Sharp XV-Z17000 Projector - Physical Tour-4

Posted on February 5, 2011 by Art Feierman

Lens Shift

The XV-Z15000 lacks adjustable lens shift. As with all projectors without lens shift, it has a certain amount of lens offset. (Without some lens offset, it would have to be placed straight back from the dead center of the screen (vertically).

While many DLP projectors have a lot of lens shift, and therefore may not work in low ceiling rooms or even a typical eight foot ceiling with a larger screen, that's not the case with this Sharp projector. For a 100 inch screen the center of the lens needs to be just a fraction less than 8 inches above the top of the screen surface. Many other DLP projectors require placing them 16 to 20 inches above the top. And that extra foot can become a real problem for those others, when you have average or low ceilings. Almost certainly the Sharp would be an easier mount in a basement, than most of the DLP competition. .

In other words, I think Sharp chose wisely with the moderate lens offset design.

Anamorphic Lens

Sharp does not support an anamorphic lens with this projector. Now, for the older 2D Z15000 that's logical. Few will spend for an anamorphic lens that costs about as much as a projector. For the new Sharp XV-Z17000 3D projector, however, with its $4995 price point, one would think an anamorphic lens might be a considered option. Certainly, one of the competitors, the new JVC RS40, which we haven't reviewed yet, sells for the same MSRP, and will support an anamorphic lens. Still, probably not more than a few percent of projector owners go 2.35:1 (or 2.37:1, or 2.40:1) and an anamorphic lens. If you must have an anamorphic lens (with or without motorized sled), you will need to look at that JVC, or perhaps some yet unannounced projector in the Sharp projector's price range.