At CEDIA Expo in Denver this week, Panasonic announced and displayed two new home theater projectors, a 720p and a 1080p model, as well as two new lower-priced 1080p plasma sets.

The new projectors are both 3-chip LCD designs with enhanced performance over their predecessors. The 720p model PT-AX200U (1280x720p resolution) replaces the popular PT-AX100U at the same MSRP ($2999). It offers the same brightness (2000 ANSI Lumens) and contrast (6,000:1) as the PT-AX100U but includes enhanced color management and a new "gaming mode" that improves panel response time by one third over the PT-AX100U. The PT-AX200U is expected to begin shipping next month (October, 2007).

The PT-AE2000U 1080p model (1920x1080 native panel resolution) is one of the first to feature Epson's latest D7 3LCD C2Fine chip set, an inorganic LCD panel that offers better black levels than its predecessor (the PT-AE1000U) as well as longer life. Enhancements to the lens system allow the AE2000 to shine brighter than its predecessor as well, with 1,500 ANSI Lumens of light output (compared to the AE-1000U's 1100 Lumens).


The new projector's improved dynamic iris is said to enable contrast ratios of up to 16,000:1 (over the AE1000's 11,000:1 rating). In short, it offers improvements in virtually every area over the already excellent PT-AE1000U, and all for the same list price of $5999. [editor's note: Panasonic later lowered the MSRP to $3499]. We hope to get our hands on a review sample in the near future. The PT-AE2000U is expected to begin shipping in October.


Also on hand were two new plasma models which offer a lower price of admission to that full HD 1080p flat panel goodness. The 42-inch TH-42PZ77U ($1799.95) features the same plasma panel as that in the TH-42PZ700U, but it offers one less HDMI input (2 HDMI instead of 3) and no PC input. Similarly the 50-inch TH-50PZ77U ($2799.95) includes the same panel used in the TH-50PZ700U and 750U models, but with 2 HDMI inputs and no PC input. If you're not planning to use a computer with your HDTV, and if you only have 1 or 2 HDMI devices (or you're using an HDMI-switching receiver), then either of these models offers outstanding 1080p picture quality for a low price.