Panasonic PT-AX100U LCD Projector Review

[gene]

<P style="MARGIN-TOP: 0px; MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0px"><FONT face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size=2><A href="http://www.audioholics.com/productreviews/avhardware/Panasonic-PT-AX100U.php"><IMG style="WIDTH: 125px; HEIGHT: 83px" alt=[proj] hspace=10 src="http://www.audioholics.com/news/thumbs/proj_th.jpg" align=left border=0></A>The PT-AX100U is every bit as enticing as the preceding model - more so if you figure in the fact that this projector comes with better initial calibration, better benchmark scores and an improved lamp with plenty of lumen output. On top of that it is debuting at $200 less than the starting MSRP of the PT-AE900U. If you are looking for an LCD projector that will take you into the big screen experience for a reasonable amount of money I don't see how the Panasonic wouldn't make the top of your shopping list. </FONT></P>
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[Hi Ho]

Excellent review! I keep thinking about projectors but I have been since I started researching the AE700 when it was new. Someday I might actually buy one. The Panasonic models keep getting better!

You just had to include that Sunday Night Football game didn't you.... That was just a bad game...

 

[Davidt1]

Thanks for the review. No special pricing on the AX100 at VA though .

 

[Audioholics]

You just had to include that Sunday Night Football game didn't you.... That was just a bad game...

Miserable game... It's cool to see the quarterback has really matured though. I would not have thought 'da Bears' would have been able to do what they did.

 

[therealgiblet]

Does this projector handle Xbox 360 games well?

See above

 

[jcPanny]

Great review

Great review of the new Panny! It is exciting to see the front projection products getting better and cheaper every year.

Gene,
I think you need to edit this paragraph to refer to the AE900U and AE100U models, both of which have the D5 panel.

"Let's get a quick overview of the highlights (those of you familiar with the PT-AE700U will recognize most of these). In addition to the D5 panel specifications shown earlier, the AE900U features:"

 

[Audioholics]

I think you need to edit this paragraph to refer to the AE900U and AE100U models, both of which have the D5 panel.

Great catch - that was a hold out sentence that shouldn't have been there...

 

[jigesh]

Some of the screenshots (like those of Menu and the ones from "House" with red-wall in the background) show "blockiness" which I assume is due to JPEG compression effects on the photographs and were not visible on the projector screen.

Great review; Thanks!

By the way, you mention you used Denon 3930 - so I guess its review is also in the offing!!

Jigesh

 

[Audioholics]

Some of the screenshots (like those of Menu and the ones from "House" with red-wall in the background) show "blockiness" which I assume is due to JPEG compression effects on the photographs and were not visible on the projector screen.

Yes, compression artifacts.

 

[ned]

Projector manufacturers needs to take a lesson from Panasonic - we need a bright projector >2000 ANSI lumens. The recent 1080p are quite anemic. BTW, can the light harmonizer be manualy overiden?

 

[Rob Babcock]

Nice review! I think the new Panny should have broad appeal, especially once the price starts to come down. The MSRP is decent but $1800 for a 720P projector will probably be a hard sell before long. Sounds like a very refined product- kudos to Panasonic for building upon the many strengths of the AE-900U & keeping the good stuff.

 

[billnchristy]

Maybe I missed it, but what is the 1080p support about, the resolution states it goes all the way up to 1080p but is 720p native.

Does it just down convert 1080p?

 

[WorldLeader]

Yes you can override the ambient light sensor thing.

No, it just down-converts 1080p to its native resolution. It can handle 1080p and HDCP.


I want to know how this compares to the new Optoma HD70 PJ that is in for testing. Obviously the price points are different, as the HD70 costs $999 vs $1999, but I want to know how much different or worse it performs. BTW, when will the review be out?

 

[Craig234]

So, as I sit here with my Panasonic AE900U not yet hooked up, I can wonder if I shoulda waited for this new projector - welcome to upgradaholics, right?

Sounds like a nice new projector.

 

[Rob Babcock]

I see ProjectorCentral has also given it a full 5 Stars in their review. Perhaps I'll add it to my list.

 

[Davidt1]

There is no shortage of glowing reviews. Here is another one:

http://www.homecinemacentral.com.au/panasonicax100.htm

Of course, no one has it long enough to know about potential reliability problems. There are things that concern me such as the amount of heat the lamp puts out. Does more heat shorten the life the lamp and other components? Will this lamp cost more that the lamp in the AE900? Also, the light harmonizer is a novelty thing which I suspect few people will use. I would gladly trade it for a DVI input.

 

[panny100u]

Questions about PT-AX100U

Questions
1) Will the higer lumen (2000) and the high heat in AX100U will have any impact on the lamp life?? If yes then it is concerning .
2) Does anyone know best deal on this pj??
3) How soon the price on this pj will go down??

I narrowed my buy search to HD7100,HD72 and Panny PT-AX100U, Anybody can give me the right choice from these. Here are my requirements

1) Room does have an ambient light
2) Throw distance is 18-20 feet. Will this high throw distance will reduce the resolution on the screen?

 

[Mayhemm]

I'm glad to hear the AX100u is an improvement over the AE900u.

However, I think they should have at least kept the second component video input, even if it meant a higher price. How am I going to hook up my PS2 or X-box if my DVD player is hogging the only component input? The press release says it's targeting gamers as well as home theater buffs, but I'm not going to like unplugging my DVD everytime I want to play Halo or Tiger Woods. And if I hook up my HD satellite receiver to the HDMI connector (via DVI) where is the HD-DVD/Blu-ray player going to go?

Too bad this thing is lacking a really complete set of inputs. Otherwise, it sounds darn near perfect.

Let's not forget it's bulkier and heavier than the 900 too. Although that's a minor concern compared to the inputs. But I guess even that would depend on what you use it for. Maybe I'll look into the AX1000u when it gets a price.

 

[Audioholics]

Let's not forget it's bulkier and heavier than the 900 too.

Of course, that could be indicative of better quality parts as well...

 

[jaxvon]

I'm glad to hear the AX100u is an improvement over the AE900u.

However, I think they should have at least kept the second component video input, even if it meant a higher price. How am I going to hook up my PS2 or X-box if my DVD player is hogging the only component input? The press release says it's targeting gamers as well as home theater buffs, but I'm not going to like unplugging my DVD everytime I want to play Halo or Tiger Woods. And if I hook up my HD satellite receiver to the HDMI connector (via DVI) where is the HD-DVD/Blu-ray player going to go?

Too bad this thing is lacking a really complete set of inputs. Otherwise, it sounds darn near perfect.

Let's not forget it's bulkier and heavier than the 900 too. Although that's a minor concern compared to the inputs. But I guess even that would depend on what you use it for. Maybe I'll look into the AX1000u when it gets a price.

I think that the people this product is marketed to those who already own an A/V receiver that they use for video switching. This then negates the need for redundant inputs on the projector.