Sanyo uncorks $1,295 720p PLV-Z60 projector

As the pre-CEDIA releases continue to roll, we've got yet another projector from Sanyo. The PLV-Z60 offers up a native 720p resolution, 10,000:1 contrast ratio, 1,200 ANSI lumens, 3D color management system, 12-bit processing IC for video decoding, scaling and gamma curve generation and a 2x optical zoom. You'll also find VGA, HDMI (x2), component (x2) and S-Video connections, and you can find the PJ itself next month for $1,295. [Warning: PDF read link]

[anonymousaversa @ Aug 28th 2008 2:28PM]

Wow, a sub $5,000 HD projector, sweet.

More details from the PDF:

-Allows projection of a 100" image from only 9.8 to 20 feet away
-Dimensions: 15 (W) x 5 (H) x 12 (D) inches
-Weight: 11lbs.

What is this "3D Color Management system?" Sounds like marketing gibberish.

[Rebel6381 @ Aug 28th 2008 4:11PM]

not sure what that is but its like Ford calling the moon/sun roof on the "Edge" a "Panoramic Vista Roof"...for gods sake its a freaking window on the roof, theres no need to sugar coat it

[Kevin @ Aug 28th 2008 6:10PM]

Better than a Panoramic Vista Home Premium roof...

[luke @ Aug 29th 2008 6:57AM]

if their version of 3d color management is anything like color correction for video, it means that you can adjust the hues of lows, midtones and highlights seperately.

i haven't seen a small sanyo projector i liked, z5 has totally exaggerated saturation if youre askin me. but their 6000-10000 lumen big venu projectors, thats a different story. also they kinda own that market, at least in europe.

[Tony C @ Aug 28th 2008 2:39PM]

Yay. Sub-$1300 in a 720P projector is welcome, but what's the replacement bulb gonna cost? $300-$400? Pass.

[ScooterDe @ Aug 28th 2008 3:00PM]

importantly, what's the noise level?

[huh @ Aug 28th 2008 3:28PM]

ScooterDe, I have a Sanyo Z4 projector, which is a predecessor which is also 720p. It's an excellent projector, the zoom lens makes it very versatile. It is silent from a couple of feet away. Perhaps you are used to data projectors, which have a different "focus" (business) and can be quite noisy. Although I am switching to a 52" hdtv, there is nothing like a projector for really big media viewing, particularly at parties.

[pkilla @ Aug 28th 2008 3:47PM]

I also have the Sanyo Z4. I love it, had it for 2 yrs now, The new specs doesn't look all that different from my Z4. I will keep my Z4 until i can upgrade to a 1080p projector.

Theres no comparison between a projector and a big scree tv. I play my 360 and watch HD TV on a 100" screen!

[disciple83 @ Aug 28th 2008 5:50PM]

@pkilla

have you been using the same bulb for that two years? It's time for me to upgrade and I'm curious about the longevity. You've also mentioned the 360 in tandem with it, what's your average time gaming when using it?

[Andrew @ Aug 28th 2008 7:47PM]

I agree - Sanyo makes some of the best living room projectors - they have awesome specs and are priced around $1k which is just crazy. Google reviews on any of the PLV series - they consistently beat other projectors in this class.

I had the PLV-Z2 for about 2 years and loved it. The only thing is I wish it had higher lumes - it can be a little difficult to see the image during the day.

[alfaalex101 @ Aug 28th 2008 8:41PM]

Its kind of a waste buying this. The projectors we have these days are more than enough for business or work purposes (720p powerpoint?) That leaves gaming and movie watching. A lot of movies are blasting ahead with 1080p and the difference between 720p and 1080p will be obvious at the projection sizes people will be using this projector at so why go "HD-DVD" by choosing 720p? So far the only benefit I can see for this would be for PS3 and Xbox 360 users that have games that play at 720p. Thats it. It will certainly pay off waiting for prices to go down for 720p projectors or for waiting for cheaper 1080p projector. Don't buy something expensive that won't perform in the long run.

[Sensei @ Aug 29th 2008 4:26AM]

alfaalex101, a 720p projector will still be a 720p projector in 5 years - hence it will perform exactly the same "in the long run". It's also not expensive, it is dirt cheap. You can't keep telling people not to buy the technology they can afford at the moment because something better will drop in price soon enough. There is always something better on the horizon and with your kind of thinking i would still be using a 25mhz 386 pc and watch movies on a black and white tv set. Right now I can't afford to put much more than this into my home theatre display system and this is one of the best projectors you can get for that kind of money.

The projector is *designed* for movies and gaming silly... it's not that strange you can't think of much else to use it for. Might add that many people hook up HTPCs to these projectors nowdays and 1280x720 is a good step up resulution-wise from the average 800x600 presentation projector that often also sounds like a small jet plane.

There are alot of people who want a better viewing experience *today* and can't afford to go full hd on their projection system. Would be interesting to hear what you would recommend to those people if not this or a similar projector? The fact that *you* cannot understand why someone would want/need this projector (although I really think you do) says more about your knowledge and imagination than it does about the product :)

I currently own a Sanyo PLV-Z5 and I just love it! Of course I'd rather have a good 1080 projection system but that does not mean i want to be stuck with a small tv or a media projector until they are in my price range! That'd be plain silly.

http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=53427&l=9bf4a&id=599159934

What I would like to find is a comparison chart between this projector and the Z5 that I already have. Might just be worth an upgrade.

[Sensei @ Aug 29th 2008 4:50AM]

Btw, not trying to be an asshole but.. it's kind of funny that you say "go "HD-DVD" by choosing 720p" despite the fact that the HD-DVD format was cancelled quite a while ago. I know you probably mean "go HD", but in any case you should know that there is quite a huge difference between SD and 720p but the difference between 720 and 1080 is noticeable albeit not *that* huge at 80". if we're talking 100-120" or more it really does begins to make a big difference but most people stay below 100" due to lumen limitations.

One would think the difference between especially PAL with it's 625 lines but also NTSC with 520 lines would not be that far below compared to the half-hd 720 lines. What people often forget is that text-tv and overscan usually kills off *at least* 40 lines. Also analog horizontal "resolution" (if you can call it that) is not even close to that of a digital system, not to mention problems with signal echoing, ntscs phase instability and colour limitations amongst other issues.

So, for screen sizes below 100" I would say that getting a full-hd projector would be *more* of a waste of money than buying a half-hd one. Would still get one if I could afford it though, don't mean it like that but 720p is IMHO more bang for your bucks and it will *probably* stay that way for many years to come.