[1Time]

I plan on buying a Z2 pj but thought I better run this by everyone here first. For the money, would anyone recommend any other pj, or is the Z2 the de facto best buy these days? Thanks!

 

[DaveInBerlinNJ]

After a lot of research here, I finally bought a Z2... and am delighted with my purchase.


No one can absolutely say "this is the best projector for X dollars"... but the Z2 and the Panny 500 are certainly in the sweet spot in this price range. If you prefer DLP, the "soon to be released" 4805 should be a bit cheaper (but without HD resolution).


It's a fun time to be shopping for a projector. Enjoy your search!

 

[madpoet]

Yep. I am a huge fan of my AE500, but as I've said many times I would buy a Z2 if I had it to do over. Not for any difference in picture quality (I actually slightly prefer the 500) but for ease of use features like a longer throw and lens shift.

 

[Grubert]

If you wait just a little you can get the Hitachi TX100 which allegedly trounces both the Z2 and the AE500.

 

[Ericbres]

Quote:

Originally posted by Grubert If you wait just a little you can get the Hitachi TX100 which allegedly trounces both the Z2 and the AE500.

I don't see anywhere where this is slated to be released in America?

It certainly has respectible stats if it is coming here ...


And I would personally take Hitachi's warranty and service support over Sanyo and Panasonic anyday.

 

[madpoet]

Reading the thread, it looks like we might see it in late June or July. No word on MSRP I don't think. And frankly, reading the very limited reveiws, I don't see where it "trounces" the 500 or Z2. It has it's strengths and weaknesses.

 

[dusk]

Agreed, I think we need to hold off our trouncing till a later date. However, given the introduction of the Hitachi in the near term people should perhaps hold onto their money. Improvements in major things like black level/contrast and color reproduction would be welcome given that LCD is often considered inferior to DLP in those areas. I do like the fact that this unit has more flexible optics than Z2 while retaining the lens shift.


My only concern is that this unit probably can't be comfortably used with many of the anamorphic lenses available now. It has too short of a throw at minimum zoom. Although, I wonder if the Hitachi's enormous lens would create a different "sweet spot" for the various anamorphics.

 

[1Time]

Whoa! I'm glad I posted this query. I really had just assumed I'd buy a Z2 but now I believe I will wait a bit.


My set up:

- screen height measured at center: 5'

- pj height: variable from 5' - 7'

- pj distance to screen: 17' (Edit: sorry, it's 15' not 17')

- viewing height: 3'

- viewing distance: 10' - 13'

- total light control


Given my set up is pretty straight forward, I figure this should give me a little more flexibility when it comes to choosing a pj. I'm not sure what's meant by "lens shift" and "anamorphics". Would these be factors I should or would need to consider? I'm mostly concerned with black level/contrast, color reproduction and keeping the cost in the $2K range. Thanks everyone for your help.

 

[JPinTO]

Quote:

Originally posted by madpoet Yep. I am a huge fan of my AE500, but as I've said many times I would buy a Z2 if I had it to do over. Not for any difference in picture quality (I actually slightly prefer the 500) but for ease of use features like a longer throw and lens shift.

I thought that the Z2 & 500 have a very similar throw.

 

[madpoet]

Similar, but the Z2 has the ability to be back about another foot which would make a world of difference with the panamorph.

 

[EvanB]

A world of difference to the Panamorph lens, but what about the ISCO II or Prismasonic horizontal stretch lenses? Any word on those?


I'm looking for constant height, not constant width.


Would the smidge extra throw distance on the Z2 help significantly with those?

 

[madpoet]

No idea, I don't screw with those.

 

[jimmyv]

Quote:

Originally posted by 1Time - pj distance to screen: 17'

With the short throw of the lenses on these projectors, you must be planning on a pretty large screen - 150" or so?

 

[dusk]

jimmyv, hence the TX100 as a fine candidate since at 17' the picture at max zoom would be a good bit less than 150" closer to say 115". The Z2 is currently considered a much better candidate for the anamorphics, especially the H series from prismasonic.

 

[1Time]

Quote:

Originally posted by jimmyv With the short throw of the lenses on these projectors, you must be planning on a pretty large screen - 150" or so?

I just got the tape measure out and checked; it's 15' from the front of the pj to the screen, not 17'. I just guessed 17' and hadn't measured it since last November. Thanks for catching that jimmyv.


Still, you've got me concerned maybe 15' might be too much since I'm considering a screen size that will fit on a 4' x 8' frame. I could always make it a bit larger if necessary or desired, but 150" might be a bit much (unless of course I could get a great picture). That would be something to see only 11" feet away.

 

[madpoet]

You're going to have problems then. Check projectorcentral.com for calculators.

 

[pasang]

Bought a Z2 without previewing it. Was able to preview the panny 500 though and because of all the near identical comparisons I went with the Z2 for a couple reasons. 1)Price in Canada was about $500 cheaper for relatively same product. 2) Ease of set up - lens shift etc.

I am VERY HAPPY with it. 92" inch matte white screen looks awesome!

I researched this whole thing to death and finally took the plunge. You will be happy with this PJ!

 

[jimmyv]

Quote:

Originally posted by 1Time Still, you've got me concerned maybe 15' might be too much since I'm considering a screen size that will fit on a 4' x 8' frame.

My room would require an 18' throw which is what's causing me concern about either the z2 or the L500U and why I raised this flag with you. I've not found the screen calculators madpoet referenced on projectorcentral.com, but, at 15' I think you are still looking at around 120".


I've not seen the z2, but, from the specs and reviews on projectorcentral.com and elsewhere, it seems to be very close to the L500U. I did get to see the L500U vs an Optima H30 and as far as I'm concerned, the L500 walked all over the Optima. It's projects a very nice image.


However, it (and thus the z2) isn't very bright. I'd be concerned with trying to get a satisfactory image greater than 100" in anything but a cave (really blacked out room). Thus, the projector to screen distance is a big concern.


By the way, I was very impressed by how quiet the fan was too, which gets to be an important factor if such things bother you as they do me.

 

[madpoet]

The screen calculators are availalbe under each individual model.

 

[jimmyv]

Quote:

Originally posted by madpoet The screen calculators are availalbe under each individual model.

Neat. That works really nice, and, shows that these really are short throw projectors.