Hi

I'm building a home theater room that is 20' x 16'. I going to purchase a 135" 2.35:1 screen. The throw distance is around 15-17'. My first row of seating is around 13' and second row is 18'.

My maximum budget on a projector is $3k. Do you guys recommend the Panasonic AE4000U. The MSRP is $2500 and the street price is $1999. It's well below my budget and I could use the extra money on a better screen or other little things.

I understand that noone has the 4000U yet, however, if it is anything similiar to the 3000U, would you guys still recommend the Panasonic for my screen size and budget OR something else. Some people are telling me that the Pansonic AE4000U will not be bright enough for that large of a screen.

Will the AE4000U be fine or does anybody have any other suggestions?

Thanks!

Take a good look at the Mitsubishi HC6800. :)

It's worth every peny I paid for.

Thanks. I checked the lumens for that projector, however, the lumens is even lower then the Panasonic 4000E. Does anybody have any experience with these projectors at around 135" 2:25.1 ratio?

Is the projector bright enough?

Thanks

I assume you are zooming to your 135" scope screen? If so you have 56-57 sq ft of area to light up. That is alot. My RS10 is one of the more brighter pj and, calibrated, it puts out 700-750 lumens in Cinema setting for movies. This would still give you only 12 fl on a 1.0 gain screen. I don't know where the panny calibrates to but you could also look at a 2.8 gain High Power screen to get your brightness up. You need to have your seating within the screen width and mount the PJ as close to eye level as possible to get the maximum gain. But if so, you would be around your $3k budget with the panny and that size high power screen.

If you are going to have a light-controlled room, I would highly recommend the ae3000u or the ae4000u. Take a look at my setup, where I'm using an ae3000u with a 136" diagonal Carada 2.35:1 screen in a 15 1/2' x 18' x 8 1/2" high room:

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=1172676

Let me know if you have any specific questions about the setup and the ae3000u (or 4000u).

That's a very nice setup. I too plan on buying the 136" Carada 2.35 screen. Since it's such a large screen for that type of projector, did you order the higher gain material for the screen to get the extra brightness?

If I order the Panasonic 4000, whats the best throw distance to receive the best picture? Right now I can throw it anywhere from 12' to 18'. I tried playing around on Projector Central's calculator, but I'm a newb when it comes to this and it's kind of confusing!

You would be well served to order the brilliant white from Carada because your lamp will lose power gradually over time.JB;)

Yes, I did get the Brilliant White, for the reason mentioned as well as just to eke out as many lumens as possible.

For ftL calculation purposes, plan on the Carada BW only being 1.0 gain ... 1.1 at best. It really isn't 1.4 as advertised.

Thanks. I checked the lumens for that projector, however, the lumens is even lower then the Panasonic 4000E. Does anybody have any experience with these projectors at around 135" 2:25.1 ratio?

Is the projector bright enough?

Thanks

Projector Central is claiming the Mits 6800 is actully brighter than the Panny AE4000 in cinema mode.

http://www.projectorcentral.com/1080p_shootout_2009.htm

The Sony VW15 is also in your price range. I believe it is brighter than the AE4000, but does not have the power zoom and focus.

If you are using a screen that size with a throw of 15+ feet you will want the bright white screen. I am using a 110" screen with a 13' throw and used the standard, but Carada said I could have gone either way. My room is 100% light controlled and I like my nice black levels so I went with the standard gain. Lighting up that much more screen with a longer throw you will probably want the BW material, especially if there is any light in the room at all.

Projector Central is claiming the Mits 6800 is actully brighter than the Panny AE4000 in cinema mode.

http://www.projectorcentral.com/1080p_shootout_2009.htm

The Sony VW15 is also in your price range. I believe it is brighter than the AE4000, but does not have the power zoom and focus.

That is correct, at least this is what I saw when comparing those two projectors. I purshased the HC6800 because to my eyes, it had a superior looking image then the AE4000 and others. Now...I can hear those AE4000 owners saying this and that... but for me, the HC6800 has the most natural looking - film like image in that price range and even beyong... It's the projector to beat in this category IMHO. Needless to say, anyone going with the AE4000 will like it a lot also, it's one hell of a projector. Buy what you fell is best for you and what you fell comfortable with, either one of those projectors will do just fine.

That is correct, at least this is what I saw when comparing those two projectors. I purshased the HC6800 because to my eyes, it had a superior looking image then the AE4000 and others. Now...I can hear those AE4000 owners saying this and that... but for me, the HC6800 has the most natural looking - film like image in that price range and even beyong... It's the projector to beat in this category IMHO. Needless to say, anyone going with the AE4000 will like it a lot also, it's one hell of a projector. Buy what you fell is best for you and what you fell comfortable with, either one of those projectors will do just fine.

Where did you demo the AE4000? Considering it only started shipping a few days ago, I'd love to hear how you were able to compare the HC6800 to it. I'm still on the fence with which projector to go with. I'm also considering the RS10 and RS15.

Everyone argues this PJ vs. that, I wonder how many of us actually keep the same PJ for 3+ years anyway?

Technology changes so much I feel like flipping lower cost PJs is a moot point for upgrading.

you know that AE4K or HC6800 will have half value on the used market after 3 years so you could upgrade it easily, it's not your "last" projector - right?

Hi

I'm building a home theater room that is 20' x 16'. I going to purchase a 135" 2.35:1 screen. The throw distance is around 15-17'. My first row of seating is around 13' and second row is 18'.

My maximum budget on a projector is $3k. Do you guys recommend the Panasonic AE4000U. The MSRP is $2500 and the street price is $1999. It's well below my budget and I could use the extra money on a better screen or other little things.

I understand that noone has the 4000U yet, however, if it is anything similiar to the 3000U, would you guys still recommend the Panasonic for my screen size and budget OR something else. Some people are telling me that the Pansonic AE4000U will not be bright enough for that large of a screen.

Will the AE4000U be fine or does anybody have any other suggestions?

Thanks!

Based on your budget, I assume that you're planning on zooming rather than an anamorphic lens?

If this is going to be your first projector, I'd say go with the Panny - it's the best and most affordable CIH ready projector available. It may not be the best or brightest in it's price class, but I'm almost positive you'll find the image to be satisfying. If you really need more brightness, then the suggestion for a high power screen is a good one.

This will give you a system that should last a few years, when you're ready for home theater ver2.0 ;). At that point, you'll have a better idea of the strengths and weaknesses of your system and will know what to target in the next upgrade.