Sharp XV-Z17000 3D 1080p DLP Video Projector - Product Review

The Sharp XV-Z17000 is a 3D Video Projector utilizing DLP technology. With its native 1920x1080 (1080p) native pixel resolution and 1,600 lumen output capability, the XV-Z17000 projects a bright, natural, looking image from both 3D and 2D source material.

Also, the XV-Z17000, with its onboard IDT ReonVX-210 chip, provides very good video upscaling for standard resolution sources, such as DVD. The XV-Z1700 also has fast turn on and shut down times and runs quietly in normal viewing modes. The projector also comes with a built-in IR emitter and two pairs of active shutter glasses for 3D viewing. For additional perspective on the XV-Z17000, after reading this review, also check out my Photo Profile and Video Performance Tests.

The features and functions of the Sharp XV-Z17000 include the following:

1. DLP Video Projector with 1,600 Lumens of light output and 1920x1080 (1080p) Native Pixel Resolution.

2. Lens Specifications: F: 2.5 to 2.7, Throw Distance: 4.8 to 41.2 feet, Zoom 1.15:1 (21.0 to 24.2 mm). Behind the Lens: 1 0.65” Texas Instruments DLP Chip with 5 speed/6 segment color wheel.

3. Image size range: 40 to 500 inches - adds flexibility for both small and large screen sizes and room environments. Horizontal and Vertical Keystone and Image Shift functions provided.

4. Native 16x9 Screen Aspect Ratio.

5. 40,O00:1 Contrast Ratio (Dynamic - Full On/Full Off), 250 Watt Lamp, and 3,000 Hour Lamp Life.

6. Two 3D-compatible HDMI 1.4, Component, S-Video, and Composite Video inputs. There is also VGA (PC Monitor) connection.

7. Compatible with input resolutions up to 1080p, including 1080p/24, NTSC/PAL Compatible.

8. RS232 Interface and 12 volt trigger connection for custom installation control needs.

9. Manual video input selection with Automatic 3D detection.

10. 120Hz refresh rate. Deinterlacing, scaling, and video processing for standard DVDs and analog video sources via IDT ReonVX-210 processing chip.

11. Manual Zoom and Focus. Fan noise: 23db (eco-mode).

12. Ceiling and Table mount compatible. Wireless Remote Control. Easy to use owner's manual.

13. Built-in Carrying Handle for portable use.

14. Two pairs of active shutter glasses included for 3D viewing.

15. Power Consumption: 353 watts (7.6 watts in standby mode).

16. Dimensions: (WxHxD) 15 3/4in x 4 15/16in x 13 13/64in. Weight: 12.8 lbs.

Additional home theater components used in this review included:

Home Theater Receivers: Onkyo TX-SR705, Anthem MRX700(on review loan).

Blu-ray Disc Players (3D-Enabled): OPPO BDP-93 and Sharp BD-HP90U (both on review loan).

DVD Player: OPPO DV-980H.

Loudspeaker/Subwoofer System 1 (7.1 channels): 2 Klipsch F-2's, 2 Klipsch B-3s, Klipsch C-2 Center , 2 Polk R300s, Klipsch Synergy Sub10.

Loudspeaker/Subwoofer System 2 (5.1 channels): EMP Tek E5Ci center channel speaker, four E5Bi compact bookshelf speakers for left and right main and surrounds, and an ES10i 100 watt powered subwoofer.

DVDO EDGE Video Scaler used for baseline video upscaling comparisons.

3D Glasses: Sharp 3D Glasses provided with XV-Z17000 and XpanD X103 Universal 3D Glasses (on review loan from XpanD).

Audio/Video connections made with Accell, Interconnect cables. 16 Gauge Speaker Wire used. High Speed HDMI Cables provided by Atlona for this review.

Software Used

The software used in this review included the following titles:

3D Blu-ray Discs: Clash of the Titans, Cloudy With a Chance of Meatballs, Despicable Me, Disney's A Christmas Carol, Goldberg Variations Acoustica, Monster House, My Bloody Valentine, Resident Evil: Afterlife, Space Station (IMAX), and Under The Sea (IMAX).

2D Blu-ray Discs: Across The Universe, Alice in Wonderland (2D), Avatar (2D), Hairspray, Iron Man 1&2, Percy Jackson and The Olympians: The Lightning Thief, Predators, Shakira - Oral Fixation Tour, Sherlock Holmes, The Dark Knight, Tropic Thunder, and Transporter 3

Standard DVDs: The Cave, House of the Flying Daggers, Kill Bill - Vol 1/2, Kingdom of Heaven (Director's Cut), Lord of Rings Trilogy, Master and Commander, Outlander, U571, and V For Vendetta.

Initial setup and use of the Sharp XV-Z17000 is fairly straightforward.

If you are installing the XV-Z17000 yourself, you have the option to mount it on the ceiling or placed on a table. To mount the XV-Z17000 on the ceiling you need to purchase an optional ceiling mount kit (see your installer).

For the purposes of this review, the XV-Z17000 was placed on the top shelf of a short AV equipment rack.

After setting up a screen (size of your choosing), position the unit on a table, rack, or mount on the ceiling at the optimal distance from the screen or white wall (your choosing).

Starting up the projector is easy. First, plug in your source (such as a DVD or Blu-ray Disc player) to the proper video input, located on the rear of the projector.

Next, plug in the power cord and turn on the power using the button on top of the projector or the remote. It takes about 15-20 seconds until you see the Sharp logo projected on your screen, at which time you are set to go.

At this point, you can raise or lower the angle of the projection lens using the image shift controls, and you can also adjust the actual image angle on the projection screen, or white wall, using the Keystone correction and rotations function via the onscreen menu navigation buttons accessible on the top of the projector, or on the remote control.

It is important to point out that the XV-Z17000 only has manual zoom and focus controls on the lens assembly, you cannot zoom or focus using the remote control.

You can access the source inputs manually via the controls on the projector, or via the wireless remote control.

The XV-Z17000 is bright in 2D mode, producing an image well suited for home theater viewing, with very good contrast, black levels, and color rendition.

The XV-Z17000 has very good out-of-the-box performance, colors are solid, but not overly saturated. I found that the Sharp XV-Z17000 was able to bring the out the details in dark scenes well, but I have seen deeper blacks on higher-end projectors. Probably the best examples of both contrast and detail reproduction were provide by scenes from the Blu-ray Discs editions of The Dark Knight (opening bank robbery and Hong Kong scenes), AvatarHairspray (1950's style saturated colors).

I also found that the Sharp XV-Z17000 did a good job with 480i sources with regards to video upscaling. Deinterlacing and Scaling performance of standard definition video was artifact free, with good color and contrast. Detail enhancement was good, depending on the XV-Z17000 had to work with.

Proceed to Page 2: 3D and Upscaling Video Performance, Pros/Cons, and Final Take