Panasonic PT-AE8000E Full HD 3D Home theatre Projector

Panasonic PT-AE8000E Reviews:
Performance Features Ease Of Use Value	"Viewed by itself, the AE8000 is a stunning projector. However, viewing the AE8000 next to the AE7000 is when things start to get interesting. There's a clear increase in contrast, especially in low-illumination areas; shadow detail is better defined on the AE8000. The brightness difference is readily apparent to the naked eye. Detail appears more clear and sharp, though there is no sign of anything resembling an edge enhancement artifact. In 2D, these improvements combine to give the AE8000's picture a touch of refined elegance as compared to the AE7000, a quality that will be appreciated by dedicated videophiles. In 3D, a substantial improvement in brightness and stability may have specific appeal to those who view a lot of 3D material. " "The AE8000 is easily the best home theater projector Panasonic has ever released, and has the most natural and film-like image in both 2D and 3D yet seen on a Panasonic home theater model. The3D brightness boost makes the AE8000 a more exciting option for 3D fans."
	"The area that the PT-AE8000E makes its mark over its predecessors is the improvement in brightness and contrast. At 2400 lumens brightness the AE8000E can handle light in the room and a large image size without trouble. Coupled with a massive 500,000:1 contrast level the Panasonic offers inky deep blacks perfect for dedicated theatre rooms and bringing up all the detail of even the darkest sci-fi movie. With lots of great setup features like split screen colour adjustment lots of zoom and of course lens shift the Panasonic makes a great theatre projector. Pack in great picture quality and fantastic results in both 2D & 3D the PT-AE8000E makes for a highly recommended cinema projector."
	"Sharpness is very good, though not exceptional. Rather typical for a good three panel or chip device. Want a crisper look, you can take up the detail enhancement, or you can stick with the more natural, unenhanced. The detail enhancement does enhance, but can't be pushed as far as Sony's impressive Reality Creation which seems more adaptive, but again, that projector's almost 1/3 more in price, based on the two manufacturer's MAP (minimum advertised price) pricing. As a 2D and 3D capable projector, it's as good a value as any of this year's crop of home theater projectors that we've reviewed. "

Excellent Picture Quality

High 2,400 lm of Brightness with the Advanced Red-Rich Lamp The new 220 W Red-Rich Lamp increases the luminous efficiency of the projector to achieve brighter images, even in 3D viewing, with excellent color purity. Able to produce a stunning brightness of 2,400 lm, the PT-AE8000/ AT6000 unleashes the beauty of 2D/3D full-HD expression for viewing on various screen sizes. Cooling efficiency for example around the polarization filters has been increased to realize the higher lumens. Color purity is further increased by applying a special coating to the red and green condenser lenses in order to trim the impurities from the light after it is separated into the three primary colors.

Full-HD Optimized Optical System

To assure maximum clarity and sharpness in full-HD images, this advanced optical system employs a full-HD-optimized lens unit comprising of 16 lens elements in 12 groups, including two large-diameter aspherical lenses and two high-performance ED (extra-low dispersion) lenses. Each lens is carefully aligned to assure a uniform focusing balance from the center to the edges of the screen. As a result, the PT-AE8000E produces stunningly clear and beautiful images.

Up to 480 Hz Compatible LCD Panels

The PT-AE8000E full-HD LCD panels provide bright images with high aperture ratio. The panels are also designed for 480 Hz processing capability for bright 3D image.
These high-precision panels use vertically aligned liquid crystal molecules with inorganic alignment layers. When no voltage is applied, the molecules are aligned perpendicular to the glass substrate, so there is minimal light leakage, providing higher contrast.

Pure Contrast Plates Deliver High 500,000:1 Contrast Ratio

The Pure Contrast Plates in the PT-AE8000E use a high-precision crystalline material that is carefully matched
to the characteristics of the LCD panels to effectively correct the passage of light exiting the panels.
This enables the projector to block unwanted light leakage and successfully increases the dynamic range.
It works together with the Pure Color Filter Pro and Dynamic Iris Pro to achieve an astounding contrast ratio of 500,000:1.

Pure Color Filter Pro for Rich, Vibrant Colors The optical filter optimizes the light spectrum from the UHM projector lamp, helping to produce deeper blacks while improving purity levels in the three primary colors (red, green and blue). This advanced filter system improves color purity to cover a range that extends from the HDTV standard (Rec. 709 mode)*1 to the color gamut used in digital cinema*2. This gives images the deep, rich coloring that distinguishes movie images. *1 A setting that supports the 6,500K color temperature recommended in the HDTV standard (ITU-R BT.709). *2 Specifications put forth by the Society of Motion Picture and Television Engineers (SMPTE) PR431-2. The sub iris cuts light leakage.

Dynamic Iris Pro Adds Beauty to Both Dark and Bright Scenes

This intelligent iris system works by analyzing the brightness level of each image using a histogram, then adjusting
the lamp power, iris and gamma curve* accordingly to create the ideal image. The adjustments are made virtually
frame by frame. This helps the projector achieve a wide dynamic range with swift smoothness for added beauty in
both dark and bright scenes.

* Parameters for adjusting the output brightness gradation level according to the input signal.

Smooth Screen Technology Creates Film-Like Texture While many LCD projectors suffer from a “chicken wire” effect, Panasonic’s pursuit of the highest possible image quality has successfully overcome this device limitation through the incorporation of Smooth Screen technology. This uses the double refraction property of crystals to arrange pixels on a screen with no gaps between them.

Seven Picture Modes

For each 2D and 3D viewing, seven different picture modes (normal, dynamic, Rec. 709, D-cinema, cinema 1, cinema 2
and game mode for reduced frame delay) are provided.
[NORMAL] For a general image such as sports programs.
[DYNAMIC] For viewing at high brightness and sharpness.
[REC. 709] For HDTV standard (ITU-R BT. 709) color temperature of 6,500 K at the default setting of the [PICTURE] menu items.
[D-CINEMA] For D-CINEMA standard (SMPTE RP 431-2) color temperature of 6,300 K at the default setting of the [PICTURE] menu items.
[CINEMA 1] Tuned by top Hollywood colorists for watching a movie with smooth image quality.
[CINEMA 2] For viewing action films and anime etc. with vivid color and sharp quality.
[GAME] For use with games.

A Whole New Level of 3D Viewing

LCD Panels Driven at 480Hz and Original Overdrive Technology for Clear 3D Image Although it is inherently difficult to attain brightness in 3D images while minimizing crosstalk, the PT-AE8000E achieves both bright and comfortable 3D images by the incorporation of 480-Hz driven LCD panels and Panasonic's original high-precision overdrive technology. The 480-Hz driven LCD panels lengthen the time that the shutter is open about 1.5 times the duration of a 240-Hz drive system. Together with the original overdrive technology, this improves the brightness of the images viewed through 3D Eyewear, while at the same time minimizing crosstalk, or double image seen as a result of the left image entering the right eye and vice versa.

3D Motion Remaster Takes 3D Realism to New Heights

Why do 3D images sometimes appear unnatural?

Active Shutter 3D can result in somewhat unnatural 3D effects when a subject moves quickly in a horizontal direction.
This problem is caused by a phenomenon called the Mach-Dvorak effect, resulting from the limitation of temporal resolution in 3D image display due to the Active Shutter operating principle.

The Active Shutter 3D system displays left eye and right eye images alternately. This means that left eye and right eye images that were captured at the same instant are shown with a time lag.
During this time lag, especially when watching a scene in which an object moves quickly and horizontally across the screen, the viewer’s brain automatically speculates and forms an image at a position that differs from the actual shown image. This results in incorrect depth perception and makes the horizontal movement appear unnatural.

3D Motion Remaster technology achieves smooth, natural moving 3D images by creating properly positioned images to compensate for time lags.
The PT-AE8000E equipped with 3D Motion Remaster reproduce more natural and realistic images from 3D content with fast motions such as sports.

Dual Core Processing Engine High-quality 2D image processing, including Frame Creation and Detail Clarity Processor, can be enjoyed in 3D as well, with the incorporation of the high-performance dual core processing engine.

Frame Creation 2 for Motion Blur Reduction in 3D/2D Viewing A double-speed frame interpolation display for both 2D and 3D viewing, even during 2D-3D conversion, greatly improves the clarity of motion images, reproducing sharp and clear images for fast moving scenes in sports and action movies. For 24p signal input, four frames are calculated and interpolated for each existing frame, to enable 5x speed (120-Hz) display.

2D-3D Conversion

2D to 3D image conversion is possible, with five 3D effect modes to select from.

Detail Clarity Processor 4 Gives Natural Clarity to Even the Finest Details

This digital image processing circuit brings greater clarity and sharpness to details embedded in the image. After analyzing the video signal frequency in each scene, the circuit optimizes the sharpness of each part of the image based on the extracted information. The resulting images, 3D or 2D, have more natural, lifelike expression than those of previous image-processing methods.

Advanced 3D Adjustment Functions

A variety of 3D viewing adjustments also provide a more comfortable viewing experience at home.
These include 3D Lens Memory, 3D zoom and focus, 3D color management, and 3D keystone correction.

3D Viewing Monitor for Adjustment of Depth-of-Field

The projection size for viewing 3D images can be selected from among 9 different sizes, ranging from
40 inches to 200 inches diagonally.* The amount of parallax is optimized according to the projection size,
so comfortable, easy-to-view 3D images can be enjoyed at any size. Either of three monitor styles can be selected.

* Projection size for 2D images covers from 40 inches to 300 inches diagonally.

3D Picture Balance with Waveform Monitor The projector is able to show the right and left image side by side to check if the two sides have the same colors. The difference may occur due to poor content quality. With the Waveform Monitor displayed, you can adjust the contrast, brightness, color and tint as desired, and up to three adjustment settings can be stored in memory for instant recall.

Precisely Tuned 3D Projection with Optional Panasonic 3D Eyewear The PT-AE8000E uses frame sequential technology for 3D image projection. When viewing 3D content, signals from the PT-AE8000E’s built-in infrared transmitter precisely control the left and right shutters of the active 3D eyewear.

Built-in 3D Infrared Transmitter The PT-AE8000E comes equipped with a built-in transmitter with maximum transmission distance of six meters (about 20 feet).* For more range up to ten meters (about 33 feet), an optional infrared transmitter, ET-TRM110 is available for greater installation flexibility. * The indicated distance between the projector and screen is valid when the conditions described below are satisfied. Also, note that the transmission distance can differ largely due to strong light, such as sunlight and fluorescent lamps, at the installation location or due to the screen type or material. CONDITION 1: The distance between the screen and the 3D Eyewear (viewing position) is 5 meters to the front of the screen. CONDITION 2: The screen is 100 inches, measured diagonally, and has a screen gain of 1. CONDITION 3: The projector is set up in front of the screen, and the lens shift function is not used. CONDITION 4: The [3D IR TRANSMITTER] setting in the main unit is set to [STRONG].

Customization and Installation Flexibility

Intelligent Lens Memory with Auto Detection* Up to six settings can be stored in the Lens Memory, including zoom and focus positions for projecting in the normal 16:9 or 4:3 image ratio, and wide cinema projection settings. These settings can be manually recalled or set for automatic switching. The projector is able to detect 2.35:1 and 16:9 sources and retrieve the stored settings automatically. The new Lens Memory function also supports 3D viewing. For 3D viewing, the settings can be manually recalled. The Lens Memory function lets you easily view images with different image ratios on a wide 2.35:1 screen for an immersive, theater-like experience.

* In 3D viewing, the Lens Memory settings can only be manually recalled.

2x Optical Power Zoom/Focus and Wide Lens Shift Range A 2x optical power zoom/focus lens and a lens shift function together make it possible to project a 120-inch picture from as close as 3.6 meters (11 feet 10 inches) to the screen or as far as 7.2 meters (23 feet 7 inches) away. In addition, the image can be shifted ±100% vertically, and ±26% horizontally. This gives you outstanding setup flexibility. If you choose to ceiling-mount the projector, you can zoom and focus by remote control.

Waveform Monitor for Precise Calibration

With the PT-AE8000E you can view the waveforms on the screen and adjust the settings both automatically and manually as you prefer.

Advanced Gamma Adjustment Function

The gamma curve can be flexibly controlled, allowing precise calibration according to the signal source and environment.
Brightness (Y), R, G and B can each be adjusted at any fifteen points. Adjustment point positions can be shifted both horizontally
and vertically to bring out the desired gradation level. Adjustment is easy because the small menu screen does not block the image.

Split Adjust Mode for Easy Picture Adjustment

You can freeze any scene you wish, and then make adjustments while easily comparing the original image and
the adjusted image side by side.

Cinema Color Management Premium Enables Flexible Color Control

This color correction system enables free color control in two different modes. The Point Color Correction mode
lets you pick a point in the image and adjust that color without affecting the neighboring colors.
The Six Color Correction mode enables independent adjustment of red, green, blue, cyan, magenta and yellow.
Adjustment is possible for either 2D or 3D viewing.

HDMI™ with x.v.Color™ and Deep Color

The PT-AE8000E has three HDMI input terminals for digital transmission without image degradation. The HDMI input terminals also support Deep Color and the x.v.Color color space. Deep Color provides 10-bit (over 1.07 billion) and 12-bit (over 68.7 billion) color depths for smooth gradation between colors, while x.v.Color compliance reproduces natural, lifelike images.*

* Effective in Rec. 709 image mode.

Programmable 12V Trigger for Automated Theater Setup Two 12V triggers are provided.* Since the input and output can be set independently (menu selectable), they can link flexibly with powered screens, room light and powered curtains. When combined with the Lens Memory, they let you create a truly classy home theater. * The trigger terminals also operate as the 3D shutter outputs to connect the optional 3D IR transmitter ET-TRM110.

VIERA Link for Easy Operation

The PT-AE8000E supports VIERA Link.
If your home theater system contains VIERA Link-ready equipment, projection can be started by using only the remote control unit of the PT-AE8000E, regardless of whether the source is a Blu-ray Disc or a TV program stored on an HD recorder. This eliminates the need for hassling with several remote controls.*

* Cannot be used simultaneously with TV that supports VIERA Link. Some operations may not be available depending on the equipment. In this case, use its own remote control to operate the equipment.

Up to 5,000-Hour Lamp Replacement Cycle* and Simple Maintenance

Panasonic’s proprietary lamp drive system helps maintain lamp performance, resulting in a up to 5,000-hour lamp replacement cycle. For easy maintenance, you can replace the filter from the side and the lamp from the top of the projector.

The dust filter and lamp are easily replaced even after the PT-AE8000E is installed on the ceiling.

* When a lamp power is set to ECO. The lamp replacement cycle is up to 4,000 hours when the lamp mode is set to NORMAL. The values above are maximum values when they are used in cycles of being turned on for 2 hours and off for 0.25 hours. When the lamps are turned on and off more frequently, the lamp replacement cycle is shortened. The usage environment affects the lamp replacement cycle.

Other Features
• 16-bit (full 12-bit) gamma correction for natural gradations.
• 3D noise reduction for high-precision noise detection and reduction.
• Scene-adaptive MPEG noise reduction effectively blocks regular noise and minimizes mosquito noise.
• Scene adaptive resizing LSI improves quality when resizing 480p images or those from other sources with resolution lower than the PT-AE8000E’s native resolution.
• 24p compatible.
• Progressive cinema scan (3/2 pulldown) and HD IP.
• Auto 3D input format select for frame packing, side by side, and top and bottom. Manual selection is also possible.
• Selectable frame response.
• Independent horizontal/vertical sharpness adjustment.
• Featuring a wide range of aspect modes, including ones for anamorphic lenses. (JUST/4:3/16:9/S16:9/14:9/ZOOM1/ZOOM2/H-FIT/V-FIT)
NOTE: The selectable modes vary depending on the input signal.
• Up to sixteen sets of PICTURE adjustment settings can be stored in memory with custom names that make them easy to remember (PICTURE MEMORY).
• Masking function to match the desired projection area to the screen.
• User-friendly ergonomic remote control.
• Built-in test pattern including color bar and gray scale.
• On-screen input guidance.
• Auto input search.
• Quiet operation: 22 dB (lamp power: ECO).
• NORMAL/ECO lamp power selection.