Panasonic PT-AE8000 - Review Summary 2

The Very Bottom Line on the PT-AE8000 projector

❮ ❯

There are always trade-offs, but mostly, I think many will find that the combination of performance, placement flexibility, picture, and for 3D fans, the brightness of 3D, the AE8000 can hold its own with just about any of the projectors near its price.  There are more new projectors for us to review, but, of course, that's always the case.

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.  For example, I am truly impressed with the Sony VPL-HW50ES, and while I would likely spend the extra theoretical $500 for the Sony, I've got an ideal room.  I certainly would lean toward choosing this Panasonic, for more of a good family room type setup.  There's other tough competition.

Our next review is the Epson Home Cinema 5020, which this year is slightly lower priced than the PT-AE8000.  My last photo session with this Panasonic PT-AE8000 was doing side by sides with that Epson.  Look to the image quality page for side-by-sides with both the older Epson HC5010, and the just arrived HC5020, it's replacement.

When it comes to the picture, this Panasonic seems to be pretty natural.  Some projectors have a bit more "pop" than others, in terms of picture dynamics (rather than brightness).  I've always felt that the Panasonic's leaned towards the natural - less spectacular look. DLP projectors, for example, are still known for lots of "pop", most notably on darker scenes.  Faces and such seem more dynamic, without being over the top.  This Panasonic PT-AE8000 may not scream "pop", but with all those lumens under the hood, don't worry, it will out dazzle any of those in its brighter modes, where it's usually about twice as bright!

Black levels and shadow detail are the only areas that really came up short. Although the gamma Mike selected measures well, we're definitely losing a bit more dark shadow detail than some other projectors including last year's Epsons, and this year's Sony. It's not that serious, but it's not quite up to the best, not that most people would notice. Black levels as well, do come up short compared to both of those competing projectors.  It could well be that much of that missing darkest detail might be recovered by creating a custom gamma that perhaps works better in the darker ranges.