Which would you buy, the Panasonic AE4000 or the Epson 8500 UB

[primaz]

I know both of these units are very close and have heard good reviews of both but what is your real world opinions? I know the 8500 UB is $300 or so more is that worth it?

I am going to use it for a 110" screen with a ceiling mount about 14' away from the screen in a room with decent light control (not able to completely make it dark but close).

What about opinions on maintenance and how long it will last. I've had a PLV 70 Sanyo for years and it is finally starting to fade.

[primaz]

http://www.projectorcentral.com/epso...tor_review.htm

http://www.projectorcentral.com/pana...tor_review.htm

http://www.projectorcentral.com/epso...nic_ae4000.htm

http://www.projectorcentral.com/edit...wards_2009.htm

Any thoughts AE4000 @ $1999 or 8500UB with rebate $2299?

It seems the 8500UB has better black and slight edge on more abient lighted rooms but the AE4000 has some great features the other does not. Also anyone have real world comments on bulb life? I hear the Epson last longer but how much longer would that bridge the $300 to you?

[ronjones]

From all of the direct comparison reviews it appears that the 8500UB projects a slightly better image. However, the AE4000's flexibilty for power zoom and focus as well as the memories may be of enough importance for some to move the purchase decision in that direction. Both are really good projectors. I own a 6500UB and my only real complaint is the auto iris makes a lot of noise when it operates (it sounds like a loud hard disc drive running) and since no one has production 8500UB or 9500UB yet we don't know if Epson has solved this issue or not with the new models. I suggest you read the direct comparison review at projectorreviews.com then make your choice based on where your priorities are. As for bulb life Epson introduced a new type of bulb a year ago (with the 6500UB) that is now carried into the new model. The Epsons's bulb life is rated at 4000 hours (longer than typical for front projectors) for either high or low lamp mode. The Panasonic bulb life is rated at 2000 hours in high lamp mode and 3000 hours in low life mode.

[primaz]

With double the lamp life it is about the same cost once your first lamp goes out. How do you like the 6500? the 8500 is the improved version, do you feel like it is well built and a long lasting unit?

thanks for the link I will check it out!

[primaz]

reading that review at a quick pace I am leaning towards the 8500 UB but I will read it slower and with more time to make sure I still feel that way. The lamp cost comparison makes me think my use will be less expensive going with the 8500 ub. They have a great review as they show side by side pictures to really demonstrate the differences. For me the picture quality goes slightly towards the 8500 ub but again as they say the differeces are subtle.

[Swede]

I'm leaning towards the AE4000, but then I'm using a 2.35:1 screen so that's a huge plus for me. PQ seems very similar, projectorreviews as usual prefers the epson, while projectorcentral obviously prefers the ae4000. I think it's all about what your priorities are and what features you need / are looking for and if you can get an especially good deal on one of them.

[Fors*]

The AE4000 gets my vote. I have heard nothing but great things about this projector, and at its price point of $1,999...it can't be beat IMO.

[primaz]

I think based on the link from RonJones the 8500 ub is a better deal as far as price based on this,

"Lamp Life ratings:

Full power on lamp: Panasonic 2000 hours, Epson 4000 hours, $399
Low Power on lamp: Panasonic 3000 hours, Epson 4000 hours, $299

(At 6000 hours of use, the Epson would be on its 2nd lamp, and have 2000 hours left. The Panasonic would be on its 4th lamp, with 2000 hours left. (assuming full power on both projectors).

Combining upfront cost with lamp costs, at the end of 6000 hours (24 hours a week, 5 years):

Panasonic: $1999 + $1197 (3x$399 lamp) = $3196
Epson: $2499 - $200 (rebate) + $299 (1x$299 lamp) = $2598

Or, for those of you who aren't heavy users in terms of weekly hours, or figure you'll be upgrading in a year or two, or three, here's the breakout for the end of 2000 hours use (10 hours a week for 4 years, or 20 hours/week for 2 years):

Panasonic: $1999 + $399 (lamp) = $2398
Epson: $2499 - $200 (rebate) = $2299

As you can see, even at the end of just 2000 hours, the Epson costs a touch less, since at 2000 hours, you would have just bought a new lamp for the Panny, and have 2000 hours left. With the Epson you'd be on the first lamp, but still have 2000 hours left."

I think the lamp life of 4000 hours at full brightness of 8500 ub gives it the edge along with the improved black levels to me. For me this is to replace a dying Sanyo and have no plans to upgrade the screen anytime to a 2.35 so the other advantages of the Panny are not a big factor. I think based on that I'll buy the 8500 UB probably this weekend as many provide free three day shipping.

[ronjones]

I really like my Epson 6500UB and it projects an excellant image. I'm coming from 30+ years of ownership (that's not a typo) of CRT front projectors and I feel that within the past year resonably priced digital projectors have finally overtaken the better CRT projectors from early in this decade (my final CRT projector was a Sony G70). I would not hesitate to purchase either the 8500UB or the AE4000 and if I were wanting to go with a 2.35 aspect ratio (AR) screen I would certainly go with the Panasonic, but would go with the 8500UB if using a 1.78 AR screen.

[Trogdor2010]

It would have been nice if the Epson offered a V stretch mode so I don't need to get a special blu ray player to use my anamorphic lens. The cheaper Panasonic offers a v stretch mode and a zoom lens memory, and that is hard to find in it's price, but if the epson did offer a v stretch mode, the extra contrast for a little bit would be worth it (for me). What's so difficult putting a picture stretch mode on a projector?

[Disky76]

Originally Posted by primaz

I know both of these units are very close and have heard good reviews of both but what is your real world opinions? I know the 8500 UB is $300 or so more is that worth it?

I am going to use it for a 110" screen with a ceiling mount about 14' away from the screen in a room with decent light control (not able to completely make it dark but close).

What about opinions on maintenance and how long it will last. I've had a PLV 70 Sanyo for years and it is finally starting to fade.

I would opt for the 4000 since it would allow you to do CIH. I would buy it for that reason alone. I am not as familiar with the Epson.

[primaz]

I opted for the Epson 8500 UB as I have no plans at this current location to change screens nor add the anamorphic lense which would be about the same if not more than the cost of either projector. I do eventually plan on upgrading homes and then maybe I would consider an anamorphic lense as then hopefully I would have a large enough room to really upgrade to a much larger 15 foot or so screen compared to my 110", which maxes out the room already. At that point I might go for a more higher end unit to match the needs of that more ideal HT.

If I was starting from scratch without a screen and had the room to get a larger screen then I would have probably went for the AE4000 but with my existing screen and room limitations I really see no reason to get a anamorphic lense nor justify the high price for this application for now. I think both are great budget high quality projectors both with pluses and minuses so for now I can not wait to try out the new Epson 8500 UB

[ZedsDead]

I have heard nothing but praise for both units. I have the Epson 8100 and love it, I don't think you can make a bad decision on this one.

[Trogdor2010]

Originally Posted by primaz

I opted for the Epson 8500 UB as I have no plans at this current location to change screens nor add the anamorphic lense which would be about the same if not more than the cost of either projector. I do eventually plan on upgrading homes and then maybe I would consider an anamorphic lense as then hopefully I would have a large enough room to really upgrade to a much larger 15 foot or so screen compared to my 110", which maxes out the room already. At that point I might go for a more higher end unit to match the needs of that more ideal HT.

If I was starting from scratch without a screen and had the room to get a larger screen then I would have probably went for the AE4000 but with my existing screen and room limitations I really see no reason to get a anamorphic lense nor justify the high price for this application for now. I think both are great budget high quality projectors both with pluses and minuses so for now I can not wait to try out the new Epson 8500 UB

From the distance you have your projector, I doubt you can fill a 15 foot wide screen with a throw of 14 feet. Anamorphic lenses are best used with projectors with a long throw, a recommended throw of 2.0 (screen sizes diagonal to distance, this would be the distance twice the distance of that of the screen size) to minimalize chroma abbrieviation and a minimum of 1.6 to avoid noticeable chroma abbrieviation. My projector is projecting 1.8 throw in a 18 foot room (since the projector vents in the sides, I can project a 120 inch screen in 16:9 from 16 feet and 4 inches), and using a custom mount and ceiling mount the lenses with a board, which I can use the prisms to stretch the picture (with the help of a V stretch mode) and I can achieve a 12 foot (156 inch) 2.35:1 image, and I gain the benefits of using the lenses. It looks great even with some of the reflections of the prisms. What I'm recommending if you are going for the CIH method with an anamorphic lens, always use a longer throw for best results, but it can also be great with smaller rooms wanting a bigger screen. Projectors such as my Infocus X10 are design for large CIH movie set ups even with their limited placement of the DLP.

You'll be happy with your epson projector and love using it with your screen (it's a better performing projector than my Infocus mentioned). Size matters, but so does image brightness and contrast, and screen type also.

[primaz]

I purchased a Chief univeral mount to connect to my Chief mounting base and it was easy to install the new 8500 UB to replace the old Sanyo. The factory settings were pretty reasonable but I went to http://www.projectorreviews.com/epso...alibration.php and plugged in their calibration settings and the picture looks very impressive. I have not bothered to try to tweak the settings any more as the picture looks clean, clear, natural with very good black levels and is very quiet.

Trogdor2010, when I was referring to a 15' screen that would be for our next house and then I'd buy a new projector as I am sure that the technology will continue to advance and then I would want a model with the anamorphic lense ability but to me for that type of expensive lense and screen I would be looking at models in the next price level at least like the Epson 9500 UB or models like the JVC and others in the higher end category of projectors. At that point in time I want to go as large as possible given whatever restriction my next home has (but the next home better have a room able to handle a screen a lot larger than what I have now I guess something in proportion for an anamorphic lense around the 15' length range give or take a couple of feet as I want size and brightness.

I am very impressed with the 8500 UB and the projecto easily provides a great picture on my 110" screen. The rebate fyi goes through the end of December.

[skm009]

Guys,

Similar problem so posting in this thread itself. Please don't mind.

Need help in choosing a 100" 2.35:1 high contrast screen to go with Panny AE4000U. Any suggestions?

Still not totally convinced to go with 2.35:1 as compared to 16:9. Does 4000U adjust automatically to fill in 2.35:1 screen with a 16:9 image or do I still get the vertical black bars?

Thanks for the help.

[brokenthumb]

Originally Posted by skm009

Guys,

Similar problem so posting in this thread itself. Please don't mind.

Need help in choosing a 100" 2.35:1 high contrast screen to go with Panny AE4000U. Any suggestions?

Still not totally convinced to go with 2.35:1 as compared to 16:9. Does 4000U adjust automatically to fill in 2.35:1 screen with a 16:9 image or do I still get the vertical black bars?

Thanks for the help.

16:9 image on a 2.35:1 screen will give you unused screen on the left and right sides of the image.
A 4:3 movie in a 16:9 frame, such as Wizard of Oz, will give you vertical black bars as well as unused screen on the sides.

[Trogdor2010]

Originally Posted by primaz

I purchased a Chief univeral mount to connect to my Chief mounting base and it was easy to install the new 8500 UB to replace the old Sanyo. The factory settings were pretty reasonable but I went to http://www.projectorreviews.com/epso...alibration.php and plugged in their calibration settings and the picture looks very impressive. I have not bothered to try to tweak the settings any more as the picture looks clean, clear, natural with very good black levels and is very quiet.

Trogdor2010, when I was referring to a 15' screen that would be for our next house and then I'd buy a new projector as I am sure that the technology will continue to advance and then I would want a model with the anamorphic lense ability but to me for that type of expensive lense and screen I would be looking at models in the next price level at least like the Epson 9500 UB or models like the JVC and others in the higher end category of projectors. At that point in time I want to go as large as possible given whatever restriction my next home has (but the next home better have a room able to handle a screen a lot larger than what I have now I guess something in proportion for an anamorphic lense around the 15' length range give or take a couple of feet as I want size and brightness.

I am very impressed with the 8500 UB and the projecto easily provides a great picture on my 110" screen. The rebate fyi goes through the end of December.

Sorry if I misread . Glad you enjoy your new epson projector.

[skm009]

I am fixed on buying a Panny AE-4000U . Need suggestions selecting a 2.35:1 100" or more fixed screen to go with it.

I really like the SI Black Diamond II, but its out of my budget. I can spend around a 1000 bucks. I will be using this setup to mostly watch movies in a basement where light can be controlled.

The projector would be a ceiling mount but I might end up getting the screen before the projector. Would it be a problem if I fixed the screen first and the projector later? Sorry! I am new to this.

Thanks!

[greatfoxmusic]

Originally Posted by skm009

I am fixed on buying a Panny AE-4000U . Need suggestions selecting a 2.35:1 100" or more fixed screen to go with it.

I really like the SI Black Diamond II, but its out of my budget. I can spend around a 1000 bucks. I will be using this setup to mostly watch movies in a basement where light can be controlled.

The projector would be a ceiling mount but I might end up getting the screen before the projector. Would it be a problem if I fixed the screen first and the projector later? Sorry! I am new to this.

Thanks!

Carada screens.

http://www.carada.com/LCD-Home-Cinem...reen-2-35.aspx

I have a 1.78:1 Criterion series, I love it, it has some impressive solid build to it, and the price is great as well.