Thanks for the reply! Locally, I'm actually able to get a better price on a higher gain screen than a matte-white one. I'm going to be using it in a room where it won't always be totaly dark. Would a Optoma Panoview GrayWolf II screen with a 1.8 gain work well with the 900U, or would it be TOO reflective?? The projector will be mounted in a bookshelf in back of the seating area and all seating will be directly in front of the screen. Any opinion is greatly appreciated!

Marc.

I have a GrayWolf I and it works great with the AE900u...its a great bang for the buck...check the GrayWolf thread in the Screens forum and theres a lot of talk about the GWII with the AE900

:( Today I called tech support on my ae900u and now I feel like I have lost my best friend.

BACKGROUND:

Last week my friend came over to watch a movie. Turned on the PJ and it was flashing red. I thought it was strange so I turned everything off for 30 minutes and then powered everything back up and... NOTHING! Green light on power but nothing else... NO FAN! NO LIGHT! So I figured maybe I need a new lamp. So I ordered one on line. Installed and ... NOTHING! Feeling lost I called tech support. They tell me that they have never heard of this happening before and I have to send my baby in.

NOW:
I am "MovieTheaterless" and that is not a good thing to be when you love movies and video games as much as I do.

I HAD TO VENT! Thanx for listening.

Just ordered my bulb from a certain seller on ebay....I'll report back my findings

I hated the GW1 and GW2. Sparklies and waves drove me nuts. I got the Dalite High Power - much better for the 900 (brighter), but only with an 81C filter + tweaking to improve the contrast and black levels.

I'm depressed!
I've had my AE900U almost two years now.
I just changed the bulb about a week ago.
I turned it on at sundown and the screen is all red!
Tried to adjust the panels, I can't even see the numbers for the red one.
Everything black is red, white is orange. Looks awful.
Anyone know where to send it in for repair?
Thanks.

Seems this failure has occurred before (lamp replacement didn't fix it).:(

These Pannys are junk.My AX-100 put me through the everloving ringer!Never again!:D

Tom

Hey guys, in troubled waters here.

My lamp got too old to use at around 3500h (flickering etc, but still worked). Before i replaced the lamp after it being unused for a month or so i turned it on and couldn't get any menus to show. The startup logo wouldn't show either.

Ok, so i got a new lamp here, replaced it and still can't see the menus or the logo. The screen flickers slightly whenever i press a remote button for a menu, but nothing happens. Unit is humming and it's projecting light onto the screen, just no content.

My question is...can i or should i try reset the whole unit to factory defaults? I've got the service manual and it has no mention of this feature, i'd imagine it should be possible, right?

Other thoughts? LCD busted? Thanks for your help :)

Have you found any more information about this? I am using the rev 2.5 4x1 HDMI switch and it does not work with my HTPC with a DVI->HDMI or HDMI->HDMI cable. I have the MSI NX8500GT-MTD256EH which has HDMI and DVI outputs. It works perfectly in Windows XP when the HDMI cable (35ft 24AWG monoprice) is directly connected between the HTPC and the AE900. During boot I do not see the BIOS but I don't really care about that. Once I add the switch my HTPC no longer detects a Monitor device (i.e. Monitors just says "Default Monitor" instead of "AE900"). I also have a 7600GT with DVI outputs and it behaves the same way. At the moment it seems as though I may have wasted money buying the MSI VGA because it didn't help :(.

On a side note, the Xbox 360 Elite takes about 20 seconds to display video when I have it connected through the switch. It boots up instantly without the switch. My Oppo DVD player works flawlessly through the switch.

EDIT:

I found that short 6ft HDMI cables on each side of the switch did not resolve the issues. I also tested using an LCD monitor with a DVI-HDMI cable as the display and that does work with my Xbox and HTPC through the switch.

Could the Panasonic PT-AE900U be violating some requirements of the HDMI specification or is it more likely an issue with the Monoprice 4x1 rev2.5 HDMI switch?

fwiw i have not had a issue at all with the same switch on my ae900 also have a 50ft hdmi cable connect to the output.

I hated the GW1 and GW2. Sparklies and waves drove me nuts. I got the Dalite High Power - much better for the 900 (brighter), but only with an 81C filter + tweaking to improve the contrast and black levels.

I have a Hoya 81C filter and 1.3 gain screen. Would you mind sharing your settings? I seem to like Normal mode calibrated using DVE best so far, but I am sure I can do better.

Chris

It depends on your screen and build date of your PJ. Do you have AVIA Pro, DVE or GetGray DVD? You should get one of them so you can tweak with some accuracy. GetGray is supposed to be good for PJs. I use DVE. YMMV.

The purpose of the filter is to cut the blue and green to bring it in line with the red, since LCD lamps are deficient in red. Then you boost the blue and green gains to make white look white and grey look grey, not tinted with red, blue or green - 65K. This improves the contrast and black levels, and eliminates the blue tint in the blacks. If you don't have a meter, you have to tweak by eye. Brightness adjusts the black level and Contrast adjusts the white. Tweak the color and tint using the RGB filters included with DVE. Then go to the advanced menu and tweak the gammas and the RGB contrast (looking at the 70-100 IREs) and brightness settings (looking at the 10-30 IREs) to eliminate color tinting in the grays and whites.

Here are my settings for April, 2006 ae900, MOXI HDTV via component with the 81EF filter and 106" High Power screen, seating at 10', PJ at 12' mid-wall. It looks pretty good to my eyes (without a color meter) for HD sources. First I tweaked the DVD over HDMI with DVE and saved the user setup, then loaded the settings with the component input and re-tweaking for HDTV by eye.

Normal Mode
Contrast -7
Brightness +6
Color -15
Tint -3
Sharpness -6
Color Temp +4

Gammas
H -4
M -2
L +5

Contrast
R -8
G -16
B -10

Bright
R -5
G -11
B -5

You can try my settings, and make adjustments to suit your taste and environment. These were my settings with the 81EF filter from the tweak thread a year ago.

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?p=8172577&highlight=tweak+81c#post8172577

I may have made some changes with the 81C, but I would have to fire up the PJ at home and see what it is now.

There are a lot of factors that can affect the picture, so tweaking is not a perfect science when you don't have the meter and software to do it accurately.

I wouldn't go as far as to say they are 'junk' but they do have reliability issues, as do most (if not all) projectors! When they work, they have a beautiful image (especially the AX100). That's why I got mine from C0$TC0. At least I have 3 months before worrying about reliability. DLPs don't have 2x zoom or lens shift like these units. YMMV. I'm sure there are plenty of happy campers out there. If I could find the perfect PJ in this price range, I'd get it!

fwiw i have not had a issue at all with the same switch on my ae900 also have a 50ft hdmi cable connect to the output.

I got an Onkyo TX-SR805 AVR (HDMI v1.3) and it solved all the HDMI issues with the projector. Both of my extra HDMI switchers also work now when hooked up behind the Onkyo.

Thanks iggymama. I have an early production model and I wasn't aware of differences between early and late production models.

As far as the comments regarding Panasonic 720p LCD projectors being junk, my experiences make me believe that isn't true at all. I purchased a new PT-L500U in late 2004 and it has been problem free for three years and it still works great. I am using Panasonic projectors at my home and my girlfriend's home. My PT-AE900U has less than 250 hours and I don't know if it will hold up as well but I haven't seen any issues of concern yet. If I do get the same trouble free use, I am moving up to Panasonic 1080p when the upgrade bug becomes unavoidable. I have been one of the lucky ones to avoid VB and breakdowns. Reading about the issues with the PT-AX100 does make me believe that projector is more problem prone than my two models. I will follow the threads on it and see if Panasonic takes care of the problems as I expect. To me, Panasonic has always been first rate.

Chris

:( Today I called tech support on my ae900u and now I feel like I have lost my best friend.

BACKGROUND:

Last week my friend came over to watch a movie. Turned on the PJ and it was flashing red. I thought it was strange so I turned everything off for 30 minutes and then powered everything back up and... NOTHING! Green light on power but nothing else... NO FAN! NO LIGHT! So I figured maybe I need a new lamp. So I ordered one on line. Installed and ... NOTHING! Feeling lost I called tech support. They tell me that they have never heard of this happening before and I have to send my baby in.

NOW:
I am "MovieTheaterless" and that is not a good thing to be when you love movies and video games as much as I do.

I HAD TO VENT! Thanx for listening.

Tried searching but couldn't find any instances but some times when I would turn on my AE900 (twice its happened now) the light flashes red and I have to unplug ot and power on then down for say 30 secs and then it works. Whats going on? A hard reset fixes it?

Thanks
Dave

It has less the 400 hours on it.

My maual says that when the foam part of the filter becomes excessively dirty, you should replace it. Mine has definitely reached that point. Blowing it out with the compressed air gets the surface dust off, but it appears there is quite a bit ingrained into the gray foam pad.

I'll try vaccuuming it but I just have a small canister vaccuum since I don't have much carpet in my house. It doesn't have any attachments so that might be interesting.

I haven't seen this part sold anywhere. Any ideas?

My maual says that when the foam part of the filter becomes excessively dirty, you should replace it. Mine has definitely reached that point. Blowing it out with the compressed air gets the surface dust off, but it appears there is quite a bit ingrained into the gray foam pad.

I'll try vaccuuming it but I just have a small canister vaccuum since I don't have much carpet in my house. It doesn't have any attachments so that might be interesting.

I haven't seen this part sold anywhere. Any ideas?

Replacement filters come in the same box as replacement lamps. I'd buy a new lamp, test it, replace the filter and put the known good lamp back in the box until you need it.

I've read maybe 100 pages of posts and realize how little I understand about my older projector and the one I'm trying out for a day that I will probably buy which is the PT-AE900. Current PJ is a Canon business 4:3 type but it has a really good Cinema mode and does surprisingly well with movies and OTA HD. We're happy with the Canon overall but this 900U deal came along.

The 900UPpice is $675.00 and it was briefly a CostCo store display unit and lamp has 87 hours of use. The manufacture date shows May 2006 and I don't know if that was early or later in the production cycle of this PJ - can anyone advise?

I know this unit has been on a shelf unused since at least January 2007 as I am a regular customer of the small store I found it in - they re-sell a lot of CostCo stuff. Since it's been there a while they just cut their price deeply so I took one home to try.

Most of you talk of pixel level issues and many pj adjustments that I am not familiar with so I guess I have a lot to learn and hope the 900U owner's manual will get a good guide for beginning to attempt to make adjustments that might enhance performance.

Questions for today are can anyone suggest any relatively simple tests I can do to check out this 900U? Is the price okay if the unit is okay? So far all I have done is watch scenes from different commercially produced movie DVDs using S video and Component inputs. Color performance seems true but after reading here I'm not sure how to do a better job of checking the unit out and make a good buying decision.

I am not a hi-def gamer and the low definition Wii is all I use.
I am content so far with Standard Def DVDs and won't be upgrading to HD DVD anytime soon.
We do enjoy OTA HD but mostly use our Lcos flat screen for day-to-day tv content watching so only the "big game" and movies will be the PJ focus.
1080p is not a priority as it will be a while before any provider will broadcast at 1080p - IMHO - due to bandwidth constraints and other limitations.

All advice very much appreciated.

imjay, if that includes a warranty, that is a great deal in my opinion. Probably ok without warranty, but not without additional risk obviously. It is a simple projector to set up and using DVE or other calibration software and easily obtains a very good picture in my opinion. A manufacture date of June, 06 is toward the end of the production life, mine was manufactured in late 2005 and the PT-AX100U was being manufactured beginning in late summer, early fall 2006. I don't know when the PT-AE900U production was stopped, but certainly no more than a month or two after yours.

Chris

imjay, if that includes a warranty, that is a great deal in my opinion. Probably ok without warranty, but not without additional risk obviously. It is a simple projector to set up and using DVE or other calibration software and easily obtains a very good picture in my opinion. A manufacture date of June, 06 is toward the end of the production life, mine was manufactured in late 2005 and the PT-AX100U was being manufactured beginning in late summer, early fall 2006. I don't know when the PT-AE900U production was stopped, but certainly no more than a month or two after yours.

Chris

what he said, and since you don't sound like you'll be obsessing over that last 10% of picture quality improvement, i'll mention that i unpacked mine and watch it without any adjustments whatsoever and am very happy with the picture. this is using the cinema1 setting in a 100% light-controlled room.

My AE900 goes blue after some period of watching. The same thing happens when I am watching DVD's or TV. The screen will go blue and the upper right corner flashes YPBPR1 (which I assume is just the input the projector is looking for).
The projector is only driven with Component input 1 which comes from the Pioneer Elite VSX-82 (no firmware update on this one yet) and the receiver is hooked up to the Comcast DVR as well as an Oppo DVD player through component video.

This has the feel of a video sync issue but if anyone has any ideas as to the possible cause, I would love to know.

(lamp has ~760 hours and no temp light comes on, filter is clean)

Regarding the subject of a "grinding" sound that was mentioned in this post that, after a few A-B test comparisons, didn't seem to be related to the fan or the dynamic iris...

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?p=6918795&highlight=Panasonic+AE900+grinding+noise#post6918795

I did a search on this forum for "Panasonic AE900 grinding noise" and the above post was the last one that came up, so forgive me if this was already answered somewhere in this HUGE thread.

At 1700 hours, I started hearing the same noise and it got louder and louder over the next few days. I thought I'd have to send it in for a warranty repair, but I think I've fixed it myself..?

Right after turning it on, I checked around the projector to see if I could determine where the noise was loudest (it's mounted on a shelf on the back wall). The noise seemed to be coming from the bottom side of the unit. I carefully turned it over and removed the lamp unit cover. Sure enough, the noise was coming from something inside the lamp compartment.

Swear to god, all I did was sort of gently push on the lamp handle and nudge the two rubber-wrapped wires that are visible under the lamp unit cover a little. The sound went away. I replaced the lamp unit cover, turned the projector right side up and placed it back on the shelf.

That was a couple of days ago. I've fired it up each of the last two days, left it on for several hours at a time and the projector is as quiet as the day I bought it.

Did I "fix" it? Don't really know. But everything seems to be back to normal. The source of the grinding noise I experienced might be totally different than the one someone else might have, but I wanted to pass this along just in case.

If anything else happens with this as time goes on I'll post about it, but so far so good.

First follow up...the grinding sound I mentioned above has returned.

I bought the extended 2nd and 3rd year warranty through ProjectorPeople and the carrier, Warrantech, is getting back to me within 3 working days with the number for the right repair service station for this model, where to ship it, etc. Hmm.

Anyone have experience with this company, Warrantech?

I'll share any unpleasant surprises as they occur...and also any good reviews I have for all involved...

Hi guys,
Was wondering if anyone else has gotten this successfully to work. I have a Sony BD300 BluRay player. Since the 900 is supposed to be able to handle a 1080/24p input, I set the BluRay to output that. But once I do this, the picture blows up big time to the point where I see only about the upper left25% of the screen. And when I check the 900 it says it is getting 1080/60i. I'm confused. Anyone have this working or have any ideas? I read that someone has this working with a PS3, but was wondering if anyone has this working with a standalone BluRay (or even HD-DVD Player) and could provide some insight. Thanks.

Anyone have this working or have any ideas? I read that someone has this working with a PS3, but was wondering if anyone has this working with a standalone Blu-ray (or even HD DVD) player and could provide some insight.1080p24 works from the PS3 and the HD-XA2 (although I have not tried it yet with the firmware that addresses the frame rate issue with the XA2).

I have not used the BDP-S300, but the problem could very well be with the process it uses to automatically detect 24p support in the PT-AE900U. Look for an option in the player that forces 24p output. That model may not have it. I assume you've checked the thread for it?

Chase

I haven't done an A-B comparison, but does anyone know if it's technically better to send the AE900 a 720p or 1080i/p signal (using HD-DVD and BD players)? Has anyone done an A-B comparison? I always thought it would be better to send the native resolutio (720p), but I've heard others sending a 1080 signal...which looks better?

In my experience, with a Denon 3930, it looks better set to 720p. 1080i adds a degree of softness to the image for some reason. However if you have a player capable of 1080p 24fps then use that setting, as pictures look absolutely stunning from my PS3 in that mode.

I haven't done an A-B comparison, but does anyone know if it's technically better to send the AE900 a 720p or 1080i/p signal (using HD-DVD and BD players)? Has anyone done an A-B comparison? I always thought it would be better to send the native resolutio (720p), but I've heard others sending a 1080 signal...which looks better?

For SD DVDs, I would suggest sending 720p so that the image only gets scaled once. For HD, I would try it both ways and use whichever looks better to you.

Hey guys...I just replaced my bulb after around 2100 hours and now I'm noticing a very slight discoloration on the entire right-edge of the screen. When displaying a white background, the picture will start to fade into a redder shade of white and get worse toward the outer edge of the screen. Anybody know what causes this discoloration? I tried to clean the projector out as best I could when I replaced the bulb. I also pulled the top part of the case off and blew out all the dust with compressed air. I didn't pull any boards off but how hard is it to get to the actual LCD panels? I wondering if they are dusty and causing this discoloration...any other ideas?

When I power down the 900, the unit goes into fan mode as it should, then comes back on. Did it three times last night. I had to sit there and keep 'turning it off' until eventually it just shut down like it should. Doesn't happen every time, just once in a while.

I've tried to search this thread, but couldn't find anything on it. Any help is welcome! Thanks!

When I power down the 900, the unit goes into fan mode as it should, then comes back on. Did it three times last night. I had to sit there and keep 'turning it off' until eventually it just shut down like it should. Doesn't happen every time, just once in a while.

I've tried to search this thread, but couldn't find anything on it. Any help is welcome! Thanks!
The only time that happened to me it was a remote control issue. Took me a couple of tries to realize it.

The ricochet action of the remote control signal from the screen to the pj (when you point the remote to the screen for the signal to bounce off the screen to the pj) can sometimes be so immediate that simply holding the button down a fraction of a second longer than necessary will actually send another signal to the pj to "power on" again after you've double pressed the button to signal it to "power off".

May not be what is happening with yours, but I thought I'd pass along my experience with it anyway.

Hi All - I have had the grinding noise issues with my projector and when this happens at it's loudest, the unit will not turn on. I find vacuuming the filter all of the time to be most helpful in avoiding this, but I have no idea why!

My projector's fan makes a very loud noise. I keep my bulb on low and my fan on high because of the altitude of where I live (over 9,000 ft), but I still think something is wrong with the unit. I just haven't had the inclination to live without it to send it in.

Also, my bulb is flickering like crazy. I tried putting it on high, then back on low and it seems to me that the bulb needs to be replaced. My only worry is that the bulb has about 1100 hours on it run almost entirely on the low setting.

Does anyone think that the fan noise - grinding noise issues could be killing the bulb quicker than should be expected?

I was hoping to get more life out of the bulb before incurring the expense of replacing it. I also worry about spending the money for the bulb to find out that the problems are still there (as I've seen it mentioned in other posts).

I noticed someone above opened their unit and wiggled around on the bulb. I am not comfortable poking around, but expect I'll have to figure it out to replace the bulb at some point.

OH - also - any idea of what type of bulb? I can't find my info booklet and panasonic doesn't have the information on their website.

Thanks!!!

Skier-Girl

Hi All - I have had the grinding noise issues with my projector and when this happens at it's loudest, the unit will not turn on. I find vacuuming the filter all of the time to be most helpful in avoiding this, but I have no idea why!

My projector's fan makes a very loud noise. I keep my bulb on low and my fan on high because of the altitude of where I live (over 9,000 ft), but I still think something is wrong with the unit. I just haven't had the inclination to live without it to send it in.

Also, my bulb is flickering like crazy. I tried putting it on high, then back on low and it seems to me that the bulb needs to be replaced. My only worry is that the bulb has about 1100 hours on it run almost entirely on the low setting.

Does anyone think that the fan noise - grinding noise issues could be killing the bulb quicker than should be expected?

I was hoping to get more life out of the bulb before incurring the expense of replacing it. I also worry about spending the money for the bulb to find out that the problems are still there (as I've seen it mentioned in other posts).

I noticed someone above opened their unit and wiggled around on the bulb. I am not comfortable poking around, but expect I'll have to figure it out to replace the bulb at some point.

OH - also - any idea of what type of bulb? I can't find my info booklet and panasonic doesn't have the information on their website.

Thanks!!!

Skier-Girl

Its really quite easy to gain access to the bulb. Its just two screws on the bottom of the case (they are the screws which are no recessed into the case). Unscrew those and you can actually see the bulb housing (careful if its it hot). You could try doing that but unfortunately, I never had those problems and my bulb lasted to about 2100 hours so my only problem was it was getting dim. It probably could have lasted longer but I was sick of washed out blacks.

Good luck

Hello everyone.

Need some help there.
My Ae900 worked really really great for 1 year and an half with 3100 hours.
But yesterday after 3 weeks of unactivity because of holidays, the screen went totally white and my Ae900 is unable to show something else appart a white blank screen now. The intensity of the light didn't decrease and the alarm led for the lamp is not on : so i don't think it is because of the lamp

did anybody have the same problem ??
Or anybody have an idea on this problem ?

Thx in advance for help

I have just under 2000 hours on my Panny 900 and I have a problem that the projector goes black for a second or two every so often when I am connect via my HDMI cable. I tried switching to the component cables and the probem is not there. Since it works fine via component I assume the cable coming into the cable box is fine. Also I switched out the cable box and the problem still exists so I know the cable box is not the problem. That leaves either the HDMI cable (Blue Jeans) or the projector. Is there a way to test them to see which is failing? I don't have another HDMI device and the run of cable is quite long so it would be expensive it but a new one on speculation.

Anyone had this problem?

I did purchase an extended warranty with Mack.

Thank you...Mike


This was a few pages back, and I don't think anyone answered. I'm also having the same issue with my AE900. If anyone has any input on this it would be very appreciated. Thanks!

I had the same situation. My Panny is about 10 feet from a SVS sub with 2 12's and 1000 watt amp. When I cranked it the picture would flash on and off. Reseating the HDMI cable worked. You can also squeeze the outside of the metal carefully to get a tighter fit. Or you can use electrical contact cleaner to spray inside the connector. Good luck

Ron

Having a strange problem with my 900U. I just plugged the component cable in from a new PS3 into "Component 2" (my DTV box is plugged into "Component 1" and my HD DVD player into HDMI) and now neither component input registers a signal - blue screen on both. HDMI works fine. Also, the menu does not give me any accessible Picture options and the Aspect and other buttons don't work. Did I hit the wrong button on the remote or unit?

John

I purchased this projector over a year ago. A few months after using the projector, the projector will not power on. I called Panasonic and was told to shut the projector off and power it back on again. The problem went away. After using the projector for over 300 hours and now it consistently will not power on right away. I tried turning it on and off for a few times, it will finally power on. Has anyone experienced this problem? How was it resolved with Panasonic? I was told to send it back for repair.

Thanks.

:( Today I called tech support on my ae900u and now I feel like I have lost my best friend.

BACKGROUND:

Last week my friend came over to watch a movie. Turned on the PJ and it was flashing red. I thought it was strange so I turned everything off for 30 minutes and then powered everything back up and... NOTHING! Green light on power but nothing else... NO FAN! NO LIGHT! So I figured maybe I need a new lamp. So I ordered one on line. Installed and ... NOTHING! Feeling lost I called tech support. They tell me that they have never heard of this happening before and I have to send my baby in.

NOW:
I am "MovieTheaterless" and that is not a good thing to be when you love movies and video games as much as I do.

I HAD TO VENT! Thanx for listening.

I had the exact same problem with my panasonice PT-AE900U unit. According to their manual a flashing (red) lamp led implies "an abnormality has been detected in the lamp circuit. Possible cause the power was turned on straight away after it was turned off" (manual page 55) When I measured the resistance the ohmmeter reading was open, so I concluded that the lamp was dead. WRONG!!! I ordered a new lamp but before installing it I measured the resistance of the new lamp and received the same open reading. When I installed the new lamp the unit worked fine and so I could read the menu that I had only used the old lamp for 89 hours. So just to experiment, I replaced the old lamp back in the unit and Voila it started working again. I assume removing and replacing the lamp fixed the lamp circuit abnormality.
GOOD LUCK.:)

When I measured the resistance the ohmmeter reading was open, so I concluded that the lamp was dead. WRONG!!! I ordered a new lamp but before installing it I measured the resistance of the new lamp and received the same open reading.

fyi - Our projector lamps don't have a fillament, so that explains the "open reading."

My AE900 shuts off after about 1/2 an hour, the fan kicks in (like when you turn it off), and then it turns back on. There is plenty of ventilation, the air filter is clean. What is going on here?

I have had the AE900U for about a year and a half and I have never changed the default picture/color settings. I only use it to watch DVD's as I do not have it hooked up to cable or satellite. Does anyone have any color/picture settings for the DVD input that they are really happy with? If so, please post!

Hi, all,

Anyone have a bulb die at 1000 hours???

I bought my AE900 1 year ago (12/11/07). I loved the reviews and bought it just as they seemed to be clearing out. My first projector and I love it. Recently, it was making some noise every once in a while. I thought it was the fan. I was waiting for it to be more consistent but it didn't get worse. So with 1 week left on warranty coverage I decided to send it in.

Heartland (as you know, the 3rd party company handling service for the units) said it was the iris and that it was covered under warranty. However ... they said my bulb was in "poor condition" and might explode. They would replace it for $365 or return it with the original bulb.

I knew the bulb was out of warranty (500 hours / 90 days) but I also knew that Panasonic expected these bulbs to last at least 3000 hours. I bought it new 12/11/07. I've only put 1000 hours on the unit. The manufacturer sticker on the projector says July 2007, so it was only a few months old when I got it.

I'd like to believe they're honest, but I'm shocked to get so little life out of this bulb. Am I really in danger of losing the whole unit when the bulb fails? I'm inclined to take my chances as I don't have the cash and I'm a little skeptical. Anyone else out there encounter short bulb lives?

Thoughts? Thanks!

One further note. Just to be clear. I did buy the unit BRAND NEW from Beach Camera. Thanks!

question about contrast setting...my 900 has about 1300 hours on it and it's not as lively as it used to be. i went through dve and i couldn't improve the picture with any adjustments, except contrast. the proj will allow contrast to be set to about +30. i set mine to +15 and thought it looked better (with a denon 3910 set to 0 IRE and non-enhanced blacks, and all factory defaults).

my question is, is there any issue with turning up the contrast on the proj? dve talked about problems with crt proj, but i didn't see any issues with blooming or anything else when i changed my setting.

thanks for any info.

question about contrast setting...my 900 has about 1300 hours on it and it's not as lively as it used to be. i went through dve and i couldn't improve the picture with any adjustments, except contrast. the proj will allow contrast to be set to about +30. i set mine to +15 and thought it looked better (with a denon 3910 set to 0 IRE and non-enhanced blacks, and all factory defaults).

my question is, is there any issue with turning up the contrast on the proj? dve talked about problems with crt proj, but i didn't see any issues with blooming or anything else when i changed my setting.

thanks for any info.

From what I have read here projector bulbs loose a ton of their brightness after the first few hundred hours. Mine have over 1000 hours on it I'm sure and does not have the pop it once did, but a couple adjustments on the black level and it still looks great.

Started getting what looks to be a 'ghosting' on the picture - only shows up on blacks.

Lamp has got 543hrs on it and has been running in low power mode, just changed to high power to see if that changes things over next few movies............any ideas?

[EDIT] Think it must be a a dust blob. Will get some compressed air and try to remove per this archived post.

http://archive2.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=738942

Cheers,
Mark

Hey.

Just got a Blu-Ray player, which I connect via HDMI to my Denon 2807 receiver, which in turn is connector via HDMI to the projector. Is there anything special I need to do to get the best resolution possible? This projector is only 720p, right?

Also, I've had it for about 2 years and the picture is slightly off the screen now. Nothing big - just slightly off kilter to the left due to house vibrations, etc. I didn't install it myself. I assume the best way to realign the picture is to use the joystick, right? I shouldn't mess with the mount, right?

Thanks.

Hey.

Just got a Blu-Ray player, which I connect via HDMI to my Denon 2807 receiver, which in turn is connector via HDMI to the projector. Is there anything special I need to do to get the best resolution possible? This projector is only 720p, right?

Also, I've had it for about 2 years and the picture is slightly off the screen now. Nothing big - just slightly off kilter to the left due to house vibrations, etc. I didn't install it myself. I assume the best way to realign the picture is to use the joystick, right? I shouldn't mess with the mount, right?

Thanks.


Yes, the lens shift joystick should correct that issue pronto. You get to decide which resolution to send to your projector, but the PT-AE900U is a 720p projector as you state. The projector will accept a 1080p/24Hz signal and if your Blu-ray player will output that resolution, you can decide whether you like that better than 720p. I don't expect you will be able to tell any difference.

Chris

My AE900 shuts off after about 1/2 an hour, the fan kicks in (like when you turn it off), and then it turns back on. There is plenty of ventilation, the air filter is clean. What is going on here?

Still waiting for some help here. The projector has been shutting off every 10 minutes during the Holiday Bowl tonight. Very frustrating.

Yes, the lens shift joystick should correct that issue pronto. You get to decide which resolution to send to your projector, but the PT-AE900U is a 720p projector as you state. The projector will accept a 1080p/24Hz signal and if your Blu-ray player will output that resolution, you can decide whether you like that better than 720p. I don't expect you will be able to tell any difference.

Chris

Chris,

Thanks. My blu-ray is 1080p, obviously. I assume the receiver can upscale to 1080i. Is the best method to just view via 720p? Will the blu-ray movies look better than regular DVD if I'm just viewing in 720p?

I guess I should experiment. Just curious if I'm wasting my time with blu-ray if I don't have a 1080p projector.

One further note. Just to be clear. I did buy the unit BRAND NEW from Beach Camera. Thanks!

Same possible issue, same vendor, same city. PM sent.

*Edit - I cleaned my filter, and as of right now, the 900u seems to be working fine. Time will tell.

Thanks hrairaim2 - I encountered the flashing lamp led today and per the manual needed to send the projector in for servicing. Removing and replacing the lamp as you suggest above solved the problem for though, at least for now ...

I know I could find this in the manual but I just moved and I have not gotten to the box where it was packed. So I was hoping someone could help me out.

On my Panasonic 900 when I select Menu on the remote and then look at the lamp hours it says 1983 and is flashing in red. Does this mean I need a new bulb? There is a place on top of the projector that says lamp but that light is not lit up.
The picture does seem darker this week so it probably is telling me I need a new bulb but just wanted to make sure.

So what kind of bulb life are people getting on the 900's?

I just noticed this tonight... so I check my lamp life left and I'm at 1898 hours, but the number in the menu is flashing slowly in RED. Not sure what's up with that, but I check the manual and it says if you use high power and don't use the dynamic iris, you may shorten your lamp life down to 2000 hours. If you do use the dynamic iris and run in low power, they say 3000 hrs. That's what I do. It also says that the lamp indicator will flash if you're approaching the end of the lamp life, but I don't see it flashing.

Was there any response to this? I saw someone else post about flashing red and someone suggested a way to reset it, but my picture is fine. I'd hate for the bulb to die as I get close to my Superbowl party!

Any thoughts on this or do I ignore it until I get another 1000 hours on it?

Thanks guys...

Bud

Started getting what looks to be a 'ghosting' on the picture - only shows up on blacks.

Lamp has got 543hrs on it and has been running in low power mode, just changed to high power to see if that changes things over next few movies............any ideas?

[EDIT] Think it must be a a dust blob. Will get some compressed air and try to remove per this archived post.

http://archive2.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=738942

Cheers,
Mark

Mark, how'd this work out for you?

Bud

Well, I spoke to Panasonic and it sounds like I need to replace the lamp soon. I guess even though the indicators on projector do not flash red, they say the lamp is close to being replaced. I don't get it, maybe I just got a lame bulb. It should have lasted another 1K hours based on their recommendations.

On the phone with ProjectorPeople now to get a replacement. Seems like no one has these in stock either. I want to make sure I have it on hand before the SuperBowl party, just in case. Anyone have problems finding a lamp?

Bud

Check provantage.com for a bulb...I just ordered a new one and it shipped today..but they're showing backordered again

http://www.provantage.com/panasonic-et-lae900~APANP04K.htm

I just ordered a replacement bulb FOR my replacement bulb. First bulb lasted nearly 2k hours (and didn't fail, but dimmed) and was replaced mid-summer. Second bulb lasted just under 600 hours and the bulb didn't "fail", but started having problems "firing". PJ wouldn't power up properly...green light would just flash. Started happening once a week or so, but just last saturday it wouldn't fire at all. I swapped back the original bulb and it fired right up.

Man, that's a pretty good price! Thanks, unfortunately I ordered one through PP yesterday. They said they'd get them in the third week in January, so I've got my fingers crossed. Interesting that it says the lamp life is 2000 hours, which may be the conservative (or more acurrate in my case) estimate.

Bud

I'm just hoping this new one lasts longer than the old one.....600 hours - that's like $0.50 an hour :(

Chris,

Thanks. My blu-ray is 1080p, obviously. I assume the receiver can upscale to 1080i. Is the best method to just view via 720p? Will the blu-ray movies look better than regular DVD if I'm just viewing in 720p?

I guess I should experiment. Just curious if I'm wasting my time with blu-ray if I don't have a 1080p projector.
I haven't compared what Blu-ray on a 1080p projector would look like, but BR on the AE-900 at 720p is a real improvement over a regular DVD. The planet earth series is an excellent way to test this out for yourself (available from Netflix if you don't want to buy).

Just for everybody's info, lamp life specifications are almost always the median life, meaning half the lamps fail sooner, half later. It is not a minimum life specification. Without knowing additional population statistics, there is no way of predicting the probability of failure at a given number of hours. A median life specification of 3000 hours only means you have a 50% chance, on average, of reaching 3000 hours before lamp failure.

Well, I spoke to Panasonic and it sounds like I need to replace the lamp soon. I guess even though the indicators on projector do not flash red, they say the lamp is close to being replaced. I don't get it, maybe I just got a lame bulb. It should have lasted another 1K hours based on their recommendations.

On the phone with ProjectorPeople now to get a replacement. Seems like no one has these in stock either. I want to make sure I have it on hand before the SuperBowl party, just in case. Anyone have problems finding a lamp?

Bud

Just for everybody's info, lamp life specifications are almost always the median life, meaning half the lamps fail sooner, half later. It is not a minimum life specification. Without knowing additional population statistics, there is no way of predicting the probability of failure at a given number of hours. A median life specification of 3000 hours only means you have a 50% chance, on average, of reaching 3000 hours before lamp failure.

when you order from provantage, is the bulb made by the same manufacturer as the bulb you get with the proj? or is it just made to the same spec?

just a comment on some various chatter regarding hd-dvd/blu-ray on the 900:

I've had a Toshiba a-30 for a couple weeks and set it up to feed the ae900 a 1080p/24 signal. The 900 shows on it's menu, it is receiving the 1080p/24 signal. I have not compared pq with 720p or 1080i to see if I can notice a difference, but wanted to let everyone know that it can be done and it looks fantastic.

Previously I have not been able to greatly enjoy an upconverted standard dvd on my 900 at about 106". It's not bad, but it always was too much noticeable grain in the picture.

Now, I've boxed up my a30 for return and got a Panasonic bd-30 blu-ray player. I don't predict hd-dvd recovering:( Hopefully, I can run the 1080p/24 as well.

Any one else running the ae900 with the panny bd30?

thoughts? tips?

I am running the Panny at 1080p/24 with a tosh ax2 and a sammy 1400 no problems just a tiny bit of stutter once in a while on the sammy. I had a panasonic 10ak great machine just wanted dtsma and truhd bittstreamed. Good luck.

Just for everybody's info, lamp life specifications are almost always the median life, meaning half the lamps fail sooner, half later. It is not a minimum life specification. Without knowing additional population statistics, there is no way of predicting the probability of failure at a given number of hours. A median life specification of 3000 hours only means you have a 50% chance, on average, of reaching 3000 hours before lamp failure.

Understand, so here's another question. Will the flashing red lamp life trigger on the number of lamp hours only (2000 or 3000) or does it actually detect some sort of issue/dimness with the bulb? The reason I ask is I find it coincidental that the lamp life total in the menu is flashing red and I'm at like 1906 hours (not sure when it started flashing though). The indicators on the projector itself are normal. I did order a bulb, but if it doesn't arrive for 3 weeks (short supply out there) and the bulb shuts down at about 2K hours, its not going to be a happy Super Bowl party.... Anyone have any idea how long the lamp life will typically flash the hours red before it finally goes?

Bud

Understand, so here's another question. Will the flashing red lamp life trigger on the number of lamp hours only (2000 or 3000) or does it actually detect some sort of issue/dimness with the bulb? The reason I ask is I find it coincidental that the lamp life total in the menu is flashing red and I'm at like 1906 hours (not sure when it started flashing though). The indicators on the projector itself are normal. I did order a bulb, but if it doesn't arrive for 3 weeks (short supply out there) and the bulb shuts down at about 2K hours, its not going to be a happy Supoer Bowl party.... Anyone have any idea how long the lamp life will typically flash the hours red before it finally goes?

Bud

I had this issue (lamp hours flashing in red) at 1867 hours. The indicators had been normal. I reset the flashing red and it reset my bulb hours to 0. Since then I have put on another 500 hours without any issue. I know its slightly dimmer than it once was, but a slight adjustment to the contrast/brightness settings fixes it. Everything still looks great, and I have my spare bulb waiting on the shelf for the day this one fails.

I had this issue (lamp hours flashing in red) at 1867 hours. The indicators had been normal. I reset the flashing red and it reset my bulb hours to 0. Since then I have put on another 500 hours without any issue. I know its slightly dimmer than it once was, but a slight adjustment to the contrast/brightness settings fixes it. Everything still looks great, and I have my spare bulb waiting on the shelf for the day this one fails.

Now that's the answer I was looking for! Interesting! Maybe it's just a warning? I don't see anything in the manual about it. I'll have to call tech support back. Mine hasn't really dimmed noticeably to me. I can always switch to high power once I do notice it, especially with one spare on hand.

Has anyone else had the flashing red lamp hours in the 1850-2000 hours range? How long did you lamp go for after that?

Bud

First off, as this is my first post, a brief intro. Name's Ross up in Kingston Ontario Canada. Been lurking for a few years and, with the help of many on this forum, I purchased an AE900U in September of '06. It's been a great unit and, as a first PJ purchase, I have no regrets. My thanks to all who provided so much valuable information.

CD:

I recently experienced the red flashing lamp hours indicator. As I clean the filter religiously every 100 hours I noticed that, at 1805 hours, it was flashing red. As you mentioned, there is nothing in the manual about this but I'm certain that it's just a programmed indicator set to notify the owner that the lamp is approaching the 2000 hour mark.

In my case, there has been no degradation of light output, at least since around 500 hours when it dimmed noticeably. I have not reset the counter to 0 and plan to continue using the the lamp as is until it becomes too dim to watch, or fails, whichever comes first. I do have a spare so I have no concerns about being without my HT, at least because of lamp failure.

Best regards
Ross

Thanks Ross... and welcome to the forum.

Bud

when you order from provantage, is the bulb made by the same manufacturer as the bulb you get with the proj? or is it just made to the same spec?


My replacement bulb was from Provantage and it was a panasonic OEM part, not a repro made to spec. The link I posted is for the panasonic part I ordered......

I purchased this projector over a year ago. A few months after using the projector, the projector will not power on. I called Panasonic and was told to shut the projector off and power it back on again. The problem went away. After using the projector for over 300 hours and now it consistently will not power on right away. I tried turning it on and off for a few times, it will finally power on. Has anyone experienced this problem? How was it resolved with Panasonic? I was told to send it back for repair.

Thanks.

I have had this same problem ever since a couple months after I started using my 900 about 14 months ago. You would turn it on and it the fan would run, the light would blink, sometimes you hear a high pitch whine for a couple seconds, and it would eventually just give up with the "wiring" error reporting (solid red, blinking orange)

I always just turned it off at the hard-shut-off button and waited 30s-1min and tried again. It would usually come on the next time, but sometimes it took as often as half a dozen "running starts" before it would finally kick on like nothing was wrong.

We had our theories, maybe the room was exceptionally warm or cold (it did seem to happen the most during the summer and winter) and it didn't want to come on. Sometimes I would remove the filter and clean it, and it would come on the next try but nothing was consistent.

I came here looking for any advice about the problem but I guess I will try removing and reseating the lamp as somebody else here suggested a few posts back. My lamp is on ~2100 hours, so the timer is blinking red but I just got a replacement via ebay for $220 (seller: BuyFromJapan --was the best deal I could find anywhere) and I have that new one standing by, just in case it goes out on super bowl sunday or something. :)

My Panny AE900U just hit 4499 hours and a warning flashed to replace the lamp.

I have a 3 year lamp warranty with Warrantech which states the lamp cannot be replaced until it is dead.

I put in a call to Visual Apex to see if the warning message counts toward replacing the lamp through the warranty.

I've had mine on "Normal" "Low" on a High Power Screen since I first turned it on and have been very happy.

I just hope it doesn't shut off automatically at 4500 hours LOL :)

My Panny AE900U just hit 4499 hours and a warning flashed to replace the lamp.

I have a 3 year lamp warranty with Warrantech which states the lamp cannot be replaced until it is dead.

I put in a call to Visual Apex to see if the warning message counts toward replacing the lamp through the warranty.

I've had mine on "Normal" "Low" on a High Power Screen since I first turned it on and have been very happy.

I just hope it doesn't shut off automatically at 4500 hours LOL :)

Hey, I know this guy. Kamel, where ya been? At least a year I think.
BTW, in three years we may have LED/laser solutions.

About the "number of hours" flashing red in the menu, mine started flashing red at *exactly* 1800 hours, if you google it ("ae900 flash red 1800" or so), you'll see that a lot more people had it. So I wouldn't worry too much, I'm now at 2200 hours and haven't noticed anything weird yet.

Does someone have any experience with the shop smartimports.net (smartimports.net/product.php?productid=16136&cat=108&page=1), lamp is only 254$ there (and about 20$ shipping).

About the "number of hours" flashing red in the menu, mine started flashing red at *exactly* 1800 hours, if you google it ("ae900 flash red 1800" or so), you'll see that a lot more people had it. So I wouldn't worry too much, I'm now at 2200 hours and haven't noticed anything weird yet.

Does someone have any experience with the shop smartimports.net (smartimports.net/product.php?productid=16136&cat=108&page=1), lamp is only 254$ there (and about 20$ shipping).

Sewer, I found the lamp on ebay from seller "buyfromjapan", he has 100% positive feedback and sells the lamp for $223 plus $17 for shipping.
I also have a lamp warranty but I only got around 600 hours on my AE900U so far. We only use it to watch bluray movies and NFL games, with the ocasionall Hidef TV viewing.
Its been great owing this projector so far, no problems of any kind and we had it since June of 2006 so right around a year and a half...
Just type "ET-LAE900" in the ebay search and then the "buy now" tab and then look up seller "buyfromjapan". Now,I havent buy from him but his feedback is perfect...

Hey, I know this guy. Kamel, where ya been? At least a year I think.
BTW, in three years we may have LED/laser solutions.

Off enjoying my ae900u, how have you been?

LED/Laser, hmm maybe I should hold out with the ae900u until then, its been a flawless PJ so far (4519 hours and counting with original lamp)

I called Warrantech, who I have a 3 year lamp warranty, told them I got the replace lamp message, and they're overnighting a new lamp just in time for the superbowl. I figure if I got 4519+ hours on this lamp at stock "low" settings, I can research this thread and find the tweaked "high" settings and make my PJ+High Power turn into a 120" Plasma.

If anyone feels like looking it up, here's my scenario.

I use my PJ mostly for my job, so it is my computer Monitor.
I watch all of my "Movies" through the computer (Radeon 6800GT 256MB video card STOCK - no tweaks)
I watch all of my TV through Brighthouse (SA Explorer 8300HD)

Can anyone suggest the tweak settings, I switch back and forth between the computer and cable quite often, and I don't know if there is a newer HD cable box available.

Where is the best place to buy replacement bulb ($)?

Sewer, I found the lamp on ebay from seller "buyfromjapan", he has 100% positive feedback and sells the lamp for $223 plus $17 for shipping.
I also have a lamp warranty but I only got around 600 hours on my AE900U so far. We only use it to watch bluray movies and NFL games, with the ocasionall Hidef TV viewing.
Its been great owing this projector so far, no problems of any kind and we had it since June of 2006 so right around a year and a half...
Just type "ET-LAE900" in the ebay search and then the "buy now" tab and then look up seller "buyfromjapan". Now,I havent buy from him but his feedback is perfect...

I bought one from that seller...not only did it arrive extremely fast from Japan, but it was exactly the same thing the other stores are selling for $100 more...have over 400 hours on the replacement bulb and I haven't seen any problems...

good to know about that seller from japan being solid. I almost bought from him, but went with provantage because they were a known quantity and had ordered from them before for computer hardware. Hopefully, I won't be needing another lamp anytime soon - at least not before my next PJ upgrade ;)

Anyone come up with a fix for the occasional fan noise problem?
I've got about 2 years on mine and it shows up about 1/3 of the time on startup. Definitely not from the iris. It's not loud enough to go for an expensive out of warranty repair, but it would be nice to try a fan fix if someone had traced it to one fan that actually can be bought and be replaced by us mere mortals. Oh, I recently replaced my lamp with one from that same Japanese supplier on E-bay (noise issue was already there, and lamp replacement did not affect the noise - good or bad). Lamp has worked well for 3 weeks now, and price was right.

After having my Panny for almost 4 years with no problems other than changing the bulb twice, I just noticed something alarming today.

After running an HD-DVD that was in 2.35:1 format (black bars), I noticed a light blue horizontal band running in the top right corner of my image that took up almost 1/3 of the horizontal image of the screen.

This remained there when I turned off the movie and switched to a full screen image from DTV and after I shuttered the projector a couple of times.

I powered it down for a few hours and when I turned it back on, the band appears to be gone:confused:

Has anyone had something similar happen or have any idea what would cause this? I'd hate to have to petition the wife for a new projector as I just spent a bunch of money on new gear last fall;)

After having my Panny for almost 4 years with no problems other than changing the bulb twice, I just noticed something alarming today.

After running an HD-DVD that was in 2.35:1 format (black bars), I noticed a light blue horizontal band running in the top right corner of my image that took up almost 1/3 of the horizontal image of the screen.

This remained there when I turned off the movie and switched to a full screen image from DTV and after I shuttered the projector a couple of times.

I powered it down for a few hours and when I turned it back on, the band appears to be gone:confused:

Has anyone had something similar happen or have any idea what would cause this? I'd hate to have to petition the wife for a new projector as I just spent a bunch of money on new gear last fall;)

Do you have an HDMI splitter?

No splitter, just 1 HDMI cable fed from my Elite 84 Receiver. I tried cycling through the other inputs on the Panny and get the same blue line no matter which input is selected. :mad:

No splitter, just 1 HDMI cable fed from my Elite 84 Receiver. I tried cycling through the other inputs on the Panny and get the same blue line no matter which input is selected. :mad:

Is the receiver acting as an HDMI splitter?

I know with my Monoprice 2x1 splitter, I sometimes got a thin blue line at the very top of the picture but once I cycled the inputs on the splitter, it went away...probably something to do with the HDCP hand-shake but I honestly don't know. If it went away and hasn't come back, I wouldn't worry about it...

My blue line is now back and I'm worried, b/c its right on the horizontal line where the black box gets imposed during super wide screen movies - almost like an image burn in.

It also continues no matter what input is selected with the PJ including ones that aren't even hooked up (i.e. PC).

Thoughts?

Update on "wiring error"

So far - the projector's still working, but I have reseated the bulb 5 times now. It seems (or maybe seemed, see below) that I'm seeing behavior similar to anubis 311. For about a week, it was getting to the point that every time I wanted to use the projector - I had to try, wait for power down cycle, reseat the bulb, then it would work.

Interesting - possibly unrelated event. I've always run the projector behind a UPS, and I recently replaced the UPS. Since then (over the last week - 10 days ) the projector has started correctly every time.

Hi, I'm hoping someone out there can help. I have replaced the projector bulb exactly as the instructions say to yet there is no picture. I cant even hear the fans go on. the light turns green indicating the projector is in operation but no image is being projected. I've done all the normal troubleshooting, re seated the bulb, powered off and on, etc. I'm wondering if there is some step im missing. Can anyone help? Hoping to be able to catch the Superbowl. Of all days for this bulb to die. I appreciate any help.

Hi Folks, I have had my AE900 for a while now, and have not been able to satisfactorily program it to my universal remote control. The problem I have is that when setting up a macro I can't consistently get the 'input source' correct..any one got any tips on how to end up with a blank blue screen, and having to go in and change the input again to get my picture? I think the basic problem is that there is not one button for each input...so you 'alternate' between inputs when selecting, rather than just 'choosing' one corresponding to a button.

Thoughts?

I am sorry I can't answer any of the previous questions.

There are about 2040 hrs on my ae900u, first bulb. I went in to the settings and adjusted some things and it looks much better now. I got a little lazy on that. I was thinking of selling it but I think I may hold out a bit longer. If it has lasted this long, odds are it will last a while longer.

Anyone know how much this would be worth, or how much an ae900u would be worth without a bulb (assuming it burns out in the next few months)? I can't find any similar auctions on ebay.

I keep toying with the idea of buying the ax200 or even the epson hc720, but I just don't know if I'll see the huge difference I would want.

thanks,

I have had this same problem ever since a couple months after I started using my 900 about 14 months ago. You would turn it on and it the fan would run, the light would blink, sometimes you hear a high pitch whine for a couple seconds, and it would eventually just give up with the "wiring" error reporting (solid red, blinking orange)

I always just turned it off at the hard-shut-off button and waited 30s-1min and tried again. It would usually come on the next time, but sometimes it took as often as half a dozen "running starts" before it would finally kick on like nothing was wrong.

We had our theories, maybe the room was exceptionally warm or cold (it did seem to happen the most during the summer and winter) and it didn't want to come on. Sometimes I would remove the filter and clean it, and it would come on the next try but nothing was consistent.

I came here looking for any advice about the problem but I guess I will try removing and reseating the lamp as somebody else here suggested a few posts back. My lamp is on ~2100 hours, so the timer is blinking red but I just got a replacement via ebay for $220 (seller: BuyFromJapan --was the best deal I could find anywhere) and I have that new one standing by, just in case it goes out on super bowl sunday or something. :)

I am having a very similar issue with my 900. I turn it on, the green light comes on, I hear it "booting up", then it starts to purr louder, the green light starts to blink, and no image appears on the screen. I then turn the unit off, the orange light comes on, and - eventually - it will shut off. I will then try to turn it on again, and the same thing happens.

Ultimately, it will come on, but sometimes it takes 3 to 5 times of turning on and off.

The bulb only has about 450 hours on it. Do I need to "reseat" the buld/lamp as you state above? What is the procedure for this?

Thanks for any help.

For the past several months I have had a bad fan noise "rattle" coming from my 900 (I have 3000 hours on bulb). Looks like I'm not the only one with a noise. I can clean the filter sometimes and it will stop until I turn it off, but when I turn the PJ on again the next day the "rattling" is back. I'm wondering if anyone has had an out of warranty repair done to fix this problem and if so where did you go? OR is there an easy quick fix to this issue? Probably no quick fix but doesn't hurt to ask.

I took the screws out of the PJ but it didn't want to easily come apart and was afraid I might crack something if forced so I replaced screws and quit messing with it - just living with the noise for now and can't stand it.

Add me to the list of people with the rattling fan like jmgvols just posted, at about 2200 hours of enjoyment.

I actually think it's not the fan itself since occasionally I can correct the problem by turning the PJ off and back on after a few minutes, and the fan noise is then normal, i.e., almost silent. Or if I turn on "super bright" mode (or whatever it's called), the fan speed goes up a gear, but the noise does not occur if the PJ is working normally.

Switching through any of the operating modes with the remote can't force the noise to occur.

It actually sounds like something just past the fan in the airflow path is loose, but there's very little in there that's user servicable and even visible through the fan inlet or exhaust.

I have an extended warranty thru Mack Camera and am tempted to send it back, but since the problem is intermittent I am worried that they will of course not be able to reproduce the problem, requiring me to wait until the noise is constant.

-pretzelbag.

Hi , I have 2 of the PT-AE900U projectors. one works fine (about 1800hrs) the the other has about 2700 hrs on the lamp\bulb and still works however it has thin vertical black lines evenly spaced across the entire screen . anyone else have this problem? mine is out of waranty now and is probably going into the shop next week . only thing i have tried is changing the bulb , ( with the working pj) and the ext menu settings ...no dice . I am enjoying this forum , my first post though , thanx for reading

spudz. Have you adjusted the signal with the "Position Menu"?. Does these lines appear in th PJ blue (non signal) screen? Maybe you have vertical banding? Have you tried adjust the flicker in the service menu?
To enter in the Serv. Menu: Power off - right - up - down - up - down - enter.
Fernando

spudz. Have you adjusted the signal with the "Position Menu"?. Does these lines appear in th PJ blue (non signal) screen? Maybe you have vertical banding? Have you tried adjust the flicker in the service menu?
To enter in the Serv. Menu: Power off - right - up - down - up - down - enter.
Fernando

Yes they do appear with the projector only( however only when a menu is up , cant see it in the surrounding blue screen ) so should eliminate any component inputs i would think and when i do the flicker test\adjust it shows the thin black vertical lines in the green screen only and not affected by flicker adjust . thanx for your input btw

well it is monday and my PT-AE900U is in the shop , I couldnt get anywhere with it . I will post the diagnosis and repair costs . They told me could be 2-3 weeks :>(

I have had a PT-AE900U in a box for two years :eek:.....house build delayed, HT room not finished and so on too bad too because for $1400 I could probably really good upgrade today for a better PJ.

Now Im just getting the drywall up in the HT room now so Im looking to build a mount for the PJ.


The room is 24x13, Im not going the length of the room for many reasons so I have one row of seating @ around 10-11 ft and the panny will be about 12 ft.

My screen will be 88" or 92", I think THX says I should do 88".

Some questions.....

- If a frame an enclosure for it so the front just sits out is there a fan/heat issue?

- any other warnings or advice?

- It has HDMI, will it do HDMI 1.3, is there a way to upgrade

- The serial connection on the back is round, where do I find a cable for that. I have a HA system so I want to control the panny through it.

- I open the box this past weekend and there is a filter in it. (B+W high performance filter, KR-6 CORRECTOR AMBER) what is this for.


Im a total noob about Projectors so my questions may seem dumb!!

Thanks

I have an extended warranty thru Mack Camera and am tempted to send it back, but since the problem is intermittent I am worried that they will of course not be able to reproduce the problem, requiring me to wait until the noise is constant.

Update on this: I did indeed send it back to Mack Camera, and they fixed it so that my AE900 is now virtually silent. The repair bill did not state exactly what was done other than "repair iris assembly".

The hardest part was the waiting. I have other TVs but there's nothing like a good projector...

-pretzebag.

I have had a PT-AE900U in a box for two years :eek:.....house build delayed, HT room not finished and so on too bad too because for $1400 I could probably really good upgrade today for a better PJ.

Now Im just getting the drywall up in the HT room now so Im looking to build a mount for the PJ.


The room is 24x13, Im not going the length of the room for many reasons so I have one row of seating @ around 10-11 ft and the panny will be about 12 ft.

My screen will be 88" or 92", I think THX says I should do 88".

Some questions.....

- If a frame an enclosure for it so the front just sits out is there a fan/heat issue?

- any other warnings or advice?

- It has HDMI, will it do HDMI 1.3, is there a way to upgrade

- The serial connection on the back is round, where do I find a cable for that. I have a HA system so I want to control the panny through it.

- I open the box this past weekend and there is a filter in it. (B+W high performance filter, KR-6 CORRECTOR AMBER) what is this for.


Im a total noob about Projectors so my questions may seem dumb!!

Thanks
I would be wary of placing the projector inside an enclosure - the projector throws quite a bit of heat and it needs good air flow. You also need to get to an air filter inside of the unit every 50 hrs or so to keep it breathing well. Plan for this.

You might also think about installing some of the flex conduit (home depot - steel inside covered with a flexible outer) from the projector down to where you will have your equipment. You can patch the power from the projector down that same route into a battery backup near your rack to cover you in case of a power failure when watching the projector - you might fry the lamp if the power just shuts off without the cooling down period the projector goes into when you power down. There are some very cool flush mount wall plates you can use for your install to make things look nice. Now's the time to run all the inputs down to where your rack will be - much more of a pain after the wallboard is up. you might need your electrician to help you route the wires cleanly. Monoprice.com is a good resource.

Don't get hung up on HDMI specs. You're probably going to run the projector from your AV amp anyway. Just enjoy the projector - it throws a great picture and it is really quiet. Spend the time reading the instructions and adjust the picture as you get comfortable with the unit - a little at a time.

I used a Harmony remote to set a friend's system up - makes it a lot easier.

Good luck and do as much as you can in preparation before you hang the drywall.

You'll have fun with your system. Don

Thanks, I ordered a PowerBridge in-wall Electrical power supply. It allows me to extent power from my UPS in my AV cabinet to my projector.

Im going to run both component video and HDMI to it. I will have a receiver that sends everything out HDMI but the component is there just incase I have issues with HDMI. The new Pioneers (out in April or June), New Yahama (out in late March) or the Onyko 805 are my choices so far.

I have seen some pics of the pannies in a half box, more or less the front is still sticking a bit out and I would assume that is good since the fan is in the front, no?

Im going to have the screen up next week so that I can start tweaking everything to atleast get the right size of screen I want in the need....anywhere from 88 to 96 is really viable for me since my screen is DIY laminate (designer white) 4x8 sheet.

You should be fine with the open box. Yes the fan is in front.

Got my friend a 605 - nice piece of equipment, good sound. If you look at the 605 owner thread, it's pretty intimidating. My brother just bought and 805 so it looks like I'll help him install it as soon as his remodel is done. The 805 specs look pretty interesting so I'm looking forward to helping him light his system.

Have fun and remember that tweaking your system to optimize everything, projector, dvd, amp, furniture, pop-corn machine, etc.... takes time and can be frustrating but it's absolutely exhilarating when you tweak something and you can see or hear the difference.

Have fun and good luck..Don

Add me to the list of people with the rattling fan like jmgvols just posted, at about 2200 hours of enjoyment.

I actually think it's not the fan itself since occasionally I can correct the problem by turning the PJ off and back on after a few minutes, and the fan noise is then normal, i.e., almost silent. Or if I turn on "super bright" mode (or whatever it's called), the fan speed goes up a gear, but the noise does not occur if the PJ is working normally.


-pretzelbag.

That sounds exactly how a fan goes bad. Moving parts always go eventually. Fans usually go by sometimes making noise then sometimes not. Tell them the fan is noisy and send it back. Fans are so cheap that they should just replace it and move on. I can't see them complaining about a fan really. And if they risk it and your proj burns out and you have record of sending it back to them and they not fixing the fan, they will be stuck with a MUCH larger bill.

Where do I buy a serial cable with the round end?

Its it just a PS/2 dongle type thingy? that I can use to conver it to a DB9 connection?

This is only my two cents worth...but why do you want to connect the din serial plug to your pc just to control some basic functions you can already control with your remote? That's what the serial din connect seems to be good for (see p67 of your projector manual). If you want to pipe the output of your pc to your projector, you do not need this serial connect.

Not sure what your goal is here...Don

Hi all, I'm sure this has been covered 1,000 or more times, but I have no idea what to search to find it.

The problem:

Sometimes the picture is "cropped" or has a black bar on the bottom, or black bars on the bottom and the right side. When I play standard def. widescreen movies (1.78:1 non-anamorphic) it fills the screen. However, if I up-scale the movie to 720p or 1080i, the bottom gets a black bar on it, but out of the same player and same hdmi cable at 480p it will fill the screen. Also, when watching Pixar Shorts on BD, some of the shorts will fill top to bottom and letter box (obviously 4:3) so thats ok, but then a short right after will have black bars on the top and bottom (bottom being thicker) and on the sides (but not even on each side). Then on the same disc a short will fill the screen perfectly.

What is going on here? Is this normal, or does my pj need repairs? Its very annoying, hopefully there is a way to set it up where it doesn't do this rather then find out the pj's inputs are broken. Please share thoughts or solutions if someone has experienced this. Thanks!

-Sean

I have a calibration question. I calibrated my friend's AE900 yesterday. The only issue I see with it is the whites just aren't "white" enough. The contrast just doesn't seem to me that it is what it should be. I got greys to track really well, but had to turn contrast down so 100% white wouldn't turn red. I did the calibration on the natural setting. I thought normal and brilliant looked a little brighter, but I didn't have time to hit those two. Brilliant looks a little too crazy to work with, so I might try to do normal if he wants me to come back again.

He has about 1000 hours on the bulb at this point. Could it have lost that much contrast in that amount of hours? There is a LOT of detail loss in the picture because of the lack of contrast. Is there a way to get the contrast up without getting red push in the 90% and 100% IRE levels? Maybe a setting in the service menu that controls this?

Any help with this would be greatly appreciated! I'm sure this proj can produce a better pic. It tracks grays very well along with gamma and color tracking. So the only issue I have to overcome is the overal contrast (white) level.

Have any of you seen this and have a solution?

Thanks!

This is only my two cents worth...but why do you want to connect the din serial plug to your pc just to control some basic functions you can already control with your remote? That's what the serial din connect seems to be good for (see p67 of your projector manual). If you want to pipe the output of your pc to your projector, you do not need this serial connect.

Not sure what your goal is here...Don

I want to control it all through my home automation. No extra remotes.

I have a calibration question. I calibrated my friend's AE900 yesterday. The only issue I see with it is the whites just aren't "white" enough. The contrast just doesn't seem to me that it is what it should be. I got greys to track really well, but had to turn contrast down so 100% white wouldn't turn red. I did the calibration on the natural setting. I thought normal and brilliant looked a little brighter, but I didn't have time to hit those two. Brilliant looks a little too crazy to work with, so I might try to do normal if he wants me to come back again.

He has about 1000 hours on the bulb at this point. Could it have lost that much contrast in that amount of hours? There is a LOT of detail loss in the picture because of the lack of contrast. Is there a way to get the contrast up without getting red push in the 90% and 100% IRE levels? Maybe a setting in the service menu that controls this?

Any help with this would be greatly appreciated! I'm sure this proj can produce a better pic. It tracks grays very well along with gamma and color tracking. So the only issue I have to overcome is the overal contrast (white) level.

Have any of you seen this and have a solution?

Thanks!


Is he using a gray screen?

Is he using a gray screen?

He has the High Contrast Cinema Vision screen. Kind of an off white.

I am having a very similar issue with my 900. I turn it on, the green light comes on, I hear it "booting up", then it starts to purr louder, the green light starts to blink, and no image appears on the screen. I then turn the unit off, the orange light comes on, and - eventually - it will shut off. I will then try to turn it on again, and the same thing happens.

Ultimately, it will come on, but sometimes it takes 3 to 5 times of turning on and off.

The bulb only has about 450 hours on it. Do I need to "reseat" the buld/lamp as you state above? What is the procedure for this?

Thanks for any help.

I am also having same problem . Were you able to find anything out on this?

Any help will be greatly appreciated

I am having a very similar issue with my 900. I turn it on, the green light comes on, I hear it "booting up", then it starts to purr louder, the green light starts to blink, and no image appears on the screen. I then turn the unit off, the orange light comes on, and - eventually - it will shut off. I will then try to turn it on again, and the same thing happens.

Ultimately, it will come on, but sometimes it takes 3 to 5 times of turning on and off.

The bulb only has about 450 hours on it. Do I need to "reseat" the buld/lamp as you state above? What is the procedure for this?

Thanks for any help.
The "not turning on" issue seems to be a constant. Mine only has 202 hours and sometimes it takes 5-6 tries to get it to turn on. I see many people having the issue, but no solutions or causes. Has Panasonic ever said anything about this?

Mike

That sounds exactly how a fan goes bad. Moving parts always go eventually. Fans usually go by sometimes making noise then sometimes not. Tell them the fan is noisy and send it back. Fans are so cheap that they should just replace it and move on. I can't see them complaining about a fan really. And if they risk it and your proj burns out and you have record of sending it back to them and they not fixing the fan, they will be stuck with a MUCH larger bill.

Update on this: I did indeed send it back to Mack Camera, and they fixed it so that my AE900 is now virtually silent. The repair bill did not state exactly what was done other than "repair iris assembly".

The hardest part was the waiting. I have other TVs but there's nothing like a good projector...

-pretzebag.

I sent mine in to Heartlandsi.com (Panny repair) and they had to replace the iris for a bit under $300. It is now as good as new.

My AE900 has started acting a bit flaky (again). I noticed the other day, the picture will change brightness, almost like you are changing the lamp output from high to low, and back again. It will do this every few seconds. My bulb has about 1200 hours on it. Has anybody else had this happen? Does it sound like a bulb issue? I have another bulb with about 700 hours on it, I am going to change them out tonight and see if it does it also.

I have had issues with my AE900 ever since I got it. I first experienced the same issue a few of you are talking about, with it not firing up. Heartland replaced the power supply and that fixed it for about 6 months. Then I had to send it back when similar isssues were occurring, and they replaced the power supply, as well as some other pieces that I cannot recall. That fixed it until now, when it is doing this weird thing with the brightness. I am praying it's only a bulb problem, but I don't know.

When it's time to buy a new projector, I will seriously have to think about whether or not I want to take a chance with Panasonic again. Their stuff is great when it works.

My AE900 has started acting a bit flaky (again). I noticed the other day, the picture will change brightness, almost like you are changing the lamp output from high to low, and back again. It will do this every few seconds. My bulb has about 1200 hours on it. Has anybody else had this happen? Does it sound like a bulb issue? I have another bulb with about 700 hours on it, I am going to change them out tonight and see if it does it also.

i've seen this, but only with xbox. actually, only on a specific halo 3 menu screen. i've gone a couple hundred hours since it started with no other problems.

i just chalked it up to the automatic iris having an issue with the particular screen, like it alternates between being bright enough to close the iris and dim enough to open it up some. the menu is very slightly animated, so it's not a static image, and i haven't seen the issue anywhere else. don't know if i'm right but it helps me sleep at night.

Mine is doing it on every source. The iris is off, and I am in a totally light controlled room. I never had this problem before a week or so ago.

I did get a new receiver recently, maybe that is having some effect? I guess I could run the HDMI directly from a source into the projector to rule that out.

I have been doing some more research, and sounds like these flicker issues are somewhat common among various models of Panny projectors. Hopefully it is something that will work itself out, or it's just the bulb.

I will route something directly to the projector tonight, to rule out the receiver. I will also change out the bulb rule out a bulb issue. Also, I'll reset everything to the defaults (a friend did some calibration a couple weeks ago, not sure how that would cause this, but I'll reset to be sure). Outside of those things, and making sure all of my cables are snug, not sure what I can do. Oh yeah, only other thing I added was an Oppo HDMI switch, I'll remove that from the equation as well.

No probelms here ,knock on wood, my question is when do you guys think is time to upgrade to a 1080p projector? had mine going on three years

No probelms here ,knock on wood, my question is when do you guys think is time to upgrade to a 1080p projector? had mine going on three years

Only if you have a 1080p source to feed into it, like a Blu-ray player, Xbox, or Playstation. No broadcast, cable, or satellite TV is available in 1080p that I know of. (Wikipedia's entry for 1080p states that NBC has at times broadcast in 1080p over-the-air with some stations, but there's no citation to know where or when.)

Personally, I think it's too early to think 1080p unless your AE900 is starting to fade and/or you have cash lying around. 12 months from now, maybe it's a different story (and surely cheaper).

-pretzelbag.

Well, I was watching a Bluray movie last night, and the dim/bright issue started again after about 30 mins into the movie, which led me to believe it was the projector/bulb (since it started when things were warmed up). Also, my PS3 isn't running thru the Oppo HDMI switch, so that ruled it out.

Long story short, I swapped out the 1100 hour bulb with a 700 hour bulb I had, and everything seems okay now, so hopefully it was just the bulb. I'll test more tonight. Also, was surprised at how much brighter the 700 hour bulb was, I guess you get used to the slowly diminishing brightness of the bulb over time.

With regard to the 1080p question, I have an HD DVD player and a Bluray player, and my new receiver supports 1080p. My projector is the only thing holding me back. However, I think I'll get a new bulb this Summer, and then maybe when it dies, I'll upgrade. I only paid a net of like $1500 for my AE900, after rebates and what not, and I'd like to wait for the 1080p units to come into that range as well. these things only get better and cheaper, so waiting won't hurt. Just my 2 cents.

I have a calibration question. I calibrated my friend's AE900 yesterday. The only issue I see with it is the whites just aren't "white" enough. The contrast just doesn't seem to me that it is what it should be. I got greys to track really well, but had to turn contrast down so 100% white wouldn't turn red. I did the calibration on the natural setting. I thought normal and brilliant looked a little brighter, but I didn't have time to hit those two. Brilliant looks a little too crazy to work with, so I might try to do normal if he wants me to come back again.

He has about 1000 hours on the bulb at this point. Could it have lost that much contrast in that amount of hours? There is a LOT of detail loss in the picture because of the lack of contrast. Is there a way to get the contrast up without getting red push in the 90% and 100% IRE levels? Maybe a setting in the service menu that controls this?

Any help with this would be greatly appreciated! I'm sure this proj can produce a better pic. It tracks grays very well along with gamma and color tracking. So the only issue I have to overcome is the overal contrast (white) level.

Have any of you seen this and have a solution?

Thanks!


What are you using to calibrate your friend's PJ? The 900's blues are notorius for running out of steam at 90 and 100 IRE.

I wonder if just removing and replacing the bulb (not the bulb itself) fixed the flicker problem. Oxidation on the lamp contacts could cause issues like flicker. Ceaning the contacts on the bulb and PJ and putting the old bulb back in would be an interesting experiment. I would highly recommend wearing latex gloves when handling the bulbs, since grease from your fingers can shorten the life of the bulb by creating hot spots.

I wonder if just removing and replacing the bulb (not the bulb itself) fixed the flicker problem. Oxidation on the lamp contacts could cause issues like flicker. Ceaning the contacts on the bulb and PJ and putting the old bulb back in would be an interesting experiment. I would highly recommend wearing latex gloves when handling the bulbs, since grease from your fingers can shorten the life of the bulb by creating hot spots.

Thanks for the advice on the gloves, I will do that from now on. Although, I try to only touch the plastic.

I guess "flicker" isnt the best way to describe what was happening. For me, the overall pic would dim a bit, and then brighten back up, it would do that several times a minute. The change was subtle, like going from high to low lamp output, it wasn't a huge difference, but noticeable.

What are you using to calibrate your friend's PJ? The 900's blues are notorius for running out of steam at 90 and 100 IRE.

It was calibrated using an i1Pro and HCFR Calibration software. I did notice this when I calibrated and compensated by turning the contrast down slightly which took care of that issue, but also made the overall pic look kind how it ended up. I think I'm gonna have to try putting the contrast back up and seeing if I can get it at least close as possible to 6500k. It's just lost too much detail in the pic lowering the contrast. He's also replacing the bulb which will help some too.

It was calibrated using an i1Pro and HCFR Calibration software. I did notice this when I calibrated and compensated by turning the contrast down slightly which took care of that issue, but also made the overall pic look kind how it ended up. I think I'm gonna have to try putting the contrast back up and seeing if I can get it at least close as possible to 6500k. It's just lost too much detail in the pic lowering the contrast. He's also replacing the bulb which will help some too.

So what di the CR come out to?

So what di the CR come out to?

457:1 was what it ended up being. I am hoping to go back on Sunday and give it another shot. He's replaced the bulb. I'm sure it can do better.

457:1 was what it ended up being. I am hoping to go back on Sunday and give it another shot. He's replaced the bulb. I'm sure it can do better.

Yeah, that does look way off.

How are you setting up the i1? Pointing to the PJ or the screen?

What kind of screen is it?

I can't open up the HCFR files but I'd be curious to see the calibration numbers.

I used a Spyder with CalMan and even though I pull the Gamma down to the 2.2-2.4 range, I still got nearly 1200:1 on a white screen.

SOmethings out of whack.

Rob

PS: have you tried addressing this over in the calibration threads?

Sometimes my AE900 gives good contrast, and sometimes it doesn't, on a session by session basis. Is there a way that I can tell if the dynamic iris is working?

Yeah, that does look way off.

How are you setting up the i1? Pointing to the PJ or the screen?

What kind of screen is it?

I can't open up the HCFR files but I'd be curious to see the calibration numbers.

I used a Spyder with CalMan and even though I pull the Gamma down to the 2.2-2.4 range, I still got nearly 1200:1 on a white screen.

SOmethings out of whack.

Rob

PS: have you tried addressing this over in the calibration threads?

I calibrated it with the i1 pointing at the projector. He has the High Contrast Cinema Vision screen.

I agree, something is out of whack. He did replace the bulb and I plan on going over there again when we can work it out.

I've calibrated alot of TV's, but his was my first proj. No, I haven't posted the question in the other forum as of yet, because I thought this would be the better place.

Well, I was watching a Bluray movie last night, and the dim/bright issue started again after about 30 mins into the movie, which led me to believe it was the projector/bulb (since it started when things were warmed up). Also, my PS3 isn't running thru the Oppo HDMI switch, so that ruled it out.

Long story short, I swapped out the 1100 hour bulb with a 700 hour bulb I had, and everything seems okay now, so hopefully it was just the bulb. I'll test more tonight. Also, was surprised at how much brighter the 700 hour bulb was, I guess you get used to the slowly diminishing brightness of the bulb over time.

With regard to the 1080p question, I have an HD DVD player and a Bluray player, and my new receiver supports 1080p. My projector is the only thing holding me back. However, I think I'll get a new bulb this Summer, and then maybe when it dies, I'll upgrade. I only paid a net of like $1500 for my AE900, after rebates and what not, and I'd like to wait for the 1080p units to come into that range as well. these things only get better and cheaper, so waiting won't hurt. Just my 2 cents.


I am in the same boat with the brightening/dimming. I also have thought it was the lamp. I came really close to just buying the new Sanyo Z2000. After rebate, it is in the same range I paid for the AE900 (same as your pricing).
Then I realized how good the pic on this PJ has been for the 1200 hours I have used it and it looks great with 1080/s4P input from Blu-Ray and HD DVD.
Needless to say, if the flickering gets worse, I'll replace the lamp (I see them in certain places for $250) first.

I wonder if just removing and replacing the bulb (not the bulb itself) fixed the flicker problem. Oxidation on the lamp contacts could cause issues like flicker. Ceaning the contacts on the bulb and PJ and putting the old bulb back in would be an interesting experiment. I would highly recommend wearing latex gloves when handling the bulbs, since grease from your fingers can shorten the life of the bulb by creating hot spots.

I will attempt this this week. I'll let you know. I have read in other threads of this working on other PJs. I have nothing to lose on it, so I'll give it a shot. The only issue is having to take it down (ceiliing mounted), but I'll try this week.

Hey all,

To those running 1080/24 from a PS3, any idea what it's actually being displayed as? I know the AE900 reports the 1080p/24 input, but was wondering if it got changed to 60Hz for display.

I will attempt this this week. I'll let you know. I have read in other threads of this working on other PJs. I have nothing to lose on it, so I'll give it a shot. The only issue is having to take it down (ceiliing mounted), but I'll try this week.

OK, tax day is over and I finally got time on Wed. to take down my PJ and remove the lamp and put it back in. I pulled out the lamo, wiped the connectors, dusted it off and put it back in. Interestingly, I did notice much of the plastic around the lamp area in the PJ had turned from black to grey due to the heat I would guess. Anyway, as of now, the pulsing or flickering seems to be all but gone. I say that due to the fact that it does seem to do it sometimes when going from a very dark scene abruptly to a much lighter scene. It may have always done that and maybe I notice more since living with the pulsing/flickering.

I would say it is definitely 10X better. Thanks for the suggestion.

Hey all,

To those running 1080/24 from a PS3, any idea what it's actually being displayed as? I know the AE900 reports the 1080p/24 input, but was wondering if it got changed to 60Hz for display.

As I said in an earlier thread, it is most likely converting it inside the PJ to 1080/60. However, there is definitely a difference when feeding it a 1080/24 signal over a 1080i/60 signal and to me it is better. Thanks to the PS3, I am able to feed it 1080/24 on BD movies and 720P on everything else.

Anyone else happy enough with ths PJ that it makes it hard to upgrade? I thought about it while the flickering was happening (after all that would be #350 toward another PJ if I had bought a bulb), but man this thing still rocks!

I demo'd an AE1000 last year when they were expensive and teh difference was there but I couldn't see paying the difference, so I returned it. Even though 1080 can be had for around $1500, I am having a hard time convincing myself. My AE900 has been ISF calibrated and I am using the filters fromt he tweak thread ( 81c) and it still looks amazing. With 1080/24p, blu-ray looks great and with SD dvd, my Tosh XA2 does a great upconverting job to 720p. With 1000 hours on my bulb as of today, I would guess it may be at least another year for me unless a real deal comes along...

thoughts?

As I said in an earlier thread, it is most likely converting it inside the PJ to 1080/60. However, there is definitely a difference when feeding it a 1080/24 signal over a 1080i/60 signal and to me it is better. Thanks to the PS3, I am able to feed it 1080/24 on BD movies and 720P on everything else.
Thanks for the info.

Anyone else happy enough with ths PJ that it makes it hard to upgrade? I thought about it while the flickering was happening (after all that would be #350 toward another PJ if I had bought a bulb), but man this thing still rocks!

I demo'd an AE1000 last year when they were expensive and teh difference was there but I couldn't see paying the difference, so I returned it. Even though 1080 can be had for around $1500, I am having a hard time convincing myself. My AE900 has been ISF calibrated and I am using the filters fromt he tweak thread ( 81c) and it still looks amazing. With 1080/24p, blu-ray looks great and with SD dvd, my Tosh XA2 does a great upconverting job to 720p. With 1000 hours on my bulb as of today, I would guess it may be at least another year for me unless a real deal comes along...

thoughts?
I have ~1400 hrs on mine (81C filter also) and it still impresses when I feed it from my HD-A2. Next step for me is a PS3. I think I'll see how far the bulb takes me and decide at that point.

Anyone else happy enough with ths PJ that it makes it hard to upgrade? I thought about it while the flickering was happening (after all that would be #350 toward another PJ if I had bought a bulb), but man this thing still rocks!

I demo'd an AE1000 last year when they were expensive and teh difference was there but I couldn't see paying the difference, so I returned it. Even though 1080 can be had for around $1500, I am having a hard time convincing myself. My AE900 has been ISF calibrated and I am using the filters fromt he tweak thread ( 81c) and it still looks amazing. With 1080/24p, blu-ray looks great and with SD dvd, my Tosh XA2 does a great upconverting job to 720p. With 1000 hours on my bulb as of today, I would guess it may be at least another year for me unless a real deal comes along...

thoughts?


I have been quite pleased with the AE900 as well. I ended up calibrating with the dynamic iris turned off. This stopped annoying flicker when the projector was fooled into incorrectly modulating the scene brightness. Anyone who ever played the beginning of Supertroopers with the white stripe in the middle of the road would know what I'm talking about.

I too have the 81C filter to even up zero IRE. I run all my inputs through a Luamagen HDQ to take advantage of the color and gamma correction. The Lumagen can only take 1080i from my PS3, but it does a great job of deinterlacing and downscaling to 720. Bluray movies look quite nice. The custom scaling of the lumagen lets me play anamorphic movies thru a scope lens and 2.35 movies are awesome with no letterbox.

I think I will be upgrading to the AE2000 in the next year. It seems to be excellent out of the box with none of the tricks and stuff required for good blacks and excellent color. The power zoom and focus are also quite desireable in my setup.

I have about 1400 hours on the clock and my bulb seems to be hanging in there just fine. Still on low with high fan.

My AE900 has started acting a bit flaky (again). I noticed the other day, the picture will change brightness, almost like you are changing the lamp output from high to low, and back again. It will do this every few seconds. My bulb has about 1200 hours on it. Has anybody else had this happen? Does it sound like a bulb issue? I have another bulb with about 700 hours on it, I am going to change them out tonight and see if it does it also.

I have had issues with my AE900 ever since I got it. I first experienced the same issue a few of you are talking about, with it not firing up. Heartland replaced the power supply and that fixed it for about 6 months. Then I had to send it back when similar isssues were occurring, and they replaced the power supply, as well as some other pieces that I cannot recall. That fixed it until now, when it is doing this weird thing with the brightness. I am praying it's only a bulb problem, but I don't know.

When it's time to buy a new projector, I will seriously have to think about whether or not I want to take a chance with Panasonic again. Their stuff is great when it works.

I have had the same issue. Never with my first lamp. Just started noticing it about two weeks ago. My new lamp has about 280 hrs. on it.

I may try to pull the lamp out and clean the contacts!

Ken

OK, I'm about at my wits end with this but I've gotta try one more time.

I plugged a brand new Panasonic 10A BD deck in to another tv by composite, and I checked the menu and it shows the HDMI connection as being on, but it won't handshake right with my setup. I have the deck plugged via HDMI to a Denon 3806 and output on HDMI to a Panasonic AE900u. It will play the sound via HDMI but no video gets through.

I had this problem before with a few HDMI selectors I tried and none worked, so I had to simply go HDMI direct with the PS3 and the Toshiba HD DVD decks I was using. This is the first time I've had the problem with a direct connected component. Any idea what I might be able to do to force the handshaking to work?

Sam
BTW, F the HDCP handshaking ********, its one more example of trying to foil pirates but only screwing real paying customers like me with headaches like this. I doubt patching to the latest firmware would help but I dont see anything else I can do besides throwing this deck off my roof in frustration now. If anyone has any ideas I'm all ears.

Looking to purchase a used AE900 to hold me over until 1080 projectors are more affordable. What would be a good price on a used AE900?

Where do I buy a serial cable with the round end?

Its it just a PS/2 dongle type thingy? that I can use to conver it to a DB9 connection?

Did you ever get this worked out? If not, PM me and I can give you some more info on the serial connection. Yes, it is simply a DB9 connection converted to a 8pin DIN connector. I don't remember the pinouts off the top of my head, but I ran a cat5 cable, put a DB9 female on one end, and a PS2 connector on the other (with proper pins connected) for control of my AE900.

Edit:

Or you can buy a premade cable HERE (http://www.provantage.com/panasonic-et-adser~4PANP03V.htm)

Anyone else happy enough with ths PJ that it makes it hard to upgrade? I thought about it while the flickering was happening (after all that would be #350 toward another PJ if I had bought a bulb), but man this thing still rocks!

Mine's never even been calibrated, has 1,800 hours on the original bulb, has been once into service for a bad iris, and I would not trade it for the world. So I am about the most basic user out there and still think this thing kicks ass. I'll buy at least one replacement bulb before considering another projector.

Like most of us, I keep an eye on newer projectors for fun, but nothing I have seen will make me part with $2,000 for something that is better -- but not that much better...

-pretzelbag.

Ok, so big question, I have my AE900 on a dedicated home theater system only used for Movies... I don't think I have hit 1000 hours yet...

Have about 2,000 USD set aside and wonder if it is worth it to pursue a 1080p projector... I have had my device calibrated on both Cinema and Dynamic modes so my picture is pretty good.

Thoughts?

Ok, so big question, I have my AE900 on a dedicated home theater system only used for Movies... I don't think I have hit 1000 hours yet...

Have about 2,000 USD set aside and wonder if it is worth it to pursue a 1080p projector... I have had my device calibrated on both Cinema and Dynamic modes so my picture is pretty good.

Thoughts?

For $2000 I honestly don't think you will be able to get enough of an upgrade to feel good about it. Stick with the AE900.

I'm on my second bulb (I use my projector for EVERYTHING) and I don't see anything out there for a decent price that will blow this away. When they come out with a 1080P projector with inky blacks for $1300 (what I paid for the Panny)... I'll think about it.

The only problems I've had are the flickering bulb on low power mode, which was easily solved by switching to high power and I just got a dust blob after almost two years. It's kinda small, so I have not even bothered cleaning it yet.

For $1300 two years ago, I have got so much joy out of this thing, it's one of the best purchases I've ever made. And to think I almost made the mistake of buying a crappy 50" plasma for twice as much. Wow, that would have sucked... "faux" theater instead of home theater.

THanks bro. I appreciate that.

I wonder if anyone else feels this way ?

I have been trying, but the only one's I see are Epson 1080UB and Panny's 2000, which are both out of my range. So I may just have to deal.

I did get mine calibrated, but I always tend to wonder if I am missing something by not having a 1080p

Gonna bump this and ask if anyone ha theirs calibrated on the Dynamic setting, if they would share with me their settings.

Thanks in advance.

Gonna bump this and ask if anyone ha theirs calibrated on the Dynamic setting, if they would share with me their settings.

Thanks in advance.

just curious, even if you calibrated it from two different settings, say Dynamic and Cinema 1, wouldn't you wind up at the same place?

just curious, even if you calibrated it from two different settings, say Dynamic and Cinema 1, wouldn't you wind up at the same place?

I don't think so.

Hi all,
I was hoping that someone could shed some light and/or give me advice on a problem. My brother sold an acquaintance of mine his PT-AE900 projector. My brothers bulb had died and as part of the deal he bought a new bulb which I replaced before giving it to the guy that bought it. After replacing the bulb (an official Panasonic bulb) I went into the menu and reset the hours.
I got a call from the guy that bought the projector. He had it sitting in his basement for 6 months while his theater was built out.
I am going with what he is telling me. He says that when he powers it up all he gets is a green screen. Whether he has something connected to it or not that green screen is all the shows up. Hitting the menu button has no effect.
Does anyone have any ideas?

Thanks,

Hey,

Seems that i have the same problem, but all i've got is a white screen instead of your green.
Same things, it don't have effect with whatever you connect on it. Button menu have no effect or menu is not displaying on the wall.
I have this problem since a few month but still not have sent my panny for repair.
So i haven't any idea on the problem.
Anyone else have experienced this problem ?

I've got a slightly different problem. I've had the Panny for several years and
am on my 2nd bulb. All of a sudden everything has a strong green cast, i.e.
its not a purely green screen, I can see the shapes of what is supposed to be
showing, but all colors are various shades of green.

--Milt--

Hi:
I just got a Panny AE900U (I'm actually downgrading - I have an ISF calibrated Epson 1080UB which I just love- but I'm busy studying for an exam the next 4 months so I won't be using it much so I got a AE900U to use for the few moments that I get a break(wasn't worth holding on to the 1080UB if I'm not going to use it).
So I'm not expecting the same picture (the 1080UB is REALLY good I highly recommend it). and I DEFINATELY don't want to be spending the few free moments that I have tinkering with the AE900U.
So have people posted there settings - can I just enter them on my projector - and although not perfect woudl be the closest thing to it in 15 minutes or less for someone with no tech skill?
I took a look at this thread and did a search for "settings" - but there's way too many hits to go through (this thread has 215 pages! :-)
So is this an option - if so can you please guide me.
Also what preset mode should I use - the earch that I did had a poster recommend Cinema1 - is that the consensus?

btw: I have a Carada Brilliant White 1.4 gain screen, in a dedicated HT room with no ambient light.

thanks,
Jon

The problem in posting settings is that they will probably be very different for your AE900. You don't specify how old the unit is and if it has a new lamp. If you want to try anyway you could check out the first page of the AE900 tweak thread. It is probably available if you do a search on the forum.

thanks, I don't know the exact age of the Panny as I bought it used.
but it has 650 hours on it.

Cgot42, Don't set your expectations so low....I'll put my AE900 against much more expensive projectors, and confident that, although it may not be the best, I won't be blown away by other projectors.

Just for the record, AE900 with 1200 hours on original bulb. Flicker issues on low power, not on high.

This will be the first projector that I replace a bulb in. It has been that good!

Cgot42, Don't set your expectations so low....I'll put my AE900 against much more expensive projectors, and confident that, although it may not be the best, I won't be blown away by other projectors.

Just for the record, AE900 with 1200 hours on original bulb. Flicker issues on low power, not on high.

This will be the first projector that I replace a bulb in. It has been that good!

+1

+1
+2 :)

I actually tried, really tried- to replace my AE900 twice for 1080p models- first for an AE1000 and then for a Sanyo Z2000. I couldn't find enough difference to warrant the cost with either so they both went back.

I figure it will take a JVC RS-2 or some other big bang DLP for me to switch and I am not close to spending that kind of dough yet.

This is my fifth projector and also the only one I will have ever replaced a lamp in (1800 hours now). I figure I'll replace the lamp in the fall and it'll be like new for awhile anyway. It will also bring more on the 'bay with a lower hour bulb if I do find something I like.

Hi everyone,

I've got an AE900 with about 2,481 hours on it. Lately, I've been noticing that the top middle portion of the screen is starting to brown a little. It's very apparent in scenes where there's a huge, bright, uniform sky shot; everything is blue except for this section in the top middle that's very slightly brown/yellow. Anyone have any idea what the problem could be? Lamp? One of the LCD panels? What can I do to fix it?Anyone have an idea here?

Thanks!

Anyone have an idea here?

Thanks!

Sounds like a bulb issue? Carbon or other buildup? What's in a projector bulb? Have you opened up the cover to check the bulb's integrity?



I have a question for all also:

I don't get a whole lot of use out of my projector lately - too busy at work it seems. I have 200 hours on the bulb (yes 200 on a 3 year old unit).

Lately, when I start the unit (two times in the last two months) it blinks like the lamp is going to start then doesn't. After a hard off and unplugging for 20 seconds or so it will finally start.

Any ideas?

Sounds like a bulb issue? Carbon or other buildup? What's in a projector bulb? Have you opened up the cover to check the bulb's integrity?



I have a question for all also:

I don't get a whole lot of use out of my projector lately - too busy at work it seems. I have 200 hours on the bulb (yes 200 on a 3 year old unit).

Lately, when I start the unit (two times in the last two months) it blinks like the lamp is going to start then doesn't. After a hard off and unplugging for 20 seconds or so it will finally start.

Any ideas?

Maybe taking the bulb out, cleaning the contacts and putting it back would help? I have not experienced anything like you described so this is just a wild guess but contacts may get "dirty" (oxidation) if not used regularly. Be careful not to touch the bulb with bare hands.

Sounds like a bulb issue? Carbon or other buildup? What's in a projector bulb? Have you opened up the cover to check the bulb's integrity?



I have a question for all also:

I don't get a whole lot of use out of my projector lately - too busy at work it seems. I have 200 hours on the bulb (yes 200 on a 3 year old unit).

Lately, when I start the unit (two times in the last two months) it blinks like the lamp is going to start then doesn't. After a hard off and unplugging for 20 seconds or so it will finally start.

Any ideas?

mine did that briefly a while after i got it. it did it a handful of times and stopped by itself. at the time it wasn't permanently installed so i assumed it came from moving it around. good luck.

Can you share some light? I really don't get it..

My PJ is 2y old and the lamp reached 2100 hrs. Starting at around 1800 hrs, the hours in the menu started flashing red. Once the lamp reached 2100, the pj would automatically shut down and restart again on its own. This happened twice actually. I bought a replacement lamp 3 weeks ago, but thought the original lamp would last 3,000 as marketed my Panasonic. I'm very disappointed.

Anyway, while replacing I noticed in the manual that there is talk about "LAMP POWER" being set to "HIGH" and "DYNAMIC IRIS" set to "ON", then the lamp should last 2,000 hrs. On the next page the manual contradicts itself, or I'm just unable to comprehend...

What settings are recommended to reach 3,000hrs on the new lamp? any suggestions?

"LAMP POWER" to "LOW" ?
"DYNAMIC IRIS" to "OFF"

any other settings?

I actually tried, really tried- to replace my AE900 twice for 1080p models- first for an AE1000 and then for a Sanyo Z2000. I couldn't find enough difference to warrant the cost with either so they both went back.


Did you use HD sources or regular DVDs? I can see the latter not making much of a difference.

Hey,

Seems that i have the same problem, but all i've got is a white screen instead of your green.
Same things, it don't have effect with whatever you connect on it. Button menu have no effect or menu is not displaying on the wall.
I have this problem since a few month but still not have sent my panny for repair.
So i haven't any idea on the problem.
Anyone else have experienced this problem ?
I have the same problem, except I get a blue screen. I just replaced the bulb a minute ago. When I fire it up, I get a blue screen, but I can't bring up the menu or anything. I tried connecting it to my cable box to see if it'll display anything, but I still just get a blank screen.

I would really appreciate any help on this. Thank you!

I have the same problem, except I get a blue screen. I just replaced the bulb a minute ago. When I fire it up, I get a blue screen, but I can't bring up the menu or anything. I tried connecting it to my cable box to see if it'll display anything, but I still just get a blank screen.

I would really appreciate any help on this. Thank you!
Crap. I think I need to send it in for repair. I finally managed to get some semblance of a picture, except everything was in blue! And it wasn't even a clear blue picture. It looked like a scrambled cable channel. Anyone know what could be the problem? Does it sound like I have no choice but to send it in?

Crap. I think I need to send it in for repair. I finally managed to get some semblance of a picture, except everything was in blue! And it wasn't even a clear blue picture. It looked like a scrambled cable channel. Anyone know what could be the problem? Does it sound like I have no choice but to send it in?

How is your PJ wired? is it component or HDMI? Once when I disconected it one of the wires (Component was not right) got all blue. When I fixed it all okay. HDMI never a problem 1700hrs at this point 3 yrs.

My gf just bought me a new lamp. Should/can I buy an extended warranty for it? If so, where?

Thanks.

My gf just bought me a new lamp. Should/can I buy an extended warranty for it? If so, where?

I haven't heard of any company that will provide an extended warranty for a lamp or other "consumable" that's meant to wear out. And I don't think you can buy an extended warranty for something that does not have a warranty to start with...

How would they know if the lamp failed from mis-use, or failed from age, or failed during some "warranty" period? It'd be cool if they could determine that but I have a feeling you're kinda stuck buying new lamps when one blows.

I have an extended warranty through Mack Camera (bought the warranty from B&H Photo), so maybe they can definitively answer this for you.

-pretzelbag.

My AE900 of just over two years of age has just "died", as well. Blue/green stripy screen on all inputs and no menu display.

I am in the same boat with the brightening/dimming. I also have thought it was the lamp..

It IS the lamp. My first bulb did it starting at about 500 hours. I was able to fix it by turning the bulb to high mode temporarily (a few hours) then turning it back to low mode. After awhile, this fix didn't work, and I had to leave the bulb on high mode the rest of it's life.

My new bulb I got off ebay from Japan is up to 1500 hours, with no flicker at all in low power mode.

However, now my fan rattles. Sometimes I can turn the projector on and then off then back on again and the rattle goes away. It's getting really annoying. I see others have reported this also, but nobody has posted a fix. I'll try taking it apart and cleaning the fan before I send it in for service. I'll post what happens for a solution.

lax01 -- did you ever get a response to your "red glow" issue? The reason I ask, I am having the grinding iris issue and I decided to take the projector apart to clean it. I blew the dust off of the fans with compressed air and also gave a blast in the vicinity of the iris. I put everything back together and now have the red glow which is more noticeable on the left 1/8th of the screen. I have two bulbs, one with 4000 hours and one with 1600 hours. Both look about the same, and both have the red glow.

Also, I tried disconnecting A23 which totally eliminated my grinding noise (ah, silence) but the contrast ratio was terrible -- way too dark. When I put the connector back on, the noise was back but everything is still too dark. Any ideas anyone?

It IS the lamp. My first bulb did it starting at about 500 hours. I was able to fix it by turning the bulb to high mode temporarily (a few hours) then turning it back to low mode. After awhile, this fix didn't work, and I had to leave the bulb on high mode the rest of it's life.

My new bulb I got off ebay from Japan is up to 1500 hours, with no flicker at all in low power mode.

However, now my fan rattles. Sometimes I can turn the projector on and then off then back on again and the rattle goes away. It's getting really annoying. I see others have reported this also, but nobody has posted a fix. I'll try taking it apart and cleaning the fan before I send it in for service. I'll post what happens for a solution.

The rattle is not any of the fans. It is the iris. This has been well documented. If you want to eliminate the noise, open the case and disconnect A23 from the main board (pc A). Then turn off Dynamic Iris in the menu.

Can you share some light? I really don't get it..

My PJ is 2y old and the lamp reached 2100 hrs. Starting at around 1800 hrs, the hours in the menu started flashing red. Once the lamp reached 2100, the pj would automatically shut down and restart again on its own. This happened twice actually. I bought a replacement lamp 3 weeks ago, but thought the original lamp would last 3,000 as marketed my Panasonic. I'm very disappointed.

Anyway, while replacing I noticed in the manual that there is talk about "LAMP POWER" being set to "HIGH" and "DYNAMIC IRIS" set to "ON", then the lamp should last 2,000 hrs. On the next page the manual contradicts itself, or I'm just unable to comprehend...

What settings are recommended to reach 3,000hrs on the new lamp? any suggestions?

"LAMP POWER" to "LOW" ?
"DYNAMIC IRIS" to "OFF"

any other settings?

I have over 4000 hours on one of my lamps. Just reset the counter and keep going. There is a risk that the lamp will explode, but last I looked, no one has had it happen and others have a lot more hours on their lamps than I do.

Guys, I just picked up a Panny 900 used with 2000 hours on the bulb. I'm a DLP guy and this PJ doesn't quite hit my black level expectations, but it was never meant for me anyhow. A couple of questions so I don't have to read through 200 pages of posts:

1) Can someone recommend a good, but cheap obviously, pace to replace the bulb? Visual Apex wants $350 I think....is that the best deal out there? Ebay has me fearful of 'remanufactured' bulbs and not new ones, I think new ones come with a replacement air filter as well don't they?

2) Are there any specific pre-sets that should be used with this PJ, any must-have tweaks? I haven't broken out Avia but the PJ seems to push reds and Greens....

3) The machine was run on normal lamp and auto iris on for its 2000 hours, its 2050 hours are flashing red but the machine runs fine in normal or low lamp mode still, its throwing enough light that eco mode isn't a problem for me. There is no polarizer failure, no vertical banding that I can see, and no issues to speak of...no dust blobs either.

I vaccumed out the filter..is there anything I need to worry about with this PJ otherwise?

Thanks...

Crap. I think I need to send it in for repair. I finally managed to get some semblance of a picture, except everything was in blue! And it wasn't even a clear blue picture. It looked like a scrambled cable channel. Anyone know what could be the problem? Does it sound like I have no choice but to send it in?

My panny is now sleeping since more than one year :(
as i have found no solution, i will send it for repair. If the repair will be too expensive, i will put that #### in the bin. :mad::(

TAKE IT APART AND CLEAN IT!

I must admit I've abused the hell out of my Panny. I live in an old dusty house and have only cleaned the filter once. At one point the plaster (100 year old plaster) ceiling in my theater room collasped and a new drywall ceiling was put in without removing the projector from the room. You can imagine the plaster dust created from that!

Anyways, I noticed the picture dimming after about 1500 hours so I decided to see if I could clean it. I took the shell off and took apart as much as I could then blew all the dust out with canned air. I then took a look at the buld and housing. I should have cleaned it long before that. There was so much fine dust on the inside of the lens of the bulb housing you could barely seen through it. (seriously I took pictures) So I dismantaled the bulb housing blew the dust off and cleaned everything with IPA wearing gloves. It worked great, I'm now up to 2500 hours on the bulb and I will be taking it apart again for a recleaning I might replace the bulb and keep the orginal as a back up.

For the first time I have a small dust blob that really isn't noticeable unless it's a very dark sceen. I hope it can be blown out. I may even treat the projector to a new fan if I can find a suitable replacement (not that I'm having any fan problems now).

The "not turning on" issue seems to be a constant. Mine only has 202 hours and sometimes it takes 5-6 tries to get it to turn on. I see many people having the issue, but no solutions or causes. Has Panasonic ever said anything about this?

Mike

My 900 has been doing this since it was 9 months new. Sometimes it goes for weeks starting fine then for weeks where it takes 3-6 tries. I read somewhere replacing the bulb can be the fix. It seems Panasonic replaces the lamp balast PCB if you send your 900 back with these symptoms. I'm not sure how much that would cost out of warranty. I'd be interented to know which component on that balast board is causing these issues. It must have something to do with the starter circuit.

That is a crazy amount of dust.

I am now having the same start up problem with my second AE900 at 400 hours.
Heartland put a new balast and power supply in the first unit I owned even though they couldnt duplicate the problem. When I got it back it did the same thing to me during start up.

I am about to pursue an answer again by calling Heartland for an estimated charge on Monday, I am now out of the warranty period on the second unit.

I will post again with what I can find out.

Anyone else out there have any success finding a solution to this apparent start up circuit issue?

The rattle is not any of the fans. It is the iris. This has been well documented. If you want to eliminate the noise, open the case and disconnect A23 from the main board (pc A). Then turn off Dynamic Iris in the menu.

WOW. Thank you so much. I was worried I would have to send this in for service or junk it. I did a search for A23 & Iris and came up with detailed instructions and the service manual. Thank you again. :cool:

Mine has been in a state of suspended animation for over a year. Got it 2 years ago from PP for just under $2K and can't use it in this house (Only 52 hours on original bulb).

I'd be willing to throw in the Chief mount, Da-lite Permwall HCCV 106" screen (wrinkled due to being stored, but have been told these will come out), a Pronto remote (TSU2000), Extra long DVI cable, and will even throw in 2 DVD players (Toshiba HD-A3, along with lots of HDDVDs, and an Oppo 971). Make me an offer. I have original boxes , etc. for everything except remote.

Maybe taking the bulb out, cleaning the contacts and putting it back would help? I have not experienced anything like you described so this is just a wild guess but contacts may get "dirty" (oxidation) if not used regularly. Be careful not to touch the bulb with bare hands.

Mine started this "bulb-not-striking" thing maybe a month ago after about 1600 hrs. PJ turns on and the fan starts, just no light light. Sometimes unplugging for a while works, sometimes not. The only sure way I've found to get it going again is to remove and re-insert the bulb. I can only assume it has something to do with the contacts, since I don't do anything else, but they look ok to me.

Doh!

I don't live & breath this stuff, so bear with me. I hadn't looked at the specs of my AE900 for 3 years. I just thought that it was 1080p, but it is 720 / 1080i. I suppose that this is now the new weak link in my system.


I will be getting a BD player soon (Panny 55) to replace the Panny S77, so now my question is......how much improvement in PQ would I realize with the newer AE2000 or AE3000 PJ? Or is a BluRay playing through a 2000/3000 only slightly better than playing through mt 900?

(92" Gatorboard screen).

Thanks.

Doh!

I don't live & breath this stuff, so bear with me. I hadn't looked at the specs of my AE900 for 3 years. I just thought that it was 1080p, but it is 720 / 1080i. I suppose that this is now the new weak link in my system.


I will be getting a BD player soon (Panny 55) to replace the Panny S77, so now my question is......how much improvement in PQ would I realize with the newer AE2000 or AE3000 PJ? Or is a BluRay playing through a 2000/3000 only slightly better than playing through mt 900?

(92" Gatorboard screen).

Thanks.

I have little doubt that the AE3000 would be a big upgrade (haven't seen it), but I'd wait until you get the Panasonic BD hooked up to make a decision. The picture I get out of my AE900 fed from my DMP-BD55 @ 1080p/24fps (displayed @ 720p/48fps) shining onto a 92" Da-lite High-Power pull-down (far better than my previous matte white foamcore, and ~$150 used) is nothing short of stunning.
You might just feel compelled to hang on to it!

Thanks, that will likely be my approach as the new 3000 is pricey, and I wouldn't get much for my "old" 900.

(stupid Moore's Law) :mad:


Where can a guy get some screen material samples to compare with the Gatorboard?

I have little doubt that the AE3000 would be a big upgrade (haven't seen it), but I'd wait until you get the Panasonic BD hooked up to make a decision. The picture I get out of my AE900 fed from my DMP-BD55 @ 1080p/24fps (displayed @ 720p/48fps) shining onto a 92" Da-lite High-Power pull-down (far better than my previous matte white foamcore, and ~$150 used) is nothing short of stunning.
You might just feel compelled to hang on to it!

I have had the AE900 and now the AE2000. This 1080p PJ was a big upgrade, so you can safely assume that the AE3000 will be a lot better.

I have had the AE900 and now the AE2000. This 1080p PJ was a big upgrade, so you can safely assume that the AE3000 will be a lot better.

Did you use a BD player on both?

someone on ebay is selling an osram bulb only as a replacement does anyone know the bulb number. It would be interesting to see the price osram charges
http://i24.ebayimg.com/01/i/001/0c/e1/870a_2.JPG

I have had the AE900 and now the AE2000. This 1080p PJ was a big upgrade, so you can safely assume that the AE3000 will be a lot better.
No doubt! Having said that, I have no intention of even seeing the AE3000 until the bulb goes on my AE900...no reason to make myself less happy with it. ;) The 3000 is the one I have my eye on, though.
Kinda like a brand new projector with the new screen and BD player. The picture quality in the IMAX prologue in The Dark Night is just nuts...

Borrowing a friends PS3, we watched a BluRay version of Spiderman last night on the 900 on my 92" Gatorboard screen and felt that the PQ was so good that I found my "desire" to get the latest & greatest (AE3000) died right there and then.

Yes, the 3000 would be better, and if the price of a new PJ wasn't what it is, and what I could get for the 900 wasn't so little, then I would do the upgrade, but this was awesome enough for me.

QUESTION:

When I used component cables a couple years ago for the PJ to DVD, I used to have numerous screen settings like 4:3, 16:9, and a few others I can't remember, and now with HDMI I only have two, (16:9 and one other) Why is that?

No doubt! Having said that, I have no intention of even seeing the AE3000 until the bulb goes on my AE900...no reason to make myself less happy with it. ;) The 3000 is the one I have my eye on, though.
Kinda like a brand new projector with the new screen and BD player. The picture quality in the IMAX prologue in The Dark Night is just nuts...

Well, the bulb did not "go" on my PJ, but I decided 1900 hours was enough to go ahead and order another for the time it will. As happens with all of us, I had to put the new lamp in (I kept the old one for "emergency" use). All I can say is "WOW". I now have a new, much brighter projector!

I am convinced I can keep my current PJ for at least another couple of years. Given how well the 900 does with 1080/24, I really can't see plopping down more than the $250 I paid for the new bulb. I have finally found a PJ without upgrade-itis...first time since my first back in 2002.

I haven't looked through all of the 207 pages of this thread, so this may be answered somewhere. My 900 which I bought new 3 years ago has just started getting noisy at startup and continuing as it plays. The picture seems unaffected. Sounds like the fan needs lubrication. I tried to take off the cover by removing the screws at the bottom, but the cover doesn't budge. Help, anyone? Thanks, Larry

My 2 years old PT-AE900U suddenly just shows white blank screen with no pictures; also on screen menu does not show at all. Has anyone found the cause of the issue? Thanks a lot, Richard

I haven't looked through all of the 207 pages of this thread, so this may be answered somewhere. My 900 which I bought new 3 years ago has just started getting noisy at startup and continuing as it plays. The picture seems unaffected. Sounds like the fan needs lubrication. I tried to take off the cover by removing the screws at the bottom, but the cover doesn't budge. Help, anyone? Thanks, Larry

Most likely the iris and not the fan. Disconnect the iris on the board and all should be quiet again. I had the same problem and I was convinced it was a fan but disconnecting the iris fixed it

I noticed a problem with the projector lately when I tried sending a 720P signal to it with the Xbox 360 and a new computer. The entire image wasn't displayed in the 720 resolution. It had the right and left sides of the image cut off. It displays the whole image with 480 and 1080. I tested it with my HD dvd player, which worked fine at 720P in the past, and I got the same results. I'm using the HDMI input. I'm thinking I have a problem with the electornics in the display, scaler or the HDMI input. Anyone have any ideas or similar experiences?

I noticed a problem with the projector lately when I tried sending a 720P signal to it with the Xbox 360 and a new computer. The entire image wasn't displayed in the 720 resolution. It had the right and left sides of the image cut off. It displays the whole image with 480 and 1080. I tested it with my HD dvd player, which worked fine at 720P in the past, and I got the same results. I'm using the HDMI input. I'm thinking I have a problem with the electornics in the display, scaler or the HDMI input. Anyone have any ideas or similar experiences?

So all of your 720p sources now show image cropping on the sides?

Have you tried various DVDs - non disney 1.66:1 ratios?

What is the intermediary? A scaler or some Receiver? Anything new?

What happens when you use the HD-DVD player source direct via one HDMI cable to the projector. Same issues?

Most likely the iris and not the fan. Disconnect the iris on the board and all should be quiet again. I had the same problem and I was convinced it was a fan but disconnecting the iris fixed it

how much did disconnecting the iris affect contrast? is it very noticeable?

how much did disconnecting the iris affect contrast? is it very noticeable?

It cropped it with the computer and the HD DVD player. It use to work fine at 720 thru the reciever. I had also tried connecting the HD DVD player directly to the Panny with the same results of the sides being cropped. I use to regularly switch the HD DVD player to 720p when using the ae900u sincie it was a 720 and the flat panel tv is a 1080. For awhile I had stopped switching the HD DVD player to 720 and just left it on 1080 so I didn't notice this problem until I tried switching it back to 720.

I had never seen this happen before until I tried the Xbox on the projector. It wasn't until I tried 720 on the HD DVD player that I figured the problem wasn't the xbox.

My 2 years old PT-AE900U suddenly just shows white blank screen with no pictures; also on screen menu does not show at all. Has anyone found the cause of the issue? Thanks a lot, Richard

I have the same problem and no idea where it come from. My panny is just sleeping since this. if you find an issue, i m interrested.

I purchased a new bulb and found it to be huge disappointment.
I reset the hours and replaced the old lamp.
The old bulb was head and shoulders better than the replacement.

If I keep the old bulb in can/will it harm my Panny?
Where should I get a replacement bulb?

"Originally Posted by arealmus
My 2 years old PT-AE900U suddenly just shows white blank screen with no pictures; also on screen menu does not show at all. Has anyone found the cause of the issue? Thanks a lot, Richard"

I have the same problem and no idea where it come from. My panny is just sleeping since this. if you find an issue, i m interrested.

Well, same problem here as well, 2.5 year old ae900 - I guess if you want a Panasonic you better plan on 3 years max and budget accordingly. Interesting that there isn't a single suggestion for repair of this fairly critical failure on the board. Now we know why the best warranty they offer is two years....

I purchased a new bulb and found it to be huge disappointment.
I reset the hours and replaced the old lamp.
The old bulb was head and shoulders better than the replacement.

If I keep the old bulb in can/will it harm my Panny?
Where should I get a replacement bulb?

All new bulbs come with a warranty (90 days). If you do not use it, the warranty will end anyway. So, my advice is to use the new bulb and keep the old as a spare.

The new bulb is extremely dark and lacks any kind of comparison to the original.

The new bulb is extremely dark and lacks any kind of comparison to the original.

sounds like your new bulb should never have passed QC - return it before you lose your 90 days. No new bulb should look substantially worse than a used one unless there is a problem

The new bulb is extremely dark and lacks any kind of comparison to the original.

Jsm88 is right. Return it. Also check that they give you the correct bulb model for your PJ (ET-LAE900).

Previously in this thread there were some messages about the possibilities to adjust convergence yourself by opening the box.

Well, last weekend I opened the Panny case blow some dust away from panels, filters and optics. This helped especially for the red channel, which had accumulated dust on the panel surface more than the other component colors.

However, convergence adjustment was impossible. This was obvious after I understood what the service manual really said. To solve convergence problems, you better have the unit serviced by a qualified technician.

You can read more of my experiences from my "FAQ" page:
http://iki.fi/lassial/articles/audio_video/Panasonic_AE900

Sounds like a bulb issue? Carbon or other buildup? What's in a projector bulb? Have you opened up the cover to check the bulb's integrity?



I have a question for all also:

I don't get a whole lot of use out of my projector lately - too busy at work it seems. I have 200 hours on the bulb (yes 200 on a 3 year old unit).

Lately, when I start the unit (two times in the last two months) it blinks like the lamp is going to start then doesn't. After a hard off and unplugging for 20 seconds or so it will finally start.

Any ideas?

I also have a low time AE900, around 520 hours and I've had this problem for some time now. Not all the time, just now and then and it seems to become more prevalent as time goes on. I found turning off the master switch and back on several times seem to convince it to finally turn on. A call to to a repair shop estimated a $400 plus bill to replace whatever. I wouldn't get squat for it running like this. I've thought about replacing it with the AE3000 but just not sure yet. Pondering this for some time myself. Another Panasonic or another unit with a better warranty. hmmmmm

I had same problem with original bulb after about 200 hrs it would not come on. Mutiple power on and off's and it came on. I had this problem right up to 2000 hrs. I replaced the bulb and I am now up to 1800 hrs on that and it has not failed to light once.

I've searched the thread, but with 6200 posts I started going blind!

My AE900 is not holding focus very well any longer. I twist of the focus knob and I can bring it back to sharp focus, but it only holds for an hour or so? Anyone else having this?

BTW, I've got about 1400 hours and original bulb.

Thanks,
tony

Is the focus really loose?? Are you getting any kind of vibration that may cause it to slowly, well, move?

PS: Nothing wrong with setting it and applying a piece of tape to hold it there......

I have noticed that the focus changes slightly when my AE900 warms up or cools down. If I set the focus when the unit is first turned on, it will blur slightly once things warm up, and vice versa. Could that be what you are seeing? If so, I would let the unit warm up a good 10-15 minutes before making any adjustments or comparisons. Just a thought.

Thanks for the input guys.

The focus knob doesn't seem any looser than it ever was, and I doubt it's moving. But I'll still try the tape idea.

The projector is mounted to the ceiling that is below our living room, so vibration from people walking is a possibility as well. However, I could swear it happens even when noone is upstairs.

Scott, every time that I've reset the focus, it's been within the first few minutes of turning it on. I'll try to wait for the temp to get up and then set it. That wouldn't be so bad to live with.

Tony, I hope that works. I was chasing a "drifting focus" problem until I realized that it does change slightly with temperature. Once I realized what was going on I set it while while the projector was hot and left it there. It seems to be stable (once it's warmed up), from what I can see.

Update to bulb situation.

Thanks for the input guys.
I returned it to electrified.
Ordered one off ebay - from Japan.
It took 3 days to arrive. Put it in.
Couldn't be happier.
Thanks again

Reporting back on my "drifting focus" issue. I waited for operating temperature and set the focus again. It held focus through the next 3 hours of operation. That's a big improvement. Thanks for the suggestion Scottw383!

Cleaned up the thread. Keep it off the forum guys. No bashing allowed here either.

Kyser

Cleaned up the thread. Keep it off the forum guys. No bashing allowed here either.

Kyser

Thank you.

I might have chance to buy a unit with 1900 hours on it to replace my IN72. I am so impressed with my IN72 (480p), will the 900 be a huge upgrade considering I watch HD cable and Blu Ray?

Is under $500 worth it?
Since my IN72 is at 3000 hours and the bulb is $350, I was thinking the Panny was a good idea until the 1080's come down even more in price.

Any thoughts are appreciated.

I left out an important piece of info on my focus drifting problems. It just occured to me over the weekend. Not only could it be the temperature change, but I'm also in an unfinished basement with no HVAC. So once I crank up the heaters the temperature will change by 20 degrees. So that's got to be the culprit. I'm not just going from room temperature to hot, I'm going from coooold to hot.

Hope that all changes with an HVAC system in the next year!

Bluto, how old is the bulb in the Panny?

A belated update on my bulb problem. I had problems with the "replace bulb" and being unable to start the projector. Even though I was using a UPS - it seems that it was causing problems. I replaced the UPS and my lamp problems were resolved.

It's been a while now, and at 2100+ hours, I've replaced my bulb, and am keeping the old bulb as a spare.

I highly recommend considering VisualApex as the source of your bulb purchase. I had read many of the postings here regarding replacement bulb purchase. The price was good (not the lowest, but lower than most) but I had previously dealt with VisualApex and appreciated their service and policies. In this case I had an after-purchase issue (my mistake) and David at VisualApex worked with me over the phone until the issue was completely resolved.

My ae900e had very loud noises, so I opened it up to fix it.

as i read in your threat, most of the time it´s the Iris, so I removed the APC board, the analysis block as described in 6.10 of the service manual.

Put a few drops of machine oil on the pivot point of the Iris-mechanism and put everything together again.

Now the noise is gone, but I do have red vertical bands all over the screen.

My AE900E is from may 2006, bulb 1800 hours.

Any idea how to fix this?

You should have just left the iris disconnected. I have it cured the noise and I can't see any difference in the picture.

Yeah, but I need a solution to the red vertical bands, or do I have to open it again and disconnect th iris to solve the new problem?

Yeah, but I need a solution to the red vertical bands, or do I have to open it again and disconnect th iris to solve the new problem?

Hi Hardberg. Same happened to me. Probably, the red LCD ribbon is not correctly connected. The ribbon clamp is not very good. Try cleaning the contacts very carefully and secure the ribbon again.

Thank you ferbal,
that did the job!

Thank you ferbal,
that did the job!

Glad to know it! :)

Can anyone tell me how to tell the difference between a dead pixel and a dust blob?
I have an annoying green spot that shows up in dark scenes on my panasonic AE900.
I only noticed it after I changed the lamp so maybe the spot didn't show up with the old dimmer lamp or maybe I dislodged some dust when I changed it.
Anyway, I followed the advice given in this forum, took the cover off and blew out the area around the LCD block. There were a few faint spots that disappeared but the one green spot that really irritates me is still there.
I really don't feel comfortable taking boards out and removing the LCD block so I'm considering taking it in to a Panasonic service center for a professional cleaning.
Thing is, I hear that if the LCD panel is faulty it could cost a lot of money to replace so I'd like to have an idea of what to expect.

A dust blob wont be 1 tiny pixel in size....and consequently, 1 tiny pixel is all you should see if a pixel has indeed gone bad. It may stay stuck in one color.

Thanks, that makes sense to me.
A pixel would be a lot smaller than a dust blob.
Guess I'll have to break down and pay for a professional cleaning.
Thanks Again

I got my AE900E from a friend. It got to the 2000 hour point, so I got a new bulb. After a while, the projector would randomly cut off while watching it. Sometimes, on lighter screens, I would notice that the screen would lightly flicker shortly before it went out. I made sure I cleaned the filter when I changed the bulb.

I thought it might be power, so I put it on a UPS. That didn't help. I thought it was heat, so I lowered it down from the ceiling so there was more breathing room. No luck. I took the cover off and made sure everything was clean. I used some compressed air to get rid of the dust in the back. I thought again it was heat as the unit was very hot to the touch. I bought a small desk fan to sit behind it and blow air into the back of the unit. Its runs very nice as far as temperature, but it still randomnly cuts off.

The room its in is around 65-70 degrees F. When the thing cuts off, the only light on is the green main led. The lamp and temp indicator is off. I have to turn off the unit, let it sit, then restart it to get it to come on. What could be causing this? Its sorta annoying. I sometimes can't watch tv for an hour, other times it takes 5 or 6 hours before it cuts off.

Sounds like you need repair. It could be the power supply or lamp ballast failing.

I have a lovely well cared for 900. I use it - unfortunately with my schedule - only once every 60 days or so.

It has 400 hours on the original bulb.

Lately when I turn it on the green light (during the first two or three on cycles - hard power off(during 60 day standby) Then hard on, then soft on fan comes on green on but no bulb activity. Fan spins for some time after soft off but it's not warm at all.

Repeat this cycle. Hard off, hard on, Soft on, green light (Sometimes yellow and blinking red), soft off, hard off.

4th time unplug for 10 seconds and turn on and all is back normal?


Anyone see this before? Ideas?
Does it just need use more frequently than every 60 days?

I have a similar issue on a 700 hour 900. Coming out of standby sometimes the bulb takes up to 2 minutes to come on. Then it's fine for as long as I leave it on.

If it stays like this I can live with it, but something tells me that one time it will not come on at all.

I have a similar issue on a 700 hour 900. Coming out of standby sometimes the bulb takes up to 2 minutes to come on. Then it's fine for as long as I leave it on.

If it stays like this I can live with it, but something tells me that one time it will not come on at all.


I've been using it at least every two weeks now. That seems to help.

Update on my repair from a while ago...

I had sent my AE900 in for repair in December as the iris noise was again excessive, and since repairing the problem would cost more than the value of the projector (in case you're curious, it's about $900 if well cared for), I was given a new Panasonic AX200 as a replacement. Not a bad trade, even if I did have to pay $100 in shipping.

For those of you faced with the decision to buy a new AE900 bulb, upgrade to something else, or live with the AE900 for a little longer, all I can say is that the AX200 is a great upgrade for the money, since it lists for about $1,000. It's not 1080p, but really, only your most critical friends will care about that, the performance is awesome.

I loved my AE900 for four years but I am amazed at what $1,000 gets you today. I only have a 74" screen but it is bright enough to light up 90" or more, it seems.

Finally, I have the never-used remote for my AE900 available for sale if anyone wants it (make an offer!). Send me a note if you're interested.

See you over at the AX200 thread...

-pretzelbag.

So you sent your Panny AE900 for repair and Panasonic offered to replace it for a AE200? Your AE900 wasn't under any kind of warranty was it?

My Panny AE900 won't turn on most of the time now with only 500 or so hours on it. I was told repair could be as little as $450 but could be higher.

I've been eying the AE3000 for $2400, I wonder IF Panasonic would offer some kind of trade in/up?

Any way, way to go...

Dave

Hagar,

Good questions -- let me clarify.

I sent my AE900 to Mack Camera for repair during its extended warranty period (years 2+3). Mack Camera received an estimate for fixing the unit that was over $1,500, and offered to either (a) replace the unit with one bought from eBay, or (b) mail me a check for $950.

I chose (b) and put the $950 towards the AX200. It's not as direct a swap as I first implied, sorry about that, but in my mind I sent off my AE900 and "in return" got an AX200 back.

What Panasonic might have done with a bad AE900 under warranty, I don't know.

I also thought about putting my reimbursement towards an AE3000 but figured that prices always drop faster than we think, and right now I have a new AX200 and can probably get an AE3000-caliber unit in a few years for the same price difference as today ($1,500) or less.

-pretzelbag.

I posted this in the panasonic BMP-BD30 thread on the blue ray player forum. Thought somebody with an AE900 might have tried this combo, and 1080P:


Just hooked up a BD30 (firmware 2.5) to my AE900 720P native LCD projector via hdmi using an Onkyo 805 as the hdmi switcher. Had a PS3 on it as the BR player, but just could not take the fan noise anymore. Had been running 1080P to the projector with the PS3 and a toshiba hd35 hd dvd player, because that seemed to give the best picture for both players.

When I try to set the BD30 to 1080P, the framing gets messed up, everything looks zoomed in, and the menus are cutoff. The player says it is at 1080P, but the projector shows 1080i/60. I know the projector accepts 1080p/24 from the ps3 and the hda35. Can I get the BD30 to output 1080p via hdmi to this projector?

Thanks,

John

I posted this in the panasonic BMP-BD30 thread on the blue ray player forum. Thought somebody with an AE900 might have tried this combo, and 1080P:


Just hooked up a BD30 (firmware 2.5) to my AE900 720P native LCD projector via hdmi using an Onkyo 805 as the hdmi switcher. Had a PS3 on it as the BR player, but just could not take the fan noise anymore. Had been running 1080P to the projector with the PS3 and a toshiba hd35 hd dvd player, because that seemed to give the best picture for both players.

When I try to set the BD30 to 1080P, the framing gets messed up, everything looks zoomed in, and the menus are cutoff. The player says it is at 1080P, but the projector shows 1080i/60. I know the projector accepts 1080p/24 from the ps3 and the hda35. Can I get the BD30 to output 1080p via hdmi to this projector?

Thanks,

John

Haven't tried the BD30, but had similar experience with both Samsung 1400 and Sony 550: If I set to 1080p, the menus got all jacked up (although the movie itself would look fine). I can't explain why my solution worked, but setting the 1400 to output 1080i, then setting 24p to "on" caused the menus to look fine, but the movie to be sent as 1080p/24 (verified in the panny input menu). For the sony, I set the resolution to "auto" and 24p to 'on' with the same result. The sony menu says output is set to 1080i, but when I click on the info during movie play, it says 1080p/24. It seems like the 900 has trouble with the menus in 1080p, but that turning 24p "on" overrides setting the resolution to 1080i. You might give that a try.

I almost tried it with a movie, but it was late. I tried forcing 1080/24, but not sure if I restarted with this setting. Will experiment more tonight.

Thanks for the reply CD.

CD suggestion pretty much worked. With or without enabling the 24fps option and using 1080p resolution with my BMP-BD30, the ae900 will play movies at 1080p/24. All menu items, and even extras don' display correctly, my guess is they are probably not HD. Will have to try HD extras.

Using 1080i and 24fps settings, displays 1080i/60. Anyway at least I can watch the movies using 1080p. With my equipment it produces the best picture.

Can anyone please PM me somewhere that i can purchase a 900u from the states, that will ship to canada?

Thanks

I've replace the lamp in my AE-900 but the red light has still come on saying to replace the bulb.

When I look in the menu I see the hours on the bulb, but don't see how to reset this.

Can anyone tell me how to reset the hours.

I did see how to access a service menu, and was able to see that, but again not reset the hours.

Can anyone tell me how to reset the hours.


If you have your manual, refer to p.59. If not:
->Menu
->Option
->Highlight "Lamp Runtime"
->Press and hold ENTER for approx 3 seconds, and a message will appear telling you to power the projector off
->Turn the projector off to reset the hours (if you press MENU or RETURN, the lamp time reset will be cancelled)

I've replace the lamp in my AE-900 but the red light has still come on saying to replace the bulb.

When I look in the menu I see the hours on the bulb, but don't see how to reset this.

Can anyone tell me how to reset the hours.

I did see how to access a service menu, and was able to see that, but again not reset the hours.

Thanks! That was easy!

How can you tell if the lamp ballast or power supply is failing?

I was having random shutoffs with my original lamp (~3500 hours) for the last month or so, along with constant flickering. When the projector would shut off, the temperature light was illuminated, so I figured it was just overheating.

I figured I needed to replace the lamp anyway, so I bought a new Panasonic lamp, installed it, and.....still shutting off. But now the only light on is the power light, solid green, no other warning lights. The fan doesn't kick into high like when I'm shutting it down, and pushing the power button doesn't do anything. The only way to get anything to happen is to shut the projector off with the switch in the back.

Should I try reseating the lamp, to see if it's a problem there? Or does this sound like a power supply/ballast problem?

I think I am almost at 4500 hour and still going strong! I bought a spare lamp 6 months ago too heh. I guess I won't be upgrading anytime soon.

Last night while I was watcbing a movie I noticed randomly the brightness would randomly change(go in and out while in the same scene). I also noticed my FP was very hot(could this be the cause)? Has anyone ever had this happen with there unit?

Last night while I was watcbing a movie I noticed randomly the brightness would randomly change(go in and out while in the same scene). I also noticed my FP was very hot(could this be the cause)? Has anyone ever had this happen with there unit?

mine starting doing that on low power at about 3000 hours. i switched to high power and it stopped.

mine starting doing that on low power at about 3000 hours. i switched to high power and it stopped.

I will have to give that a try - I don't think mine even has 500 hours yet as it isn't for daily viewing.

How can you tell if the lamp ballast or power supply is failing?

I was having random shutoffs with my original lamp (~3500 hours) for the last month or so, along with constant flickering. When the projector would shut off, the temperature light was illuminated, so I figured it was just overheating.

I figured I needed to replace the lamp anyway, so I bought a new Panasonic lamp, installed it, and.....still shutting off. But now the only light on is the power light, solid green, no other warning lights. The fan doesn't kick into high like when I'm shutting it down, and pushing the power button doesn't do anything. The only way to get anything to happen is to shut the projector off with the switch in the back.

Should I try reseating the lamp, to see if it's a problem there? Or does this sound like a power supply/ballast problem?


Checking:
- You change the filter (that comes with the new lamp).
- You reset the hours counter.
- Are You sure that the fan is working properly?

mine starting doing that on low power at about 3000 hours. i switched to high power and it stopped.

So it was doing this again and I switched the lamp from low to high and the issue went away. It is almost like the FP is switching itself from low to high itself. The bulb isn't at 500 hours yet. Thanks for the tip.

Hi there,

Went through the thread, but couldn't find an answer to this strange issue I've recently had.

Have the AE900E, with the SCART input in the back...

Anyways, I've used this pj for a while now, with a Denon DVD 2930, over a 30 ft QED HDMI cable. All was well, until I switched my HT areas, and when I took it into a new room, I got a cheapo cable (again, 30 ft), and things were just fine and dandy. In fact, I even put an Apple TV into the mix, and for a few weeks, all was well.

However, I was having one strange issue throughout the time: The Video input wouldn't sense anything, unless (and I figured this out completely by chance) I removed teh HDMI cable from the back. At which point the video worked just fine.

So the day I was trying to install an analog tv tuner over the video input, I removed the HDMI so that the video signal would work. After getting done, I put the HDMI cable back in, and now neither hte Apple TV nor the Denon DVD work with the PJ.

Both those sources work fine with my other HDMI displays. But even with different, better, shorter cables, these sources do not work with the PJ. component and composite ins still work on the projector.

Strangely enough, a friend brought over a Marantz DVD player (don't know the model #), but that worked perfectly over HDMI.

What could be the issue here?

Is it a software thing, ya think? Never upgraded the firmware or anything... Maybe I can flash the memory somehow and reinstall the software...

Please... any help is highly appreciated!

-Fauzi