Following up our first review of the Panasonic PT-AE900U LCD Projector from Audioholics, ultimate AV give us their take on this popular machine.

“Pros
Film-like images with fine subjective color
Impressive blacks
Nearly silent operation (in Low lamp mode)

Cons
Non-defeatable sharpness enhancement in 480i and 480p
Some softness and grain
May not be compatible with some HDMI sources

Conclusion
$3200 may sound like a lot of money for a video display to those accustomed to buying a $500 TV every 10 years. But in the world of front projection, it’s relatively cheap. You can go cheaper, but at this price level you definitely get what you pay for.

And with the Panasonic you get a lot—a compact, quiet projector with fine color, solid black levels, no DLP rainbows, and a range of adjustments that is the equal of projectors costing several times as much. It definitely deserves a close look. ”

Here’s a more recent review as well
Full Review
Comparable to Sanyo PLV-Z4

Spotted at HD Blog

Team xbox have just uploaded a new trailer for Need for Speed: Most Wanted “Black Edition.” The Need for Speed series has long been one of my favorites, I’m a horsepower junkie.

Check it out here: Need for Speed Most Wanted BLACK EDITION Trailer

Here is a review on this new PLV Z4 LCD projector from Sanyo, from Projector Reviews.

This unit receives the “Hot Product” award, and generates a favorable review.

The summary findings are:
Pros
* Sharp image
* Good color accuracy, that can be improved with calibration
* 2:1 zoom lens for placement flexibility
* More range in the vertical lens shift, than in competing models
* Very quiet
* Extensive control of colors, image handling, and other settings
* Wide choice of preset modes work well from fully darkened rooms to those with significant ambient light
* Long warranty
* Two component video inputs in addition to 1 HDMI
* User saveable settings

Cons

* Poorer than average performance on low resolution signals (regular TV, VCR…)
* Remote control – cramped buttons, limited range
* Ability to resolve dark scenes, not quite as good as some competing projectors and more expensive DLP models
* Lamp life, at least Sanyo does not publish typical lamp life. Historically, older models seemed to have shorter lamp life than their competing products

Other

* Manual – good, actually better than average, but does not fully explain many of the adjustments and capabilities.
* Menus – easy to navigate, although engaging some features is slightly awkward (no big deal)
* Price Performance

“The Sanyo PLV-Z4 projector is an excellent choice, and should be one to consider if your budget is $2000+. Since its overall performance is extremely close to one or two other projectors, you may find that certain features, rather than image quality itself might be the reason to select the Z4 or another model.

In fairness, if you budget allows, there are projectors a cut above, starting at under $4000, but in its price range, the Z4 truly impresses.”

Full Review
Another PLV-Z4 Review
This projector is comparable to the Panasonic PT-AE900U

Plasma TV buying guide has taken some polls for a few interesting questions.

This one is:
What plasma TV size are you considering purchasing?

42 inch sized screens are well in the lead at 50%, with 50 inch screens pulling in second at 22%. Third through fifth spots are shared closely between 61, 37, and 32 inch models.

Check out their polls page for a few other polls.

The Onkyo TX-SR603X replaces the TX-SR602 and not only adds more power, but also only requires an antenna for XM satellite radio, and offers direct connection the the Onkyo DS-A1 ipod dock charger.

This is a 7.1 channel receiver even comes with a microphone for automatic adjustment of channel levels and delays.

This line has proven itself worth of home theater applications, HTdude approved!

If you come across a review of this receiver, please let me know.

Ultimate AV News

PC Mag took a look at this 37 inch lcd unit, that sells for less than $1600.00. (See below for best deals)

“The 37-inch Westinghouse LVM-37w1 ($2,299 list) LCD TV has caught the attention of many display enthusiasts by offering native 1080p (1,920 by 1,080 pixels) resolution at a street price of under $2,000. And its two-megapixel resolution unleashes the detail of high-definition TV and PC content…

Pros
Dual DVI inputs. 1080p resolution. Good default color and image quality using DVI input.

Cons
No advanced color controls. Poor deinterlacer performance. Mediocre video-noise reduction and artifact suppression.

Bottom Line
The Westinghouse LVM-37w1 is an inexpensive 37-inch LCD TV that offers native 1080p resolution. This no-frills display shows impressive image detail when using either of its dual DVI inputs, but its treatment of analog video is less impressive. ”

PC Magazine
Via HD Beat

Here are the latest videos of Project Gotham Racing 3 being play tested.

4 PGR3 videos

This looks like be an awesome racer, can’t wait for the release…

Via Joystiq

This new unit from Panasonic can record HD onto Secure Digital media or on a PCMCIA card in MPEG4 format.

It has a touch-screen option, where infra-red tech tracks your movement, effectively giving you one mondo touchscreen. (Why, I must ask.)

This set should be available under 8 grand.

Nothing like the mondo bling…

Source

I found a news article about this Sony Home Theater PC today. This thing looks bloody smashing, as my buds across the pond might say.

This two-piece gem mainly consists of computer and 200 disc CD & DVD changer.

The PC has a Intel Pentium D 820 (2.8GHz) processor, 200 gig Hard Drive, 512 meg memory (upgradeable to 2gig), and GeForce 6200 with 64mb graphics card.

It has HDMI, DVI-D, component, and s-video output.

It handles CD burning (no DVD burning) and PVR functions. Unfortunately, only 1 SD tuner for this box. What!?! I can’t believe they left out HD tuning.

It can keep “track” of DVD cast lists, movie info and CD track information. All via your internet connection.

This looks like a good, all-around HTPC, but it lacks some HD and other technology.

If it had dual HD-tuners (watch one, record the other), a DVD burner, and a top of the line graphics card, it would be a great package. However, that would bump the price much higher as well.

If you don’t want to have PVR functions for HD broadcasts, don’t need to burn DVDs and don’t play the latest PC games, this could be the Home Theater Computer for ya.

News Source

Serenity, this year’s Sci-Fi movie based on the cult hit series FireFly will make a rocket jump to DVD is less than 3 months from her theatrical release.

It will be available on December 20th, just in time for those last minute shoppers. (Pretty much all men.)

This is great news, not only for the release of this great title, but also in the speedy transition of movies to dvd release. I hope the trend continues…

Source