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Author
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Topic: Test comparison of Sanyo PLV-Z2 versus GS1200
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Paul Adsett
Film God
Posts: 5003
From: USA
Registered: Jun 2003
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posted August 05, 2004 04:08 PM
Well guys, I finally got hold of a video projector to test in my home, and do a comparsion to super 8 film. Here is my report which is as unbiased as I can make it, after collecting S8 film for 30 years!
USER EVALUATION OF SANYO PLV-Z2 VIDEO PROJECTOR Vs ELMO GS1200 SUPER 8MM FILM PROJECTOR
Comparison tests were run between a Sanyo PLV-Z2 LCD video projector and an Elmo GS1200 Stereo Super 8mm film projector. Test conditions were identical for both video and film evaluations. Comparisons were made of picture quality based on Super 8mm film prints and the corresponding DVD’S.
Test conditions;
Screen 6ft wide, 4:3 aspect ratio, matt white with black border
Viewing distance: about 9ft
Room environment: totally dark
Film Projector: Elmo GS1200 Stereo super 8mm, F1.0 zoom lens, 2-bladed shutter, 200watt ESC lamp.
Video Projector: Sanyo PLV-Z2, 800 ANSI lumens, 16: 9 aspect ratio, WXGA, 1280 X 720 pixels, 1300:1 contrast ratio. Video hook up was by S-Video cable.
Video projector settings: The menu control was used to adjust brightness, contrast, gamma, color tint, for the most pleasing conditions in a darkened room. Lamp brightness was set to the low setting because the high setting seemed to reduce picture contrast.
TEST RESULTS:
Comparison test results are now listed for a variety of film and DVD source material. The film prints were from Derann Film Services in the UK. DVD’S were all new material from the film studio distributors.
1. Meet Me in St. Louis
The super 8 film was deemed to be more visually pleasing than the projected DVD. The DVD lacked the beautiful color palette of the super 8 film, and the super 8 film appeared to be more sharply focused in many of the scenes.
2. Shane
There was no competition. Derann’s superb super 8 print blew away the quality of the DVD on sharpness and color rendition. The DVD looked soft and muddy when compared to the film.
3. Singin’ in the Rain
DVD and super 8 film were comparable in sharpness but film was visually more pleasing with better color rendition in many of the scenes.
4. Casablanca
No film print available for comparison. Projected DVD was absolutely stunning, with superb sharpness, rich black and white. Far superior to any Super 8 black and white print (of any title) that I have ever seen. Looked just like 35mm. Awesome!
5. The Shining
No film print available for comparison. Very good DVD picture, comparable to 16mm or better, but colors a little flat.
6. Vertigo
No film available for comparison. Very pleasing 16:9 picture but colors a little disappointing, and some scenes lacking sharpness.
Overall impression of the Sanyo PLV-Z2.
A very nice little machine. The horizontal and vertical lens shift feature is a huge plus for setting up the projector alignment to the screen( I have a Eumig S938 Stereo super 8 projector that has vertical lens shift so I know how useful this feature is). I regard this lens shift feature as a big selling point. The projector does a stunning job on black and white films such as Casablanca. Resolution, sharpness of focus, and black and white reproduction is far superior to any super 8 or 16mm film prints I have ever seen- comparable to 35mm, absolutely awesome picture!. Color DVD’S were sometimes a little disappointing in many of the scenes , when compared with top notch super 8 prints. Main problem was color rendition which could not always seem to compete with the beautiful color palette and texture found on the best super 8 film prints. Also low lit interior scenes tended to be somewhat muddy and lacking in detail. Resolution was clearly superior to super 8mm film in many scenes, but strangely was obviously inferior to super 8 in many other scenes.
“Screen door effect” could not be detected at 9ft from a 6ft wide screen.
Overall this machine is excellent value for the money and will do a great job in anyone’s home theatre as long as it is used in a totally dark room and screen size is kept reasonable.
I was very impressed with this video projector and there is no doubt that it will be serious competition to my super 8 film collection. You get a real theatrical experience, no doubt about that. At the same time, I was pleasantly suprised to find out how well the best super 8 prints hold up in comparison to the projected DVD, particularly in terms of color rendition, and I still believe that a top quality super 8 CinemaScope print can blow away projected DVD, at least with this particular video projector.
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The best of all worlds- 8mm, super 8mm, 9.5mm, and HD Digital Projection,
Elmo GS1200 f1.0 2-blade
Eumig S938 Stereo f1.0 Ektar
Panasonic PT-AE4000U digital pj
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Mark Todd
Film God
Posts: 3846
From: UK
Registered: Aug 2003
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posted August 05, 2004 05:29 PM
Hi Paul, if you run a Z2 with pal DVds the image will sharpen up no end, you`d be surprised how amazing R2 dvds can be.
We are lucky that way over here.
If you go for a Z2 I`d reccommend a multi region DVd player and for your favourites get in a R2 copy.
Also if you keep a Z2 its very much dependant on dvd player in, I have just moved to a toshiba with a better s-video signal and adjustable pictute mode and the difference on the image is stunning.
I`ve only had maybe one truly oustanding 16mm print get to what I get now on my sony ( 4 years old) now its all sorted and set up etc.
I know of a collector on here who has a Z2 and from what I can tell they think the Z2 beats film easily and they have a GS etc.
Although my Sony is modest its always sharp and depthy compared to film, I love film but its nowhere near for me.
I think also much run of the mill super 8 is miles behind one, granted with a top machine, lens and two bladed shutter and a top print you are getting there.
But much as with prints if you put in the right source into the Z2 the quality will astound you, I watch my sony at 7 + feet wide and just sold all of my 16mm.Also with the right DVd the colour will be superb.
At 7 feet from my screen I can barely discern screen door or pixelation, certainly less than grain and I can`t sit so close with cin`e
Films great and good old fun and really can be very good and its a great read,cracking comparrison, and I to think B+W is amazing on them, what do you reckon then, going for it????
But of course keep the old cine as well.
Best Mark.
PS paul forgot to say do you have a good player to put the three colours in rather than s,video as that will get even more amazing results, thats the best way to see a Z2 and will really sharpen things up and really improve colour too, good if you can before it goes back.
By the way haggle on price as that sounds a bit high.
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Chris Quinn
Master Film Handler
Posts: 372
From: England, Bedfordshire.
Registered: Nov 2003
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posted August 05, 2004 06:20 PM
Mark,
as you have said, not what it's about, i would not want to watch my L&H's on video even if it was miles better, the whole idea is that it's film, film I've collected, etc.
Anyway her in doors would be saying if you got a video projector you don't need all that bulky film and equipment hanging around the house, etc, etc.
Chris.
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The other half thinks i'm up to something. Shes right of course.
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Mark Todd
Film God
Posts: 3846
From: UK
Registered: Aug 2003
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posted August 06, 2004 05:34 AM
Hi David, my sony CS2 does`nt have component 3 clours in unfortunately, just composite( the usual one) and s-vhs better.
I`ve always used S,video with just an ordinary 10 metre lead from maplins.
I was using my Mico classica 20 budget player that as it happens does have the 3 components out( one of the first budget machines to have that 2 years ago)and that does a very nice picture through the s,video lead.
Then I used a toshiba 210 and set it to the highest contrast, the animation setting still just s,video lead and the image step up was marvellous.
Last night I decided to have another tinker with settings, not least the sharpeness setting that never seemed to do much with the mico so was just left at 50 the mid setting, but with the toshiba signal in now its unbelievable. I couldn`t believe it as I popped that up and the image has gone even more amazing, absolutely beautiful.
Put on North By Northwest and the Zulu R2 copy and it was fantasic.
I just can`t imagine what the picture can be got to on your panny 500 or a Z2 if it can look like this on my old nail.
Saving private Ryan today, and the sound!!!!!!! etc.
Have you bought a video projector then tony, or do you still just have use of one.
Have to admit on the family front I have not been able to engender any interest in my cine films lately but pop on monsters inc. peter pan even worzel gummage and we`re off.
I don`t think for a minute that looking at Video projectors and what they can offer is about cine bashing or will detract from the hobby at all.
I actually think that you are more likely to find someone already in to video projection and finding their way to a site that covers all aspects of home projection possibly getting interested in the clattery reely thing we all love.
Best Mark.
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