3D cinema for the living room: the new Sharp DLP projector

From high-tension action films to the powerful images of nature documentaries, until recently anyone wishing to see 3D pictures in suitably impressive size and quality had just the one option – a visit to the cinema. Those times are now a thing of the past, because the new XV-Z17000 DLP projector from Sharp can beam two and three-dimensional pictures in top-class full HD quality on to a home movie screen. This projector has full 1920 x 1080 resolution with a brightness of 1600 lumens. The contrast ratio is approximately 40,000:1. In addition, a highly developed Colour Management System provides a large number of options for optimal adjustment of the picture to the lighting conditions of the living room.

"With the XV-Z1700, Sharp is bringing full-scale cinema enjoyment into the home," says Peter Heins, Product and R&D Manager, Display Systems at Sharp Electronics Europe. "In developing this product, we took the clear decision to rely on the DLP technology from Texas Instruments, since it is extremely durable and particularly well-suited to 3D projection." In DLP projectors, the images are generated by a chip with tiny, tiltable mirrors that are made to pulsate up to 5000 times per second by an integrated circuit, thereby reflecting light. DLP projectors have extremely high contrast. Since the mirrors are well protected underneath a special quartz glass window, they are insensitive to dust, so that maintenance is reduced to a minimum.

For depth perception, viewers need active protective glasses that are synchronized with the device. Two sets of these glasses are included in the standard Sharp XV-Z17000 package.

With its two HDMI 1.4 ports, the model is fully ready for 3D operation. The projector also has an RS232C port for integration in existing home theatre installations.

However, the Sharp XV-Z17000 not only has a host of features to offer but is also particularly economical in many respects. For example, the 250-watt bulb of the projector, in Eco mode, has an astounding service life of 3000 hours. With operating noise of only 23 dB in Eco mode, the projector is also extremely quiet. The purchase costs of the Sharp XV-Z17000 also lay down new standards, with a manufacturer's recommended price of only 3,999 euros.