Panasonic home theater projector performance

Posted on September 19, 2005 by Art Feierman

Two things have changed dramatically in the transition from the AE700u to the AE900u projector: There is a brand new learning remote, and Panasonic has finally updated the menus. The menus on the older machine were downright embarrassing, for as someone pointed out, they looked like what you would expect to find in a 1990 camcorder - all caps, extremely plain (and not exceptionally well organized.

Let's look first at this new remote. First let me point out that I did not have time to try the learning and programming features. I will get back to that in mid-October, when I return for a long overdue vacation. At the top are the Projector's power button, a System power button (that for now I'll assume will power up/down other programmed devices, and on the right, the Light button

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Click to Enlarge.So close

The remote is bright enough, unlike many backlit remotes which just aren't bright enough to be easily read.

The next section is for learning, and for controlling devices like DVD players, cable boxes etc. (But no numeric keypad - just a Channel Up/Down).

Then comes the arrow keys with the Menu, Projector and Return buttons.

Further down is the shutter (video mute), buttons for the various inputs, aspect ratio setting, PC mode (sorry, didn't get to that) and MemLoad, for loading your user settings.

Lastly are the buttons for adjusting the picture, which bring up the main menu, the Advanced menu and CCM Cinema Color Management, which brings up various profiles.

I almost forgot, the display shows what device you are working with, and other functions are displayed, relating to the learning features, etc.

That brings us to the menus. The Panasonic PT-AE900u projector as great looking and well