Bottom Line: An OK remote, just a bit smaller than average, with small buttons. Not great for really large hands. Yet the remote is, overall, very functional, even if Sanyo didn't take full advantage of all the open space on the remote to offer additional controls, especially discreet inputs for each source. No remote mousing functions for presentations, although there are many good RF and IR "remote mousing" devices on the market, that can be used with any computer.
PLC-XL50 Projector: Lens Throw and Lens Shift
Ahh, the strangest numbers I've ever encountered. The range of this ultra short throw projector, supports screen sizes (4:3 aspect ratio) from 60 inches to 80 plus inches diagonal. To fill the smallest size screen - 60 inch diagonal, the distance for the front of the projector actually is a negative number - the front of the projector has to be closer to the wall, than the screen, sitting under the screen, (for normal wall viewing), and closer to the wall, by about 1.5 inches. To fill an 70" screen, the front needs to be about .8 inches from the screen, and for 80 inch diagonal screens, the front is out a whopping 3.2 inches (8.1 cm) from the screen surface. Now that is truly "ultra-short throw". Sanyo only provides actual distance info for 60, 70, and 80 inch diagonals, but you can interpolate the distances for larger screen sizes. 80" inches is the largest I projected, as that fills almost all of the vertical on my 106 inch 16:9 screen, and this is a 4:3 aspect ratio XGA projector.
PLC-XL50 Projector: SDE and Rainbow Effect, Pixel Visibility
As a typical 3LCD projector, in terms of Screen Door Effect, the pixel structure is slightly visible from close seating distance. Since it is not a single chip DLP projector, there is no Rainbow effect. In this regard, the PLC-XL50 is a typical projector.
PLC-XL50 Projector: Brightness
The Sanyo PLC-XL50 claims 2000 lumens. That pretty much matches our measurements. The Sanyo's brightest image mode is Dynamic, which measured 2073 lumens, about 3.6% better than claimed. Other modes: Real produced 1654 lumens, and Standard, 1970 lumens.
By today's standards, the XL50 is basically "entry level" in terms of brightness, as most low cost entry level projectors these days offer 2000 lumens, or 2500 lumens.
The newer XL51 is rated 2700 lumens, and the modest increase in brightness will surely be appreciated by users for some applications.
PLC-XL50 Projector: Audible Noise Levels
This Sanyo is pretty quiet for a business projector. Sanyo claims 29 db in eco mode, and that is very believable. 29 db is about the same as many of the noisier home theater projectors in their eco-modes, and most business projectors are likely to start around 33 db in their low power modes. Bottom line - a relatively quiet projector, so that noise levels should not be a factor.
PLC-XL50 Projector: Screen Recommendations
Normally, in this section I'm discussing what screen surfaces match best with a projector. With the Sanyo's ultra short throw lens, though, let's talk about what types of screens, and environments make sense.
First, very high gain and high contrast screens tend to roll off brightness when light hits them at extreme angles. As a result, best to avoid these types of screens, as the projection angle is very extreme. Most likely, normal matte white surfaces should work best. I only briefly hooked up the Sanyo below my High Contrast Gray Firehawk, and I could see significant unevenness in brightness due to the high angle.
The Sanyo supports both "front" and "rear" projection. With its ability to be setup vertically as well as horizontally, it can be placed below a table-like screen surface so you can view from above, or it can be placed on the floor, vertically, and project a large image right on the floor. For the "rear" screen, table top setup, think command and control. People standing around such a table with the image projected onto the table surface. Imagine those old war movies when they are moving around little toy ships and armies - now you can have photos or video being projected. A table type display would also work well in many small group applications. Projecting downward onto the floor, may well have good retail and digital signage applications. And, ultra-short throw, in general, is ideal for digital signage, and allows a reasonable cost alternative to large plasma displays (over 65" diagonal).
In selecting a screen surface, be it front or rear type, I suggest you consult with the seller about whether there would be any roll-off issues with the surface, due to the steep projection angle. Also of note, there is a uniformity control, which may help out, but I didn't experiment with it. Let's just say, it might help, but most likely correction that way would cost you lumens. Better to have the right surface to begin with.
One last thing, the Sanyo also supports working with "blackboards" and greenboards", with special modes.
PLC-XL50 Projector: Measurements and Calibration
Here are the color temperatures for white (100 IRE), for the main computer image modes:
Dynamic: 5681K
Real: 5888K
Standard: 5747
And for the Real setting, here is the "full range"
100 IRE: 5888K
80 IRE: 5440K
50 IRE: 4935K
30 IRE: 4955K
Overall, the Real setting is very warm - shifted towards red somewhat.
Using the component video inputs (there is no HDMI or DVI digital input), and the Cinema mode, grayscale tracking is very good, mostly hovering right around the ideal 6500K for movies/video, but slightly higher (cooler - more blue) in the darker ranges. Here are the color temperatures for Cinema:
White (100 IRE):6524K
Light gray (80 IRE): 6735K
Medium gray (50 IRE): 6953K
Low gray (30 IRE): 7584K
As you can see, there is a general rise in color temperature - from warm to cool, as the projector goes from white (100 IRE) to darker gray (30 IRE). Overall, very good cinema color accuracy for a business projector.
Bottom line, without adjustment, computer modes tend to be slightly warm, but the grayscale temperatures can easily be adjusted, if highly accurate color is required. As it is, let's say color is very good for a business projector, better than almost all DLP projectors, and roughly comparable to most other 3LCD projectors!
PLC-XL50 Projector: Image Noise
Image noise is not normally a critical area for a business projector. As such, I did not do extensive testing of the many types of motion noise that can be visible with a projector. Overall image noise on computer sources is good, and typical.
PLC-XL50 Projector: Other Features
Most projectors these days have at least some basic security features, from the standard Kensington lock, to the ability to password protect the control panel (essentially locking out theives and unauthorized users). In the case of the Sanyo, it even has an alarm that goes off if the projector is moved. There are two stages, a low pitched sound, and then a full alarm. There are plenty of user controls and options. The projector has a built in rechargeable battery to power the alarm when the projector is disconnected.
Nice touch - although considering the vast number of projectors stolen each year (mostly from K-12 schools), I'm a proponent of building in LoJack!
Warranty is next, and Sanyo has an excellent one.
