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Sanyo PLV-Z5 upgade and exchange questions

post #1 of 14
12/27/06 at 11:35pm
Thread Starter 
I hate posting questions because I feel like they probably have already been asked. I searched the forums for my answers, but I didn't find what I was looking for. Sorry if I missed it.

After many happy years with my Panasonic PT-L300U I think I have decided to upgrade to the Sanyo Z5. My first question is to the people who have owned the 300U. Because it only has 540 lines I feel like I'm missing out on some of the picture when I'm watching my HD-DVD's. Will having the extra 180 lines in the Z5 make a decent difference in the picture? I know the contrast and brightness will be better, but I'm just talking about PQ. The 300U scales the 1080 picture really well, but wouldn't having an extra 180 lines make the picture decently better... or not? Also, I'm a little worried about buying the Sanyo because of the no exchange policy they have. Has anyone experienced a DOA Z5 or one with defective LCD's (or some other problem)? How long did it take to get it fixed by Sanyo? Part of me really wants to do this upgrade because I love new toys. The other part of me is telling me that the PQ won't be that much better and to hold on to what I have. I have read on these forums some people saying their upgrade from the 300u to the Z5 wasn't very big. Others have said that it's a huge upgrade. I would hate to sink this much cash into the upgrade and not be a big upgrade. Thoughts? Thanks for the help!!!
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post #2 of 14
12/28/06 at 2:51am
Here is an interesting thread from a member has upgraded.

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showt...ighlight=ae300
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post #3 of 14
12/28/06 at 12:37pm
Thread Starter 
Thanks for the link. I actually had read that already. That's what started my doubt about the upgrade in the first place. The dealer says that if the Sanyo comes broken or damaged that I can exchange it with them within the first 72 hours... if it's due to shipping. I'm waiting on a response from them to find out exactly how I prove shipping caused the problem in the first place. Anybody else have some thoughts on this?
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post #4 of 14
12/29/06 at 1:18am
Thread Starter 
Well... I got another response from my dealer and now they say that I must go through Sanyo to fix any problem I have with the projector. I'm guessing everything will be fine if I order it, but it sucks that Sanyo doesn't let the dealer exchange units. They said that Sanyo normally has a 72 hour turn around, so that isn't so bad.

Any other thoughts on the upgrade? Like I said before, many people have said it's a big upgrade from the 300u to the Z5, but many others have said it's only a small upgrade. How much of a diffrence will I see with the extra 180 lines?
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post #5 of 14
12/29/06 at 5:49am
Not sure who your dealer is, but I bought from PP. They tested my Z5 to make sure it was not DOA, that there were no dead pixels, and no blur free of charge. HTH

Brad
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post #6 of 14
12/29/06 at 12:30pm
Thread Starter 
The dealer I'm looking at going to is VA. I got my 300U from them and I've only heard good things about them. However, I don't think they will test. So I might have to check out PP.
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post #7 of 14
12/30/06 at 10:44am
I really like my Z5; however, based on other posts it seems if you get a lemon Sanyo isn't the easiest company to deal with and you have to deal with them directly when a problem does arise. I figured ordering it from a vendor that will at least filter out the initial problems (they only have it on around ten minutes) was worth it.
Good luck with whatever you decide.
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post #8 of 14
12/30/06 at 3:43pm
Thread Starter 
At this point I've decided not to worry about what condition the Z5 comes in. One way or another I'll get it taken care of I guess. My only worry now is if I should even DO the upgrade. I like my current projector just fine. The only reason I am even thinking about the upgrade is that with only 540 lines on the screen I keep thinking to myself that I'm missing a lot of the HD-DVD expereince. I wish Best Buy sold it. That way if I got it and it wasn't much better than what I have now I could return it for free!
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post #9 of 14
12/31/06 at 6:30pm
I cant seem to find the offical Z5 thread...so I willpost here.

It seems the panny is more discussed than the Sanyo PLV-Z5 projector. Projector Central gives both the Panny Ax100u and Sanyo Z5 projectors 5 stars across the board.

Can someone here tell me why I shouldnt by the Panny?
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post #10 of 14
1/2/07 at 12:23am
Quote:
Originally Posted by kezug View Post

I cant seem to find the offical Z5 thread...so I willpost here.

It seems the panny is more discussed than the Sanyo PLV-Z5 projector. Projector Central gives both the Panny Ax100u and Sanyo Z5 projectors 5 stars across the board.

Can someone here tell me why I shouldnt by the Panny?


Buy the Panny! I can tell you firsthand about the nightmares of Sanyo service. It's simply not worth the headaches.

If you are determined to go with the Sanyo, get it through someone like Projector People to help minimize warranty headaches.
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post #11 of 14
1/5/07 at 2:00pm
My Z-5 had a problem on arrival that the auto lens cover would not close(was jamming). Dealer called Sanyo Canada and the dealer replaced my unit in a few days...I had even put about 30 hours or so on the unit.

Just a further note regarding warranty and service work, Samsung were real horrible to deal with when my Dvd player AND 42" Widescreen both packed it in within days of each other...both under warranty. Seems to me that most of these companies don't want to know when it breaks.
Also, did you know that Sony will not even sell you parts or a service center for that matter for any product 7 years or older, not that an SXRD is likely to even get to 5 years, my neighbours broke after 4 months...disgusting.
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post #12 of 14
1/8/07 at 8:06am
Quote:
Originally Posted by JetJockey1 View Post

My Z-5 had a problem on arrival that the auto lens cover would not close(was jamming). Dealer called Sanyo Canada and the dealer replaced my unit in a few days...I had even put about 30 hours or so on the unit.

Just a further note regarding warranty and service work, Samsung were real horrible to deal with when my Dvd player AND 42" Widescreen both packed it in within days of each other...both under warranty. Seems to me that most of these companies don't want to know when it breaks.
Also, did you know that Sony will not even sell you parts or a service center for that matter for any product 7 years or older, not that an SXRD is likely to even get to 5 years, my neighbours broke after 4 months...disgusting.

Maybe Sanyo Canada doesn't play the same games as Sanyo US. FWIW, I've had great service from Samsung and have tons of Samsung stuff. I've only had to deal with them once or twice as it is rare any of my Samsung stuff ever has a problem.

I've got TV's, DVD players, a fridge, microwave, dishwasher, monitors and lots of other Samsung stuff.

I can also understand Sony not wanting to sell parts on old products but the difference in the Sanyo projectors is that they have a 3 yr warranty and all the repair related problems have been units under warranty still. I'd hate to imagine the nightmare of trying to get something fixed outside of warranty.
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post #13 of 14
1/8/07 at 11:36am
My plv-z3 was in for service for a focus issue and was back within a few days with no hassle from sanyo. I am waiting for the 1080p sanyo projector because of the service I received and their 3 year warranty.
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post #14 of 14
1/28/07 at 12:43pm
Does anyone have the nightmare stories about Sanyo Canada also or are they better. Right now i'm leaning towards a Z5 (vs AX100 or HD7100,HD688) because of the price and free lamp. I'm scared having to deal with Sanyo however.

My main problem with the Optomas, is the offest because of my low ceilings and that the screen is above some cabinets. I can't play with the lower edge of my screen at all. I can't bring it any lower.

I also read some stories about Optoma warranty issues and the whining color wheels. I don't want to get one of those as I am replacing my X1 because of this problem. Infocus wanted $600 even though I had a 5 years extended warranty that apparently only covered labor costs.
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