700 ANSI LUMENS

HD (16:9)

MULTIMEDIA PROJECTOR

S p e c i f i c a t i o n s
One-Quarter HD (964x544) 700 ANSI Lumens 90% 0.7 TFT Poly x 3 (16:9) 1,573,248 (524,416 x 3) 800:1 (full on/off) 30-200 16:9 3.6-19.7 Manual Manual; (Up/Down/Left/Right) Up/Down 10:0-0:10, Left/Right 7:3-3:7 +/- 20 Polarized Beam Splitter optical system Short Zoom; F2.03-2.34 / f0.83-1.00 1.35-1.6:1 130W UHP H 15-80kHz; V 50-100Hz 100 MHz PAL/PAL-M/PAL-N/SECAM/NTSC/NTSC4.43 XGA, SVGA, VGA None 100-240V AC; 50/60/Hz (auto sense/select) 717 BTU 28dBA (Theater Black mode) 210W 13.1x4.3x9.7 7.5 lbs. Clean air filters, replace lamp assembly D-Sub15 l Component RCA x 3 (Y, Pb/Cb, Pr/Cr) l Composite RCA x 1 l S-Video (mini-DIN 4-pin) Mini DIN 8-pin l Backlit I/R Wireless Remote Control l AC Power Supply Cord l Owners Manual l Composite Video Cable l 2 AA Batterieis MAC/VGA adapter (POA-MACAP) Three years parts and labor; 90 days lamp (original); 30 days lamp (replacement); Quick Repair Program under warranty

PLV-Z1

1/4 HD Resolution Wide-screen (16:9) Multimedia Projector
PERFECT FOR DVD AND HIGH DEFINITION VIEWING The PLV-Z1s wide 16:9 aspect ratio along with its High Definition (964x544) resolution panels make it the perfect match for viewing 16:9 widescreen DVD movies (480i, 480p) and HDTV (720p, 1080i) format programs. For High Definition sources, the HD resolution panels provide better scaling and improved image quality than our competitors Wide VGA resolution panels. EASY SETUP As the f irst projector in its class to offer vertical and horizontal lens shift, along with vertical keystone correction (+/- 20) and a short zoom lens (100 diagonal image at 9.8-11.8), the PLV-Z1 is easy to setup for most any application. HIGH QUALITY IMAGES Boasting a remarkable contrast ratio of 800:1, Auto Grey Scale and Auto Flesh-tone functions, a selectable Color Temperature option, and 10-bit Digital Gamma Correction for fine tone reproduction, the PLV-Z1 produces incredibly lifelike highquality images. A VARIETY OF INPUT OPTIONS The PLV-Z1 is equipped to accept a variety of input sources including Computer, Component Video, Composite Video, SVideo, and PC High Definition up to 1080i. WHISPER QUIET FAN Employing SANYOs Whisper Quiet fan technology, the PLV-Z1 produces an amazingly low noise level of only 28 dBA (theater black mode). BACKLIT I/R REMOTE CONTROL The backlit infrared remote control makes it easy to control the projector even in dim or no light situations.
Resolution Brightness (typical) Uniformity LCD Panel System Number of Pixels Contrast Ratio Projection Image (diagonal) Aspect Ratio Throw Distance Zoom/Focus Lens Shift Up/Down Left/Right Ratio Digital Keystone Correction Projection System Projection Lens Lens Throw Ratio Projection Lamp Scanning Frequency Dot Clock Color System Computer Compatibility Sound Output Voltage BTU Rating dB Rating Power Consumption Dimensions (WxHxD) Net Weight User Maintenance PC Input Terminals Video Input Terminal Control Port Terminal Included Accessories Optional Accessories Warranty
Because its products are subject to continuous improvement, SANYO reserves the right to modify product design and specifications without notice and without incurring any obligations.

PLV-Z1 Input Panel

PRESENTATION TECHNOLOGIES 21605 Plummer Street Chatsworth, CA 91311 Ph: 818.998.7322 ext. 288 Fax 818.717.2719 www.sanyolcd.com
Remote Control PLV-Z1 with front cover closed

Issued 10/02

0303WHC33 Sanyo Projector

27/1/03

11:51 AM

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LCD Projector

Sanyo PLV-Z1

Sanyos new LCD projector is compact and pleasing to the eye, but is its beauty just skin deep?
ike the very impressive Sony projector VPL-VW12HT (reviewed last month), the Sanyo PLV-Z1 boasts three 7in-wide Active Matrix LCD panels, but there any comparison stops. In fairness, the Sanyo is a hell of a sight cheaper than the Sony, and its also more compact, but, despite the financial and space savings, its performance is a little disappointing. Stylish to look at, with a brushed aluminium finish, the first thing youll notice is the neat protective cover that flips down to reveal the lens assembly. Although the height of the projector can be adjusted quite easily, the lens features two innovative shift-ring controls that allow the picture to be moved either up or down or left or right. This facility is very useful and helps when positioning the projector at the desired angle to the screen. As with all projectors on the market, the

Test Scenes

Spider-Man
The Sanyo is a worthy addition to any home cinema system
keystone correction controls stop any further picture distortion. The onscreen menus are sensibly positioned in the top left of the picture (so much better than placing them in the middle of the screen), but the setting up of the projector is time-consuming. However, the Sanyo offers a wide variety of menu options to improve picture quality. The 130W light output gives bright pictures and theres a choice of Standard or Cinema mode for the best results. Contrast, brightness, colour and tint (for NTSC only and that means imported Region 1 DVDs) can be finely balanced before storing in one of four separate image locators. Additional adjustment offers white balance (red, green and blue) sharpness, gamma and auto greyscale which automatically enhances contrast of bright or dark images. But achieving the best results, particularly in regard to flesh tones, via the video input, can be a case of trial and error. Constantly scrolling up and down the menu with the remote can be very frustrating, and even after much adjustment, can still result in a yellow tinge to the colour. Theres much improvement when using playback equipment via the component video connections, but only a few systems, like the Toshiba SD-42EK, include this. Decent results

Sins of the flesh

Achieving accurate fleshtones with the Sanyo can be a tedious process and depends a lot on the quality of the source material

Skeleton staff

The special effects in Spider-Man looks stunning on the Sanyo, as this scene clearly demonstrates

Fright mask

Colours are bright and sharp with the Sanyo giving a terrifying reality to the gargoyle-like mask of the Green Goblin
What Home Cinema March 2003

12:26 PM

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Rival Buys can also be obtained from the S-video input, which greatly enhances the quality of Region 1 discs (NTSC) in particular. The screen size can be changed from Full (for anamorphically squeezed 16.9 images) to Zoom. This is ideal when enlarging an image, but the top and bottom of the picture will appear cropped. Theres also a Normal mode for regular 4:3 pictures. For quick selection, these options can easily be accessed via the remote control.

Themescene H55

Impressive DLP projector with a very user-friendly menu, compact design, bright picture and a very high performance level

Lights, camera, action!

Sony VPL-VW12HT
At 6,000, a lot more expensive than the Sanyo, the Sony is still worth a look. The DVD pictures are sharp and bright and the projector is easy to operate

Recommended System

Toshiba SD-42EK
Reasonably priced system that has some notable flaws, but does have the advantage of component video connections. Perfect for use with projectors
The PLV-Z1 has a short-throw zoom lens which allows 100in screen images at a distance of between 9ft and 10ft. This makes it an ideal projector for small living rooms, although the video quality is dependent on whether youre viewing VHS or DVD. Off-air transmissions and videos are acceptable, but its DVDs that really excel on the Sanyo. Using the Spider-Man movie as a test gives brilliant results and the LCD panels handles the action sequences with ease. The colour (after some lengthy adjustment) is clear and precise. Like the majority of small projectors, the Sanyo does get very hot after a few hours use, and so adequate ventilation is essential. A temperature warning light indicates if the unit is operating at too high a heat level, and so its very important to clean the air filter on
a regular basis to prevent malfunction or dust particles accumulating on the LCD panels and projection mirror. This maintenance is very easy to carry out and, unlike earlier projection ranges, lamp replacement is easy. Replacement bulbs are rather expensive, however, so extra care and attention should always be observed in order to maintain the life of the lamp. As with the dust filter, a lamp-replacement light flashes when the lamp needs changing. While its not so important a function for us home cinema fanatics, the projector is fully compatible with IBM or Macintosh computers, with up to 1,280 x 1,024 resolution. A computer with higher resolution will need resetting in order to operate successfully with the projector. All in all, the Sanyo is a worthy addition to any home cinema system and is competitively priced. The fussy setup menus are a downside, though, if youre looking for a projector thats easy to use and reasonably priced. Further Info

Call or visit www.sanyo.co.uk

Good Points

Stylish and lightweight, offering excellent pictures when used with DVD

Bad Points

Setup is not user-friendly and video playback is a tad disappointing

Overall

The Sanyo is well worth considering (for the price), but its out-performanced by some of its competitors

Ratings

Style Ease of use Features Picture Value Overall

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