Panasonic PT-AE3000 LCD Projector review Comments

Reviewed by Phil Hinton
The PT-AE3000 opens up new chapters in front projection technology. The foremost feature has to be the automated zoom and focus function that allows cinemascope viewing without spending thousands on anamorphic glass. All in all, with superb calibrated picture results, along with a unique waveform monitor and stunningly good black levels for the price point, we can highly recommend you add this projector to your demo list.
Read the full review...

Great review, and pretty much backs up my opinon of this fantastic bargain.

It's a shame the review is about 3 months late though. This really should have been reviewed and released at the same time as the Sony VPL-HW10.

Better late than never. But a great review nonetheless. Won't be long before the next version is announced I suppose.

So the big question I have: Will a JVC750 + Anamorphic lens give results far better than the Panasonic? From what I've seen so far of both in Demos, I doubt it will be 5x better.

Have you checked how limited is the area you can affect with the CMS? Does it have an effect on other than the selected colours? With the older models only the selected colours were changed so it was a pretty useless feature. You can easily create a perfect CIE chart but the real gamut is still wrong.

There is no doubt that the HVC 750 will offer better results, it is a better projector all round with or without the anamorphic lens option. However there is no way that is will be 5x better, that's just the law of diminishin returns I'm afraid.

Very good review indeed.
can you pls share some details about all the settings you did after calibration so i can try them at home ? THX

Yep,good stuff,i'd love to get this but i'll manage with it's inferior sibling for the time being.

I like the industrial look of it,like a black breeze block.

Hi Phil

What would be your impressions of this Panny vs the Sony VPL-HW10 which you have also reviewed?

From all the various opinions I've read on the web, some say the Sony has a slight advantage in black level & contrast, and some say the exact opposite awarding the slight edge to the Panny!!

I'm kind of weighing up the pros and cons, the Sony is a bit cheaper, brighter and not susceptible to dust blobs, but the FI for certain sources on the Panny is a bit tempting.

Would you say they are both within touching distance of the JVC models in terms of blacks and contrast or is there still some way to go here?

Cheers

Like I said in the review, is it very difficult to separate both as they are very similar in some respects and each has its own plus points. My general feeling was that the Panasonic just had that little bit more usability and of course the lens function. In terms of comparing to the JVC HD350; the JVC has a better dynamic range and black level and slightly better glass, however again it has some issues like an oversaturated colour gamut and is about £1k more expensive again. Ideally what I would advise is to find somewhere you can see them in action and calibrated, or find a nice dealer who will allow a home demo. There are some assured advertisiers who support the forums who have these products and could offer you a demonstration at home.

Hi Phil,

Yours was the review I waited for, before buying one.

Great review!

Have you got any contacts at Panasonic who might advise on an easy way to clear dust blobs. I have had mine for 59 lamp hours and recently moved it from 4.7m to 6m throw. This has thrown up what could have been there from day one, a green orb in black scenes. I assume it is a dreaded dust blob.

Not wishing to lose 20 days at Panasonic service. Any thoughts on an easy remedy?

Only picture I could take is attached.

Cheers
Carl

I have cleaned dust blobs from the AE2000 and AE3000 on several occasions. It is quite straight forward. Get in touch if you need me to talk you through it.

Hi Crustyloafer,

Yes indeed I would appreciate very simple instructions.

In fact I think if you post these you'll become a bit of a hero.

Probably better on the owners thread though.

I look forward to your response.

Cheers
Carl

A good read. I'm very interested in this one. I've currently contemplating going from an electric screen at 2.2metres to a 4 meter fixed screen. I'm very interested in this model but am waiting for panasonic to produce a smaller model in size similar to the panasonic ax100 or ax200 both of which just about fit in my recessed in wall unit! Come on Panasonic!! Also hoping that the improvement in blacks is significantly better than the ax100 which is just above average.

Thanks Phil for another informative reveiw. As an owner of AE2000, I would very much like your tips and advice on how to calibrate the colors of the AE2000/3000 to match the 709 gamut, knowing the both projectors doesn't have a full CMS to adjust its primaries and secondaries, ie, only RGB gain/cut along with the usual controls. I have access to ColorFact 7.5 and may be later on a i1Pro, so any advice would be appreciated. Thanks.

Would this projector be suitable for a college theatre? It would be placed approximately 30 feet from projector to screen.

Also at that distance how big would the projected image likely be?

My experience is mainly with standard def projectors which always had information about throw distance and suchlike. Not so sure with these new hi-def PJ's.

Any help would be appreciated

I was just wondering if you have posted anywhere the how to clean dust blobs from pt ae 3000? If, not I would really appreciate the instructions.

Thanks

Detailed instrucitons can be found here:

pjtx300 dust blob anguish..! Advice welcomed

Hi, Does anyone know who distributes these at trade?

As far as I'm aware they can only be purchased at trade prices direct from Panasonic. You also need to be an authorised dealer for their projector range which comes with certain demonstration facility requirements.

That's pretty annoying because have access to to their Plasma products. Oh well..

Thanks Crusty....