I've been asking myself this question since the rumors of the AE3000 hit the internet. This conundrum is further complicated when the AE3000 is still available for $300 less. Finally, I had to see for myself so I bought one. What seems to be unusual about this projector is the existence of threads in the over $3,000 forum and the under $3,000 forum. What I also find interesting is the answer may be different depending on the forum.

The over $3,000 folks are more likely to be interested in the triggers on the AE4000 allowing them close motorized curtains and lower a screen when the projector is powered on.

The Viera link would allow a person to turn on and set the reciever and the DVD player when the projector is turned on. Nice touch but can be managed with a high end learning remote. Perhaps this feature may be more attractive to the people in the under $3,000 forum.

I only noticed a slight improvement in contrast and black levels in my theater but I have a white ceiling and gray walls. The difference would no doubt be more profound in a batcave. Again, I'm guessing the folks in the over $3,000 forum are more likely to have a dedicated room painted dark colors allowing them to see greater benefit fom the greater black levels.

I'm a big fan of FI, but for me mode 3 is too much so FI may be a non issue in both forums.

Auto format switching is distracting when watching previews for movies but a nice touch when cycling from the menu to a 2.35:1 movie. Nice wow factor but not a deal breaker when 4 clicks from the remote will do the same thing with the AE3000.

The masking feature on the AE4000 eliminates the overshoot when watching movies like the Dark Knight and the Imax version of Transformers 2. A nice plus for the widescreen folks who choose to Zoom. My guess is the folks in the over $3,000 forum are more likely to afford an anamorphic lens setup so this feature may make the upgrade more feasible for the folks in the under $3,000 forum.

So my conclusion: Of the six key differences in the projectors 3 would make the upgrade more feasible in the over $3,000 forum, 2 difference will make the upgrade more feasible in the under $3,000 forum, and one difference could go either way or be a non-issue.

Thoughts?

I'm going to post this in both forums so if you are like me and hang out in both let us know in your response.

Facinating! 292 views in the under $3000 forum but no replies and almost 100 less in the over $3000 forum but two replies. The bulk of the people who took the survey in the over $3000 forum hang out in both as opposed to the folks in the under $3000 forum that stay in the under $3000 forum.

Facinating! 292 views in the under $3000 forum but no replies and almost 100 less in the over $3000 forum but two replies. The bulk of the people who took the survey in the over $3000 forum hang out in both as opposed to the folks in the under $3000 forum that stay in the under $3000 forum.

Bujee.
As the AE4000 is in direct competition with the EPSON 8500, now I must visit both forums :confused:. And that was my vote.
I have the AE3000 and I get and post all the info in the >$3000 forum. But now, if I buy a better PJ, the AE4000, I will be "degraded" to the <$3000 forum. :o:)

Bujee.
As the AE4000 is in direct competition with the EPSON 8500, now I must visit both forums :confused:. And that was my vote.
I have the AE3000 and I get and post all the info in the >$3000 forum. But now, if I buy a better PJ, the AE4000, I will be "degraded" to the <$3000 forum. :o:)

Interesting point. I think may be in a time when price should not be the deciding factor in where a projector is discussed. That's why I find the conundrum with the AE4000 so facinating. When viewing screens we find all of them together with the exceptions being the CIH and DIY. Perhaps we should do the same with projectors?

Perhaps the next phase in our evolution is not so much what your projector costs but how you intend to use it.

The Anamorphic Lens Forum?

The 16x9 Forum?

Or the electric/pull down screen forum?

It's possible that the same projector could be in all forums but the people who participate in the threads can be quite different and as a result, the dialog will be much different.

More food for thought....