Sanyo PLC-XL50 Projector
Business-class projector is a good fit when space is tight, but the cost isn't so small.
Richard Jantz
Your conference room may be cramped, but that doesn't mean your presentations have to be tiny. Sanyo's $4999 PLC-XL50 business-class projector can display an 80-inch diagonal image at just 3 inches from a wall or screen, making it ideal for use in close quarters.
Weighing 17 pounds, the PLC-XL50 is not as portable as many of today's lightweight models, but its close-range capabilities make it handy for use in places where conventional projectors may not fit--in a lobby or hallway, for example. You can change its position from horizontal to vertical, and use it to display images on a tabletop, floor, or other flat surface.
Our demonstration unit delivered good image quality, displaying sharp text and well-saturated color graphics. For image adjustment, the projector includes a standard set of fine-tuning controls, all of which worked well. A unique Color Board mode lets you adjust the hue for better color accuracy when you're projecting an image on a nonwhite surface (such as a beige wall), while a Blackboard Mode adjusts colors for projection on a green surface.
The PLC-XL50 delivers XGA (1024 by 768) resolution and 2000 ANSI lumens of brightness, a good amount of illumination for most small to midsize rooms with low ambient light. Its short projecÂtion distance also allows the PLC-XL50 to work well in settings with considerable ambient light, because the projector can sit very close to the screen. This is a big plus when you use the PLC-XL50 for digital signage in places where light is needed, such as in a window display.
The PLC-XL50 includes VGA and standard video (composite, component, S-Video) inputs, but not a digital (DVI) input. It also lacks a USB slot or card reader, an omission that prevents you from using the projector for PC-less presentations. The bundled remote control provides easy access to all of the projector's essential features, but it doesn't support mouse control or have any type of pointer.
The PLC-XL50 carries a hefty price tag. But its ability to display big images in small spaces is unmatched.
--Richard Jantz
