Today, Panasonic is releasing the PT-AX200U, a bright and versatile home entertainment projector that is designed for both dark room viewing of films in a traditional home theater setting, and the screening of video games, sports broadcasts and other TV materials in brighter ambient light.

The AX200U is basically a refined and updated version of last year's outstanding PT-AX100U. Most of the specs are the same, including its 2000 ANSI lumen brightness rating, 6000:1 contrast, and the long 2.0x zoom lens. Newly added features include a second HDMI port, a redesigned auto iris, an enhanced Light Harmonizer that lets the projector automatically adjust to ambient light conditions, and a new Game Mode that makes the AX200 uniquely ideal for the display of video games. The AX200U is a feature-rich 720p resolution LCD projector.

We've had the pleasure of working with the AX200U and it looks to be another winner from Panasonic. Of particular note is its outstanding display of HD movies from HD DVD and Blu-ray. Believe it or not, even though the display is native 720p resolution, the HD image quality looks for all the world like it is coming from a 1080p projector to just about anyone but a professional critic. So if you are looking for a projector that delivers virtual 1080p quality at a fraction of the price, the AX200 is a projector you won't want to miss.

In addition to the AX200, several very high contrast projectors are being announced at CEDIA including the 1080p Sony VPL-VW60 with a contrast ratio of 35,000 to 1.