The AE900 already has the D5 panel.

I wonder if these Panasonic projectors are stackable. I know that some forum members used two CRT projectors together (probably to help with the lumen output). The price of the 900 is at a point where it could be feasible to purchase two of them and stack them as well. Any comments?

I wonder if these Panasonic projectors are stackable. I know that some forum members used two CRT projectors together (probably to help with the lumen output). The price of the 900 is at a point where it could be feasible to purchase two of them and stack them as well. Any comments?

We're lucky when we get a PJ with acceptable convergance, You wouldn't be able to do it with a LCD the same was you can with a CRT.

Seeing as this post in 109 pages long, I don't think I'll be able to make it all the way thru. I've pretty much made up my mind to purhcase this projector. Any fellow Canadians know if the rebate is valid for Canada as well?

Anyways, had a quick question.

I'm putting the projector in a room that is approx. 23' X 20' and will be painting the walls dark grey. Anyone have any suggestion for which screen to go with? I'll be getting a fixed screen.....most likely 100".

Seeing as this post in 109 pages long, I don't think I'll be able to make it all the way thru. I've pretty much made up my mind to purhcase this projector. Any fellow Canadians know if the rebate is valid for Canada as well?

Anyways, had a quick question.

I'm putting the projector in a room that is approx. 23' X 20' and will be painting the walls dark grey. Anyone have any suggestion for which screen to go with? I'll be getting a fixed screen.....most likely 100".

My father has the AE700 with a DaLite HCCV, and it looks great. I have seen some people complaining about wrinkles, or stretch marks on their DaLites, but I can't believe the problem is widespread. Personally, I think I am going to give the Severtson HC Gray screen a shot. A lot of people are saying it compares favorably with the high end screens, and the price is right, so I think I am going that route.

Andy

Have any of you put an AE900 in place of an old Sony 400Q? I've read the posts and the manual - it sounds like the throw range is pretty much the same, but it appears that an AE900 would need to be positioned lower from the ceiling (in a ceiling mounted situation) than a 400Q for the same screen position setup. The 400Q basically sits at the top of the screen. Any thoughts from people who have actually gone this route? I just want to know what potential re-mounting issues I'm getting into prior to doing this.
Thanks

I want one of these projectors and the rebate for U.S. costomers is amazing. It does not appear to be valid in Canada - does Panasonic offer a similar deal for Canadians? If so, I can't find any information on it...

This gets brought up a lot here and it's worth bringing up again: A forum like this, dedicated to HT geeks like us, is heavily slanted towards "problems" since for the most part only people who have them post. The majority of AE900u owners aren't having issues and aren't posting here; probably because they are too busy enjoying watching movies with it instead of debating the difference between green gamma -3 and -4.

Check out any other thread on this forum. Heck, check out the thread on the $10,000 Sony Ruby. Everyone has complaints; that's just the nature of very picky HT geeks like us. Now if this thread was full - and I mean, mostly consisting of - posts about problems with the AE900u, or if there were whole threads dedicated to problems with the unit, that might be cause for concern, but is isn't and there aren't. For gosh sakes, Pepar's original post didn't make clear that he doesn't even OWN this projector - when at first read he appears to be "another" unsatisfied owner! He makes the claim about having to get "3 or 4" units in order to get "1 good one" based only on reading other opinions in this thread. That in my book isn't enough to make such a broad claim as that, not by a long stretch.

This is my long winded way of saying don't let this 1000+ post thread fool you in to thinking there is some epidemic of problems with this unit.

I don't work for Panasonic, nor do I work for the company I am about to recommend, so let me tell you what you should do if you are really this worried about Q&A: Order one from Projectorpeople.com, an AVSForum sponsor (click the link at the top of the page to get them so AVS gets credit). They recently lowered the price, and with rebate you can get this projector, shipped, for well under $2000 which makes it the steal of 2006 right now. Talk to Russ.

I did exactly the above, and as it turns out I did have a problem with my unit (how is that for irony) - a stuck pixel and a noise issue with the fan after about 10 hours use - and they shipped me out a new one overnight for no charge, and included a label for UPS to ship the old one back. This was after 24 days and about 18 bulb hours. If that isn't good service I don't know what is. Better yet, their customer support tech (Mike) pulled the new one out of the box and tested every input, checking for stuck pixels, VB, and sharpness issues, before he sent it out. You can request they do the same with a new projector too.

So if you are that worried about Q&A now you know what to do. For under $2,000 I haven't seen a projector come close to this one in picture quality - and believe me I have looked, the first "step up" from here that I found was the Optoma H78DC3 which is over $1400 more - and it is extremely flexible as far as mounting goes. I have mine on a rear shelf above my seating area, saving the need for a ceiling mount - try that with most other projectors.

Ix,

Thanks for your input. You mentioned that you have your projector mounted on your rear wall, what is the distance from lens to screen in your projector room? I do not think I would have this luxury due to throw distance of 20 feet when trying to keep the image bright.

Right now I'd happy to have my rebate listed. Mine might be rejected since I sent in the form 1 month plus 1 day of ordering it (though less than a month from recieving it). I would think the rejection letter would have come by now though (since that has to be quicker than the rebate).

Brian

When did you mail your rebate forms?

Have any of you put an AE900 in place of an old Sony 400Q? I've read the posts and the manual - it sounds like the throw range is pretty much the same, but it appears that an AE900 would need to be positioned lower from the ceiling (in a ceiling mounted situation) than a 400Q for the same screen position setup. The 400Q basically sits at the top of the screen. Any thoughts from people who have actually gone this route? I just want to know what potential re-mounting issues I'm getting into prior to doing this.
Thanks

I use the Draper ceiling mount and the joystick is all the way down to get it fit my 106" fixed screen. My room is 20' L x 17' W. and the throw distance is approx. 16'. I have 10' celing and the top edge of the screen approx 24 inches from the celing. I can double check these figures when I get home, if needed. Because the joystick is all the way down, I see quit a bit of mis-convergence on both red and blue. When the projector was table mounted with the joystick relatively centered, the convergence off a bit, but acceptable.

I received my 900 on Dec 20th. There are no dead pixels, no alignment problems, no gremlins in the case. I have 200 hours on it and the bulb hasn't exploded blinding my children and parrot. I have my satellite receiver hooked to component in, and my dvd player to the hdmi in. It's ceiling mounted and my ceiling hasn't collapsed. No planes have hit my house and no escaped convicts have used my theatre for safe refuge. All in all, the projector I have is not jinxed nor flawed in anyway. In fact, even my 7 year old uses it and understands it's operation for startup and shutdown. This is a handy fact in that she needs to show my wife how to use it each time. So, after reading this thread, on and off for a few months, I just wanted to say that I'm a satisfied consumer who only purchased one unit.

Now, I'm just a simple country boy and y'all use alot of big words on this forum, but I tried some filters and tweaks and seem to be satisfied at 1080i input with cinema2 and no filter. Maybe I'm blind, but the family and I sure like the setup.

Cheers!

Hello...

I have ae900 with a howling iris. Last night i discovered something that i think reduced the howling iris sound.
(I have my ae900 in a book shelf).
First I projected an image that make the howling noise, like the blue startup screen(no signal). Then I pressed (not so hard) my finger on the top of the projector (the lid). Varying with where and how hard i pressed my fingers/hand at the lid, the howling sound reduced in volume.
My lid doesn't have any slack, it seems just fine. But the howling sound got reduced, when i stopped pressing the sound returned.

Can someone with a howling iris try this, and see if it reduces the sound. Maybe some ae900 wasn't assemblyed 100% correct.

Add me to the list of users who have had problems with the AE900!

Recently I've been noticing that the left half of the image has started to become reddish ... and yesterday I noticed a blue blob on the right center of the screen! It stays in the same place relative to the center of the image as I zoom and move the lens ... so its not the screen. Also tried cleaning the lens ... no change.

The PJ has ~250 hours on it, housed in a clean smoke/dust free room. Filter has been cleaned every 100 hours (no dust accumulation noticed both times), and I cleaned the front of the lens again to make sure that its not on the front.

Onto Panasonic for warranty I suppose ... sigh ... :(

Add me to the list of users who have had problems with the AE900!

Recently I've been noticing that the left half of the image has started to become reddish ... and yesterday I noticed a blue blob on the right center of the screen! It stays in the same place relative to the center of the image as I zoom and move the lens ... so its not the screen. Also tried cleaning the lens ... no change.

The PJ has ~250 hours on it, housed in a clean smoke/dust free room. Filter has been cleaned every 100 hours (no dust accumulation noticed both times), and I cleaned the front of the lens again to make sure that its not on the front.

Onto Panasonic for warranty I suppose ... sigh ... :(

Did you look into the service menu and check out the red, blue, and green screen? Did they look ok? The blue blob sounds like a dust blob. Not sure about the reddish tint.

Have any of you put an AE900 in place of an old Sony 400Q? I've read the posts and the manual - it sounds like the throw range is pretty much the same, but it appears that an AE900 would need to be positioned lower from the ceiling (in a ceiling mounted situation) than a 400Q for the same screen position setup. The 400Q basically sits at the top of the screen. Any thoughts from people who have actually gone this route? I just want to know what potential re-mounting issues I'm getting into prior to doing this.
Thanks

If you do not want to use a lot of lens shift, then you would need to be lower. I didn't own a 400Q, but I did stay at a Holiday Inn Express last night. :) Actually my NEC HT1000 was at the top of my screen, ceiling mounted, before I got my 900. I wanted to use as little of the lens shift as possible so I ended up putting my 900 on a bookshelf in the back at about 18'. Since it is at the back wall it is out of the way and is so quiet it doesn't bother anyone who sits back there. My eight year old does like to make shadow puppets from time to time though. SInce I use so little lens shift, I have no convergence issues. There will be enough lens shift though, if you decide to keep it there I imagine. When I was first setting mine up, I kept it at about the same level as before and used the lens shift and zoom to fit my 106" diag. screen and it worked fine. I didn't notice any bowing effect or convergence issues at the time. Picture looked really nice and sharp for lcd. I decided to shelf mount because I didn't want to buy a ceiling mount and since I was shelf mounting figured there was no need to use lens shift if I didn't have to. Hope this helps.

Before sending it in check out....

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=572889

Did you look into the service menu and check out the red, blue, and green screen? Did they look ok? The blue blob sounds like a dust blob. Not sure about the reddish tint.


I did. The blob is visible as a darkening only in the red screen ... and that too very slightly. The green and blue screens don't show it for some reason. In regular moving images I do not see the blob, but when I put up a gray field, its clear. I too think that its probably some internal dust. The room that the PJ is in is very clean and dust free so I'm beginning to think that it must've been there for a while and I just did not notice it. Now that I see it, I'm of course bothered by it! :(

No idea what the reddish tinge is due to. With a gray field, the left half has a definite gradation which gets to be at its max near the edge (deepest at the bottom left edge). Again, it's not that pronounced and is not something that would be noticeable in a moving image. I noticed it for the first time the other day when I put up a gray field to calibrate the gray scale.

Before sending it in check out....

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=572889

Yes, I did consider that, but won't I defeat the warranty if I open up the unit? Given that the unit is less than 3 months old and has under 300 hours I'd rather not do something that can reduce my chances of getting it taken care of by Panasonic.

We are about to jump into the arena of HDTV
Originally we were thinking 50" Plasma, then after many weeks of research on that subject, found PROJECTORS!

Now, after 18 hours of research, weighing our budget we have decided to purchase the Panasonic PT AE900U LCD Projector. This decision was in part to audioholics "our picks on what to buy".

Because we're coming from some outdated equipment, and will have to upgrade slowly over a couple years I want to make sure I'm doing the right thing.

Since screens aren't very expensive - the one we're looking at is $400.00 and we have to cut $$ where we can with the possibility of upgrading later, the just average or mediocre is fine.

There is some setup questions that I have to work out in my head before committing to this purchase. I'm hoping ppl here can help me understand in "Old School" terminology.

Step 1: Mount projector and screen on opposite walls. Run appropriate power.
Step 2: Connect Directv HD DVR Tivo's HDMI to the AE900U HDMI
Step 3: Connect Directv HD DVR TiVo to Reciever via Digital Audio
Step 4: Connect current receiver (JVC RX1024v) S-video to AE900U
*note: old receiver doesn't have HDMI connection. Plan to upgrade receiver next Christmas to a Denon 4806.
Step 5: Connect DVD/RW Out to receiver (same as current configuration)
Step 6: Connect VHS Out to Receiver (same as current configuration)
Step 7: Keep current speaker configuration on Receiver


Is it possible for projectors to have PIP?

Will the Projector turn on when we turn the reciever (like the TV does)?

Did I cover all connections correctly?

Well, I'd connect the DVD player to the component in of the projector, or you're going to hate watching DVD's. We can quibble all we want about s-video, but you'll be happier with the component input. As for the VHS, the S-video is the best you are going to get, but I'm pretty sure you'll be unhappy with the picture.

The projector has it's own remote. It's a learning remote and you may find amply controls your older receiver. As for the projector turning on, most receivers are in front of you, most projectors are behind or above you. You'll probably have to turn them on seperately.

As for the less expensive screen. If your budge is $400, you should look at the DIY screen threads. You can come up with a pretty bloody impressive DIY screen for $400 bucks. As for pull downs, you really don't want to cheap out too bad with them. It would be like putting space saver spare tires on your new Ferrari.

Well, I'd connect the DVD player to the component in of the projector, or you're going to hate watching DVD's. We can quibble all we want about s-video, but you'll be happier with the component input. As for the VHS, the S-video is the best you are going to get, but I'm pretty sure you'll be unhappy with the picture.

The projector has it's own remote. It's a learning remote and you may find amply controls your older receiver. As for the projector turning on, most receivers are in front of you, most projectors are behind or above you. You'll probably have to turn them on seperately.

As for the less expensive screen. If your budge is $400, you should look at the DIY screen threads. You can come up with a pretty bloody impressive DIY screen for $400 bucks. As for pull downs, you really don't want to cheap out too bad with them. It would be like putting space saver spare tires on your new Ferrari.


Thanks so much for the reply. The setup we're working on is only Semi-permanent and the desire (for the moment) is to get equal or better picture than what displays on the regular TV.

By connecting the crappy walmart DVD player directly to the Projector via the component hookup....
Does that REALLY improve the display or just make it equivilant to the TV? I guess what I'm saying, if I connect it the other way, do I loose picture quality to what would be LESS than my regular old standard tube TV?

How would I get the sound from the DVD to the receiver so we can hear DD5.1 by connecting it directly to the projector? Wouldn't I need to have to then take audio out of DVD to Receiver and Video Out of DVD to Projector then?
*Looking at what cables I need to buy when I place the order (hopefully tomorrow).

As far as the screen goes. We're thinking a 'Try before you buy' type of outlook.
That once we understand more fully what we're doing, and when the unit moves to its new home in a few years, we will probably upgrade screens at that time. However, the screen we're looking at isn't THAT bad. Looking at a Designer Contour Manual pull down with controlled screen return & Video Spectra 1.5 coating from Da-Lite. Forgot to mention 106".

By connecting the crappy walmart DVD player directly to the Projector via the component hookup....
Does that REALLY improve the display or just make it equivilant to the TV? I guess what I'm saying, if I connect it the other way, do I loose picture quality to what would be LESS than my regular old standard tube TV?

Component will always provide a better signal transport than S-Video regardless of display.

How would I get the sound from the DVD to the receiver so we can hear DD5.1 by connecting it directly to the projector? Wouldn't I need to have to then take audio out of DVD to Receiver and Video Out of DVD to Projector then?
*Looking at what cables I need to buy when I place the order (hopefully tomorrow).

All you need is DVD to RCVR, there is no need to send audio to the PJ. A good quality cable based on RG6 wire with RCA to RCA male connectors should be sufficient to provide a digital link from DVD to RCVR (this might be labeled SPDIF on either component) The receiver will do the required digital to analog decoding and send it to your speakers. Regard the PJ as a "display" device solely for video - unless you want to hear audio from the dinky toy speakers they provide. To experiment just use a phono cable - if you are old enough to remember "phono" ;)

As far as the screen goes. We're thinking a 'Try before you buy' type of outlook.
That once we understand more fully what we're doing, and when the unit moves to its new home in a few years, we will probably upgrade screens at that time. However, the screen we're looking at isn't THAT bad. Looking at a Designer Contour Manual pull down with controlled screen return & Video Spectra 1.5 coating from Da-Lite. Forgot to mention 106".

I would suggest you experiment first - buy your screen *after* settling on how you plan to project. Projecting on a white wall or a white sheet is perfectly acceptable until you firm up your plans. The DIY forums is a good resource as was recommended. Consider Black Out Cloth (search BOC) as a temporary long term solution - this is a vinyl backed cloth (use the smooth vinyl side) that is opaque and is used as as drapery liner to darken rooms. It is remarkable good for the cost and can be had from most fabric stores. It can be tensioned and stapled to a frame or pinned to a wall.

Most screen manufacturers provide screen samples when asked (about 1 square foot) and when ready you might contact Jason Turk one of AVS's own.

Here's a thread from the screen forum you might peruse
http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=597954

enjoy - it can truly be rewarding once the effort is expended,
ted

No audio is connected to your projector. Just video. As for knowing what cables to get, it really depends on how you are projecting. How big of distance, where cables are being routed etc. To get everything in one shot is, theoretically, possible. It's more likeyly, however, that you will need to see how things pan out before you buy up cables. It's a good idea to draw out your room with speaker, projector, screen and receiver/components placement and measure distances. Make sure you take into account how you are going to route the cables (floor/ceiling etc.) and then draw up your shopping list. Remember, if you are going to the ceiling, leave yourself about 3 feet extra at the receiver end, and 1 foot extra at the projector end. You'll want to be able to pull out the receiver from your rack without unplugging everything, and most good HDMI cables are quite big and having the extra foot to let it loop a bit is favorable. Good luck. You have found the right website for all your needs. The link in the previous thread, as well as all advice gen by tvted is spot on.

At least now, I'm headed in the right direction and I wasn't WAY out in left field.

At least now, I'm headed in the right direction and I wasn't WAY out in left field.

Lessee,

Upgrade,
Evaluate PQ
Lust after new tech
Upgrade
Gotta make my room more cinema-like
Friends drop by with DVD's in hand.
Become dissatisfied with Audio
Upgrade
Check credit.

Sorry,
This *is* left field.
:eek:

ted

LOL! That's how I feel now.
My 15 yr old son is already wondering when he can thow a party - an Xbox360 party.
I want a Rocky Horror Party.
Hubby is having nightmares about layout, speaker wire, install etc.
I'm also having visions of the equipment sitting for the next 6 months until he finally gets the new HD dish on the roof, the speakers rewired and remounted. If I'm lucky, we'll have it by my birthday in April, but I'm not holding my breath.

I have a professional stainless steel built in grill that has been sitting in the spare livingroom for over 2 yrs because he won't finnish the install. Errrrr

sorry if this was covered in the previous 110 pages but....

how quick is Panasonic in fulfilling their rebate? $400 cash back has me rethinking my immediate purchase plans.

sorry if this was covered in the previous 110 pages but....

how quick is Panasonic in fulfilling their rebate? $400 cash back has me rethinking my immediate purchase plans.

From what I've read in the past few pages (around pages 107-109), there are no confirmed reports of folks having received the rebate yet.

OMG!!! I got a letter from ACB (The Advertising Checking Bureau, Inc.), the company processing the Panasonic rebate stating the following:

"The request for the your Panasonic rebate could not be honored because: The serial number you have submitted has already been used in this program."

The serial number I sent in was the original since I cut it out of the box. Which means, if the serial number has been used before, the ACB accepted and paid against a copy. The letter also contained an address and a phone number to "re-sumbit" the claim. So, I gave them a call this morning and the gal wrote down all the information and tells me to check via the rebate website in about two weeks. Right now, the website still says I should receive my check in 8-14 weeks. She also said that most likely the rebate will be paid. This statement really bothers me since I've read so many rebate companies rejecting claims in hopes that the consumer will take no action or didn't make a copy of the serial number to re-submit the claim. Do you think I should report to the BBB?

Try your states Attorney General's Office. The BBB does not do much. Panasonic is already in violation of their own terms and conditions since it states the rebate will be delivered in 4 to 8 weeks right on the form. If you violatated the terms you would be held responsible so since Panasonic violated the terms and conditions they should be held responsible. The rebate form is a contract. You might also want to contact Panasonic Customer support.

My original message:

-----------
Originally Posted by N9IWP
Right now I'd happy to have my rebate listed. Mine might be rejected since I sent in the form 1 month plus 1 day of ordering it (though less than a month from recieving it). I would think the rejection letter would have come by now though (since that has to be quicker than the rebate).
--------------

When did you mail your rebate forms?

I mailed them December 31st.

brian

NewbieDeb,

I bought the Panasonic 900 and since I didn't really know the final size that I would want, I bought a 4'X8' sheet of Parkland's poly-wall for about $13 and stapled it to my wall. We have used it for about a month now and even with no HD source yet, it has been very nice. Of course this is in a light controlled room. What it has done for me with chump change, is to decide that I want a slightly larger screen. Now I am not having to get rid of something expensive since I didn't know what I wanted to begin with.

Ix,

Thanks for your input. You mentioned that you have your projector mounted on your rear wall, what is the distance from lens to screen in your projector room? I do not think I would have this luxury due to throw distance of 20 feet when trying to keep the image bright.


My lens is about 12.5 feet from the screen with the projector on a shelf. With the distance you are looking at you are almost certainly going to want to ceiling mount it; you could get away with using a high gain screen thanks to the huge throw range of the AE900u but I don't recommend it.

NewbieDeb,

I bought the Panasonic 900 and since I didn't really know the final size that I would want, I bought a 4'X8' sheet of Parkland's poly-wall for about $13 and stapled it to my wall. We have used it for about a month now and even with no HD source yet, it has been very nice. Of course this is in a light controlled room. What it has done for me with chump change, is to decide that I want a slightly larger screen. Now I am not having to get rid of something expensive since I didn't know what I wanted to begin with.

Thanks for the response. Eventually, this projector (or another one if this one ends up sub-par) will display as big as we can get it within the distance we have available in the room. In our situation, we are in the process of restoring a 7,500sq ft Victorian mansion. Some day we will live there and want High Tech stuff all hidden within the 1800's house. Where with a touch of the remote THINGS happen.
Our experiment is now with the projector & screen. I did what research I thought necessary to find Good stuff. Things that have the possiblilty of being used at the other house. If NOT, then we'll learn from that and do things differently.

In either situation though (our house now, or the Victorian) the screen will have to be retractable. As far as screen surfaces go, I don't know what would work best for the type of lighting we'd end up with still in the room. How difficult is it for the kids to watch TV after school without the house feeling like a tomb? I can't expect my 6 yr old to go around and close up all the drapes just to watch some TV. The HD and size you can get with a projector was the 'frills' that hubby and I wanted for ourselves. So I'm sure no matter what actually comes through, it will knock our socks off compaired to our standard 36" CRT TV.

From what I've read in the past few pages (around pages 107-109), there are no confirmed reports of folks having received the rebate yet.
That's been my observation as well, but I've posted so much sarcasm on the rebate issue already that I've been keeping my mouth shut. It's not specifically Panny's rebate, it's ALL rebates. The programs are ALL designed to find a reason, valid or lame, to NOT send the rebates. I'll stop . . .

I spoke to an executive at Panasonic and he was surprised that the rebates have not been sent yet. He his checking into it and promised to get back to me with the answers. He called me back after I left a message. I think it is a problem with the company that handles the rebates for Panasonic. I will post the response as soon as I hear from him again.

Is there a place online where I can to print the rebate from? Since mine is shipping today, it will arrive at the end of the week.

Who knows, I may end up with a sheet hanging from the celing just to test it.
I'm so excited. I can't wait!!!!

The rebate link is below. Be sure to fill out the form correctly and make copies for your records. I would also send it by priority mail with delivery conformation.

http://www.projectorpeople.com/SLIS/downloads/rebates/Panasonic/PANPT-AE900U_400-300Rebate.pdf

The new rebate form is also available from the Panasonic website now.

FWIW, I have a friend that submitted the rebate form in early December, but it's never shown up anywhere on the rebate website (he tried every one including the $10 Phone MIR). When he called them they said it was in their system and had been approved. He also was told the 8-12 week timeframe.

How often do new projectors come out and how frequent do prices drop? Would it be possible that in 8-12 week that this projector could be found for $200-$400 less anyway?

Also, have any of you had any experience with Prestige Camera? They have it listed for about $400 less than everyone else and am wondering if they've already taken the rebate... is that even possible? I've emailed them, but no reply yet.

How often do new projectors come out and how frequent do prices drop? Would it be possible that in 8-12 week that this projector could be found for $200-$400 less anyway?

Also, have any of you had any experience with Prestige Camera? They have it listed for about $400 less than everyone else and am wondering if they've already taken the rebate... is that even possible? I've emailed them, but no reply yet.

That is because it is the AE900E not the AE900U. The only difference it there is a SCRAT (or something similar) insted of a second set of components thats all.

"The only difference it there is a SCRAT (or something similar) insted of a second set of components thats all."

SCART maybe? The other difference of course is that that would make it a gray market projector (the store imported it themselves) which wouldn't be covered by Panasonics USA Warranty and it wouldn't be eligable for the rebate.

Shawn

Is anybody using the DVDO VP30 with their AE900?

Here's my dilemma. My friend insists that I get a DVDO Iscan. So I wanted to check on some users opinions.

The components I'll be running are a DVD Player, an HD Digital Cable Box, and probably my PS2.

Now do I need the VP30, or will the HD+ do everything I need it to do, for less money?

That, and it wouldn't work on 110 VAC.

Hello All,
I am about to purchase the AE900. I plan to display on a Saaria 119" gray screen from celing mounted from about 16' away. Does anyone have any idea how much horizontal shift I can get away with? It would be very helpful to be able to line up with the right side of the screen and tombstone my way into a normal picture. Is this possible?

For whatever it's worth, I just bought an AE900, and it has subtle, but noticable, vertical banding (VB) in the green panel that can't be tweaked out via the flicker or panels adjustments. And after 34 hours has just developed a stuck pixel, also on the green panel, in the upper-right quadrant. :(

When I talked with my vendor, an AVS Forum sponsor, they essentially (and very politely) said "Live With It." :mad: The only solution these people offered was the ridiculous suggestion that I defocus my lens. :mad:

Cheers,

If you're under 30 days, and they're an authorized Panny dealer, they're required to exchange it for a new one. Demand that they replace it. It's Panasonic's policy after all.

Hello All,
I am about to purchase the AE900. I plan to display on a Saaria 119" gray screen from celing mounted from about 16' away. Does anyone have any idea how much horizontal shift I can get away with? It would be very helpful to be able to line up with the right side of the screen and tombstone my way into a normal picture. Is this possible?


the center of lens could be apx 18 inches above top of screen but then you cant use any horizontal shift . Its better also if you don't use shift at extremes . would like to hear see pics of screen when you set things up good luck

" That, and it wouldn't work on 110 VAC. "

It should. The projector has a switching power supply which will automatically adapt to 110v or 220v input. You just need to change the power cord.

Shawn

I hadn't seen it discussed here. Panasonic has changed their rebate. If you buy between January 27 and February 28, 2006 you get:

$400 rebate from panasonic

and

$300 Blockbuster Card.

Not a bad deall at all!!

Plus aafees.com customers get 10% off for signing up for their "star card". Not a bad deal at all. FYI, aafes.com has been backordered, but say they're getting more by the end of this week.

I hadn't seen it discussed here. Panasonic has changed their rebate. If you buy between January 27 and February 28, 2006 you get:

$400 rebate from panasonic

and

$300 Blockbuster Card.

Not a bad deall at all!!

Plus aafees.com customers get 10% off for signing up for their "star card". Not a bad deal at all. FYI, aafees.com has been backordered, but say they're getting more by the end of this week.

Someone should delete this post. And thank you Captain Obvious for telling us all what we have known for days. In the immortal words of Lloyd from Dumb and dumber "We landed on the moon??? No way!!!" "We're on the moon!!!!!!"

Well I won't be as rude as Jandawil, but Jizzay this has been well known information for a few days now. Also, is the aafees.com deal open to civilians not related to active duty or retired military personnel? I know that when I got out of the Army (2002) only the aforementioned people could take part in aafees promotions like this.

Yes, should be open to retired military as well.

I hadn't seen it discussed here. Panasonic has changed their rebate. If you buy between January 27 and February 28, 2006 you get:

$400 rebate from panasonic
Not discussed? Did you happen to look at the TOP of THIS PAGE?

What's the phone number to call their help desk about the rebate. I get my rebate is not in their system and the link for the help desk on the page gives a bunch of errors.

Sent mine in Dec 27th

Glenn

For whatever it's worth, I just bought an AE900, and it has subtle, but noticable, vertical banding (VB) in the green panel that can't be tweaked out via the flicker or panels adjustments. And after 34 hours has just developed a stuck pixel, also on the green panel, in the upper-right quadrant. :(

When I talked with my vendor, an AVS Forum sponsor, they essentially (and very politely) said "Live With It." :mad: The only solution these people offered was the ridiculous suggestion that I defocus my lens. :mad:

Cheers,

Tell us who your dealer is so that we know to avoid them.

Well I won't be as rude as Jandawil, but Jizzay this has been well known information for a few days now. Also, is the aafees.com deal open to civilians not related to active duty or retired military personnel? I know that when I got out of the Army (2002) only the aforementioned people could take part in aafees promotions like this.

I am normally not rude. I'm quite polite, but I investigated his link (aafees.com) in his post and it gives you an online casino popup and than directs you a typical search site filled with online shopping links Thus the less than polite response. I enjoy this forum and respect every person who puts up an honest post, but I did not appreciate his attempt to mislead the readers into visiting whatever this site represents. That is why I thought his post should be deleted. If I am wrong about it, I owe him an appology, but it looked less than honest to me.

Although the ae900 is my first projector, IMO its a winner! Damn near the cool factor that my 42’ panny plasma screen has given me for the last two years. (AVS Considered of course)

My intended use of this projector is primarily Xbox360, current generation games and high-def television. (70 /30) I have been getting into pro football lately. I currently have it set to about 120’ on a bed sheet at the moment. I initially had the images projected on a knocked down uniform textured wall, until my wife saw it. I was going to use a sheet based on opinions found within AVS but I did not want to deal with my wife. When she said let see what it looks like with a bed sheet, do think I said, “are you sure?”

Furthermore, i used 3’ inch 3m blue painters tape to frame the picture(it was laying around). Hell, it works! Right? CR?, I’ll worry about that when I order the screen. I just projected a 16:9 image on the sheet and used the image as guide to tape the borders on.

I would have made the screen bigger just to see what it looks like, but I don’t have a bigger sheet. Projecting on a plain wall will not do it justice. (I know the sheet doesn’t also, but it gives me taste of what yet to come)

In two words, ”Blown Away”, about sums it for me. Halo 2 is spectacular. (I know H2 is not high-def) On 120 inches of wow, you can’t complain.

In a nut shell and to the new guy don’t make your decision based on my opinion read everyone’s else’s also, I did. You will be a fully content and happy owner if you do, I am.

Further more this machine needs to be in a completely dark room for use, ambient light is not acceptable. So if you plan on using this projector keep in mind that you have to have your room completely dark.

I have converted my garage into an office/Slash “Dads private hide out”. As of now the walls and ceilings are flat white primer, just fine (for now). I am completing a false wall built 6’ inches form garage door and fully enclosing furnace, both sound proofed. Not that worried about the washer and dryer. The cars and the mountain of crap I had stored in there got the boot. I adopted the, “you don’t use it, loose it”, rule.

I am still reading and searching reviews and still up in the air with which manufacture I’m going to go with to project onto a proper screen. One thing for certain, it will be at least 120’ screen. I will settle on one in few weeks when I good and comfortable with exactly what I want.

I want to make a sincere thank you to the team that makes AVS possible. AVS Forum, is definitely a winner!

This is my first post, but by no means I’m new comer to AVS. I have been reading and trolling AVS for years. I have been taking very useful information for years from all of its members and feel I am way over due to give back feedback on my experiences to this forum to aid in their decision process.

I make this post based on my experiences and of course there not the definitive.

With the last $20,000 plus I have spent on home entrainment gear, I have never considered purchasing anything without spending a TREMENDOUS amount of time on this site. I found AVS by a mention a few years back on another web site and I have been here since.

If any one has any questions about my set-up don’t hesitate to ask.

Thanks again AVS,

BumSki

I am normally not rude. I'm quite polite, but I investigated his link (aafees.com) in his post and it gives you an online casino popup and than directs you a typical search site filled with online shopping links Thus the less than polite response. I enjoy this forum and respect every person who puts up an honest post, but I did not appreciate his attempt to mislead the readers into visiting whatever this site represents. That is why I thought his post should be deleted. If I am wrong about it, I owe him an appology, but it looked less than honest to me.

Like plenty of people on this site, they get excited when they find a deal and try to pass it on to others not realizing there are over 100,000 people (guess) here. So almost every question gets asked and every deal gets posted many times. In his hurry he meant to type www.aafes.com. That will take you to the Army and Air Force Exchange Site. But you do have to know someone in the military to shop that site.

Further more this machine needs to be in a completely dark room for use, ambient light is not acceptable. So if you plan on using this projector keep in mind that you have to have your room completely dark.

BumSki

You do not have your lighting set up correctly. Of course, your setup may determine how your lighting has to be controlled. When we play Xbox360 we keep the lights on. Two 60 watt recessed flood lamps kept on about half way. There is no light hitting the screen of course. We could watch movies this way but prefer almost total darkness. When I watch tv I usually keep the lights up somewhat. I am not usually looking for the theater experience when gaming or watching tv. My lights are about 10 feet back from the screen. One of these days I will post pictures but am not sure the effect would show up well in a picture. I am in the middle of a remodeling and in a few more years and another projector or two I will be finished. :p

Tell us who your dealer is so that we know to avoid them.

You don't have to worry about that. In the near future, they will be selling coffee out of their storefront and wondering what happened. :D

I posted a couple of pages back, but didn't seem to get any feedback. Just hoping someone may see this and help me out. I'm about to purchase my AE900, and I think I'm going to also purchase the DVDO IscanVP30. Is anyone else using a Video Processor with their AE900? Necessary or unncecessary? Would money be spent better elsewhere? I plan to run DVD, HD Digital Cable Box, and PS2 on it

Hi folks, New to all this projector stuff and and the forums here.

I have decided I couldn't resist any longer. My ae900e is arriving next week and I am currently looking for a screen to go with it.

Hopefully you can help make a suggestion as to whats best as I have spent weeks looking into the entire gain, material, ambient light, FTL scenario and cant decide which would be best suited to me.

My room in 12ft by 8.5 ft. The ae900 will be 10.5ft on the back wall projecting onto a 106" diagonal screen. The room will be dark besides a white ceiling which I would be happy to paint dark if it makes a big difference to the quality of the image.

I am Looking at 3 screens. I want it to bew electric so the screens I am looking at are

Beamax m-compact 106" electric- Matt White 1.0 gain £390

Beamax m-silver 106" electric with anti leather streaking roller- Matt White 1.5 gain £940

Da-Lite Cosmopolitan electro electric screen - Matt white 1.0 gain £1000

Having looked into the whole FTL scenario I see that 16ftl is recommended for cinema.

Having been used to a 42" plasma for the last 2 years I dont know if this would be bright enough to satisfy.

My main concern is watchin movies and playing xbox 360 with a nice bvibrant detailed image. Good blacks are a necessity but I dont need them to be severly black at the cost of detail to the picture.

If my calculations are right using 1100/34sqft X 1.5 gain would give me 49FTL with the ae900.

Would this be too bright for this projector resulting in a bad quality image?

I know I could play it safe with the 1.0 gain screens but I want to run the ae900 in Low lamp mode with a high fan setting and I am a bit concerned that it may look too dull when the bulb gets a few hours clocked up?

Does anyone know what the ansi lumens are on the ae900 in low lamp mode?

On the other hand, with the 1.5 gain screen, how even would the quality of the picture and brightness be given I will be sittin in the middle and there is room for a couple of freinds to sit out directly up to the edge of the screen (at the wall basically) Also would a throw distance of 10.5ft show a severe hotspot with this 1.5 screen.

I would greatly apreciate any help on this as you guys seem to be the people to ask given I have spent ages trying to get this info online. and cant get any objective answers.

Please excuse my ignorance if I am asking the wrong questions and using the wrong terminology. I have been trying to take all this info in and am trying to cover all angles so I can get the best out of my ae900.

With this being my first projector I am sure it will impress. Given my dvd collection is now up to just under 800 I thought it was time to head in this direction.

Thanks in advance. ;-)

I posted a couple of pages back, but didn't seem to get any feedback. Just hoping someone may see this and help me out. I'm about to purchase my AE900, and I think I'm going to also purchase the DVDO IscanVP30. Is anyone else using a Video Processor with their AE900? Necessary or unncecessary? Would money be spent better elsewhere? I plan to run DVD, HD Digital Cable Box, and PS2 on it

I doubt your being ignored. Since that processor costs as much or more as the 900, you are not going to find too many people on the <$3500 forum owning both pieces of equipment. We are a mostly bang for the bucks kinda crowd here. You could ask the guys in the >$3500 forum how much improvement they see in a 720p projector when they use the VP30. Just tell them you are thinking about getting a 720P maximum resolution projector.

You don't have to worry about that. In the near future, they will be selling coffee out of their storefront and wondering what happened. :D

Not unless we get the word out.

Comments on this forum about poor customer service by dealers has effected some amazing improvements, literally overnight! ;)

Like plenty of people on this site, they get excited when they find a deal and try to pass it on to others not realizing there are over 100,000 people (guess) here. So almost every question gets asked and every deal gets posted many times. In his hurry he meant to type www.aafes.com. That will take you to the Army and Air Force Exchange Site. But you do have to know someone in the military to shop that site.


My apologies than jizzay....I assumed after clicking on the link link in your post that you were full of it. I've seen too much of that and it pi$$es me off to no end. My bad.......

"and I think I'm going to also purchase the DVDO IscanVP30. Is anyone else using a Video Processor with their AE900? Necessary or unncecessary?"

I don't have the AE900 yet but if you aren't doing things were you really need the additional flexibility of the external VP I'd just go with the scaling built into the projector itself if it is decent and save the money.

If you need the additional flexibility say for a constant height setup using an anamorphic lens with HD material then an external VP will be needed.

Shawn

Just to let everyone know I just called the Panasonic Rebate Line at 866-795-3383.

I was curious if my rebate submitted on 1/13 was received yet.

I was told that they are still inputting rebates from mid to late December and my submission is probably there just not entered yet.

So I guess it will be a while- The rebate form does say 6-8 weeks.

Hopefully by mid March I will have check and Blockbuster coupon in hand. :)

I was wondering- has anyone received their check and Blockbuster coupon yet?

I guess I owe you an apology also Jandawil, I thought that you were just being an a$$ because Jizzay was posting already known info. So for what its worth.....my bad too, lets all have a big group hug :p .

Is the Blockbuster coupon/card good for both online blockbuster.com and local brick and mortar rentals?

I believe brick and mortar only :mad:

I believe brick and mortar only :mad:

...And how do they figure "$300 value" for 40 rentals?

That's $7.50/rental!?

...And how do they figure "$300 value" for 40 rentals?

That's $7.50/rental!?

Games plus tax aren't even that much.

I’ve been reading that it’s necessary to turn off the main power switch when the cool-down period is over. The way that I was planning to have the projector mounted doesn’t give easy access to the back of the projector. If I were to wire a dedicated switch to the circuit that’ll be powering the projector, will that accomplish the same as turning the main power switch on the back of the projector off?

Will doing this cause the projector to loose it’s setting after a period of time? What do you all think?

Thanks for the help.

I guess I owe you an apology also Jandawil, I thought that you were just being an a$$ because Jizzay was posting already known info. So for what its worth.....my bad too, lets all have a big group hug :p .

LOL man......no big. Can't have turmoil in the AVS family now can we....

When I talked with my vendor, an AVS Forum sponsor, they essentially (and very politely) said "Live With It." :mad: The only solution these people offered was the ridiculous suggestion that I defocus my lens. :mad:

Cheers,

Wes, which dealer.... I would like to know who to avoid!

Just curious, any idea how this unit compares to the infocus 4805 for noise levels? (fan noise)
I own a 4805 and fan noise is one of the two concerns I have with this unit.
I am leaning towards a 900 or z4...

Also, for those that have used both what are other advantages over the 4805?

PLMK-Thanks :cool:

I apologize for the misunderstandings. I did get a little hasty and added one to many "e"s to the aafes.com address. I was just trying to post a good deal for those who are eligible. no hard feelings.

Well I finally got off the fence and ordered the Panny 900U from Visual Apex. I got the extra 1 yr of warranty since AVS has a deal with them. The sales lady was extra nice and seemed to go the extra mile to see to it that I was one happy customer. So far so good..... I won't have much of a HT yet to view it when I get it, but I'll find a wall to throw the picture on. I'll let you all know how it goes and include a lame attempt at a screen shot.

jizzay - It's all good man.

How does one take advantage of the 10% discount using the STAR card? I checked the site and I didn't see any promotional offers on signing up and using their STAR card.

Also, since the site says backorder for 30 days, would you still qualify for the rebate if you don't receive the unit before the expiration of the rebate offer? I just don't how reliable they are when they say their getting shipments in. Thanks in advance.

I posted a couple of pages back, but didn't seem to get any feedback. Just hoping someone may see this and help me out. I'm about to purchase my AE900, and I think I'm going to also purchase the DVDO IscanVP30. Is anyone else using a Video Processor with their AE900? Necessary or unncecessary? Would money be spent better elsewhere? I plan to run DVD, HD Digital Cable Box, and PS2 on it
Try it without first and see what you think. You could always add it later.

Well... here is hoping Projector People are good... my AE900 arrived.

Big green blob just off center on the picture. :(

Shawn

You do not have your lighting set up correctly. Of course, your setup may determine how your lighting has to be controlled. When we play Xbox360 we keep the lights on. Two 60 watt recessed flood lamps kept on about half way. There is no light hitting the screen of course. :p

Sorry johnbe, I guess I was not descriptive enough about my lighting set up. I currently have two, four lamp fluorescent units(the kind you see in an office buildings) lighting up the room. When those flame throwers go on it washes out the picture. I use the space as an office also, but your recessed lights gave me an idea hummmmmmm…..

Wes, which dealer.... I would like to know who to avoid!

I'm still in process with the dealer and with Panasonic. So, to avoid being hasty or unfair in public judgement, I'll post details once things are resolved further.

Cheers,

Good news, my info shows up in http://www.panasonicconsumerrebates.com/

Bad news:

[quote=panasonic]
Your rebate request was postmarked after the required 30 days from purchase.

An audit notice has been mailed to you.
[/quore]

<expletive deleted>! I realize it is my fault, but I was one day late and it was less than 30 days from actually getting the unit, so I was kinda hopeful it might go through. Suppose I can try to appeal, thogh I'm not hopefull.

Brian

I'm still in process with the dealer and with Panasonic. So, to avoid being hasty or unfair in public judgement, I'll post details once things are resolved further.

Cheers,

Do keep us posted either way.

Hi gang...I am hopefully pulling the trigger on this thing tomorrow morning. Basically I want help with ordering the screen. I did the throw distance calculator thingy and it seems a 104" screen would be what I want. My throw distance is 22 feet exactly. My room is 23 x 13. I just want to make sure that is going to work before I order from Carada. This is my first projector so I am sorry for being such door knob. I will be honest with you...I didn't have time to go through 112 pages ;)

Well I finally got off the fence and ordered the Panny 900U from Visual Apex. I got the extra 1 yr of warranty since AVS has a deal with them. The sales lady was extra nice and seemed to go the extra mile to see to it that I was one happy customer. So far so good..... I won't have much of a HT yet to view it when I get it, but I'll find a wall to throw the picture on. I'll let you all know how it goes and include a lame attempt at a screen shot.

jizzay - It's all good man.

I plan to purchase the same from Visual Apex, the extra 1yr. on the warranty sold me since I had a few quotes at the same price w/ shipping included. Only question I have is on a ceiling mount for this pj.

Anyone have experience with the Visual Apex AV-817U ceiling mount? Good/bad indifferent? My room won't allow for a table mount of any sort and I have to hang this pj... first timer here and looking for some help. Any better ceiling mounts for this projector (I shouldn't need an extension, at least I can't see why I would if I have a few degrees of tilt down at least).

Thanks for the help... been reading the site for a long time before I decided to pull the trigger.

Hi gang...I am hopefully pulling the trigger on this thing tomorrow morning. Basically I want help with ordering the screen. I did the throw distance calculator thingy and it seems a 104" screen would be what I want. My throw distance is 22 feet exactly. My room is 23 x 13. I just want to make sure that is going to work before I order from Carada. This is my first projector so I am sorry for being such door knob. I will be honest with you...I didn't have time to go through 112 pages ;)

at 22ft smallest diag 109

I plan to purchase the same from Visual Apex, the extra 1yr. on the warranty sold me since I had a few quotes at the same price w/ shipping included. Only question I have is on a ceiling mount for this pj.

Anyone have experience with the Visual Apex AV-817U ceiling mount? Good/bad indifferent? My room won't allow for a table mount of any sort and I have to hang this pj... first timer here and looking for some help. Any better ceiling mounts for this projector (I shouldn't need an extension, at least I can't see why I would if I have a few degrees of tilt down at least).

Thanks for the help... been reading the site for a long time before I decided to pull the trigger.

I am not hawking any credit card company here, but it defiantly worth its weight in gold.

You may want to do your electronic purchases with AMEX blue or gold. Being a member automatically extends your warranty one extra year after the manufactures warrantee at no extra cost. There are some restrictions but they do not apply to stationary electronics. Coverage is 10,00 a year. I don’t buy any electronics without it.

Does anyone have a working ModeLine for the AE900? My AE900 should be arriving tomorrow and I can't wait to hook it up to my MythTv box!

Well I finally got off the fence and ordered the Panny 900U from Visual Apex. I got the extra 1 yr of warranty since AVS has a deal with them

Hey Janda, did you pay for the extra 1 year or did they give it to you as part of the "AVS deal"?
I plan to purchase from VA also, so this would really be an added incentive.

Hey Janda, did you pay for the extra 1 year or did they give it to you as part of the "AVS deal"?
I plan to purchase from VA also, so this would really be an added incentive.

It's free. You have to order it online from here

www.visualapex.com/avs

When you look at your cart it will read AVS Package - AVS_PTAE900U_WARRANT and than the price (which is quite good) which is the same as their regular 1 yr warranty price.

Hi,

There are various picture modes that the projector can operate under (Normal, Cinema1, II etc.). Do I need to run the calibration under each picture mode or will calibrating under one mode apply the values to the other modes ? I will be using a AVIA disk for the calibration.

TIA,
Srini

Hi,

There are various picture modes that the projector can operate under (Normal, Cinema1, II etc.). Do I need to run the calibration under each picture mode or will calibrating under one mode apply the values to the other modes ? I will be using a AVIA disk for the calibration.

TIA,
Srini

Each mode that you use would have to be calibrated.

ted

Well... here is hoping Projector People are good... my AE900 arrived.

Big green blob just off center on the picture. :(

Shawn

Just as an update.... Projector People are going to be overnighting an advanced replacement for me. They are going to quality check the unit (convergence, dead/stuck pixels, dust, VB..etc..etc.) before shipping it too.

Shawn

Does anyone know how to reset all settings to the factory default? I know you can do some of them one at a time, but I haven't seen a way to reset everything at once. Thanks!

I guess I was not descriptive enough about my lighting set up. I currently have two, four lamp fluorescent units(the kind you see in an office buildings) lighting up the room. When those flame throwers go on it washes out the picture. I use the space as an office also, but your recessed lights gave me an idea hummmmmmm…..


Why not just buy one of those touch-sensitive lamps? You know, the kind that turn on when you touch them, and each time you touch it, it gets brighter or dimmer? Those things never seem very bright, even when on the brightest setting, so you should be able to use it to find a happy medium between light in the room and little or no wash-out on your picture.

Heck, even a traditional coffee-table lamp ought to work pretty decent.

I plan on buying the ae900u within the next couple of months, and I was wondering how big people have been going with the image size while still being happy with the picture quality.

I have an X1 right now, and I feel like 85'' is as big as I can get without sacrificing too much of the image. I watch a lot of tv, and the 85'' image is great for 4:3, but when I watch a 16:9 DVD, I use the manual zoom to make the image larger, which results in too much pixelation/SDE, not to mention dimmer colors, etc.

So I was hoping that with the ae900u, I'd be able to get, say, a 100" 16:9 and still be happy with picture quality.

PREAMBLE: 80 hours of gaw gaw... wife mentioned last night that at this rate I would turn into a movie! Know the infatuation will wear off and I will actually do more creating things with my time again, meanwhile I am enjoying the honeymoon with my sweet Panny... so far Robin William in "What Dreams May Come" is the best overall show of color withiin a picture so bought it to "show off" - open to other suggestions for "show off works" of sight and sound...

QUESTION: Finally Comcast delievered our HD DVR today - hooked up COMPONENT through PIO switcher* and it is my first experience with HD and so far only during the day so cannot tell the fidelity. I am wondering about the aspect ratio though, as I understood that HD was normally broadcast in 16:9, and yet with virtually ALL the HD channels I checked quickly I found the following - again on ALL HD stations so it is not the specific signal I think?? (see bottom for my setup):

16:9 brings a picture with horizontal banding top and bottom on AND looks like faces are spread out and not "native" to that size...
AUTO reduces to an image about 1/2 full size centered on screen but looks "normal" and have not measured it to see what aspect ratio it is, could possibly enlarge to full screen size (if it can go that big which is doubtful), but TOTALLY do not want to have to change zoom and focus between DVD and CABLE.
4:3 again reduces into the center of the screen instead of just showing virtical bands at right and left...

Of course the zoom fills the screen and just gives looks like the 16:9 but with less center spread, but what I want is an un-touched signal that is as it should be, no distortion and from what I understand no lilnes in 16:9 HD. CAN ANYONE HELP ME??? IDEALLY IN TIME FOR ME TO BE FIXED BEFORE MY SUPER BOWL PARTY??!!

Thanks for taking the time...


Peter
* Component through PIO switcher works fine for DVD's, brighter than the HDMI direct though not as smooth as it is not up-converted... and most DVD's play in correct aspect ratio on PJ AUTO some filling screen and some with banding as would be expected but never with distortion or banding in true 16:9...

EQUIP. LIST AND SETUP:
Panny 900
OPPO DVD
Dalite HCMW 92" diag 16:9 Designer Electrol
Pio 1015
Focal SIB/CUB
Boston recessed center
12' projector throw
8 to 12' viewing distance
15' X 20' viewing area (within 15' X 30' room)
Some ambient during day and fully contolled at night...

Why not just buy one of those touch-sensitive lamps? You know, the kind that turn on when you touch them, and each time you touch it, it gets brighter or dimmer? Those things never seem very bright, even when on the brightest setting, so you should be able to use it to find a happy medium between light in the room and little or no wash-out on your picture.

Heck, even a traditional coffee-table lamp ought to work pretty decent.
The "touch" lamps are stepped. A dimmer on the switch, or inline if plugged into an unswitched outlet, is continuously variable nearly ensuring one will be able to find the "just right" lighting level.

Holograman - you need to tell your display it is going to be fed a 16:9 image, and you need to tell your source - DVD, DVR - that it is feeding a 16:9 display. Let us know if you've done that - or had already done that.

This Saturday at TVAuthority Santa Monica we will be hosting a Superbowl "Shoot Out" between the Panny Pe900, Sanyo Z4 and the Epson 550. Come on down for some free food and some incredible demos!

Hey Guys, the way I understand it many people are comparing the Panny to the Epson and Sanyo in the same range. This Saturday at TVAuthority Santa Monica we will be hosting a Superbowl "Shoot Out" between the Panny Pe900, Sanyo Z4 and the Epson 550. Come on down for some free food and some incredible demos!

I plan on buying the ae900u within the next couple of months, and I was wondering how big people have been going with the image size while still being happy with the picture quality.

I have an X1 right now, and I feel like 85'' is as big as I can get without sacrificing too much of the image. I watch a lot of tv, and the 85'' image is great for 4:3, but when I watch a 16:9 DVD, I use the manual zoom to make the image larger, which results in too much pixelation/SDE, not to mention dimmer colors, etc.

So I was hoping that with the ae900u, I'd be able to get, say, a 100" 16:9 and still be happy with picture quality.

I'm using a 119" screen (screen type may play a part so watch that too) in a completely dark (no windows) room with dark hunter green walls... Mine's GREAT! Really! I'd say don't hesitate up to that size.

I plan on buying the ae900u within the next couple of months, and I was wondering how big people have been going with the image size while still being happy with the picture quality.

I have an X1 right now, and I feel like 85'' is as big as I can get without sacrificing too much of the image. I watch a lot of tv, and the 85'' image is great for 4:3, but when I watch a 16:9 DVD, I use the manual zoom to make the image larger, which results in too much pixelation/SDE, not to mention dimmer colors, etc.

So I was hoping that with the ae900u, I'd be able to get, say, a 100" 16:9 and still be happy with picture quality.
I'm completely happy sitting about 13' from my 125" diagonal image. I don't notice any loss in image quality, and wouldn't want to go any lower.

Hey troutseeker and Capek...what is your throw distance?

Mine is about 15'. I tested it at both 15' and 20', and while the difference was just slightly noticable, I figured mounting it closer would come in handy as the bulb dims over time.

Holograman - you need to tell your display it is going to be fed a 16:9 image, and you need to tell your source - DVD, DVR - that it is feeding a 16:9 display. Let us know if you've done that - or had already done that.

Thank yoiu for the reply. I spent some time and here is what I have found - strange as it seems to me:
1. I cannot find any place on the menu or in the manual to support your idea that I can tell the Panny "what is feeding it" - other than to define the inputs (component 1 in this case). I also cannot find anything in the Motorolla DVR manual to set it to feed a certian type source.
2. I played more with the settings using my XBR CRT simultaneously with the PJ to see the differences, and I found to my surprise that when I set the Panny to ZOOM it fills the screen NOT with a part of the image BUT WITH EXACTLY THE FULL IMAGE SHOWN IN 16:9 ON TE CRT (though there it has horizontal bars as it is a 4:3 display) with NO IMAGE LOSS and no distortion meaning it is not, in fact, "zooming" but showing the accurate signal.
3. To further complicate matters and maybe the reason for this ??(and I doubt anyone other than you will reply to this as few seem to have this level of understanding - hence no other replys to my first post!) is that on the CRT if I press "info" the bar with information at the bottom is about 1/2 way on the picture and 1/2 way on the horizontal black bar, where on the PJ picture in ZOOM mode, the info bar is half way on the picture at the bottom and the other half does not exist as it is "off the screen" - so I wonder if the cable is somehow reducing the image to fit on a 16:9 screen specifically in order to allow the info bar to show because they do not want to cover too much of the picture??
4. Again, strange, on the CRT the 16:9 with the horizontal bars is perfect and not distorted, where if I set the PJ to 16:9, it is shown in what looks like a 1.85:1 with horizontal bars AND THE IMAGE IS SPREAD - DISTORTED, it only "undistorts" if I set the PJ to ZOOM (where it fills the screen and cuts off the info) or AUTO (where it reduces the image to about 50% and places it in the center of the screen)!

ANy thoughts here - anyone??? HELLP - MR TURTLE - does this issue occur on plasma screens?? is ANYONE HAVING THIS ISSUE BESIDES ME??? The ZOOM is ok, I can hanlde it but it is very strange to have to play the PJ in ZOOM to get a normal full screen view, and again it then cuts off the info 1/2 way and could likely cut off subtitles if I use those as well...

Thank yoiu for the reply. I spent some time and here is what I have found - strange as it seems to me:
1. I cannot find any place on the menu or in the manual to support your idea that I can tell the Panny "what is feeding it" - other than to define the inputs (component 1 in this case). I also cannot find anything in the Motorolla DVR manual to set it to feed a certian type source.
...

Firstly check the pages in your manual that cover ASPECT Control.

To view ratio as presented by source the 900 should be in AUTO. For this to work the Source (STB, DVD player et al ) should be set to 16:9 - check with your cable co. as to how to do this if there is no instruction manual.. If the video source appears "normal" i.e. not "stretched" then regardless of whether you ar seeing black bars or not *that* is what is being broadcast.

1:85 material if properly presented *will* have think black rows at op and bottom of frame on a 16:9 screen.

You mention cables - what exactly is the transport you are using HDMI, Component, S=Video? A cable is highly unlikely to affect video position unless it is somehow inducing delay into the display chain - for that to happen the cable would have to be very long in which case you are also likely to lose signal altogether. If you are referring to the cable company the yese sources such as these do scale video at times.

Are you sucessful with DVD per the settings I suggested above? - Get this working first. There have been issues with some STB's

I doubt anyone other than you will reply to this as few seem to have this level of understanding

On this I would venture you are wrong as AVS has some of the highest level of expertise on the Internet with these matters.

ted

UPDATE**** I forgot to mention that our little saturday event will be taking place at 12pm!!!

On this I would venture you are wrong as AVS has some of the highest level of expertise on the Internet with these matters.
And the highest level of modesty on the Internet as well! :cool:

Thank yoiu for the reply. I spent some time and here is what I have found - strange as it seems to me:
1. I cannot find any place on the menu or in the manual to support your idea that I can tell the Panny "what is feeding it" - other than to define the inputs (component 1 in this case). I also cannot find anything in the Motorolla DVR manual to set it to feed a certian type source.
2. I played more with the settings using my XBR CRT simultaneously with the PJ to see the differences, and I found to my surprise that when I set the Panny to ZOOM it fills the screen NOT with a part of the image BUT WITH EXACTLY THE FULL IMAGE SHOWN IN 16:9 ON TE CRT (though there it has horizontal bars as it is a 4:3 display) with NO IMAGE LOSS and no distortion meaning it is not, in fact, "zooming" but showing the accurate signal.
3. To further complicate matters and maybe the reason for this ??(and I doubt anyone other than you will reply to this as few seem to have this level of understanding - hence no other replys to my first post!) is that on the CRT if I press "info" the bar with information at the bottom is about 1/2 way on the picture and 1/2 way on the horizontal black bar, where on the PJ picture in ZOOM mode, the info bar is half way on the picture at the bottom and the other half does not exist as it is "off the screen" - so I wonder if the cable is somehow reducing the image to fit on a 16:9 screen specifically in order to allow the info bar to show because they do not want to cover too much of the picture??
4. Again, strange, on the CRT the 16:9 with the horizontal bars is perfect and not distorted, where if I set the PJ to 16:9, it is shown in what looks like a 1.85:1 with horizontal bars AND THE IMAGE IS SPREAD - DISTORTED, it only "undistorts" if I set the PJ to ZOOM (where it fills the screen and cuts off the info) or AUTO (where it reduces the image to about 50% and places it in the center of the screen)!

ANy thoughts here - anyone??? HELLP - MR TURTLE - does this issue occur on plasma screens?? is ANYONE HAVING THIS ISSUE BESIDES ME??? The ZOOM is ok, I can hanlde it but it is very strange to have to play the PJ in ZOOM to get a normal full screen view, and again it then cuts off the info 1/2 way and could likely cut off subtitles if I use those as well...



The change you need to make is on the CABLE BOX. Turn off the unit, then immediately press menu. You should see a service menu (that the installer was supposed to set up for you). Change the TV type to 16:9.

It worked for me.


- Tom

I've read the posts and have posted myself on VBE with the Panny 900. I have noticed some VB on some source material (mainly DVD) but wasn't that bad and I was able to adjust most of it out with the panel and flicker adjust. This was at 60 hours of use. I also keep the PJ standby power off and wait 3-5 minutes after turning it on to feed it a signal.

Then I added a Monster 3500 power conditioner/surge supressor and after 100 hr now, VBE is pretty much completly gone. I still power the unit down between uses and wait to introduce a signal. I really have to look hard for VB to see any trace of it and I have to remind myself that I used to see it. Maybe it's because I'm over the "looking for flaws" phase and now just enjoying the spectacular picture and big presentation of movies I watch. I get a lot of "wow" comments from friends and family. This thing rocks!

So, for those that have VBE, try these things. Maybe it just went away on it's own now, I've heard that can happen. Either way, this was my experience and I hope it helps others.

"Enjoy the show"

I've read the posts and have posted myself on VBE with the Panny 900. I have noticed some VB on some source material (mainly DVD) but wasn't that bad and I was able to adjust most of it out with the panel and flicker adjust. This was at 60 hours of use. I also keep the PJ standby power off and wait 3-5 minutes after turning it on to feed it a signal.

Then I added a Monster 3500 power conditioner/surge supressor and after 100 hr now, VBE is pretty much completly gone. I still power the unit down between uses and wait to introduce a signal. I really have to look hard for VB to see any trace of it and I have to remind myself that I used to see it. Maybe it's because I'm over the "looking for flaws" phase and now just enjoying the spectacular picture and big presentation of movies I watch. I get a lot of "wow" comments from friends and family. This thing rocks!
That was my experience as well - adding quality power conditioning cleaned up the VB on my Sony HS20, and deepened the blacks and richened the color, too. I'm a believer.

Good news, my info shows up in http://www.panasonicconsumerrebates.com/

Bad news:

[quote=panasonic]
Your rebate request was postmarked after the required 30 days from purchase.

An audit notice has been mailed to you.
[/quore]

<expletive deleted>! I realize it is my fault, but I was one day late and it was less than 30 days from actually getting the unit, so I was kinda hopeful it might go through. Suppose I can try to appeal, thogh I'm not hopefull.

Brian

That's pretty low of Panasonic, especially since most dealers give you a 30 day window to return it,( for defects) they must know most will wait to the last moment to mail it in. And most dealers don't want you sending back a box with the UPC cut out that is required for the rebate.
I ordered mine on Dec. 27th and mailed it in (registered mail) on Jan.27th.
Panasonic probably won't honor mine either since Dec. had 31 days in it, and I sent the rebate on the 31st day.
If this happens I know I won't stop bugging them until they honor it.

Hi guys, I use a UPS uninteruptable power supply and surge protector on my 700 and the VB is also almost non existant. I still follow the usual turning of power after fans stop running ect.

QUESTION: Finally Comcast delievered our HD DVR today - hooked up COMPONENT through PIO switcher* and it is my first experience with HD and so far only during the day so cannot tell the fidelity. I am wondering about the aspect ratio though, as I understood that HD was normally broadcast in 16:9, and yet with virtually ALL the HD channels I checked quickly I found the following - again on ALL HD stations so it is not the specific signal I think?? (see bottom for my setup):

I tried giving some info on this exact thing to all the other newbies like me in this thread on 1/10. Post #2904

set the cable box output to 720p and 16:9 output. Seems better than the 1080i on many HD stations. Anyone else with this Motorola box (seems pretty popular from the thread), the menu is kinda tricky to get to. While the power is off (no TV signal yet still electric going to it) hit the menu button on the box iself. Took me forever to figure this out since I was always doing it with the cable on. Grr.
The trick is not to use the cable box remote, use the buttons on the cable box itself. The actual directions in the manual tell you how to do this but with the remote saying menu too, I tired that button in vain for a while until I got off the couch and went to the cable box itself.

Once you do this on the cable box, the aspect ratio options on the projector will cahnge and look much better In the projector manual you can see the different distortions created by the different settings. So have fun playing around, it'll only take 3-5 minutes or so to get it right.

Set your DVD player to 16:9 output and 480p (or higher if you have one). Makes a huge difference.
For your Oppo DVD player set to wide on the general setup menu. With this the set of aspect controls will change once it's coming in as wide and will also look much better. Not as noticable of a difference as the cable box but still a difference.

Why not just buy one of those touch-sensitive lamps? You know, the kind that turn on when you touch them, and each time you touch it, it gets brighter or dimmer? Those things never seem very bright, even when on the brightest setting, so you should be able to use it to find a happy medium between light in the room and little or no wash-out on your picture.

Heck, even a traditional coffee-table lamp ought to work pretty decent.


I'm using rope lights around the baseboards of the room ( White christmas rope lights as seen at Home Depot, Menards Lowes) on a dimmer switch works fine I just dim the lights enough so I can see the trip hazards leaving the room nice and dark for an excellent picture :)

Well I picked mine up over lunch. I have the screen coming in the morning. I am starting to wonder how accurate the projection calculator is for this bad boy. I am getting a 92" screen. Is 18'6" really the optimal distance to put the projector? This would be great if this was the case, but I want to make sure I am not losing a lot of brightness/etc. Thanks as always. I will post impressions after the Super Bowl!

I'm using rope lights around the baseboards of the room ( White christmas rope lights as seen at Home Depot, Menards Lowes) on a dimmer switch works fine I just dim the lights enough so I can see the trip hazards leaving the room nice and dark for an excellent picture :)
Well-distributed, low level lighting at one's feet - Perfect!

I've read the posts and have posted myself on VBE with the Panny 900. I have noticed some VB on some source material (mainly DVD) but wasn't that bad and I was able to adjust most of it out with the panel and flicker adjust. "


I know that this has been asked before, but how does the panel adjustment work? Could someone please explain and what should I be doing or looking for when "adjusting the panels"

I know how to do the flicker but everytime someone asks about the panel adjustment, it seems to be forgotten about.

Simpsonb, if you could help me/us out that would be great.

Thanks,
Rob

Well I picked mine up over lunch. I have the screen coming in the morning. I am starting to wonder how accurate the projection calculator is for this bad boy. I am getting a 92" screen. Is 18'6" really the optimal distance to put the projector? This would be great if this was the case, but I want to make sure I am not losing a lot of brightness/etc. Thanks as always. I will post impressions after the Super Bowl!

From everything I have learn from this forum the minimum distance for this projector and your screen size is 10.58 feet with the maximum distance of 19.78 feet. You would be better to have the projector closer to the minimum distance to take advantage of brightness loss that you will receive if you lean towards the maximum distance. Another big item to consider is ambient light and how well you can control your lighting.

UPDATE**** I forgot to mention that our little saturday event will be taking place at 12pm!!!

Thanks for the invitation!

I've been to TV Authority shop in Santa Monica a couple times now, and the guys there are very accomodating and patient. It's nice to have one place where I can compare the three projectors I'm considering. I've been very pleased with their service thus far.

One note, this invite is buried so deep in this (very long) thread, I wonder how many folks will see it. Perhaps you can post a new thread or post in the Area Meets Forum?

From everything I have learn from this forum the minimum distance for this projector and your screen size is 10.58 feet with the maximum distance of 19.78 feet. You would be better to have the projector closer to the minimum distance to take advantage of brightness loss that you will receive if you lean towards the maximum distance. Another big item to consider is ambient light and how well you can control your lighting.
Yes, that is true.

Maybe this has been asked, but I received my 900 3 days ago. My theater room is not finished yet, But I wanted to see if there were going to be any problems with the projector. So I connected the DVD player to it with component cables and aimed it toward a off white wall about 10 feet away. When the DVD got to the main menu, I noticed there was a lot of what I would call, noise around the letters. It looks like the pixels around the writing are moving around. Also when I looked at the eyes of the the actors (not a close up), it's not very defined. Almost like horizontal lines going through. But if it's a close up of a face everything looks great.
I know an off white wall isn't the ideal screen, but I wouldn't think it would cause these kind of problems. or maybe it will?
Does anyone have some suggestions of setting I should try adjusting? I tried Dynamic, normal and the other ones, which didn't help. I adjusted the brightness and contrast with the THX optimizer. I don't have the Avia DVD yet.
I am going from a X1 (DLP) to this and right now I am not very excited with the PQ
Help!! :confused:

GeorgiaHT
One thing you can do at a minimum is set the sharpness to the lowest level, and turn off the NR (noise reduction) in the projector menu

I'll try that. I'm sure it doesn't help that I am sitting about 8 feet away either. I just never noticed it being this bad on the X1. I expected PQ with a 720 projector be a lot better than this.

Maybe this has been asked, but I received my 900 3 days ago. My theater room is not finished yet, But I wanted to see if there were going to be any problems with the projector. So I connected the DVD player to it with component cables and aimed it toward a off white wall about 10 feet away. When the DVD got to the main menu, I noticed there was a lot of what I would call, noise around the letters. It looks like the pixels around the writing are moving around. Also when I looked at the eyes of the the actors (not a close up), it's not very defined. Almost like horizontal lines going through. But if it's a close up of a face everything looks great.
I know an off white wall isn't the ideal screen, but I wouldn't think it would cause these kind of problems. or maybe it will?
Does anyone have some suggestions of setting I should try adjusting? I tried Dynamic, normal and the other ones, which didn't help. I adjusted the brightness and contrast with the THX optimizer. I don't have the Avia DVD yet.
I am going from a X1 (DLP) to this and right now I am not very excited with the PQ
Help!! :confused:

GeorgiaHT,
I did and was in the same situation as you. I purchased the 900 while my media room still under construction and watched some movies against the wall and notice the same thing. Started noticing some "halo" around the letters and gradually noticed other issues with picture, like the convergence, sharpness, etc. At first I thought it was the cable (I was using HDMI) so I tried component and shorter HDMI cables, but didn't help. Next I thought it was my source so I tried several DVD players and HTPC and noticed that it made a difference. None of other DVD players made any difference, but I didn't use any of the nicer ones like the Denon or Oppo. The HTPC made a big difference for the halo using ZP and ffdshow, but was able to see some of it still. I played the same movie on my 27" LCD 720p monitor and 21" CRT PC Monitor and noticed that the halo around the letters is actually there in all 3. Same applies to the sharpness. Good luck.

UPDATE**** I forgot to mention that our little saturday event will be taking place at 12pm!!!


TVA Tee,
I am going to try to be there.

Will you be including a 720p DLP to the mix?

TVA Tee,
I am going to try to be there.

Will you be including a 720p DLP to the mix?


As will I. Won't get off work til 5:00pm today so I hope it's still going by then.

And yes, please tell us if you're throwing some DLP units into the mix. I would LOVE to see the new HD72 in action today.

GeorgiaHT,
I did and was in the same situation as you. I purchased the 900 while my media room still under construction and watched some movies against the wall and notice the same thing. Started noticing some "halo" around the letters and gradually noticed other issues with picture, like the convergence, sharpness, etc. At first I thought it was the cable (I was using HDMI) so I tried component and shorter HDMI cables, but didn't help. Next I thought it was my source so I tried several DVD players and HTPC and noticed that it made a difference. None of other DVD players made any difference, but I didn't use any of the nicer ones like the Denon or Oppo. The HTPC made a big difference for the halo using ZP and ffdshow, but was able to see some of it still. I played the same movie on my 27" LCD 720p monitor and 21" CRT PC Monitor and noticed that the halo around the letters is actually there in all 3. Same applies to the sharpness. Good luck.
I quoted the same problem a couple of weeks ago... the only thing that helped was keeping the projector at a constant environment temperature. Up and downs in temperatur apparently affect the image, specially the subtitles and white parts of the image in fast succesion.
Hopefully this will help.

Anyone know anything about this mount?:
http://i45.photobucket.com/albums/f71/jandawil/mount.jpg

It's on eebay when you search universal projector mount. It's only $29.99 and it's by MountDirect. Comes in black and white and will extend from 14.5-22.5" or 5.5" without extension. Looks pretty decent. Any thoughts???

Went to the TVAuthority shootout. Saw the Benq 8720, the Epson 550, the Panasonic AE900, and the Sanyo Z4 on a Dalite HCCV screen.

Best: the Benq, hands down. Great color, very good blacks, excellent detail. Looked much better than it did at CES (I think they might have been pushing the size a little too much at CES). Rainbows were plainly visible to me (as all 1-chippers are, I could see them on the $10K Optoma HD81) but I didn't experience any eye fatigue.

The rest:
Epson was a light cannon. Damn that thing is bright! Can definitely fill a bright room.

Panasonic: Colors were way off, I think a component cable was loose, after the guy fiddled with the cables it looked much better. Image was rather soft looking. The image didn't have the "pop" I was expecting.

Sanyo: Looked like it did at CES. Good quality, very much like the Panny. Screendoor is visible.

The thing that stuck with me from the shootout was the slighty greenish tint to all the LCD models (I own a Panny AE500). They all had a little flat look to them too.


Think I'm going to dip for the Optoma HD72, which they will be getting soon. I really want the LG AN110 for it's versatile placement options, but LG seems to be dragging their feet on importing it to the US. I'm pretty certain that my next upgrade will be to DLP despite the risk for me of eye fatigue (kinda like looking at a movie with 3D glasses on). All of the recent DLP's I've seen at CES and others have a much greater feeling of depth and richness than the LCD's I've seen.


Thanks to TVAuthority for hosting the shootout! Great people, very nice store. I'm definitely buying from them as they are local for me!


Sorry if this doen't really fit in this thread!

Anyone know anything about this mount?:
http://i45.photobucket.com/albums/f71/jandawil/mount.jpg

It's on eebay when you search universal projector mount. It's only $29.99 and it's by MountDirect. Comes in black and white and will extend from 14.5-22.5" or 5.5" without extension. Looks pretty decent. Any thoughts???
FWIW, I'm suspicious of anything called "universal."

"Went to the TVAuthority shootout. Saw the Benq 8720, the Epson 550, the Panasonic AE900, and the Sanyo Z4 on a Dalite HCCV screen.

Best: the Benq, hands down. Great color, very good blacks, excellent detail. Looked much better than it did at CES (I think they might have been pushing the size a little too much at CES). Rainbows were plainly visible to me (as all 1-chippers are, I could see them on the $10K Optoma HD81) but I didn't experience any eye fatigue.

The rest:
Epson was a light cannon. Damn that thing is bright! Can definitely fill a bright room.

Panasonic: Colors were way off, I think a component cable was loose, after the guy fiddled with the cables it looked much better. Image was rather soft looking. The image didn't have the "pop" I was expecting.

Sanyo: Looked like it did at CES. Good quality, very much like the Panny. Screendoor is visible.

The thing that stuck with me from the shootout was the slighty greenish tint to all the LCD models (I own a Panny AE500). They all had a little flat look to them too.


Think I'm going to dip for the Optoma HD72, which they will be getting soon. I really want the LG AN110 for it's versatile placement options, but LG seems to be dragging their feet on importing it to the US. I'm pretty certain that my next upgrade will be to DLP despite the risk for me of eye fatigue (kinda like looking at a movie with 3D glasses on). All of the recent DLP's I've seen at CES and others have a much greater feeling of depth and richness than the LCD's I've seen.


Thanks to TVAuthority for hosting the shootout! Great people, very nice store. I'm definitely buying from them as they are local for me!


Sorry if this doen't really fit in this thread!"

__________________
Robert Clark



No it doesn't fit this So I'm curious if you plan on posting this in the other projector threads also? It seems only fair.

Robert....................

What the engineer from Epson at CES told me was that all LCD projectors have a problem with green push... I can't remember the exact reason, but it has to do with the technology or the implementation thereof. So to get any LCD's to look right apparently you have to drop green and bring red and blue up.

Throwing the 8720 in with the LCD's was really not especially fair...... it would have been great to see the HD72 compared to the LCD's... The 8720 to the LCD's is kind of like comparing a cigarette boat to a bunch of jet-ski's.

Robert....................

What the engineer from Epson at CES told me was that all LCD projectors have a problem with green push... I can't remember the exact reason, but it has to do with the technology or the implementation thereof. So to get any LCD's to look right apparently you have to drop green and bring red and blue up.

Throwing the 8720 in with the LCD's was really not especially fair...... it would have been great to see the HD72 compared to the LCD's... The 8720 to the LCD's is kind of like comparing a cigarette boat to a bunch of jet-ski's.


Definitely not a fair comparison as the 8720 is about 3X the price of the AE900.

HD72 wasn't in yet, unfortunately. Most LCD's I've seen have a mild green push, but it was more noticable when A-B'd directly, of course.

I want to thank everyohe for all the great information on this thread. I finally convinced my wife to let me purchase a projector for our living room. Up until I started reading about the AE900U I didn't have any interest in an LCD projector (for SDE issues and also black level). But once I heard how this projector deals with those concerns, I realized that there was finally a good HD projector in the under $2000 catagory to replace my 56 inch Toshiba CRT RPTV.

My AE900U arrived today along with my 106 Greywolf screen. AFter spending the afternoon setting it up and doing some basic calibration with AVIA, I sat down to watch my first programming with a front projector. I watched parts of Kill Bill 2 from Starz HD which is recorded on my Comcast DVR. The colors were absolutely amazing and vivid (and I don't notice any green tint after plugging in the advanced settings that MikeSRC posted in the tweaks thread). The detail in the picture was also very impressive. After dinner, my wife and I watched the Pirates of the Carribean and that also looked stunning. I was amazed at the amount of detail that I could see from a DVD source. Finally we threw in Finding Nemo and watched several scenes just to enjoy the incredible colors from the Pixar animation.

Like others have said, SDE is practically non-existant. I'm sitting 10 feet away from the screen and I can't see any pixel structure at all-even on a 100 IRE full field pattern. Obviously the black level can't compare to the CRT it replaced, but I found the black level to be acceptable. It was only when I looked at the letterboxing bars next to the black border of the screen that I could tell that it wasn't "true" black.

I can't wait to watch the Super Bowl on the projector tomorrow. I'm so glad I finally entered the FP crowd.

FWIW, I'm suspicious of anything called "universal."
Thanks for mentioning our mount. This mount has been tested on more than a hundred AE900u, Ae700u. And guaranteed fit.

Thanks!

-MountDirect

Hi All,

Just wondering if anyone is using a acoustically transparent screen with a Panasonic AE900 PJ and what their experiences have been. I’m looking into purchasing one for my new HT but I’m still on the fence regarding which model and manufacturer.
Screen size will be a minimum 120” maximum 156” 16:9 format (think I’ll settle on 133” as I’ve heard the 900 can’t really do much bigger?)
If your using one could you please list your type of screen, gain, set up distance, lighting and any negative effects you’ve noticed (moiré etc..).

Cheers
Calvin

there are two blue blob in my ae900, any suggestion how to 'remov' it?

Hi All,

Just wondering if anyone is using a acoustically transparent screen with a Panasonic AE900 PJ and what their experiences have been. I’m looking into purchasing one for my new HT but I’m still on the fence regarding which model and manufacturer.
Screen size will be a minimum 120” maximum 156” 16:9 format (think I’ll settle on 133” as I’ve heard the 900 can’t really do much bigger?)
If your using one could you please list your type of screen, gain, set up distance, lighting and any negative effects you’ve noticed (moiré etc..).

Cheers
Calvin
I'm using an acoustically transparent screen - a 92" wide 16:9 Stewart Firehawk w/THX micro-perf - but with a Sony HS20 and not a Panny 900. Along with the perfed variety, which almost always causes moire with fixed pixel projectors, there are the new "cloth" screens. The first, uncorrected, can have more than unity gain - the Firehawk is 1.35 gain with 11% loss for the perf. The cloth variety does not cause moire, but - so far - barely reaches a gain of 1. The "correction" I use to eliminate moire is an IMX lens - and I have NO moire. I have yet to get anyone - Stewart included - to give me a definitive answer if the Panny 900 is sufficiently "non-SDE" to NOT need the lens on my perfed screen.

IMO, having the center channel - the voices - coming from the screen center is THE way to go!

I am getting a lamp error when I try to power up. The green light flashes about thirty times, then the fan comes on with the lamp light. This has happened 3 other times, but always powered up on the second try.

Any suggestions out there?

Ghosting.

I just got my AE900 (7 hours on the clock now) and discovered that there is a small issue of ghosting in fast moving images especially when there are dark scenes.(eg, Alias) I am surprised there was not much more talk about this.

I am getting a lamp error when I try to power up. The green light flashes about thirty times, then the fan comes on with the lamp light. This has happened 3 other times, but always powered up on the second try.

Any suggestions out there?
You've got a malfunctioning lamp circuit. Call your dealer for a replacement, or it you're past your 30 days you'll have to send it in for repairs.

I am getting a lamp error when I try to power up. The green light flashes about thirty times, then the fan comes on with the lamp light. This has happened 3 other times, but always powered up on the second try.

Any suggestions out there?


The same thing is going on with my unit. I brought it back to my dealer for their service department to look at...of course they couldn't replicate the problem. I have since contacted a Panasonic rep and will be sending it off to Panny Canada for a repair...probably a lamp replacement.

I will post back with my results.

Hi All,

Just wondering if anyone is using a acoustically transparent screen with a Panasonic AE900 PJ and what their experiences have been. I’m looking into purchasing one for my new HT but I’m still on the fence regarding which model and manufacturer.
Screen size will be a minimum 120” maximum 156” 16:9 format (think I’ll settle on 133” as I’ve heard the 900 can’t really do much bigger?)
If your using one could you please list your type of screen, gain, set up distance, lighting and any negative effects you’ve noticed (moiré etc..).

Cheers
Calvin


I'm using an AE900 with a Da-Lite 119" High Contrast Cinema Perf screen (1.1 gain, 50° viewing angle in a completely light-controlled room.). With the AE900, I do not see any moire artifacts whatsoever.(I'm very certain the AE900's lack of SDE helps tremendously here.) At a distance of about 12', the perfs are practically invisible and the detail is great with both SD and HD content. Even at closer distances, to me the perfs at worst resemble a typical PJ with mild SDE. (Meaning it's not nearly as distracting as a non-AE700/900 PJ with SDE+perf screen combo.) You'll only ovbiously see the actual perfs if you're right up front to the screen within about 1'-5'. Hope this helps.

Yep its a bad lamp circuit. I got it to fire up by switching the main power off then on again quickly while the light flashed green. I didnt have to tell all 15 people on their way over for Super Bowl the party was off.

Do you think I should expect any help from my dealer on this one? Also, is this going to require a new lamp or just the circuit? I have 200 hours on it and it is 3 1/2 months old. Oh yeah it did this on the first day I got it then two more times total.

Thanks for the response.

Hi guys, I use a UPS uninteruptable power supply and surge protector on my 700 and the VB is also almost non existant. I still follow the usual turning of power after fans stop running ect.

What UPS and Sugre units are you using? How are they hooked up? Which one first? Is the UPS just on the PJ?

I know that this has been asked before, but how does the panel adjustment work? Could someone please explain and what should I be doing or looking for when "adjusting the panels"

I know how to do the flicker but everytime someone asks about the panel adjustment, it seems to be forgotten about.

Simpsonb, if you could help me/us out that would be great.

Thanks,
Rob

The panel adjust is to remove VB from each panel independently. I have:

Red - 15
Green - 14
Blue - 11 (this is where I saw the VB initally)

Blue is a hard color to see so when you make an adjustment, let you eyes adjust a bit before moving on. Also, let the PJ warm up for at least 1 hr before making any adjustments, that goes for the flicker adjust too.

Just past 100 hours and going strong. I swear this thing gets better each time I watch it! Sadly, now even 107" seems small :-)

I just got this dvd player and I am not seeing STUNNING as many have said they have seen-- I have also not callibrated...I ma new and don't know how. Anyway, my question is I would like to watch 2:35 movies but I do not see any aspect settings for this and it seems like all my 2:35 stuff is in 16:9 format-- can someone tell me how to do it right. Thx! :o

I am running my wire tonight, and ordering the AE900 next week. I am going to be using a 110" screen, just wondering if anybody knows the min and max throw distances for this setup?

I did a quick search, and didn't find what I needed, so I apologize in advance if this info is buried in the thread somewhere...

Thanks,
Andy

Andy,

Go to http://www.projectorcentral.com and scroll down on the left to calculator pro and enter the make and model... you will find what you seek there!


...Glenn :)

The panel adjust is to remove VB from each panel independently. I have:

Red - 15
Green - 14
Blue - 11 (this is where I saw the VB initally)

Blue is a hard color to see so when you make an adjustment, let you eyes adjust a bit before moving on. Also, let the PJ warm up for at least 1 hr before making any adjustments, that goes for the flicker adjust too.

Just past 100 hours and going strong. I swear this thing gets better each time I watch it! Sadly, now even 107" seems small :-)


Thanks, but I'm still not sure what I should see on the screen. Will the screen start to "flash" like the flicker adjustment (that one is easy to spot) or will the colors change?

I guess what I'm getting at is I don't see a change when I adjust the numbers in the panel adjustment. Maybe my eyes are getting bad.

Sorry for the ignorant questions

Rob

OK, on a completely different note.

I got my new 900 Friday (The original one had a grinding fan noise not related to the iris and my dealer felt I should send it back for a new one)

Anyway, after a VERY quick calibration (in case this one was bad, I could put less than 5 hrs on it no questions asked) I had the picture looking decent enough to check convergence, VB, etc. BTW, I received the OPPO too.

Never the less I could find no, problems with this one aside from a raquetball sized magenta circle on the center right portion of the screen.

Is this a dust blob internally?
Can it be easily remedied?

I only see it in the full gray screens and really don't detect it during movies, but is it something that I REALLY need to talk to my dealer about?
(My wife was the one that made the comment about the cost vs. quality thing, but I can live with it)


Thanks,
Rob

I just got this dvd player and I am not seeing STUNNING as many have said they have seen-- I have also not callibrated...I ma new and don't know how. Anyway, my question is I would like to watch 2:35 movies but I do not see any aspect settings for this and it seems like all my 2:35 stuff is in 16:9 format-- can someone tell me how to do it right. Thx! :o

Assuming the 900 is set to AUTO aspect and your player is set to 16:9, are you saying that you are *not* seeing black rows top and bottom of frame as you would expect with anamorphic (enhanced for 16:9) 2.35 content. Or do you want to fill the frame?

Some extremely useful links.
http://hkfanatic.com/widescreen/aspect/aspect.php
http://www.thedigitalbits.com/articles/anamorphic/anamorphic.zip

The ZOOM mode could be used to fill the screen if you are not a OAR devotee (shame) but this would only be useful for 480 source.

ted

hi, tvted- thank you for getting back to me...I do think I set it up as such but it didn't seem like the long skinny picture I have seen when I did 2:35 for LOTR using the samsung 850- there were bars on top and bottom but not real thick like I saw before...is that normal and am I seeing correctly. Also, what would you suggest using for callibration-- would I get more from it because right now the picture IS NOT STUNNING as many have said they see. Thx so much for a reply again I appreciate it!

the picture IS NOT STUNNING as many have said they see. Thx so much for a reply again I appreciate it!

Obviously calibrating the dvd player and projector will make a big difference...

However, my first question would be are you using the DVI output from the DVD player into the HDMI input on the projector? The Oppo does NOT produce a stunning picture unless you ARE using the DVI output. Only the DVI output looks good on the Oppo.

OK, on a completely different note.

Never the less I could find no, problems with this one aside from a raquetball sized magenta circle on the center right portion of the screen.

Is this a dust blob internally?
Can it be easily remedied?

I only see it in the full gray screens and really don't detect it during movies, but is it something that I REALLY need to talk to my dealer about?
(My wife was the one that made the comment about the cost vs. quality thing, but I can live with it)


Thanks,
Rob


It does indeed sound like dust.

I just went through this process myself (although it was a blue circle rather than magenta). To see if it is indeed a dust particle, you might try zooming out of focus one way or the other. For me, I could clearly see the piece in detail that was one of the LCDs.

As I could not blow the dust out, my dealer had me send the unit back to them for cleaning. Once they opened the unit, they found that it was what they called “sticky dust” and could not be removed. From this diagnosis, they sent me a brand new unit FedEx priority.

Granted, the anomaly was technically within manufacturing tolerances, and I could only see the circle very rarely (in dark or all-black scenes) but for that kind of money, I was happy to get a new unit. If you are like me, every time you see the dot it will drive you nuts. Before they sent me the new unit, they powered it on to assure it had no similar problems.

thx Hiho-- I am usiing the DVI that is why I couldn't figure out why it didn't look at least as good as the samsung 850 which I also didn't calibrate.

If you check the Oppo thread you will find some setting you can use based on which version of the firmware you are using... this will give you a good base-line starting point, then you need to apply the Panasonic setting from either Eric Awtry or MikeSRC from the AE900 tweak thread... apparently these settings work great on some Panny's but not on others... so try Eric's settings for projectors without a filter, then try MikeSRC's settings for no filter and see which look the best on your projector... then go back and try a movie on the Oppo and see what you think.

thanks Hiho- I appreciate it

Of course, there is also the possibility that your previous player was doing such a good job on component that you don't notice a huge difference...

I thought my previous panasonic player with a faroudja chip did a great job until I tried it side by side with the Oppo on a DVI output. In my case there was a huge difference, but perhaps in yours it is simply not as large.

what do you suggest I use to callibrate?

I would use Avia (as it is what I have) to calibrate brightness and contrast.

Then apply the settings by Eric or Mike.

Then go back to the brightness contrast settings with Avia to see if they need to be modified.

Play some DVD's and see what you think...

Then go back and change the settings to those from the other person ( the ones you did not use the first time) and then go back and adjust brightness/contrast and re-view the same DVD's.

If you don't have Avia or DVE you can use one of the DVD's that have the THX optimizer on it... there are a bunch I don't know which ones, but I do remember it being on Pirates of the Carribean... you can use it to adjust the brightness/contrast if you do not have the other discs.

Anyone know anything about this mount?:


It's on eebay when you search universal projector mount. It's only $29.99 and it's by MountDirect. Comes in black and white and will extend from 14.5-22.5" or 5.5" without extension. Looks pretty decent. Any thoughts???

I bought one because of the great price. I have not installed one yet but closely examined the build quality of the mount parts. The pieces are heavy duty construction. When decide to ceiling mount my ae900 that is what I am going to use. You are only going to suspend about 8 lbs.

Thanks, but I'm still not sure what I should see on the screen. Will the screen start to "flash" like the flicker adjustment (that one is easy to spot) or will the colors change?

I guess what I'm getting at is I don't see a change when I adjust the numbers in the panel adjustment. Maybe my eyes are getting bad.

Sorry for the ignorant questions

Rob

This is not an ignorant question.

Numerous posters have stated that they've used the panel adjust menu with some success, but no one has explained what they did or how they did it.

I don't think they know what they did, other than to play with the adjustment values.

I bought one because of the great price. I have not installed one yet but closely examined the build quality of the mount parts. The pieces are heavy duty construction. When decide to ceiling mount my ae900 that is what I am going to use. You are only going to suspend about 8 lbs.


Thanks Bumski....is the extension poll built in a way that I can cut it smaller if need be??? It may be a little long. I was looking for a total of 9-10" in a mount and than add the 4-5" or so for the lense for a total of 13-15" down from my ceiling. Is this possible??

Thanks,

Is anyone using for their screen the Carada Brilliant white material? It has a gain of 1.4. Currently I'm using a cheapo ebay screen with a gain of 1.3 and I've been happy with the results, but I have a beat on the perfectly sized Carada, so I figured I'd throw the question out there before I commit.

I'm using a Carada 2.35AR BW screen with the Panasonic and a 81EF filter. Looks great to me and the Carada screens are very nicely built.

Shawn

I am running my wire tonight, and ordering the AE900 next week. I am going to be using a 110" screen, just wondering if anybody knows the min and max throw distances for this setup?

I did a quick search, and didn't find what I needed, so I apologize in advance if this info is buried in the thread somewhere...

Thanks,
Andy

1.38 to 2.75 multiplied by screen width. In your case your minimum is 12.65 feet with the maximum of 25.20 feet. I had plan to use a 110" screen as well...

A quote from BubbaWilly,


What I (and many other 900 owners) have found is that as long as you keep the projector within the borders of the screen, you won't really have a problem with geometric distortion as a result of the lens shift. You will have plenty of play with the projector at 7" below the top of the screen. You'll be using 38% of the available 63% (just over half). You could even raise your projector without a problem. Mounting within the screen's borders is considered low to moderate lens shift, and outside of the screen's border is considered to be extreme lens shift.

The throw range of the 900 is 1.38x to 2.75x screen width (2:1). From what other owners have said, the brightness level drops measurably in the last 25% of that range, particularly beyond about 15 feet, and you have a big screen (which also reduces brightness) to start with. I really would opt for a closer mount than the back wall. However, if you want to test the back wall mounting scenario, then just set the projector up on a table, and project it 20' to your screen. If it seems adequate, pick the projector up, walk with it toward the screen, and see if you prefer (or need) more brightness. Do this in another room, emulating your theater's lighting conditions as best you can. That way you know where you need to run cables/power before you build your theater.

The type of screen that you have will make a difference as well. If you have a higher gain screen, like the Carada Brilliant White, then the screen will reflect more light than it receives (I think that the BW is 1.5 gain). I'd stay away from a negative gain gray screen. A 'light' gray screen with some gain (like the Stewart Firehawk, Da-Lite High Contrast Cinema Vision, of the relatively new Optoma Graywolf) would be a good match for your situation. I use the Da-Lite HCCV myself.

Thanks Bumski....is the extension poll built in a way that I can cut it smaller if need be??? It may be a little long. I was looking for a total of 9-10" in a mount and than add the 4-5" or so for the lense for a total of 13-15" down from my ceiling. Is this possible??

Thanks,

Jon, if you meant to ask above question about the mount by MountDirect, I could answer. Actually I did yesterday for another user, here is the link
http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?p=7071586

I just received my Panasonic $200 rebate and Blockbuster card. The card is only valid unitl 6/30/06 and you can only rent one movie or game at a time.

Terms of the card.

This Blockbuster Entertainment Card is good for forty (40) free movie or game rentals at participating Blockbuster stores in the United States Membership rules apply. 1 Movie or Game rental per day until the earlier of redemption of all 40 rentals or 6/30/06. This card may only be used on one membership account and at the store where the first rental is redeemed. This card is not valid with any other discount or offer.

It seems not fair to have it expire so soon since Panasonic has been so late in sending their rebates.

That seems pretty bogus seeing as how the deal is good through March which means many will not get them until May or later.

I'm using a Carada 2.35AR BW screen with the Panasonic and a 81EF filter. Looks great to me and the Carada screens are very nicely built.

Shawn

Shawn,

Have you compared your Carada to Da lite Cinema Vision 1.3 or Vutec BriteWhite 1.5?

I apologise for the O/T folks - I accept all tut tuts with my usual hemming & hawing.
ted

the screen will reflect more light than it receives ).

Small nitpick because - well, I'm annoying.

This would imply that the screen is somehow amplifying light.

What is really happening is that the light is being relfected back in such a way that it is more concentrated in the viewing position - basically it is giving you more of the light that your PJ is actually projecting. It is why higher gain screen have narrower viewing cones.

ted

When did you send in your rebate info? Just wondering as I mailed mine on 12/16/05 and still don't show up on the rebate website. I called a few weeks back and they said it hadn't been 8 weeks yet, but I figured I'd still show up in the database.

jcg

I just received my Panasonic $200 rebate and Blockbuster card. The card is only valid unitl 6/30/06 and you can only rent one movie or game at a time.

Terms of the card.

This Blockbuster Entertainment Card is good for forty (40) free movie or game rentals at participating Blockbuster stores in the United States Membership rules apply. 1 Movie or Game rental per day until the earlier of redemption of all 40 rentals or 6/30/06. This card may only be used on one membership account and at the store where the first rental is redeemed. This card is not valid with any other discount or offer.

It seems not fair to have it expire so soon since Panasonic has been so late in sending their rebates.

I am thinking of buying the Panansonic 900 U projector. Can somebody give me a recommedation for a good 110-120 Inch screen. I don't want to spend a lot of money.
Thanks.

"Have you compared your Carada to Da lite Cinema Vision 1.3 or Vutec BriteWhite 1.5?"

Not directly against a full screen but I have compared it to Da Lite and Stewart screen samples but not the Vutec. For comparison sake on axis (in my bat cave) the BW looks pretty much identical to the Firehawk WRT gain and such. As long as you were on axis it was literally difficult to see where the Steward sample ended. The big difference in my room is viewing angle. I sit a 1x screen width for 2.35 movies and the BW still looks very uniform across the whole screen in any of the seats in the front row. If I sit on the left side of the room (basically inline with the left edge of the screen) at 1x screen width and hang the Firehawk on the right side of the screen it looks like I put up a piece of black paper there.

I also have the Carada High Contrast Grey for the frame which I used with my older projector to try to improve blacks but haven't felt the need to try it with the AE900. I think the BW works well with it for bright punchy colors (esp. with the 81EF) and it still has good contrast.

Shawn

This is not an ignorant question.

Numerous posters have stated that they've used the panel adjust menu with some success, but no one has explained what they did or how they did it.

I don't think they know what they did, other than to play with the adjustment values.
Hi Bubba,


The change is really subtle in the panel adjust screen. For green the area where you will notice the VB is in the brighter bands. The easiest way to see the adjustment is to ramp up and down quickly until you see the shift. Once you see the VB shift in anf out you won't miss it. The Red is most noticible one level darker than brightest. Blue is the hardest one of all. If you get lost just go to initilize and it'll reset the panels to factory spec and start again. It takes a bit of trial and error to see it but keep playing around. You'll see it.

Elio

I am thinking of buying the Panansonic 900 U projector. Can somebody give me a recommedation for a good 110-120 Inch screen. I don't want to spend a lot of money.
Thanks.
Screens start at the "shoot it on a white wall" level and work up through "paint the wall with special "screen" paint." From there, the cost goes up. If you visit the DIY Screen Section (http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/forumdisplay.php?f=110), you can learn more about it. Everyone will have their own take on "good screen/not a lot of money."

sorry guys newbie question..

Room is currently under construction...white side walls and ceiling, front(screen) wall will be painted black. Screen will be a 100" DIY BOC. Throw is 18', seating will be at around 11'. A little ambient light filtering from the back(pj) wall. Room dimensions are 11'W x 18'L x 8.5'H

Is ae900 bright enough? pjcentral calc estimates a brightnes of 14fL. What is the ideal value?
Do you see any issues regarding my planned setup?

Thanks!
Paul

Hi, I just recieved my ae900 (ordered based on the info in this forum), and I'm sending in my rebate. Is the serial number the one under the 2nd barcode starting with SA####### ? I just want to make sure I send it in correctly so they don't reject my rebate.

I sent my rebate in at the end of October. I wonder if they will extend the terms of the card for people who are just submitting their rebates. The serial number is under the barcode. It is also on the projector.

Is now a good time to get a AE900? I'm wanting to upgrade to it from my current Infocus X1.

I'm just wondering if anything better is coming out soon I should maybe wait for..?

With the $400 rebate now is a great time. The Blockbuster card is a bonus. Something better always comes out but think of what you are missing.

sillyputty,

I just bought the 900 this weekend (and a 92" screen) and my room is 23x13x9 with a 19' throw and seating at 12'. In my opinion - this thing kicks butt. I am 100% satisfied with brightness/picture/price/etc.

With the $400 rebate now is a great time. The Blockbuster card is a bonus. Something better always comes out but think of what you are missing.
Most haven't received their $200 rebate yet and the Blockbuster card apparently has some less than user-friendly T&C. Buy the Panny because it's well worth the selling price; the rest is just toil and trouble.

Most haven't received their $200 rebate yet and the Blockbuster card apparently has some less than user-friendly T&C. Buy the Panny because it's well worth the selling price; the rest is just toil and trouble.

Just as long as I would get the rebate eventually (well within a reasonable few months or so) I'd be happy.

I just hope I won't be dissapointed upgrading from an X1 to this.. but by the sounds of it, I won't be... :cool:

Forgive me if it's been mentioned, but Costco has the AE900 for $1599 (plus S&H) after rebate. The blockbuster offer still applies. Might not be the best price but it might be a good option for Costco members.

Forgive me if it's been mentioned, but Costco has the AE900 for $1599 (plus S&H) after rebate. The blockbuster offer still applies. Might not be the best price but it might be a good option for Costco members.

do you know if they carry it instore?

I just purchased AE900u, this is my first projector. I have green hue in the upper left and lower right of the projected image in certain scenes (typical darker scenes). I have found I can move the green hue to different parts of the image to some extent by adjust the zoom. ( i.e. I can move the green hue in the upper left to the center by rotating the zoom dial a ~1/4 turn)

Do all AE900U have this issue?

do you know if they carry it instore?

No. But I doubt you would find one in the store. They never had the 500's in teh store while they had them online...at least in the stores I frequent. I do know that you can return them to the store for full refund including shipping.

I posted this question in the powerbuy post for the Prismasonic but thought I would try here as well.

I recall an earlier post stating there were issues with the AE900 and Prismasonic lenses, but people weren't sure if it was the particular unit tested or applied in general.

Is anybody using this combo, as I'm hesitant to order the lense if there will be issues with my projector

I just purchased AE900u, this is my first projector. I have green hue in the upper left and lower right of the projected image in certain scenes (typical darker scenes). I have found I can move the green hue to different parts of the image to some extent by adjust the zoom. ( i.e. I can move the green hue in the upper left to the center by rotating the zoom dial a ~1/4 turn)

Do all AE900U have this issue?
i've had two, and neither had any color uniformity problems.

Can't say for the Primasonic but it works fine with the ISCO II.

With any of the lenses the only things to remember is if you are using a horizontal expansion lens the pictures is going to basically be 33% wider for the same throw. For a CH setup using the projector centrals calculator just figure throw based on screen height and it will give you the throw range for the setup with it in 2.35 mode.

And to be sure to have enough aperature through the lens be sure to place the projector at the longer end of the throw range.

Shawn

And to be sure to have enough aperature through the lens be sure to place the projector at the longer end of the throw range.
Which with this projector, and others similarly designed, substantially reduces light output.

" substantially reduces light output."

So does blocking the edges of the pictures because the lens is in the way. ;)

Shawn

" substantially reduces light output."

So does blocking the edges of the pictures because the lens is in the way. ;)

Shawn
I missed something; what are Primasonic and ISCO II?

Anamorphic lenses. They in effect turn the Panasonic into a 2.35 AR projector.

For those that have a constant height screen setup it lets them use the full resolution of the projector for 2.35AR movies. See this site for an example of what it does...

http://www.prismasonic.com/english/intro.shtml

Shawn

sillyputty,

I just bought the 900 this weekend (and a 92" screen) and my room is 23x13x9 with a 19' throw and seating at 12'. In my opinion - this thing kicks butt. I am 100% satisfied with brightness/picture/price/etc.

I too wanted to mount the projector at 20 feet from screen, but I have had second thoughts. The idea of having the projector mounted over the door inside a recess area was what I was going to do, but I got a reality check and now have decided to mount the projector as close as I can to the screen and run the projector in the lamp low settings and extend the lamp life as the lamp ages. At 19 feet I would be concern of lost of brightness as the lamp ages. I am curious if you’re running the lamp in HIGH or LOW settings?

I am going with a 114 inch screen that has a viewing width of roughly 100 inches. Projector can be mounted from 11.5 feet out to 23 feet. I will mount the projector at about 13.5 feet this giving me room if in the future to try bigger screens without having to move the projector.

Anyone know where to get the ae900 service manual?
BTW, how to clean or air blow the three LCD panels? Have anyone try doing it?

The service manuals are available on ebay for $8.99. That's on a CD, PDF format.

Can some of you comment on the picture modes that you use for DVD's and SD via satellite?
It's my understanding that when calibrating, that it needs to be done for each picture mode individually. Thanks.

In a recent thread MD_HT1 compares the "AE900, HC3000, H78DC3" and one of the main issues he has with the 900 is that the iris'working is noticeable.

Contrast:
Here is where there is probably the greatest difference between the projectors and in my opinion, one of the most important aspects to a good projector. The bottom line is that the Iris system in the AE900U is obviously inferior in comparison to the non-iris enhanced contrast of the
DLP units. Of the DLP units, the H78DC3 was clearly better than the HC3000, especially in dark scenes with subtle details. The main problem with the AE900U is the fact that in mixed scenes with areas of light and dark, the iris system falls flat on its face, either erasing the dark details in favor of the light details, or dulling the light details in favor of the dark details, or going in the middle and looking just OK compared to the DLP projectors.
I disagree with some people’s assessment that this type of scene doesn’t occur very much. In most movies it happens often and for good reason, the directors love to use higher contrast for dramatic effect. Think of a sunrise scene or a shadowy scene with light streaming in a window, or rays of sunshine through a dense canopy of trees, or backlight outlining the silhouette of an actor or actress, etc., etc. If you want to get closer to the film, the contrast performance of the DLP units will be much closer to the real thing than the Iris-assisted AE900U. Further, the H78DC3 had notably improved dark details to the HC3000. If you only watch sports, they are all fine, but put on anything dramatic and the difference is obvious.
H78DC3: 10; HC3000: 7; AE900U: 4;

What is your experience? is the 900's iris not up to the task/too slow?

That would be the first time I have heard of that complant. The 900 is known to have the fastest iris according to Panasonic.

A quote from BubbaWilly,

What I (and many other 900 owners) have found is that as long as you keep the projector within the borders of the screen, you won't really have a problem with geometric distortion as a result of the lens shift. You will have plenty of play with the projector at 7" below the top of the screen. You'll be using 38% of the available 63% (just over half). You could even raise your projector without a problem. Mounting within the screen's borders is considered low to moderate lens shift, and outside of the screen's border is considered to be extreme lens shift.

Now my dilemma...

I ordered my 900 last week and it will arrive today. Mounting the 900 within the borders of the screen would require hanging the projector quite a bit lower than I'd like. I'm wondering if I'd be better off with something like the Z4 for this reason? Any comments would be greatly appreciated.

I have my AE900 mounted just below the top border of my screen. I use alot of lens shift, not maxed out and no keystone. The right bottom corner doesnt match up, it "bleeds" on to the border. The left side and the top are perfect.

Does any one have any tricks or advise on this problem?


Thanks

do you know if they carry it instore?

This PJ is only sold online at costco.com. I got this straight from the costco rep.

Gman

I just received my panny from projector people today. It has a build date of September 2005 on it... seems a little old?

I received my projector yesterday, replacing my Infocus X1 on a 110" Stewart Grayhawk microperf. I have no moire problems, and the resolution increase is visible with almost all sources. I have not yet calibrated it.

I have, however, had two problems with it, neither of which are killers.

1) I had to disable the dynamic iris. When using my Xbox 360 switching between blades you could see the screen visibly change brightness, almost a flash. On the blue "media" blade and looking at video titles, simply moving up or down through the menus (on the same color screen) made the screen flash.

2) The upper left and lower right corners seem a -little- lighter than the rest of the screen.

Contrast seems to be good enough without the iris on, and you can rarely notice the uniformity issues in #2.

I can't see -any- bad pixels whatsoever, so I'm hesitant to try to get a replacement if it means the potential of bad pixels. A blue, red, or green dot would be much more frustrating that these minor issues. How has everyone done in terms of getting units with all good pixels? I got this from ProjectorPeople so I know I can keep sending units back to them, but am wondering if either issue is major enough to worry about?

"It has a build date of September 2005 on it... seems a little old? "

I received two last week from Projector People with the same build date too. I thought that was a little odd too.

Shawn

"It has a build date of September 2005 on it... seems a little old? "

I received two last week from Projector People with the same build date too. I thought that was a little odd too.

Shawn

Maybe they aren't selling many.

When I ordered mine in middle of December, it had a November 05 build date. When I got my replacment in January, it had a December 05 build date.

Maybe they are not rotating their stock. Kind of like at a grocery store.

Rob

Maybe they aren't selling many.

When I ordered mine in middle of December, it had a November 05 build date. When I got my replacment in January, it had a December 05 build date.

Maybe they are not rotating their stock. Kind of like at a grocery store.

Rob

Or...
Maybe Panasonic is recirculating all of those units that were returned for minor flaws.

I got mine from PP last week, and it also has a September 2005 build date. There are no stuck or dead pixels. The only problem I noticed is that on the 100% white pattern from DVE, there is a very small portion of green haze on the lower right of the image but it's barely noticible. I don't think it was worth returning it and risking bad pixels or missing out on the rebate. The image quality, especially the color, is totally amazing and I haven't yet tuned a single setting! My friends and I were watching it after going to the movies and one of them said the picture was better than in the theatre! I'm at ~10' throw on a 103" DIY BOC screen with very little light control due to bright street lights outside.

A coworker and myself received new AE900's in the past 4 days.

Both are dated September 2005, which concerned me as it did others here.

While I have never had an issue with ProjectorPeople before, the AE900 being my fourth projector purchase from them since 1999, I hope these units are fresh from the factory and not some kind of certified return. I don't want to start speculating, but I think we need an explanation for these dates.

I bought an AE700 from PP the first week of December 2004, and it was dated November 2004.

I expected a December 05 or January 06 build date for these units ordered last week???

They do appear to be new based on my experience, though. I did ask PP to open the boxes and check both for dead pixels and other obvious issues. The box was resealed with tape labeled "This box has been opened and PASSED QUALITY ASSURANCE".

Does anyone have "Projectorpeople" tape on the box if it was opened to check for issues before shipping?

I am wondering if the tape on my boxes is from Panasonic or PP?

Hopefully the explanation is simply that they've been shipping last in, first out, and simply got to the earliest units shipped, or Panasonic shipped them these September units recently- though why Panasonic would still have units from September 2005 as of January-February 2006 is unknown.

A pleasant suprise was that both units came double boxed, apparently by Panasonic as standard issue.

"It has a build date of September 2005 on it... seems a little old? "

I received two last week from Projector People with the same build date too. I thought that was a little odd too.

Shawn


All it means is they bought a lot of 900's expecting them to sell and they still have a bunch left because they didnt sell as well as expected.

If you have 10 Pj's and you only sell 4 you dont send the other 6 back for newer ones.

Mine had some greasy fingerprints on it... And some minor scratching... I don't think mine is new... I think mine is going back...

Hi all,
I recently received and setup my AE900. I have noticed something that annoys me a bit. It seems to really only be noticeable when displaying a computer image. When I have my windows desktop up on the screen (I have a plain black backround) and I bring up something with a decent amount of white that covers about 1/3 of the screen or more, the image gets brighter. So if I open to explore on of my drives in a window the screen seems to "blink" and get brighter. I then hear a little bit of noise from the projector. When I shut this window down (thereby going to mostly black) the image gets dimmer and the slight noise form the projector goes away.
This is really only noticeable when I am working on the computer. When this same computer (HTPC) is playing a DVD, I don't seem to notice this issue. Nor do I notice it on HD material. Maybe it just isn't as obvious on these other types of material.
If I turn off dynamic iris none of this happens. So, it looks like it is the dynamic iris that is causing this. Is it supposed to be noticeable? I am guessing that I do not want to turn off dynamic iris.

Thanks,
Dino

"They do appear to be new based on my experience, though. I did ask PP to open the boxes and check both for dead pixels and other obvious issues. The box was resealed with tape labeled "This box has been opened and PASSED QUALITY ASSURANCE".

Does anyone have "Projectorpeople" tape on the box if it was opened to check for issues before shipping?

I am wondering if the tape on my boxes is from Panasonic or PP?"

I think that is from PP. My first unit I didn't have quality checked and it didn't have that tape. I checked it carefully when I got it and it did *not* appear to have been retaped (always look at the bottom of the box) so I think the box was factory sealed.

That one had a big bright green blob in the picture so PP overnighted me an advanced replacement. This one I did ask to have quality checked and it had the same type of tape on it. Was very happy with how Projector People handled the bad unit BTW.

If they were repackaged by Panasonic they would have to be labeled as either Refurbished or B-Stock.

Shawn

"All it means is they bought a lot of 900's expecting them to sell and they still have a bunch left because they didnt sell as well as expected.

If you have 10 Pj's and you only sell 4 you dont send the other 6 back for newer ones."

Agreed. I didn't mean to imply anything bad by that. I just thought it was odd that they would still have some of what must have been early production units while others have later units. PP must have either bought a large order of the Panasonics right off the bat and/or haven't been selling all that many.

Shawn

Just an FYI...

I received my $200 rebate + BB card today....not sure when I sent in the rebate (early december), but both came in the same envelope.

Cheers,

Rich

It appears that the AE900 can be found as cheap as $1499 after rebates on the web...I honestly feel that they're giving them away now...I'd possibly buy another for $1499...great price

Hi all,
I recently received and setup my AE900. I have noticed something that annoys me a bit. It seems to really only be noticeable when displaying a computer image. When I have my windows desktop up on the screen (I have a plain black backround) and I bring up something with a decent amount of white that covers about 1/3 of the screen or more, the image gets brighter. So if I open to explore on of my drives in a window the screen seems to "blink" and get brighter. I then hear a little bit of noise from the projector. When I shut this window down (thereby going to mostly black) the image gets dimmer and the slight noise form the projector goes away.
This is really only noticeable when I am working on the computer. When this same computer (HTPC) is playing a DVD, I don't seem to notice this issue. Nor do I notice it on HD material. Maybe it just isn't as obvious on these other types of material.
If I turn off dynamic iris none of this happens. So, it looks like it is the dynamic iris that is causing this. Is it supposed to be noticeable? I am guessing that I do not want to turn off dynamic iris.

Thanks,
Dino

This is normal iris behavior with PC desktop image elements, which have large discrete areas of brightness, which probably upsets the iris positioning algorithm, which relies on IRE averages over the entire panel.

My AE700 behaves like this, too, as well as my new AE900. That's why they allow you to turn it off ;).

BTW, I never notice the iris in action during DVD viewing from the same PC when the DVD image window is maximized to fill the LCD panel.

[QUOTE=sfogg PP must have either bought a large order of the Panasonics right off the bat and/or haven't been selling all that many.

Shawn[/QUOTE]

...which explains the big $400 rebate incentive.

If the lack of sales is the reason for the September 05 dates, I think that's a testament to the fact that not many people are upgrading, and are happy with their AE700's or whatever else they have.

The only reason I got the AE900 is because a local HT enthusiast offered me a good price for my pristine AE700 with 400hrs on it and 2 years of warranty left, plus the $400 rebate which made me take the plunge and reduced the spread to about the price of a bulb.

I don't think the differences warrant an upgrade in general. The immediate improvements I notice are a better lens shift joystick (less sticky, smoother) and better focus/sharpness uniformity, probably due to less aggressive Smoothscreen.

Blacks and contrast might be a bit better due to the D5, also. The bigger remote with brighter lighting is easier for my hands and eyes to use, too. And I like the serial port, which should come in handy with the HTPC I use for most of my viewing. The extra component input will be useful for Xbox connection, with the other component input connected to the Pioneer 1014 component switching output, which switches between a myHD card component out and RP82 component out.

I recently purchased the 900U PJ myself. So far, we are satisfied with the purchase.
Our previous TV was a 36" CRT so this is a MAJOR upgrade for us.

We don't even have the HD DVR connected yet as our dish was not correct and we had to order a new one.

The only thing we seem to have a glitch with is the S-video. This may not even be a glitch, just lack of knowledge on our part. We have RGB component cable from the DVD to the PJ, and S-Video from the receiver "monitor out" on the receiver to the PJ. It seemed to me, the first couple days, the S-video worked while sitting in the desk, then when we mounted the projector (turing it off and removing cables) and reconnected everything, we no longer got the S-video signal. It COULD be some setting on my receiver that I'm not doing right, I just haven't investigated it too hard, as the satellite box is connected directly to the DVD player (for recording purposes), and watchable through the RGB cable through the DVD player.

Maybe as we have it longer and I begin to tweek some settings our opinions will change - but so far so good.

It appears that the AE900 can be found as cheap as $1499 after rebates on the web...I honestly feel that they're giving them away now...I
That can only mean that they made a LOT more than they are selling or, perhaps more likely, they are blowing them out in anticipation of a newer, improved model. Reading this thread, I think we can all see room for improvement.

I recently purchased the 900U PJ myself. So far, we are satisfied with the purchase.
Our previous TV was a 36" CRT so this is a MAJOR upgrade for us.

We don't even have the HD DVR connected yet as our dish was not correct and we had to order a new one.

The only thing we seem to have a glitch with is the S-video . . .
I'll go out on a limb here and predict that after you watch some true hi-def on your projector, you will lose interest quickly in watching anything over s-video.

"Reading this thread, I think we can all see room for improvement. "

Read any thread here on any projector and you can see room for improvement in it. ;)

Shawn

"Reading this thread, I think we can all see room for improvement. "

Read any thread here on any projector and you can see room for improvement in it. ;)
Sure, and it's probably true of every other category of A/V product as well. But the context was this projector being sold at $1500, a drop of ~25%. Some see an even bigger bargain, while others look for deeper meaning.

More then 50% off its MSRP at this point. Deeper meaning is hard to judge. Could mean a new model on the way, though that seems a little quick to me based on Panasonics history. Or it could just be a proactive approach to deal with all the upcoming $2k 720p DLPs that are on the way. Or it could just be they really want to keep increasing market share so are going for profit by moving a lot of the units. Or it could be something else entirely.

There will always be better/newer/cheaper/etc on the way at some point. Eventually they will get C2 Fine panels and the CR will jump through the roof... esp. if they keep the DI. And eventually they are going to be 1080p as well. Even with those there were be something new on the horizon too. Its up to each person when to decide it is time to jump in and purchase knowing that at some point it will be replaced. The only constant is change.

If one always waits for what is coming down the road they will be watching a blank screen. At some point you just have to dive in an enjoy it while you have it.

Shawn

More then 50% off its MSRP at this point. Deeper meaning is hard to judge. Could mean a new model on the way, though that seems a little quick to me based on Panasonics history. Or it could just be a proactive approach to deal with all the upcoming $2k 720p DLPs that are on the way. Or it could just be they really want to keep increasing market share so are going for profit by moving a lot of the units. Or it could be something else entirely.
I said some look for deeper meaning, not that they find any. :D

There will always be better/newer/cheaper/etc on the way at some point. Eventually they will get C2 Fine panels and the CR will jump through the roof... esp. if they keep the DI. And eventually they are going to be 1080p as well. Even with those there were be something new on the horizon too. Its up to each person when to decide it is time to jump in and purchase knowing that at some point it will be replaced. The only constant is change.

If one always waits for what is coming down the road they will be watching a blank screen. At some point you just have to dive in an enjoy it while you have it.
You are right, of course, but there is something to be said flor "playing" the technology cycles. Many paid $2k for their 900's and now they can be bought for $1500. Would you have wanted to the LAST person to pay $2k before it dropped to $1500? Would you want to pay $1500 for a 900 the day before a "910" came out for $2k that had greatly improved iris function and factory-adjusted VB? Unless this is one's first display, everyone will already have something that they are enjoying. And in that case, another month or two of waiting might be prudent. My observation, like yours, is that things improve. But my further observation is that is not linear. Every now and then there is a jump, sometimes huge. Ruby comes to mind.

" but there is something to be said flor "playing" the technology cycles."

No doubt. Not buying in the initial rush seems to help as it gets much easier to get better deals after the product has been out a few months.

" Would you have wanted to the LAST person to pay $2k before it dropped to $1500? "

Of course not. I lucked out... I had almost decided to order it the day before the rebate doubled but decided to hold off. The larger rebate pushed me over the edge though. The flipside is true too though... would you want to be the first person to purchase after the rebate period ended after waiting to see if a bigger rebate was on the way?

At some point one needs to just make a decision they are comfortable with and not play games second guessing themselves after the fact. All the second guessing is the path to audio/videophile madness. ;)

" But my further observation is that is not linear. Every now and then there is a jump, sometimes huge."

If the C2 Fine panel upgades do what some claim they do that will be a huge jump. Native (non-DI) CR increases are said to be on the order of going from around 1000:1 (D5) to around 8000 or 10,000:1. Just think of what that would be like with a DI on it. But according to some knowledgable people here the likelyhood of those panels making it into FP this year are very low. Next year... ???

As far as the Ruby I was sort of considering (it would have been a stretch) it but being more or less the first of its kind sort of worried me. I just know when/if things like 1080P C2 Fine makes it to market with a DI the Ruby is going to be yesterdays news. Just like what the Ruby did to the Qualia. Made more sense *to me* to do $1600 now and wait for the 'latest greatest' of a year from now. And when those arrive grab one for the theater and updade the Hitachi Home-1 I'm using upstairs to the Panasonic. Couldn't afford to have the same plan with the Ruby.

Shawn

I can't see -any- bad pixels whatsoever, so I'm hesitant to try to get a replacement if it means the potential of bad pixels. A blue, red, or green dot would be much more frustrating that these minor issues. How has everyone done in terms of getting units with all good pixels? I got this from ProjectorPeople so I know I can keep sending units back to them, but am wondering if either issue is major enough to worry about?

My 900 has one suck green pixel about 18" down and 15" in from the upper RHS of a 107" screen. When I first saw it I was dissapointed and found myself looking for it. After about 2 movies I don't EVER notice it, even when I look for it I can't find it when watching a movie and I've watched LOTS! Remember, that pixel it pretty dam$ small! I talked to the tech rep at VA and he said if it was in the middle and noticable they would replace it, actually even if I just wanted it replaced they would. However, everyhting else on the PJ is perfect , color, convergance, panel, brightness, color uniformity, and I don't want to risk getting a bad unit if they're out there. Besides, I didn't even remember I had a stuck pixel until I read your post :D

Happy viewing!

Just an FYI...

I received my $200 rebate + BB card today....not sure when I sent in the rebate (early december), but both came in the same envelope.

Cheers,

Rich

I also received mine. The Blockbuster card expires end of June which makes it pretty worthless. I am already a Blockbuster online renter and get 2 free instore rentals a month. And now they are doing 1 free instore rental a week. I won't use even half the rental unless I quit Blockbuster online.

"My 900 has one suck green pixel "

Anyone ever tried the tricks to attempt to fix stuck (not dead) pixels?

I have seen a program or two taht does it. They basically flash very quickly between full screen R/G/B for a few hours in an attempt to wake up the stuck pixel. Same thing could be done with a movie on DVD for example.

Shawn

What are the full terms of the Blockbuster card.
Expiration, rentals per month, games or movies only?

while others look for deeper meaning.

What?
There's a deeper meaning to this stuff?
I'm off to chant right now. ;)

tossing my reading of Wittgenstein,
ted

......basically flash very quickly between full screen R/G/B for a few hours in an attempt to wake up the stuck pixel.

Shawn

Your fingers are bound to get tired, :p and if they are anything like me they ain't waking up for anybody.

btw Shawn,

Your setup sounds similar to mine - have you noticed any issues with the ISCO with respect to the 900? It has been mentioned that there might be with the Prismasonic (which I have) but I've never seen clarification with this. What is your screen size and how many Ft. L. (bulb hours?) - I see you are EF'd, like me, on my 700.

ted

I am already a Blockbuster online renter and get 2 free instore rentals a month. And now they are doing 1 free instore rental a week.

A previous poster said the card was good for 1 rental per day.

I rental per week would take until December 2006 to use at the rate of 1 per week.

Class action time? ;)

Hi:
Just ordered the AE900 from the Costco website along with the Da-Lite 100" HD screen also available on the Costco website. Does anybody know more details about that particular screen (eg material, gain ratio etc).

Also, I am not sure if that is the right size screen for my room, the seating area is about 18 feet from where the screen will be. Do I need a bigger or a smaller screen. After reading this forums I am already having second thoughts on the PJ, the other projector on my short list was the Sony VPL-HS51A Cineza but the AE 900 is about $ 1500 cheaper.

Thanks.

A previous poster said the card was good for 1 rental per day.

I rental per week would take until December 2006 to use at the rate of 1 per week.

Class action time? ;)
How about if we just clue in newbies who are all ga-ga over rebates and coupons? Four hundred dollars is getting worthwhile, but from what I've seen it's break even on the $200 if you place a value your time and sanity.

" - have you noticed any issues with the ISCO with respect to the 900?"

A slight pincushion that is really only noticeable on patterns when you have a straight edge to compare against. But that is just from the lens itself and happened with other projectors with the same throw/screen through the ISCO. The picture looks great through the ISCO and I haven't noticed anything particular with the combo and the Panasonic itself.

"What is your screen size and how many Ft. L. (bulb hours?) - I see you are EF'd"

Screen is a 104" (8' wide) Carada 2.35AR Brilliant White. Don't know my Ft. Lamberts as I don't have a meter to measure that. Bulb hours are maybe 12 at this point as I have had it up and running less then a week. Even with the 81EF it is still very bright (in low lamp mode) in my setup so far though I assume that will dim down some as I get more hours on the bulb.

Do you use the pass-through mode on the Prismasonic or just leave it alone for all material? Since I watch a lot of 2.35 material for now I'm just leaving the lens in place all the time and handling the different ARs entirely in scaling. Not the optimal way to do it but my unit is locked inside a hushbox (leftover from my previous unit) so it isn't easy to get at.

Shawn

I have listed the full terms of the Blockbuster card a few pages back in the thread.

well i took the plunge and finally ordered a 900... I have an x1 now, and have been hesitant to upgrade.. but at the price they can be had for now.. it was too hard to pass up.

can't wait for fedex to get here now ;)

The increased rebate put me past my waiting, and I got the 900, too, from one of the AVS sponsers advertised above. I'd like to say it's great, so far. Anyone sitting on the fence about getting into front projection, a really good time is right now. The picture and ease of setup with this projector makes it more than excellent for the first-time buyer.
While people already situated with a projector, and wondering about upgrading, can always profit by waiting a little longer, there is much less benefit in waiting if you currently have no projector.
My plan now is to upgrade when bright 1080p C2fine projectors are available under 3 grand. (I enjoyed the other thread speculating about how long that will take.) With my new 900, I think I can wait happily as long as it takes.

Another really really happy 900U owner here. I just received it yesterday from Visual Apex and I don't see any problems. Granted, my HT is not built yet so my screen consisted of a white sheet. Getting a 7' wide picture on it was very easy. This is one flexible projector. I did not notice any of the usual complaints we see here. I tried as hard as I could to look for VB and nothing. The HDMI connection from my Oppo player did look much better than component. The 720P scaling made a nice difference in my opinion. Those of you still watching on a 480P DVD player, spend the $200 on the Oppo and you will be rewarded. My first impressions....WOW!! I know unique huh??? I thought the picture looked very nice. My wife even said, wow that is clear picture and she doesn't care much about this stuff. A 7' picture is overwhelming!! I can't wait to have my HT built with an 8.5' screen. I know the picture will only get dramatically better when I have my Goo screen up and have a chance to calibrate it with Avia. Right now, bed sheet, factory settings with half the light passing right through my sheet and one heck of a nice picture. Get this projector!!!!!

Does anyone know how to reset all settings to the factory default? I know you can do some of them one at a time, but I haven't seen a way to reset everything at once. Thanks!

Any takers?

Hi:
Just ordered the AE900 from the Costco website along with the Da-Lite 100" HD screen also available on the Costco website. Does anybody know more details about that particular screen (eg material, gain ratio etc).

It uses the DaMat material, which is a 1.0 gain, standard matte white vinyl.

Also, I am not sure if that is the right size screen for my room, the seating area is about 18 feet from where the screen will be. Do I need a bigger or a smaller screen.

You definitely do not need a smaller screen, but could go bigger if you wanted. I sit about 13' from a 92" screen and I wouldn't want it any smaller.

[QUOTE=MikeSRC


You definitely do not need a smaller screen, but could go bigger if you wanted. I sit about 13' from a 92" screen and I wouldn't want it any smaller.[/QUOTE]

I sit 13' from a 110" and I wouldn't want it any smaller either.. :D