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Pixel-perfect Panasonic
Panasonic creates a buzz
By Max Christoffersen
April 2002
There’s
a buzz going round home theatre circles
If you haven’t heard it yet - you will. Because right now one of those revolutionary products that genuinely blows the doors of the rest is doing the rounds. And its name is the Panasonic PT-AE100 LCD projector.
Let me make it simple why everyone is talking about this
model.
It’s good. It’s cheap. It’s plug and play projection with
16x9 panels - on a budget.
Even better than that, it tackles some typical LCD ‘issues’ and kicks them into touch
For example, the lamp life (rated at 5000 hours) is the longest of any LCD projector available, the replacement lamp price ($837) is lower than the norm, while the fan noise is the lowest of any digital projector on the street right now. A new short-throw lens also means this projector can be set-up in smaller rooms.
Add all that up and you have a contender for best in class before you’ve even turned it on. Throw in the entry level price point and ladies and gentlemen - we have a winner.
If enthusiasts are raving about this projector, chances are they have arrived at a similar conclusion - this projector is the one that many have been waiting for, because it offers better than entry-level performance at entry-level price.
Potential buyers should keep in mind that the PT-AE100 is not a Sony VW11HT or Toshiba TLP-MT7 at less than half the price. That description is not fair to either product.
What is fair is to identify the resolution compromise of this projector and quite literally see if you can live with it.
Because there’s the catch.
The PT-AE100 is an SVGA projector meaning its capabilities are limited to its native resolution of 858x484 pixels. That compromise means the ‘screen door’ image of LCD projection is easily seen. And on first viewing with a composite TV image on screen, this was certainly the first impression.
That impression remained even with my progressive scan Toshiba doing the upscaling duties with Final Fantasy and U571 DVDs. But a very slight defocussing of the zoom lens made the screen door effect vanish while still maintaining a very pleasing clean image.
Colours were spot on as was the focus which, even when defocused, still provided superb clarity and depth of field. It was frankly so good, that it left me wondering what else could really be achieved if you could all this at less than $7000?
One area that does need to be improved is the occasional over saturated colours typical of all LCD projection. Bright yellows and pink/reds tend to side on almost a fluorescent shade - which says two things 1) Carefully match your screen type to your projector and 2) Pull in the colour saturation! While this is hardly a new criticism of LCD projection it is a factor in most LCD displays I’ve seen.
While the usual caveats of LCD projection apply, (blacks and shadow detail remain problematic, potential for pixel failure etc), what is so enjoyable about this projector is that it seems to do so much, so well, so easily. That description tends to fit products that are well designed and are ergonomically easy to use.
And
the Panasonic does have an easy and intuitive on-screen menu and with
all connections via component using RCA sockets (and an HD 15 pin for
RGB) makes it a snap for most systems.
A word here too about Panasonic New Zealand. As a customer, I have dealt with Panasonic NZ for almost 10 years with Panasonic projector servicing and advice. They are without question one of the most friendly and professional companies I have ever dealt with. And when it comes to projection, it is reassuring to know Panasonic know their products!
Still, back to why enthusiasts want this projector: the picture quality. I wouldn’t recommend using anything less than a progressive signal as the image leapt dramatically in detail and depth of field over an interlaced component input. And at times the detail was simply eye candy. Not quite at the high end of digital projection, but still very impressive at its price point.
Of some concern may be the relatively low light output of 700 lumens, but in operation this was never obvious, and rather the tight focus, colour accuracy and acceptable, if limited, black level caught the attention.
Careful matching of input source, screen type and viewing distance will ensure a very pleasing image, which given its price point is nothing short of a minor miracle.
Frankly,
if I was starting over with projection and had a tight budget - I’d
start right here. And I can’t make it any clearer than that!
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