[snocrash]

I can't seem to find any comparison's on this one.

All I want to know, does the AE500 (and possibly the Z2) let out less light on a black picture than the AE300? (i.e., blacker blacks?)

I know the contrast ratios are higher, but that doesn't always equate to less light output on black.

[Tempest]

Yeah I'd like to know this also.

I think from, what I've heard/been told the newer projectors are supposed to have slightly blacker blacks and slightly whiter whites.
Nothing magical, but just nibbling at either end of the range.

[KraGorn]

The answer for the Z2 is definitely 'yes'.

I changed from an AE300 to a Z2 and for a couple of days had both. One test I did was to turn both on and each projected to 1/2 of my Onyx 1.2 gain fixed-frame screen. The area imaged by the Z2 was noticeably less grey shall I say than the AE300 .. clearly neither even approach 'black' .

I then alternated covering the lens of one while looking at the area illuminated by the other to make sure light spill wasn't playing a role .. again the Z2 was darker.

This was in a 100% dark room with only wall reflections which did ahve an effect but minimal and also consistent with both machines.