Panasonic PT-AE2000U Projector: Pros

• Multiple movie modes, multiple modes for TV, HDTV, and Sports
• Three HDMI inputs (yea!)
• Bright enough to handle larger screens (up to perhaps 125″ diagonal), depending on your room situation
• Excellent color management system
• Has support for a 3rd party Anamorphic lens for those wanting true Cinemascope aspect ratio 2.35:1
• Very quiet projector
• Excellent Price/Performance and Value $2699 US.

Panasonic PT-AE2000U Projector: Cons

• Pre-production unit has uneven color across the screen (this will be updated when a replacement arrives in 12/07)
• Dynamic mode is bright, and reasonable to watch, but needs a little tweaking to make it more natural.
• Black levels could be a bit better (but they are good!)
• Gamma in the low end range, tends to be too dark, crushing blacks a little, adjustable

Panasonic PT-AE2000U Projector: Typical Capabilities

• Average Brightness
• Documentation – none provided, but expect it similar to the older model’s documentation, which was respectable, but could have used more explaination of a number of features
• Lamp life
• Out of the box color accuracy – this is not as good as the PT-AE1000U last year, but, the production version should be better – will be reviewed
• Setup

anasonic PT-AE2000U Summary: The Bottom Line

All considered, Panasonic may well be the best overall value out there.

We’ll know far more after the production unit arrives, and also the Epson Home Cinema 1080UB. (Hopefully they’ll be here at the same time!)

Of all the 1080p projectors reviewed to date, my opinion right now, is that if you need to keep your projector’s budget under $3000, the Panasonic looks to be the best overall projector out there.

Panasonic has done just about everything they needed to do, to make the PT-AE2000U, a much better projector than the older PT-AE1000U.

There is some stiff competition. Certainly the Sanyo PLV-Z2000 offers a comparable projector for less, for those that aren’t buying larger screens over 110″, as it isn’t as bright, and the Mitsubishi for a chunk more money, has a slight advantage in black levels, and it will appeal to those less price constrained.

For more than an extra $1000 there’s the new Sony VW60 (likely not as bright), and for twice the price, the top rated JVC, and it’s new replacement, the RS2, shipping in a couple of weeks. While there are better projectors out there, none cost as little as the PT-AE2000U.

This time around, the Panasonic, though, has established its price/performance credibility, nothing to date can beat it, dollar for dollar.

Perhaps more importantly, we have reached a level of quality in these new lower cost 1080p projectors, that promise to blow away their owners, and their owners’ friends, for years to come. Those seeking the maximum in performance may be willing to spend twice or more, but the vast majority out there will just love projectors like this Panasonic PT-AE2000U.

When you consider all these projectors with excellent price performance, and sub-$3000 pricing, I see the $2699 Panasonic as the one likely to have the widest appeal, and will predict that it proves to be the top seller in the 1080p class for 2008