Panasonic PT-AR100 MSRP$ 1,999 - 4000U replacement... kind of - Page 4

I'm still waiting for a review of that PJ,but practically I already decided to go ahead with this model...

Ha ha good one mate let's hope they get their greedy ass together ....yeah and if Art's and everyone else say the AR100 is same or better than 3010 then epson will have lost a loyal customer from me.

Just waiting on those reviews...

Ditto.

Is Panasonic's "Motion Effect" a form of frame interpolation? I love the judder free imagery of FI and can't figure if this will have it.

Yeah, from the description it must be Panasonic's term for frame interpolation. I have no idea if it is any good. Epson's early versions did not work well.

Tomorrow Projector Central should get delivery from Panasonic with a AR100 for review.So by the end of next week I expect a verdict ; will see how the spec sheet look in real life. With a price just below $1500 (as per Visual Apex) it's gonna be a very tempting offer. Brighter then 3010 and with lens shift,FI, 2x zoom, made in Japan, and other goodies ...that what I need to place in my livingroom (not to much an ambient light,but still there is some...)
Tom

Amen to that! I wasn't aware price dropped to 1500...nice. This might be the thorn in 3010 side if they don't get on the lens shift wagon.

I don't think Epson is going to made any changes to 3010,if anything happened,it's gonna be a minor stuff...We can expect rather a new model in about a year or two.
It doesn't matter to me,I've been waiting for that epson patiently few months, and for nothing...no lens shift, which is a mast for me. Now,when I switched my attention to Panasonic, I'm pretty set in my mind...
Tom

Epson 3010 uses the .61" LCD as well, while the Panasonic has the .76". If you only want 2D (like I do), everything points to the Panasonic being better. Anybody hear if they are starting to ship (at least review units) yet? I wonder if the 7000 is selling so well they are using up their allocation of LCDs in that unit?

PT-AR100 is a quiet important model for Panasonic,that's direct answer to Epson 3010.I doubt they can delay AR100 entry on the market for making extra profit on 7000. Probably,by next Monday,we gonna know what is happening to Panasonic model.
Tom

Panasonic's name for creative frame interpolation is "frame creation" in the 7000, 4000, and 3000 (where I think the feature was introduced).

Although projectorreviews describes the ar100's "motion effect" as creative frame interpolation (http://www.projectorreviews.com/pana...first-look.php), I can't help but wonder whether "motion effect" is no more than what projectorreviews says the Epson 3010(e) does--namely, allow you to play 24fps at a higher rate like 48fps (http://www.projectorreviews.com/epso...3010/index.php).

Yes, even when he first put up the 3010 review it clearly said it had CFI then he changed it to read that it has pulldown....not the same thing. I can't figure how Panasonic thinks they can compete with the 3010 if it doesn't have a better 2D picture? Most people would probably jump on the 3D train, but I'd like deeper blacks and FI. I've played with an Optoma HD33 for the past week and I have to admit that I find 3D a total waste of time. Doesn't add anything to the experience and you wind up with an inferior picture. Hoping this panny has some great 2D.

I'm hoping for FI as it really enhances animated movies, but also for a game mode like the 4000 has for reduced lag. Anyone know if it'll have that?

Also, can anyone tell me which way the 4k and 100 vent? Does the exhaust exit the front or rear of the projector?

Thanks

So I have finally finished reading a review of Epson 3010, I've been waiting for that long .
Summary;
Pro
3D

Con
No lens shift
Less zoom ,now we got 1.5 :1 compare to 2.1:1 in 8350 (probably not Fujinon glass anymore)
Black levels worse than 8350
Amazing, how carefully Art is describing new PJ coming from Epson, that indirect, hidden real sense of review


In the last few years, you have been buying in the store same staff, for same price, in the same container, butwith less content inside. It's the same as raising price, but in a different way..




I never watch a movie on Epson 3010 or Panasonic AR-100,but after reading first reviews of 3010, I know now that AR-100 is a way better PJ , - it can't be the other way better lcd panels, more lumens, better zoom, lens shift, automatic light output adjustment, and icing on the cake ,made in Japan.
Sooooo,that choice is easy for me
Tom

Im there with you but don't you think 2600 lumens is a bit over kill? folks are complaining the 3010 is too bright at 2200. The AR100 is not a dedicated HT pj like the 3010, it's more on the side of home entertainment that can be used for presentations hence the crazy lumens. Regardless, if the reviews shows 2d IQ equal or better than AE4000 then for $1400 it's a clear winner in the 2k category and most likely my next pj.

Panasonic says they are shipping now. Shouldn't be long before we hear more.

I don't know about $1400 price (that would be nice,anyway...) but so far Visual Apex is taking preorders for $1499. I belive,that is gonna be the average price on the market sooner or later. With such a price & features , Panasonic is going to take a lot a customers previously looking to Epson. Remember, many people don't care about 3D today. Maybe in few years that is gonna change but for now,guys are looking for decent ,reliable,good quality picture 2D model...
High lumens in AR100 , 2800, are ready to fight ambient light in your livingroom. AR100 is using special sensor to adjust light output according to conditions. When is bright around, there be a more light coming out ,when its gonna be dark,evening time,night time, AR100 lower light output. I'm guessing its a kinda of ND filter,done electronically. So,not to worry ...
Tom

Panasonic updated their specificaitn sheet from preliminary to shipping:
http://panasonic.net/avc/projector/catalog/#ar100

I can't see that...just checked that link...no AR100 in catalog...

User guide is up too:
https://eww.pavc.panasonic.co.jp/pro...000manual.html

Then try this link for the updated specifications sheet:
https://eww.pavc.panasonic.co.jp/pro...h1000spec.html

Yap! now I got it,
thanks
Tom

OK,
That was the specification booklet, they also have their specificaiton cut-sheet at:
http://panasonic.net/avc/projector/c...PT-AR100G1.pdf

So, the big question is, is "motion effect" a one-level, non-adjustable CFI, or is it some lesser digital processing effect?

"Motion Effect Adds Smoothness and Sharpness to Fast-Moving Scenes
This digital image processing circuit brings greater clarity and sharpness to
details, even in fast-moving scenes. The resulting images have a more natural, lifelike expression"

Wasn't going to get another pj without CFI for sports, so this is a deal breaker. Love the 2,800 lumens if that's a real number (throwing a 148" screen in a living room - currently with an ep8100)

They sure don't provide much detail or explanation of that do they. I'm thinking just a 2:2 pull-down or something. I guess it oculd be a fancy name for a de-interlace method for 1080i. My guess is not proper CFI of any sort.

In the manual, "motion effect" is just an "off-on" kind of thing.

The entire description is

"Videos with a lot of movement can also be viewed sharply. ...

Note: The effect on the video may be difficult to see in some cases."

Most likely not CFI. I think Panasonic may have real trouble trying to win a "lens shift v. 3D" battle with the Epson 3010, or even a "more lumens v. lower price" battle with the Epson 8350.

I don't think 8350 is a competition to AR100... From what I heard,a possible reason for problems with failing bulbs in that model,and also in 8700,is a faulty design for cooling . Epson push to fix that problem with a better bulbs,but ...
For many people,like myself, lens shift is a must.My setup is calling for shelf installation,and closest I can get to screen (100") is 19'. Preferably 20-21'.
Do I have an option with 3010...? Don't think so. My budget for PJ - $1500,maybe $2000 top.
I guess I'm not the only one looking for good PQ in 2D. I don't care for now for 3D,in few years 3D gonna be a mature,fully developed,foolproof standard. I can wait for that moment watching in the meantime my decent PQ 2D.
Tom

Actually, my take on it is the 8350 is probably the competition for LCD. The AR100 is what, $300 more than what 8350 is widely available at (I know there are Epson deals to be found). If the extra light is all the AR100 has going for it, it will be a hard sell, but the new D9 chips SHOULD be better than the older D7 ones - so there should be image improvement as well. That is where a proce difference may be justified. The shootout I want to see is 8350 vs AR100. I also want to know tha native contrast ratio on the AR100, but anything over 5,000:1 is probably good enough for the target audience - living room big screen.

I don't think that the only diff. between those two PJ is brightness. There is a lot more. From my point of view,as I'm going to install PJ in living room with some ambient light, automatic adjustment of light & picture is important. Like you said better LCD panels that's important to. I don't pay a lot of attention to contrast numbers,some companies are using just a fiction,fake #. Some are more accurate. You know when you see the picture.That's why I'm waiting now for reviews to confirm what I read online on MFG sites. I need decent (not excellent) picture during a daytime, and very good picture while watching a movie at night. All in 2D.
Tom