Panasonic PTAE1000U 1080P for $2799.99!!! Holy Cow! ...

[harmil2]

Richard, I have always enjoyed your posts and do respect your experience and opinion. I just don't see the veil you refer to regarding lcd projectors. Do you see this in comparison with dlp projectors or some other medium like crt?

I confess I just don't see this, even with my Z4. I have not seen the 1080p Panny yet but haven't read a bad review. I worry that others might pass up a darn fine projector (or class of projectors) due to your comments, especially at low price points offered by Sanyo and other lcds. I have no trouble admitting that dlp has had better contrast but that difference is less with each new round of models.

I may be wrongly assuming that the relative lower contrast of lcd is what you may see as a veil. If not, well, I just don't know what it could be. For my eyes the lcd has always looked the equal fo dlp due to lcd's sharpness and contrast is now so close now that lcd is for me a better value based on expense and picture quality. I don't think I am blinded by the usually lower prices of lcd models, but being of Scottish descent perhaps I shouldn't rule this out too quickly.

Thanks for your good work here and have a Merry Christmas.

[Richard]

I just don't see the veil you refer to regarding lcd projectors. Do you see this in comparison with dlp projectors or some other medium like crt?

Indeed, without that experience anybody would perceive these as great projectors yet that deals in the realm of subjective opinion. When imaging science is applied the numbers speak for themselves.

Ultimately we all have to pick and choose what products we want in our life. The goal here is to have you fully informed so when and if you do change to DLP the difference in performance as you experience it may still be a surprise but the why will have already been covered. There are numerous reports of other users making these comparisons and their experience of the shocking results. They were led to believe they were not taking a hit in performance... I don't want that happening here.

One thing is clear, when you go to a large screen it is an immersive experience that a proper viewing distance with any smaller display size cannot overcome. Your body and mind know that 50" at 3 screen heights is not the same experience as a 100" at 3 screen heights. I do think that is the source of all the hoopla regardless of a lack in imaging science and the evidence is overwhelming. Folks would rather watch a larger image degraded than a smaller image that responds properly.

If you are on a budget trying to make things financially fit, a challenging room that won't allow proper installation or viewing habits that won't tolerate pixel visibility there are options.

If none of that is your concern then proper imaging is only about $2000 more and that is clearly not out of reach for most new installs or upgrades.

I have not seen the 1080p Panny yet but haven't read a bad review.

I doubt you will and that is a major problem since it does fail in a number of areas. I just read a review on the new Sony 1080P SXRD FP and while the reviewer did point out the flaws they were easily glossed over in his final conclusion. I have deep respect for this person and the publication but I can smell the money trail in that final response. For them to continue getting free review product they gotta make every product seem like a good thing or simply not publish the review.

[Richard]

For the videophile geek...

The Panasonic includes a waveform monitor allowing you to see your signal source including digital HDMI/DVI! Like a scope it displays in frame/field or line modes. Includes Y, G, R, and B signals in both modes. You can select which line you want to view.

This allows you to see your signal and know conclusively what is coming from your source for your video setup. In fact you should be able to do a source calibration with this tool!

Yet to be discovered is what is correct because a manipulation of the picture controls is directly reflected on the monitor. Until I calibrate the display I won

[chuckken2]

Panny is now offering a 400.00 rebate...Richard, did you buy yours before or after Dec 7th?...

http://www.projectorpeople.com/SLIS/dow ... 033107.pdf

[Richard]

Thanks for that link!
[quote]
Receive 40 free movie or game rentals from BLOCKBUSTER

[chuckken2]

Richard, I screwed up...there is also a rebate form for the 400.00 cash back...I thought I posted it...but somehow the block buster one showed instead...

[chuckken2]

Never mind...I didn't screw up...It is a choice scenero...you can opt for $400.00 cash back or the block buster deal...

[Richard]

Our Price: $3,599.00
After $400.00 rebate.

K... it is a mail in rebate then I assume...

Receive $400 cash back or a Blockbuster rental card for 40 free movie or game rentals (up to $300 value). Click here for rebate claim form. Offer good 12/7/2006 through 2/2/2007

Found this promo too...

http://www.projectorpeople.com/projecto ... ebates.asp

Free OPPO Digital 1080p Up-Converting DVD Player with purchase. Limited time offer! Only from ProjectorPeople.com. Offer good 12/15/2006 through 1/14/2007.

Between all of it that sure is some incentive...

[techylah]

One thing is clear, when you go to a large screen it is an immersive experience that a proper viewing distance with any smaller display size cannot overcome. Your body and mind know that 50" at 3 screen heights is not the same experience as a 100" at 3 screen heights. I do think that is the source of all the hoopla regardless of a lack in imaging science and the evidence is overwhelming. Folks would rather watch a larger image degraded than a smaller image that responds properly.

Richard, how can you be so sure of this? To me it does not make logical sense.
The iGlasses, for example, promise an equivalent to 70" screen experience even though their actual image size is about 1"

In a darkened room, with an 8 ft screen set up to exactly match the field of view of a 16:9 23" monitor, after adjusting brightness, etc.. How could you even tell the difference between looking at the 2 ft image from 2 feet away or the 8 ft image from 8 feet away? If you held up a frosted screen in front of you and traced the pixels of a static image, the drawing of the monitor would look the same as the drawing of the projected image.

Am I missing something here?
Is it just a psychological effect, i.e. comforting that the image is 8' rather 2' high?

I'm also anxiously waiting for 1080p projection to hit <$1k, but except for being able to throw a Superbowl party so others can watch with me, I'm wondering, WHY? (answers from anyone else OK, too!)

[Richard]

Is it just a psychological effect, i.e. comforting that the image is 8' rather 2' high?

Pretty much although comforting would not be the word as much as the image can take on a life like size. The Mojave desert at 10 feet wide and 3 screen heights will feel different than 3 screen heights and a 24" display. With the former you will feel like you could get up and walk through the screen out into the desert and with the latter it is an image or picture.

Hollywood and your local cinemaplex has counted on that effect for the last 50 years! I'll never forget seeing the first Star Wars and that HUGE destroyer fly by at the beginning! Can't get a screen that large in my room though...

Resolution wise there is no difference and you are not missing a thing on that level!