FAQ's

General

What is the difference between a Data and a Video Projector?
All SANYO projectors can display both data and video signals well. However video projectors have widescreen (16:9) format LCD panels, and optimized for greater contrast ratio. Data projectors on the other hand are primarily designed to produce high brightness levels with good contrast specifications on 4:3 or 5:4 formats.

Why do you recommend the PLV projectors to play HD video signals?
HD signals have 16:9 or 1.78 ratios. Widely available are 720p or 1080i formats. Best HD images are displayed with projectors having the 16:9 native panel formats such as the current PLV series projectors. The PLV series provides the most pixel density than any other format, which translates to the best image possible. Off course the ultimate HD format is the 1920 x 1080 offered by the PLVHD10/100/150 and 2K resolution PLV HD2000.

The table below shows pixel usage on HD display.

What is ANSI Lumens?
ANSI Lumen is the specification standard and measurement methods to provide a rational comparison of projection systems’ brightness by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI)

Compatibility

Are DVI and HDMI compatible?
In theory, DVI and HDMI are compatible with one another, image-quality-wise. The principal differences are that HDMI carries audio as well as video, and uses a different type of connector, but both use the same encoding scheme. However unlike the HDMI standard, the DVI/HDCP has not been fully standardized, and there might be incompatibility when DVI/HDCP is connected to HDMI or the other way around via an adapter. Note that this incompatibility is an industry concern and not only to SANYO.

Therefore we suggest a video source with HDMI for use on projectors with HDMI inputs (HDMI –HDMI connection), or a video source with DVI/HDCP for use on projectors with DVI/HDCP inputs (DVI-DVI connection).

WIDE SCREENS - Projector will not work on a new widescreen laptop (available from most computer manufacturers).
Widescreen laptops have a typical resolution of WXGA (1280 x 800), WSXGA+ (1680 x 1050) and WUXGA (1920 x 1200), and may vary between laptop manufacturers. These resolutions are not directly compatible with the parameters within the projector. See Computer Compatibility Table in the Owner’s Manual.

Solution:
Option 1 - Adjust laptop’s screen settings to native projector resolution i.e. 1024 X 768. In some cases laptop screen must be turned off before the adjusted resolution is transmitted to the projector.
Option 2 – If the laptop has dual screen capability, adjust secondary monitor to the native resolution of the projector.

Image is displayed only on either laptop screen, or projector but not both.
Some laptop display drivers are not capable of displaying and transmitting external signal simultaneously due to limited power to the monitor connector when laptops are operated with batteries only. This is more evident when using very long VGA cables. The following should help:
1. Use AC adapter to power the laptop.
2. Turn “OFF” power saving setting in the laptop.

Image is displayed properly the laptop screen, but only a portion is displayed by the projector.
This normally happen with high resolution computers (i.e. SXGA or UXGA) and used with either an SVGA or XGA projector. See widescreen above for similar solutions.

I can only see a portion of the image in the laptop display when the screen setting is set to accommodate the native resolution of the projector.
Exceeding the native resolution of the laptop’s panel (i.e. XGA panel in SXGA+ mode) can only be supported in pan mode. See widescreen for similar solutions.

Maintenance

How often should I clean the air filters?
Air filter cleaning varies with every location. Even clean residential or boardroom locations can collect enough dust in a very short time. Monitor the air filter in shorter periods (i.e. weekly) until a definite pattern is established. Make sure all the air intake vents are also cleaned by vacuuming the dust out.

How do I clean the air filters?
There are different types of air filters used in projectors.
1. Porous type (similar to a car filter) can be vacuumed to remove the debris, and should be replaced when necessary.
2. Non-porous type – typically are made of plastic materials including foam materials are best cleaned by washing with mild detergent and dried before re-installed.
All intake and exhaust ports must also be vacuumed to remove debris accumulation. Never blow on air filters while in projector, or air intake ports. Debris will get blown to the LCD and polarizer surfaces.

Projector Lamps

How many hours will I get from my projector lamp?
Projector lamps have an expected operating life span. It can last up to 3000 hours, depending on model. However performance and life expectancy is not guaranteed due to the various conditions the projector has been operated, and maintenance performed.

Is the specified lamp hours standard in the projector industry?
There is no standardized lamp life measurement in the projector industry. There are two wide used types of lamp life determinations. Some manufacturers use brightness levels, i.e. the time it takes from 100% brightness (new) until it reach the 50% or 30% brightness level. Typically this method is called “maintenance”. And some use the “survival” method where a number of bulbs are operated simultaneously and time is measured until 15 – 40% of the lamp fail. Because of these variations between manufacturers, lamp hour’s statement should only be taken as a reference within the same manufacturer.

How can I prolong lamp life?

a. To maintain life of lamp, once you turn projector on, wait at least 5 minutes before turning it off.

b. Allow at least 3-5 minutes for the projector to cool down before re-starting. This is required to stabilize the lamp to its normal state. Igniting the lamp at high pressure will cause the bulb to explode.

c. Turn-off the projector ONLY by the top panel ON/OFF button or by remote control, never by interrupting the AC supply i.e. unplugging the AC cord. The projector requires AC power to operate the fan to cool down the optical components after the unit is turned-off.

d. Never re-start the projector immediately if the AC plugged has been disconnected accidentally. Wait at least 3-5 minutes before turning it on again.

e. Clean air filers regularly. Projector requires a constant flow of air to cool down the optical block and the most importantly the lamp. Note that bulbs operate at approximately 950º C. Any air restrictions such as dirt accumulation of the air filter will significantly further increase of the bulbs operating temperature, thus shortening the bulb life or cause premature failure.

f. Operating the projector in high ambient temperature (above 35ºC) also contributes to short life or premature failure.

g. Whenever possible use the eco-mode feature (lower brightness) when full brightness is not required.

Because of these user variables, projector lamps in the industry including SANYO have limited warranty of 1 year or 500 hours whichever comes first.

What happen when the yellow light illuminates? Will the projector shutdown?
Unlike many other companies in which the projector is forced to shut down when the lamp hours is reached, SANYO projectors will continue to function until the lamp is exhausted. However after this point, start-up may not be reliable. Suggest replacement immediately for critical applications (i.e. boardroom or classroom), or purchase a standby bulb for use on non-critical applications (i.e. home theater).