Anyone have any projector recommendations? Right now the Panasonic AE4000U is being touted as a game changer. 100,000:1 contrast ratio with lots of great memory features. I will be mounting about 17 feet from a 100" to 120" screen. Cost on the AE4000U is $2K right now but I would consider spending double that if there is a superior projector to consider......

Any thoughts?

I have a Sanyo Z2 which has been awesoome. If Sanyo comes out with a technology for aspect ratio changing like the Panny's I will stick with Sanyo. However, the Panny 4000 would be my next choice.

What are your planned uses?

There’s really no one projector I could find that does everything best. Matching my main uses to their features lead me to get the AE4000 but you may benefit from something else.

Movies and sports only! Room has no ambient light but when i am watching sports i like to have the lights on a bit. Better for a social atmosphere.

From all accounts, it seems the AE4000 and 8500UB are pretty darn tough to beat, even for a bit more money. Unless you want DLP technology, I wouldn't go elsewhere. They're both coming from very successful lines.

I have the 6500UB and in a word, it is fantastic. My good buddy has the predecessor, the 1080UB, and it is just great as well.

JVC RS 15 would be in your price range as well. I think it is a superior projector to the Panny and Epson. You are shooting a fairly large image at a good distance away from the screen; I’d be looking for a projector with the highest lumens I could find. (Keep in mind that ratings are rarely accurate, and they are more than likely, not at a calibrated D65 grey scale).

Don’t let the CR numbers fool you. They obtain that with an automatic iris that closes in on the bulb light path. Look for “native” CR numbers achieved without an iris if CR really means anything to you. A more important number is Ansi CR. This is what gives the image punch and that 3-D look that sucks you into believing what’s in front of you is real. DLP is the current king for Ansi. But, DLP comes with some worts as well.

I only chose the AE4000 over the 8500UB for a few reasons which may not apply to you. My room is always completely dark so lumens less of an issue. Better shadow detail and fast frame mode (both for gaming), Pannys frame interpolation supposedly better than even the improved Epson, reviews weren’t out on the 8500UB and the 6500UB was reported to have noticeable dynamic iris noise which I feared might carry over.

Seriously considered the JVC RS 15 however seeing this is my first projector/screen setup I figured the shear “WOW!” factor of that would overwhelm any incremental improvement I would get from spending a couple thousand more on a projector just to be replaced in a few years. Putting the savings toward custom curtains and new carpet to complete the “blackout” of the room, something that will enhance the perceived PQ of every projector I get.

In your situation my preference would be the Epson 8500UB, that coming from a proud AE4000 owner. It will give you more lumens for sports and an overall comparable PQ. And Epson has an excellent warrenty/swap out policy. If you have nothing better to do with the money you wouldn’t go wrong with the JVC RS 15 just ask yourself if it’s the best way to spend the couple extra thousand.

Cheers,
Dean

Ill check out the Epson and the JVC. thanks for the advice!