Just last month, Panasonic announced plans for its first 3D projector. Details were fuzzy at best; the projector didn't even have a name, a model number or even basic details on its technology. Well, what a difference a month makes.
Today, Panasonic unleashed details on the PT-AE7000U, the company's first full HD 3D home theater projector. Designed to do both 2D and 3D, the PT-AE7000U features a claimed 300,000:1 contrast ratio and 2,000 lumens of brightness. The projector also comes packing a new 200-watt Red-Rich Lamp and new LCD panels with a larger aperture ratio, which boast an increased red luminance and higher brightness output.
At press time, Panasonic said that the PT-AE7000U is also the world's first 3D projector to use transparent LCD panels driven at 480Hz that, combined with Panasonic's original Overdrive Technology, realize significantly low crosstalk (doubled lines around edges in 3D mode). A follow-up conversation with a Panasonic rep confirmed that the projector will be using Epson's new 0.74" reflective LCD chips in its imaging engine.
"When we create our projectors, our goal is to produce images that mirror movie directors' artistic vision and intent," said Art Rankin, Panasonic's director of projectors and higher education sector. "The PT-AE7000U's key 3D projection technologies were developed in collaboration with Panasonic Hollywood Laboratory engineers who are heavily engaged in the authoring and mastering of 3D Blu-ray Discs. They have taken key roles in establishing the industry standards for 3D and bringing the experience from large screens to homes. Through this joint effort, the PT-AE7000U has been redesigned from the ground up to achieve higher basic 2D performance and is packed with unique 3D features to deliver studio-grade 3D content to the consumer."
If you're worried about squeezing this into the space you have designated to home theater, the company says that the projector's 2x zoom can cast a 120-inch diagonal image from as close as 11 feet to 24 feet from the screen.
The PT-AE7000U also includes 3D Viewing Monitor and 3D Picture Balance, which allow the viewer to tweak 3D effects. There's also a 2D-to-3D conversion feature, which has five different 3D effect modes. Other features include a built-in 3D IR transmitter, Intelligent Lens Memory, two programmable 12-volt trigger terminals and VIERA Link. The PT-AE7000U is also equipped with three HDMI inputs to accommodate a Blu-ray 3D player, 2D or 3D set top box, a computer, or virtually anything else with an HDMI output.
The Intelligent Lens Memory feature is a carry-over from Panasonic's popular PT-AE4000U projector and a unique selling point that sets this projector apart from the competition. If you're a movie lover who likes wartching CinemaScope (ultra wide) movies in their native aspect ratio, without any black bars at the top and bottom, you're going to want to consider this projector. Instead of requiring electronic processing and an expensive anamorphic lens, the PT-AE7000U allows you to set a zoom memory that will expand the image to fill a 2.35:1 or 2.4:1 screen. This eliminates those black bars above and beneath the image without any stretching or distortion. When the movie's over, you can hit the lens memory button again to restore the unit to a standard 16:9 aspect ratio.
To complete the (3D) picture, you will need to purchase active shutter 3D glasses. No glasses are included in the purchase price. Fortunately the projector is designed to be compatible with Panasonic's current 3D TVs so the same model glasses will work with both the projector and a Panasonic 3D-ready plasma or LCD TV. A number of universal 3D glasses models from third party vendors like XPand are also expected to work. If you prefer sitting a little further back from your screen, an optional IR transmitter (ET-TRM110) is available for extended transmission distance.
Just in time for college football season, the PT-AE7000U is expected to ship in September. Panasonic has listed the projector with an MSRP of $3499.
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