Inexpensive Projectors with lens memory and lens shift...

[Sonnie Parker]

Curious if the Panasonic PT-AE4000 and 8000 are probably the least expensive used projectors on the market with lens shift and lens memory... or am I missing something else from Epson, Sony, Optima, etc?

 

[Tony V.]

Hi Sonnie, as far as I know Panasonic is the only one who has power lens shift and memory in that price range.
Are you going back to the Panasonic for your room?

 

[Todd Anderson]

I'm sure you could find an older JVC in that range. I sold my old RS45 for $800... it was/is a fantastic projector.

 

[Sonnie Parker]

Hi Sonnie, as far as I know Panasonic is the only one who has power lens shift and memory in that price range.
Are you going back to the Panasonic for your room?

Something cheaper, yes... but may do the Epson 4K since I am not seeing any Pannys really cheap like what I sold.

I'm sure you could find an older JVC in that range. I sold my old RS45 for $800... it was/is a fantastic projector.

I have not seen any available anywhere.

 

[mechman]

Epson 5040UB would be a bit better from what I've read than the 4000.

 

[Sonnie Parker]

That's what I've come up with too, but I would save about $500 on a new 4000 over the 5040. If I could find a 5040 used, that might be the ticket.

 

[Manic1]

Sonnie you sold me your 4000 I have found a 8000 for $550
plus mount, would you go with the 8000 or spend the extra $1,100 to get an Epson 5040. The 8000does show a very good picture is it worth $1,100! Thoughts

 

[Sonnie Parker]

I personally would spend a little extra and get the 5040... it's a newer model too. I enjoy my 4040 and I can't tell the difference in it and the JVC 6000 I had. HOWEVER... I am not a picky picture image guy either... don't know blacks, whites and colors that well... so you can't really go by what I say. I like to upgrade all along and hope I am getting something better. I do believe what I have now is better than the 2000 and 4000 pannys.

 

[Manic1]

What about the 8000 you had better than the 4000 and 2000s

 

[Sonnie Parker]

I really can't remember... but I think it was. That's been a while back, and again, I'm not really the right person to ask with my bad eyes.

 

[Todd Anderson]

What about the 8000 you had better than the 4000 and 2000s

What kind of content are you watching / planning to watch?

 

[Manic1]

What kind of content are you watching / planning to watch?

Mostly Dish channels and movies, and regular blu-rays and 4k,
I have a Samsung 4k t.v. that was calibrated throws a nice pic.
That is it no gaming I would say 70%t.v. and 30% blu-rays.

 

[Todd Anderson]

If you're content with just TV and standard Blu-rays, stick with the Panasonic 8000. Maybe install a new bulb! ;-)

If you want 4K compatibility, then you'll be looking at something like the Epson models you're referencing. Although, you have to realize that the projector isn't cable of producing the same brightness as your Samsung TV. So, the projector's 4K image won't be quite a vibrant. And, there are some challenges with dialing in gamma to make sure your 4K image is balanced and natural looking.

 

[Tony V.]

The AE8000u was a noticeable upgrade from the AE4000u I had before it. I cant speak for the Epson but the Panasonics auto aspect ratio change from standard 16x9 to 2:40:1 is a really nice feature.

 

[Manic1]

If you're content with just TV and standard Blu-rays, stick with the Panasonic 8000. Maybe install a new bulb! ;-)

If you want 4K compatibility, then you'll be looking at something like the Epson models you're referencing. Although, you have to realize that the projector isn't cable of producing the same brightness as your Samsung TV. So, the projector's 4K image won't be quite a vibrant. And, there are some challenges with dialing in gamma to make sure your 4K image is balanced and natural looking.

I think the savings and my viewing habits have me leaning for the Panny and then watch 4k on the Samsung. The 8000 has just as good of 1080p pic with the OPPO 203 as the others in this conversation or am I wrong. The Samsung is calibrated and has a Great pic. It 's another $1200 to jump up to the 5040.
Think the Penny ae-8000u for $550 I can live with.

 

[Manic1]

The AE8000u was a noticeable upgrade from the AE4000u I had before it. I cant speak for the Epson but the Panasonics auto aspect ratio change from standard 16x9 to 2:40:1 is a really nice feature.

Tony what screen are you using?

 

[Tony V.]

I am using a screen from Jamestown, its a 2:35'1 120" fixed screen

 

[Manic1]

I am using a screen from Jamestown, its a 2:35'1 120" fixed screen

What would you recommend , 16:9, 16:10, or 2:35`1.
My viewing habits lean more toward 70% Tv and 30% blue rays.

 

[Tony V.]

When you say you watch alot of TV do you watch alot of movies on TV? If so the 2:35,1 aspect screen is nice because if you get the Panasonic it will zoom out placing the black bars of most movies (top and bottom) off the screen. You then set up a preset with the masking feature enabled in the advanced settings menu. If you just watch normal HD TV programs then I would stick to the normal 16x9 (1:85,1) aspect screen