Upgrade to replace my Panasonic AE8000U?

maxweb said:

Hello-

I've owned a succession of Panny AE series projectors and currently have the last AE8000U model. I run a constant-height 2:35:1 home-made screen and use programmed lens presets to automatically select between 2:35:1 and 16:9 sources. What should I be thinking about next? The AE8000U works ok but it would be nice to have HDR or even just brighter SDR someday. I like the auto-zoom feature of my projector that automatically switches lens presets when it detects letterboxing. Are there other projectors or processors that work this way?

Cheers

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There aren't other projectors that auto switch to my knowledge. What budget are you working with?

My budget is flexible depending on how long I wait and save up for a purchase.

In a one-year time frame I'm probably in the $5k-or-less range for a new projector setup, and unfortunately I think this keeps me out of the external anamorphic lens club.

maxweb said:

My budget is flexible depending on how long I wait and save up for a purchase.

In a one-year time frame I'm probably in the $5k-or-less range for a new projector setup, and unfortunately I think this keeps me out of the external anamorphic lens club.

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That's fine. You'd need a lot more than $5K to get a lens and projector and today's units work well without a lens.

For that budget range my recommendation would be a JVC NX5 or Epson 5050UB. The Epson will get you slightly more calibrated lumens to work with if you have a larger screen. The JVC will have better contrast, better optics, better motion handling and a native 4K panel (the Epson uses pixel shifting of a 1080 panel for 4K). The JVC also has a 17:9 panel which means for ARs wider than 1.85:1 you can get a bit of extra pixel fill and light (though the Epson will still be brighter). Both will handle 4K very well.

If your screen is less than 150" with that budget the NX5 would be my pick here.

maxweb said:

Hello-

I've owned a succession of Panny AE series projectors and currently have the last AE8000U model. I run a constant-height 2:35:1 home-made screen and use programmed lens presets to automatically select between 2:35:1 and 16:9 sources. What should I be thinking about next? The AE8000U works ok but it would be nice to have HDR or even just brighter SDR someday. I like the auto-zoom feature of my projector that automatically switches lens presets when it detects letterboxing. Are there other projectors or processors that work this way?

Cheers

Click to expand...

Have you tried to calibrate the picture better? I have the Panasonic ae8000u and just recently used the calibration settings from Sound & Vision...The difference was amazing. It actually seems like I have a new projector. The picture looks so life like and clear. I was planning on upgrading my projector for the same reasons as you but right now I really do not have a need to do so right now.

Link?
I would be interested in trying them.

Brian TV said:

I have the Panasonic ae8000u and just recently used the calibration settings from Sound & Vision...

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AlienWarlock said:

Link?
I would be interested in trying them.

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I believe this one https://www.soundandvision.com/content/panasonic-pt-ae8000u-3d-lcd-projector-settings

jeahrens said:

There aren't other projectors that auto switch to my knowledge. What budget are you working with?

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I thought Epson 4010 and 5040 have this ability and being referenced on this forum. Are you saying they have lens memory but cannot auto switch.