Planar PD7150 DLP Projector Review

by Clint DeBoer — last modified March 28, 2007

Planar PD7150 DLP Projector

Summary

Product Name: PD7150 DLP Projector
Manufacturer: Planar
Performance Rating:
Value Rating:
Review Date: March 07, 2007 13:37
MSRP: $ 5,999

Specifications

Microdisplay: Texas Instruments DLP® DarkChip3™ 0.8 720p 12o LVDS DMD

Native Resolution: 1280 x 720 (921,600 pixels)

Video Inputs: DVI-D, component (2), RGB/PC (HD15), S-video, composite

Aspect Ratios: Native (Pixel-to-Pixel), 16:9, Letterbox, 4:3, Anamorphic compatible (standard definition sources)

Projection Lens: All glass, F/2.4~2.50, f=19.1~23.9 mm, 1:25x manual zoom, made in Japan

Throw Ratio: 1.3 - 1.7 (distance/width)

Lens Shift: +/-15% (horizontal), + 100%, -65% (vertical, ceiling mounted)

Cooling Performance: High efficiency adaptive voltage side-to-side cooling with low system acoustic noise level (29dBA) and low light pollution cabinet

Video Lumens: 1000 ANSI max

Contrast Ratio: 5000:1 (max full on/full off)

Projection Modes: Front, Rear, Ceiling (front/rear)

Keystone (digital): +/-5 (horizontal), +/-5 (vertical)

Lamp: User replaceable 200/250W HPM (selectable), 3000 hour (eco) lifetime*

Video Processing: Pixelworks™ PW463 8-bit chip

Calibration: Full RGB gain/offset control (White Balance), Gamma (1.0, 1.5, 1.8, 2.0, 2.2, 2.35, 2.5, 2.8), Contrast, Color Temp (Presets 5K~10K and X,Y control for R,G,B,Y), Brightness

Misc: 12VDC trigger, RS-232 (9-pin)

Dimensions: 17.5" (445mm) L x 16.5" (420mm) W x 7.1" (180mm) H

Weight: 17.6 lb (8 kg)

Pros

True native 720p DLP
Deep blacks, rich colors
Consumer adjustment of RGB gain, cut
Variable gamma settings
Backlit remote with discrete power codes

Cons

No HDMI input (does have DVI-D with HDCP)
No support for downscaling 1080p/60 source material via DVI-D (support of 1080p/24 and 1080p/60 supported via component)
No 480i support via DVI-D
Awkward remote configuration and labeling

Introduction

Planar is a company whose products everyone has likely encountered - they just may not realize it. Responsible for many of the displays found in gas station pumps, shopping centers, ATMs and image-sensitive hospital applications, Planar decided to enter the home theater market in 2006 and the results thus far are more than promising. They are targeting a wide range of home theater users, but are decidedly positioning themselves to compete in the higher end market.

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E-A-G-L-E-S posts on October 17, 2008 10:37

This is one fantastic 720p 1 chip DC3 DLP PJ!

The Dukester posts on October 14, 2008 11:30

Thanks for the review. The Planar 1080p's are on my short list. Any chance of seeing an 8150 or 8130 review? I'd really like to see how these stack up against the new JVC's coming out and the Sony's. Too bad there are no dealers close to me to see any of these.

Clint DeBoer posts on October 14, 2008 09:08

You might want to read this article:

http://www.audioholics.com/tweaks/calibrate-your-system/hdmi-black-levels-xvycc-rgb [audioholics.com]

It will give you some good info on why proper levels are important and how to ensure you get them correct.

Grayson73 posts on October 14, 2008 08:21

White Enhance, if I recall correctly, enabled whiter than white response, regardless of gamma setting. I don't typically retain calibration settings since most people's rooms and systems are different from mine.

So you recommend that it is always "on", right? Why is it good to have "whiter than white"?

Clint DeBoer posts on October 13, 2008 18:42