Has anyone with the Panasonic 4000 used the Anamorphic simulation feature?

[chadburger]

I have a Sony VPL100 now and am curious of the Panasonic for its cinewide feature. Has anyone actually employed this option?
With my Ruby I have a hillbilly way to do this sorta. I have a motorizied Tab Tensioned screen that can stop at any point, I set it at a proper size kick the power lense shift up to rid the screen of top borders and the screen is positiined so bottom borders are cropped off I took a 2in strip of furring and wrapped it in velvet for a top border aswell............this trick really works nice.
I dont intend to keep the Ruby forever, I got it almost new with under 200 orignal hours for $750 its its amazing for the price but the 4000's lense memory would be nice as it wouldnt take me the few minutes to switch back form 16x9 format for TV.
I also toy with the Epson 8500 and doing my same hillbilly tweak, just wondering if anyone took advantage of this 4000 feature and thoughts on it.
Another convern is I had a Panasonic 1000 in the past, but the Sony is so much more film like so wonder if the new Panasonic doesnt still have that almost candy store color look the older model had.
THANKS

 

[lsiberian]

I'd wait until your bulb goes at least. Projectors are quickly rising every year.

 

[jostenmeat]

I think the Pana would be an excellent solution here. Because of your method. Your aim basically seems to be masking on top/bottom for 2.35.

For people that use a natively 2.35 screen, an issue that can arise is that calibration can never be ideal for all ARs in use. It seems that you are only really using vertical shift, correct?

As for the filmic look, it depends who you ask. LCOS is generally considered to be the superior tech to LCD, however, the LCD PJs keep improving year after year.

This is what I might do. Keep the Sony. Buy a second projector. Have both installed. Have one perfectly setup for one screen "setting", and the other for the other setting. Well, I know it sounds crazy, but this is what I might do in the future, if and when I go with a 2.35 screen. A second PJ will likely be less money than a quality anamorphic lens, sled, (possibly VP).

 

[chadburger]

Yes I just use power vertical shift and float the bars off of top and bottom of screen, second Projector might be ideal as the Sony just looks better than my Panasonic and my Mitsu 6500........all look great but the Sonys technology must be why it just has a more natural pleasing image.