What Hi Fi Sound and Vision
12 SEP 2006
Sharp XVZ3000
Even the very best projectors have their work cut out at this price, and the Sharp isn’t quite there
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It’s no looker, the Sharp – though that’s pretty much par for the course where projectors are concerned. In common with many other projectors, it can be awkward to position on its adjustable feet, and the fan can be intrusively noisy if your viewing fare is anything less than constant crash-bang-wallop.
But it boasts an HD-ready 1280 x 768 resolution, a claimed contrast ratio of 6500:1 and a useful, if undersized, glow-in-the-dark remote control.
Great for day time viewers
When doing its stuff, the XV-Z3000 impresses with the detail it lays bare and, especially, the realism and neutrality of its colour palette. It deals well with glaring contrasts and retains the bulk of its composure during very dark scenes. The fact that it's also among the best of iwhen it comes to delivering a believable image in less-than-dark conditions should interest a good few daytime-viewing fans, too.
On the downside, the Sharp can’t rid complex scenes of intrusive picture noise nor track motion with the surety of the best around. It’s also prone to panic when
difficult edges – such as a wire-link fence – present themselves.
It’s these slight shortcomings, plus the unwelcome accompaniment from the cooling fan, that leaves this capable Sharp looking marginally off the pace.
It’s a tough market out there, and newer rivals have the edge over it.
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