Hitachi PJ-TX300 or Sanyo PLV-Z5

[Bill_hugh]

Hi Guys,

I have been researching projectors for a few weeks now and I had decided to buy the Sanyo PLV-Z5 based on the review from ProjectorReviews.COM. Here is the link to review: http://www.projectorreviews.com/Manu...LVZ5/index.asp.

I live in Dublin and it’s not possible to see these projectors anywhere. I have only been able to see the PJ-TX200 and the Infocus IN76. I found the DLP Infocus difficult to watch. I can’t explain it. It just seemed to make me dizzy or something (sorry I know that is not a great technical evaluation). The colours on the PJ-TX200 were not as deep as the IN76, but I defiantly found the picture easier to watch. The film being displayed had a lot of fast motion, it was Crank with Jason Statham. Anyway I have ruled out DLP.

It was this comment (from the above review) that initially really sold me on the Sanyo “the sharpest image of any projector under $2000”.
So everything was fine until I saw the reviews of the Z5 and TX300 in What Video & High-Definition TV magazine (issue 316). They gave the TX300 5/5 and the Sanyo 4/5.
Of the Z5 they said they found it next to impossible to strike the perfect balance between contrast and brightness. They say that the brightness issue also causes the picture to lack a little dynamism. The TX300 scores much better in the lab report.

I am looking for the projector for watching DVDs and hooking up my Sony 1080i HDV video camera.

Anybody able to advise me?

Thanks,

Bill

[cyberheater]

What about the Panny AX100 then?

[Bill_hugh]

Thanks, yes that was on my short list for a while. I am looking for a projector with the sharpest picture I can get for the money. I have read a few times that the picture on the panny might be a bit soft due to its SmoothScreen technology?

[Penfold73]

The TX300 has the same chroma bug that the TX200 has. In fact it is a TX200 except for the shiny black case.

[Dave163]

I compared the AX100 to the Hitachi 300. The Hitachi was very slightly sharper and faces seemed to be slighter more lifelike. Black levels on either weren't perfect, I guess you'd need a DLP for that.

On balance I went for the AX100 though as I liked the smoothness of the picture ie no screen door. It looks sharper than the older AE900 which I also saw, the pixels are slightly more distinct on the 100 than the 900 so it looked less blurred. But I disliked the screendoor of the Hitachi, and I imagine most LCD PJs would suffer from that. Horses for courses, I guess they are all pretty competent in that price range.

At the end of the day, sharpness of the projector only goes so far - if the original (film) shot wasn't in absolutely perfect focus, and it rarely is perfectly focussed, the image on your screen at home won't be tack sharp either, but it may have screendoor if you go for an LCD.

Dave

[Bill_hugh]

Thanks guys,

A lot of the footage I will shoot myself with my HDR-HC3 HDV camcorder so, focus and sharpness will be perfect ;-).

What’s the TX200 Chroma bug?

[Penfold73]

Check out this review by cine4home Bill. The Chroma bug stuff is near the end. The same site tested the TX300 and found the same problem with it. Their reviews show no real differences between the TX200 and TX300.

http://www.cine4home.com/reviews/pro...X200Review.htm

[Nebby]

Originally Posted by Penfold73

Check out this review by cine4home Bill. The Chroma bug stuff is near the end. The same site tested the TX300 and found the same problem with it. Their reviews show no real differences between the TX200 and TX300.

http://www.cine4home.com/reviews/pro...X200Review.htm

Still doesn't really tell you anything. Is it a problem with all of them? Is it a problem that occurs out of the box, or does it only manifest itself over time?

If it does affect all straight out of the box, and "fraying of colored details in the image" are the symptoms, I sure as heck can't see it in mine.

[Bill_hugh]

Originally Posted by Penfold73

Check out this review by cine4home Bill. The Chroma bug stuff is near the end. The same site tested the TX300 and found the same problem with it. Their reviews show no real differences between the TX200 and TX300.

http://www.cine4home.com/reviews/pro...X200Review.htm

Wow, thanks Penfold73. This really helped. I managed to find the reviews for both. They are both in German (babelfish is brill).

PLV-Z5:
http://www.cine4home.de/tests/projek...oZ5/Z5Test.htm
PJ-TX300:
http://www.cine4home.de/tests/projek...JTX300Test.htm

The PLV-Z5 scored higher (eh lower actually, but I think that’s better) on everything except "Other aspects".

[Bill_hugh]

I came so so close to buying the Sanyo PLV-Z5, but then I saw the Epson TW700 threads. Now I am back to pulling my hair out.

This is how I see it.
Sanyo PLV-Z5
-Very sharp picture
-Not so good for viewing in anything other than complete darkness
-Dull colours???
Epson TW700
-Very bright
-Picture not as sharp as Sanyo
-Dynamic Colours.

I can’t see any of these babies in action as there is nowhere in Dublin to view them.

I will use the projector in room with the lights off, but the room has magnolia walls and a white ceiling. Not sure that compiles with the “dedicated room” scenario.
I will use the projector for.
1. Watching my videos from my HDV video camera (1080i)
2. Watching DVDs
3. Looking at pictures via my laptop (I am also a keen photographer)

My biggest worry about buying the Sanyo is dull colours.
Please can some Z5 owners out there reassure me..

Thanks a mill, Bill

[Bill_hugh]

I Guess everybody has gone to bed or out enjoying themselves- it is Saturday night after all .

I will post this on across the water and see what they have to say.

Bill