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AE900 getting "old"... is the AE4000 that much better?

post #1 of 28
6/13/10 at 1:35pm
Thread Starter 
SO THE TITLE SAYS IT....
my panny 900 has done a good job over the years, but i am looking again for somthing better. Is the 4000 "holy crap" better? should I be going a different direction? Would like to keep it under 2k...
IF there is a different model that just blows away these- feel free to post!

Sorry if this is the wrong place to ask...I dont come here as often as i would like.
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post #2 of 28
6/13/10 at 2:45pm
For me, it was no contest. I had my 900 for over 5 years, and went through two bulbs. I replaced the first one at 3000hrs (still worked but dim) I was almost at 3000hrs on my second one when I decided to go for the 4000.
The picture was better in every way. Blacks were black, shadow detail was unbelievable and the extra brightness really gave it that 'pop' factor.
Add in all the extra goodies (CFI, Auto Zoom, gaming mode, etc) and it is not even in the same league.
I've got just over 1000hrs on my 4000 now and it is problem free. No dust blobs, whisper quiet (I have to put my hand over the exhaust vent to make sure the fans actually going) there is no way I could go back to my 900.
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post #3 of 28
6/13/10 at 2:48pm
Thread Starter 
cool! you notice it was any "smoother"? not sure if its the 900 or PS#, but fast scenes seem to "chop" across the screen- not smooth at all...
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post #4 of 28
6/13/10 at 3:32pm
I just got a 4000, my first projector. Really nice image.

I assume if your 900 looks "choppy" with action that it doesn't have any frame creation features. The 4000 does, and even on the lowest setting it makes action scenes and camera pans nice and smooth. First thing I watched was the chase scene in Avatar. First time he's out in the jungle when he's running from that huge six legged panther thing. Lots of fast action and it's real smooth.
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post #5 of 28
6/13/10 at 6:07pm
I had a panny 900 for about a year my panny 3000 absolutely destroys the 900. The panny 4000 is even better. And oh yes no vertical banding like my 900 suffered from.
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post #6 of 28
6/13/10 at 7:53pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by cleatus View Post

cool! you notice it was any "smoother"? not sure if its the 900 or PS#, but fast scenes seem to "chop" across the screen- not smooth at all...

Cleatus.
I also had the AE900 and now I have the AE3000. Around 800 hs and I could not be happier. This PJ is superior in every spec. I presume the AE4000 will be better. You will be pleased, but be aware that it doubles the 900 on size and weight.
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post #7 of 28
6/14/10 at 12:29am
Do not own either but have seen both on numerous occasions and there is honestly NO COMPARISON, the 4000 spanks the 900, this is not even a fair comparison to mention . LCD has come a long long way since the 900.

Jason
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post #8 of 28
6/14/10 at 4:33pm
If your 900 is still working okay and giving satisfaction then I'd wait for the HUGE roll out of 3D ready projectors that is coming - and it's coming SOON and something that no 4000 can do.

IMO - don't buy a better obsolete projector - wait and shop carefully and when you upgrade get something capable of the next significant step in video entertainment - 3D - otherwise you'll have a slightly better picture in Flat Land!!
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post #9 of 28
6/14/10 at 5:22pm
3D is nothing to "wait for" in my opinion nor is it remotely something I'd call a significant step in video unless I was a Disney executive. The AE4000 is the best under 2K projector I've ever laid eyes on. It's a great time to grab one in my opinion and head and shoulders better PQ than the 900. Not really comparable, actually.
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post #10 of 28
6/15/10 at 10:29am
AE4000 is alot better yes. Very well balanced pj. I use one in my bedroom on a 106" screen. Beautiful. WIll be comparing it to my JVC RS25 next week when I get it.
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post #11 of 28
6/15/10 at 11:42am
Quote:
Originally Posted by milk View Post

3d is nothing to "wait for" in my opinion nor is it remotely something i'd call a significant step in video unless i was a disney executive. The ae4000 is the best under 2k projector i've ever laid eyes on. It's a great time to grab one in my opinion and head and shoulders better pq than the 900. Not really comparable, actually.

+++++++++1
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post #12 of 28
6/15/10 at 1:26pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by imjay View Post

If your 900 is still working okay and giving satisfaction then I'd wait for the HUGE roll out of 3D ready projectors that is coming - and it's coming SOON and something that no 4000 can do.

IMO - don't buy a better obsolete projector - wait and shop carefully and when you upgrade get something capable of the next significant step in video entertainment - 3D - otherwise you'll have a slightly better picture in Flat Land!!

Ugh... He's entitled to his opinion, but it's wrong! It's not coming "soon" and even if it is..who cares. Go with the 4000, you will be glad you did. I have had the Panny 700,900, ae1000, ae2000,ax100 and ax200. The 4000 is by far the best!
Chris
PS somehow I missed getting a ae3000!
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post #13 of 28
6/23/10 at 9:13am
Thread Starter 
thanks for all the responses- prolly will go the 4000 way...
why cant 4000 do 3d? what do you suppose a 4000 quality 3d one will cost...
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post #14 of 28
7/1/10 at 8:45am
Man, I'm still very happy with the 900. I'll wait till it breaks and then I'll upgrade.
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post #15 of 28
7/1/10 at 8:57am
or................you can grab one of those B stock RS10's AVS is selling and really step up for a great price.
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post #16 of 28
7/1/10 at 11:23am
I'm in the same boat just chomping at the bit to buy a new projector, looking at the RS10s but I'm holding out the 2.5 months until we know what the new releases and 3D look like. The what if's are killing me? What if contrast on Panny goes to 400k:1. What if 3D is well implemented? What if the 2010s are comparable to the JVCs?
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post #17 of 28
7/1/10 at 5:36pm
what if....... they do what they have to to keep costs low, and you miss out on a proven projector.
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post #18 of 28
7/3/10 at 6:04am
Quote:
Originally Posted by cleatus View Post

SO THE TITLE SAYS IT....
my panny 900 has done a good job over the years, but i am looking again for somthing better. Is the 4000 "holy crap" better? should I be going a different direction? Would like to keep it under 2k...
IF there is a different model that just blows away these- feel free to post!

Sorry if this is the wrong place to ask...I dont come here as often as i would like.

Any of the latest 1080p projectors will absolutely kill the 900......not even close.

I say jump on the RS10 AVS deal if there are any left and spring a few hundred over your budget.
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post #19 of 28
7/3/10 at 6:36am
In the same boat. Is the JVC that much better than the 4000? Spec wise, it doesn't seem so.
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post #20 of 28
7/3/10 at 6:40am
I had the 900 and replaced it with the 4000. No contest! The 4000 is better in every way. Better color, better blacks, better motion, better focus, well . . . you get the picture.
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post #21 of 28
7/5/10 at 12:27am
Quote:
Originally Posted by cleatus View Post

thanks for all the responses- prolly will go the 4000 way...
why cant 4000 do 3d? what do you suppose a 4000 quality 3d one will cost...

HDMI 1.4/1.4a compatibility is required to do 3D. The AE4000 is HDMI 1.3x, and it cannot be upgraded to HDMI 1.4 -- that requires a new electronics module.

The cost of a AE5000 (or whatever the new one will be called -- you have to wait until after CEDIA in September) will likely be more than the current prices for the AE4000. So far there are not many 3D sources available. Also, 3D looses a lot of image brightness (due to losses in the glasses and the fact that each of 2 images will only be on the screen for half the amount of time).

Right now 3D is more of a "new" fad (resurrected from the last push for 3D movies). It won't become "popular" for another year, anyway (and then the fad may die, again).
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post #22 of 28
7/5/10 at 6:08am
I sold my ae900 and now have the LG. It was really a jaw dropping upgrade.
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post #23 of 28
7/6/10 at 2:19pm
This looks to be the year that LED projectors hit the market. I'd wait until Christmas. If nothing else the prices of bulb based machines could plummet.
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post #24 of 28
7/6/10 at 7:49pm
Anyone who mentioned having a 900 and upgraded still have their 900? I am looking for one cheap for parts.
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post #25 of 28
7/7/10 at 10:28am
I have an AE3000, and still have my old AE900, as well. I've recently set it up at my girlfriend's house. Same screen material, light controlled rooms for both.
There is no comparison. The AE3000 is a major improvement over the 900, so the AE4000 should be even better. You won't be sorry if you upgrade.
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post #26 of 28
7/7/10 at 1:10pm
I sold mine right after the LG arrived. We really enjoyed the 900 (two bulbs and 2900 hours).
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post #27 of 28
8/6/10 at 8:41pm
I currently have a Panny AE 2000U mated to a Panny BD-80 blu-ray player, Onkyo 876 AV receiver, B&W CDM NT series 5.1 speakers and 100-inch screen.

The blu-ray dvds I play range from the bombastic (Avatar, Gladiator, Transformers, Iron Man, James Bond Casino Royale types) to dramas and romcoms (Jane Austen Pride & Prejudice, Twilight series. etc.) and classical (live concerts for operatic voices or piano and orchestra; operas; ballets).

Would it be worthwhile for me to upgrade to a Panny AE 4000U?

I am really not into 3D -- specially since I view classical concerts a lot -- and I feel that if upcoming projectors are in 3D, they will be more expensive and they will also be "first generation" which I do not really go for. I wait for the product to mature more.

Thank you for your help!
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post #28 of 28
8/7/10 at 11:12am
Quote:
Originally Posted by jayelae View Post

I currently have a Panny AE 2000U mated to a Panny BD-80 blu-ray player, Onkyo 876 AV receiver, B&W CDM NT series 5.1 speakers and 100-inch screen.

The blu-ray dvds I play range from the bombastic (Avatar, Gladiator, Transformers, Iron Man, James Bond Casino Royale types) to dramas and romcoms (Jane Austen Pride & Prejudice, Twilight series. etc.) and classical (live concerts for operatic voices or piano and orchestra; operas; ballets).

Would it be worthwhile for me to upgrade to a Panny AE 4000U?

I am really not into 3D -- specially since I view classical concerts a lot -- and I feel that if upcoming projectors are in 3D, they will be more expensive and they will also be "first generation" which I do not really go for. I wait for the product to mature more.

Thank you for your help!

Much better (IMHO)
Read post #5640 in the Panasonic AE4000 thread.
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