PLV-Z2 projector, should I use the zoom to fill a bigger screen ? (1 Viewer)

[Nancy Parr]

Hi!

I own a Sanyo PLV-Z2 720p projector and the screen is a 110" 16:9 DIY screen. The projector is placed at about 14'3" from the screen so I do not have to use the zoom to fill the screen. I'm upgrading the screen to a bigger one (about 125"). My question is, should I place the projector at 16'3" so it will fill the new screen without having to use the projector zoom or should I just let the projector at its actual place and use the zoom to fill the new screen (the magnification factor would then be at about 1.14) ? Moving the projector implies that I will have to buy a longer DVI cable $$$ (the actual DVI cable is 15’ long).

Personally I think that I should put the projector at 16'3" and avoid to use the zoom because zooming is never a good thing for picture quality but on the other hand a longer cable is also bad for PQ so what should I do ? I would like to have your point of view in that issue.

Thanks!

 

[Gerald LaFrance]

I would put the Projector at 16'3" and use a high End DVI cable From RAM they claim "cable capable of displaying High Definition Video in lengths of up to 50 feet."

How do you like the Z2 any pros or cons???


here is the link :

http://www.ramelectronics.net/html/DVI_cables.html

 

[Nancy Parr]

Thanks Gerald for the answer and for the link.

I've check the link and their DVI-D cables are not very expensive. My only concern is that they are DVI-D cables and the Z2 has a DVI-I port. I do not know what is the difference between a DVI-I cable and a DVI-D cable. The Z2 has a DVI-I input. So I'm not sure if these cables can fit. I'll write them, I'm sure they will say if their cables fit my needs.

Sanyo PLV-Z2 (pros and cons according to me, should I mention that I’m not a specialist).

Pros. :
-Easy to install and to set-up.
-Beautiful picture quality.
-The vertical and horizontal lens shift is extraordinary and you can nearly place the projector anywhere in the room and still get a great picture without having to use the keystone correction.

Cons.
-I find it to be sensible to dust. For example in two years I had to open it twice in order clean the LCD panels (using a compressed air can).
-In high lamp I find it a little bit too noisy.

Here is a picture of my modest Home Theater room (with my new 125" DIY screen).

 

[Gerald LaFrance]

WOW that is a really NICE setup you have there Is that paint on the walls or Fabric on it??? I also here that a Grey screen is a Plus with the Z2 for better black levels.


here is something I grabbed off another forum member when I was researching the difference in the DVI cables:

So there are 3 types of DVI sockets and plugs:
DVI-D: digital only
DVI-A: analog only (same as VGA signalling, different layout)
DVI-I: both digital and analog

A DVI-D plug can fit into a DVI-D or DVI-I socket.
A DVI-A plug can fit into a DVI-A or DVI-I socket.
A DVI-I plug can only fit into a DVI-I socket

But I would call and see what they have for cables there was other DVI cables but they we're for longer runs the one I linked for you!

I am buying from RAM they have very High Quality cables and are reasonably priced, I am still NOT sure which Sanyo Projector I'll be getting, but it will be one of the Z series for sure!!

 

[Nancy Parr]

Thanks!

On the lower part of the walls I put some soundboards called Sonopan (they are green panels sold as 4' x 8' x 3/4") and I covered them with ozite carpet (also green). I also put ozite carpet (black one there) on the wall where I put the screen.

Thanks for all the info you provided about DVI cables.

 

[Gerald LaFrance]

Your Welcome Glad I could Help!! Do you have a link to your Home Theater???

 

[Nancy Parr]

No link for now. In the future I'll try to create a web site on which I'll talk about my two expensive passions : Home Theater and Porsche.

You are right about gray screens, they really improve the black and the dark scenes. On the other hand the white will be whiter on a white screen than on a gray one. I think it's a matter of choice between a whiter white or a blacker black. One day if I buy a professional screen it will be a gray one, but my actual DIY screen is white (made with blackout cloth) and the one I’m actually building will be white too but this one will be construct with real screen material instead of blackout cloth (which gives good results too).