A few things related to Sanyo Z5 if someone could please help out. I am looking to buy the Z5, and a new Carada 106"screen. I will use them in our current place for about a year and then have a more opportune setup in the new place. Currently I plan to use the projector on the floor, under a table, where I used to have my old one. In the next place I will mount it from the ceiling.

In the next place I believe I will be able to place the projector far enough back to be at an optimum distance to the 106" screen I want to buy. Based on the projectory calculator that appears to be a little over 21 feet. For now though I can only place it on the floor and 11 feet back. So if I want to fill the 106" screen then I have to full 2X zoom on.

The current room only has large partially shaded windows at the opposite end of the room as where the screen will be. So there is some ambient light during the day.

So my questions:

1. Will I have any problem projecting from the floor upwards with the Z5?

2. I dont need to have perfection, but will I lose alot of noticeable picture quality by using 2X zoom?

3. For the 106" screen, what gain would you recommend? From the choices below it looks like choice #2, Brilliant Lite with a 1.4 gain, is best for me, but opinions?

Classic Cinema White Screen Material

Our Classic Cinema White screen material provides an exceptionally wide angle of view, helping to maintain a consistent image from different seating areas. It has a gain of 1.0, and is most suitable for dedicated theaters with good ambient light control.
Brilliant White

Our Brilliant White screen material has a gain of 1.4 for that extra bit of punch, with a minimal decrease in viewing angle. It is also a thicker, more opaque gauge of vinyl than our Classic Cinema White. With its higher gain, it is a good option for dimmer projectors, or in environments with some ambient light such as boardrooms or churches.
High Contrast Grey

Our High Contrast Grey screen material has a gain of 0.8, and can improve your image’s contrast by lowering the black levels. This material is a good option for digital projectors with less than spectacular contrast ratios.

4. I understand that the bigger the projected picture the less brightness. During the day there is some ambient light where we are now. So, can I simply make the projected image smaller (less zoom) during the day, giving me a smaller but bright enough picture that only fills part of the screen. Then at night, in total darkness I can use the zoom again to see the larger picture.

If this works, then is the zoom control easy to use? Is that controlled on the remote?

Thanks in advance!

1. That depends on how high your screen will be. If you put the Z5 on the floor, you will be using all, if not almost all of the vertical lens shift - which means that you may get some lens distortion. You would be better off putting the Z5 on a low table (coffee table, maybe?). I have my PJ (not a Z5) on a shelf in back of my couch - that puts the PJ a little further (12.5') from my 106" screen (my seating position is 11.5' from the screen).

2. Ambient light will kill the contrast, regardless of what PJ you have. Increasing the PJs brightness (lamp power or other PJ settings) will also not give you as good PQ, but it will be watcheable. There is very little difference in PQ between max zoom and min zoom - much less effect than using maximum lens shift.

3. The only choice for the Z5 is the Carada Brilliant White screen. Anything else will be too dark. At 106", you need all the screen gain you can get. Windows opposite the screen doesn't help either.

4. Yes you could zoom out to make the picture smaller and that will make it brighter (for daytime viewing). With windows opposite the screen (the worst that you can have), you really need to look for some way to cover them so as to block out most of the incoming light (black-out curtains, heavy drapes, thick blinds, etc.).

The zoom is manual and, therefore, not on the remote. All of the low cost PJs have manual zooms. The zoom is easy to adjust, it's a tab on the lens (see http://www.projectorreviews.com/Manufacturers/sanyo/PLVZ5/index.asp). With the PJ on the floor (in front of you?) it will not be that convenient. Since my PJ is right over my shoulder, I can just reach behind me and easily adjust the zoom.