OK, for the last three years at Christmas time I have said I was going to upgrade my Panny PT-L300U. However, every year I end up not upgrading because I feel like it still performs like a champ. I have a xbox 360 with a HD DVD player. For the most part the projector is being used to watch HD content downloaded to the 360 or HD DVD movies. I don't watch a lot of SD DVDs anymore. If I upgrade I'm pretty sure I'll get the PT-AX200U. Here's my question for those of you who have had 1/4 HD projector like the PT-L00U... is the upgrade really worth it? I'm sure the upgrade will give me a better picture, more contrast, and more detail. However, will it be a big upgrade or will these all be small upgrades? I want to know that my $1300 is going to get me lot better picture. Thoughts?! Thanks!

Steve

I recently upgraded from a PT-L200 to the AX-200. The difference is huge. You will not be disappointed.

I am in the same boat... i've got about 1300 hours on my PT-L300U and am ready to upgrade it. It was the favorite display in my house until I got a 50" Plasma last year. Now when I watch it, it seems very washed out and bad blacks and contrast.

I am also thinking about the AX200... but also curious to find out more about the Sony VPL-VW40 (1080P SXRD at under $3000) !

So we shall see...

I have been very happy with my L300U for close to 5 years now. It's been mostly used for SD DVD watching. However I recently got a PS3 and before installing it in my home theater where the L300U is i hooked it up to my Panasonic plasma in my living room.

After a week of great PQ on my plasma through HDMI I moved the PS3 to the basement and hooked it up to the L300U with component. The difference was big, washed out colors, bad contrast and zero blacks. I finally decided it was time for an upgrade, especially since I am getting more and more Blu Ray movies and also playing some games on the PS3.

I don't have extreme PQ requirements and didn't want to spend a fortune so I jumped on the HC4900 deal for 1400$. I am sure it will be a big step up from the L300U.

I have upgraded many projectors, Sanyos and Pannys, AE100, Z1, AE900, Z4 and a bunch of others in between.
My last up-grade was from a AE900 to a AX100, that difference was HUGE to say the least.
Upgrading from a Panny 300 to an AX200 will be more than a huge difference.

Yea, upgrade to the AX200, you will not regret it.

Cheers
Davyo

I'm still loving my 300 in my basement HT even though I just purchased the 1080p LC-46D46U Aquos for the upstairs. My 300 is hooked up to a Tosh A2 HD player so I remove encryption on SD-DVDs and squeeze out the max resolution. I think I have about 1600 hours on it and will probably bump up the lamp mode from low to normal/high...or whatever it is.

I've read too many threads reporting issues with the AX200 so Maybe I'll sit out one more year and go fully 1080p next year.

OK, for the last three years at Christmas time I have said I was going to upgrade my Panny PT-L300U. However, every year I end up not upgrading because I feel like it still performs like a champ. I have a xbox 360 with a HD DVD player. For the most part the projector is being used to watch HD content downloaded to the 360 or HD DVD movies. I don't watch a lot of SD DVDs anymore. If I upgrade I'm pretty sure I'll get the PT-AX200U. Here's my question for those of you who have had 1/4 HD projector like the PT-L00U... is the upgrade really worth it? I'm sure the upgrade will give me a better picture, more contrast, and more detail. However, will it be a big upgrade or will these all be small upgrades? I want to know that my $1300 is going to get me lot better picture. Thoughts?! Thanks!

Steve

I had the PT-L300U too (3 years ago :)). Tell you a story. I sold my L300 to a friend, a month ago he came into my house and saw my AE900. Back home, he turns his old PJ and instantly called me saying: "now my PJ looks like sh..t!!!" :)
He is buying a new PJ now.
Imagine what he would say if he could see my new AE2000!!!
Hope it helps,
Fernando

Thanks guys for all of your thoughts on this! You guys helped me decide to keep my current projector. Just kidding! Yeah, I'm going to order up the AX200. I'm keeping the 300u for sure though. I'll put it in the bedroom. Thanks again for all your help. You made this a lot easier for me!

Steve

We still use our PT-L300U, going on 4-1/2 years now... and we STILL love it! This was the best electronics purchase I've ever made. I'm going to upgrade when the current bulb blows (2nd bulb, ~1200 hrs). I was leaning toward the Panny AX-200, but now with the Mits HC4900 (1080P projector) at under $1500 (after rebate), that's the current front runner for me.

Yeah, I was just looking at the hc4900. So, what do you guys think... Any real reason to go with the AX200 when the hc4900 is almost the same price?

Well, I went ahead and ordered the hc4900. I think it's the right choice. The panny would have been nice, but this should be even better! Thanks again everyone!

I'm still running my L200 that's over 4 years old now. I would like to upgrade to a newer model (720p or 1080), but can't convince the wife yet. I keep hoping the buld goes soon, so I can upgrade.

I'll be checking out the hc4900. Others I was looking at include the hc1500 and SP7210.

I'm still running my L200 that's over 4 years old now. I would like to upgrade to a newer model (720p or 1080), but can't convince the wife yet. I keep hoping the buld goes soon, so I can upgrade.

I'll be checking out the hc4900. Others I was looking at include the hc1500 and SP7210.

I was in the same boat -- 4.5-yr-old PT-L200U with over 5800 hrs on the original bulb and still going strong. I finally gave up and ordered the AX-200 for myself one week before my birthday.....then I thanked my wife for the wonderful birthday present she got me.

BMAG - My birthday is coming up, so maybe I can try the same technique as you?! Won't work this year though. The good news is that Tax Return time is coming up...

The longer I wait, the better the prices will be. That's what I keep telling myself.