having some heat related issues(too much lumens). The guy that did my PJ said he had around $10K into training and gear!
Chris
Emotiva DMC1, MPS-1 ,M80v2 ,Klipsch RC64,Mirage Omni260 surrounds,Paradigm PW2200 sub
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Re: Front Projectors
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Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 4,444 Likes: 16
connoisseur
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connoisseur
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 4,444 Likes: 16 |
Ya, I don’t doubt it. I was looking at using some of the ‘inexpensive’ software / hardware kits on the market. About two grand to get into it plus the cost of a laptop, but I’ve already got a couple of those collecting dust.
The jury’s still out on the 1000. I haven’t mounted it yet. I played with it for a while when I first got it a few days ago. I basically just set in on the couch to shoot an image and see if there was going to be a big difference between it and the 900. I didn’t see enough of a difference to get all that enthusiastic about mounting it right away. I’ll know more in a few days when I have time to set it up along with the VP, HD / BR players with a 1080P/24 fps output.
I really wanted the JVC-RS1, but that extra two grand over the Panasonic cut into my wine and booze allowance too deep, and I simply can’t allow that to happen…..
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Re: Front Projectors
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Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 79
old hand
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old hand
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 79 |
Quote:
Ya, I don’t doubt it. I was looking at using some of the ‘inexpensive’ software / hardware kits on the market. About two grand to get into it plus the cost of a laptop, but I’ve already got a couple of those collecting dust.
The jury’s still out on the 1000. I haven’t mounted it yet. I played with it for a while when I first got it a few days ago. I basically just set in on the couch to shoot an image and see if there was going to be a big difference between it and the 900. I didn’t see enough of a difference to get all that enthusiastic about mounting it right away. I’ll know more in a few days when I have time to set it up along with the VP, HD / BR players with a 1080P/24 fps output.
I really wanted the JVC-RS1, but that extra two grand over the Panasonic cut into my wine and booze allowance too deep, and I simply can’t allow that to happen…..
LOL, I hear you there brother! Hope it works out well for you, keep us posted.
Chris
Emotiva DMC1, MPS-1 ,M80v2 ,Klipsch RC64,Mirage Omni260 surrounds,Paradigm PW2200 sub
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