Panasonic PT-AE8000U Home Theater Projector Pricing Update

Greetings all you home theater fans, I was in contact with Panasonic's projector group today, as I seemed to remember hearing about a price drop on their flagship PT-AE8000 home theatre projector, when I was attending CES. Well, I remembered correctly.  Turns out that Panasonic has dropped the MAP price of the PT-AE8000U from $2999, to $2799.00.   Note please:  Until end of last year (12/31/12, Panasonic was offering 2 pair of 3D glasses and a year of extended warranty (making it 3 years (or 3000 hours whichever comes first). They've changed that as well.  The new PT-AE8000 romo - through 1/31/13 (a couple of days yet), provides that 3rd year warranty, and the 2 pair of 3D glasses, plus Panasonic has added a $100 rebate, when you register the projector with them. Panasonic likes these ending soon rebates, etc.  It creates some urgency.  But, fear not.  While there are no guarantees, they do tend to renew them (sometimes with changes), almost endlessly.  Still, don't blame me if the rebate next month is less valuable. Now let's put the changes in perspective.  Essentially we are looking at total decrease in cost of $300.  The $200 price drop, and the addition of a $100 rebate.  What makes that so interesting is that it pretty much gives the Panasonic PT-AE8000 pricing parity with their most direct competitor, the Epson Home Cinema 5020UB.   That's not surprising, because in past years, it almost always was the Epson that sold for more. The net $300 in savings also increases the pricing advantage over Three more expensive projectors:  The Mitsubishi HC8000D (review posting this week) at $2999 (but 3D glasses, emitter, are optional), while the Sony VPL-HW50ES is $3999 with glasses and spare lamp, and the JVC DLA-X35 is $3499... One thing to think about.  Since the glasses come as past of the rebate, you don't get them when you take delivery of the projector. That means you are waiting weeks? before you can watch 3D.  Since many of you are likely to own more than 2 pair of glasses (for visiting friends), you might want o buy a pair or two when you purchase the Panasonic. I'm not sure the  $300 lower package will change most people's decision when choosing between these projectors mentioned (my favorites around the price).  That said, it just might for some of you.  And, of course, if you were already intending to go with the Panasonic PT-AE8000U projector, you end up $300 richer.  Go for it?     -art