OK, I got distracted with all the holiday activities.  Let me bring you all up to speed on what I finally heard back from BenQ, in terms of answers to my questions.

Lot’s of hopefully really good news:

I’ll run though a number of items I mentioned to them, and their response.

First, regarding the dip we found in the W7000′s cyan secondary color.    BenQ says that is corrected in the January firmware.  That required Mike to go into the CMS to get a good calibration, something we normally don’t do.

Black Level not as good as the W6000: Their exact response:  ”We did the measurement of the latest unit of W7000 and W6000 we have, and the result shows that they are about the same”

We expect that “about the same”, means the W7000 is at least as good, so we’ll cross our fingers until we get to test the new firmware.

Next:  When exiting 3D, found back in 2D with the lamp flickering:  BenQ response:  Fixed on the mass production units.

Aspect Ratio squished with DirecTV This turned out to be interesting, and not BenQ’s fault.  Out here, just about the same time the W7000 arrived, DirecTV changed their Guide and menu systems to HD resolution (finally after all these years).  Seems they are the cause of this problem.  I’ve seen this aspect ratio shift half a dozen times now, (mostly on CNBC, but not only), and I’ve now seen it do it on the Mitsubishi HC7800D, and also my 2 year old Sony LCDTV (which has never done anything like this before.

So, we can cross that one off the list.

Next:

Switching to User 1, all the settings seemed to be replaced by defaults. (temporarily, then upon power down and back up, your settings return)…  Response:  Will be fixed in next version F/W in Jan’12

Finally, as some of you know, BenQ has provided a small first shipment of projectors to dealers.  My understanding is that those units do not have all of the issues above addressed.

And that raised this big question:  What about the folks buying the early (late Dec.) projectors, in terms of getting the new firmware.

Good news there, too: The written word from BenQ:  ”We will provide the FW upgrade service for those customers who buy the first batch projectors. Not a problem.”

(Hooray!)  I expected no less, of course.

I’ve written before, about BenQ being one of the more responsive companies out there – specifically several years back (in the 720p days), they had a serious lamp issue with their PE7700. They took care of everyone, upgrading every projector and replacing every lamp, where the problem showed up (and that was most of the projectors shipped the first 6 months (the lamps lasted, typically 500+ hours, not 2000, but that still means it took many months before anyone was aware of the issue.  BenQ even paid shipping for everyone to send in their PE7700s for upgrade!

That folks is it!   As predicted in the first blog, almost all the problems were of the nature of being the kind of problems that show up in engineering samples, that we expect are fixed by full production.

W7000 Projector - Killer on NFL football!

Of these, the most critical, by far, is the black levels. Black levels were a particular strength of the W6000 (along with brightness), offering probably the best blacks of any DLP home theater projector under $3000 last year, but not quite up to, say the Epson “UB” projectors like the 8700UB.

If the W7000 can match the W6000 in terms of blacks, it certainly will have to be considered one of the top performing projectors anywhere near the price.

And that takes me to talking about the formal review itself, which, but for these issues, should have published more than a week ago.  Instead, I’ve been focusing on these blogs to keep you all up to speed.  Here’s the plan going forward.

1.  Parts of the review are already completed, and will post in the next 48 hours.  Unfortunately, some critical sections will have to wait until I can get the firmware upgraded.

BenQ W7000 - image from the movie Red

2.  Going up first will be “most” of the Overview page (index), the Physical Tour page, the Performance page, parts of the Image Quality page (but not Black levels / shadow detail) which will have to wait for the firmware.  I will also put up the calibration page, although that likely will have some changes with the new firmware.  Hopefully, the new firmware will only require resetting the CMS (taking out the Cyan changes), and that the remaining settings will then provide the same results.  It may turn out that a new calibration will be needed to end up with the proper grayscale calibration.

For those of you who like to check out all the images, the photo shoot is long ago complete, so just about all of the images except those specifically used for discussions on black levels and shadow detail, should also be posted.

My hope will be that I can get firmware next week (or even this week?).  As soon as BenQ says “ok” I’ll make the 20 mile drive to their offices in Irvine CA, and get that firmware.)  My hope would be to have the review completed within 72 hours of getting the firmware!

That’s it folks, best we can do.  I’ll also be posting a “First Look” blog review of that Mitsubishi HC7800D, also hopefully in the next 48, and will endevour to have the full Mitsubishi review up over the weekend or next Monday.

Finally, a partial Summary page will also go up.

BUT!   A final determination as to whether the W7000 will qualify for a Hot Product Award, a Special Interest Award, or no award at all, will have to wait until I’ve had a close look at the next firmware.

And that folks, is it for now!  -art

PS.  one more time – Happy New Year!

Panasonic PT-AE7000 - PT-AT5000 in the EU

As many of you have noticed, the Panasonic PT-AE7000 projector review is up.  Sorry for the delay in mentioning that here.

As of this writing, Lori’s just starting to proof, and I still have a few more things to add – some additional comparisons, the screen page, and the menus…

It’s one fine projector.  Check out the PT-AE7000 review.

So, what’s next?  Glad you asked!

Three projectors, that will be worked on simultaneously, more or less:

Acer H9500BD 3D Home Entertainment Projector

Already here, and calibrated by Mike, I’m  watching NFL football, and following my Fantasy teams on the new Acer H9500BD home entertainment projector.  With an MSRP of $1699, 3D capabilities and high brightness, it is intended to do battle with projectors like the Epson Home Cinema 3010, and the Optoma HD33.

Home Theater projector number #2, goes higher end.  Sony’s VPL-VW95ES.  This 3D capable projector, replaces last year’s 90ES and should be slightly better, overall, but brighter in 3D.  FedX confirmation received that it will arrive tomorrow – Monday.

Epson Home Cinema 5010 - or 5010e Projector

Mystery guest #3, has been awaited a while and delayed, but a last Thursday email still says I should have the Epson Home Cinema 5010 arriving on Wednesday morning!

So? you ask, which will publish first?

Hard to say.  Originally, I figured the Acer would publish after the Sony, but I had expected the Sony this past week.  As result of that, the Acer likely will publish on Wednesday (11/16).  But I can’t yet promise which of the other two will be next.

Most likely, if the Epson Home Cinema 5010 arrives on time (Wed.) I’ll probably push that ahead of the Sony, for no other reason than the market for $3K projectors is probably at least 10 times that of $10,000 projectors like the Sony.  That is, a lot more people are waiting to  see the Epson Home Cinema 5010 review than the VPL-VW95ES.

Hang in there.  It’s going to be a fun November.  You’ll get my take on Panasonic PT-AE7000 vs. Epson Home Cinema 5010, how this Acer H9500BD can compete against the other 3D capable entry level 1080p projectors, and if you folks with real dollars in your pocket, will get all you are looking for from the new improved Sony.  -art

MICO 160 Projector from SIM2

SIM2 surprised me.  Last they now seem to have 30 projectors or more, starting at under $7000.  I put together a “short” page on SIM2 projectors that touches on five  or six different key projectors in their line-up, including 3D capable entries at a wide range of prices. Check out SIM2 for 2011!

Let’s discuss Runco here:

Runco – Runco wow’d the press at their press conference (including me) with the brightest 3D I’ve seen to date.  Would you believe 3D on a 213 inch screen?  And it was so bright, that I’d say it easily was brighter than, say, any of the JVCs or Mitsubishi 3D capable projectors doing a 100″ diagonal screen in 2D.

How bright was it?   Well, Runco showed us this way:  In 2D, on the 213″ screen, the projector was producing over 100 ft lamberts!   Even with a 75% loss (and if I understand the way they are handling their 3D dual lens projectors), they have a theoretically 50% maximum output to the eye in 3D.     Imagine – 50 ft-lamberts – when last year’s JVC RS60  on my 100″ screen calculates to the high side of 2 ft-lamberts in 3D when measured last year, and the Sony and Mitsubishi competition was only an extra ft-lambert or so brighter.  All well below the 12 ft-lambert standard used as a minimum for 2D.  I’ve already mentioned how I don’t understand how SMPTE (Society of Motion Picture and TV Engineers) could have approved an under 3 ft-lambert minimum standard for 3D, unless they simply recognized that, at the time it was set, that was the best the hardware could do in a theater.  Still, that’s not encouraging.

BTW, Runco was very interesting, as they were not using polarization, but doing things with dichroic glasses.  I’ll sort out the technologies later as I have a chance to do some reading.  I’m pretty sure Ron will be blogging on that.  The thing is, I’m not sure what the best possible output (in brightness), 3D can produce to the eyes, compared with 2D, but let’s just say, that if you’ve got 10,000 lumens, and a really large screen, you still will have very bright 3D.  Hallelujah!

That Runco comes with a hefty six figure price tag, but Runco offers 3D capability at a $60,000 price point too.

For CEDIA there were two additions to their lower cost LifeStyle series.  Runco introduces their lowest priced projector yet, at just $3995  The Runco LS-1 is a single chip DLP projector .  The LS-1 also supports their anamorphic lens system.

Something different for Runco is their LS100D.  This consists of an ultra-short throw projector and 92″ screen combination, designed so that the projector only needs to be as far back as 18 inches from the screen.  It can be mounted above or below.  Runco sees this as a very efficient design for many rooms.  Consider your bedroom, for example.

Who really  wants a projector sitting over your head while you are in bed.  Most impressive was the sharpness. We’ve seen several ultra-short throw business projectors, but the convergence of the LS100D was far better than most, and I’d say better than the best of the business models.  Nice and crisp.  The LS100D MSRP, including the 92″ screen is $19,995.

I expect to be reviewing the low cost Runco LS-1 this fall, based on conversations with them.  -art

Couple of busy days, and much partying, I had hoped to do more blogging late last night, but the fates had it otherwise.

This will be my last blog before a final walk through of the show (only an hour of time to spare).

Projectors, Let’s start with the Epson 6010 – and therefore 5010 and 5010e – demo, and, of course, the once expected last year, 61000 Epson with reflective panels.

First the Epson Pro Cinema 61000. This long awaited projector (very long), looked great. Just a guess, (and remember I don’t care about claimed contrast specs – including this one’s 1,000,000:1), but I’d say the Epson can probably take out the JVC RS40 that I reviewed last year, when it comes to blacks, and do so without much trouble. Whether it can equal or beat the RS55 and RS65, I’ll just have to get one in to make an accurate judgement, based on my RS20, but then blacks have not improved of any note as JVC has gone to the RS20 to the RS25. From my look at the RS60 last year, same is true. JVC may finally have some major league competition for the black level champ, although Epson’s using panels and iris.

At any rate the demo of the 61000 was stunning in terms of blacks.

The Pro Cinema 61000 is 2D, and not as bright as the others by virtue of not needing the extra horsepower for 3D. We will of course measure and see how it comes out lumen wise, as soon as we get one in. Ship date is November (with manufacturers when they name a month, it’s usually towards the end…)

Pricing of Epson’s Pro Cinema 61000, Epson says will be “under $5000″. Epson often doesn’t finalize pricing until right before shipping (like many) because they all like to see what the competition’s priced at.

Next – the Pro Cinema 6010, the Home Cinema 5010 and 5010e projectors: All of these have essentially the same performance, with only some feature differences.

Last time I saw the Pro Cinema 6010 was at Epson 2 weeks ago yesterday. What a difference. Then I pointed out the 3D still needed a good bit of work. I am pleased to report, that while 3D still isn’t as clean as we would like to see, I would say that the improvement was rather dramatic in terms of getting things right.

Still a bit more work to do, but they have plenty of time yet to work on all that firmware. The Panasonic, and the new Mitsubishi HC7800D both looked very clean, and the Epson isn’t there yet. The Mits has the advantage of being a DLP, which I’m led to understand, inherently has virtually no crosstalk at all when done well.

Back to the 6010. These new (including the 5010 and 5010e) projectors are all scheduled to ship in November as well. Price wise, the Epson formula is:
Home Cinema 5010 Projector: Under $3000
Home Cinema 5010e Projector: Under $3500
Pro Cinema 61000 Projector: Under $4000

Since you already know that the lower cost 3010 and 3010e are $1599 and $1799, you are wondering why the price spread is potentially larger for the 5010 vs 5010e, both 5xxx models come with 2 pair of glasses while the 3010e does not come with the glasses.

The 6010 looked really good color wise. But then, there isn’t much to do. So far I’ve never reviewed a projector with THX mode, that didn’t have great color out of the box. Sure you can tweak and calibrate for your lamp, contrast, etc, but never even “pretty good color” whether Epson, JVC, Runco, or other projectors sporting that THX logo.

I know you are all going to ask me which to buy, the Panny, the 5010/5010e/6010, the Sony, HW30ES, the Mits HC7800D, etc. for those who want 3D.

Here’s the answer: Not a clue! I can take some decent guesses, but, here’s the GOOD NEWS: I’ll likely have almost all of them reviewed, and have several in house, before most ship in “November”.

Next: Panasonic – I liked it the first time I saw it, and that hasn’t changed. What has is Panasonic has now said: Very soon, which I take to mean before end of the month, or very close to it.

SIM2. They have launched so many new projectors, and they are coming down to the $7000 price point. They need their own blog, but let’s just say they’ve got a host of single chip DLP’s with 3D capability coming out (soon or out), as well as, of course rather expensive 3 chippers (also with 2D and 2D/3D models). I expect to review a couple later this year or first quarter of next.

Runco – I let’s just say, 11,000+ lumens Even doing 3D, Even doing a massive 213″ diagonal screen, was brighter than probably any 2D home theater I’ve ever reviewed! Amazing, truly bright – the way you want your sports, in 3D, truly amazing.

Hey even their $60,000 3D projector is bright but this one defines “light cannon” more in blogs during the week where I can get into individual model information. Just remember Runco, like SIM2 is now playing in the under $10,000 space, so let’s not take them for granted as out of the question when looking at Sony’s and JVC’s etc.

Sorry, wanted to write more, but you’ll all be happier if I spend the next 90 minutes on the show floor. adios for now! -art

JVC’s been busy. They’ve replaced the RS40, RS50 and RS60, with their new DLA-RS45, RS55 and RS65. Each has new features, and should also prove to be brighter doing 3D than last year’s models. I’ll touch on some of that, but let’s run through the pricing because there’s something really noteworthy there.

Although JVC’s DLA-RS55 and DLA-RS65 are priced the same as their last year’s equivalents, the DLA-RS45 gets a $1000 price drop to $3495. That brings JVC 3D projection down where a lot more folks can afford it.

The two higher end models, RS55 and RS65, now offer pixel adjustment in 1/16th pixel increments unlike last year’s 1 pixel shift.
And you can adjust the shifting in 21 separate zones, or do the whole screen at once. The lower end models still offer the 1 pixel width adjust. Keep in mind, of course, that 1 pixel adjust doesn’t affect the 1:1 pixel mapping.

JVC also offers e-shift, which smooths out the image, by repeating the frame with a slight shift. I have no idea if this is inherently the same, or similar to Panasonic’s long standing SmoothScreen technology, but even when up close, pixel structure further disappears, and remember, LCoS is really good to start.
I’ve seen some press refer to the new ones as 4k, but, it isn’t really, because they repeat the image twice with slight shifting, it’s still can’t be sharper then, and is actually softer than pure 2k (1080p). I didn’t realize we needed this for LCoS panels because I never saw the pixel structure as a problem at normal seating distances. It nicely softens menus and other text though.
I didn’t see the old HD250Pro, or a replacement, and I don’t recall, them mentioning it, but I have their press kit, which should have more info. I won’t get to look at that, though until I’m back at my hotel.

Also new from JVC is the new 110, which comes finished in white, and is designed for more commercial applications, but still maintains many of the same features. BTW, like the RS45, it lacks the full color CMS of the RS55 and RS65. An immediate thought though, is that it may prove to be very competent in family rooms etc, as it is the brightest of the group.

Sadly they were only showing the RS45 doing 3D (looked good), but the RS55/65 only doing 2D.

JVC says, that lamps, and other features will make this year’s RS55 and RS65 brighter in 3D than last year’s.

More after the show, as we get the specs pages up, and I have more time to comment.

JVC said most models would be shipping in Novemeber, with the white one in October, I think.

Moving on to Sony – Didn’t see it work but Sony has a new projector they showed at IFA in Europe. I’ve been to their press conference but not their theater in their booth – heading there next. The big news, of course is their new 4K VPL-VW1000ES, but last year’s VPL-VW90ES gets replaced with the Sony VPL-VW95ES, which is inherently similar, but a main new difference is lamp dimming technology that they say allows the VW95ES to be a brighter in 3D, while running cooler.

BTW, Sony’s $799 OLED lit, 3D headgear is impressive, it’s heavy but balances well when put on. It’s full HD with the panels about 1 inch from your eyes. It’s a little out of our normal, but I’ve asked to review one. It’s just that cool.

Finally, I got the tour at Epson, but I’ll do an Epson blog later – I saw both the 6010, their new flagship 2D, and 3D projector, in one theater, and the 61000 in their other. Yes, the 61000 first shown last year, is back. Like the 3D projectors – November shipments. -art

I just left the Sony Press conference, (9/7) the evening before the CEDIA show floor opens for the masses.

The VPL-VW1000ES is the first – and (you know how I love the term) IMPRESSIVE 4K Home theater projector. I saw a clip of the new Spiderman on it… Geez, all I need now is them to ship me one, so I can forget to send it back. I wasn’t paying attention to the details, such as black levels, or even color accuracy. That I got to watch 4K content, on a 4K projector, at a distance/screen size roughly comparable to what I watch everyday Blu-ray and HDTV 1080p (roughly 2K), warmed my heart.

OK, no idea of price, but the also announced VPL-VW95ES (replacement for the VW90ES) is likely right around $10K so the VPL-VW1000ES will certainly be a lot more.

How much more will the VPL-VW1000ES cost you ask? (I write that so I don’t get 168 people emailing and commenting and speculating.) They won’t say, but tomorrow opens the show floor and they will announce it there. $15K (probably low?) $20K – $25K (probably?), or more… Don’t worry about it. I will post the magic number from the show tomorrow or the next day.

I said this should be a great CEDIA for projectors, weeks ago, and now that Im here, it looks even better… Stay tuned!

Did I mention that Sony is also showing a 3D headset display (you know – glasses that you put on that are 3D? Low res versions have been around for years. These Sony’s though are 3D and use their OLED panels (organic LEDs).

Very cool. But don’t ask me any more about them. RonJ will be blogging about them, as we both attended the press conference. So, check out his blog (find the link in the blogs section on the homepage. Ron’s an engineer by trade, and actually cares about why things perform the way they do. I count on him to set me straight on such things. These glasses are right up his alley, although I too, want a pair… With a little luck he’ll be reviewing a pari next month when they become available.

The coolest thing about them: Full HD 1920×1080, not the 320x24o type resolution glasses that have been around for years.

More blogs to come from CEDIA! -art

OK, I published some minimal rumors I picked up, just last week.  Today, I have something exciting for you:

One of you readers (thanks) sent me a link to a website (outside the US) that has what appears to be professional product shots done of the new Epson 3D projector.   I sure hope he’s right about that.  It’s been almost a year since I saw the Epson reflective panel projectors that never hit the market.  I don’t exactly remember what those looked like, so I am truly hoping these images are of the new Epson 3D projector.  Since the website had some commentary (in Spanish- which I didn’t read), I presume they have it right.

OK folks here are some images for you.  I’ve shrunk them down to fit here.  Sadly, nothing else yet to report (more next week, I’m rather sure), but the photos are pretty, so enjoy!

Here are some more images – click on these thumbnails of Epson’s new 3D home theater projector for a closer look! -art

Call it a rumor, smoke and mirrors, a future product, and toss in some educated guesses, but it seems almost certain that Epson will have a shiny new 3D projector to roll out at CEDIA and, in Europe, at IFA.     Of course such a new Epson projector will be 2D first as well as 3D, which is typical of all the other 3D projectors.

I’ve been digging, but I can’t even get an Epson model number!  (I could guess, but why bother.)  What I’ve got for you  is better than, but not drastically so, then when Panasonic put out a 1 line press release at Infocomm that they would have a new 3D projector.   (Of course  just two weeks ago, those guys showed it to us press).  With Epson, so far, just a rumor or two.

Word would have it that Epson’s first 3D projector will sport the same 3LCD panels as the Panasonic, running at 480 hz, which will use active glasses for 3D content.  (Panasonic has been using Epson LCD panels in their projectors, for as long as I can remember.)

Let me say first, there can’t be just one 3D projector from Epson.    Epson has two distribution channels, Online dealers and big box houses, and their very similar Pro Cinema projectors, sold only by local installing dealers.  So, no doubt there will be one Home Cinema version, and one more expensive Pro Cinema model with a longer warranty.

What sounds interesting are two things.  First, that the Epson  3D projector could be even brighter than the Panasonic.  Well, kudos to both of them, as many of you know, I consider most of the 1080p 3D entries so far, to not be bright enough for a truly satisfying experience.  Looks like a great CEDIA coming up next month, for 3D projectors.

So, let’s think about that brightness issue.  I think Epson and Panasonic have been using different lamps for years (at least).  Typically, every time the two of them bring out new projectors at CEDIA each year, it seems the Epson entry is at least 20% brighter.  The whys don’t matter so much as the end result.

If,  the rumor of even more brightness than the Panasonic, proves true, then I’d have to speculate that the Epson 3D capable projector would likely best the Panasonic’s 2000 lumens with at least 2200.  More likely, though, I’d figure 2400, maybe even  more.   2600 wouldn’t be out of line.  If Epson maintains the same average brightness advantage they have in most past years, they are likely to fall somewhere in that range.

The other item in question, is price.   All I’m hearing is a vague, Epson will aggressively price their new projector…  So what does that mean?

Well, we already know that the Panasonic will have a US.  MSRP of $3499.   What isn’t known is where they will set MAP (minimum advertised price).  I’ve been speculating between $2499 and $2999, but figure $2799 or $2999 most likely.  I still don’t know what the new Optoma 3D projectors – the HD33, 3300 and HD8300 will list for?

I suspect that Optoma, Epson, and Panasonic are all trying to guess where each of the others set their MAP or Street prices.   While the higher end of our new 3D projector market, looks to be dominated for now by projectors using LCoS technology, DLP and 3LCD look to slug it out in the high volume ranges under $3500.    I think it’s great that we will have several 3D projectors this fall that are much brighter than the higher priced models we’ve seen to date.

Finally, Epson has traditionally priced their UB model just slightly above the equivalent Panasonic (ie. 8700UB at $2199, PT-AE4000 at $1999.

Personally, I think Epson’s idea of aggressive pricing is typically to set their price, a smidgeon higher than Panasonic, but well below pricing from JVC and Sony.  Epson  normally can rationalize charging a few bucks more than Panasonic,  just for the much better warranty.

I expect Epson to have their usual 2 years parts and labor, with 2 year replacement program.  (Panasonic, btw, is normally 1 year, but never has had any replacement program, although Panasonic  often runs a 2nd year as a promotion).  Now, should Epson decide to price below the Panasonic, I would be surprised.

Ultimately though, I believe Epson, Panasonic, and Optoma, are all sort of waiting to see what the other will do.  There have been times, in past years at CEDIA where price changes were actually made “on the floor” as one company might surprise others who, finding themselves less competitive than they thought, immediately adjust.   Now that would be fun!

Back to the  inevitable Epson 3D ready projector.   I really haven’t heard anything else of use, either, except perhaps the projector may be able to put up two images side by side.  Now that would be very cool.  I wonder if that’s practical, say for two gamers to “share” the projected image.  I’ll leave that one for my two gamer bloggers.  Myself, I could definitely see doing side by side images, say of having a football game on one side, and my computer with all my fantasy football numbers on the other side.  or…   well, use your imagination too.  

What will this Epson look like?   I haven’t a clue.  Since it will be 3LCD, though, if we consider the Panasonic entry, we might provide guidance, I can say that the new Panasonic though prettier than the AE4000, is about the same size.  With that in mind, I have no reason to expect this new un-named Epson 3D and 2D projector, to be any larger than the existing Home Cinema 8700UB.   If it is brighter than the Panasonic, though, you never know.

What I’m curious about, is whether it will have motorized lens features.  The announced, but never shipped Epson  projectors with reflective panels last fall, were supposed to be motorized.   I have not one single reason to even guess that Epson’s 3D projector will have motorized lens functions, just musing.

So, in summary.  Epson’s apparently got a 3D capable projector in the works to be shown at CEDIA.   No real details, but it looks like we’re going to finally see the LCD crowd get into the 3D game.  Once Panasonic announced, it wasn’t hard to assume that Epson would have one as well.  Should be a real shooting match. While I was pleased that Panasonic announced theirs to be 2000 lumens, I like even more, hearing that the Epson will be even brighter.  My own two cents has been that if you want to enjoy some 3D, you should have at least 4x the brightness that would please you for 2D, because… (there I go again).

OK, I’ve rambled long enough.  If I hear anything else, I’ll report back.  (anyone got a picture of it?) -art

It will be shipping in September!  I asked, they could not tell me when in Sept – early or late, or…  We’ll just have to see.

A quick comment then some details.   I had the opportunity to see a good hour plus of assorted 3D content, including Ice Age 3, and others.  This was in Panasonic’s “theater” screening room.  It’s a small theater, with great huge home theater type seats (yep cup holders, too), and it’s got all dark surfaces, and a huge screen.

PT-AE7000 lens and controls - lens shift and control panel

We saw the PT-AE7000 as it will be called in the US – or PT-AE7000U, also to be known at the PT-AT5000 in the EU, and probably a lot of the rest of the world.

It’s impossible to make any precise, quick judgements when viewing content you don’t or barely know, in a room you are unfamiliar with.  For that reason, I reserve all serious judgements for after a PT-AE7000 graces my testing room and theater.   That said, it was most impressive!

What we have here, is Panasonic’s PT-AE70000.  It is a 3 LCD panel projector (yes good old transmissive panels (or maybe good “new” panels.  I never asked.  It seems about the same size as the PT-AE4000, but far better looking.  Gone is the commercial box, replaced with some decent sculpted lines.

Unlike the PT-AE4000, the PT-AE7000 looks great – turned off.

Turn on the power and you have a 2000 lumen rated 1080p projector.  That’s an increase over the PT-AE4000, but perhaps more importantly, that makes it about twice as bright (or more) than any of 3D 1080p capable projectors I’ve had in, to review.

With a MSRP of only $3499 (no, it’s not $3495), it prices below, yet is brighter than the JVC, the Sharp XV-Z17000, the Mitsubishi HC9000D and the Sony VPL-VW90ES, that we’ve reviewed to date.  Even the  forthcoming Sony HW30 should be at least a few hundred more expensive, as, no doubt, Panasonic will set their MAP price lower.

Panasonic has not yet set it at this time, but the two most logical price points will be $2995 or $2495  We shall see.  Final pricing on the recently announced Optomas, and probably guessing at what the other 3D projector with transmissive LCDs will price at – that being whatever Epson rolls out at Cedia in 6 weeks, as they too say they will have one.

Enough on that, however.  Let’s talk projector.

PT-AE7000 Contrast:   300,000:1  (significant improvement)
PT-AE7000 Brightness:  2000 lumens

We saw the PT-AE7000 and AE4000 doing the same 2D material side-by-side, both in Cinema 1 modes and you can definitely see slightly blacker blacks and the additiona pop – dynamic look, to the image.  All considered, the PT-AE7000 with better blacks and a couple hundred more lumens, effortlessly looked the better of the two. Similar, but definitely better.

For 3D viewing, there was no competition there for comparison, but (for an unfamiliar location) it really did look good.  On most of the content, the PT-AE7000 was essentially free of the ghosting, referred to as cross-talk.  Part of that was attributed to their 480Hz driven LCD panels, with larger aperture.

The PT-AE7000 inherits a lot from the older AE4000.   The Waveform generator is still there, but it’s been upgraded to do 3D as well.

The Lens Memory feature is still there.  I believe it shares the same lens and throw distances, as the older model, and it does have the same 100% range on vertical lens shift, although it has a little less horizontal shift that the 4000.

A new Red rich lamp, according to Panasonic is making a real difference.  AE7000 has CFI and pretty much all the other dynamic type features that the 4000 has offered.

OK, of interest.  Like DLP-Link, the PT-AE7000 sends out the syncing information for the active shutter glasses.  They say the range is about 6 meters – call it 20 feet.   If your room requires more, no worries, a separate IR transmitter for 3D is included, and plugs into one of the two “Screen triggers”.  Problem solved.  The emitter was used for the demo, as some folks in the Panasonic theater were as far back as 40+ feet.

Just a couple more things before I go.

The full press release will be posted on our site, most likely tomorrow.   They handed out paper, not a file, although a couple folks were asking and might have gotten the pdf by now.   Either way, we’ll get the full release up as quickly as possible.

Same for the specs, although you know already know most of the ones you care about.

The PT-AE7000 looked great in 2D, it looked almost (not really) bright, in 3D.  In one room they actually dared show it on a 120″ diagonal 1.1 gain screen.  Well it was at least as bright (by my best guess) as any of the four mentioned above, on a much smaller screen.   I’d say on my slightly higher gain Studiotek 130, at 100″ diagonal, none of those others was quite as bright as the Panasonic, on 120″.  This gives me hope that my friends who object to the general lack of brightness of 3D, and often prefer the 2D version, only because of the brightness, may be swayed.  My toughest viewer, insisted 45 minutes int Alice, on the JVC, that she couldn’t stand the dimness, so we switched to 2D.

So, I’m most encouraged.  So far, the only consumer 1080p projectors out there with 2000 lumen type brightness are entry level 720p 2D/3D projectors, more for gaming or the family room.   This Panasonic changes all of that.  It still won’t be close to 2D brightness in a movie theater, but it’s a good step on the way.

So, from a quick look under unfamiliar conditions:   Brighter than most 3D projectors, cleaner on ghosting and crosstalk, a reasonable price (you really didn’t expect them to give you 3D for the same price as the AE4000 did you?) – and a classically extensive set of performance and consumer features!

Great promise.  Can’t wait until a review unit arrives (no they couldn’t say when yet – and these units here, are all engineering samples), to see how well Panasonic delivers on the promise.

One last thing.  When Panasonic was asked “what took you so long”, their answer was basically, “we wanted to get it right”.  Looks like they are on the right track.   It’s going to be a really interesting fall and winter this year, for home theater projectors.   That’s great, the past 12 months have been a bit thin  on great new projectors, but this CEDIA, there should be plenty.  I’m ready!

People, start saving, there look to be a lot of cool projector choices coming in the 2nd half of this year, and the PT-AE7000 definitely looks to be one of the more/most interesting.  -art

It would seem that the Optoma HD3300 is a more feature laden HD33.  The primary difference should be that the HD3300 is equipped with HDMI 1.4a, and is compatible with Blu-ray 3D and other 1080p HD sources such as satellite or cable.  This would separate it from the HD33 which looks to be an HD20 replacement, 3D capable without the full range of 1080p full HD 3D compatibility.  That should result in a noticeable price difference between the two, but as if yet, I’ve got no indication how the HD3300 projector, or its less expensive sibling, the HD33, will be priced.  I was able to find information from a translation of a french website: http://www.hdfever.fr/2011/06/14/optoma-hd8300-hd3300-et-hd33/

Here’s a couple of paragraphs from a google translation:

The Optoma HD3300 also loads a chip Acronym Chip 0.65 “DarkChip 2 DMD DLP, therefore compatible DLP 3D 1080p with HDMI 1.4, support for technologies Syde-by-Side, Top & Bottom, or 3D sequential 3D Blu-ray, input. Against it by in the characteristics that change a little with a brightness of 1900 lumens for contrast much lower than the HD8300, 5000:1, therefore much less deep black (no DynamicBlack technology) and compensation movement is a PureMotion (not PureMotion2 the HD8300), but the BrilliantColor is of course present. Further details, apparently it is ISF certified and offers a lens shift for easy placement:

• Single 0.65 “1080p DLP DarkChip3 ™ Technology by Texas Instruments
• Iris Control, Full Shift lens
• True 10-Bit Processing Full HD
• Optoma Stage 3 Image Processing

With the HD33, Optoma offers a more affordable solution, which also offers two HDMI 1.4 ports with support for technologies Syde-by-Side, Top & Bottom, sequential or 3D Blu-ray 3D input. The variant appears to be in the management of 3D. If this projector is capable of displaying 1080p from 2D, 3D would be limited to 720p against 120 Hz also embeds BrilliantColor, a chipset Single 0.65 “1080p DMD DLP DarkChip2 and compensation PurMotion with support from 1080 / 24p.

I’m not sure that the translation is “perfect”, but that seems to be the gist of things, best I’ve been able to tell.  The bottom line, the HD3300 will offer more 3D capabilities than the HD33.  Other differences can wait until we have more details. -art