Epson HC1080UB vs. Panasonic PT-AE3000

[Schrute Farms]

Help me choose! Both are great projectors, but which to choose? It's nice to have the choice between two great projectors.

I will have a 120" Elite Screens with 1.8 gain white screen, 99% ambient light control, plenty of flexibility with placement (ceiling mount), and will watch movies and some HD television like sports and some movies. My budget is <$3000 for the projector

Panasonic PT-AE3000:
http://www.visualapex.com/Panasonic/...The=PT-AE3000U
http://www.projectorcentral.com/pana...tor_review.htm

Epson Home Cinema 1080UB:
http://www.visualapex.com/lcdproject...UB_embed_Video
http://www.projectorcentral.com/epso..._ub_review.htm

[welwynnick]

Neither - wait for the Epson TW5000 IMHO.

Nick

[Schrute Farms]

Originally Posted by welwynnick

Neither - wait for the Epson TW5000 IMHO.

Nick

Is that gonna be available in the US? Does it have a different model # over here? How much will it be here?

[kpkelley]

You shouldn't be looking at the 1080ub as it's nearly a year old.

You should look at these:

Panasonic PT-AE3000u
Epson Home Cinema 6100
Mitsubishi HC6500
Sanyo PLV-Z700

Of these I'm intrigued most by the Panasonic, because of historically better black levels from DLP projectors in comparison to LCD one's. Reviews for these models, except the epson, are popping up all over so they should give you a good idea of pros and cons.

[Brain Sturgeon]

Of those two, I think I would take the AE3000 over the 1080UB, but as others have mentioned, Epson is also coming out with new projectors.

Originally Posted by kpkelley

Panasonic PT-AE3000u
Epson Home Cinema 6100
Mitsubishi HC6500
Sanyo PLV-Z700

Of these I'm intrigued most by the Panasonic, because of historically better black levels from DLP projectors in comparison to LCD one's. Reviews for these models, except the epson, are popping up all over so they should give you a good idea of pros and cons.

Not sure if you meant that the Panasonic is DLP-based or if you're just interested to see how the new LCD's perform against DLP, but the Panasonic is LCD-based as well, not DLP. In fact, all those PJ's you listed are LCD based. Early reports are that the Panny has excellent sequential contrast (i.e. on/off) for improved black levels as well as excellent ANSI. Of the PJ's you listed, I would also be most interested in the Panny, but we'll see how the Epson performs when it arrives.

[JJBOOGIE]

Originally Posted by kpkelley

You shouldn't be looking at the 1080ub as it's nearly a year old.

You should look at these:

Panasonic PT-AE3000u
Epson Home Cinema 6100
Mitsubishi HC6500
Sanyo PLV-Z700

Of these I'm intrigued most by the Panasonic, because of historically better black levels from DLP projectors in comparison to LCD one's. Reviews for these models, except the epson, are popping up all over so they should give you a good idea of pros and cons.

i agree completely with the above

[clyon]

Originally Posted by kpkelley

You shouldn't be looking at the 1080ub as it's nearly a year old.

You should look at these:

Panasonic PT-AE3000u
Epson Home Cinema 6100
Mitsubishi HC6500
Sanyo PLV-Z700

Of these I'm intrigued most by the Panasonic, because of historically better black levels from DLP projectors in comparison to LCD one's. Reviews for these models, except the epson, are popping up all over so they should give you a good idea of pros and cons.

there are 2 new epson UB coming out this year (dec)... 6500ub & 7500UB

the 6500ub is 10bit & the 7500ub is 12bit both 75,000 contrast, I don't know if eather model has 120hz like the Panasonic PT-AE3000u.

[kpkelley]

Originally Posted by Brain Sturgeon

Not sure if you meant that the Panasonic is DLP-based or if you're just interested to see how the new LCD's perform against DLP, but the Panasonic is LCD-based as well, not DLP. In fact, all those PJ's you listed are LCD based. Early reports are that the Panny has excellent sequential contrast (i.e. on/off) for improved black levels as well as excellent ANSI. Of the PJ's you listed, I would also be most interested in the Panny, but we'll see how the Epson performs when it arrives.

I probably should have been more specific in saying that I prefer DLP projectors but that the improved contrast ratio's of the LCD's are intriguing and the additional features of the Panasonic, interpolation and auto-set anamorphic setting, make it the most interesting.

Of course, if the OP can afford an lcos projector from Sony or JVC, then he'd really be in business.

[kpkelley]

Originally Posted by clyon

there are 2 new epson UB coming out this year (dec)... 6500ub & 7500UB

the 6500ub is 10bit & the 7500ub is 12bit both 75,000 contrast, I don't know if eather model has 120hz like the Panasonic PT-AE3000u.

I believe the 6500ub is going to be more expensive than the Panasonic, while the 6100ub will be cheaper($2000), although pricing is still uncertain.

[JJBOOGIE]

if you have 99% ambient control of our lighting, an LCD projector can get you some decent blacks...not as good as DLP of course - but i would not be too worried about it

[Woody]

Depending on your budget, and your fondness of black levels, you should pay attention to the new JVC RS10 coming out this month for $4999 MSRP.

[Oddiophile]

Originally Posted by Schrute Farms

Help me choose! Both are great projectors, but which to choose? It's nice to have the choice between two great projectors.

I will have a 120" Elite Screens with 1.8 gain white screen, 99% ambient light control, plenty of flexibility with placement (ceiling mount), and will watch movies and some HD television like sports and some movies.

Panasonic PT-AE3000:
http://www.visualapex.com/Panasonic/...The=PT-AE3000U
http://www.projectorcentral.com/pana...tor_review.htm

Epson Home Cinema 1080UB:
http://www.visualapex.com/lcdproject...UB_embed_Video
http://www.projectorcentral.com/epso..._ub_review.htm

Check out this thread on the AVS Forum, person asking the same question as you. Some good info.

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=1079644

Originally Posted by JJBOOGIE

if you have 99% ambient control of our lighting, an LCD projector can get you some decent blacks...not as good as DLP of course - but i would not be too worried about it

I disagree, Epsons 1080UB surpassed DLP's black level performance last generation and this new generation of LCD's from Panasonic, Epson, Mitsubishi, Sanyo, is only further increasing the gap.

The DLP group does have a new generation of LED powered projectors in the works, one was said to be 200,000:1 contrast and available around February for under 10K. Lcos has Laser powered projectors in the works that should offer comparable performance to DLP's LED's.

Still when your taking black level performance the raining king for almost 3 years now is JVC with there RS D-ila projectors, still as close as your going to get to CRT blacks.

[Schrute Farms]

Originally Posted by kpkelley

Of course, if the OP can afford an lcos projector from Sony or JVC, then he'd really be in business.

Originally Posted by Woody

Depending on your budget, and your fondness of black levels, you should pay attention to the new JVC RS10 coming out this month for $4999 MSRP.

Originally Posted by kpkelley

I believe the 6500ub is going to be more expensive than the Panasonic, while the 6100ub will be cheaper($2000), although pricing is still uncertain.

I'm sorry that I forgot to mention my budget of $3000 or less. I would be interested in learning more about the Epson 6100 once some more info becomes available. Since I have a couple of months before my theater is complete, I can do my research. Silly me, I thought the projector would be an easy choice!

[saintade]

The Epson's are simply amazing. I upgraded to an HD 1080p TW1000 about 6 months ago and it is simply AWESOME. HD TV and Blu-Ray images are crisp, clear with strong blacks and fantastic depth of color. And absolutely NO sign of any grid background you got with SD projectors. Get one now.

[Oddiophile]

Originally Posted by welwynnick

Neither - wait for the Epson TW5000 IMHO.

Nick

The US verson of the TW5000 is the 6500UB, the pro version is the 7500UB.

Originally Posted by Schrute Farms

I'm sorry that I forgot to mention my budget of $3000 or less. I would be interested in learning more about the Epson 6100 once some more info becomes available. Since I have a couple of months before my theater is complete, I can do my research. Silly me, I thought the projector would be an easy choice!

IMO, the 6100 is a step down from the AE3000, between the two I would stick with the AE3000. The Epson 6500UB/7500UB is the replacement for the 1080UB and should be a step up from both the 1080UB & the AE3000. Release date is estimated in December, no official price has been set yet, it's estimated at under $3,000.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SYyaMgaqE5w

[gandley]

the TW5000 is the same as the pro version, thats just the way its done for europe. we dont have pro and home version with epson projectors so the tw2000 was the same as the 1080UB.

1080UB has a better black than the AE3000 but the AE3000 has some nice new features.

The 7500UB i reckon will end up being the best of current LCD with its higher native contrast and improved dynamic iris..

RS10 will still have a much better black level, as in a light controlled room the AE3000 does not get close to the RS1. (depending on ones definition of close)

great reviewe here that has black level comparisons between projectors.

http://www.projectorreviews.com/pana...000u/index.php

[Rebel6666]

Here is a good site for projector's and it also talks about the 7500UB MSRP at 5000$


Link

[Tok]

If price is a consideration, last year's models are this year's bargains.

Don't get too hyped up about improve CR and other features. Most of the time its just marketing hype. I have a ProCinema1080UB and I would seriously look at that and the Home version especially considering rebates and other incentives.

The HQV feature may be an improvement, but remember the HQV is really only useful if viewing a lot of SD material. For native HD sources like BD it does not do much.

[Oddiophile]

Originally Posted by CraigW

If price is a consideration, last year's models are this year's bargains.

Don't get too hyped up about improve CR and other features. Most of the time its just marketing hype. I have a ProCinema1080UB and I would seriously look at that and the Home version especially considering rebates and other incentives.

The HQV feature may be an improvement, but remember the HQV is really only useful if viewing a lot of SD material. For native HD sources like BD it does not do much.

The new crop of projectors have a lot more going for them then just improved contrast ratios.

As you have stated the Epson 6500UB does have the Reon HQV processor, it also does 120Hz frame interpolation if you like that super smooth look. The 6500UB does have an improved contrast ratio of 75,000:1, new ultra black technology, is quieter then last years model, and it's new e-torl lamp is rated at 4,000 hours compared to 3,000 on the 1080UB. I just go my pre-order in today for the 6500UB for $2499 after the rebates.


The Panasonic also has a better contrast ratio then last years model rated at 60,000:1, it also does 120Hz frame interpolation, improvement were made on the AE3000 to limit dust blobs that so Meany users were reporting on the AE2000. Probably the AE3000 biggest selling point is it's lens memory that lets you zoom in and out at the push of a button for a cinema scope 2:35 screen. Projector People was offering the AE3000 for $2300 for a thanksgiving/cyber Monday sale.

[Big Daddy]

Originally Posted by Oddiophile

I just got my pre-order in today for the 6500UB for $2499 after the rebates.

Where did you get the pre-order for $2,499? Projector People has it for $2,799 after rebate.