Quote:
Originally Posted by
korkster 
O.K. everyone, after much consternation and hours and hours of reviewing everyone's input in several different pj threads, I pulled the trigger and bought the Panasonic PT-AE4000U. This is my first projector, and I was so totally confused by all the information out there, I decided that it might make sense to just go with this one as it seemed the best value. I was worried that it might not be bright enough, or that the picture might not be as sharp as others, and on and on and on..... I am projecting onto a 115" wide A/T screen from Seymour with a 1.2 gain from about 17 feet away. The room is in the basement so I have very good light control.
Well, I couldn't be happier with this projector. Now again, I'm no expert, I'm simply someone who likes to watch movies, and when all is said and done, that's what this is all about, isn't it? This pj is great. Brightness is not an issue and the picture is breathtaking. I was contemplating a JVC RS-10 several months ago, and saw one in action in a local store. It was no more impressive than the Panny as far as I'm concerned. I'm sure if they were side by side the JVC would maybe show somewhat better, but the Panny is less than half the price and it would take some doing for me to see that much difference. I haven't watched anything other than Blu-Rays at this point so I can't speak for what it does with other formats, but to this point it looks great, right out of the box with no other calibration except to knock it down to eco-mode.
I've since packed it away again since I'm still not done with my build, and I want to protect it from any unnecessary dust that's still flying around, but I thought I'd throw in my two cents at this point for what it's worth because I know there are a lot of people here sweating the details just as I was. I can't speak highly enough about this projector, and for that matter, the Seymour A/T screen as well. Both are great products in my opinion. And everyone in my family that had a chance to view it while it was up agrees.
I think that sometimes we can get so wrapped up in every little detail that we lose track of the big picture, so to speak; I know I did. "Paralysis by analysis." You could spend a whole lot more money for a pj, but I don't think you'd do a whole lot better.
I agree with you 100%, ever since seeing a friends PT-AE2000 at his house, I was on a mission to research the death out of projectors. I took so long that the PT-AE3000 that I was looking at was being phased out, so I waited for the PT-AE4000 and I have watched near 80 hours already in 3 weeks. So ya I am happy
Still agonizing over the screen selection though, was going to do a low cost WA Designer White laminate screen, but for a 52"x92" screen (I am width limited) I found only 5'x12' available for $130 from 2 different laminate distributors. The local Home Depot said they would not order any Wilsonart unless I was buying a kitchen from them, keep in mind I am Canada perhaps that is the policy here.
I want a fixed screen, and have researched the Da-Lite HP ones and I think I am a good candidate (livingroom with light color walls, some unavoidable light, projector just above heads behind sofa) but the fixed screen prices seem very high vs a pulldown. I can buy the low cost Model B pulldown version for $388 vs the lowest cost fixed Da-Snap would be $1398 for the same size. Can a frame really be worth $1000? I would consider buying the pulldown model and cut the screen off the roller, mounting it on my own frame, but I don't think the pulldown screen backing will stretch to allow for a flat surface, anyone try?
