14 DAY TRIAL // Compared to the IFA, which is about consumer electronics in general, the CEDIA show is much more specialized, revolving just around audio/video solutions. So, it's no wonder that just about every big name in the business is coming out with a new model for the Denver-based expo, including here Panasonic, which has just announced its new PT-AE3000 full high-definition 1080p (1,920 x 1,080 pixel) projector, capable of providing an impressive 60,000:1 contrast ratio, besides being able to deliver a 1,600 lumen brightness level.
The impressive specs mentioned above are possible due to the implementation of the new Contrast Plate technology, which blocks unwanted light from the path of projection in a very effective manner. Moreover, the polarization filter system surrounding the Pure Contrast Plates has been redesigned, thus explaining the device's higher level of brightness.
Another proof of the PT-AE3000's versatility is represented by the Lens Memory Load feature. This function allows the projector to memorize and restore zoom/focus positions for various widescreen formats, as for example 21:9 or 16:9. The device's projection capabilities are quite impressive as well, since we're dealing with a 2.0x zoom lens that can generate a 120-inch diagonal image from a distance as short as 3.6 meters (about 11 feet) to 7 meters (24 feet) from the screen. It can also be adjusted fairly easily, since the projector’s lens shift capability enables 100 percent vertical adjustment and 40 percent horizontal adjustment.
Panasonic's projector has also been equipped with the company's Detail Clarity Processor V2.0, which allows its digital processing engine to extract information of the low, mid, high, and even the super-high frequency components. According to Panasonic, by applying these different sharpness degrees, the PT-AE3000 is able to deliver much more life-like and clear images.
Like most other modern projectors, this one also features several connectivity options, the most important being (obviously), the three HDMI 1.3 inputs. These inputs are all Deep Color and x.v.Color compliant, with Deep Color supporting 10 bit (over 1.07 billion) and 12 bit (over 68.7 billion) color depths.
The Panasonic PT-AE3000 LCD home theater projector will be available starting October 2008 and will sell for an estimate $3,499, which is a pretty reasonable price point, compared to the other similar products on the market.
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