A Buyers Guide to New Home Theater Projectors Launched at CEDIA 2008 - Part 3: 720P Projectors

720P Projectors: Epson Home Cinema 700, and Sanyo PLV-Z60

1080P New Home Theater Projectors - Most affordable
1080P New Home Theater Projectors - Mid-Priced
720p New Home Theater projectors

One must wonder if the days of 720p home theater projectors are numbered. Thanks, in large part, to the heavy promotion of 1080p resolution by LCDTV and Plasma TV manufacturers, many who are shopping for their first projector are wondering if they should jump right to 1080p projectors. It's a good question, and before I start on the new 720p projectors, I thought these comments might be helpful.

At this point in time, 720p projectors can be had from under $800, while 1080p models, at best, start at just over twice that price, and most are definitely above $2000. That means there are plenty of folks who can afford to buy a 720p projector, who might find a 1080p projector to be just too pricy.

And, of course, considering how much larger projector screens are, than those LCDTV's and Plasmas, which pretty much top out at 65" diagonal, the argument for going 1080p with its much higher resolution, would seem compelling.

 

Wait a minute though. 1080p projectors have only been around for about two full years. That means many of us, including not just reviewers, but hordes of hobbyists and dare I say it - fanatics, have owned 720p projectors. Myself, I waited until about 18 months ago, until I found a 1080p projector that was far enough better than my old BenQ PE-8720 projector, to make the jump. We all loved our 720p projectors. Just because you can get a sharper image from a 1080p projector, doesn't mean that you can't enjoy a stellar movie watching experience with a 720p projector. Bottom line, if 1080p isn't in your budget, despair not, you can still go 720p and thoroughly enjoy it. Having never owned a 1080p projector you will love your lower resolution projector.

That said, things were very skimpy in terms of 720p projector announcements. Really only two major ones I can think of, and technically Sanyo (no booth at CEDIA) announced theirs a couple of weeks ago.

The market has shifted, last year more 1080p projectors were sold than 720p, and as prices drop (slightly) that trend will accelerate. It's not that there are only two new 720p models, but rather several others were released earlier in this year. Of the major "online" brands, Optoma, Mitsubishi, Epson and Sanyo have all introduced new 720p projectors this year. Notably missing from that list is Panasonic. Sanyo didn't upgrade their Z5 last year, so this year they got around to the new Z60. Perhaps Panasonic will upgrade their PT-AX200U within the next year.

Epson Home Cinema 700 Projector

The Epson Home Cinema 700 is the first of two new 720p projectors seen at CEDIA.

The "unofficial" announcement at CEDIA of the Epson Home Cinema 700 is worthy of note, as it is the least expensive 720p projector using 3LCD technology. Although not official, the word going around, at the show, was that the projector will definitely be under $1000, and probably $799.

While the other Epson home theater projectors have always been about performance - with very good black levels, and other image aspects, compared to the competition, the Home Cinema 700, based on its design, is targeting a slightly different crowd. While its contrast numbers are disappointing (2000:1 - lower than even many Darkchip1 DLP projectors that claim 2500:1), and it lacks a dynamic iris (or the contrast number would be much, much higher), the Home Cinema 700 makes up for it by being an especially bright projector, claiming 2000 lumens. (Epson almost always matches or beats its claims). That should make it one of the brightest around, certainly until you spend a couple times or more for a far more expensive home theater projector.

Since it uses the same box as Epson's entry level business projectors (S series), I expected that, like them, it would have no zoom lens, but I was incorrect. I see from looking around, that it does have a 1.2:1 zoom, and no lens shift, offering, therefore, the same limited placement range as most DLP projectors.

The Epson Home Cinema 700 looks like a great, low cost choice for a family room, or kids bonus room, or one that is easily moved around from room to room (it's small and light). You can even stash it away, and only take it out when needed. Its 2000 lumens in bright mode lets you tackle more ambient light than the competition, great for sports, TV, and probably just fine for most people's (not home theater enthusiasts) movie viewing.

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Sanyo PLV-Z60 Home Theater Projector

The PLV-Z60 (click for specs) should be shipping this week. With a MSRP of $1295, at first glance, it doesn't seem to be drastically less expensive than their new 1080p PLV-Z700, but more important than list price is what the actual street price will be. Sanyo is big on promos, so I wouldn't be surprised to see it quickly sell for noticeably less than MSRP. Afterall, the PLV-Z5 it replaces was $1995 MSRP, but sold mostly for under $1300.

Editor's note: The full review of the PLV-Z60 has been posted (9/30/08).

While Epson seems to be focusing on lowest possible cost, lots of lumens, and good image quality, Sanyo appears to be concentrating on superior image quality, moderate brightness, and more features. Both of course have to slug it out with Panasonic's PT-AX200U, now a year old, but the most popular of the 720p projectors.

The PLV-Z60 claims 1200 lumens, 100 more than the older Z5 it replaces. Contrast for a 720p projector, is an outstanding 10,000:1, which just happens to be the same as their entry level 1080p projector, the PLV-Z700. To get that contrast level, the PLV-Z60 uses a dynamic iris. When the projector is turned off, a motorized door closes in front of the lens, to keep dust out.

This Sanyo projector should prove to be extremely quiet, with a low, 22db audible noise spec in low power mode. The Z60 has both vertical and horiztonal lens shift, and motorized zoom and focus. The zoom ratio, is 2:1, which is about as good as it gets. Sanyo provides a three year warranty, which is also excellent. The PLV-Z60 should do a good job of replacing the PLV-Z5, as a projector that will appeal to those looking for the best possible image quality in a low cost 720p projector.

1080P New Home Theater Projectors - Most affordable
1080P New Home Theater Projectors - Mid-Priced
720p New Home Theater projectors