Panasonic PT-AE1000 Review |
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Reviewed: 09 May 2007
Design
Some manufacturers look like they have entered the space race when it comes to the design of their projectors. Pod-like machines from the likes of InFocus are definitely cutting a dash in the design stakes, but Panasonic projectors are not following the trend.
They take the approach that the performance of their units does all the talking. Nevertheless, the Panasonic PT-AE1000 is a reassuringly well-built, sturdy piece of kit that will add an understated presence to your living space.
Features
The Panasonic PT-AE1000 is most notable for the fact that it is the company's first Full HD projector. Don't be confused with Full HD and HD Ready, this projector has a resolution of 1,920 x 1,080 pixels which will display a source such as Sky TV (1080i) pixel-for-pixel onto a screen.
Resolution: 1,920 x 1,080 Brightness: 1100 ANSI Lumens Contrast: 11,000:1 Dimensions: 460(w) x 130(h) x 300(d)mm Weight: 7.2kg OTHER FEATURES: SmoothScreen processing, Dynamic Iris System, Pure Colour Filter. CONNECTIONS: 2 HDMI, 1 Scart, Component, S-video, Serial port.
Connectivity on the PT-AE1000 is good with 2 HDMI, 1 Scart and the usual component and s-video. There is also a D-sub PC input ans serial port.
The PT-AE1000 sports Panasonic's 'SmoothScreen' processing which has been designed from the ground up to eliminate an affliction of many an LCD projector, the 'Chicken-Wire' effect.
On paper the PT-AE1000 is a technical tour de force with a claimed 11,000:1 contrast ratio achieved through a dynamic iris system. In addition, a Pure Colour filter pushes out an astounding 1.07 billion colours.
As a Full HD projector (1920 x 1080), the Panasonic PT-AE1000 is able to take a source such as Sky TV (1080i) and map it pixel-for-pixel onto a screen. It will be interesting to see the impact (or lack of it) that this has on picture performance. Incidentally, the PT-AE1000 can handle 1080p/1080i/720p feeds.
Performance
The performance of the Panasonic PT-AE1000, for an LCD, is groundbreaking. Black levels are outstanding, matched by many DLP's admittedly, but as an LCD it is out on its own in this department. Its not so much the depth, but the greyscales gradations that impress, with the transition from pitch black to darkish scenes showing an impressive subtlety.
Colours are a revelation with a depth and vibrancy that produces supremely realistic results even in the most demanding scenes of a movie.
Generally the PT-AE1000 may find itself as the centrepiece of a Home Cinema system, but if you fancy seeing how it performs with everyday TV sources, you won't be disappointed. Hook it up to Sky TV (1080i) and watch the pixel-to-pixel representation of the source on your screen and prepare to be impressed. This is the smoothest, sharpest representation of Standard Definition (SD) we have seen from a projector.
The flexibility of the PT-AE1000 also impresses with a lens shift that allows you to place the unit virtually anywhere in the room.
If there is one criticism (and we're struggling to find something to comment on) is that brightness could be a little better, although it never detracts from the whole experience.
Conclusion
As a projector in its own right, the Panasonic PT-AE1000 is a revelation, and its hard to believe that this is LCD technology. High Definition or Standard definition sources have never looked better, and although at around £3500 its not cheap, its worth it.
