So you are not supposed to use these projectors more than 12 hours a week? If not, which projectors with some sort of lens shift can you recommend for high usage?

Who told you such nonsense?

I'd personally recommend the Panasonic AX100.

I think the source of the info was:

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=802513

I just read that thread. My apologies.

Having read that and assuming it's true, I'd be hesitant to recommend the Panny. Unless you get it from some big box store that has a very liberal return policy.

I would not touch an LCD machine with a ten foot pole. With my luck, if it can happen it will happen. Anyway the Mits HD 1000 throws a better picture for 1/2 the price. Much sharper and the black levels when there is any light in the frame are better.

There is too much noise on the boards about the lcd behavior and the possible damage to the optical block. Why take the risk when you do not have to?

Why take the risk when you do not have to?
My primary reason is years ago when I purchased my Sony HS20 (LCD) projector I did view a number of projectors and I experienced real uneasiness with the DLP rainbow effect; it was apparent to me immediately and something I certainly don't think I'd learn to live with.

With that being said if new technology has made RBE obsolete then I'd love to consider a DLP again. From what I've read though only the 3-wheel variety of DLP machines have solved the RBE issue. Let me know if that's wrong.

Also, I don't think the Mits HD 1000 is half as much (more like 50% less with the current rebate on the Panasonic).

I agree though that this ridiculous change in warranty for the PT-AE1000U only undermines my confidence in the projector, to say the least.

I would not touch an LCD machine with a ten foot pole. With my luck, if it can happen it will happen. Anyway the Mits HD 1000 throws a better picture for 1/2 the price. Much sharper and the black levels when there is any light in the frame are better.

There is too much noise on the boards about the lcd behavior and the possible damage to the optical block. Why take the risk when you do not have to?

Do you read any of the "noise on the boards" pertaining to DLP, or do you selectively skip those?

My primary reason is years ago when I purchased my Sony HS20 (LCD) projector I did view a number of projectors and I experienced real uneasiness with the DLP rainbow effect; it was apparent to me immediately and something I certainly don't think I'd learn to live with.

With that being said if new technology has made RBE obsolete then I'd love to consider a DLP again. From what I've read though only the 3-wheel variety of DLP machines have solved the RBE issue. Let me know if that's wrong.

Also, I don't think the Mits HD 1000 is half as much (more like 50% less with the current rebate on the Panasonic).

I agree though that this ridiculous change in warranty for the PT-AE1000U only undermines my confidence in the projector, to say the least.

You should read a little more carefully. There has been no change in warranty for any US model projector from Panasonic. You are, of course; free to feel any way you like but the fact is that the warranty here hasn't changed.

Thanks for the input however, my question was not answered. I already have a AE900U and the people at panasonic said you are only supposed to watch it for events. I told them I did not spend $$$ to watch only superbowls. DLP projectors can be used for heavy viewing. I only got the LCD because of my set up. I need lens shift and also I was afraid of the Rainbow Effect. They said not everyone can see it, but I figured with my luck, I would be one of those persons.
So my question is...
is it true that LCD projectors are not for regular viewing and only DLP projectors are. If this is the case, is there a DLP projector reasonably priced with Lens Shift and no Rainbow effect. So I can get rid of this thing and buy one of those.
Thanks

Thanks for the input however, my question was not answered. I already have a AE900U and the people at panasonic said you are only supposed to watch it for events. I told them I did not spend $$$ to watch only superbowls. DLP projectors can be used for heavy viewing. I only got the LCD because of my set up. I need lens shift and also I was afraid of the Rainbow Effect. They said not everyone can see it, but I figured with my luck, I would be one of those persons.
So my question is...
is it true that LCD projectors are not for regular viewing and only DLP projectors are. If this is the case, is there a DLP projector reasonably priced with Lens Shift and no Rainbow effect. So I can get rid of this thing and buy one of those.
Thanks

Have you looked at the Sony HS51A/60? It is a good one.
My local Sony dealer running one every day with no issues.
Mine has 150 hours in 5 weeks and looks great.

i use my ae 900 as my primary television.

over 6 months of a lot of hours, and no issues so far.

This uproar about overusing LCD projectors is blown WAY out of proportion. Think about how long most people watch TV in a day. How many people do you know that have jobs and families watch TV for an average of more than 4-5 hours in a day? Combine that with the need for darkness to achieve maximum picture quality, and the fact that most people aren't watching the 6 o'clock news in glorious standard-definition on their HD projector, and you get some idea of what sort of use these machines were designed for.

As with any electronics device, mileage will vary. There are some that will use projectors as their primary display device, but those people are going to be in the minority. The fact is that home theater projectors are very complex and sophisticated devices, and results will vary depending on environment, maintainance, viewing habits and care. But you shouldn't be frightened off from buying a product because there are wild speculations about how long the product will last, when the product is so new, no one has owned one long enough to really know. I know plenty of folks who have LCD projectors from years ago that still throw beautiful pictures.

So buy with confidence, and enjoy your new purchase!

You should read a little more carefully. There has been no change in warranty for any US model projector from Panasonic. You are, of course; free to feel any way you like but the fact is that the warranty here hasn't changed.
Perhaps you should read more carefully... nowhere did I ever say the US warranty changed. The fact that Panasonic changed the warranty on the projector in Australia is still telling even though it may not impact me directly. In any case I woludn't touch this projector unless I bought it from somehwere that had a liberal return policy (I won't even say it...) because of the obvious concerns Panasonic has with the optic block in this light canon. So, basically I wouldn't rely on the warranty but rather a good return pollcy for peace of mind. You are free to spout any nonsense you want but my feelings had nothing to do with what I actually did say. :)

Thanks for the input however, my question was not answered. I already have a AE900U and the people at panasonic said you are only supposed to watch it for events. I told them I did not spend $$$ to watch only superbowls. DLP projectors can be used for heavy viewing. I only got the LCD because of my set up. I need lens shift and also I was afraid of the Rainbow Effect. They said not everyone can see it, but I figured with my luck, I would be one of those persons.
So my question is...
is it true that LCD projectors are not for regular viewing and only DLP projectors are. If this is the case, is there a DLP projector reasonably priced with Lens Shift and no Rainbow effect. So I can get rid of this thing and buy one of those.
Thanks

I have well over 6000 hours on my LCD Sony HS20 and only recently have the panels started to degrade - not only is it older panel technology but also some of the damage is probably my fault because I havn't changed the clogged air filter in many months.

You should not hesitate to purchase LCD technology for heavy use.

The AX100U is the US model which you directly and explicitly referenced in your post. Nowhere else in this thread did anyone, to my knowledge, reference the US model.

Perhaps you should type more carefully so I don't have to interpret what you meant you said. Sorry if you didn't mean to type what you typed. All I had to go on was what you wrote. Unlike some here, I don't proclaim to possess psychic abilities. :)

This uproar about overusing LCD projectors is blown WAY out of proportion. Think about how long most people watch TV in a day. How many people do you know that have jobs and families watch TV for an average of more than 4-5 hours in a day? Combine that with the need for darkness to achieve maximum picture quality, and the fact that most people aren't watching the 6 o'clock news in glorious standard-definition on their HD projector, and you get some idea of what sort of use these machines were designed for.

As with any electronics device, mileage will vary. There are some that will use projectors as their primary display device, but those people are going to be in the minority. The fact is that home theater projectors are very complex and sophisticated devices, and results will vary depending on environment, maintainance, viewing habits and care. But you shouldn't be frightened off from buying a product because there are wild speculations about how long the product will last, when the product is so new, no one has owned one long enough to really know. I know plenty of folks who have LCD projectors from years ago that still throw beautiful pictures.

So buy with confidence, and enjoy your new purchase!

I use my projector easily 4-5 hours per day. I not only use it to watch movies and TV but also as my HTPC/PC computer monitor. I use it for entertainment, paying bills, doing research, playing games, surfing the Internet, working, posting on this forum and many other uses. Perhaps you're correct that a minority don't use their projection TV's as a primary display but I know there are plenty that do.

A normal television set, a AV reciever, a computer, is very complex and sophisticated as is my BMW but that certainly doesn't indicate in any way that I can't use it as often as I choose. I don't think anyone would find it reasonable to suggest I not drive my car more than X number of miles per day and the same can be said for a projector.

I agree that speculation on the longevity of this projector shouldn't scare anyone from buying it but I think it would not be wise to do so without heeding the warnings these Aussie warranty changes indicate. Personally I'm pretty certain I'm going to buy the AX100U because it fits my needs and because the Sanyo Z5 probably isn't bright enough for my large size screen. I will however be careful of the circumstances under which I purchase it to protect my investment.

I hope I do enjoy it... thanks!

You might consider the Epson 400. Very flexible and almost as bright as the AX100. A key difference is the lamp technology. Panasonic boosted the wattage of their lamp to get the high brightness. Epson developed a lamp called ETORL which has an additional front reflector in the lamp assembly to capture what otherwise would be lost light. This gives you more brightness with a lower wattage ( hence cooler ) lamp.

I've run my old LCD Mits HC3 for more than 10 hours a day, 5 days a week for about 8 months straight. ( was using it as a PC monitor ), and then at least that much per day during the Olympics. Over 2000 hours ( and still my first lamp ) and no noticeable panel or polorizer degradation. Just keep your filter clean.

Jonathan

This uproar about overusing LCD projectors is blown WAY out of proportion. Think about how long most people watch TV in a day. How many people do you know that have jobs and families watch TV for an average of more than 4-5 hours in a day? Combine that with the need for darkness to achieve maximum picture quality, and the fact that most people aren't watching the 6 o'clock news in glorious standard-definition on their HD projector, and you get some idea of what sort of use these machines were designed for.



I'd be extremely worried myself! Despite having a job, one that demands upwards of 60 hours a week, I still will routinely watch a "double feature" after work. I work as a chef, and after a stressful and busy day I find a couple of films is one of the best ways to relax. And it's not uncommon for me to spend six or seven hours in front of the PJ if I have a night off, especially since my recent discovery of (read: addiction to) the TV show Lost, which I never saw til it's release on DVD. For that matter, have you ever got your friends over to watch all 3 Star Wars films at a sitting? Or the Raiders of the Lost Ark movies? Hell, even a three day LotR: Extended Directors Cuts would be flirting with disaster, especially if you were irresponsible enough to run to the bathroom or view the bonus material! ;) Oh, and did I mention I don't even own a regular TV?

Another poster accurately points out that this refers to the Aussie model- well, I really would like to know how the US model differs, if it differs at all. If it's identical save the actual warranty, I'd still be leery. My viewing patterns probably would ruin the PJ, and even if they honored the warranty I'd spend a lot of time staring at a dark blank screen between repairs. And if they got tired of repairing it they'd have a lot of ways to discourage further returns. I'm sure they could make sure the repair took a few weeks, plus shipping both ways. How many of us keep a 2nd PJ in the closet for emergencies?

If you can't take DLP, then LCD may be a viable option, but unless I got some clarification to the contrary I'm forced to conclude I won't be purchasing the Panny LCD.

BTW, what percentage of people honestly are bothered by RBE in contemporary DLP models? I imagine it's still an issue for some, but I've had DLP for years and no one has ever complained about RBE with mine.

Lastly, you'd think Panny would just eat the repairs vs taking a PR beating if this turns out to reflect a "secret" policy in the US. Let's say for the sake of arguement that people like me are a small minority. Let's further assume that even with extended viewing a good percentage of the units would experience no problems. You could conclude that the amount of warranty repairs of this defect would be relatively small. So you'd think that dollar figure wouldn't be worth the negative press. If Panny is worried enough about it to alter the warranty terms on account of it, even in "just" Ozz, I'd be worried too! :eek: