CurtPalme.com Home Theater Forum

[tbsb9595]

I am looking at gaining picture quality, but I don't not necessarily need more brightness so i am considering changing my Sony 1271 CRT (720P) out for a highly rated Panasonic PT-AE7000 ($3000) LCD projector (1080P). It is supposed to be top notch under $4000, but I would like your opinions on the Panasonic projector v.s. the Sony. My screen is a 96" 4:3 FORMAT (for now) 1.0 gain that I plan to still use, and I just bought a new Oppo Dvd player. Thanks!

[Nashou66]

Put the money you save into a dividend paying stock .

Athanasios

[WanMan]

I would consider the $2700 RS45.

[tbsb9595]

[WanMan]

Because its cheaper, has to be a lot better than the RS20 I am using now, and if that holds sufficient water then I do not doubt it is sufficient to effectively compete against 1271.

How many people on this forum do you expect to have compared the Panny to anything else? I personally cannot see buying into an entry-level digital for more than $2K, unless it is the JVC. But it seems you have already made up your mind.

[opv]

I saw the AE-7000 and some other digital PJs at the same price range.
The panasonic's strongest point, isn't it's picture, but it's features, electric zoom and focus, nice menus, lens memory etc.
All the other PJs I saw gave significantly better picture: EPSON TW6000, JVC X30, SONY ES30 .
All the PJs were calibrated.

[WanMan]

Hmm, someone is selling an RS50 for <$2K on Vid. Claims he bought it from AVS and it has 300 hours on it. How convenient my Amex got compromised in the past 24 hours. LOL

[WTS]

Buy the Sony HW30. THe Rs45 is going to suffer from the same problems that plaqued the previous model RS40. THe Pany 7000 is no match for the HW30 for IQ, yes it has the nice lens adjustment and one button CIH, if that is more important than image then go for it. If it the best image and problem free operation then get the Sony.

[opv]

The epson TW6010 is much better than the sony. the sony's black levels look like two generations behind the epson.

[WTS]

Well that depends on what reviews you read. The Epson 6010 is suppose to be a nice unit but it will still be plaqued with dust blobs like all LCD projectors. Plus from what I've read it still has the LCD look to it. But if you like that look then that would be a good choice.

As for the blacks, unless you have the perfect room you're not going to see the difference and no matter what you do. Neither of them will have a fade to black like a good CRT. But in the shadow details it will beat a CRT. I have a HW30 and it doesn't have the fade to darkness that my Zenith 1200pro has but it's inner detail and shadow detail is better. And there is no way an LCD is better than a LCOS type in that dept.

[opv]

I'm not relying on reviews.
I've seen an A/B test between the two projectors, and there is no comparison. it's that obvious.
I agree that in order to enjoy blacks properly you need a dark room (and a CRT), but that doesn't mean you can't see the difference between the projectors in a living room with bright walls.
I'm a CRT man myself, but the digitals are getting better and better.

[WTS]

Well the sony you saw must have been set up poorly then.

Actually I'm curious where you saw a Epson 6010 because they haven't started shipping them yet?

Edit, my mistake I guess they started shipping a few weeks ago.

[Spanky Ham]

I haven't seen the Sony, but the JVC is much better than the Epson.

[opv]

[WTS]

Well considering the 6010 is bascially the same as the 5010 PQ wise and there are lots of reviews by none reviewers on AVS saying otherwise. BUt by the sounds of it you've seen them all so you know. You must be an Epson fanboy. I'm sure tbsb9595 can find his way to AVS and read for himself and make up his own mind.

[WanMan]

I suppose all of the A/B comparisons were done with complete calibrated units, too. I once caught some fool going into Costco adjusting all of the Sony LCDs to look terrible. No idea if he worked for one of the competing manufacturers, or just s disgruntled consumer having the hate for Sony.

Until both units are made to perform their best, A/B comparisons with have limited use.

[opv]

WanMan,
I saw the 4 projectors in two events. the Epson, Pana & Sony at one place and the JVC vs. Epson in another place.
All the projectors were calibrated.
Actually, the guy that invited me to his home to test the JVC and the Epson, really wanted to take the JVC, he actually tried to find reasons to take the JVC, but he decided not to.
The Epson we tested wasn't the 6010 but the 9000 which is an europian model. maybe they make them better for europe...

WTS
I never heard of an Epson fanboy before. it's not considered an exciting company like Apple or something, it's a company known for it's printers.
I also mentioned earlier, that I'm a CRT man, so I'm more of a Barco fanboy than an Epson one.

[Spanky Ham]

Unto each their own, but I have yet to see a LCD pj including the Epsons that I liked better than the JVC. The overall native cr of the JVC makes it stand above the Epson.

[opv]

Spanky Ham,
I expected the JVC to be superior to the Epson for the exact same reasons you mentioned.
But, surprisingly, it was an equal match.
We measured CR of 8000:1 on the Epson panels, which isn't bad for an LCD, and I guess that the combination of high CR panels and a good DI can give very good results.