Panasonic PT-MZ880 3LCD SOLID SHINE Laser Projector Review

The Panasonic PT-MZ880 3LCD SOLID SHINE Laser Projector is an 8,000-lumens projector with a laser light engine that can natively display WUXGA (1920 x 1200) resolution. This is an installation class projector that offers professionals a powerful range of features and performance. The PT-MZ880 provides features like Dynamic Contrast and Panasonic's Daylight View Basic designed to deliver sharp, clear images by enhancing detail particularly in dark areas of the image that would typically be difficult to see in brightly lit rooms.

The PT-MZ880 is an incredibly flexible projector designed to easily be installed in virtually any business environment. Providing a wide range of optional interchangeable lenses, including an exciting ultra-short-throw lens, pretty much guarantees you can install this projector in almost any installation environment. The PT-MZ880 has all the connections you would expect on a higher-end business/education class projector, including three HDMI inputs that support up to 4K@60 fps as well as a DIGITAL LINK™/HDBaseT™ port.

Priced at an astonishingly aggressive $7,499.00 MAP (Minimum Advertised Price), Panasonic describes this projector as well-balanced, flexible, and reliable. These characteristics make it perfect for classrooms, boardrooms, and large venues such as lecture halls, auditoriums, and even houses of worship.

In this review, I'll be giving you a brief overview followed by a list of the highlights and notable features, a tour of the hardware, and some insights into the picture quality and performance of the Panasonic PT-MZ880.

The Panasonic PT-MZ880 is an 8,000 lumens WUXGA professional projector with a laser/phosphor light engine rated for 20,000 hours of low-maintenance operation. It is part of Panasonic's PT-MZ880 Series of 3LCD equipped WUXGA professional laser projectors, including the PT-MZ780 and the PT-MZ680 models. All three models utilize the same chassis and are primarily differentiated by their light output (PT-MZ780@ 7,000 lumens and PT-MZ680@ 6,000 lumens).

The PT-MZ880 ships with a motorized lens, but it is also compatible with a range of optional lenses, including an ultra-short-throw lens for incredible placement flexibility.

The PT-MZ880 is a 3LCD SOLID SHINE laser projector that Panasonic says they engineered to deliver vibrant, bright, and colorful image quality through a compact, lightweight design that is flexible enough to fit in almost any installation space. The MZ880 is purpose-built for environments that require continual use, such as classrooms where a projector is expected to run pretty much the entire school day for the whole year.

To deliver reliable, consistent operation, Panasonic has designed the PT-MZ880's laser light engine to provide 20,000 hours of low maintenance, almost 24/7 operation. The 20,000 rating also applies to the projectors air filter thus significantly cutting back on maintenance costs, installation time, and overall total cost of ownership.

The PT-MZ880 can accept up to 4K@60P content via its three HDMI and single DIGITAL LINK (HDBaseT) terminals for increased clarity and detail. This projector has all the connections you would expect for a high-end professional projector, including an HDMI, DVI-D, SDI, and a DIGITAL LINK/LAN (HDBaseT) input.

With a whisper-quiet operation preventing any audience distraction, the PT-MZ880 Series projectors are also compatible with Panasonic's PressIT™ Wireless Presentation System for easy plug and play (PnP) presentations and collaboration at the simple press of a button.

By precisely modulating the PT-MZ880 laser light output, Panasonic claims this projector can deliver a dynamic contrast ratio of 3,000,000:1.

The refined optical engine balances brightness and color for vivid images without turning the lights off. Detail Clarity Processor 4, Dynamic Contrast, and Daylight View Basic optimize the display to provide a high-quality picture with excellent brightness, color, and contrast in the most challenging installation environments.

HIGHLIGHTS

• 8,000 Lumens
• 3LCD Solid Shine Laser Technology
• Laser Light Engine – Light engine life of up to 20,000 hours at halp brightness (Normal-Mode)
• WUXGA Resolution (1920 x 1200) pixels
• 3,000,000:1 Dynamic Contrast Ratio
• Seven interchangeable Lens Options
• Supports 4K@60P via HDMI or DIGITAL LINK (HDBaseT) terminals (DIGITAL LINK accepts 4K60P but YPBPR 4:2:0 format only)
• Apps and software for wirelessly projecting content from a PC or mobile device.
• Advanced Networking is standard. Wireless is optional.
• DIGITAL LINK (HDBaseT) for transmitting video over long distances via low cost CAT5e or higher standards
• Network monitoring and control
• Will work vertically at any angle
• 2X Reusable Air Filter for up to 20,000 hours maintenance free operation
• 3-year or 10,000 hour (which ever comes first) laser diode warranty