An odd looking grey boxy thing, the Sanyo XL50 doesn’t look much like a projector. The projection beam even comes unexpectedly out of the middle rather than one end. This is due to the projection beam being bounced off a highly accurate aspheric surface mirror and through a large aperture asphrical lens. It is this entirely unconventional projection optical engine, which gives the Sanyo XL50 the capability to project a large image (60 inches) from a miniscule throw distance of only 3 inches.

So short is the throw distance that the projector can project an image on the floor it is sitting on, the wall it is mounted on or pushed up against. The perpetual problem for presenters of casting a shadow on the screen is solved with this projector. It is in fact ideally suited to use as an interactive whiteboard projector (see image). Currently SMART Board and 3M interactive whiteboards projection systems consist of a cantilevered arm ending in a projector which utilizes 3M’s Vikuiti™ Super Close Projection technology.

The LP-XL50 has a native resolution of 1024×768 and will reproduce 16.7 million colors. A brightness of 2,000 lumens makes it suitable for use in well lit environments. Sanyo have provided no-wait cool down functionality to allow a quick pack-up at remote locations however, it seems unlikely to be used as the projector is a hefty 7.8kg with awkward dimensions of 374mm x 196.8 x 495 (width × height × depth). Sanyo have nominated the education sector as a likely market for the LP-XL50 however, a low power 2W mono speaker means external speakers are an essential.

Resources

Projection Screen Selection

Extending Projector Lamp Life

Replacement Projector Lamps and Bulbs Guide