Panasonic PT-AE8000U questions (1 Viewer)

Hi! I'm leaning towards this projector because I want to use it in my home theater and outdoors. Given its light output and memory functions, it seems to be the most suitable. I was considering the JVC but the light output seems like it won't do well outdoors.

Agree/disagree/other choices?

Also, If I have it about 15 feet away from the screen, can I mount it about 3 feet horizontally off center?


Thanks!

The moon phase should certainly be considered, any other ambient light in your situation? The Panny is rated at 600 lumens in the best calibrated mode and certainly will be one of the brightest currently on the market.

http://www.projectorreviews.com/panasonic/pt-ae8000/

However the JVC will likely beat it in every other way except maybe brightness. What model JVC are you considering? What screen size and screen material will you be using for outside? The Panny is 19 pounds, the JVC will likely be in excess of 30 pounds....not sure if that matters to you. Either will be fine mounted off center.

The sony 50es is supposed to be pretty bright too, 900 lumens...

http://www.projectorcentral.com/sony_vpl-hw50es_home_theater_projector_review.htm

Sony 30es is rated at 850 lumens...

http://www.projectorcentral.com/sony_vpl-hw30es_3d_projector_review.htm

If you are really going to go for 25-30(for I presume a 225"-ish image)....you need dedicated projectors.

You really aren't going to find a "fight the moon and elements" projector that will be worth a darn indoors. I don't care what kind of "mad memory settings" it has.

At that kind of throw distance any projector is going to struggle with brightness, regardless of published lumens (save maybe large venue projectors). And i certainly wouldnt go with published lumens from manufactures any more than i would go with their published contrast ratios! No, I would go with calibrated numbers like all the links i posted earlier in pro reviews for a better idea of realistic lumen outputs. Unless you plan on skipping a somewhat accurate image, and just running in torch mode, your actual lumens will be no where near the manufactures published lumens.

By the way...been there done that.

http://www.projectorpeople.com/home-theater/backyard-theater-packages.asp

Besides, you'll get real tired of mounting/dismounting your projector real quick.

Start here...and there are "hobbyist" forums for this as well.

http://movienightoutdoors.com/

Excellent advice all - thanks! I can get as close to the screen as I want outside. Yeah, 20 feet won't cut it. I'll read what you all have linked.