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Sanyo PLV-60 LCD Projector
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My Sanyo PLV-60 was a bit of an impulse buy seeing how I already had an Infocus X1 for video games and stuff. While the Infocus X1 is a great projector for the X-Box or Playstation I always found it rather lacking for PC games. I run a 16:9 screen and running the X1 in that mode only gives you a 800X450 resolution which is quite low. Considering I am not a huge gamer the X1 was serving it's purpose well enough that I didn't worry about it too much but I always try and keep my eye on the classified's and on ebay for good deals. As you have probably gathered, I found a great deal on a Sanyo PLV-60 on craigslist that was just too hard to pass up.
The Sanyo PLV-60 sports a native resolution of 1366x768 which is nearly a 60% increase over the X1 and let me tell you, it makes a big difference. The 1366X768 is also a native 16:9 aspect ratio which is even better, I am not "wasting" any pixels. The PLV-60 is just a superior machine to the X1 in many ways. It has motorized lens shift adjustable via the remote, you can also adjust focus via the remote (a feature I love). The PLV-60 has plenty of inputs available as well. The input panel is on the side and I wish it was on the back but that's just a nit pick. The PLV-60 has the following inputs available: VGA, 5 BNC, S-video, component as well as a serial port and some audio ports. I run everything into my NEC 6010 switcher and then run a single 5 BNC cable from the switcher to the projector. I have my HTPC, my gaming computer, X-box and my PS2 all hooked up to the PLV-60, it works great.
Picture quality is a big jump up from the X1 but still no where close to my Sony G70. It's kind of funny to read some of the reviews of this projector when it first came out and how people were saying that it could be the CRT killer, I don't know what those reviewers were smoking but I would like some. When I first got the PLV-60 after I dialed it in I watched Toy Story 2, which is my reference disc of choice. The PLV-60 puts out a very good image and I can see how many people are extremely happy with it. But to me it still looks very digital and doesn't even come close to the smoothness of the CRT image and lets just not even bring up shadow detail or black levels. For video games, which is almost purely what I use this projector for, this projector rocks the house. I couldn't be happier with the image I am getting for the price that I paid (I got the PLV-60 off craigslist for $400 and it had a brand new bulb in it). I also prefer the LCD to the DLP. With the DLP I would see rainbows and if I watched for a long time it would give me some eye strain. Seeing how the PLV-60 is LCD there are no rainbows and I haven't had any problems with extended viewings.
One very small aspect of the projector that I find pretty cool is the ability to freeze the image. Basically it's like hitting pause but you can do it with any source and there is no text or anything that comes up on screen. Very cool for video games and stuff.
The PLV-60 is not a small projector, it's easily twice as big as the X1 but it's nowhere close to the size of the G70. I was able to get a Chief ceiling mount off of ebay for a bargain and it has been great.
Overall I am extremely happy that I upgraded. The PLV-60 is just a far superior machine to the X1. With the native 16:9 aspect ratio, the 1366 X 768 resolution, more features and connection options I have been very happy with it. If you are looking for a nice used projector I can heartily recommend the Sanyo PLV-60, it's a nice machine.
When I first brought my PLV-60 home it had a few dust blobs on the LCD panels. I wrote up a page about cleaning it which you can find here: Sanyo PLV-60 cleaning
In the market for a LCD projetor? Then check out my LCD Projector store!
Sanyo PLV-60 Specs
MSRP (USD) : $ 4,999Brightness (Lumens) : 1200 ANSI
Contrast (Full On/Off) : 700:1
Variable Iris: No
Audible Noise: 37.0 dB
Weight: 20.3 lbs.
Size (inches) (HxWxD) : 6.5 x 12.4 x 18.8
Std. Lens: Focus: Power
Zoom: Power, 1.30:1
Throw Dist (feet) : Sanyo PLV-60HT Projection Calculator 7.4 - 46.0
Image Size (inches) : 50.0 - 400.0
Optional Lenses: Yes
Digital Zoom: Yes
Keystone Correction: Digital
Lens Shift: Yes
Networking: Wired:
No Wireless: No
Warranty: 3 Years
Performance:
H-Sync Range: 15.0 - 100.0kHz
V-Sync Range: 50 - 100Hz
Compatibility: HDTV: 1035i, 1080i, 720p & 575i
EDTV/480p: Yes
SDTV/480i: Yes
Component Video: Yes
Video: Yes
Digital Input: No
Personal Computers: Yes
Display: Type: 1.4" PolySi LCD (3)
Native: 1366x768 Pixels
Maximum: 1366x768 Pixels
Aspect Ratio: 16:9 (WXGA)
Lamp: Type: 250W NSH
Speakers: 2.0W+ 2.0W
Max Power: 360W
Voltage: 100V - 240V
FCC Class: B
Status: Out of Production
First Ship: Apr 2001
Last Ship: Jan 2004
Sanyo PLV-60 Downloads
Sanyo PLV-60 Owners ManualYou can often find great deals on projectors on eBay. Here are some current auctions on LCD projectors.