Sanyo's entry-level PLV-Z700 projector runs $1,995, shipping in October

After vaguely describing its new 1080p 3LCD-based PLV-Z700 projector as "entry-level", Sanyo's finally returned with a pricetag: $1,995. While that doesn't exactly spell "cheap" to most, good luck finding another full HD projector that matches these specs with an MSRP starting south of two grand. 10,000:1 contrast ratio, 1,200 ANSI lumens and a variable lens designed to adjust to smaller rooms adds up to the perfect solution for those who want more pixels but less price, expect to find out more when it hits the stage at IFA 2008 in Berlin August 29, followed by store shelves worldwide in October, closing out its run with full specs after the break.

Other Specifications

Resolution: 1920 x 1080 (Full HD)
Native Aspect Ratio: 16:9
Color range: 1.07 billion (10 bit)
Brightness: 1,200 ANSI lumens (Dynamic Video Mode)
Contrast Ratio: 10,000:1 (Dynamic Video Mode)
Projection Lamp: UHP 165W
Screen Size: Minimum 40", Maximum 300" (with projection distance of approx 4-60 feet)
Projection Lens: Manual Zoom 1-2.0x (f=22.6-45.3mm, F2.0-F3.0)
Video Modes: 5 (Brilliant Cinema/Creative Cinema/Natural/Living/Dynamic)
Noise output: 21 dBA (Cinema Black Mode)
PC I/O: Mini D-sub 15-pin, analog RGB
Video Input: HDMI x 2 (ver1.3b w/Deep Color), Component (Y/Cb/Cr) x 2, Composite (RCA) x 1, S-Video x 1
Dimensions: 15.75 (W) x 5.75 (H) x 13.6 (D) inches
Weight: 16.5 lbs

[pdiddy @ Aug 26th 2008 1:55AM]

Sanyo is a horrible company. i spent a year trying to get my money back from them after i sent it in for defect repairs and they lost it and made me do all the leg work to get it back. took 9 months and they only gave me a partial refund.

[thequinox @ Aug 26th 2008 2:04AM]

I have the PLV-Z2000 and it is a great buy. i wouldn't have originally thought Sanyo when thinking home theater, but they have made an excellent product. Hope the Z700 is half as good!

[Tim @ Aug 26th 2008 2:19AM]

Well I think Sanyo is juuuuuust right.

[agiovanni05 @ Aug 26th 2008 2:54AM]

Looks pretty good, but I think I'd spend a few hundred more for the Sony SXRD entry level projector. I believe the Lcos tend to have better picture quality.

[ulisses @ Aug 26th 2008 10:13PM]

I have the z2000 and it is great projector. Wonderful images, strong construction, really is not beauty design but is better quality. GReat brand.

[wueric @ Aug 26th 2008 10:10AM]

is this supposed to succeed the Z2000? If so, I dont get it.

[TopaZ @ Aug 26th 2008 11:29AM]

Considering that people can get a z2000 today for $1600 after rebate (and some lucky ones caught a sale a few months ago that brought it down to $1300!), this had better have a street price way lower than this (or another gigantic rebate).

[broadwayblue @ Aug 26th 2008 11:59AM]

Anyone know if this model uses organic or inorganic panels?

[the006iceman @ Aug 27th 2008 3:23AM]

They are organic panels.

[calic @ Aug 26th 2008 6:12PM]

organic... this projector has a lifespan almost as short as its bulbs

[the006iceman @ Aug 27th 2008 3:26AM]

You have to think, Sanyo makes commercial/industrial-grade projectors, so if they put a fraction of the technology they use for those into their domestic/home-use models, no matter how ugly they are, they are probably pretty darn good.

This new projector actually has a new variable iris that adjusts extremely fast (1/60th of a sec) and is reported to not be very noisy either.

While the Z2000 might be cheaper right now, it doesn't have some of the features that this new Z700 has, with the addition of other Deep Color compatibility and the like. The newer model has to be more expensive than the older model--didn't you ever learn that? Lol!