Panasonic PT-AE2000U 1080p Projector

[Jim Robbins]

Has anyone here had a chance to use the new panny 1080p unit?

http://www.panasonic.com/business/projectors/ae2000/index.asp

I am really thinking about buying one, but I am a big gamer, and I don't want anything that lags too much. I know the 200u (720p model) has a game mode that is supposed to be great for gaming, but Clint had HDMI syncing problem with that one in his recent review. So I was hoping the 2000 would have those problems fixed as well. Any input would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

 

[Phil Taylor]

It got a very good review at Projector Central but I don't recall them noting a lag factor.

 

[bans25]

It got a very good review at Projector Central but I don't recall them noting a lag factor.

im interested in this as well..

 

[Sirskygod]

Yeah - Yeah inquiring minds want to know - including mine... thanks

 

[Jim Robbins]

Well, I bought one. I have been using it for a couple of weeks now, and I like it better than the AX100u that I just replaced.

The lag time seems acceptable for gaming, and the blacks are darker, and the color seems more accurate. Of course, I haven't measured anything directly. But I am pretty darn irritated by lag and bad color, and no complaints so far!

So, any specific questions you all want answered? Fire away...

Later.

 

[ivseenbetter]

Jim,

Are you saying that there is noticeable lag...but you are ok with it, or are you saying that lag is pretty non-existent with this projector?

Thanks!

 

[Jim Robbins]

I'd say the lag is pretty much non-existent... There is always some amount of lag time with the new digital technology, and it's hard to say what is and isn't acceptable. I did a comparison of some 24" LCD monitors a while back because I was personally seeking a computer monitor that had good video capabilities and low lag.

http://www.bexox.com/showdown.htm

I am guessing that this projector is less than 30ms for lag time. That's about 2 frames per second behind. If I am being really critical, and trying to test my reaction time on a game controller vs. what I see on the screen, I can see that it is just every so slightly off. Now, I am not the worlds best gamer or anything, but I don't think in actual game play I notice it at all. 1/30th of a second is pretty darn fast. The AE2000 is most certainly on par with the 24" monitors I tested.

I really should hook my pc up to it and my CRT and run a timing test, just so I can know for sure what the lag really is. Heck, it might only be one frame per second off. *grin* Anyway, I read that the AX200 (720p panny), has a 5ms lag time in the gaming mode. That's just insane! No one could be fast enough to notice or care about lag like that. Well, my AE2000 is beautiful, even if it has a very small amount of lag in comparison. And of course, it does feel the same as playing a PC game on a modern 24" lcd monitor. The lag time on your local network (and especially the internet) will be bigger than this, so I'd say it's good enough.

Well, maybe in a week or two I'll move all the hardware around for a proper test. Anyway, I am rambling... Later!

Jim

 

[ivseenbetter]

Thanks for the rundown Jim! I'm looking to pick one of these up soon and I game on a casual level. If it competes with a 24" screen then I think it will be just fine!

 

[Rinny]

I have the PT-AE100U

I turn on my projector ON all is good , then less then a one min it turns off?
What can this be? Thanks

 

[Tarub]

I turn on my projector ON all is good , then less then a one min it turns off?
What can this be? Thanks

You might have the iris getting stuck bug which some of the 100u has. They said it might be the iris design problem, the material they use or the lubricant grease that cooked up by the heat of the lamp after hours of hours of usage.
When you turn ON the projector it goes to a self check mode then if the iris is freezed up and stucked the projector turns off to protect itself. I hope Pani fix this problem on the new 200u.

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=762444

 

[Dezoris]

I just upgraded to the 2000.
I have had several 480p units like the IN72 which was plagued with problems and the H31.

While this is not a fair comparison, I can tell you that I am not impressed by the panasonic projector's SD performance which is not a huge issue after all you can't make SD good looking.

But given the problems or reported problems with convergence over time I bought a long warranty.

480p performance scaled by the projector is not that great. Its a bit better done by my Yamaha ABT scaler. The PS3 DVD upscaler does it even better but I have yet to test the Oppo.

Dish HD signals on very limited amount of channels looks great.
BluRay/HDDVD looks amazing.

So my point in all that is. I am setting up my system to use dual projectors to save the AE2000 for movies and HD gaming only.

I think If you are dead set on having a 1080p projector like this, understand that you will get amazing 1080p performance for the price but be prepared to constantly calibrate the unit replace bulbs for heavy use.

I am good with running my 480p unit all the time and have this for special occasions.

 

[Johnd]

I just upgraded to the 2000.
I have had several 480p units like the IN72 which was plagued with problems and the H31.

While this is not a fair comparison, I can tell you that I am not impressed by the panasonic projector's SD performance which is not a huge issue after all you can't make SD good looking.

But given the problems or reported problems with convergence over time I bought a long warranty.

480p performance scaled by the projector is not that great. Its a bit better done by my Yamaha ABT scaler. The PS3 DVD upscaler does it even better but I have yet to test the Oppo.

Dish HD signals on very limited amount of channels looks great.
BluRay/HDDVD looks amazing.

So my point in all that is. I am setting up my system to use dual projectors to save the AE2000 for movies and HD gaming only.

I think If you are dead set on having a 1080p projector like this, understand that you will get amazing 1080p performance for the price but be prepared to constantly calibrate the unit replace bulbs for heavy use.

I am good with running my 480p unit all the time and have this for special occasions.

"Constantly calibrate the unit?" From HD-SD-games...on different players? I thought that 6-8 different settings could be locked into memory.

And constantly replace bulbs? I thought there was an expectancy of 2000-3000 hours for these bulbs. And then it doesn't just burn out...

I ask because I was seriously looking at the 2000 (and a couple other units) to replace my 8 year old vpl10, which still does HD, only in 768.

 

[Dezoris]

"Constantly calibrate the unit?" From HD-SD-games...on different players? I thought that 6-8 different settings could be locked into memory.

And constantly replace bulbs? I thought there was an expectancy of 2000-3000 hours for these bulbs. And then it doesn't just burn out...

I ask because I was seriously looking at the 2000 (and a couple other units) to replace my 8 year old vpl10, which still does HD, only in 768.

I say constantly calibrate the unit I mean always checking black levels and color balance over time.

Most of the longer term owners talk of convergence issues or color shift as the device ages. Also Panasonic recommends not using the machine more that 6 hours a day. I can only assume that is to save the LCDs.

I did not think there was a bulb rating on this unit which you can assume is around 1000 hours usable life.

I don't want to steer anyone from this unit. I just don't think it is the machine to leave on all day piling up hundreds of hours a month.

Also there are save slots for profiles.
I have them set for BD, and the Oppo 981 which does a better job scaling 1080p than the PS3. Looks good a bit soft but good.

 

[Johnd]

I say constantly calibrate the unit I mean always checking black levels and color balance over time.

Understood Dezoris. But I think most any pj owner accepts that as part of the constant quest for perfect pq.

Most of the longer term owners talk of convergence issues or color shift as the device ages. Also Panasonic recommends not using the machine more that 6 hours a day. I can only assume that is to save the LCDs.

Agreed.

I did not think there was a bulb rating on this unit which you can assume is around 1000 hours usable life.

I think it's more than that. But's it's a replacement item with a "short" life expectancy. If the bulb life is only 1000 hours, I think we would have heard about that through the forums.

I don't want to steer anyone from this unit. I just don't think it is the machine to leave on all day piling up hundreds of hours a month.

Agreed. Few pj's are equipped to do that (being on more often than not).

Also there are save slots for profiles.
I have them set for BD, and the Oppo 981 which does a better job scaling 1080p than the PS3. Looks good a bit soft but good.

Good info. Cheers.

 

[Dezoris]

Understood Dezoris. But I think most any pj owner accepts that as part of the constant quest for perfect pq.


Agreed.


I think it's more than that. But's it's a replacement item with a "short" life expectancy. If the bulb life is only 1000 hours, I think we would have heard about that through the forums.


Agreed. Few pj's are equipped to do that (being on more often than not).


Good info. Cheers.

I have some screen shots of the unit UNCALIBRATED here.
http://www.savagegeese.com/ht

I said 1000 hours usable life only because it seems most bulbs seem to drop off in the brightness department after that. But most owners seem to be getting 1500-2000 hours.