Panasonic Launches New PT-AE4000U Full High Definition Home Theater Projector

[DoomBot]

Originally Posted by kefrank

I like the feature set, but at this point, I'm mainly interested in whether it is truly more resistant to dust blobs, if it is easy to get in and remove dust blobs that do crop up, and if the panel convergence is within tolerable limits. Those are my primary issues with the 3LCD projector I currently own and would be good motivation for me to upgrade.

I agree that would be an important thing to know cause that's about the only thing that scares me with LCD projectors.

[ryoohki]

Dust Blob can never be perfect on LCD, but Panasonic sure can get better at it. I Have 300 hours on my AE3000 and i don't have any.. for now. Sanyo got that pretty much, their system is amazing. (cleaning port and awesome dust filter).

For convergence, in 5 LCD projector i never had one with bad convergence. Not at 15 feet. A lot of people freak when they see it at 1 inch from their screen, but that's not realistic at all...

Personnally i'am DLP sensible, i see Blue color pretty easily even on the latest model and my friend is sick just looking at them (like seasick). So LCD is my only option at that price point..

[Fors*]

Originally Posted by ryoohki

Dust Blob can never be perfect on LCD, but Panasonic sure can get better at it. I Have 300 hours on my AE3000 and i don't have any.. for now. Sanyo got that pretty much, their system is amazing. (cleaning port and awesome dust filter).

For convergence, in 5 LCD projector i never had one with bad convergence. Not at 15 feet. A lot of people freak when they see it at 1 inch from their screen, but that's not realistic at all...

Personnally i'am DLP sensible, i see Blue color pretty easily even on the latest model and my friend is sick just looking at them (like seasick). So LCD is my only option at that price point..

I have the Sanyo Z60, and the cleaning system they have with my projector is quite impressive. It is a nice feature to have, and I'msure other manufacturers will install the same sooner than later. I haven't had to use it yet, but it is nice knowing it is there.

[GeologyNut]

Originally Posted by forsberg21

I have the Sanyo Z60, and the cleaning system they have with my projector is quite impressive. It is a nice feature to have, and I'msure other manufacturers will install the same sooner than later. I haven't had to use it yet, but it is nice knowing it is there.

Fors, one of these days we need to talk about projectors! I need one bad!

[Fors*]

Originally Posted by GeologyNut

Fors, one of these days we need to talk about projectors! I need one bad!

Once you figure out the right size of screen you can use, that helps in picking out the right projector. Some are better in regards to PQ with smaller screens and vice versa. I know you have some room to do it, but when you get serious enough, really see how you can maxmize your space completely.

You 'll probably want to widen your front soundstage for the screen to fit properly, and some cosmetic changes as well would help. But that is a perfect room for one.....no light!

[GeologyNut]

Originally Posted by forsberg21

Once you figure out the right size of screen you can use, that helps in picking out the right projector. Some are better in regards to PQ with smaller screens and vice versa. I know you have some room to do it, but when you get serious enough, really see how you can maxmize your space completely.

You 'll probably want to widen your front soundstage for the screen to fit properly, and some cosmetic changes as well would help. But that is a perfect room for one.....no light!

Well, at night there is no light, there is a 6 foot big window on the left there, by my a/v rack. So during the day it might be hard but I don't usually watch movies during the day, too busy with school and all. Movies are at night when I get home!

I am looking at the new Panny projector though! Its a toss between ae4000 or a sanyo.

[Fors*]

Originally Posted by GeologyNut

Well, at night there is no light, there is a 6 foot big window on the left there, by my a/v rack. So during the day it might be hard but I don't usually watch movies during the day, too busy with school and all. Movies are at night when I get home!

I am looking at the new Panny projector though! Its a toss between ae4000 or a sanyo.

If you can afford the Panny, I would recommend that. That thing, with its settings between the different ratios is awesome. The fact that it is 1080p is another. If and when you get the coin, I would recommend that thing.

Good curtains can take care of almost all the light along that wall. Getting them set-up would be easy. I wouldn't hesitate to get the curtains, as it will make a remarkable PQ improvement when you drew them closed.

[Swede]

Originally Posted by Erman_94

would people here agree that the ae4000u is the best in its price range of ~$2000? if so, what (IYO) would be the next step up for around 4k?

thanks

AE4000, Epson 8500ub and the Sony HW15 are all pretty close performance wise, but the AE4000 beats them all in terms of features...

Next step up would be the JVC RS15 at about $4.5k, is it worth twice the price for a marginal increase in PQ black level, that's up to your wallet The RS25 should be more of a step up, but it comes with another price doubling

My biggest issue with the JVC's is that they are still behind the Panasonic when it comes to features so I can't justify spending twice the money on something that's not even better on all counts...

[GeologyNut]

I relation to sharpness, which would be better the panny or the epson!?

[ryoohki]

Originally Posted by GeologyNut

I relation to sharpness, which would be better the panny or the epson!?

Epson have Sharpness set to about +3 (when at 0) compared to the Panasonic. If you put the Panasonic at +3 or use the new Detail Clarity at 3(for AE4000)(previously it was only ON or OFF on the AE3000, now you have OFF ,1,2,3 as setting on the AE4000). Projector Review said that the AE3000 with Detail Clarity at 3 is about the same as the Epson.

Last year too Epson use a little more sharpness then default setting. Sanyo is like that also (but can got negatively in the sharpness setting). The Panasonic at 0 is really 0 (it can't go lower than 0)...

I have mine set at +3 (sharpness) it's only subtle and if they are no EE, i don't see any 'Fake' EE on the screen it's only a inch sharper..

[GeologyNut]

Originally Posted by ryoohki

Epson have Sharpness set to about +3 (when at 0) compared to the Panasonic. If you put the Panasonic at +3 or use the new Detail Clarity at 3(for AE4000)(previously it was only ON or OFF on the AE3000, now you have OFF ,1,2,3 as setting on the AE4000). Projector Review said that the AE3000 with Detail Clarity at 3 is about the same as the Epson.

Last year too Epson use a little more sharpness then default setting. Sanyo is like that also (but can got negatively in the sharpness setting). The Panasonic at 0 is really 0 (it can't go lower than 0)...

I have mine set at +3 (sharpness) it's only subtle and if they are no EE, i don't see any 'Fake' EE on the screen it's only a inch sharper..

Ryoohki, thanks for the quick response. So, in comparison, it sounds like the ae4000 will be slightly better than the Epson. Also, does your AE3000 have the focus zoom, ie go from 16x9 to 2.35:1. If so, what is your opinion about it? Should I get a 2.35:1 screen when I get my projector? Thanks for being patient with me!

[ryoohki]

Originally Posted by GeologyNut

Ryoohki, thanks for the quick response. So, in comparison, it sounds like the ae4000 will be slightly better than the Epson. Also, does your AE3000 have the focus zoom, ie go from 16x9 to 2.35:1. If so, what is your opinion about it? Should I get a 2.35:1 screen when I get my projector? Thanks for being patient with me!

The Epson will probably have the edge in Black level like always.. but if it's 999$ more, it's not 999$ better.

Yes i have the focus/Zoom motor. I would go with the AE4000 it got many enhancement to an already great projector.

Depend on what you want to do. Personnally i don't watch enought 2.35:1 material to justify going 2.35:1 but if you CAN do it easily, do it. I suggest putting to projector at least 15 feet away if you do that, because to do 2.35:1 you need to use the Mecanised Zoom and you loose brithness (as with all projector, zoom and you loose lumens). If you are too close you can always get material with high gain to compensate.

[kefrank]

Originally Posted by ryoohki

For convergence, in 5 LCD projector i never had one with bad convergence. Not at 15 feet. A lot of people freak when they see it at 1 inch from their screen, but that's not realistic at all...

I sit about 8 feet from my screen and the convergence issues are noticeable with my Epson Home Cinema 1080, especially on white text. I went through 5 different projectors with Epson and they all had noticeable convergence problems from my viewing distance, so I've just decided to live with it. Any three-panel solution is never going to have perfect convergence, but I'd like to find a model that seems to have consistently good convergence (1 pixel deviation) for my next purchase.

[[1080-p]]

I still need to see it working before i can comment on it
http://bing.search.sympatico.ca/?q=P...&setLang=en-CA

[ryoohki]

Originally Posted by kefrank

I sit about 8 feet from my screen and the convergence issues are noticeable with my Epson Home Cinema 1080, especially on white text. I went through 5 different projectors with Epson and they all had noticeable convergence problems from my viewing distance, so I've just decided to live with it. Any three-panel solution is never going to have perfect convergence, but I'd like to find a model that seems to have consistently good convergence (1 pixel deviation) for my next purchase.

I never saw it on my AE3000, but did on my Sanyo Z2000..

[igotcabada]

Projector central's AE4000 vs 8500 shootout

Anyone picked up the AE4000 yet? Have they started shipping yet?

[GeologyNut]

Originally Posted by igotcabada

Projector central's AE4000 vs 8500 shootout

Anyone picked up the AE4000 yet? Have they started shipping yet?

Thanks for the link, it was a good review! I am still partial to the Panny and will probably get this here in the near future. The 2.40 and 16x9 zoom is a seller for me when it comes to the Panny. I don't know if it is out yet, does anybody else know about this?

[ryoohki]

Originally Posted by GeologyNut

Thanks for the link, it was a good review! I am still partial to the Panny and will probably get this here in the near future. The 2.40 and 16x9 zoom is a seller for me when it comes to the Panny. I don't know if it is out yet, does anybody else know about this?

Supposed to be shipping this week to stores..

[GeologyNut]

Originally Posted by ryoohki

Supposed to be shipping this week to stores..

Awesome, thanks! Will be looking into it!

[igotcabada]

Just put my preorder in for a AE4000

will let ya'll know when it arrives