Next Projector Reviews: Epson Home Cinema 710, Sharp XV-Z30000, SIM2
July 1st, 2012 Art FeiermanGreetings,
We’ve received this new 720p Epson projector, and Mike has it now, for measurements and calibration. I’ll get it back on Monday and start running it through its paces.
Sharp XV-Z30000 - Cool
Sharp announced at CES in January, the XV-Z30000 to replace their XV-Z17000. That older Z was the first of the affordable 1080p 3D capable projectors to ship. I’m looking forward to see what they’ve accomplished in the over two years since the first one launched.
I really like the look of the Sharp projector. Of course it’s the performance we really care about. I thought this projector would arrive this week, but there seems to be a delay. Will keep you posted. -art. SIM2 is also promising a C3X one of their $40K projectors I believe. That should arrive before the end of July. It will be the most expensive projector I’ve ever reviewed, but I figure it’s going to be hard pressed to top the Sony VPL-VW1000ES projector. On the other hand if it can, it should be pretty amazing.
The Sharp XV-Z30000 is rated 1600 lumens, claims a 50,000:1 contrast, and sports a 2:1 power zoom plus lens shift. The MSRP is $4999. The market could use a new DLP projector that can compete against the top of the line LCD, and a bunch of LCoS projectors. Ah, the Z30000 is also 3D capable.
That’s about it. I’m taking a wait and see attitude in terms of the SIM2. Delays seem more common with the highest end projectors I get to work with. -art
July 4th, 2012 at 11:10 pm
Hi Art,
I have recently purchased a Panasonic AE7000 and a 2.39 cinemascope screen. Am loving it! After some advice though…Am planning to watch The Dark Knight in preparation for the new one, and the shifting aspect ratios makes it difficult on the screen. If I have it set for the cinemascope, the IMAX scenes extend beyond the screen, with the velvet border in the way of the picture, and if I have it so the IMAX screens fit the screen, then the non-IMAX scenes are not filling the screen as intended. I have tried doing it with the auto shift on, but it takes about 30 seconds-1 minute to switch(which does make it fit the screen), but it is very distracting as it is not seamless. Any suggestions on the best way to overcome this. I can only think to take the screen down for the movie, but that is not ideal for obvious reasons. Any tips would be appreciated. Cheers, Ryan
July 11th, 2012 at 2:43 pm
Hi Ryan, I know it’s not the ideal answer, but the best solution to enjoy the movie, (even if the cinemascope content is smaller), is to turn off Lens Memory and go with your 16:9 setting for the whole movie. A cool experiment in the theaters, but a pain for “lens memory” solutions. -art
July 21st, 2012 at 6:25 am
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