Panasonic issues mildly revamped PT-AE4000 1080p projector at IFA

Panasonic's PT-AE3000 has gone over quite well in the home theater space, with its 1080p resolution and gorgeous image quality winning over more than a few projector junkies. But given that there's always room for improvement, the outfit has today introduced the PT-AE4000, an ever-so-slightly refreshed version that looks essentially identical to its predecessor. The Full HD native resolution and 1,600 ANSI lumens remain unchanged, though the contrast ratio has been bumped from 60,000:1 to 80,000:1 and Panny has outfitted it with a new "red rich lamp" and dynamic iris. Finally, this beamer supposedly eliminates those nasty Cinemascope issues that some users were seeing on the AE3000, though the estimated £2,000 ($3,255) asking price still feels a bit steep when you consider the alternatives.

[(Unverified) Posted Sep 3rd 2009 8:11AM]

what cinemascope issue?

[(Unverified) Posted Sep 3rd 2009 9:11PM]

I think engadget misunderstood Panasonic's press release, which refers to the "Cinemascope issue", meaning the issue for all home theaters that Cinemascope is 2.35:1 and HD video is 16:9.

One of the improvements of the AE4000 over the AE3000 is 6 lens memory settings (instead of 3), and auto-detection and switching for 2.35:1 and 16:9 aspect ratio material.

[(Unverified) Posted Sep 4th 2009 7:52AM]

If they are going to have the same pricing policy in South Africa as the do for the 3000
i.e would expect Mr Mandela to fork out twice as much as he would have to in the UK or US then they won't be selling too many here.

Also I am suprised that with panasoincs plans for 3D that this does not appear to be 3D
Ready

[(Unverified) Posted Oct 25th 2009 1:54AM]

the price on this projector is $1,999.00, how did you miss that?