Home Theater Projector Review: Sanyo PLV-Z2000 LCD Projector Summary, Pros, Cons-2

I’ll call the black level battle almost a tie, with the slight advantage (most of the time) going to Optoma, but I’ll definitely pick the Sanyo for better shadow detail.

Sanyo has the advantage just about everywhere else, too: It is quieter, sharper, has drastically more placement flexibility than the Optoma with its very limited zoom and no lens shift (as is typical for most DLP projectors). The Sanyo also has a better remote control, is significantly quieter, and offers a better warranty.

Sanyo PLV-Z2000 and the Panasonic PT-AE1000U and PT-AE2000U

I haven’t recevied a PT-AE2000U for review yet (Nov 1, ’07) , so for comments about the Sanyo vs. the AE2000U, look in the Panasonic review when published. As to the PT-AE1000U, it’s been almost a full year since reviewed, so this is very general. Both are not bright projectors, both are film-like, both are quiet. Sanyo has the warranty advantage, and probably a slight advantage overall picture quality. However: The Panasonic offers phenomenal color management abilities, and built in tools. For those with the expertise, or hiring a calibrator, the Panasonic should be able to match the skin tone accuracy of the Sanyo, and perhaps have a slight edge overall. But for out of the box performance (both fairly good, advantage Sanyo), and for those doing just basic adjustments, I’ll give the edge to the Sanyo.

Sanyo PLV-Z2000 and Epson Home Cinema 1080

Out of the box performance goes to Sanyo. The Epson’s big advantage is lumens, lots more than the Sanyo can scrape up. By comparison, though, the Epson’s overall image quality comes off a little hard. You are not likely to find yourself choosing between these two, because the Epson is likely to go to those demanding a bright projector.

Overall, the Epson, like the Sanyo, also offers tons of preset modes, and user savables. Their two year warranty is shorter than the Sanyo, but they overnight out a replacement if your Epson has a problem under warranty.

One downside to the Epson, is that in its brighter modes it is a bit noisy, unusual for an LCD projector and comparable to most DLP’s.

The Sanyo has the edge on shadow detail, and (it’s been a while), I’d guess that the Sanyo might have a small advantage in black levels. Both are sharp.

In December Epson will start shipping the replacement Home Cinema 1080 UB (Ultra Black). It offers the highest claimed contrast I’ve ever seen. How that translates into reality, we shall see. We should have it in, and reviewed, before you are down to last minute Christmas shopping.