The Best 1080p Resolution Home Theater Projectors of 2008
Epson Home Cinema 1080 UB vs. Panasonic PT-AE2000U
Looks like we have a rematch here, from last year. Last year, the older Epson Home Cinema 1080 (no "UB"), did battle with the Panasonic PT-AE1000U. In last year's "contest" the results were pretty much a tie, with each projector having some advantages and disadvantages.
This year the results are definitely different! Both took our top honor, the Best In Class Award, but the Panasonic got placed in our 1080p Entry Level group (approximately $2000 and under - street price), and the Epson in the main grouping ($2000 to $3500). This makes things interesting!
Overview
Image Quality
General Performance
Warranty
Summary, Pros, Cons
Links to additional one-on-one comparisons:
Panasonic PT-AE2000U vs. Sanyo PLV-Z2000
Mitsubishi HC4900 vs. Panasonic PT-AE2000U
Sanyo PLV-Z2000 vs. Mitsubishi HC4900
Epson Home Cinema 1080 UB vs. JVC DLA-RS1x
Sony VPL-VW40 vs. Epson Home Cinema 1080 UB
Epson Home Cinema 1080 UB vs. Panasonic PT-AE2000U
BenQ W5000 vs. Sony VPL-VW40
JVC DLA-RS2 vs. Sony VPL-VW60
The Basics: What is similar about these two home theater projectors - features?
When it comes to finding a projector that will work in your room, in terms of where it can be placed, these two are basically a tie. Both offer wide range zoom lenses - 2:1 for Panasonic's PT-AE2000U, and 2.1:1 for The Epson Home Cinema 1080 UB. Note please, that outside the US and Canada, the Epson is sold only in one version, as the Epson TW2000, and is the same as the Pro Cinema 1080 UB, here. Also, both have vertical lens shift with similar range, and both offer horizontal lens shift. One difference, is that the Panasonic's zoom and focus are motorized, while the Epson is manual. Both have similar lamp life ratings. I should note, at this point, either projector can be shelf mounted or ceiling mounted. The Panasonic, however, has an advantage when ceiling mounting, in that you can change out the lamp, without unmounting the projector. Epson requires the projector to be unmounted, to do so.
Both home theater projectors use 3LCD technology, so many characteristics of image quality are similar, and both rely on dynamic irises, to produce the best black levels on darker scenes.
Both have very good remotes, but I favor the Epson. The Epson remote is excellent all the way around. By comparison, the Panasonic is a bit cluttered, and has some minor limitations. The Panasonic remote control, does, however, have some advantages. First, it's a learning remote that can also control up to three additional devices, and second it has an LCD display as well as lots of buttons.
Color Mangement Systems (CMS)
Both offer extensive color management controls, although the Panasonic goes a bit further, and also offers their built in waveform generator, to help out. The Epson is more traditional, but has an excellent gamma adjustment setup, allowing users to easily create custom gammas for different conditions and content.
Future-proof Projectors?
Both have HDMI 1.3 inputs, with Deep Color support (not all modes). The Panasonic, however, has three HDMI inputs, compared to The Epson's two. Personally I think everyone should have three, but, in reality, few do. Having three comes in handy for those with 3 different input devices using HDMI, but not using an AV Receiver for their HDMI source switching. Those three devices might be: 1) cable or satellite box 2) Hi-Def (probably Blu-ray) DVD player 3) standard DVD player 4) computer with HDMI output (most Macs, some PC's), 5 Some game machines - such as the PS3 6) future devices.
Of course there's always the option of buying a 3rd party HDMI switcher, if you have more devices, than inputs.
Both projectors also support 1080p/24fps, which is a big feature, that was not widely supported last year. This lets these projectors when working with most new hi-def discs (Blu-ray), that support 24fps, output movies, without having to support 3:2 pulldown, which is otherwise needed because movies are 24fps, and video (including projectors) are normally based on 30fps. The result of 3:2 pulldown is some unevenness in motion, usually referred to as "judder". Both of these fully suport 24fps, so, are on top of things. They will still use 3:2 pulldown with standard DVDs, since the "old" format does not support 24fps.
With both projectors supporting HDMI 1.3 with Deep Color, and 1080p/24fps, they fit into the most "future-proof" category.
Above: Epson Home Cinema 1080 UB (left) Panasonic PT-AE2000U (right), not to scale, the Panasonic is larger, but fits neatly, in size, between the "smaller" projectors, like the Epson, and "larger" ones like the Sony, JVC and BenQ projectors.
Anamorphic Lenses and Cinemascope
Here's a difference: The Panasonic supports using anamorphic lenses for Cinemascope movies to be viewed without the black bars at top and bottom of the screen. The Epson does not (but can, with an outboard processor). The Panasonic lacks the outputs to control the anamorphic lens' motorized sled, but that is not a biggie, and can be accomplished other ways. Remember, you need a different shaped screen (2.35:1) instead of the "traditional" home theater 16:9 (1.78:1) screen ratio. Please note, only a tiny percentage of home theater projector buyers go the anamorphic lens route, but if you are one of them, the Panasonic will save you the $1000 to $3000+ for an outboard processor.
Projector Warranties
Theoretically, the Panasonic comes with only your basic one year parts and labor warranty, but Panasonic has been offering a second year extended warranty, for most of the PT-AE2000U's existance. By comparison, the Epson Home Cinema 1080 UB, comes standard with a two year parts and labor warranty, and both years include their replacement program. If you have a warranty issue, Epson sends out a replacement, and you return yours to them, after the replacement arrives. You can't beat having a replacement warranty.
Projector Brightness
The Epson Home Cinema 1080 UB has the advantage here, both in "best" and brightest modes.
In that best, movie watching mode, they are fairly close, with the Panasonic clocking in at 402 lumens compared to the Epson's 468 lumens. Those extra 66 lumens compute out to about 16 percent more horsepower. Translated, that typically means you can go with the same screen, but about a foot larger diagonal, to get the same brightness.
Overall, I would say that 110" diagonal screens are about the maximum for the Panasonic, unless you go with hi-gain screens. And the Epson - well, as I said, about one extra foot diagonal.
In brightest mode, it gets more dramatic. The is the brightest game around, at least under $5000, and even between $5000 and $10,000, only one projector is significantly brighter. The Home Cinema 1080 UB cranks out over 1500 lumens.
By comparison the Panasonic, is still very respectable, but tops out at 1019 lumens.
That gives the Epson a real advantage if you have ambient light issues. Sports fans will definitely favor the Epson, as it will better "get them out of the cave". After all, if you have friends over, who wants to watch football in the dark. The same applies for normal TV/HDTV viewing. Mind you this is not even remotely a "night and day difference", but it is definitely significant. Think: Replacing a 50 watt light bulb with a 75 watt one.
To keep things in perspective, Panasonic's 1019 lumens is still at least average, and far brighter than some of the competition (down around 600 lumens).
Projector Sharpness
The newer PT-AE2000U is definitely a bit sharper than last year's model, the PT-AE1000U. Still it produces one of the softer looking images of the 1080p projectors. This is a trade-off. The Panasonic uses their "Smooth Screen" technology, to make the pixel structure completely invisible (unless you are standing a foot or two from the screen).
By comparison, the Epson Home Cinema 1080 UB, is classic 3LCD, with more visible pixel structure than the other two technologies - DLP and LCoS, but generally that is not considered an issue with 1080p projectors. Still, having a pixel structure just at/below the point of visibility for those who like to sit relatively close, isn't as good as no pixel structure at all.
The Epson does not produce the sharpest image around, but has to be considered better than average. Side by side, the difference between these two projectors is visible.
I think the Epson has the advantage here, overall, but some will like the Panasonic - they might say that the slightly softer, no pixel visibility makes the projector a bit more "film-like". Let's say that I don't have a problem with the Panasonic's image softness, and, in fact, my JVC DLA-RS1, last year's best under $10,000 projector (opinion of most reviewers), is no sharper.
Overall, this is one of those minor points, that probably won't be a decision maker, but may be one small, but significant factor that will influence your decision.
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Out of the Box Projector Performance
This works out to a tie. Both projectors, I describe as having very good color accuracy "out of the box". If you look at my calibration sections, you'll see that neither requires any significant adjustment to get truly excellent color at the ideal 6500K color temperature.
Black Levels and Shadow Details
No contest here. The Epson beats the Panasonic at black level performance rather easily. Not surprising, as I consider the Epson to be, by far the best of any projectors except for the far more expensive Sony VW60 and the JVC's, most of which cost at least twice the price.
Panasonic's black level performance is, however, very good, as I pointed out in the review. Let's say its typical of 3LCD 1080p projectors, and notably better than a couple, and definitely comparable on dark scenes to most of the DLP's out there as well.
When it comes to shadow detail, the battle is much closer, especially if you "tune" the Panasonic's gamma, a bit. That makes the two somewhat close, but the Epson, again, gets the nod.
Overall Picture Quality
A couple of months separated the two reviews, so I didn't get a chance to run these two projectors side by side.
The Panasonic, as previously noted, is very film like, and I used the phrase "a pleasure to watch" in describing it in the review. Nothing has changed. That makes it an exceptional consumer projector - for the people who just want to watch content, and not fiddle (although every projector can use a a little improvement that can be accomplished by a basic end user calibration (or hiring a professional).
The Epson is, I have to say, a touch less "film-like" (by the way, "film-like" is a very subjective term). Overall its image appears a touch harder, but also more dynamic - more "pop" and "wow".
For me, the extra horsepower, and the really superior black levels make the picture quality of the Epson, a step up from the Panasonic.
Projector Pricing
Murky. I put the PT-AE2000U in the Entry level - $2000 and under category, where it took top honors, (and is the most expensive entry). However, it was a tough call whether it belonged there, or in the same category as the Epson. This is due to Panasonic's chronic use of rebates and promos, which I try to factor in. As stated elsewhere in this report, however, I got the newest promotion wrong, thinking that, for example, it had a $400 mail in rebate, and $250 Blockbuster Rental card. Turns out, it is a $400 Blockbuster card, and that extra year of warranty (which Panasonic sells for $250). Most will agree, that the second promo, while nice, isn't as nice as what I originally thought. BTW, the error was all mine.
Still, no matter how you slice it, the Panasonic is less expensive. If you allow the full value of the rental card, but not the warranty (since both would have 2 year warranties), the difference would be over $600 at the time this is being written. Of course prices will change thoughout the life cycle of both projectors. The Epson definitely is selling for close to $3000.
Projector Value
Projector Value (or value proposition, or price/performance), is where price meets performance.
This is a close one. Figuring that the Panasonic is roughly (don't call me on this) 20% less after promos, rebates, etc., the two, I would say are similar in value. The Epson definitely has more going for it, but the price difference might cover the price of a good screen, or perhaps a Sony PS3 to play games and serve as your Blu-ray disc player, plus, really nice night on the town as a thank you to your spouse, for letting you get a projector.
The key thing here, is that regardless of the the overall better performance of the Epson, the Panasonic does a beautiful job. The Epson will definitely appeal to the enthusiasts, but most people will just be absolutely thrilled with the either projector. So, to paraphrase Dirty Harry: "Do ya feel rich, Do ya? Well Do ya?... (I'll skip the "punk.")
Here's some help, in deciding, especially if the money is tight. If you think that if you save the big bucks and buy the Panasonic, you will find yourself second guessing your decision, then you probably should spring for the Epson, because it is more projector, overall. If, on the other hand, if you are more the type that will go when getting an excellent projector like the PT-AE2000U set up, your reaction will be "awesome" I don't really give a damn, if something else is better, this is great, then save yourself some money.
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Art's Two Cents
I felt it necessary to cross pricing categories, due to the promo situation told above, if for no other reason. Forgetting that, though, these two needed to be compared. Afterall, they are very similar in many ways, from technology to room placement, and both sporting very good, out of the box color.
When it comes down to the bottom line, though, the Epson, if the prices were the same, I believe would be the choice of significantly more people than the Panasonic. Despite the PT-AE2000U's very pleasurable, film-like qualities, that dramatic difference in black level performance, and the extra lumens let the Epson Home Cinema 1080 UB project that more dynamic looking image - it's just got more wow factor, that more than offsets the slight hardness to the image.
I've already said elsewhere, that if I had to give up my $6000 JVC, and had to spend under $4000, the Epson would be my choice, but I will have no qualms about recommending the Panasonic for those really wanting to keep their investment down close to $2000.
Click on these links to read more in-depth comparisons.
Panasonic PT-AE2000U vs. Sanyo PLV-Z2000
Mitsubishi HC4900 vs. Panasonic PT-AE2000U
Sanyo PLV-Z2000 vs. Mitsubishi HC4900
Epson Home Cinema 1080 UB vs. JVC DLA-RS1x
Sony VPL-VW40 vs. Epson Home Cinema 1080 UB
Epson Home Cinema 1080 UB vs. Panasonic PT-AE2000U
BenQ W5000 vs. Sony VPL-VW40
JVC DLA-RS2 vs. Sony VPL-VW60
Overview
Image Quality
General Performance
Warranty
Summary, Pros, Cons