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Upgrading from an AE700 to AE4000 or 8100 or 8500??

post #1 of 16
10/23/09 at 2:21pm
Thread Starter 
Hey guys,

I preordered an AE4000 but after reading the report on PC I'm questioning my decision. I currently have an old AE700 on a 120" screen. It's basically is only good in complete darkness. The AE4000 should be much brighter and I love the lens memory feature but the Epson 8100 and 8500 are rated much brighter. If I go for the AE4000, I'd mount it in the toward the back of the room, which is 15' from the screen or around 1.5 zoom for 16.9 viewing. For 2.35 viewing, I would zoom out 2.0x but I would only do this in complete darkness. My question is, for normal viewing at 1.5 zoom from 15', will I be able to watch in ambient light? The report stated that the AE4000's light output drops dramatically when zoomed (up to 41%). I'd like to the ability of doing 2.35 but not at the cost of viewing in a cave. Alternatively, I'd go for either the 8100 or 8500.

Thanks!
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post #2 of 16
10/23/09 at 2:35pm
I'm on the same boat!
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post #3 of 16
10/23/09 at 2:46pm
I'm upgrading from a Sanyo Z4 to an ae4000 or epson 8500. I've resisted the preorder so far.

My z4 still throws a good image...even with 3800 hours on the bulb!

Once Epson's pricing is final...I'll know where I'm going.
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post #4 of 16
10/23/09 at 2:47pm
ae900 for me

non-light controlled room, throwing a 144" 16/9 screen. The brightness is really calling to me but the loss of smoothscreen, particularly at that screen size, is a real concern. What really amazes me is how nice the 900 looks in a dim (but not totally dark) room, even at that screen size. During the day - well, lets just say every show might as well be ghost hunters.
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post #5 of 16
10/23/09 at 3:10pm
Come Christmas I'll be making the same decision and I'm waiting to see more reviews (and hopefully a head to head) before I make my decision. The real issue is the featureset of the 4000.. I want that zoom + memory really badly.
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post #6 of 16
10/23/09 at 6:04pm
I won't be using the zoom feature (my screen is as wide as it can go already).

Given that, I think the 8500UB will likely be better for me.

I can;t decide if I should convince myself to go to the RS-15 or not...
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post #7 of 16
10/24/09 at 12:22pm
Get the Panny or the Epson - it doesn't matter. There is a projector that has more features, a better picture and is cheaper. Alas, it won't be on sale for a year or two.

Business, the government and the military are always looking for someone who can make a decision when there is uncertainty. Be that guy.
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post #8 of 16
10/24/09 at 8:39pm
My brother has a AE700 with 4000 hrs on it. I have an AE3000. If you were happy with the AE700 you will be thrilled with the AE4000.
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post #9 of 16
10/26/09 at 6:39am
Here's a real kick in the but for you. I recently had my Epson Pro Cinema 1080 sold on ebay in anticipation on buying the new Panny 4000. Got a realll good price for my epson so I was happy. Then I bought a used ae-700 from a forum member here to tide me over. Hooked everything up in the bedroom, fired it up on my Carada 72" screen (the .8 grey) dialed in a few settings and was, quite frankly, blown away at how good it looked! I was only watching a dvd of tru blood, not a blu ray, but was fully expecting to be let down on picture quality. Sure The Epson was better but not TONS better. Obviously I am running a much smaller screen than most as it is in my bedroom, but still.....Even the wife noticed. Of course, once I turned the projector off and the fan kicked in to cool it she had a comment....
Best,
Chris
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post #10 of 16
10/26/09 at 7:09pm
CCONKLIN1
Welcome to the 700 club. Your reaction is normal, I still feel that way after four years of ownership.
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post #11 of 16
10/26/09 at 7:49pm
I am going from 700 to the 4000 for what its worth. I figure the 4000 is all the things I loved about the 700 but about 10 times better. Can't wait.
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post #12 of 16
10/27/09 at 4:31am
Quote:
Originally Posted by Rudeross View Post

CCONKLIN1
Welcome to the 700 club. Your reaction is normal, I still feel that way after four years of ownership.

I am sure it is going to be a short club visit. I do have my eye on that 4000 and do watch blu-ray and high def a lot, but jeez for the $200 I paid for this thing (with an extra bulb) it is really hard to justify 10x that for the 4000! Yes, I will see a difference, but a 10 fold difference? not so much. Watched it a little more last night with regular dvd, great until power down and the jet comes roaring in...
Best,
Chris
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post #13 of 16
10/27/09 at 8:21pm
CCONKLIN1
Like you, I'll be upgrading this year also. I think I'll miss the power down mode though, at least I always knew it responded to the shut down command. Keep in touch. I, and I'm sure others will be interested in your reaction to this upgrade.
A great four year old 720 machine against a new top rated 1080, interesting. Let us know what you think.
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post #14 of 16
10/27/09 at 9:42pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by CCONKLIN1 View Post

Yes, I will see a difference, but a 10 fold difference? not so much. Watched it a little more last night with regular dvd, great until power down and the jet comes roaring in...
Best,
Chris

I was not trying to make a quantitative assessment, just that the 4000 should be noticeably better. More lumens, more contrast, more resolution, etc. I loved my 700 and if you are going to use the smaller screen, by all means stick with it. I was in no hurry to move away from my 700 and it was a great 5 years. Have fun.

PS - if you paid $200 with a new bulb, I am ecstatic with what I got for my 700 with 1600 hours on the bulb (all on low power though)
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post #15 of 16
10/28/09 at 4:22am
Quote:
Originally Posted by AugDog View Post

I was not trying to make a quantitative assessment, just that the 4000 should be noticeably better. More lumens, more contrast, more resolution, etc. I loved my 700 and if you are going to use the smaller screen, by all means stick with it. I was in no hurry to move away from my 700 and it was a great 5 years. Have fun.

PS - if you paid $200 with a new bulb, I am ecstatic with what I got for my 700 with 1600 hours on the bulb (all on low power though)

My post was not aimed at you, it's just that's exactly the math as I only paid $200 for my 700. I do have an extra 92" vutec silverstar screen lying around so maybe I will keep it for my 7 year old son who can have biggest tv bragging rights in school. No mistaking it turning off though! WWWWHHHHhHHHHOOOOOOOOOOOOsSSSSSSSSSSHHHHHHHHHHHH.

Chris

Ps I should also mention that when I do get my 4000 I plan on bringing it down to the basement to compare/contrast it with my pioneer rs2 clone! Hey, I've got dual HDMI outputs on my receiver! I knew they were there for some reason!
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post #16 of 16
10/28/09 at 9:02am
I look forward to the comparison.
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