Projector choice - Panasonic PT AX200E (£800) vs Panasonic PT AE2000 (£2000)

[admin_exported]

Difficult decision to make! Obviously I recognise that the PT AX200E and PT AE2000 are in very different price brackets, but I'm not sure which is the best choice (value for money wise) in my current set up, so any views most welcome!!

I will mainly be watching BBC HD and ITV HD, and upscaled DVD through a Cyrus Discmaster. My screen is 100 inch (6.5 feet across) freestanding and I sit about 11 feet away from it. Given that I don't envisage using Blu ray for at least a couple of years at least does anybody have any views as to whether the PT AE2000 is worth the extra cash. I will be watching most TV and all DVD on the big screen. As you've guessed by my DVD player, audio is very important - the rest of my set up involves the Cyrus AVmaster, CD8x, 8vs2 (amp), and DAB 8.0. Speakers are Monitor Audio RS8 5.1 system.

I can stretch to the cost of the PT AE2000, but as the pictures will have to be upscaled to 1080p, rather than Blu ray, is it really worth paying the extra? Any views welcome.

Also, as an aside, does anybody know why BBC HD seems to broadcast everything in Dolby digital 2.0 rather than 5.1?

 

[Clare Newsome]

I sit around the same distance from an 80in screen, and find a Full HD projector makes a big difference - the ability to deliver all that extra detail, plus offer superb upscaling of its own (maybe even better than your Cyrus) would tip me toward the pricier Panasonic.

And i've long since given up trying to second-guess BBC HD 'strategy'... there seems little consistency either technically or scheduling-wise.

 

[Anonymous]

Clare, Many thanks for the advice - it's off to the demo room for me to try out the AE2000.

 

[matengawhat]

I agree with Clare the AE2000 is far better picture quality wise for the larger images - however i guess it depends on how often you are actually going to use it - i thought i would use it all the time but don't - although i am very busy and don't ever tend to sit down long enough during the week to watch large amounts of tv. i actually decided on the cheaper unit the 200e. i still tend to find myself watching the normal tv on a daily basis and only using the projector for movies on a weekend and some game playing when i get the time. I don't have sky hd or freesat though - i have a toppy 5810 which is always set to 720p. i think projectors are going to be really pushed forward in terms of spec over the coming months/year as they seem to be becoming far more widely available and acceptable.

 

[Anonymous]

Re. your decision to buy the 200e - what DVD player are you using, and how would you rate the picture overall? Are you happy enough with the projector to stick with it long term, or are you thinking of upgrading in the next couple of years?

I'm probably in a similar situation to you - not a huge amount of time to watch tv (as have young children), but enjoy nothing more than watching a good movie at the weekend, with the odd bit of footie as a bonus. As such, it would be nice to really have a cinematic experience which was why I was thinking of the AE2000. However, I agree that projectors do seem to be improving at a fair pace, so - difficult decision.

 

[matengawhat]

I use a mixture of Toshiba hdep35 and Sony PS3 as source and a Topfield 5810 although from memory don't think i have ever connected that so can't comment on the footy - with the information around that full hd isn't full hd just best quality at present and best quality needed for tvs - its good enough for tv but might get better for projector over time since screen size is a lot bigger - i only use my pan for about a 60inch screen maybe bit bigger not sure exactly so the picture isn't massively stretched etc, if i doubled the size yeah i may get more issues but big enough for me. I decided £2k was two expensice for occasional watching - you can always get better for more money - seen 1080p projectors for £15k!!!! don't regret it at present but i am a real gadget freak so whether that will change over time. If it had been couple of hundred more might have pushed boat out but was more than double. I'd be tempted initally to just go and look at the 200E and decide if your happy with the picture quality - if not happy then look at the 2000 although if you compare side by side i always find myself easy swayed by sales staff!!!!

 

[Anonymous]

If you are going to buy the PTAE2000 you should look here Simplyelectronics.net 1669.95 pounds.

 

[Anonymous]

Do you have any experience of dealing with this company?