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Panasonic PT-AE3000 E Projector review vs. Epson EH TW3000 vs. Sanyo PLV Z3000

Panasonic PT-AE3000-E    Home Cinema projector Review

Using the Epson 3LCD engine the Panasonic PT-AE3000 offers 60,000:1 contrast ratio and 1,600 lumens of brightness.

Note the Contrast Ratio is full ON/OFF as we keep saying not a fair way to measure CR as you'd almost never use the dynamic mode to watch movies in a dark room. It would kill your eyes!

Contrast ratio should be measured (in our opinion) as per the image at the bottom of this page (ANSI) that way the projector must project an image with black and white at the same time rather than turn everything up full and measure a white image then all off and measure the black image. This is not related to any content you'll watch.

Now many die hard DLP brands are using 3-LCD the actual CR for all the top models is very similar as they use the same 3-LCD light engine. They may fiddle with the settings on the dynamic iris and tweak the calibration but in the end you'd never put your life on which one you were watching.

Having said that, this is a great true HD (1920 x 1080) projector, very similar to the Sanyo Z3000 and Epson TW3000 models which have similar specifications. So you look at the warranty.

AE3000

The one feature that stands out is 3 X HDMI inputs. Smooth screen technology (where you can't see the pixel gap even up close) is nice if your sitting on top of the screen (you should be watching a TV in this case) but from normal viewing distances of say 3m+ you can't pick the difference.

Summary

You'll find A3000's value not as compelling as some other bands, notably Sanyo and Epson who offer the same sort of package with a far better warranty and warranty must be considered if you're looking for value.

AE3000 performance is up to par with the best. Reminds us of the Mitsubishi HC7000 great projector (as all the up market 1080 models are) but value for money? Not in the race. The noise level of the AE3000 is not class leading nor is the projector and lamp warranty (not to mention onerous warranty conditions, see below) so overall while you'd be impressed by the projected image you may no be impressed if you had to replace a lamp in the time many other brands cover it.

Specifications

  • LCD panel (x 3, R/G/B) Active matrix 2,073,600 (1,920 x 1,080) x 3, total of 6,220,800 pixels
  • Noise minimum 22dB (Low lamp mode)
  • Zoom Powered zoom (2x)/powered focus, F 1.9 - 3.2, f 22.4 mm–44.8 mm
  • 165 W UHM lamp 1,600 lumens*5 In dynamic mode, with dynamic iris on.
  • Contrast Ratio 60,000:1*5 (full on/full off)
  • Formats 480i (525i), 480p (525p), 576i (625i), 576p (625p), 720 (750)/50p, 720 (750)/60p, 1,080 (1,125)/24p, 1,080 (1,125)/50i, 1,080 (1,125)/50p, 1,080 (1,125)/60i, 1,080 (1,125)/60p PAL, PAL-M, PAL-N, PAL 60, SECAM, NTSC, NTSC 4.43
  • Lens Shift Horizontal ±40% and vertical ±100% Vertical: approx. ±30°
  • Colour driver 12 bit
  • Inputs HDMI connector x 3, HDMI™ (V.1.3 with Deep Color, x.v.Color™ *7),
  • HDCP compliant D-sub HD 15-pin (female) x 1 RCA pin (Y, PB/CB, PR/CR) x 2 Mini DIN 4-pin x 1 RCA pin x 1 D-sub 9-pin x 1 (RS-232C based)
  • Size 460 x 130 x 300 mm (18-1/8˝ x 5-1/8˝ x 11-25/32˝)
  • Weight Approx. 7.3 kg (16.1 lbs.)
  • Operating Temperature: 0°–40°C (32°–104°F), Humidity: 20%–80% (no condensation)
  • Note subject to change without notice
  • Warranty / conditions
    http://panasonic.com.au/content/library/files/F001821.pdf See link.
    1. The product, excluding the lamp (please refer to Item 4), is warranted for 12 months or the first 2000 hours of usage from the date of purchase whichever comes first. Subject to the conditions of this warranty Panasonic or its Authorised Service Centre will perform necessary service on the product without charge for parts or labour if, in the opinion of Panasonic, the product is found to be faulty within the warranty period.
    2. This warranty only applies to Panasonic products purchased in Australia and sold by Panasonic Australia or its Authorised Distributors or Dealers and only where the products are used and serviced within Australia or it's territories. Warranty cover only applies to service carried out by a Panasonic Authorised Service Centre and only if valid proof of purchase is presented when warranty service is requested.
    3. This warranty only applies if the product has been installed and cared for by the user in accordance with the manufacturer’s recommendations as detailed in the operating instructions. The warranty covers normal domestic usage for which the unit was designed and does not cover damage, malfunction or failure resulting from use of incorrect voltages, incorrect installation, accident, misuse, neglect, build-up of dirt or dust, abuse, maladjustment of customer controls, mains supply problems, thunderstorm activity, infestation by insects or vermin, tampering or repair by unauthorised persons (including unauthorised alterations), unauthorised maintenance, exposure to abnormally corrosive conditions or any foreign object or matter having entered the product. If regular maintenance (every 100 hours) is not carried out (i.e.; cleaning and or replacing the dust filter as required) or warnings noted, as described in the user’s manual, this warranty may be void.
    4. This warranty does not cover consumable items including but not limited to dust filters, lamps, batteries etc. unless the fault or defect existed at the time of purchase. Panasonic will replace the original factory fitted lamp within 12 months or the first 500 hours of usage from the date of purchase whichever comes first.

Call for best price with your lowest offer and we will throw in a $299 Longhorn LCD remote.

Longhorn 4000-PRO

See the new 4000-Pro universal remote controller by Longhorn here

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Check out the direct competitor to the AE3000, the Sanyo Z3000 |here|

"..It was a difficult descision between the Z3000 and AE3000 for me. But, after reading the PC comparison between the two, I decided on the Z3000 and ordered this morning.
My main reasons:
- Fan noise is very important for me
- Asthetics. The Z3000 looks nicer than the AE3000
- Warranty. Not having had a projector with a dynamic iris before, I am a little worried about their lifespan...
Slightly less important reasons for me:
- Dust removal system
- slight sharpness advantage
- When watching 1080p/24FPS, I think I prefer to know that only half of the frames I am seeing are being made up by the projector even if the AE3000 might produce a smoother picture on the most demanding (badly filmed) content.."

Check out the direct competitor to the AE3000, the Sanyo Z3000 |here|

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