Sanyo XE-34 Projector

[lazkopat]

Hi All,

 

I am planning to purchase a few of these in the future because our old school projectors are just way to old and have poor (degraded) quality to be kept. They are close to there end of lives! and I don;t want to buy light bulbs for them anymore.

 

This is the projector I am thinking about currently

 

 

PLC-XE34

 

Has anyone bought and used one of these in a school?

 

Anyone got reviews or experience on these Sanyo XE34s' please?

 

thanks

[Chris_]

We've got a couple, they're fine, and the lamps are pretty cheap (less than £100) at the minute. Personally I won't be buying any more traditional lamped projectors for classroom use.

 

The Casio LED projectors are great, a little more expensive but when you consider that there are no bulbs to replace, filters to clean, and the other advantages such as the almost instant warm up/off they are certainly worth it

[lazkopat]

Thanks for that.

 

I don;t know if I can take the LED path as I need to replace most classroom projectors. Whats the lamp life of these xe34s when bought?

[mrwobbly]

Sanyo were recently taken over by Panasonic. Matrix the UK warranty provider has said they will continue to honour the warranty from what I understand.

 

I’ve always found that Sanyo projectors deteriorate in light output very quickly because of dust build up on the LCD panels and to some extent the internal mirrors and lenses. I suspect that’s due to the very low surface area of the filters on most models. Cleaning the filter even with a Hoover results ingress of dust and I also think the projectors suck in unfiltered air through other channels when the filter starts to clog.

 

The Casio projectors are a great piece of kit but again they suck in air to cool and hence dust. I had one fail but that was a dusty fan which I got going with a blast from an air duster and a paperclip. In the long term I think they would need at cost, to be returned to Casio for cleaning.

 

I’ve had several NEC projectors fitted. Every one is as crisp and sharp as the day it was installed. The whole side is a big corrugated filter which so far has taken care of the dust problem. Bulb life is extended by not allowing you to turn off the projector until the bulb temperature is at optimum or turn on until the bulb is cool. They are two situations that reduce the life expectancy of any bulb.

 

These are just my thoughts from experience but hopefully Mark will comment as he really knows projectors.

[Chris_]

Thanks for that.

 

I don;t know if I can take the LED path as I need to replace most classroom projectors. Whats the lamp life of these xe34s when bought?

 

They're usually around 2000 hours.

[LeeBirdptinstalls]

My company install the NEC M230x range in classrooms now for those schools who cant afford the LED option. They are a brilliant unit as stated by mrwobbly. I would recommend them over Sanyo all day long.

[Steve21]

This is the projector I am thinking about currently

 

 

PLC-XE34

 

Has anyone bought and used one of these in a school?

 

Anyone got reviews or experience on these Sanyo XE34s' please?

 

thanks

 

We've got a few, been replacements for some of our older models, had no issues with them yet. Seem nice little machines, and fairly good cost too. Especially with the ended warranties etc.

 

Steve

[Oaktech]

Hitachi UST ED-A221NM all the way. Quite expensive, but lamps are cheap, they are easy to install, they come with a dedicated wall mount, the lamp life is long as is the warranty, they have more features than you can shake a stick at and the network management features are an absolute godsend.

[lazkopat]

Hmm, Perhaps I should do some research on the NEC/Hitach projectors aswel then..

 

I need something which is not expensive but can last a long time. We don't have a huge budget. I need it for few classes. I don't want to purchase bulbs anymore because you dont get that same quality when the projector was newly purchased. The quality (output) degrades over the time its being used so even if you install a new bulb it does not make a difference anymore (well just a tiny little bit) to these Sanyo XE-30s'.

Edited May 28, 2012 by lazkopat

[mrwobbly]

If your budget is tight you could try cleaning your existing projectors. A full optical clean is expensive when sent away but you can do it yourself. I’ve done a few myself and it’s not that difficult

 

I’ve found recently that I can obtain virtually the same result on old Sanyo projectors by just taking the top of and blowing out all the dust using an air duster. Pay particular attention to the back of the lens and the three lcd panels. These can be blown where the three ribbon cables pass through the circuit board. While the main light path is sealed to some extent these are open and that’s where the majority of the dust collects. Try it on one and you will be surprised at the improvement it makes.

[lazkopat]

Right, I've opened up one of the un-used projector. I took of the top cover and now I can see the circuit board.

 

What's the next stage guys?

 

I'm no projector expert by the way. I don't understand some of the terminology mrwobbly mate

[mdolderson]

I've cleaned a few PLC-XE31s and it vastly improved the image. If you look at previous threads there are some guides on how to clean projectors. Once you have done one they are all very similar. Instead of air dusters you can buy a electirc duster for around £60 they are very good and in the long run saves on the cost of air dusters.

[steveg]

Have you looked at the Epson EBX-11 education projector? They are around £300 and come with a 3 year warranty on the bulb. (maximum of 200 hours per year) The ebx-14 is also good if you have very bright classrooms.

 

We've installed a few casio led projectors in the past, never again. About a year old now and they just arent bright enough.

 

We've used some sanyo's before, not sure on the model number but they look similar to the one you've suggested above. they have been ok, but after 18 months of use they desperately needed a clean - that is with cleaning their filters on a weekly basis - they get dirty far quicker than any projector i've known.

 

I like the range of Hitachi short throw projectors, although I have to say the mount they come with is ugly! Works well, just doesnt look good! There would also be some re-cabling if you changed to a short throw projector.

 

Steve

[ToyHeartsFan]

Have you looked at the Epson EBX-11 education projector? They are around £300 and come with a 3 year warranty on the bulb. (maximum of 200 hours per year) The ebx-14 is also good if you have very bright classrooms.

 

I hope that figure is wrong because 200 hours is a little over a months use in a school environment.

 

 

We've installed a few casio led projectors in the past, never again. About a year old now and they just arent bright enough.

 

You got the wrong ones then, we have started using the Casio XJ-M150 they are 3000 Lumens and are by far the brightest projectors we have in school.

[ToyHeartsFan]

Right, I've opened up one of the un-used projector. I took of the top cover and now I can see the circuit board.

 

What's the next stage guys?

 

I'm no projector expert by the way. I don't understand some of the terminology mrwobbly mate

 

To clean it fully you have to strip it down and open the optical path because you get a lot of dust on the internal lens / mirrors. It can make a big difference but if your not v.careful you can damage the projector.

 

Note: dont touch the lens / mirrors or prism just use an air duster / compressed air. Be aware that static could kill it and as any device it could hold a charge i.e. you could still get a shock even when its not plugged in.

 

If the lamp has not been replaced when the lamp replace counter said it should it might have damaged the projector and even cleaning it and fitting a new bulb wont restore full brightness. Also over time UV damage from the lamp will reduce the image quality. Also old / low spec projectors with low lumen output are no match for a new 3000 lumen casio.

 

If you are not experienced in electronics I would be cautious because if you get it wrong you might miss something i.e. re connecting an earth wire that makes the equipment dangerous.

[steveg]

I hope that figure is wrong because 200 hours is a little over a months use in a school environment.

 

Should be 2000 hours a year! - Which gives 10 hours a day, 5 days a week for 40 weeks of the year.

 

We got the first generation of the casio ones, the slim ones. Went for the brightest model that was available at the time, they started off ok but have got dimmer, and are no better value than a normal projector with a good bulb warranty so stopped buying them.

 

Steve

[ToyHeartsFan]

Should be 2000 hours a year! - Which gives 10 hours a day, 5 days a week for 40 weeks of the year.

 

We got the first generation of the casio ones, the slim ones. Went for the brightest model that was available at the time, they started off ok but have got dimmer, and are no better value than a normal projector with a good bulb warranty so stopped buying them.

 

Steve

 

I gave the slim line models a wide berth because there were some reports of them overheating although other people said they didnt have the problem. I picked the XJ-M150 because we needed something brighter a lot of the sanyos were only 1500-2000 lumens and our class rooms are too bright. I did replace one batch of sanyos with newer 3000 lumen sanyos but we have had a lot of problems with them so I wanted to try something else.

 

So far I'm very happy with them teachers are still complaining about the Sanyos we have i.e. not bright enough / poor image and the last batch we had keep cutting out (we sent one back under warranty and they said there was nothing wrong with it) but no one has complained about a casio. The only niggle I have with them so far is that the range we are using doesnt have a vga out. Its possible that over time the image will degrade but that can happen with any projector so we will just have to wait and see. Schools are probably one of the most demanding environments for the amount of use the projectors get and the dust they are exposed to.

 

So they are giving you a 6000 hr lamp warranty is that in eco mode though? I know some makes will ship you a spare bulb but I think its like the old ink jet printers all over again i.e. they almost gave them away but charged a fortune for the supplies. I dont think the lamps cost anything like what they charge for them.

[jon_nais]

I'm a fan of the Epson projectors, we are looking at putting in 20 or so of the X-12's this summer. All our previous epsons come with a three year on site swap in/out warranty, though i have only had to use it once(last year we got a 5 year warranty thrown in for free too). Also epson make their own bulbs(allegedly) so they are cheaper and last a lot longer. looking at 5000 hours in normal use, 6000 hours eco. Tech support is good too

[Marc-Engineer]

Have you looked at the Epson EBX-11 education projector? They are around £300 and come with a 3 year warranty on the bulb. (maximum of 200 hours per year) The ebx-14 is also good if you have very bright classrooms.

 

We've installed a few casio led projectors in the past, never again. About a year old now and they just arent bright enough.

 

We've used some sanyo's before, not sure on the model number but they look similar to the one you've suggested above. they have been ok, but after 18 months of use they desperately needed a clean - that is with cleaning their filters on a weekly basis - they get dirty far quicker than any projector i've known.

 

I like the range of Hitachi short throw projectors, although I have to say the mount they come with is ugly! Works well, just doesnt look good! There would also be some re-cabling if you changed to a short throw projector.

 

Steve

 

I must say i agree with most of above the Epson is a great bit of kit and will replace almost anything great zoom and lens ofset so it doesnt mater if its offcenter to the screen you can correct it, from any Epson "Approved" reseller you have no limitation on hrs as far as the lamp goes we just say 3 years and 5 years projector on site with same day swap out (but we need the old lamp back on swap).The Epson does not suffer as badly from dust ingress and has a simple single filter to clean.

 

I agree with the Casio statement as well i have seen a number fail and they get a colour cast with age (i did say this would happen when they came out knowing the composite lamp makeup)( and i have been proved right) they are also prone to overheating, casio have now halved their cover on these from the original claims.....speaks for itself.

and as said above still need cleaning like any other.

 

Yes the Hitachi is also a good unit i cant fault them but for a very very small amount of install in victorian schools where they need a sensor ajustment (all done on warrenty so no problem).

 

Marc

Projector Engineer

[lazkopat]

I've found this on Angry Technician, perhaps its worth giving it a try.

 

You have to gamble sometimes to achieve in life.

 

Cleaning dust ingress from the Sanyo PROxtraX PLC-XE31 « The Angry Technician

[steveg]

So they are giving you a 6000 hr lamp warranty is that in eco mode though? I know some makes will ship you a spare bulb but I think its like the old ink jet printers all over again i.e. they almost gave them away but charged a fortune for the supplies. I dont think the lamps cost anything like what they charge for them.

 

It's 6000 hours over 3 years, and thats in normal or eco mode, no restrictions. Also because we got more than ten of them, one of their technicians came out onsite to show us how to use them / basic repairs, and then gave us a free spare - so now if one fails we do a strait swap and then epson pick it up and repair it, so zero downtime. Hadn't really used epson's much in the past, but got to say i'm pretty impressed so far.

 

With regard to the Casio's at the time we installed them it was only the slim ones available, can't really comment on their recent range as we haven't tried them.

 

Steve