About 8 months ago I took the plunge and bought a Sanyo PLV-70 projector. I have been fairly happy with it and I really don't want to sell it but its lack of HDCP support has me really frustrated. The simple truth is the price of these projectors came down around the exact same time HD-DVD was being introduced. I assume that retailers simply new they weren't HDCP compliant and knew the price drop would help sell them. Yes, I got what I think was a pretty good deal on a new PLV-70.

However, now I am really torn. I would love to take advantage of HD-DVD but there really aren't enough titles yet to have me want to change. As soon as every new release comes out on HD-DVD I know then I'll want to change and this is the big question. I probably can't change since HD-DVD uses HDCP. I've given some though to upgrading my HTPC to a Core 2 Duo processor so I can really take advantage of post processing and clean-up Standard DVDs but then I wonder if there is really a point to that since HD-DVD may be so good it won't require any post processing. See my frustration? :mad:

I'm curious if there are any other PLV-70 owners out there and what your plans are. Do we all simply spend thousands to upgrade to a PLV-75 that for the most part just incorporates probably $50 in extra electronics to do HDCP? Are we gamblining on the fact that there will be some kind of HDCP stripper available? I would probably try to find an HDCP stripper now if I thought it would work in the future. I just don't know.

Currently it is illegal to sell HDCP strippers in the U.S. I suppose that could change when enough voters are disenchanted with incumbent politicians.

Video hints:
http://members.aol.com/ajaynejr/video.htm

Currently it is illegal to sell HDCP strippers in the U.S. I suppose that could change when enough voters are disenchanted with incumbent politicians.

Video hints:
http://members.aol.com/ajaynejr/video.htm

I'm aware they are illegal. I have not purchased one but I certainly do not think I am the type of person they are after anyway. My only goal is to simply purchase an HD-DVD and purchase or rent HD-DVD's and view them. As it stands now I don't think I can do this with the non-HDCP PLV70.

HD DVD also outputs over the analog component connection where HDCP isn't an issue.

In fact, the xbox 360 add-on HD DVD player isn't expected to have an HDMI, and the cheaper PS3 model won't have it either (for blu-ray). It seems there has been an informal agreement not to invoke the ICT flag until after 2011. So lack of HDMI should be of no concern to you.

What's a PLV-70?

What's a PLV-70?

LOL... :D

HD DVD also outputs over the analog component connection where HDCP isn't an issue.

I wasn't aware of this! I guess I won't be able to get the digital signal which is sort of a bummer but 1080i via analog is a practically perfect workaround. Ultimately, if I don't really need to be worrying about this until 2011 then I'm all set.

Thanks!!

LOL... :D
Oh, I remember now
:p

I wasn't aware of this! I guess I won't be able to get the digital signal which is sort of a bummer but 1080i via analog is a practically perfect workaround. Ultimately, if I don't really need to be worrying about this until 2011 then I'm all set.

Thanks!!

I am using a Toshiba HD-A1 via component to a PLV-70 clone and am very pleased with the results. For SDVDs I'm still using an Oppo over DVI for upscaling. I've had the PLV-70 for almost 4 years and have been very pleased. However, I'm really statrting to get the upgrade bug.

Good Luck,
Randy

LOL... :D
We all know he's lonely because he doesn't have one anymore but please don't encourage "John"Mike.:)

No doubt going digital is whole lot "better" than component with the PLV-70. So you know, the "fix" (12p) works perfectly with an HD DVD player and most all digitally "corrupted" input devices.

We all know he's lonely because he doesn't have one anymore but please don't encourage "John"Mike.:)

No doubt going digital is whole lot "better" than component with the PLV-70. So you know, the "fix" (12p) works perfectly with an HD DVD player and most all digitally "corrupted" input devices.

Understood :)

"Are the Sanyo PLV-70 owners a dying breed?"

Shoot, I am still using an XP-21N. Although the PLV-75 might finally push me to upgrade.

"Are the Sanyo PLV-70 owners a dying breed?"

Shoot, I am still using an XP-21N. Although the PLV-75 might finally push me to upgrade.

I hear ya'. Up to 8 months ago I was using an NEC VT540 and actually still pretty happy with it.

Guys, let's face it, the industry changes every 6 months!

Your PLV-70 will still work just fine with the component inputs.

By the way, I found out the Toshiba HD-DVD outputs 1080i through the component output. Haven't tried it, but the manual states it does.

I sold my PLV-70 and bought a new PLV-75 mainly to upgrade to the DVI HDCP and be able to run my HDMI switchers into it.
I must say, it was a great move. The new PLV-75 has taken everything with copy protection that I have thrown at it! The Toshiba HD-DVD looks incredible via HDMI on a 140" screen at 1080i. It's 2200 lumens bright, superb color and stunning.

If you trade up to the PLV-75, and sell your older PLV-70, it's just a grand or so, not a full $4300.oo as buying it from start up would be.

Plus you get a lot of "tweaks" that are much better than the older model.
The PLV-75 remote is MUCH improved. The on screen menus are better designed. I have had no problems with it from the start and I've been running it daily for two months now.

They changed the bulb, so we MIGHT even get more hours now....

Flashcube

Sorry guys you are confusing me... That is not hard to do. Are you saying that if I was to buy a HD-DVD and hook it up to the DVI connection it wouldn't work, or it wouldn't work after 2011 when they start implementing HDCP?

It won't work over DVI, but will work over component.

I'm not dying, but I have put my 20HD (PLV70) up for sale. It still has brightness going for it, and I have a Cygnus IMX for it (a vey wortwhile upgrade for these PJs in my opinion). But some time in the next year or so I am going to go full HD and higher contrast, probably with a Pearl or the Mits 5000.

I will definitely miss the brightness, but i have ended up watching movies only after dark so consistently that my lack of light control is a non-issue. I'll probably suffer with one of these dim new-fangled HD oil lamps for a while until Ohlson's dream become reality.

BB

Oh, I remember now
:p

Its what I have that you formerly had (although the Bravo D1 is long gone).

It won't work over DVI, but will work over component.

I have put my 20HD (PLV70) up for sale.

BB

Maybe I should buy it BB, just so JMike can't upgrade :), although I miss the whining.

Seems to me it would be a lot less expensive to spend around $300 to "enable" DVI for the HD DVD player than spend $4-5k and get exactly the same results from the new improved (?) Sanyo, yes ?

Sorry guys you are confusing me... That is not hard to do. Are you saying that if I was to buy a HD-DVD and hook it up to the DVI connection it wouldn't work, or it wouldn't work after 2011 when they start implementing HDCP?
Hi Baird,
Right, the Sanyo won't accept an HDCP encrypted HDMI/DVI signal...unless you add an 1x2 distribution amp (12p) in-line. If you do your all set for just about any HDMI/DVI input device and their all digital path benifits.

Hi Baird,
Right, the Sanyo won't accept an HDCP encrypted HDMI/DVI signal...unless you add an 1x2 distribution amp (12p) in-line. If you do your all set for just about any HDMI/DVI input device and their all digital path benifits.

Now you are really losing me!!!
I am guessing a 1x2 distribution amp amplifies the signal to distribute it to two points.
Why would that fix the problem?

Now you are really losing me!!!
I am guessing a 1x2 distribution amp amplifies the signal to distribute it to two points.
Why would that fix the problem?

:) not for us to ask why, just accept the fact that it does .. "fix" the problem.

"Are the Sanyo PLV-70 owners a dying breed?"

Shoot, I am still using an XP-21N. Although the PLV-75 might finally push me to upgrade.

i retired my 21N in January and bought a z4. the z4 has much better picture quality and i don't really notice the brightness loss as i'm using a hipower screen with the z4 vs. a studiotek 130 with the 21N. now i'm waiting on 1080p.

"I really don't notice the brightness loss as I'm using the HiPower screen with the Z4"
................

Well, you sure would notice "Brightness Loss" if you had the HiPower to begin with.

I've been feeling less bright for a year now. I don't know if it's my age or my lamp. Or my smartass kid.

BB

It won't work over DVI, but will work over component.

I'm not dying, but I have put my 20HD (PLV70) up for sale. It still has brightness going for it, and I have a Cygnus IMX for it (a vey wortwhile upgrade for these PJs in my opinion). But some time in the next year or so I am going to go full HD and higher contrast, probably with a Pearl or the Mits 5000.

I will definitely miss the brightness, but i have ended up watching movies only after dark so consistently that my lack of light control is a non-issue. I'll probably suffer with one of these dim new-fangled HD oil lamps for a while until Ohlson's dream become reality.

BB
--------
Brandon:
Before you sell your 20HD, I suggest you try plugging in the Toshiba HD-DVD player using the 1080i through the component. It looks great through both component and DVI/hdmi! The quality of the signal uncompressed out of the HD-DVD player and the brightness of the 20HD/PLV-70 is just astounding.
I had the PLV-70 and fought the HDCP and upgraded to the PLV-75.
The projector is basically the same box. It has the same 2200 lumens, but upgraded the HDCP and new remote features plus new onscreen menus.

Flashcube

"I really don't notice the brightness loss as I'm using the HiPower screen with the Z4"
................

Well, you sure would notice "Brightness Loss" if you had the HiPower to begin with.

except that my retinas would've been burned so badly that i wouldn't be able to see anything anyway. :)

Not selling it because of the image quality with hidef. I want more contrast. Everything else (except the 50%+ drop in brightness) is just icing.

BB

Good point about the HD-DVD player. I have one now but I'm actually not at home to even try it. Due to a number of reasons I didn't run a component cable to my projector. I ran VGA and DVI. In regards to the Toshiba HD-DVD player, does anyone know if I can simply use a cable adapter to go from Component to VGA and then from my distribution amp to my projector (via VGA) OR do you need a transcoder?

Hey guys, I just found out that if you upgrade from the Sanyo PLV-70 up to the PLV-75 to get HDCP compatibilty, you can still use your older projection bulbs. I had two backups and thought I couldn't use them anymore after I sold my PLV-70. Even though Sanyo changed the THP bulb number, the old bulb in the PLV-70 is the exact same one that fits in the newer PLV-75. For what it's worth.

So the rumors that it's a new and improved bulb are false, BUT, I'm still getting anywhere from 1,000 hrs to 1800 hrs on most of them.
I've got to admit, it's so bright I can't complain. The rebuilt lamps are sometimes giving me 1,000 hrs, but are less preditable than a brand new factory bulb.

Any other PLV-75 owners out there getting any longer run times???

Flashcube

JP,
I feel your resolution. But stay away from the analog side of this pj, it's ugly compared to the digital.

Im driving one with dual Nvidia 8800s with core2 and 3 15k Fijitsus in a raid zero serialed to dual LSI SAS 512 meg controllers. It's using a TCPIP gigabit connect to dual 4 terabyte dvd servers out in the office, both also in raid zero.

The new nividia's control panel will allow you to run non std digital resolutions as long as the projector will accept them. Ive found about 4 that work.

I too have been wanting to go to 1920 but dont want to lose that 2200 lumens. Also thought about using "Just for Men" to get the grey out on the margins.

Have you ever wondered if those two little side filters are keeping it clean? I put a small hepa filter in the pj room, blowing right on the intakes... just in case.

The thing just seems to always work, when the upgrade comes Ive got 2 movie buff friends who want to steal it.
Hibo

What's a PLV-70?
Never forget your beginnings... :)

Never forget your beginnings... :)

No respect...no respect...beginnings actually = PLV-60 :p.
Mine's been running strong for 6 years. ;)

Retirement for the old boy is slowly approaching though(RS-1).

No respect...no respect...beginnings actually = PLV-60 :p.
Mine's been running strong for 6 years. ;)

Retirement for the old boy is slowly approaching though(RS-1).


My thoughts exactly...my SE 13HD (PLV-60 clone) has given me over 5 years of enjoyment. My extended warranty, which I never had to use, just expired.

The RS-1 is calling

Kevin

My thoughts exactly...my SE 13HD (PLV-60 clone) has given me over 5 years of enjoyment. My extended warranty, which I never had to use, just expired.
Kevin

Kevin:
I agree, they are great machines. I started with the PLV-60, never had any problems with it, traded for a PLV-70, ran it solid for two years and MANY bulbs and six months ago HAD to go to a PLV-75 for the HDCP. If you have to make the upgrade you will love it because they did on screen menu enhancements, improved the remote (now backlit) and other minor updates.
I have not found any signals yet that will not pass through the HDMI converted to their DVI connector with HDCP. I have five HDMI components (MovieBeam, HD-DVD, Dish Network 942 etc. all going into a Zektor switcher and into the Sanyo PLV-75 and it all works great.... my only LITTLE complaint is that with the HDCP added, it slows down switching back and forth about 2 seconds, compared to instant without HDCP.

Anyway, long live the PLV series! I love the 2200 lumens brightness and am thrilled with the HD-DVD output into it on a 140" screen.

flashcube

Another hugely satisfied owner here.
It's lack of HDCP isn't worrying me. For HDDVD/BluRay, playback via my HTPC (and if necessary ripping to hard disk first) will probably bypass any protection.

I don't think broadcast HDTV is being HDCP protected yet. If and when it does, I can add an HDCP stripper for minimal outlay - afaik they aren't illegal here in England.


As for us dying out...well maybe we are getting upgradeitis. Because we've been enjoying gorgeous images for over 5 years now, we're thinking, surely things must have moved on by now?
But the fact is all similarly-specced 1080p options are STILL over double the price we paid for our PLV-70s. I do want 1080p but won't go near anything that's less colourful/sharp/bright...where's my PLV-90, Sanyo? There's lots of us waiting it seems.

Even though I've been happy with my 13hd/plv-60 for all these years...the notion of good contrast with blacker blacks sure does sound good. Plus since moving up to a 133" screen the sde became fairly noticeable from my front row compared to the 118" screen I ran previously. Though to be fair I knew I'd be upgrading to a 1080 projector soon when I bought the 133" screen back in the early fall.
Not seeing any sde from less 15' on such a large screen is nearly impossible for a 720-768 rez pj (unless a panny with smooth screen).

But like others have said...where's sanyo's bright 1080p PLV units?.?. I can't even recall any bright semi-affordable 1080 pj's that have even been announced. So come on Sanyo...PLV brightness + 1080 resolution = the answer to many pj users dreams. :D

I have the HDCP "fix" for the bulb eater. Its been a good machine and I just cleaned the panels. With a new bulb...I still like the image. However, when I run HDMI to the unit (off of my dbs receiver set to out 720p/1080i) I get an interesting blue line of pixels on the top of the screen (couple of rows of pixels). Is this because the resolution of the projector is actually 768?

Is there a "fix" in the menu for this scaling issue or does one have to purchase an outboard scaler to get the 768 resolution dialed in (ie does the unit not accurately scale a digital signal).

Set the background in the plv-70 to black

so i'm losing some resolution on the top? No fix? Set to black and zoom out image?

What's a PLV-70?
If I recall, it's that projector you used to own that you'd post some pissed off thread about every week or two such as "I sent the damn thing back for service and it's not better" or "I can't get rid of this damn green hue" or "I'm going to break this thing in two" (OK, I made the last one up).

a good cleaning perhaps?
Mine went into the shop once...but for a different reason...when I first got it my kids were playing in the theater and one of them hit it with a bat.



I live in Silverdale show I showed up at Boxlight and they kinda' hmmmphd and then fixed it....seemed to be a factor flaw in the unit.....kinda' damaged power supply etc I told them to quit selling inferior products......

:}

Mine is still working great

Guys.... I haven't had to clean my PLV-75 yet, but there is a set of full instructions somewhere on this site that a member published on how to do a PLV-70 cleaning. It's three pages of carefully thought out procedures...
I've done it only one time, and it worked ok for me, but took about an hour to perform. In the instructions are thoughts on adding filters to the sides to prefilter and prevent future cleanings.
If anyone needs the info, let me know and I will try and link you to that area.

Flashcube.

(PS can anyone give me any estimates as to how many hours they are getting on PLV-70 bulbs? thanks!)

(PS can anyone give me any estimates as to how many hours they are getting on PLV-70 bulbs? thanks!)1850 hours on one, about 1300-1600 on three others. But only 650 on the current one which is already on it's way out :(

One of them exploded; you're treated to quite an impressive bang when UHP lamps go that way.

I have the HDCP "fix" for the bulb eater. Its been a good machine and I just cleaned the panels. With a new bulb...I still like the image. However, when I run HDMI to the unit (off of my dbs receiver set to out 720p/1080i) I get an interesting blue line of pixels on the top of the screen (couple of rows of pixels). Is this because the resolution of the projector is actually 768?

Is there a "fix" in the menu for this scaling issue or does one have to purchase an outboard scaler to get the 768 resolution dialed in (ie does the unit not accurately scale a digital signal).

Blue pixels on the top of the screen is new to me. I've only heard of them at the bottom and this will always occur if you have 1:1 pixel mapping locked in. In my case a run a HTPC which outputs 1360 x 768 and is known to be a good resolution for 1:1 pixel mapping. The image is razor sharp at this resolution but I do have a blue line of pixels at the very bottom of the screen each time I use the resolution. This was fairly well documented by others on this forum.

Maybe his projector is inverted. :)

BB

If I recall, it's that projector you used to own that you'd post some pissed off thread about every week or two such as "I sent the damn thing back for service and it's not better" or "I can't get rid of this damn green hue" or "I'm going to break this thing in two" (OK, I made the last one up).
You haven't seen me post negative stuff on my current projector . . . ;)

My thoughts exactly...my SE 13HD (PLV-60 clone) has given me over 5 years of enjoyment. My extended warranty, which I never had to use, just expired.

The RS-1 is calling

Kevin

I'm also still getting good use out of my PLV-60 I bought back in 2002 (and the for the $4500 I paid for it, I intend to use it until it goes dark). However, if the bulb does go, I am thinking of just getting a new projector rather than paying $400-$500 for a new assembly in a machine that is 5 years old and only capable of 1080i-50 or 1080i-60.

Any recommendations for when that day comes??

Guys! Me too, me too! I've owned a PLV-60 for about five years (only on my second bulb) and haven't regretting a moment.

But, I recently blacked out my home theater and the poor contrast level are pushing me toward a new machine as well. I can afford the RS-1, but without a vertical stretch mode, I'm not sure if I really want it. (I've always wanted to try a constant height image at 2.35:1.)

So, a dying breed? YES! But, we're still pretty big in regards to numbers!

Guys! Me too, me too! I've owned a PLV-60 for about five years (only on my second bulb) and haven't regretting a moment.

But, I recently blacked out my home theater and the poor contrast level are pushing me toward a new machine as well. I can afford the RS-1, but without a vertical stretch mode, I'm not sure if I really want it. (I've always wanted to try a constant height image at 2.35:1.)

So, a dying breed? YES! But, we're still pretty big in regards to numbers!

And will be big in regards to numbers for some time yet I suspect.
I would love to upgrade to 1920 and a higher contrast output. In truth I would have thought I would have spent the money a long way back but there still doesn't appear to be anything on the horizion (for less than the cost of a small house) that will deliver the same amount of light onto my 4 meter wide constant height screen.

I just don't see the point in downsizing to a smaller screen and would miss the pleasure of watching visitors reactions when they come into the home theater and are confronted with a large 2.34 screen filled with bright glorious color!

I really don't understand why it is taking so long for a 1920 version of the light producing and price of the plv-70. Is there a technical issue that the manufacturers can't overcome easily?

I have had a PLV-60 that I bought used for 2 years now and it continues to chug along and still have not changed the bulb (well over 2K hours on it). I just love the brightness and for sports in hi-def and the sort its image is awesome including gaming which definitely needs the brightness. I would love to see a 1080P projector that has the light output these big Sanyos have. The HDCP is not an issue since I can run the Xbox through VGA. Might be interested in getting a nice used PLV-70 though.

so, when you go to digital input, most of our output devices today do not perfectly map this resolution (1368). they are 1080 i, 720 p, etc. which leaves a row (or two) of pixels. how do i set the projector to eliminate these unused portion of pixels?

have you found that the 1:1 pixel mapping is beneficial? have you set the projector to process and compared the two. how do you do that (in the menu)?

at one time, i had purchased a cheap dvd player that had the exact output resolution of my projector. the picture was noticably better than component.

aside from a separate video processor, i can't find "native" source devices (certainly not sat boxes).

I have both a PLV 60 and 70
When a lamp blows on one I switch to the other, till a new lamp comes in. I'm wondering what anyone's opinion of the differences between these projectors is?
I'm thinking the 60 is better:
Bigger picture for a fixed throw distance
better color, or is it a bad replace lamp?

Peter