PANASONIC PT-AE8000U (US VERSION) PT-AT6000E (EUROPEAN VERSION) IFA BERLIN 2012 New LCD 1080p 3D... - Page 15

So any more mini-reviews/impressions of those who got to play with it over the weekend?

I really like it so far. Have only watched a smattering of BluRay and Hugo 3D content. 3D was excellent, although I don't have any comparison for 3D at home. The glasses worked very well and were comfortable. Image quality is great and contrast/black levels a huge improvement over the Mits4900 I have been using for the past 4 years. I have not had the time to do any calibration or adjustments yet. Image quality in ECO mode is very good using Cinema1. I have a 100 inch diagonal 16:9 Stewart fixed screen, the original Firehawk with a 1.3 gain. This was the screen I bought for my first projector which was an InFocus SP7200 DLP 720p. Installation and setup were very easy. Room is in light controlled basement with dark carpet but white, drop ceiling acoustic tiles.
Edited by gentis - 10/8/12 at 12:35pm

I watched two blu-rays so far: "Black Christmas" (the 70s one), which didn't look so great, and "Quantum of Solace", which very much impressed my audience. I must say it did look pretty amazing. I haven't futzed with the levels yet, so even out of the box it's pretty decent. It's definitely brighter than my previous pj, and I've set it to Eco mode since I have good light control and don't need so much output. (That also makes it pretty silent.)

Having some trouble getting it to work well with my Logitech Harmony remote, but I'm working on that.

I don't know why they set these things to do frame interpolation by default, everything looks like a Spanish soap opera until you turn that off. I turned it back on for HD football on Sunday, though, and that looked pretty cool.

This machine sounds phenomenal. So you guys are still seeing good, inky blacks in spite of the brighter lamp? I kind of worry about the brightness washing out the blacks.

Ok...now I'm nervous. With the projector hanging on the ceiling it is pretty shaky...I can easily make it wobble...I just thought it was natural at the connection.

You can't make yours wobble after hung?

Let me rephrase my question: would you say that the 8000 has better blacks than the older AE2000?

Mine is rock solid. Make sure all screws are fully tightened and the screw that locks the swivel is tightened.

Froot!!!!

Do you have any input/opinions/updates on how gaming feels to you on the projector?

The AE8000 has piqued my interest. Wondering how it stacks up to my 3 year old JVC?

Ha! I have a 5 yo Infocus SP5700 which I loved but even when started to look at current 2011 models (Pana AE7000, Epson 5010 etc) I was blown away with black levels and 3D image. I have been avidly reading all input here on the new 2012 models (particularly with improved 3D brightness) and whilst any of them will be a huge improvement I am most intrigued by the new Pana and the Sony HW50. Eagerly awaiting further feedback on both!

You're a year behind -- The AE7000 and 5010 were the 2011-12 models. The models you're salivating over are the 2012-13 models and will take us to this time in 2013 when the 2013-14 models are released. 2012 ends in 2 2/3 months. Maybe we should call them the 12/13 models. I guess it is something akin to cars -- you can buy a 2013 model now.

Seriously...are there no 7000 to 8000 converts out there who can share their thoughts on any crosstalk improvements between the two?

Ha - I never did get that 'buy a 2013' model in 2012 type of marketing..but yeah bit like cars - do you take 'last years' model with a good discount, or spend $$ on the latest and flashiest model

Due my 5 year upgrade I could get a current model at a great price and be very happy - but it is the 3D improvement (brightness/crosstalk etc) that I am keen to get a feel for how well is improved in the '2013' models that will sway me - as everyone seems to agree 'next' years models are evolutionary rather than revolutionary....

I'm still here...and still re-assembling my basement tonight. Put in a dimmer switch...the wife ended up painting some of the walls a dark-dark green...and I still need to put the speakers back in and hook them up...then hook up the Xbox. My son has been yelling for me to do so...yet is able to game in my room with the other Xbox in the meantime.

I should have something this weekend, yet am prepping to fly to Washington for a conference...but yeah...I hate making people wait. If you're around Omaha...you can pop in.

Posted this in owners thread but it looks like there's more traffic here:

I'm confused about the throw ratio. http://panasonic.net/avc/projector/products/ae8000/positions.html shows the ability to display a much wider 2.35:1 image at the same throw distance as a standard 16:9 image. I'll have a
throw of 13 ft but I can't seem to determine the maximum size 2.35:1 screen (will use the lens memory function to display 16:9 on the 2.35:1 screen).

Ex:
Chart shows it can throw a 150" diagonal 2.35:1 image from 11'9" on a 2.35:1 screen if using the lens memory function for a 2.35:1 screen
Chart shows only 120" image if projecting a 16:9 from 11'9" onto a 16:9 screen


If this is correct, I have a boxed up 148" 2.35:1 Dalite HP (orignal higher gain version 58" x 1361⁄2" ) screen. Max throw for me is slightly over 13'. One row of seats at 13' viewing distance.
Edited by RobZ - Today at 8:46 am

Which Da-Lite is it?Imager/Da-Snap or whatever they are called. Cant remember. And where in Texas are you? I might be interested if you are selling it and the price is right.

If you flying to Washington DC then you are gonna be close to me

I'm actually probably testing out an 8000 this weekend, if I can get in touch with the guy again.

I'll report back too if I do!

Washington state....good ol' Redmond.

I did fire up Black Ops last night (what my boy left in the Xbox) and played Zombie mode single player. No lag whatsoever, to be honest. I thought it looked and played perfectly. I'll continue on to Halo Reach and some Borderlands 2...and throw in a fight game like Street Fighter to get more twitchy-action, yet I didn't notice any MAJOR lag at least. Again, silky smooth...

Cool. I'm going to be testing one out on Saturday night so I'll report back as well

Sorry if this has been asked. Just found this thread and tried to catch up.
I just got my Panny 8000. I can currently project a 128" 2.35 screen image on my wall. If I zoom all the way out I can almost get a 136" 2.35 screen. I am trying to decide if I should move my projector back another foot so I can project onto a 136" screen. I am concerned about losing brightness by backing the projector back and/or zooming out near the extreme of the projector's capabilities. Right now if I stay where I am and use the 128" it is close to the end range of zoom. Am I overthinking this?
I am running in eco mode and in cinema 1. So far the color looks fine. I am looking at the carada 2.35 either classic white or high contrast grey. I am in a light controlled room. The grey sure does make the blacks, BLACK. But the skins tones appear too dark. Probably looking at the classic white 1.0 gain.

My biggest question is how much will backing the projector up vs not having to zoom out as much affect my picture. At the most I would assume I would go to 16' to achieve 136" 2.35 projection. I am right at 14' from the wall and can go back to 15'6" easily I think.
Thx guys.

Check out this link: http://www.projectorcentral.com/projection-calculator-pro.cfm

Yeah, I've played with the calculators before. I was actually looking for someone who had some experience with projectors as this is my first. Last night I went ahead and moved my projector back to approx. 15.5 to 16 feet. I can easily zoom out to 136" now. I can't tell that much if any loss of brightness, but I am sure there is some loss in FL.
One thing I have read is that you have to have the lens level with the top of the screen for lens memory to work. I have NOT noticed that at all. Am I missing something?

Doesn't have to be level, just can't be above the top of the screen

Gamed more last night. Played some Halo: Reach and Super Street Fighter IV as well as some more Black Ops with my boy. Honestly, cannot tell lag is present....even in SF4. I am happy and impressed...yet I am ALWAYS on Game Mode with the projector. If I switch to Eco or almost any other mode...I do start to see lag and ghosting...especially with the brighter modes. I'm happy on Game Mode, to be honest.

We also watched The Avengers and it is excellent. Only thing I'm learning is projectors LOVE the room to be dark. Painting the walls Dark Green and putting that dimmer switch in was HUGE for my setup...even NOT having windows with ambient light coming in. I can just image having to content with the sun through blinds or other light sources. Ugh.

Overall...I'm super happy and the 100" screen is HUGE, brighter and the color quality is massively better than my Sony 60" Wega series from nearly 10 years ago.

On a side note, anyone know of any good 7.1 content to test my new rears?

Good Stuff Froot....I'm a gamer myself...mainly PS3 DC Universe Online, I've narrow my PJ choices down to the AE8000 and the new Mits 8000!

Thanks for chiming in. What do you mean by the fact that 'all other modes' present problems with ghosting lag etc? you mean you notice lag on other modes while GAMING, or even during movies? (lip synch issues)? Also you mention ghosting, and I am not sure what you mean by this. Generally this forum has used ghosting in reference to 3D ghosting issues. Can you elaborate?

i dont want to have to run this PJ in game mode always, because I do prefer a calibrated mode etc for movies. Game mode for gaming, that's OK.

Tron: Legacy has a fantastic 7.1 soundtrack...with the double bonus that it looks pretty awesome in 3D too (except for the darn aspect switching).

Mine isn't level with top of screen and seems to do fine. What am I missing? Sorry Mopar I couldn't figure out how to include ur respone to mine. Love your HT room btw. Very nice. I'm jealous

It doesn't have to be level with the top, just can't be any higher then the top.

Another words if it is 16" from the ceiling to the top of the ceiling to the top of the screen. Then the projector has to be atleast 16" from the ceiling also, it can be anything over 16".

So I went over to someone's house from AVS today and he let me demo his 8000. I have to say I'm extremely impressed!

I had initially thought I wanted a 120" screen, but he had a 100" screen and it seemed HUGE. So now I am not sure about the size.

I demo'ed the 3D a little bit and saw the effect with the end of Green Lantern and it was pretty cool. I then put in Saving Private Ryan and it looked great. It was really bright and he even had some ambient lighting on, although he has it controlled so he could have turned it down. But I was impressed with how bright it is.

Then came the REAL test to me - input lag.

He had a 360 already hooked up so I put in my copy of SSF4 and hooked my joystick up. In the menu's I could tell the lag was pretty good already. I went into training mode and tried combos that I can do with my eyes closed and was landing them as usual. I could tell there was a SLIGHT lag but it was not "unplayable" by any means.

Then he told me it was not in gaming mode, and he switched it to gaming mode.

And HOLY CRAP ... I could notice an instant difference and I really could not "feel" any lag at all. I was extremely impressed with the little input lag on this thing and was landing 1 frame link combos about as frequently as I do on my Evo Monitor.

So as a whole I have to say I'm super impressed with this, and I am 100% purchasing one as my first projector.

And as a bonus, it looks like the 8000 uses the same 3D glasses that I have for my ST50 plasma, which is nice.

So now I have to find out where the best price is on this projector because I'm definitely purchasing it.

Thanks again Tim for taking the time to let me check it out man!