I was watching a movie the other night. My wife warned me a thunderstorm was on the way. About halfway through the movie, I saw lightning flashes out the window, so I thought I should maybe switch my gear off. Just as I was thinking about getting up from my comfy seat, there was an extra large flash and then a sudden bang. We lost power and I could smell that awful plastic burning smell.
After the storm passed and we had power back, I checked my gear. The anti-surge protector circuit breakers had activated, but my worst fears were realised. My projector was fried. I had just recently installed a new lamp! Obviously the surge protector doesn't work real well with lightning strikes...
I took my projector into the local electrical repair dude. He said it was fried(!)
I contacted my insurance company and :banana: I had 'lightning damage' as an option in my policy. I submitted all the paper stuff that insurance companies like and they rang me today to tell me they are going to replace my 6 year old Panasonic PT-AE700u projector with a brand new (but recently superseded) Panasonic PT-AE4000 projector.
I can't argue with that.
I had a good run with my PT-AE700. It was 'only' 720p but the image quality playing blu-ray was outstanding. The new projector is a true 1080p model. On a pull-down 92 inch screen, the picture quality should be stunning.
I guess if I pushed the issue, I could offer to pay the difference for the new Panasonic PT-AE7000 3D projector. Frankly, I'm not sold on 3D with glasses. I currently own a Sony 40 inch 3D television and neither I, nor my kids think much of this format.
The new PT-AE4000 should arrive in the next few days.
After the storm passed and we had power back, I checked my gear. The anti-surge protector circuit breakers had activated, but my worst fears were realised. My projector was fried. I had just recently installed a new lamp! Obviously the surge protector doesn't work real well with lightning strikes...
I took my projector into the local electrical repair dude. He said it was fried(!)
I contacted my insurance company and :banana: I had 'lightning damage' as an option in my policy. I submitted all the paper stuff that insurance companies like and they rang me today to tell me they are going to replace my 6 year old Panasonic PT-AE700u projector with a brand new (but recently superseded) Panasonic PT-AE4000 projector.
I can't argue with that.
I had a good run with my PT-AE700. It was 'only' 720p but the image quality playing blu-ray was outstanding. The new projector is a true 1080p model. On a pull-down 92 inch screen, the picture quality should be stunning.
I guess if I pushed the issue, I could offer to pay the difference for the new Panasonic PT-AE7000 3D projector. Frankly, I'm not sold on 3D with glasses. I currently own a Sony 40 inch 3D television and neither I, nor my kids think much of this format.
The new PT-AE4000 should arrive in the next few days.
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