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Panasonic PT-AE4000 MSRP $1999 - Page 177

post #5281 of 8336
6/13/10 at 5:54am
Quote:
Originally Posted by Hector.B View Post

I hope you didn't damage your foundation!? I'm pretty sure you drilled into an outer wall...

He is drilling small holes to hang a projection screen. It will not effect his wall any at all, unless he drilled all the way through the wall. Then the only problem would be a possible leak. Now his room needs some bass traps and absorption badly. Reflections in that room will be very bad.
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post #5282 of 8336
6/13/10 at 9:14am
Quote:
Originally Posted by mjg100 View Post

He is drilling small holes to hang a projection screen. It will not effect his wall any at all, unless he drilled all the way through the wall. Then the only problem would be a possible leak. Now his room needs some bass traps and absorption badly. Reflections in that room will be very bad.

No worries, I only drilled four holes that are 5/32 in diameter and 2&1/2 inches deep. The concrete is almost 8 inches deep.

Why would you say the reflections would be bad? How is a gray concrete wall going to cast reflections?
Or are you talking about audio reflections? In which case I don't mind so much.

By the way Ntrain this is a town house rental so I cant finish the basement.
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post #5283 of 8336
6/13/10 at 11:59am
Quote:
Originally Posted by ferbal View Post

My AE3000 is my fourth Panasonic PJ that is ceiling mounted. I never put the lens cap on. I clean the dust every month with canned air or a lens cleaning cloth. If you put the lens cap every time you turn it off, you will have to focus the PJ every time you turn it on

That's good to know. My AE4000 is always out of focus when I turn it on, requiring adjustment. I will see if the lens cup is the culprit.
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post #5284 of 8336
6/13/10 at 12:09pm
I bought a Marantz VP15S1 used (practically new, with only 30 hours of use and a spare lamp). Not that I am unhappy with the AE4000, but I am a DLP guy and I hope the VP15S1 is the better projector. I have been very spoiled with the lens memory function of the AE4000 and my dual screen setup so I still haven't figured out how I am going to overcome that if the Marantz turns out to have a much better PQ. Per some members request, I tried to take a few screen shots of the dual screen setup using both the AE4000 and my other PJ, Sharp Z12000, but the pictures keeps coming out too dark and out of focus so I decided not to post it here. I used a Canon A520 which is 5 or 6 years old. Both screens are Da-lite HP, BTW.
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post #5285 of 8336
6/13/10 at 3:24pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Alex solomon View Post

That's good to know. My AE4000 is always out of focus when I turn it on, requiring adjustment. I will see if the lens cup is the culprit.

Weird. I put the cap on every time and the only time I focused the unit was when it was brand new.
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post #5286 of 8336
6/13/10 at 3:40pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by WallyWest View Post

Weird. I put the cap on every time and the only time I focused the unit was when it was brand new.

Same here. It never goes out of focus unless I think it is out of focus, then I mess with it and I put it out of focus, only to realize yet again I didn't need to mess with it. It does take several minutes for the 4000 to warm up and get proper focus upon starting.
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post #5287 of 8336
6/13/10 at 3:45pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Hughmc View Post

It does take several minutes for the 4000 to warm up and get proper focus upon starting.

Thanks for the tip. I will check that as well.
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post #5288 of 8336
6/14/10 at 1:55pm
To update:

I got my 4000 back from Panasonic today. The color uniformity issue is now EVER WORSE, despite them having "replaced the optical board." I'm frustrated to crap, but now that I've had both the Panasonic, the Epson 8500UB and now the Panasonic again and compared them thoroughly...

1.) Input lag is so much better on the Panasonic. Hot Shots Golf on the PS3 with Frame Response set to ON is just amazing. It's just not quite there on the Epson. AGAIN, for people who aren't Call of Duty junkies, either projector would be great, but for those who want the absolute best, the Panasonic has the edge there.

2.) Screen Door Effect: For whatever reason, the Epson seems to show the pixel grid really easily out of the box, but the Panasonic doesn't. No amount of tweaking seems to fix that (without compromising input lag/processing time).

3.) Color uniformity: Well, in my experience, the Panasonic sucks in that regard, even after a so-called "repair." I like to think (hope to think) this is unusual, but well...we'll see...

4.) Fan noise goes to the Panasonic, too. Much more pleasant to my ears, at just a few feet away. The Epson sounds more "grindy" and "high pitched."


So now I'm stuck. I love the Panasonic's lack of screen door, its amazing input lag, its apparently better build quality etc. But I prefer the Epson's brightness, its black levels (especially in the 2:35:1 bars on my 16:9 screen), and of course - its color uniformity..

GAH! Guess I'll call Panasonic again...
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post #5289 of 8336
6/14/10 at 2:11pm
lol I love how the repair packing slip says the following:

Service performed: REPLACE OPTICAL BLOCK, and REPAIRED ANALYSIS BLOCK.

"Your projector was then tested extensively to ensure the problem was corrected."

^ ^ ^ ^ LOL!
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post #5290 of 8336
6/14/10 at 2:12pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by WilliamG View Post

To update:

I got my 4000 back from Panasonic today. The color uniformity issue is now EVER WORSE, despite them having "replaced the optical board." I'm frustrated to crap, but now that I've had both the Panasonic, the Epson 8500UB and now the Panasonic again and compared them thoroughly...

1.) Input lag is so much better on the Panasonic. Hot Shots Golf on the PS3 with Frame Response set to ON is just amazing. It's just not quite there on the Epson. AGAIN, for people who aren't Call of Duty junkies, either projector would be great, but for those who want the absolute best, the Panasonic has the edge there.

2.) Screen Door Effect: For whatever reason, the Epson seems to show the pixel grid really easily out of the box, but the Panasonic doesn't. No amount of tweaking seems to fix that.

3.) Color uniformity: Well, in my experience, the Panasonic sucks in that regard, even after a so-called "repair."

4.) Fan noise goes to the Panasonic, too. Much more pleasant to my ears, at just a few feet away. The Epson sounds more "grindy" and "high pitched."


So now I'm stuck. I love the Panasonic's lack of screen door, its amazing input lag, its apparently better build quality etc. But I prefer the Epson's brightness, its black levels (especially in the 2:35:1 bars on my 16:9 screen), and of course - its color uniformity..

GAH! Guess I'll call Panasonic again...


Bum deal, first I have heard of one comeing back worse then it went in. Maybe it is cursed.

Hear is a thought, take them both apart and morph them into one Franken Projector
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post #5291 of 8336
6/14/10 at 2:17pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Mopar_Mudder View Post

Bum deal, first I have heard of one comeing back worse then it went in. Maybe it is cursed.

Hear is a thought, take them both apart and morph them into one Franken Projector

I seriously wish I could. The thought certainly occurred to me.
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post #5292 of 8336
6/14/10 at 2:30pm
Wow. Just wow. Just got off the phone with Panasonic Tech Support (888-411-1996 if you ever have the displeasure of calling them). The BEST they could offer was, "We'll mail you a shipping label so it can come back via GROUND shipping (from Seattle to Kansas!!). I told them I'd already sent it back to them via 2-day and paid for that, so do me the courtesy of sending me a 2-day label.

And the answer was no, of course. They basically offered me no apology, no reasoning, nothing. So, basically, 2.5 weeks after sending it in via 2-day, I get it back in worse shape than it going in, and the best they offer is to take it back from me via an even slower shipping method. I can't help but laugh... OH, and they didn't fix my dust blobs! I'm rolling in the aisles..

I'd heard that Panasonic had crappy support, and hey - guess what? All those people were right.
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post #5293 of 8336
6/14/10 at 6:21pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Blue Rain View Post

While researching which PJ to buy and then deciding who do buy my PJ from it's was a toss up between Projector People or Visual Apex.

...

Did anyone else get a free dust cover from Visual Apex ?

I went through the same process in March. Like you, I got a better initial vibe from VA over PP. That and the shipping was free. PP wanted to charge at that time because it was on back order. I wrote them an e-mail (trying to give them a chance) where I asked why they wanted to charge shipping just because it was on back order. They're reply didn't really make sense, so i went with VA (even though they were on the wrong coast).

I did end up getting my Elite Fixed Frame Screen (120") from PP though. They had a better price after shipping. Everything went fine with that order, so I don't think you will go wrong ordering from either place.

I also just got a dust cover in the mail a week or two ago. It was a nice surprise from VA.

John
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post #5294 of 8336
6/15/10 at 7:21am
Quote:
Originally Posted by WilliamG View Post

To update:

I got my 4000 back from Panasonic today. The color uniformity issue is now EVER WORSE, despite them having "replaced the optical board." I'm frustrated to crap, but now that I've had both the Panasonic, the Epson 8500UB and now the Panasonic again and compared them thoroughly...

1.) Input lag is so much better on the Panasonic. Hot Shots Golf on the PS3 with Frame Response set to ON is just amazing. It's just not quite there on the Epson. AGAIN, for people who aren't Call of Duty junkies, either projector would be great, but for those who want the absolute best, the Panasonic has the edge there.

2.) Screen Door Effect: For whatever reason, the Epson seems to show the pixel grid really easily out of the box, but the Panasonic doesn't. No amount of tweaking seems to fix that (without compromising input lag/processing time).

3.) Color uniformity: Well, in my experience, the Panasonic sucks in that regard, even after a so-called "repair." I like to think (hope to think) this is unusual, but well...we'll see...

4.) Fan noise goes to the Panasonic, too. Much more pleasant to my ears, at just a few feet away. The Epson sounds more "grindy" and "high pitched."


So now I'm stuck. I love the Panasonic's lack of screen door, its amazing input lag, its apparently better build quality etc. But I prefer the Epson's brightness, its black levels (especially in the 2:35:1 bars on my 16:9 screen), and of course - its color uniformity..

GAH! Guess I'll call Panasonic again...


how about sharpness? did it improve on the panny? i remember you mentioning that the epson was well ahead of the panny in that aspect.



i put a pure white screen up the other night and i too have some color uniformity issues, but it is so subtle that i never noticed it until i stared at the screen for quite a bit. william when your actually using the screen, surfing/opening/documents youtube ect, do you actually see the uniformity issue? or is it just when attempting to go out of your way to look for it?
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post #5295 of 8336
6/15/10 at 4:03pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by johnzm View Post

how about sharpness? did it improve on the panny? i remember you mentioning that the epson was well ahead of the panny in that aspect.



i put a pure white screen up the other night and i too have some color uniformity issues, but it is so subtle that i never noticed it until i stared at the screen for quite a bit. william when your actually using the screen, surfing/opening/documents youtube ect, do you actually see the uniformity issue? or is it just when attempting to go out of your way to look for it?

I can quite easily see it whenever there's a solid background or sky in a game or movie. And especially when I'm using the screen as my computer monitor since we have a lot of solid white backgrounds when surfing, do we not?

Sharpness-wise, the Panasonic is definitely a lot better since it went in, though still not as critically sharp as the Epson..
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post #5296 of 8336
6/15/10 at 4:14pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by WilliamG View Post

I can quite easily see it whenever there's a solid background or sky in a game or movie. And especially when I'm using the screen as my computer monitor since we have a lot of solid white backgrounds when surfing, do we not?

Sharpness-wise, the Panasonic is definitely a lot better since it went in, though still not as critically sharp as the Epson..

There should be no uniformity issues with the colors or brightness of the PJ period.

On the sharpness issue, Im wondering if your mistaking a "sharper" picture on the 8500 because it has SDE. When pixels are isolated by thin black borders which the 8500UB shows noticeably, it can give the percieved illusion of a "sharper" picture. Thats why with the AE4000 its so important to focus the PJ in the 2 step manner outlined previously. It also helps to have an individual 1080p pixel test pattern to make sure your able to get everything out of the motorized focus ability of the PJ.
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post #5297 of 8336
6/16/10 at 4:24am
Quote:
Originally Posted by ntrain6943 View Post

There should be no uniformity issues with the colors or brightness of the PJ period.

On the sharpness issue, Im wondering if your mistaking a "sharper" picture on the 8500 because it has SDE. When pixels are isolated by thin black borders which the 8500UB shows noticeably, it can give the percieved illusion of a "sharper" picture. Thats why with the AE4000 its so important to focus the PJ in the 2 step manner outlined previously. It also helps to have an individual 1080p pixel test pattern to make sure your able to get everything out of the motorized focus ability of the PJ.

Dear sir
would you explain "2 step manner otlined previously" more clear?
how to do that?
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post #5298 of 8336
6/16/10 at 7:48am
Quote:
Originally Posted by ntrain6943 View Post

There should be no uniformity issues with the colors or brightness of the PJ period.

On the sharpness issue, Im wondering if your mistaking a "sharper" picture on the 8500 because it has SDE. When pixels are isolated by thin black borders which the 8500UB shows noticeably, it can give the percieved illusion of a "sharper" picture. Thats why with the AE4000 its so important to focus the PJ in the 2 step manner outlined previously. It also helps to have an individual 1080p pixel test pattern to make sure your able to get everything out of the motorized focus ability of the PJ.

Where can you get a 1080p pixel test pattern? Or what pattern is it on DVE etc.?
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post #5299 of 8336
6/16/10 at 7:49am
Quote:
Originally Posted by Blue Rain View Post

While researching which PJ to buy and then deciding who do buy my PJ from it's was a toss up between Projector People or Visual Apex.

As many recall here there was always a stock problem between both and I was in contact with both via email and phone during this shortage of the AE400U.

Well I decided on Visual Apex due to the customer service being better but not that ProjectorPeople was bad...Visual Apex was just better .

ProjectorPeople is on the East Coast and I'm in NYC and Visual Apex is across the country but I felt good vibes from VA and decided to wait a week for my PJ as oppose to a couple days .


They have been in contact with me via email regarding my purchase and thanking me and sending me a survey to fill out regarding the service.

Recently (2 days ago) I recieved a package in the mail from Visual Apex and couldn't for the life of me figure out what it might be while opening it.

Well to my surprise and delight it was a free dust cover for my Panny PJ which fit perfectly and very nice if I may say so. I was planning on buying one now I don't have to thanks to VA's small gesture of graditude.

This is great customer service if I may say so and VA will be my first
choice in the future when making any purchases for my HT needs.

Did anyone else get a free dust cover from Visual Apex ?

Thanks Visual Apex

Myself I had the exact opposite experience. I went with PP instead of VA. I will only deal with Rich Morgan though at PP. He is very honest and upfront about all policies(Which admittedly arent as good as others, but still reasonable and within line) and explained them in detail, and is willing to go the extra mile to get the business. And they only charged me $21 for 2 day shipping on my AE4000(Most places wanted anywhere from $75-125 dollars!)which they shipped out within 2 hours of the order placed on the same day and provided a TN, the product was actually recieved the next day even though it was a 2 day shipping label. A few weeks later my older electric screen died, so I enquired about the combo/discount pricing for screens when purchasing a pj, even though I bought my 4000 weeks earlier. They were more than willing to do it and crushed all other competitiors pricing for an 106" Elite Screens Cinetension2 electric screen. And I mean crushed(less than 7 bills shipped). So all in all I've been very happy with PP and will recommend them. Just ask for Rich, he treats the customer right.
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post #5300 of 8336
6/16/10 at 8:43am
Quote:
Originally Posted by SinisterJ View Post

Where can you get a 1080p pixel test pattern? Or what pattern is it on DVE etc.?

On DVE it will be under the advanced calibration test pattern section, they have both a resolution screen and pixel generator I believe. Either one will allow you to dial the focus in on your PJ to the best of its ability.
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post #5301 of 8336
6/16/10 at 8:50am
Quote:
Originally Posted by u2150260 View Post

Dear sir
would you explain "2 step manner otlined previously" more clear?
how to do that?

If using just the focus pattern of the 4000 by itself, basically you want to get the center vertical and horizontal bars as sharp as possible in the middle. Once you have done that, then you focus on the corner crosshairs, you will notice that you will have 5-10 microsteps(taps)on the remote to adjust those corner patters without affecting the center lines sharpness. You want the corner crosshairs edges sharp with minimal haloing effect. DDoes that explain it better? If you also have a blu ray resolution test pattern or patters with pixels or pixel bars in the corners you can further fine tune the focusing. The Panny 4000 has a surprisingly fine microsteps in its motorized focus function. I have already helped 2 other 4000's owners focus their pj's correctly. They were both surprisingly still well out of focus compared to their true ability.
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post #5302 of 8336
6/16/10 at 9:20am
For critical focus I recommend not using the built in test pattern but instead an alternate one. I like SMPTE 133 with its one pixel wide and two pixel wide alternating white/black stripes.

I also recommend letting the projector warm up and stabilize for half an hour and don't focus from your seated position. Instead, walk right up to the screen and view it from only a few feet away. Focus it by gently tapping the remote bit by bit [micro steps as ntrain6943, above, nicely put it] forwards and backwards, until you can see not only the individual pixels but even the sub-pixels (red,green,blue) as in this macro distance photo I took with a point and shoot camera:

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post #5303 of 8336
6/16/10 at 9:41am
Yep, I agree and forgot to add you need to have your face right up to the screen when focusing. Motorized focus/zoom is something all PJ's should come with standard. And I agree, if you have it, the SMPTE 133 test pattern is absolutely the best focusing pattern to use.
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post #5304 of 8336
6/16/10 at 10:13am
Quote:
Originally Posted by ntrain6943 View Post

Yep, I agree and forgot to add you need to have your face right up to the screen when focusing.

Yea but then your head would be in the light path
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post #5305 of 8336
6/16/10 at 3:25pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Fojsum View Post

Just thought I would post a picture of my new setup.

100inch Elite EZ-Frame cine white screen.

The Panny should be here today. I'll post my thoughts and maybe some more pictures once I've had time to set it up and play around with it.

By the way, drilling into concrete walls is not fun. Not even with a hammer drill. Although a more powerful electric one certainly would have made matters easier.

Regardless of what others think, I kinda like the industrial look .. good luck with your build.
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post #5306 of 8336
6/16/10 at 4:03pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by mgkdragn View Post

Regardless of what others think, I kinda like the industrial look .. good luck with your build.

More like the chinese sweatshop look if you ask me...... JK!.............
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post #5307 of 8336
6/17/10 at 6:40am
I currently have an ax100 projecting 15 feet to a 135" screen. Brightness is great at low power in my light-controlled room. Does anyone have experience with the ae4000 for larger screens? I am considering upgrading to an ae4000 with an elite 2.35 screen at 158". I can just get 17' for my throw distance to make it work. Would I have the brightness? ProjectorCentral's calculator suggests I would need a brighter projector or higher gain screen. I would like to keep my budget intact, so I was hoping to go with the 4000 and the cheaper elite frame. Thoughts? Personal experiences? Thanks.
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post #5308 of 8336
6/17/10 at 7:42am
Quote:
Originally Posted by chasiliff View Post

I currently have an ax100 projecting 15 feet to a 135" screen. Brightness is great at low power in my light-controlled room. Does anyone have experience with the ae4000 for larger screens? I am considering upgrading to an ae4000 with an elite 2.35 screen at 158". I can just get 17' for my throw distance to make it work. Would I have the brightness? ProjectorCentral's calculator suggests I would need a brighter projector or higher gain screen. I would like to keep my budget intact, so I was hoping to go with the 4000 and the cheaper elite frame. Thoughts? Personal experiences? Thanks.

IMO the Panasonic isn't bright enough for what your asking it to do. You'd be better off purchasing the LG CF181D for ~$400 more as it will be bright enough. If you don't want to stretch your budget then maybe look into the BenQ W6000 which can be had for the same $1999 as the Panasonic and is much brighter.
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post #5309 of 8336
6/17/10 at 8:15am
Hey all,

New owner of the 4000 here, and lovin' it. Pro calibration is set up for next week, and I'm really looking forward to having it dialed in to perfection.

Quick question on this, sorry if it's a newbie question, but I'm wondering where I could get the SMPTE 133 test pattern? I have the DVE Essentials HD disc so have those patterns, but not this one?

Any help greatly appreciated!

Cheers,

Mike



Quote:
Originally Posted by m. zillch View Post

For critical focus I recommend not using the built in test pattern but instead an alternate one. I like SMPTE 133 with its one pixel wide and two pixel wide alternating white/black stripes.

I also recommend letting the projector warm up and stabilize for half an hour and don't focus from your seated position. Instead, walk right up to the screen and view it from only a few feet away. Focus it by gently tapping the remote bit by bit [micro steps as ntrain6943, above, nicely put it] forwards and backwards, until you can see not only the individual pixels but even the sub-pixels (red,green,blue) as in this macro distance photo I took with a point and shoot camera:

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post #5310 of 8336
6/17/10 at 9:07am
I've got 600 hours on my 4000 using a 168" 2.4 aspect screen. I'm extremely satisfied with its abilities to do so.


Quote:
Originally Posted by chasiliff View Post

I currently have an ax100 projecting 15 feet to a 135" screen. Brightness is great at low power in my light-controlled room. Does anyone have experience with the ae4000 for larger screens? I am considering upgrading to an ae4000 with an elite 2.35 screen at 158". I can just get 17' for my throw distance to make it work. Would I have the brightness? ProjectorCentral's calculator suggests I would need a brighter projector or higher gain screen. I would like to keep my budget intact, so I was hoping to go with the 4000 and the cheaper elite frame. Thoughts? Personal experiences? Thanks.
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