My PJ is finally on route!

[Andrew Pratt]

After waiting awhile I finally ordered my projector...the final piece of the theatre room:T

After reading all the reviews over the summer I long since settled on the Sanyo Z1 due to it being 16:9 native, does HD well, is affordable and the reviews are all solid. Well it turns out Boxlight sells the Matinee 1HD which is a clone of the Sanyo yet comes with a three year warrenty vs the one year for Sanyo plus its $500 cheaper on this side of the boarder so that's what I ordered this afternoon. It should be here late this week and my mount is just about done and the component and power cables are run so its all good to go For the PJ mount I followed Rick Soken's lead and used an camera tripod that I bought several years ago but seldom use. Its nice because I've now got adjustments for height, horizontal tilt and left/right angle to get it square to the screen...though with the Sanyo's lens shift feature its not nearly as critical as with most projectors.

Native Resolution: 964 x 544 Wide VGA
Supported Resolutions XGA, SVGA, Wide VGA, VGA, Mac
Brightness: 700 lumens
Lamp: 130 watt UHP
Lamp Life: 120-day guarantee
Display Type: 3 x 0.77" TFT polysilicon LCDs
Contrast Ratio: 800:1
Colors: 16.7 million
Aspect Ratio: 16:9, 4:3 compatible
H-Sync Range: 15-80 kHz
V-Sync Range: 50-100 Hz
Inputs: 1-RGB computer, 1- RCA component video, 1-RCA composite video, 1-S-Video
Outputs: 1-serial port
Speakers: None
Audible Noise: 28 dB in Theatre Black Mode
Weight: 7.5lbs / 3.40kg
Dimensions: 13.1"(W) x 4.3"(H) x 9.7"(D)
33.27 cm/10.92 cm/24.64 cm
Projector Lens: manual zoom and focus, F/2.03-2.34, 1:1.2 zoom ratio, f=21-25.4mm
Image Size: 30 - 200 inches(diagonal)
76 - 508 cm(diagonal)
Throw Distance: 3.6 - 19.7 ft
1.09 - 5.99 m
Keystone Adj.: Digital adjustment +/- 20 degrees
Adjustments: on-board and remote
Power Supply: 100-120V/220-240V at 50-60Hz
Power Consumption: 210 watts
HDTV/EDTV Compatibility: 1080i, 1035i, 720p, 575p, 575i, 480p
Video Compatibility: NTSC, NTSC 4.43, PAL, PAL-M, PAL-N, SECAM
Workstation Compatibility: No
Warranty: 3-Year parts and labor (120 day lamp

Matinee 1HD

Review

[Claude D D]

Big screen=big fun! Enjoy.
What size screen are you going to use Andrew?

[Bent]

Terrific news, Andrew.

I've read that the PLV-z1/Boxlight HD1 has some issues with teaching it's IR power command to HTM's MX-500 remote controls, I'd imagine you intend to integrate the Matinee with rour Pronto, let us know how that goes. (there could well be a file for controlling it already...)

[Andrew Pratt]

I've got a 92" 16:9 screen that I built from black out cloth painted with the DDog paint mix (there's a thread on it in here somewhere)

I do have the pronto file from RemoteCentral already but I have yet to integrate it into my pronto file...more work to do this week

[George Bellefontaine]

Way to go Mr. Pratt. :T

Welcome to the big screen club.




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[Andrew Pratt]

Thanks to you george since the demo of your screen is what really sold Glenda on the idea. Also I decided to cancel my order with AVDeals and I'm in the process of ordering it from the guy you bought your NEC from (Kevin Benton kbenton@complete-it.ca) since he gave me a better deal and you recomended him:T

[JonMarsh]

Hey, Maximum cool, dude!

Does the input signal capability including 575P mean it can take an HTPC type RGB signal at something like 1024X575 and fit it to the panel with a teensy bit of overscan? (don't worry, I'm just yanking your chain about the HTPC thing- it's expected of me, you know!). Probably most of those HD type resolutions are on the component input, from looking at the spec. Still, with a transcoder, that would be feasible. You never know...

Anyway, congrats, and hope you really enjoy it!

~Jon




Earth First!
_______________________________
We'll screw up the other planets later....

[Andrew Pratt]

Jon apparently this PJ does look better using the VGA input so a transcoder/HTPC is something I might eventually look into. I'll likely play with my Dell notebook as a HTPC to see how it compares. It has the ATI 7500 card in it so it should look pretty good if I can get powerstrip and 1:1 pixel mapping working properly.

[Trevor Schell]

That PJ is supposed to pass through Toon-Town Via to Winnipeg.
I 'll Let you know how I like it , before sending it on through!!

Congrats!!
Looking forward to your experiences with it.:T




Trevor
My HomeTheater S.E.
Sonically Enhanced
C5

[George Bellefontaine]

Andrew, glad my setup was of help to you and Glenda. Also glad you got a good deal from Kevin Benton. He certainly treated me well.




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[Andrew Pratt]

I think your setup was the first Glenda had seen of a properly set up PJ so yes I owe you a beer at the least

Trevor paws off this baby's all mine :nono:

[Daryl Furkalo]

Congrats on the PJ Andrew!

[Energeezer]

Andrew
Congrats on FINALLY getting a PJ.
I sure hope you are going to be having a HT meet I've been asking about for a year now at least to show off the new toys!!!!!!!!!!




The Future of HT lies in FP SPREAD THE WORD

[Andrew Pratt]

Steve oh yes we'll have a meet sometime this fall once everythings in place...we usually have a few over the winter and skip the summer since everyone's on vactions and busy with family etc.

[Lex]

I'm excited. Congrats Andrew.

Lex

[Andrew Pratt]

Its here! I'm taking the afternoon off to install and play with my new toy. Wish me luck ;h

[Lex]

luck!




Cable Guy DVD Collection

[Andrew Pratt]

Hey guys got the PJ installed fairly quickly and proceeded to calibrate it tonight once my Avia disc returned from the guy that was borrowing it. Much to my surprise it barely needed any adjustments since it was nearly spot on 8O I now know what they mean though about the thing smelling like burning plastic...guess that goes away pretty qucikly but boy does it smell . Anyway I've tossed a bunch of demo material at it as well as watching The Saint tonight and I'm pretty impressed. I can easily see screendoor at 10 feet with my glasses on but it didn't bother me that much. I did see a ton of image artifacts though that I've never noticed before (compression artifacts etc) so I guess I'm going to now get much pickier on what I call a reference transfer! Its very quite in econo mode which honestly was a big concern of mine so that was a welcome relief...as is that fact i don't have to point the remote at the PJ at all for it to work. I wasn't sure how well my DIY PJ mount would work but its not to bad. Its not as sturdy as I'd like so I'll be rethinking how I built it but at least not I know exactly what and where it needs to be etc.

[Bent]

I know I don't know you yet, and you are prolly a pretty decent guy...
But I'm seething with jealousy none-the-less.



Let's see some pics of the home-made pj mount.
What is your throw distance and screen width?

[Andrew Pratt]

The current mount is made from a Camera tripod so it allows me to raise and lower the PJ as well as some horizontal tilt if need be but I'm finding it a little less firm then I want so I'll likely rebuild it with a peice of 2 * 2 glued/screwed to the base plate now that I know exactly how low it needs to be.

The screen is a 92 inch diagonal 16:9 screen (45 * 80) made from blackout cloth stretched over a 2 * 2 frame then painted with DDog's silver formula:T and the front row is currently 10 feet back but I might slide that back another foot since I've got lots of room behind the second row.

Anyway Bent you're more then welcome to drop on by for a visit just let me know what night works for you and we'll see what we can do.

[Energeezer]

so I guess I'm going to now get much pickier on what I call a reference transfer!

Andrew
Just as with a sound system when you move up the ladder the faults in the software become more obvious. If you have MIB 2 give it a spin. In the opening sequence where we see the woman morphing into an alien I've had people ducking the tentacles on my couch.
I am now ready to come over and see the Z. When can I come? I've been off work for a month now so whenever is good for you.

Bent
When you come to Winnipeg to see Andrews Theater you are also welcome to pop by my place and view high end CRT. At least then when you get the itch for a big scrren you will have a comparison between the 2 techs. My CRTs are priced roughly the same as the Z (I think) so you should compare and see which you prefer.




The Future of HT lies in FP SPREAD THE WORD

[Andrew Pratt]

Steve I'm thinking that a monday, wednesday or friday night would work best for me. Drop me an email and we'll work out a time/date.

PS I think you're going to be dissapointed

[George Bellefontaine]

Good to see the Z1 is up and running, Mr. Pratt. I really do think you ought to move that front row back a couple of feet. 10 feet is a bit close for lcd. You could probably get away with 10 feet if the resolution was highr. For a 92" diagonal I'd try for 12 ft or better away from the screen. When sitting too close, not only the screendoor is visible, but so are the artifacts. In my setup you and Glenda were sitting 15 feet from a 106" diagonal screen.




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[Energeezer]

Andrew
How could I possibly be dissappointed when your theater has that sound system with the 1098 etc. I'll make no bones about it that I prefer CRT PJ but my eyes are always open and I've seen a digital lately that is getting in the same ballpark image wise so I'm waiting for the day when I see a setup that matches or beats my CRT.
Perhaps the Z is the bomb and I'll be dissapointed that I went to all the trouble of setting up CRTs




The Future of HT lies in FP SPREAD THE WORD

[George Bellefontaine]

Steve, it really is still hard for even the newer digitals to beat crt. The closest I have come to the experience I had with my old Zenith crt is the NEC HT1000 dlp. The contrast, blacks and black levels are very close to crt on this projector, but they are still not quite there. But the NEC is 7 lbs and my old crt was closer to 200 lbs. :LOL:




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[Andrew Pratt]

Oh I have no doubt you'll like my audio but knowing your preference for the smooth CRT image my low rez LCD isn't what you're used to seeing. Still it works for me and I'm just happy to finally have it installed

George I'll move my front row back a little and see..I can always sit in the second row which would be about 13 - 14 feet now and see what it looks like

[George Bellefontaine]

Yeah. that sounds like a good plan, Andrew.




My Homepage!

[Bent]

Andrew, I'm very interested in dropping in and saying hi, but I don't know when. (I'm busy building and cabling an in-wall AV cabinet, my 12th anniversary is coming up in a week-and-a-half, and my wife and I are involved in planning and participating in Manitoba's Walk for ALS fundraising on the 28th) - (we also have a new-er 6 week old baby boy who eats up a lot of time lately)

I'm guessing you have a listed phone number??? (Or I could just call Ducks...?)

'Geezer, same for your invitation, When my 56" Panny starts to show some signs of wear - I'll look at the stuff Mr. Palme sells. I am likely going to go the CRT route in a dedicated room when I am in the "next" house. I need (would prefer) a dedicated theater room where I'm not stepping on the kid's LEGO all the time. As it is, I can't call mine a theater.However the idea of a decent 'res LCD is very appealing for something like portable gaming and watching movies at "trade seminars".

I'll be in touch - I'll add my e-mail address to my profile soon.

[Andrew Pratt]

(we also have a new-er 6 week old baby boy who eats up a lot of time lately)

Congrat's my 5 month old daughter keeps us ;h too:T

Sure just call me at 888 0832 which is my home number when you find the time.

[Andrew Pratt]

Here's some images of Sherk that I quickly took tonight. I'm not sure why there's banding visible in the image b/c its not there on the screen. I used a night mode with the flash off on my A60 with it on a tripod...any ideas?

Anywhy here they are

Shrek1

Shrek2

[Energeezer]

Andrew
Not noticing too much banding on MY PC but I do have a question.
In "Shrek2" I notice the Dunkay (piss poor irish accent attempt) seems to have a bit o ghosting on the hind end. Is that just the camera. Did you still the image first?




The Future of HT lies in FP SPREAD THE WORD

[Energeezer]

'Geezer, same for your invitation, When my 56" Panny starts to show some signs of wear - I'll look at the stuff Mr. Palme sells.

Bent
Yes
Bought my first one from Curt.
FYI
When I got that first PJ I immediately sold my 6 month old Toshiba 56H80 RPHDTV and kept the diff in money (about $2K) :LOL:
Once you go to a PJ there is no turning back.
Keep me posted. I'd luv for you to buy one from me but if you get one from Curt I'd be glad to help you set up.




The Future of HT lies in FP SPREAD THE WORD

[Andrew Pratt]

I notice the Dunkay (piss poor irish accent attempt)

Mike Meyer's is scottish

Is that just the camera. Did you still the image first?

Yes I think so and yes I did still the image first. I might play with the pause function as I think I can tweak how the DVD player pauses an image...at least I could on the panny I had before and my Denon is based on the panasonic.

[George Bellefontaine]

I don't think that's ghosting on the Donkey's hind end. If you look closely it appears to be a different shading of color.

Andrew, I'd like to see something with human fleshtones to see if your PJ leans toward red or even green ( as many lcd PJs do ). If it does, you can adjust it out using the Gains and Bias controls -- that is if your PJ allows access to Gains and Bias controls. It is hard to tell with animation, but it does appear to be pushing red in both Shrek shots. See the reddish shading under the chin of the Princess.But then, that could be the camera.




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[Andrew Pratt]

When I looked at the avia tests it showed that the colours were all pretty much at 0 or -5 so its not that bad. I can adjust each "gun" though in the menu and service menu so I'm not done tweaking yet

[Claude D D]

Hey Andrew,
I believe your A60 has a portrait mode,if so use that setting with the flash off and set your timer to take the picture.Even the slightest movement will blur the picture when the exposure is increased.

[Andrew Pratt]

Thanks I'll try that.

[Andrew Pratt]

Here's one taken in portrait mode with a timer on the tripod. Its much better then the others I took

Gladiator

[George Bellefontaine]

Lookin' good, Mr. Pratt.




My Homepage!

[Andrew Pratt]

Thanks George!

[Trevor Schell]

Andrew,
Did you get the roof mount as well?
Did you have to pay sales tax?




Trevor
My HomeTheater S.E.
Sonically Enhanced
C5

[Bent]

Roof mount?
(ceiling mount??)

[Chris D]

Yes, if you're really hard core into home theater, you go with a 100 foot screen like those used in drive-in theaters, and then get a roof mount for your PJ.




CHRIS
Luke: "Hey, I'm not such a bad pilot myself, you know"

[Andrew Pratt]

Andrew,
Did you get the roof mount as well?
Did you have to pay sales tax?

My ceiling mount is one I made from a small peice of MDF and a section of 2" * 2" glued and screwed to the MDF. Its pretty simple and since the Z1 has the lens shift feature you don't need as many adjustments on the mount as you normaly do with something like the X1 etc.

I paid $1699 plus GST($1818cdn) The nice thing about the Studio Experience over both the Z1 (which its identical to or the X1) is that it has a three year warrenty.

[Claude D D]

Andrew,
I'm not clear on which projo you bought.Z1?Studio Experience?