Panny AE4000u or Epson 8100

[nitin_mehra20]

Hey Guys!

Is Panny AE4000 really worth the 500 bucks over the Epson 8100?

I am wondering which on to go for

My usage would be 50-50 movies and games.

Any insight would be very helpful .

 

[lsiberian]

Hey Guys!

Is Panny AE4000 really worth the 500 bucks over the Epson 8100?

I am wondering which on to go for

My usage would be 50-50 movies and games.

Any insight would be very helpful .

LOL that's up to you buddy. I'd say any PJ will be a huge step up for you. You could probably do better putting that 500 bucks into a good screen anyway.

 

[BMXTRIX]

The Panasonic uses inorganic LCD panels while it is rumored that the 8100 does not. The Panasonic is more comparible to the 8500UB, not the 8100 and it is just a better projector overall.

I would get, in order:
8500UB
AE4000
8100

I think their image quality follows that line, though just marginally between the 8500 and the AE4000.

 

[nitin_mehra20]

LOL that's up to you buddy. I'd say any PJ will be a huge step up for you. You could probably do better putting that 500 bucks into a good screen anyway.

I have already bought an Elite EzFrame 120" screen. And since I spent money on the same, I was wondering if Panny would actually make such a huge difference over Epson 8100

The Panasonic uses inorganic LCD panels while it is rumored that the 8100 does not. The Panasonic is more comparible to the 8500UB, not the 8100 and it is just a better projector overall.

I would get, in order:
8500UB
AE4000
8100

I think their image quality follows that line, though just marginally between the 8500 and the AE4000.

Seems like Panny is a good deal. Only thing I am concerned about is the bulb life and the warranty, ;cause Epson seems to have a better warranty on the bulb

 

[BMXTRIX]

The warranty aside, the Panasonic is a better image than the Epson. For the money, the price is good for the Panasonic quality. But, the quality difference between the 8500, 4000, and 8100 is not night and day - it is subtle. You WILL be happy with any of the projectors, and if you aren't happy with the projector, then you likely won't be happy with any of them, because they are all very close in quality. Noticably better, but not worlds better from one model to the next.

If your budget barely affords you a 8100, then get the 8100 - you won't be unhappy, but the 4000 is better, and if your budget affords the 4000, then get that instead. Ditto on the 8500UB.

 

[mnnc]

You will be happy with a 8100. The price difference now will be better spent in a few years from now when the pj is better and at/about the same price. Pocket the difference or buy some br's...better yet...use savings towards subscription to nflix. Epsons cust serv is tops and 2yrs from purchase date is terrific. They pay return shpng both ways...will send you a loner...and fix/replace your unit whatever the case might be...can't beat it.

 

[Drifter]

I spent 30 minutes checking out the Epson 4500UB in a custom home theater setting. Wow! Fantastic image quality and features. Epson service sounds wonderful -- if your projector breaks, they send you a new one and you put your old one in a box and ship it back to Epson. (I've heard nightmare stories about Panasonic service.)

Anyway, back to the image quality. My friend, I haven't seen the Panasonic, but based on the picture quality of the 4500UB and the Epson service and longer warranty etc. etc., I'd say the Epson was the way to go!

Good luckl!

 

[bandphan]

Anyway, back to the image quality. My friend, I haven't seen the Panasonic, but based on the picture quality of the 4500UB and the Epson service and longer warranty etc. etc., I'd say the Epson was the way to go!

Good luckl!

Do you work for BOSE?

 

[chadburger]

The Panasonic uses inorganic LCD panels while it is rumored that the 8100 does not. The Panasonic is more comparible to the 8500UB, not the 8100 and it is just a better projector overall.

I would get, in order:
8500UB
AE4000
8100

I think their image quality follows that line, though just marginally between the 8500 and the AE4000.

I couldnt agree more as far as the order of desired models. the 4000 has more features, the 8500 has a bit better actual color but I could live with the 8100..............but I would save for the 4000 if I were you.

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

I would get, in order:
8500UB
AE4000

I think their image quality follows that line, though just marginally between the 8500 and the AE4000.

Which projector is the most RELIABLE in the market?

 

[BMXTRIX]

Which projector is the most RELIABLE in the market?

I'm pretty sure the Panasonic is the biggest seller for 1080p front projectors. Epson is the manufacturer of the LCD panels used in both projectors.

But, it's really hard to say if either of them really has much of an edge on long term reliability.

I do believe that Epson may have a bit better of a warranty and better warranty service than Panasonic... But, I'm not sure how much better this all really is as it's just heresay for me.

 

[finishers]

Hey Guys!

Is Panny AE4000 really worth the 500 bucks over the Epson 8100?

I am wondering which on to go for

My usage would be 50-50 movies and games.

Any insight would be very helpful .

I'm sure any of these two units are 4 out of 5 stars overall all day...However, if you are looking for a good bright image (important if you have ambient light) and won't use the extra features, then the 8100 might suit you better...But it is probably a 3.5 star out of 5...overall when compared to panny and pioneers.....

 

[finishers]

There is a 500 dollr price difference as well. For the money the 8100 is super. I am considering it myself as the 4000 is out of budget. Mounting flexibility are great for both. I suppose the 8100 would handle ambient light situations a bit better based on brightness numbers...If you are like me and watch mostly...I mean 98% of the time...at night, then the 8100 would be more than enough for most people. I have a Vizio 50" plaz...love it. But it is probably a 3.5 star out of 5...overall when compared to panny and pioneers. It looks great in my bedroom. If I can get a 90" or 100" image that is a solid 3.5/4 stars out of 5...then I'm thrilled. I'm sure any of these two units are 4 out of 5 stars overall all day.

 

[bugzbunny]

Extending from the OP's question: since the Panny 4kU and the Epson 8500 are fairly similar (in price and quality), would the customer svc and warranty give the edge to the Epson? Also, some reviewer (over at amazon) said that the epson had the screen-door artifact which his Panny did not have. Is this something that the Epson suffers from? Have not noticed other reviews mentioning this point, so was wondering. Another complaint about the Epson seems to be the noise that the auto iris makes (how bad is the noise?); the complaint about the Panny appears to be dust on the lens issues.

I had planned to pick up the Panny, but I am reconsidering towards the 8500 (great customer service is always a winner in my book).

 

[BMXTRIX]

bugz - you are getting into a very tricky area which actually highlights the differences between the 8500 and the 4000. Panasonic uses something called smooth screen technology to eliminate inter-pixel gap (screen door). This, in my opinion, has the effect of very (VERY!) slightly softening the image.

The Epson, as with every other fixed pixel display including DLP and LCoS has screen door. LCD is still worse than DLP and LCoS, but it is not going to be visible from normal viewing distance. Normal being 1.5x the screen width.

The Epson has a bit more brightness, and a better warranty. Most reviewers have turned off the auto-iris and I believe the noise issue was address. I certainly hear and notice the Iris on my AE1000 from Panasonic, but can't comment on the newer one.

I think the warranty, lamp life, and replacement lamp cost combined with top shelf performance are what make the Epson my favorite. The lack of the smoothscreen technology also delivers, IMO, a sharper overall image, which is more honest to the technology and more pleasing to my eyes.

 

[audiofox]

Besides the lamp itself, can anyone comment on the typical failure modes for an LCD projector? Maybe the panels have a finite lifespan, or maybe the power supply, but it seems to me that the most likely failure is the lamp itself, with everything else having a much lower likelihood of failure. Any info on this would be helpful in answering the OP's question regarding reliability.