I just received the Sony VW 40, I am surprised to find out that it has a lot smaller vertical shift down then other projectors. I am rear shelf mounting and it will only shift down to half the screen. My Panasonic 900u had way more shift. I don't recall any of the reviews talking about a small vertical lens shift in reference to shelf mounting. I think I need to exchange it for another brand projector.


Keith

I just received the Sony VW 40, I am surprised to find out that it has a lot smaller vertical shift down then other projectors. I am rear shelf mounting and it will only shift down to half the screen. My Panasonic 900u had way more shift. I don't recall any of the reviews talking about a small vertical lens shift in reference to shelf mounting. I think I need to exchange it for another brand projector.


Keith

It has the same shift as the VW50/60.

Users have shelf mounted the 50 by inverting it on the shelf.

ted

Isn't it bad to invert the projector on a shelf? The top of the projector get pretty hot. Also the top is rounded, so the projector is not level.


Keith

Isn't it bad to invert the projector on a shelf? The top of the projector get pretty hot. Also the top is rounded, so the projector is not level.


Keith

Inverted means that you mount the bottom of the projector on the bottom side of the shelf. This is basically the same as ceiling mount.

Why don't you just re-adjust the shelf to a new position. Changing the projector for another is quite silly. The only other 1080ps that seems to fit the bill are the Epson 1080UB and the Sanyo Z2000. The Epson has QC issues, and the Sanyo won't touch the picture quality of the Sony.

Isn't it bad to invert the projector on a shelf? The top of the projector get pretty hot. Also the top is rounded, so the projector is not level.


Keith

Heat flows upward so in this situation the "top" would be the upper surface. It is designed to work with both mounting styles but given the way the vert shift works (or what they consider the default lens postion) it is favoured for ceiling mounting.

It should be simple to constuct a "cradle" that supports the unit yet still allowing for unobstructed air flow. In fact this is how I was planning to utilize a VW60.

I agree with eightninesuited and if it is not possible to lower your shelf then the other reasons for keeping it still stand as he well pointed out.

ted

Why not just ceiling mount it towards in rear of the room?

I am defintitly considering ceiling mounting, I am just a little worried because I live in an apartment. I want do as little damage as possible. I am really going back and forth between keeping it or exchanging for 1080UB. I know it has some problems but they have a great warranty. Basically here are the pros and cons that I see ( I have had both with my setup:

VW40 Pro:

1. Quieter (can't hear Iris)

2. Motorized Lens Shift

3. Sealed light path

VW Con:
1.Large

2. Colors don't seem to Pop

3. Short Warrenty

1080UB Pro:

1.Very easy to install

2.Colors seemed great ( Very 3d like)

3. Great Warrenty

1080UB Con

1.Very Loud (can hear Iris working)

2.QC issues


Basically I have to decide if the UB noise is a deal breaker for me, It is a very small HT room.

I am defintitly considering ceiling mounting, I am just a little worried because I live in an apartment. I want do as little damage as possible. I am really going back and forth between keeping it or exchanging for 1080UB. I know it has some problems but they have a great warranty. Basically here are the pros and cons that I see ( I have had both with my setup:



Have you considered the Mitsu 4900? It is silent. It has great lens shift (motorized). The color accuracy/saturation is amazing. It is much cheaper. There are a few negatives (some people complain about the black level, but I find blacks better than average, some people have gotten dust blobs).

If it's the same noise as the 720, I hear it when I flipping through channels or skipping commercials but for most watching it becomes invisible to me.
Very rarely do I actually hear it during a show.

The downward lenshift is limited to about 25% screen height. The only thing that delay my purchasing of the VW60 but in the end I moved the projector one shelf down, 5ft from the ground, and made it work.

Originally posted by keithj202
VW Con:
1.Large

2. Colors don't seem to Pop

3. Short Warrenty
Can you elaborate on the color comment. I do agree that the 1 yr warranty is weak, considering Sony's cheaper LCD have a 2 yr warranty.

This is of course without any calibration, but the colors and picture on the sony seemed much less vibrant or 3 dimensional. It is hard to explain, just a gut reaction to seeing them. Probably would change if I used a calibration disc or something, I'm sure.

On the other hand, I found the 1080UB to be quite pleasing out of the box. Or course it could probably be better. Also remember that I am not an expert at all when it comes to these things. This is just my simple opinion.

What's the throw distance you're using along with the gain on the screen? That could be the difference with screen "pop". Mine comes in Tuesday and I'll be using a 106" screen @ 1.3 gain with a 14' throw.

I'll be doings some basic calibrating (Avia and others) until I have time to hook up my Spyder calibration piece. I'll let you guys know what I find out as well.

EDIT: I'd actually like to hear what type of light control you have as it will impact the projector as well.

The Projector is about 12 feet back, and I have complete light control.

I have another question: I was watching a scene from Planet Earth, there is a scene where they are showing sand dunes and I noticed quite a bit of "artifacting" in the shadows of the dunes. I am not sure if artifacting is the right term. It looks like flickering shades of gray within the shadow. If that makes any sense. Is this from the Bluray source or is it caused by the projector.


Keith

Could be the DVD or player. Have you noticed any artifacts or variance of black levels in other programs (Sat/cable vs. DVD)?