Got My Panny PTAE4000!

[GO-NAD!]

I picked up my projector a couple of days ago and last night, I decided to mount it. I was surprised to see that it was actually made in Japan! That's a rarity amongst CE these days! The PJ was packed in inner and outer, double-walled cardboard and was held at the sides in styrofoam inserts. Full marks for packaging. However! Since the sides were in styrofoam, I grasped the front and back of the PJ to pull it out of the box, while being careful not to use the lens as a handhold. After removing the PJ, I noticed a sheet of paper at the bottom of the box. The piece of paper had two pictures: one, with hands holding the sides and the other, with hands holding the front and rear of the PJ - with a big fat line through it! So, if Panasonic wants me to remove it by grasping the sides, they should've put that sheet of paper at the top of the box.

I can only assume that the warning is there to prevent people from lifting it by the lens. I was careful not to, so I doubt there was any harm done. Other people might not be so careful, as with the sides imbedded in styrofoam, it's instinctual to hold it by the front and back while removing it from the box.

Just a minor rant. I haven't started it up yet, but I can't wait. I'll hopefully have my screen built by the weekend, but that's a bit optimistic...

 

[AVRat]

Congrats, sounds like things are moving along nicely,

 

[jinjuku]

Congrats, that is a great PJ.

 

[jostenmeat]

Congrats!

I can't believe you posted here before firing her up. Dude, your heart will probably skip a beat like mine did when I first fired mine up. And that's with a window on the wall. Do it! Do it! Do it!

 

[GO-NAD!]

Congrats!

I can't believe you posted here before firing her up. Dude, your heart will probably skip a beat like mine did when I first fired mine up. And that's with a window on the wall. Do it! Do it! Do it!

Well, by the time I finished mounting it last night, it was just too late to go any further. Besides, it's pointing at a black wall right now so I don't know what kind of image I'd see. I need to frame up my false wall yet, as I just finished painting all the lumber black. Then I'll throw up the screen fabric, settle on the exact screen size, then make the frame for that. I still have a bit of work to do....

 

[oyunfixosa]

oyun

Thank you site admin.Very god

 

[jostenmeat]

Well, by the time I finished mounting it last night, it was just too late to go any further. Besides, it's pointing at a black wall right now so I don't know what kind of image I'd see. I need to frame up my false wall yet, as I just finished painting all the lumber black. Then I'll throw up the screen fabric, settle on the exact screen size, then make the frame for that. I still have a bit of work to do....

Just throw up a sheet, even if not perfectly flat, I say do it. With the excitement you will get, the work might just fly by after that.

 

[just-some-guy]

congrats

what i do, to get electronics and stuff out of the box's.

have a beer. then, set box on carpet. cut the top open. fold the flaps over. roll the box over and lift the box off the unit. then have another beer.

 

[Guavamanh]

Congrats! Can't wait to see pictures and your reviews/thoughts on the projector. I'm trying to decide between this pj, or Epson 8700UB.

The Panasonic is made in Japan and is supposedly more reliable, but the Epson is supposed to have better customer support according to the forum posts I've read. The Panny's power zoom would be very helpful for me because I intend to ceiling mount as well, so zooming with the Epsons for movies would be inconvenient. However the Epson is supposed to have a brighter lamp (my room won't be bat-cave... ambient light... wife says no to blackout shades)

What screen size are you thinking of? I'm thinking of 120" 17.8:1 (HD 16:9)

I won't be purchasing till at least 6-12 months from now so this all may change lol. I'm suprised you didnt just throw an image on a bedsheet as well! =p

 

[GO-NAD!]

Congrats! Can't wait to see pictures and your reviews/thoughts on the projector. I'm trying to decide between this pj, or Epson 8700UB.

The Panasonic is made in Japan and is supposedly more reliable, but the Epson is supposed to have better customer support according to the forum posts I've read. The Panny's power zoom would be very helpful for me because I intend to ceiling mount as well, so zooming with the Epsons for movies would be inconvenient. However the Epson is supposed to have a brighter lamp (my room won't be bat-cave... ambient light... wife says no to blackout shades)

What screen size are you thinking of? I'm thinking of 120" 17.8:1 (HD 16:9)

I won't be purchasing till at least 6-12 months from now so this all may change lol. I'm suprised you didnt just throw an image on a bedsheet as well! =p

I finally got the false wall put up and I tacked the screen fabric directly onto the wall. I didn't want to make a screen frame until I settled on the final screen size. I had bought fabric sufficient to go as large as 108" and today, we watched our first BD: Shrek, Forever After. I promised my daughter that she could pick the first one, so that was it. Anyway, I adjusted the image to 108" and it looked great! However, it was a bit big. I double -checked the THX viewing distance recommendation and I realized that our couch is a bit closer than I had originally figured. So, I'll be making a frame for a 100" screen. That'll give us a 36 degree viewing angle. I don't mind cutting a few inches off.

The power zoom feature was great for quickly readjusting screen size for determining the best size for the room. I'll be taking a few photos and start a new HT system thread. Be patient, I'm a busy man!

My dealer says the PTAE4000 will probably stay on the market for the foreseeable future, as a new model will probably be 3D and expensive .

My first impression is very positive. I haven't done any calibrating yet to fine tune the image, beyond focus and zoom, but it looks great right out of the box!

 

[jostenmeat]

Did you remember to allow 24p in the player? (Check the projector too, just in case.) If you did forget, I suggest seeing it again. IMO, it makes a big difference with large projections systems.

The 4000 IME would likely be replaced soon. Everyone else refreshes their line every* year, and the 4000 already skipped 2010, so by the end of this year, it would be strange for Pana to skip two years in a row, when no one else skips even one. Not that this is worth even talking about, what can you do about it anyways?

 

[zildjian]

Cool! Like the rest of the guys, I'm looking forward to hearing more from you about this. I'd like to put in a projector screen to pull down in front of my plasma for night time movie watching, but that will have to wait till I'm out of the temporary house, so until then, I'm living vicariously through you projector users out there.

 

[GO-NAD!]

Did you remember to allow 24p in the player? (Check the projector too, just in case.) If you did forget, I suggest seeing it again. IMO, it makes a big difference with large projections systems.

The 4000 IME would likely be replaced soon. Everyone else refreshes their line every* year, and the 4000 already skipped 2010, so by the end of this year, it would be strange for Pana to skip two years in a row, when no one else skips even one. Not that this is worth even talking about, what can you do about it anyways?

I never even thought about it, so if it is set at 24p, it's entirely coincedental. I don't know if it's a default setting, but I'll check. Thanks for the tip. After I have the screen assembled and the fabric is on the false wall, I'll be sitting down with the manuals and going through the settings in detail.

As for the 4000 being replaced, as I said, it was the dealer who mentioned it. He could certainly be wrong, of course, but he seemed fairly certain. But since I have mine, it really isn't important to me. Just passing on what I was told.

 

[GO-NAD!]

Cool! Like the rest of the guys, I'm looking forward to hearing more from you about this. I'd like to put in a projector screen to pull down in front of my plasma for night time movie watching, but that will have to wait till I'm out of the temporary house, so until then, I'm living vicariously through you projector users out there.

My screen will be fixed, of course. It kinda scares me though. We have friends and relatives with small kids and I just know that a big white screen will be a magnet for dirty hands, crayons and markers. Turn your back for just a few seconds and.....

 

[BMXTRIX]

Tab-tensioned in-ceiling screens - FTW!!!

 

[jostenmeat]

I never even thought about it, so if it is set at 24p, it's entirely coincedental. I don't know if it's a default setting, but I'll check. Thanks for the tip. After I have the screen assembled and the fabric is on the false wall, I'll be sitting down with the manuals and going through the settings in detail.

It's almost guaranteed that it's not. I think you should state your BDP in the sig for the time being, along with processor. You know, until everything is finished and setup; all said and done.

IIRC, my friend's top of the line (at the time) Pana plasma, a 65V10, had to be allowed to pass 24p within the display. I know for a fact on Pana BDPs, the setting has to be made; it's not the default.

It didn't cross my mind earlier to tell you, because it's something I don't think about it, but I did wonder why you thought 108" might be too big (and what was viewing distance?). The easiest way to tell, so far as I have seen, is with rolling credits. Having 3:2 applied makes those VERY blurry. Remember 3:2 is somehow splicing/squeezing your 23.976 frames into 60 (or multiple of). EDIT: I guess in my case I should say 2:3? . . . or both? 24 into 60 back to 96 (24x 4) . . . ?

As for the 4000 being replaced, as I said, it was the dealer who mentioned it. He could certainly be wrong, of course, but he seemed fairly certain. But since I have mine, it really isn't important to me. Just passing on what I was told.

He may be right that it will be a big jump in price in CA, but IME it cannot be too big in the US for a 3LCD. Modest price increase, maybe, big I think means shooting in the foot.

My screen will be fixed, of course. It kinda scares me though. We have friends and relatives with small kids and I just know that a big white screen will be a magnet for dirty hands, crayons and markers. Turn your back for just a few seconds and.....

I had a full house for NFL yesterday, double digit, including some kids. It was great to see them in total awe, lol. They were very good, no inclination that I can tell to touch everything, but I'm sure all kids are different and change quickly with age. If it makes you feel better, your screen has two lives. Once it's stained beyond repair, just reinstall the screen by flipping it over. Specs for both video and audio are identical for either side, at least in terms of gain and AT.

Tab-tensioned in-ceiling screens - FTW!!!

For certain applications yes, not mine, and for GN, there ain't no way he's spending that much money for an AT tab tensioned! Just sayin'.

Now that I've done it once, and have that "valuable" experience under my belt, I can flip mine too if needed. I could buy the swath of material many times over, maybe 10x, which would mean 20 screen surfaces to ruin, yet still likely have over a thousand dollars in the pocket compared to a single tab tensioned screen with AT material worth having.

 

[GO-NAD!]

It's almost guaranteed that it's not. I think you should state your BDP in the sig for the time being, along with processor. You know, until everything is finished and setup; all said and done.

Thanks for the reminder! I need to update my signature!

...but I did wonder why you thought 108" might be too big (and what was viewing distance?)....

Well, I originally planned on setting the couch at 12' from the screen. But, it turns out that it'll only be 11'3", due to room arrangements. After watching the one movie at 108", my wife thought is was too big - of course. I thought it was fine at that size and my daughter (8) thought it was fantastic. I'm really loath to cut the screen, but I may have to, in order to maintain piece. Hmmm - maybe I can sneak a couple or 3 more inches out of it - call it 103". The problem is the room width. If I go beyond 102"-103", I'll have no choice, but to place my mains behind the screen. Then at that width, the space will be a bit cramped for the mains, dual subs and centre speaker. If I leave the mains outboard of the screen, they'll be too close to the walls. It definitely ain't the ideal room for such a setup, but I knew that going in and was prepared for such problems. I think I may go with 102" or 103", with the speakers outboard the screen. They'll be close to the wall - about 7" from wall to side of speaker - which will not be ideal. But, I'll see what room treatments can do for that. Any thoughts?

If it makes you feel better, your screen has two lives. Once it's stained beyond repair, just reinstall the screen by flipping it over. Specs for both video and audio are identical for either side, at least in terms of gain and AT.

I wonder if the fabric is washable?

For certain applications yes, not mine, and for GN, there ain't no way he's spending that much money for an AT tab tensioned! Just sayin'.

You got that right!

 

[ntrain42]

108" too beig at 11' viewing distance? Please. I watch a 106" screen at 8' viewing distance in my bedroom. And have a 150" sized screen from a 9-10' viewing distance for my main HT system.

If your wife thinks its too big, tell her to get used to it over a week or 2 and then come back on an opinion.


In all seriousness though. If the screen size starts to compromise speaker placement, just get yourself a standard 100" screen, and move the couch forward a half foot or so to compensate for the picture size and to give your main speakers some room without being completely jammed up.

Room treatments would be fine. I use DIY custom treatments myself, but there are some places where you can get room treatments for reasonable pricing as well.

 

[jostenmeat]

Well, I originally planned on setting the couch at 12' from the screen. But, it turns out that it'll only be 11'3", due to room arrangements. After watching the one movie at 108", my wife thought is was too big - of course. I thought it was fine at that size and my daughter (8) thought it was fantastic. I'm really loath to cut the screen, but I may have to, in order to maintain piece. Hmmm - maybe I can sneak a couple or 3 more inches out of it - call it 103". The problem is the room width. If I go beyond 102"-103", I'll have no choice, but to place my mains behind the screen. Then at that width, the space will be a bit cramped for the mains, dual subs and centre speaker. If I leave the mains outboard of the screen, they'll be too close to the walls. It definitely ain't the ideal room for such a setup, but I knew that going in and was prepared for such problems. I think I may go with 102" or 103", with the speakers outboard the screen. They'll be close to the wall - about 7" from wall to side of speaker - which will not be ideal. But, I'll see what room treatments can do for that. Any thoughts?

Well. Ok, the idea of trying it again for the wife, but with 24p engaged (and maybe another tweak or calibration or two) is so that the pic might look smoother. It WILL look smoother. By not taking advantage of the natural playback speed of film, you have introduced judder into your playback, and you had more judder than you needed to during you viewing. Ok, try it again just yourself before you have her sit through something again.

I don't know how good Shrek looks. Pick your demo material carefully, if passing the WAF with screen size is of importance to you. I am chock full of suggestions if you need any, but you should give me a category.

Having components cramped seems to be a very, very small compromise for the ideal video immersion.

It also seems to be a very small compromise for better acoustics. It's just a matter of ideal spread at this point too, but 7" is PRETTY darn close to sidewall, and in such case, I would deem large panels right next to the speakers as mandatory.

TBH, I am considering for the first time getting behind the wall again, to move all three speakers behind the AT material as an experiment.

I wonder if the fabric is washable?

I don't know. I sorta doubt it. My guess* would be distilled water with MF, but I would run searches at the official forum, or just ask directly. I am sure there are more solutions that can be used depending on the exact nature of the stain or damage.

 

[BMXTRIX]

For certain applications yes, not mine, and for GN, there ain't no way he's spending that much money for an AT tab tensioned! Just sayin'.

Now that I've done it once, and have that "valuable" experience under my belt, I can flip mine too if needed. I could buy the swath of material many times over, maybe 10x, which would mean 20 screen surfaces to ruin, yet still likely have over a thousand dollars in the pocket compared to a single tab tensioned screen with AT material worth having.

True, but that plasma BEHIND your fixed screen is just going to be so darn hard to see and would probably have just been a waste of several thousand dollars.

I'm a big fan of tab-tensioned electric screens, but I'm a BIGGER fan of fixed frame screens.