Panasonic PT-AE2000U Home Theater Projector: Physical Tour

There is a control panel, and like with the older PT-AE1000U, it is on the left side (if looking from the back), hidden behind a spring release door. Other than being hidden from normal view, it is typical of control panels on most projectors: Power and Menu buttons, the traditional four arrow keys in a diamond layout, with a center Enter button. Then, further to the right, Input Select, and below it the Return key. On the far right, are the controls for the motorized zoom and focus.

That takes us to the back of the PT-AE2000U. Here things are a little different than the PT-AE1000U, as the new Panasonic has added a 3rd HDMI input, which for those lacking an AV receiver with switching (or an HTPC), can be a real plus - one for satellite/cable, one for a hi-def DVD player, (or maybe two, if the Blu-ray, HD-DVD war doesn't end), and perhaps a computer with an HDMI output.

After the three HDMI's, there's still the usual complement of other inputs, including two component video inputs, one standard (analog) computer input, and the usual composite video and S-video inputs. Lastly, an RS-232 for command and control, by a room controller, computer, etc.