Sanyo XP30 Impressions
Features:
The XP30 has 1024 x 768 native resolution, is rated at 3000 Ansi Lumens, has MLA technology and a 700:1 contrast rating. It has all the inputs one would want, including component, RGBHV, RGB 15 pin, DVI and S-video. It has aspect control for 16:9 material in video mode and has a digital zoom function for custom display (although I wouldn’t suggest using it). It also has lens shift for easy set up and shifting between 16:9 and 4:3 material. Unfortunately, control for lens shift is not included on the remote. The unit uses the same type of lamp found in the PLV60, NSH, as opposed to the UHP lamp found in the XP18N and XP21N. The lamp is 250 watts and is rated at 2000 hours.
Source Material:
1. NTSC Canadian satellite signal through Svideo.
2. DVD
Equipment:
1. 52†x 92†1.3 gain screen;
2. Pioneer DV-37 component output (interlaced) to Quadscan Pro component input through hi res output on Quadscan to XP30 RGB 15 input;
3. Pioneer DV-37 component output (progressive) directly to XP30 component input;
4. HTPC, using an ATI Radeon VE video card RGB 15 output to XP30 RGB 15 input, using Power DVD software; and
5. Satellite receiver S-video output directly to XP30 S-video input.
Performance
The XP30 has impressive light output. Although my theatre has total control over ambient light, there was little picture degradation when the room was well lit. My room does not permit direct sunlight so I cannot comment on how well the XP30 would perform under that condition.
Colour reproduction on this unit is outstanding, a true strong point for this projector. Contrast is also excellent and combined with colour reproduction results in an almost 3 dimensional image when good source material is fed into it.
The internal processor is good resulting in little, if any, motion artefacts through Svideo, Component or RGB inputs. The processor is much better than the one in the PLV60.
Black level is good for a projector rated at 3000 ansi lumens. It is of course not CRT or DILA black but was certainly adequate for my criteria and no worse than the PLV60. The high contrast ratio certainly helps. See pics below to decide for yourself.
The unit is very quiet. It was sitting only a few feet in front of me (its fan blows out through the rear) and its low frequency hum did not interfere with my listening enjoyment.
There was one dust blob on the demonstration unit that was only noticeable as a blue blob on a black background without source material. I did not notice this blob while source material was played, even during dark scenes. It does not seem to have the dust problems the PLV60 appears to have.
The only thing I can say negatively about this projector is screen door/graininess. Note that I was not using the ideal screen for this demo. I suspect that a greyhawk or similar screen would reduce this problem. I found that calibration, source material and equipment made a significant difference here. For some reason, the quadscan yielded the greatest amount of screen door. The progressive component signal yielded considerably less and the HTPC feed yielded the least. Of course, the worse the source the greater the perceived screen door/graininess. The XP30 gives the user control over individual colour, brightness, contrast and sharpness in both computer and video mode. A careful adjustment of these settings will result in a significant decrease of perceived screen door, be it as noise graininess, screen door or otherwise, resulting in an enjoyable picture.
From a seating distance of approximately 15 feet, I was able to completely eliminate screen door with the exception of extreme bright scenes, where it was minimal. At 12 feet or less screen door became more apparent.
Sample Pictures
I have posted some of the pictures I have taken, hopefully demonstrating some of my impressions. The caption will indicate what the source or equipment for that image was. If anyone is interested I have more pics that I would be happy to E-mail. To view, please refer to the following link:
http://albums.photopoint.com/j/Album...260&a=13373408
Conclusion
I was extremely impressed with DVD material. This projector is capable of producing exceptional images.
I was less impressed with the XP30s handling of satellite images through its Svideo input, as it appeared “softâ€. This is partially as a result of my viewing the excellent DVD images through the component and RGB inputs, the inferior Svideo connection and partially as a result of the Canadian satellite feed which appears washed out compared to its U.S. counterpart (probably as a result of different compression technology). The images were certainly watchable and I have included a picture of the satellite feed at the above link. The XP30’s internal processor, however, did an excellent job scaling the Svideo feed, directly from the satellite receiver.
Unfortunately I do not have access to HDTV material and was not able to acquire a DVI cable. I expect that the results here would even be more impressive.
If you are extremely sensitive to screen door or have to sit within 12 feet of the screen the XP30 may not be for you. I would definitely choose this unit over the PLV60. I would also choose this unit over the DILA units because, for me, the increased cost of replacing the expensive, short-lived bulbs, noise and excessive heat does not outweigh the slight improvement of the image and higher resolution. The difficulty for me however, is whether to wait for the 16 x 9 DLP units with the new RGBRGB colour wheel (ie. Sharp) or the upcoming LCOS units.
The XP30 would certainly benefit from a Greyhawk screen and if compatible, a panamorph lens. It may benefit from the IMX processor.
If you have any questions I would be happy to help, if I can.
Brian
http://albums.photopoint.com/j/Album...260&a=13373408
Features:
The XP30 has 1024 x 768 native resolution, is rated at 3000 Ansi Lumens, has MLA technology and a 700:1 contrast rating. It has all the inputs one would want, including component, RGBHV, RGB 15 pin, DVI and S-video. It has aspect control for 16:9 material in video mode and has a digital zoom function for custom display (although I wouldn’t suggest using it). It also has lens shift for easy set up and shifting between 16:9 and 4:3 material. Unfortunately, control for lens shift is not included on the remote. The unit uses the same type of lamp found in the PLV60, NSH, as opposed to the UHP lamp found in the XP18N and XP21N. The lamp is 250 watts and is rated at 2000 hours.
Source Material:
1. NTSC Canadian satellite signal through Svideo.
2. DVD
Equipment:
1. 52†x 92†1.3 gain screen;
2. Pioneer DV-37 component output (interlaced) to Quadscan Pro component input through hi res output on Quadscan to XP30 RGB 15 input;
3. Pioneer DV-37 component output (progressive) directly to XP30 component input;
4. HTPC, using an ATI Radeon VE video card RGB 15 output to XP30 RGB 15 input, using Power DVD software; and
5. Satellite receiver S-video output directly to XP30 S-video input.
Performance
The XP30 has impressive light output. Although my theatre has total control over ambient light, there was little picture degradation when the room was well lit. My room does not permit direct sunlight so I cannot comment on how well the XP30 would perform under that condition.
Colour reproduction on this unit is outstanding, a true strong point for this projector. Contrast is also excellent and combined with colour reproduction results in an almost 3 dimensional image when good source material is fed into it.
The internal processor is good resulting in little, if any, motion artefacts through Svideo, Component or RGB inputs. The processor is much better than the one in the PLV60.
Black level is good for a projector rated at 3000 ansi lumens. It is of course not CRT or DILA black but was certainly adequate for my criteria and no worse than the PLV60. The high contrast ratio certainly helps. See pics below to decide for yourself.
The unit is very quiet. It was sitting only a few feet in front of me (its fan blows out through the rear) and its low frequency hum did not interfere with my listening enjoyment.
There was one dust blob on the demonstration unit that was only noticeable as a blue blob on a black background without source material. I did not notice this blob while source material was played, even during dark scenes. It does not seem to have the dust problems the PLV60 appears to have.
The only thing I can say negatively about this projector is screen door/graininess. Note that I was not using the ideal screen for this demo. I suspect that a greyhawk or similar screen would reduce this problem. I found that calibration, source material and equipment made a significant difference here. For some reason, the quadscan yielded the greatest amount of screen door. The progressive component signal yielded considerably less and the HTPC feed yielded the least. Of course, the worse the source the greater the perceived screen door/graininess. The XP30 gives the user control over individual colour, brightness, contrast and sharpness in both computer and video mode. A careful adjustment of these settings will result in a significant decrease of perceived screen door, be it as noise graininess, screen door or otherwise, resulting in an enjoyable picture.
From a seating distance of approximately 15 feet, I was able to completely eliminate screen door with the exception of extreme bright scenes, where it was minimal. At 12 feet or less screen door became more apparent.
Sample Pictures
I have posted some of the pictures I have taken, hopefully demonstrating some of my impressions. The caption will indicate what the source or equipment for that image was. If anyone is interested I have more pics that I would be happy to E-mail. To view, please refer to the following link:
http://albums.photopoint.com/j/Album...260&a=13373408
Conclusion
I was extremely impressed with DVD material. This projector is capable of producing exceptional images.
I was less impressed with the XP30s handling of satellite images through its Svideo input, as it appeared “softâ€. This is partially as a result of my viewing the excellent DVD images through the component and RGB inputs, the inferior Svideo connection and partially as a result of the Canadian satellite feed which appears washed out compared to its U.S. counterpart (probably as a result of different compression technology). The images were certainly watchable and I have included a picture of the satellite feed at the above link. The XP30’s internal processor, however, did an excellent job scaling the Svideo feed, directly from the satellite receiver.
Unfortunately I do not have access to HDTV material and was not able to acquire a DVI cable. I expect that the results here would even be more impressive.
If you are extremely sensitive to screen door or have to sit within 12 feet of the screen the XP30 may not be for you. I would definitely choose this unit over the PLV60. I would also choose this unit over the DILA units because, for me, the increased cost of replacing the expensive, short-lived bulbs, noise and excessive heat does not outweigh the slight improvement of the image and higher resolution. The difficulty for me however, is whether to wait for the 16 x 9 DLP units with the new RGBRGB colour wheel (ie. Sharp) or the upcoming LCOS units.
The XP30 would certainly benefit from a Greyhawk screen and if compatible, a panamorph lens. It may benefit from the IMX processor.
If you have any questions I would be happy to help, if I can.
Brian
http://albums.photopoint.com/j/Album...260&a=13373408
