Quote:
Sonnie wrote:
 I think the Z5 is actually street priced lower than those others right now. At Projector Central it's running $1295. You can find it shopping around for about $1000-1100. It also has 10,000:1 CR... much higher than those DLP models.
The SP-7210 is an older model and only 2800:1 CR.
The Sharp DT-510 is 4000:1 CR (100 less lumens) and around $1500.
Now the HC1500 is a deal at about $800, but still only 2500:1 CR. I think the Z5 will outperform it picture wise for a couple hundred more dollars. It's 1600 lumens should make it a formidable daytime viewing machine, although my Z4 was very good at daytime (lights on) viewing itself. |
I don't want to spark a whole DLP vs. LCD debate but you are talking about CR numbers using iris technology and "AI" gimmicks measured on flat black vs. flat white scenes (absolute best case scenario). The native CR of the Sanyo (or any LCD) is well below that of a comparable DLP employing even DarkChip2 processing. At the end of the day, the post calibrated CR of a DLP will outperform that of an LCD claiming 5 times better CR ratings even with the iris engaged (see projectorreviews.com reviews on the Panasonic PT-AX100 where Art compares the CR of the Panny to the Mits HC1500). This is one of the reasons why it's very rare to find an ISF calibrator who recommends LCD over DLP unless the user suffers from rainbow effect (very rare on colorwheels 4x or faster).
As for the SP-7210, it comes equipped with an all glass Carl Zeiss lens that justified its' original $6K price tag. You will not find better optics on a sub $3K projector today. It's like comparing the lens of a high-end SLR against a Canon Powershot. They both produce good images but one is in a different league than the other.
The DT-510 can be found at just under $1K if you look around. It too employs an iris but the native contrast is still above that of the Z5.
Last point -- lumens. A properly calibrated projector will require less than 600 lumens in a properly darkened room. If you want to watch something in a room with bright lights, then additional lumens are a good idea. If you're using it in a room with only moderate ambient light and have it properly calibrated, 1000 lumens is more than enough.
Again, I don't want to start any wars on my first day!