[Pumauk]

I'm looking at getting a Sanyo plv Z5- would only have about 2.5m throw to play with though- whats the maximum image size I could get form that distance?

Also where is a good place to get a manual / electric screen from that has a large top border?? - I need it to come down quite a way....

Cheers

[Mad Monk]

Check out http://www.projectorcentral.com/proj...ulator-pro.cfm

It should give you a good idea about screen size

[Lrrr]

I have a projector myself (Z4), but honestly, if you are going to be sitting that close, why not just buy a plasma screen - you can get a good 50" plasma for < £2k. And you will be able to use it in the daylight.

[Pumauk]

I've got a 32" lcd as my main screen- thats mounted above a desk (i use it as a secondary monitor for my pc), and wanted a projector so the screen could come down just in front of that for when i want to properly watch a movie

So basically, for the room and the use I want it for- a projector would be my only feasible option.

[Mad Monk]

Maybe you should consider a DLP projector as pixel structure will be less visable as such a close distance although I cant remember what the SDE is like with the Z5.

I'd try and get a demo if possible.

[Pumauk]

Don't suppose you know a good dlp projector around the same price as the z5 then?

[MonkeyBoyMorton]

I have to disagree, I'm going to be getting a Z5 also and I'll be projecting from the shelf of my coffee table from about 6'8" (2.02m) away giving an image of around 60" (146cm) on a 65" screen. This is possible because of the Z5s short throw lens.

a 60" image is as big as I want to go as we only sit about 8.5 ft away. We have a 37" LCD for everyday use and I personally wouldn't want a bigger screen sat there all the time blocking my bay window. Much prefer being able to pull down the screen only when required for movies. I also wouldn't want to blow SD Freeview and Sky up to 60" all the time - would look terrible!!

Total cost for this including screen (manual) and cabling (10m hdmi) will be under £750. A 60" 720p plasma would cost about £3K so no comparison on price. 50" plasmas are about a grand now but I'd rather go for the extra size and only intend to use it at night for HD movies.

Anyway, back on topic - you should get a 81" image from 2.5m.

For screens have a look here:

http://www.cvsmedia.co.uk/shop/index...19_259_253_273

They do some screens with long drop so you can get the image at eye level from your sofa. The one I'm planning to get is a 65" (61" viewable) projecta slimscreen which has a 90 cm drop. They do an 82" one (76" viewable) with a 77 cm drop.

If you get the Z5 let me know how you go on, just waiting for pay deal to be settled at work then I'm getting one.

[Mad Monk]

Originally Posted by Pumauk

Don't suppose you know a good dlp projector around the same price as the z5 then?

The Sharp Z3000 comes highly recommended on these forums and I think it goes for around £600. It doesn't have lens shift IIRC so you may have mounting restrictions but I hear it throws one hell of a picture.

[Pumauk]

Cheers guys- thanx for the info!

I need a projector with lense shift so the Sharps a no-no im afraid.

Just wondering now if theres a dlp projector that has the same features as the sanyo...

On this site http://www.projectorpoint.co.uk/proj...or-screen.html - it says the overall drop for the screens is 180cm- but the overall black drop is ~85cm...... so would the total length be 180+85? or is the black drop included in the total 180cm?!? (Surely then it isn't big enough)

[MonkeyBoyMorton]

I've looked at those Leader screens too, it says "extended black drop 82cm" which means there is 82cm of black above the viewable area - as shown in the picture. The viewable area is 95cm high, so add the 82cm drop on and you get more or less to the 182cm total drop as stated.

They seem good value and the case isn't too large at 9cm square.

So I've read, Screen Door on the Z5 can be visible if you sit closer than 1.7 times the screen size. In your case with a viewable screen of around 80" you need to be sitting 136" away, or 11 feet to ensure no SDE is visible.

My seating will be at exactly 1.7x the screen size so I should be OK.

[Fangorn]

Is the sharp available for £600 atm? If so where...

[DrSy]

I've got a Z4 with around 87" screen from 9ft away and don't notice screen door except in large white areas, and only then if I'm really looking for it so you should be fine.

I think you'll struggle to find a DLP that allows much in the way of either zoom or lens shift compared to LCD. As previously suggested you should try before you buy, (not least re DLP to make sure you're not rainbow sensitive).

[MonkeyBoyMorton]

The XV-Z3000 at £580 was a one-off deal at Laskeys and they sold out long ago. More like £1100 now.

[MonkeyBoyMorton]

Originally Posted by DrSy

I've got a Z4 with around 87" screen from 9ft away and don't notice screen door except in large white areas, and only then if I'm really looking for it so you should be fine.

I think the SDE issue is overblown, I saw a little of it on mate's Hitachi TX100 but nothing to bother me, and projectors have moved on a way since then so I doubt it's a mjor issue on the Z5.

[dalar]

Originally Posted by Pumauk

I'm looking at getting a Sanyo plv Z5- would only have about 2.5m throw to play with though- whats the maximum image size I could get form that distance?

Also where is a good place to get a manual / electric screen from that has a large top border?? - I need it to come down quite a way....

Cheers

I just got my Z5 yesterday and the shaprness on the thing is craaaazy.... I LOVE IT! - I owned a DLP before and this Z5 LCD just out does it in every single way, the colours and sharpness are just sooo amazing for its price!!! - My throw is also 2.5m and I get around 94" image - the Lens Adjustment is a 'godsend' ... honestly I could never look at another projector again if it doesn't have this.

From where I'm sitting I cannot see no pixelation - so dont worry about it! ... I have no regrets buying this at all, and for £680 you really cant grumble at the quality image that this projector outputs.

Dont forget, this is a rare projector giving you 2 HDMIs and 2 Component inputs - not only that, Sanyo offers you a 3 year guarntee!

* Off now to watch some batman begins HD!

[goose51]

ok dalar, tell me about sde, i'll be around the same distance away, do you see it? i could def see it on my Z2 from 2.5-3.0m away, my purchase could rest on your answer old boy.....but probably not.

[Pumauk]

I understand the Z5 has very good lens shift capabilities.... would it be possible to locate the projector approx 2-3ft to the side of the screen (at about 2.8m throw)??

[MonkeyBoyMorton]

The diagram in the Z5 manual:

http://www.projectorcentral.com/pdf/...anual_3475.pdf

as long as the lens is aimed directly at the left or right edge of the screen you can lens shift the image horizontally to fill the entire screen.

You can get image distortion at maximum lens shift though.

Check the manual for the pictures.

[Pumauk]

Right, getting more serious about this now- just wondering in it's worth the investment for a 1080p projector....

How much is a entry level 1080p? Would I notice much difference with a 75" screen?

I realise on paper something like 1080p 24fps & deep colour etc is much better than bog standard 720p, but is it really that easily noticable?

Thanks

[dalar]

Well for me, pricing was the issue. yes 1080p projectors are the next big thing... but as always with the latest tech very expensive.... - you could buy a very decent non-1080p projector and enjoy many many great films/digital media on it without being dissapointed, then in 2/3 years you could upgrade to a 1080p - where there will be loads are cheap prices.

If money isnt an issue, you could stretch out for the 1080p.

[Pumauk]

Am I right in thinking a 1080p projector is going to set me back approx £2000 minimum? Think the PANASONIC PTAE1000 is about the cheapest about

Got a feeling 720p will have to do!

[dalar]

Originally Posted by Pumauk

Am I right in thinking a 1080p projector is going to set me back approx £2000 minimum? Think the PANASONIC PTAE1000 is about the cheapest about

Got a feeling 720p will have to do!

indeed you are correct !

[Pumauk]

I've been planning throw distances and screen sizes today- figured from a throw of 2.8m the Sanyo can produce up to a 97" picture.

My seating position is approx 2.8m as well, so a few questions pop into my head:

The screens I have seen come in either 75", 87" or larger (but i think i'm going to choose either 75" or 87" (otherwise too big)- now from what I understand seating should be 1.5 times the distance away as the size of the screen... is this diagonal picture size or horizontal size?

If it's diagonal then the 75" screen size would be almost exactly 1.5 times the length away- i.e. perfect??

[Pumauk]

Anyone?

Getting ready to click buy now- anything i'm missing / worth waiting for a 1080p? Don't want to spend £2000 though

[goose51]

I sit the same distance give or take a few cms, i have an 82" diagonal screen and it's just about right, any larger and i'd be moving my head around too much, going smaller is for plasma/lcd people! try roy jowett for screens. hope this helps.

Dalar, noticed any sde?

goose

[Pumauk]

75" screen it is then! Anyone know of a cheap place to get all of it from? Projectorpoint.com have the Sanyo Z5, 75" manual screen, and wall mount for just under £900.

Also, I've heard that the Panasonic PTAX100 is a good projector (at the same price point), aas it supports 1080p 24fps- but its only a 720p projector.... surely all 720p projectors support 1080p 24fps and just downscale the image? Does the Sanyo support 1080p 24??

Thanks

[dalar]

Originally Posted by goose51

I sit the same distance give or take a few cms, i have an 82" diagonal screen and it's just about right, any larger and i'd be moving my head around too much, going smaller is for plasma/lcd people! try roy jowett for screens. hope this helps.

Dalar, noticed any sde?

goose

Sorry for replying late. My first projector was a cheap DLP - I had been put off LCD due to the numerious amounts of people talking about the SDE.

To be honest? its a load of bull, yes when your something like 1-2 meters from the screen you will see pixelation, even on a DLP! - but Im sitting about 3.5M back and I see no SDE what so ever - SDE is very hyped in my opinion... here read this blog towards the bottom it talks about SDE with LCD projectors and how its not really a problem anymore:

http://www.hometheaterblog.com/homet..._choose_t.html

Originally Posted by Pumauk

75" screen it is then! Anyone know of a cheap place to get all of it from? Projectorpoint.com have the Sanyo Z5, 75" manual screen, and wall mount for just under £900.

Also, I've heard that the Panasonic PTAX100 is a good projector (at the same price point), aas it supports 1080p 24fps- but its only a 720p projector.... surely all 720p projectors support 1080p 24fps and just downscale the image? Does the Sanyo support 1080p 24??
Thanks

Yes it does just downscale the image. the 1080p native projetors are still at £2k i think. - Not too sure about whether it allows 1080p/24 but will find out somewhere.
Ok for screens?, I got mine from http://www.projectorscreen.co.uk/ - go to manual or fixed screens and choose whichever you want, the prices are amazingly low. The gain on the screen is rated at 0.8 - this is low compared to a grayhawk screen, but its 'FAR BETTER' than using an empty wall.

I really don't think you will find any other decent prices - whats more is the customer service was fantastic, I ordered at 4pm, arrived next day

[Pumauk]

Hmmm from what I can tell the Sanyo does not support 1080p/24 so can be prone to judder when downconverting....

Not sure between the z5 and the panasonic PT-AX100 now- the panasonic seems slightly better, and handles 1080p/24 (would i notice the difference really??) and is brighter.

[dalar]

What are the price points again? for the panny?

[Pumauk]

Sanyo is about £650, Panny £750.

My main worries about the Sanyo is that the Panny is (on paper) twice the lumens and handles 1080p/24.