Panasonic PT-AE4000 MSRP $1999 - Page 64

Originally Posted by nickmo

Well, that looks pretty terrible. From that distance on my screen when the PJ is in focus I can see pixel structure and clearly defined edges. Can you post a picture of your whole screen and where the projector is? It almost looks like the bottom of your picture is more in focus than the top.

Originally Posted by Bob Whitefield

This sounds exactly like an HDCP handshake problem. I saw it with my 50' HDMI cable, and when I went to a thicker 35' cable, it went away. The 50' cable works fine with my HDTV tuner and computer, but not the Blu-ray player at 1080p. HDCP is very picky, and my player doesn't care whether the source is protected--it does the handshake even when no disc is inserted.

The reason I never saw the problem before is because my previous projector was 720p. An HDMI extender didn't help. If you must have a long run, I recommend 22 AWG cable, although 24 seems to be good enough for 35'. This is the cable that's working for me:
http://www.monoprice.com/products/pr...4005&p_id=2742

Monoprice has thicker, more expensive 22AWG cables too:
http://www.monoprice.com/products/su...02&cp_id=10240
Monoprice is experiencing major shipping delays now, you probably won't get your order in three days as is usually the case.

Attach a short HDMI cable directly between the Blu-ray player and projector and I bet you'll never see snow bars.

Originally Posted by nickmo

I sure hope it's a handshake issue. HDMI cables are cheap. I'm seriously considering using monoprice's HDMI over CAT6 solution. Both the cables I'm using are the heavy duty Category 2 certified cables from monoprice, but I stuck an extender between them, and that might be the source of the problem.

Originally Posted by DoomBot

[IMG]Download Focus PT-AE4000.JPG from FileFactory.com[/IMG]

Here is what i see for focus and this is as close as i can get it and as you see it has a soft shadow fuzziness to it. What you see in the pic is what i see on the screen done with a canon rebel xt slr

Originally Posted by boykster

Well I did a bit of research in the AE2000 and AE3000 threads and can confirm that I have a dust blob - or more specifically a lint or hair blob on the blue LCD. I can focus through it down to what looks like a dog or cat hair (I have both, and unfortunately yes they both come in the theater).

I just ordered a rocket bulb blower and will be seeing if there is anyway to get access to the lightpath to try to blow it off without voiding the warranty. Otherwise it's going to the service center for cleaning.

Originally Posted by Just Nick

Greetings Learned Forum:

As best as I can tell, it is a horizontal line that fills the width of my screen. It varies in its thickness. Sometimes it takes up 1/3 of the screen. But it seems to always go the entire width of the screen. Here is my set-up: Panasonic BD60 > Marantz SR6003 > Panasonic AE4000U.

I have done the basic "check all your connections." They all seem tight and secure. I am not sure how to trouble shoot from here. Your thoughts and suggestions are greatly appreciated. Thank you.

Nick

Originally Posted by PLUCKYB

That does look pretty bad I will look at mine tonight I don't think it is that bad...

Originally Posted by donkie

My picture looks similar on the internal menu. I am trying to determine if this is just the typical LCD white text ringing (issue with LCD technology not projector) or if there is a problem with alignment inside the unit or something else. I am going to zero the lens shift tonight to determine if the halo mimics the shift. What is the best pattern to use to check the convergence? I wish the PJ had more than just a green grid test pattern. I will have to look for my old Avia dvd I guess. I found most of my problems with getting the picture in focus surround this text halo, I keep trying to focus out the halo vs keeping the menu text sharp. Normal hdtv/bluray looks perfect, no ringing or halo on sports tickers, credits, etc. Could it just be the menus?

Originally Posted by PLUCKYB

That does look pretty bad I will look at mine tonight I don't think it is that bad...

Originally Posted by Bob Whitefield

When I first installed my 4000, I also noticed smearing/halo similar to the image posted. This only occurred at the bottom edge of the screen, where the Zoom/Focus submenu is. My assumption was this was an optical issue, since it didn't occur at the top or center of the screen, where the light path will be more through the center of the lens.

Initially my projector was mounted about an inch above the top of the screen. I lowered it to two inches below the top, and redid the 16:9 and 2.35 lens memory settings. This mostly eliminated the text smearing at the very bottom.

You really can't expect the lens to be perfect at the edges. Look at the edges of a digital camera image when zoomed out fully and you'll see the same thing.

Also, although the smearing may look bad close up, it's not something you will notice watching a movie from normal viewing distance, no matter how hard you look.

Originally Posted by DoomBot

It would be nice to be able too focus with the remote but looking at any video or picture you want and not what they provide when you select focus.Sure i could use the focus on the projector but then your way the hell back and can't fine tune it.

Originally Posted by willdao

Almost positively. Don't think they/anyone even offer(s) 50ft.+ cables without extenders/amps. If you're interested in the co. I linked to above, try the 100ft. w/extender. Yeah, I know it's overkill, but I didn't see, in my quick glance over the page, anything between 50 and 100. And it's still very inexpensive. And a bit future-proof, in terms of length.

And, let us all know--no matter which co./product you go with--how it works out!

Originally Posted by Bob Whitefield

You can--push the center button to switch between the internal patterns and the current input source.

This is crucial for adjusting zoom and alignment--I usually freeze a frame that's bright on all sides for this. But the internal focus pattern is probably the best for focusing.

Originally Posted by DoomBot

Ok i didn't know that i'll give it a try thanks

when you say alignment do you mean focus?

If not the focus pattern then a calibration disc

Originally Posted by PLUCKYB

I was aware of this but still think the picture has a focus issue that I didn't see with the 8100.

I think it all comes down to like others have said it would be nice to have a better/finer focus adjustment.

Originally Posted by DoomBot

when you say alignment do you mean focus

Originally Posted by rastargate

I am done playing around testing... I just bought this Celabs HM6EK. I need 60 Feet comfortably anyway

Originally Posted by 501transpo

...and the GF doesn't shed much so I should be OK but just in case.

Steve

Originally Posted by GREGBARLOW

Question to "naturr" who was online November 7th. You mentioned a way to get UPS to not charge you duty when you brought your 4000 up to Canada. I was charged duty by UPS. Can you give me more detailed instructions so I can talk to them about it.

Thanks
Love the 4000 although it is not a bright as the Epson 6500 I had last year.

Originally Posted by Bob Whitefield

I had a request for photos of the AE4000 on the Rite Mounts NPL ceiling mount. You can normally use the pipe for cable management, but since I have a wood ceiling, that wasn't an option.

Originally Posted by tbase1

I've seen some members use threaded pipe to extend their projector mount as low as they need to go. I would measure the drop and take to mount top and botton base to my local hardware store to have them fit the mount to a extention pipe. DIY...DIY

Originally Posted by DoomBot

Didn't you say things seemed to be getting better or maybe you just thought they were? Has the Spears & Munsil calibration Blu-ray helped in the sharpness at all did you end up focusing it better? I hate how its not fine adjusting for focus it's too touchy.

Originally Posted by willdao

I may not remember this correctly, but a couple of years ago, I think folks were talking about declaring PJs as "Computer Monitors," which don't have any duties. Or something like that. Maybe someone else can chime in here, other than naturr, if he's offline?

Originally Posted by Ed Snape

I did say that but probably should retract it. After having gone through the S&M calibration BD I am still frustrated. Could not find anything like a resolution chart that would allow us to come up with quantitative values (numbers) that we could compare with each other and with a bench mark.

Attempted a few screen shots, but need to learn how to post them here, so will post them later.