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Panasonic PT-AE4000 MSRP $1999 - Page 266

post #7951 of 8336
2/14/12 at 5:25am
Quote:
Originally Posted by cybrsage View Post

Does everyone have this problem? If I am goign to have to manually adjust the projector each use, then what is the purpose of the memory?

I have never had a problem with lens memory. It always returns to the same settings that I saved, or at least close enough that I can't tell the difference.
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post #7952 of 8336
2/14/12 at 6:08am
Quote:
Originally Posted by wnl View Post

I have never had a problem with lens memory. It always returns to the same settings that I saved, or at least close enough that I can't tell the difference.

That is good to know, thank you.
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post #7953 of 8336
2/14/12 at 7:06am
I have never had any problems either, or heard of any mass problems. Haven't tuched mine in over 1-1/2 years and still hits perfect every time. Your unit may have a problem.

But as said make sure you let it warm up for 30 minutes before making settings. Even though it shuold make that big of a difference, focus mainly.
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post #7954 of 8336
2/14/12 at 8:07am
Quote:
Originally Posted by deromax View Post

1)

4) I suggest setting the focus by looking at the white lettering instead of the green lines over blue background, as it will be easier. The jagged diagonals like in the N or Z are great to assess the focus.

Nice tip.
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post #7955 of 8336
2/14/12 at 9:18am
Critical focus also shouldn't be done from the seated position. It should be done by getting up out of your chair and walking right up to the screen looking at it from a distance of just a foot or so, so you can make out the individual pixels, even though "smooth screen" does an excellent job of making their transitional boundaries smoothly blend into one another, yet not make the overall image blurry.

The 30 minutes of warm up is important, yes, also be advised that perfect focus for the center is not necessarily perfect focus for the corners, depending on your throw (zoom setting). I try to get a good balance between the two, heavily biased towards making the center as good as possible.

Quick, short taps on the remote buttons, rather than holding them down, does a great job of making fine, tiny steps of critical focus easy to accomplish.
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post #7956 of 8336
2/14/12 at 9:52am
My lens memory is spot on every time. No need to refocus or rezoom for any of my stored aspect ratios. And the focus or zoom does not drift at all with run time.
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post #7957 of 8336
2/14/12 at 1:29pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Paco Grande View Post

Hello, long time lurker, first time poster. Please be gentle. (and sorry for the long post)

I've had one of these projectors for over a month and I'm having an issue with it that I have not seen anyone mention on this forum. I did my best search, but there's no way I have time to read this entire thread so if I missed a discussion on this topic please point me to it.

When saving a zoom/focus setting in one of the 6 memory positions, my unit does not save the image in the exact zoom and focus I intended to save. It always seems to save as a slightly smaller image that is slightly out of focus. And it seems to do this at random, so if I attempt to save a zoom position 3 or 4 times, one of those times it will be close enough to what I wanted so I will keep it. I've also noticed that if I "load" one of my zoom settings and then save that setting in another memory slot, the two memory positions will not match even though they SHOULD be perfect clones of each other. Which makes no sense to me.

I ended up doing a lot of testing because I was attempting to do a CIH setup and set it up with as little overscan as possible in each position, and every time I thought I had it perfect, the next time I loaded a zoom memory the image would shift enough that it was not filling the whole screen and it was driving me crazy. My solution to this issue has been to set it up with a lot of overscan so that even if my image shifts a little, I won't notice it because the image will still be filling the whole screen into the black velvet borders. But this does not fix the focus issue, so sometimes I will manually focus the unit before watching a movie because the zoom memory did not end up in the exact sweet spot.

Anyway, I'm wondering if this is an issue on all of these units or if mine is defective. You guys are somewhat anal retentive so if you all have this issue I'm really surprised nobody has brought it up. The store I bought it from is having trouble talking to Panasonic because their rep was let go recently. And I've tried emailing Panasonic myself but they have not answered. I'd really appreciate any advice you guys can give me.

Thanks!

I had a problem with the projector NOT holding focus when changing lens memories about a month after I got it back in December of 2009. I went through the process of waiting 30 minutes to allow for warm up, and focusing and zooming about two feet from the screen. I also attempted to center the focus in the center of the range where I thought the picture was most accurately focused. (By the way, you should be moving in on the exactly zoom and focus setting by 'bumping' the buttons to change the setting in individual steps of the stepping motor.) Nothing worked... the picture would not hold focus when the lens memory 'positions' were changed.

I finally called Panasonic customer service. After about three or four transfers (the AE4000 was not their responsibility) and after finally having the call dropped, I decided to look a bit more carefully at the website for warranty service. I quickly found that they have a number of authorized service centers around the country. I picked the one nearest to me (Cleveland, OH) and called them. They told me they would be happy to service the AE4000 and provided me with all the information to ship it in. I did so on my dime. I received it back in less than two weeks and it has worked perfectly ever since! (The return repair bill stated that they had tightened the lens assembly.)
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post #7958 of 8336
2/14/12 at 3:48pm
On mine, when I go 16:9, about 1 out of every 10 times, I see a 1/16" black strip at the bottom of my screen. Focus on "missing" the setting by this minor amount isn't affected. If your focus is way off and the memory is way off, that does sound defective.
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post #7959 of 8336
2/15/12 at 1:16pm
I set mine once a year and a half ago, and haven't had to touch it since. And I use mine a lot (probably over 3,000 hours now). When watching TV it shifts between 16x9 and scope almost every second commerical (it seems), so it gets excercied a lot. But it's still perfect every time.

I suspect the disclaimer is there just in case.

Mike
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post #7960 of 8336
2/15/12 at 1:23pm
I've been running my 4000 for a year and have not had any problem with the memory. I have it set on automatic for shifting between 16:9 and Cinescope and it snaps to both without any focus or frame size problems.
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post #7961 of 8336
2/15/12 at 1:49pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by frank1940 View Post

I quickly found that they have a number of authorized service centers around the country. I picked the one nearest to me (Cleveland, OH) and called them. They told me they would be happy to service the AE4000 and provided me with all the information to ship it in. I did so on my dime. I received it back in less than two weeks and it has worked perfectly ever since! (The return repair bill stated that they had tightened the lens assembly.)

I just realized that some might not realize what I meant by "on my dime". The out-of-pocket cost to me was only the shipping to the service center. The repair and return shipment costs were paid under the warranty.

What I meant to imply was that if you think you have a problem with a new projector, don't be afraid to contact Panasonic (or one of their service centers) and get it fixed. Panasonic has built expected warranty repair costs into the price of the AE4000!
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post #7962 of 8336
2/15/12 at 6:00pm
Could you tell if they fixed it in Ohio or sent it to the Heartland Services facility in MO?
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post #7963 of 8336
2/15/12 at 7:49pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by 73shark View Post

Could you tell if they fixed it in Ohio or sent it to the Heartland Services facility in MO?

The turn-around time was very short and the package did come back from the company in Cleveland. I can remember being surprised at how quick I got it back. The work order had the name of the company in Cleveland. As I recall, the work performed section of the work order was handwritten. From all of these facts, I concluded that the work was done by the service company in Cleveland.
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post #7964 of 8336
2/17/12 at 12:24am
could someone direct me to the recommended settings for this PJ/initial setup? thanks in advance!
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post #7965 of 8336
2/17/12 at 3:45pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by azula View Post

could someone direct me to the recommended settings for this PJ/initial setup? thanks in advance!

Cinema 1. It is very close, I only had to adjust it slightly. Of course any settings off of the internet won't be perfect because everyone has different viewing conditions and eyes

I would turn off auto-iris, too.
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post #7966 of 8336
2/17/12 at 4:09pm
Cinema 1 is way too dim for me on my 110 ins scope screen. I use normal picture mode with eco lamp setting and all picture controls at the default settings.
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post #7967 of 8336
2/17/12 at 4:16pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by taffman View Post

Cinema 1 is way too dim for me on my 110 ins scope screen. I use normal picture mode with eco lamp setting and all picture controls at the default settings.

Like I said it all depends on viewing conditions. I use a slightly tweaked Cinema 1 on eco mode on my 125" scope screen and it is plenty bright...but my room is 100% light controlled with dark walls and ceilings.
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post #7968 of 8336
2/17/12 at 4:30pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by taffman View Post

Cinema 1 is way too dim for me on my 110 ins scope screen. I use normal picture mode with eco lamp setting and all picture controls at the default settings.

How old is your bulb and what is your gain? I'm on a 134" 16x9 and my Cinema 1 looks fine in Eco mode.
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post #7969 of 8336
2/17/12 at 5:07pm
I run a slightly modded Cinema 1 for Blu-ray movie but I prefer Normal for TV.
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post #7970 of 8336
2/17/12 at 5:16pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by zergman View Post

How old is your bulb and what is your gain? I'm on a 134" 16x9 and my Cinema 1 looks fine in Eco mode.

Brand new AE4000 projector. 120 hrs on the bulb. 110 ins wide matt white ( 1.0 gain)screen. Using it in eco mode. But my zoom is almost at max telephoto (longest throw) position as I have the projector at the back wall of the room.
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post #7971 of 8336
2/18/12 at 7:35am
Quote:
Originally Posted by taffman View Post

Brand new AE4000 projector. 120 hrs on the bulb. 110 ins wide matt white ( 1.0 gain)screen. Using it in eco mode. But my zoom is almost at max telephoto (longest throw) position as I have the projector at the back wall of the room.

As I recall, the AE4000 losses a lot of light when at max telephoto. Moving the projector closer to the minimum zoom position will gain you a lot of brightness on the same size screen. That is another factor in why people have different opinions on what the optimum setup is as far as lamp setting and picture mode. You have to use what will work and what you like in your environment... and everyone's environment and tastes are just going to be different!
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post #7972 of 8336
2/18/12 at 8:59am
Quote:
Originally Posted by taffman View Post

Brand new AE4000 projector. 120 hrs on the bulb. 110 ins wide matt white ( 1.0 gain)screen. Using it in eco mode. But my zoom is almost at max telephoto (longest throw) position as I have the projector at the back wall of the room.

If you are back to around 22 feet from the screen you're probably only getting 6 or 7 fL of illumination in eco mode which of course is going to seem dim because it is...and will only get worse as the bulb ages.
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post #7973 of 8336
2/18/12 at 10:58am
Quote:
Originally Posted by frank1940 View Post

As I recall, the AE4000 losses a lot of light when at max telephoto. Moving the projector closer to the minimum zoom position will gain you a lot of brightness on the same size screen. That is another factor in why people have different opinions on what the optimum setup is as far as lamp setting and picture mode. You have to use what will work and what you like in your environment... and everyone's environment and tastes are just going to be different!

I am sure that is true. I know I could probably double my screen brightness by moving my projector up close to the screen, but this also has its disadvantages. Contrast level would decrease, uniformity of focus would probably not be as good, zooming to 2.35CIH would probably be more difficult or even impossible, fan noise would be right over the audience, and the room would not look as good with the projector hanging in view from the ceiling..
It is all a compromise, and as you so correctly say, everyone has to do what works best for them, and there really are no hard and fast rules in home theater projection. One of the things that makes reading of other peoples HT experiences , and set-ups on this forum so interesting.
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post #7974 of 8336
2/18/12 at 6:11pm
I just ordered my projector! I will be joining the Panasonic PT-AE4000U club in a few days. Now I just have to get the theater finished.
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post #7975 of 8336
2/18/12 at 6:22pm
A great choice! There are certainly brighter projectors out there, but you will be hard pressed to find one that gives a better picture in a dark HT room than the AE4000, and there is certainly nothing in the price range that is even close to the features offered by the AE4000. The Panasonic $250.00 rebate + extended warranty ends next month, but you have to wonder how many units are still left, and has Panasonic stopped making them?
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post #7976 of 8336
2/18/12 at 6:33pm
Most places I looked no longer have them in stock. Projector People is one of the few. They showed free shipping on all orders above $750, but they did not remove the shipping charge from my order when I pressed purchase. I just emailed them (they are not in until Monday, of course) about it. I also realized my mount was not in my cart when I ordered...so I asked them to add the Chief Manufacturing RPAU Universal Projector Ceiling Mount, Black to my order. I will have a pipe cut at Home Depot to the proper length when I receive the projector and mount.
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post #7977 of 8336
2/18/12 at 6:51pm
From their site:

"Free ground shipping applies to all projectors priced over $799 on orders shipping within the continental U.S. Screens, demo projectors and special order items do not qualify for free shipping."


Mounts and such have shipping charges I take it.
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post #7978 of 8336
2/18/12 at 7:12pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by m. zillch View Post

From their site:

"Free ground shipping applies to all projectors priced over $799 on orders shipping within the continental U.S. Screens, demo projectors and special order items do not qualify for free shipping."


Mounts and such have shipping charges I take it.

I ordered mine about a month ago (along with a scope screen). I got assigned a sales rep and with a simple email I ended up getting the projector for the price on the site and the screen $70 less than on the site, plus they knocked off an additional $5 shipping. Yes, you are correct that only projectors qualify for free shipping. In my case the screen was drop shipped from the vendor, so that is probably why they don't offer free shipping on everything.
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post #7979 of 8336
2/19/12 at 6:02am
Quote:
Originally Posted by m. zillch View Post

From their site:

"Free ground shipping applies to all projectors priced over $799 on orders shipping within the continental U.S. Screens, demo projectors and special order items do not qualify for free shipping."


Mounts and such have shipping charges I take it.

My order also was missing the mount. Something screwy must have happened while I was ordering. I probably should have just waited until Monday to order, my entire cart vanished when I typed in my zip code and clicked update. I had to readd the items (this is probably when I forgot to readd the mount) and then the zip code was there as well as the projector. Besides, if they are charging $15 to ship the mount, I don't want it from them.


I am sure the email will take care of things, though. They have a great reputation here. I also listed OTHER as my referring person and listed this forum.
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post #7980 of 8336
2/19/12 at 1:35pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by frank1940 View Post

I had a problem with the projector NOT holding focus when changing lens memories about a month after I got it back in December of 2009. I went through the process of waiting 30 minutes to allow for warm up, and focusing and zooming about two feet from the screen. I also attempted to center the focus in the center of the range where I thought the picture was most accurately focused. (By the way, you should be moving in on the exactly zoom and focus setting by 'bumping' the buttons to change the setting in individual steps of the stepping motor.) Nothing worked... the picture would not hold focus when the lens memory 'positions' were changed.

I finally called Panasonic customer service. After about three or four transfers (the AE4000 was not their responsibility) and after finally having the call dropped, I decided to look a bit more carefully at the website for warranty service. I quickly found that they have a number of authorized service centers around the country. I picked the one nearest to me (Cleveland, OH) and called them. They told me they would be happy to service the AE4000 and provided me with all the information to ship it in. I did so on my dime. I received it back in less than two weeks and it has worked perfectly ever since! (The return repair bill stated that they had tightened the lens assembly.)

Thanks for the advice! Thanks to the others that replied as well.

I have been allowing the projector to warm up for 30 minutes before adjusting focus and viewing. I haven't noticed any issues with zoom since adding overscan. The focus is usually very close to ideal and you can't tell from the couch that it's slightly off if the lens memory does not go back to the exact focus. I think I will keep using it for a while and see if I notice it getting worse. But I am still wondering if my lens assembly needs tightening.

By the way, I never heard back from Panasonic so I assume their reputation for having poor customer service is probably correct......
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