As some of you know (and is evident around these boards) I have been considering the AE2000 for a long time now (several months) and have been waiting to see if Panasonic keeps with tradition and gives a rebate at the end of this month.

However, I have noticed that the Mitsubishi HC4900 is selling for around $1400 after rebates. Is the difference between the HC4900 and the AE2000 enough to justify the $1200 price difference? I know that the contrast ratio is higher on the Panny. But I was wondering if anyone has seen the two in action and could give an opinion of the differences and their significance. Thanks.

Hello... I've been looking at these 2 projectors as well, and have found other threads discussing most of your questions. The consensus is definitely towards the HC4900. Here's more info if you'd like:

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=961570&highlight=HC4900

-Chris

Hello... I've been looking at these 2 projectors as well, and have found other threads discussing most of your questions. The consensus is definitely towards the HC4900. Here's more info if you'd like:

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=961570&highlight=HC4900

-Chris

That thread is comparing the AX200, not the AE2000. They are VERY different projectors. The very least of which one is 1080p, the other is 720p
....

I can tell you next week. I've owned the AE2000u and VW60. I'm going to try out the HC4900. Considering that you can get the 4900 for the price of the AX200 it is hard to compare the 2000 to it. However, I can tell you that the AE2000u is a great bang for the buck projector. Not quite the level of the VW60 but very good.

Yep, Redhead is right - my mistake. With the recent price drops to the hc4900 ($1500, 1080p), there's been a few threads comparing it to the ax200 ($1300, 720p) since they are now getting closer in price. It will be interesting to see if Rob thinks the much less expensive hc4900 can hold its own against the ae2000.

Well, Rob, let me know what you find out. I'd be interested to hear.

Rob....... I hate to be "picky" but next week we are going to be in "digital overload" with CES... any chance you could get it done before the weekend?? :-)

Like Art said at Projectorreviews the 2000u and the Sony VW60 are extremly close in picture quality the Panny is 98% of the sony and should kill the 4900.

I have been considering the AE2000 for a long time now ... Is the difference between the HC4900 and the AE2000 enough to justify the $1200 price difference?Are you a first-time fpj owner? I am-I started by lusting after the AE1000, then the 2000 came along, then I got excited about the Mits HC6000 (with "Shutters"), then I bought a HC4900 cuz frankly the 6000 was "staggeringly high" to me, and in the meantime had read many complaints about dust blobs and QC problems with the Pannys.

You're not comparing apples-to-apples methinks. The Panny can do something the 4900 can not--Vertical Stretch. So if you intend a 2.35 CIH setup w/lens the 4900 can't do it.

I like the way the 4900 is put-together, that it shares a lot with its more expensive brethren the 5000 and the 6000, and the price can not be beat. I will only add that at 10' wide 2.35 and 10.5 viewing distance, the 4900's pixels can be seen if you look for them (and of course once you've looked for them by golly you see them all the time from thence forward). So I've very slightly de-focussed my 4900 and it's beautiful. A poor man's smoothscreen!

P.S. 10' wide is too big at 10.5 feet, at least per my spousal unit. My final screen config will likely be 45x106/115 for 2.35 and 45x80/92 for 16:9. At that size I can defocus or not--makes no never mind as the optics/sharpness of this Mitsu HC4900 is outstanding. I'm very happy with it.

Rob....... I hate to be "picky" but next week we are going to be in "digital overload" with CES... any chance you could get it done before the weekend?? :-)


If you can get ProjectorPeople to send me the projector early! :D

If you can get ProjectorPeople to send me the projector early! :D

I will ask Carmen to bring it to you personally....... :eek:

Rob,

After selling the two "higher-end" pj's you have owned, why did you decide to go with the 4900 instead of the 6000, which would line up more with your past equipment?

Laserfan,

So are you saying that if you are going to put up a screen around 10' wide that one should consider stepping upto either the panny or 1080UB or mits 6000 vs. the 4900? I will be purchasing a unit soon and will be at a 110" wide screen approximately with seating at 15', eyes at around 13'6".

Lance

Rob,

After selling the two "higher-end" pj's you have owned, why did you decide to go with the 4900 instead of the 6000, which would line up more with your past equipment?

Lance

I was able to get what I paid for with both projectors. Next year I would likely lose quite a bit when hit with the upgrade bug. Both projectors are great but based upon the fast pace of projector technology I'd imagine that there will be excellent performance within a couple of years. For that reason I jumped on an inexpensive 1080P to hold me over.

Laserfan, So are you saying that if you are going to put up a screen around 10' wide that one should consider stepping upto either the panny or 1080UB or mits 6000 vs. the 4900? I will be purchasing a unit soon and will be at a 110" wide screen approximately with seating at 15', eyes at around 13'6".I didn't say that at all, I just said 120" wide was too big for my wife!

At your planned 110" wide screen the 4900 should work just fine. Even when I put-up a 120" image from 14 feet back, the pic in Low Lamp mode is acceptable to me in my bat-cave. I suppose if your PJ is very far back, you might need Standard lamp mode, or a different pj "light cannon", or a pj w/a different throw, I dunno. :confused:

Rob,

Sounds good! As always, I will look forward to your review on your thread. Who knows, there may not be as much of a difference in performance as one might think. The mits are impressive machines. I too am amazed at how fast the technology moves and the intense downward pressure of the pricing. There must be some serious margin in these products from a manufacturer standpoint.

Laserfan,

I understand. I guess 10' wide at 10.5' sitting distance is quite close. Should be fine from 14 or so where I am at. Thanks for the input.

Lance