Panasonic PT-LB60U and PT-LB60NTU Projector Review

Posted on August 2, 2006 by Art Feierman

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Panasonic PT-LB60U and PT-LB60NTU Specs
Price	2999
Technology	3LCD
Native Resolution	1024x768
Brightness (Manufacturer Claim)	3200
Contrast	400:1
Zoom Lens Ratio	1:2:1
Lens Shift	No
Lamp Life	2000 hours (full power) 3900 hours (eco-mode)
Weight	(LB60U)5.5 lbs, (LB60NTU) 5.7
Warranty	3 year parts/labor, with 3 year Zip-it overnight loaner program

Panasonic PT-LB60U and PT-LB60NTU Projector Review - Overview

Panasonic offers two versions of the LB60 series. For this review and our accompanying seven projector comparison, Panasonic sent me the LB60NTU. The LB60NTU is identical to the less expensive LB60U, except for the addition (on the "NTU") of wireless networking, and the other features that come along with that networking. As a result, I'm writing this as a review of both versions, and will comment more regarding the pricing vs. extra features in the Summary section.

Both versions boast Panasonic's Daylight View II processing. Briefly, how it works: The LB60 projectors have a light sensor that measures room ambient lighting and adjusts color saturation and other parameters to allow the projected image to do it's best in the room environment it faces, such as boosting color saturation so colors show up better under bright lights. We found that to be pretty effective when we reviewed the LB20 and LB30 series last year.

The PT-LB60NTU is an LCD portable projector. Being LCD, lumen for lumen, it holds up better under ambient light than DLP projectors do. The 3000 lumen LB60NTU is not surprisingly more expensive than most comparably lumen rated DLP projectors, but then, in addition to the LCD advantage under ambient light, it is loaded with wireless networking. Typical street pricing for the LB60NTU varies a lot, but is typically $2000 to a few hundred less. The basic LB60U sells for about $200 and change less, making it pretty agressively priced for those not needing the wireless networking.

Panasonic PT-LB60U and PT-LB60NTU Projector Basic Specs

MSRP: $2999 (LB60U), $3399 (LB60NTU) (In this case list prices are rather meaningless, since they have little to do with selling prices.
Technology: LCD front projector
Native Resolution: XGA 1024x768
Brightness: 3200 lumens
Contrast: 400:1
Zoom Lens ratio: 1.2:1
Lens shift: No
Lamp life: 2000 hours (full power) 3900 hours (eco-mode)
Weight: 5.5 lbs. (LB60U), 5.7 lbs. (LB60NTU)
Warranty: 3 year parts/labor, with 3 year Zip-it overnight loaner program