October 11, 2004

Hi folks,

At this juncture we are seeing several new low-cost home theater projectors in various stages of release, all of which feature 1280x720 resolution LCD panels. These include the Sony VPL-HS51, the Sanyo PLV-Z3, the InFocus Screenplay 5000, as well as the Panasonic AE700 already reviewed. Each of these products has a configuration of features, capabilities, and price points that represent attractive value propositions for the consumer. Ideally, we would have review samples in place on all units and perform a comparative evaluation in shoot-out type format. Unfortunately, review units do not come available from all manufacturers at the same time.

Therefore, we will do the next best thing. Each of these products will be reviewed as we receive them. In each subsequent review we will include a comparative analysis between the unit under review and those we have already seen. The objective will be to ultimately provide you with an account of the relative strengths and weaknesses of each product, so you can make a sound decision on which one would be the right choice for you. We will also make comparative notes on some of the DLP-based home theater projectors in the same general price range as these LCD products, such as the InFocus Screenplay 4805 and the BenQ PE7800.

All of these new LCD projectors are either shipping now or will be by next month. Our objective and hope is to complete all of these reviews this month. However the timing is dependent upon our receiving review units on the schedules that have been indicated to us by the manufacturers. If those schedules hold and we don't have any operational failures in the review samples, we should be okay for completion by the end of the month.

Meanwhile, the next review will be of the Sanyo PLV-Z3, which is already in house. That review will be posted by Friday. It will include a comparative shootout between the Z3 and the Panasonic AE700.

Thank you for using ProjectorCentral,

Evan Powell