Sharp launches two DLP projectors: XV-Z3000, DT-100CJ

Sharp's got two new DLP projectors launching in Japan today, and while neither seems poised to take on Marantz's mammoth VP-11S1 from earlier this week, we can't imagine why they would want to. Their XV-Z3000 (left) features a 1,280 x 768 1,200 lumen picture with a 6,500:1 contrast ratio, and HDMI, two component, VGA, S-Video, and composite inputs; the DT-100CJ projects a 854 x 480 1,000 lumen picture, with a 2,500:1 contrast ratio, and component, VGA, composite, and S-Video inputs. Unfortunately we couldn't glean a price or launch date (even if it's only for our Japanese compatriots), but we'd imagine it wouldn't pinch the wallet quite like our aforementioned $15,300 friend.

[18000rpm Posted Apr 21st 2006 9:47AM]

Are you sure it's not 1280x720? I'm not aware of a 1280x768 DLP chip (that would not be exactly 16:9).

[JSM Posted Apr 21st 2006 11:56AM]

yes, he's sure, it's the DC2+ .65 chip TI released last year - good for business hybrids and cheaper then the DC3 for home pjs.

[(Unverified) Posted Apr 21st 2006 2:42PM]

If it is indeed 1280x768 I implore anyone even thinking of buying this for Home Cinema to not, Its not even a widescreen ratio - rubbish, I dont even care if its cheaper. I dont actually believe it is 1280x768, what would be the benefit? I cant think of any single positive!

Ben Hobbs

[(Unverified) Posted Apr 21st 2006 4:01PM]

Its 1280x720.

Should these people be writing reviews/previews of hardware if they dont really know what they are talking about. Its pretty simple 16:9 is the ratio and 1280x768 doesnt fit.

[(Unverified) Posted Apr 21st 2006 4:07PM]

I'm appearing dumb it seems, apparently there is a 1280x768 DLP - Please nobody buy this, imagine the image distortion of having to expand each wide pixel by 1.0675, no DVD will look as it should.

Why, Oh Why would DLP confuse everyone like this? roll on 1080p LCD's I say.

[sethk Posted Apr 21st 2006 4:58PM]

TI (Texas Instruments) has launched this "dual-format" DLP chip at a smaller size and lower cost than the old 1280x720 Darkchip2 HD2+ chip, it can output both 1280x720 natively (16:9) with the top and bottom blanked out - with a front projector you have a masked screen so you don't see any overlap, OR 1024x768 in a 4:3 native format with the sides blanked out. With power zoom and an electrical masking system you could have both a 4:3 and a 16:9 screen with native resolutions of 1024x768 and 1280x720 respectively.
This chip is also used on the Optoma HD72 and the Mitsubishi HC3000 and HC4000. The Infocus IN76 also uses the chip but its forced to 16:9 mode only on that projector.

[(Unverified) Posted Apr 21st 2006 5:21PM]

Stupid if you ask me, how many people really use this for 720p Home Theatre and 1024x768 presentation, surely its OK to do a presentation in 1280x720.

I could easily set up any cxomputer to output 1280x720, why do they think a hybrid is so useful - please, keep data and home theatre projectors seperate, they have very different jobs to do.

BTW, I am yet to see the HD72, but I've never seen a projector mask excess output correctly - This projector can not output 1280x720 natively or 1024 x 768 natively, just another nail in the coffin of DLP vs LCD (at 1/2 the price).

[(Unverified) Posted Apr 22nd 2006 6:03AM]

The prices (listed on the page) are �2384 for the XV-Z300 and �1248 for the DT-100J. Both models are on sale beginning 21 April (yesterday).