Guys,

I need some advice and insight. I have just about gone nuts trying to decide on a projector. I am using my family room as a theater room and will have moderate light control during the day and complete light control at night. I will be using a Draper 106" M2500 electric screen and the projector will be ceiling mounted. I am down to the projector which is driving me nuts.

I am down to three:

Panny PT-AE2000
Sony VPL-VW60
Epson Pro Cinema 1080UB


I have had the opportunity to view the original Epson Pro Cinema 1080 side by side with the Sharp Z20000 and I was quite impressed with the Epson. The Sharp had a sharper picture, but when comparing the picture side by side the black levels appeared to be very similar and considering the pricing I didn't feel I was giving up anything and could live happily with the Epson.

Now the quesitons:

1) In comparing the AE2000 to the current Epson 1080, has any one had the opportunity to compare these two side by side? I would asume the AE2000 would have at least as good an image as the current Epson if not better by a few factors. Based on current reviews it appears the AE2000 can give a great picture with exceptional balance of contrast, color, and brightnes over a good range of lumen levels from 300 - 600+. With the screen gain of the M2500 it should provide a good expereince for both daytime (moderate ligth control) and night time viewing. And based on the experence of viewing the current Epson, I know I can have a good experinece with the current Epson.

2) In comparing both the current Epson and AE2000 with the VW60, has anyone had an opportunity to compare these side by side and which was the perferred image quality and what did you finally choose? I am little concerned about panel convergence issues with the Epson and AE2000. This wouldn't be an issue with the VW60 as the panels can be adjusted. Those that have experience withe Panny and Espon, have you had problems with convergence issues. Now on the flipside, again from current reviews the AE2000 appears to be able to provide a good balanced and bright picture (300 to 600+ lumens) which would include a good balance of contrast, color and brightness) if any of the VW60 owners could provide some feedback on the lumen range capability with the a good balanced picture. That would be appreciated.

3) Now the AE2000 and the VW60 compared to the Epson 1080. With the Epson my biggest concern is "dust blobs". Can any of the Epson 1080 owners who have owned the Epson for a bit comment on your experience withe "dust blobs"? From the brief reading that does not appear to be and issue witht he Panny's or the Sony's.

Guys thanks for all your imput here and help me get down to a final conclusion here.

You guys have been great.

I thought the Epson UB wasn't out yet?!? Can't answer your questions 'cause I'm looking myself, but whats the price on the UB? Right now I'm leaning toward the Panny. If they are comparing the panny to the black pearl, then that tells me that the panny must be pretty good, especially considering the price.

One Panny 2000 vs Black Pearl thread is here: http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=936968. Owners who have compared both give the nod to the VW60.

The Epson UB has not been reported on yet.

Well, they should give the nod to the VW60 'cause it's considerbly more moola. If i had the cash I would opt to get the VW but with prices going down and tech going up, I'm going for the panny.

Not another one of these threads! :D

Not another one of these threads! :D
Did you do your comparison? How did it go?

Not another one of these threads! :D

Joerod,

Yes, I know another one of these. Thanks for your input on the AE2000 vs. VW60 thread.

Being a VW60 owner can you help me with a couple things.

I am looking to get a strong lumen range with a good balanced image quality(min 350 in in best most to over to over 600 or 700 with a good compromise between color and contrast). The features of the Sony and knowing that it can be calibrated to color accurate make it a strong contender. My only hesitation is lumen output range given that the projector will be in a family room and I will have moderate light control during the day (for weekend sporting events, parties, etc). During the evening when I have complete light control and when I will do most movie watching I know the VW60 will be exceptional.

Thanks for your input.

Mine was lighting up my 120.5" SS from 15 feet away without any difficulty. Especially on High Lamp mode! :eek:

One Panny 2000 vs Black Pearl thread is here: http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=936968. Owners who have compared both give the nod to the VW60.

The Epson UB has not been reported on yet.

I have owned both and give the nod to the Panny...;)...It's definitely brighter, and has better color accuracy. Don't let the cheaper price tag fool you. The Panny blu-ray is half the price of the Pioneer...But it's still a better player. I feel the same with the Panny 2000U verses the sony VW60 projector...:D

I have owned both and give the nod to the Panny...;)...It's definitely brighter, and has better color accuracy. Don't let the cheaper price tag fool you. The Panny blu-ray is half the price of the Pioneer...But it's still a better player. I feel the same with the Panny 2000U verses the sony VW60 projector...:D

But those with the vw-60 have not reported dust blob issues as with the ae2000.Being a ae2000 owner and the pic quality is excellent.But this dust issue could be it's big drawback.:)

Has any one been able to compare the AE2000 to the Epson 1080, not the 1080UB since is has not been released yet.

Real experience in comparing these two would be appreciated.

From Projectorreviews:

PT-AE2000U versus the Epson Home Cinema 1080


Sorry, not even going to touch this comparison. True, they are both the same price, true, they are both LCD projectors with similar placement flexibility, and true, the Epson has the better warranty.

But, the Epson is on the way out, with the replacement model due to ship in the next two weeks. Like the move from the PT-AE1000U, to the PT-AE2000U, the new Epson - the Home Cinema 1080UB (ultra black), should prove to be a substantial improvement over their older model. As such, if Epson hasn't cleared out all the Home Cinema 1080's you can likely expect a significant price drop on them, perhaps below the price of the Sanyo. With unknowns like that - I'll reserve judgement, until I review the new Epson Home Cinema UB in three weeks.

Has any one been able to compare the AE2000 to the Epson 1080, not the 1080UB since is has not been released yet.

Real experience in comparing these two would be appreciated.

I have, the AE2000 is better in every aspect as far as I see.

I have seen the Epson TW2000 calibrated @D65 (think it's the 1080UB in the US) to but it was a pre exampel and shown under dreadful conditions. It did not impress one bit. The pre ex sent by Epson to last weeks projector shoot out a a big PJ show in Sweden was so bad they did not want to put it up against AE2000 and HC6000...

/Chuck

I have owned both and give the nod to the Panny...;)...It's definitely brighter, and has better color accuracy.Note it is not brighter and has better color accuracy at the same time. In the color accurate mode, Color 1, the VW60 is much brighter, but slightly less color accurate than the Panny. In Normal mode, the Panny is brighter than the Black Pearl, but the colors are wacked, and the grayscale is way off!

I have, the AE2000 is better in every aspect as far as I see.

I have seen the Epson TW2000 calibrated @D65 (think it's the 1080UB in the US) to but it was a pre exampel and shown under dreadful conditions. It did not impress one bit. The pre ex sent by Epson to last weeks projector shoot out a a big PJ show in Sweden was so bad they did not want to put it up against AE2000 and HC6000...

/Chuck

THanks, bad in which category? Lacks of lumen and CR compare to the rest at calibrated mode?

zeroendless, I don't know exactly, they did not show it at all...

But I'm sure the rep had a good reason as to why it was not shown, we had a shoot-out between HD80, W9000, HC6000, HC4900, AE2000 and Sanyo PLV-Z2000.

The Epson rep said that she was not worried about the performance, but she later admitted that with the predicted price tag of around $6400 it has to be a real killer to beat the AE2000 which sells for around $4000 over here...

Only time will tell, but one this is for sure. If the price tag remains, it has to be significantly better then the more "wallet friendly" competition.

/Chuck