Epson FP's, how's their quality?

Ron-P

I'm starting to shop for a new FP. I currently have a Sanyo Z3 that I am very impressed with. But, I want 1080p and prices are now in the $2,500-$3000, my ballpark. I like the Z2000 but the Epson 1080UB seems to beat it out in every category but I have no experience with Epson, does anyone here?

Sami

I've had 1080UB for about 6 months now, can't complain. PQ is amazing, even my wife said she's happy I replaced the old projector (coming from her, it's a testament to how good the Epson looks). No problems so far, but it hasn't been that long yet. appadv bought one as well.

Serendipity

Sami wrote: »

I've had 1080UB for about 6 months now, can't complain. PQ is amazing, even my wife said she's happy I replaced the old projector (coming from her, it's a testament to how good the Epson looks). No problems so far, but it hasn't been that long yet. appadv bought one as well.

I've been VERY impressed with the PQ on my 1080UB for HD sources, it's a great projector if you watch a lot of HD material and you'll love it if you like to watch a lot of sports.

SD material... I prefer to watch it on the 34"XBR960 CRT.

Ron-P

All I watch is Blu-ray so that's all this new PJ will see. How long have you had your 1080UB, appadv?

How's the noise level and does it have lens shift?

Sami

Noise, once started up, doesn't really make any of it. Not that I can notice. Lens shift is one of the best in the market, I believe. One negative thing is no keystone correction at all, so you have to be very precise on the installation spot and execution.

Serendipity

Ron-P wrote: »

All I watch is Blu-ray so that's all this new PJ will see. How long have you had your 1080UB, appadv?

How's the noise level and does it have lens shift?

I've had it for about 2 weeks, overall I like it but I'd still prefer a good CRT projector over the Epson for SD material. But since you only watch blu-ray the picture would be great!

It has a ridiculous amount of installation flexibility - there's lens shift, zoom, adjustable feet, AND the ability to underscan the video (like 96%).

Ron-P

Currently, my Z3 hangs from the ceiling, I image this one can do the same?

The Keystone is not an issue, I don't use it on my Z3 anyway, distorts the image.

Sami

Ron-P wrote: »

Currently, my Z3 hangs from the ceiling, I image this one can do the same?

Of course.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/sami_kallio/sets/72157604011742218/

Grimster74

Hey Ron, I have the Epson Home Cinema 1080P, the UB is basically the same thing minus the UB having a higher contrast ratio as well as brighter bulb if I'm not mistaken and from day one, haven't missed my Z4 it replaced. I've had it just over a year and it's still rock solid. Mine is ceiling mounted just over 10' away from a 92" screen and the picture is amazing. Sherardp was recently over at the house for a visit and said something towards the effect of he wished he'd have saved a couple of grand and just purchased the Epson over the JVC (which now that he's home and actually getting a chance to view the JVC on that 126" screen of his, he may have a different view on it) but he is witness as to how nice the picture is. I can't see where you can go wrong with the Epson, mounted directly above my head (the front row), I can't hear the fan running. If you have any other questions, give me a shout.

Rob

Sami

http://www.projectorreviews.com/epson/powerlite-home-cinema-1080ub/

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=902604

The basic HC1080 can be had for a lot less, and offers quite a good PQ as well, but you'd be taking a considerable hit on black levels.

Grimster74

Sami wrote: »

http://www.projectorreviews.com/epson/powerlite-home-cinema-1080ub/

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=902604

The basic HC1080 can be had for a lot less, and offers quite a good PQ as well, but you'd be taking a considerable hit on black levels.

Oh, no doubt! The UB hadn't even hit the streets yet when I purchased my Epson. If I had the extra funds I would own the UB but it seems anymore, the only use my room gets is when I'm downstairs gaming. At the price point, if I had the funds and was looking for a new projector, the Epson UB would be the way to go.

Rob

Sherardp

If I wasnt so quick on the gun I would have went for the UB. Ive seen it out here in demo rooms in Japan, however I had already shot for the JVC HD1. For the price I paid for the JVC 4599( plus keep it new warranty 200 bucks) I should have waited. Bang for buck youre getting a stellar machine. I've seen the Epson 1080 in Grimsters home, again awesome picture, the UB will give you the same PQ with deeper black level. Another contender would be the Panny 2000U which is right on par with the JVC HD1 and Sony VW60. JVC HD1/RS1 and HD100/RS2 are kings with deeper blacks, contrast ratio etc, but at the same time youre paying for it.

Ron-P

Thanks for all the info guys, looks like when the time comes to make the purchase it's going to be the UB.

Serendipity

Sherardp wrote: »

I've seen the Epson 1080 in Grimsters home, again awesome picture, the UB will give you the same PQ with deeper black level. Another contender would be the Panny 2000U which is right on par with the JVC HD1 and Sony VW60.

Just a thought...

What is your opinion on the Panasonic AE2000U compared to the Epson? I saw both side by side and they looked VERY close.

Sherardp

appadv wrote: »

Just a thought...

What is your opinion on the Panasonic AE2000U compared to the Epson? I saw both side by side and they looked VERY close.

I would agree with you, they are very close. But I'd go for the epson just for fact that there have been many reports on dust blobs with the pannys. PQ wise the picture is very very close. Both are awesome machines, but I like the epson just a tad itsy bit better. Make sense :cool: By no means am I a videophile either. I just really got into the front PJ as of last yr. I spent countless hours reading, demoing what I can in Japan, etc.

Ron-P

I had a Panny once, never again. Pixels died at 700 hours and their warranty is only 1 year. No thanks.

madmax

How would this Mitsubishi compare with the Epson?
http://www.hdcameraworld.com/product_p/mitsuhc6000.htm
madmax

Ron-P

Today a coworker invited us to go with them to Vegas in September for 4 days and see a couple of Cirque shows, my wifes not big on Vegas so she offered up Vegas or the new PJ, either one, my choice.

Sherardp

Ron-P wrote: »

Today a coworker invited us to go with them to Vegas in September for 4 days and see a couple of Cirque shows, my wifes not big on Vegas so she offered up Vegas or the new PJ, either one, my choice.

Projector all day long.............not sure if you have, but I've been to Vegas many many times.

Ron-P

Oh yes, many many times.

What I need to do is compare the specs of the UB to the Z2000 as the Z2000 is about $1k less and I need to see if the UB warrants that extra coin.

Serendipity

I prefer the Epson 1080 UB over the Z2000; I've seen both in a store and the Epson had much better black levels.

Sami

Looks like the Z2000 is more comparable to the 1080 rather than the 1080UB.

http://www.avdeals.ca/productreviews/epson1080_vs_sanyoplvz2000.htm

Also, http://www.projectorreviews.com/epson/powerlite-home-cinema-1080ub/proscons.php :

HC1080UB vs. Sanyo PLV-Z2000

I know I didn't comment much about the Z2000 in the rest of the review, but it is a projector to be reckoned with. If anything, its image is slightly sharper than the Epson, and it does a very respectable job, overall, although the Epson has much better black level performance. I really liked the Z2000 when I reviewed it, and with it, you get an overall excellent picture, at a price well below the Epson - at this time, probably about $600 or so less, and that works out to about 25% less.

Keep in mind that the Epson is especially bright, and the Sanyo less than average in brightness. In fact in brightest mode, the Epson is almost 3 times as bright. Like the Epson, the Sanyo does not support an anamorphic lens.

If you've got the bucks, you'll get more bang from them with the Epson.

Ron-P

appadv wrote: »

I prefer the Epson 1080 UB over the Z2000; I've seen both in a store and the Epson had much better black levels.

15000:1 vr 50000:1, I'd also say blacks are much better, that pretty much seals the deal right there.

madmax

Hey Ron,
I can invite you out to Colorado for a few weeks and you can use that to upgrade again.

Oh yea, projector all the way rather than a trip that will be gone in a few days.

madmax

Sherardp

Its amazing how some HT owners drop some serious coin for front projectors to achieve those inky blacks. If you want that, I suggest a Sony G90, a stack would blow you away, though I've never seen that in person. I think the Sony VW60 throws a sick picture also. Just for pure fun try to view them if you get the chance, I think you'd fall in love with the Sony or JVC models.

Ron-P

Thanks for the suggestion. After looking over specs and reading some reviews it seems the Epson pretty much kills the VW60 all for about the same price. The G90 is a too much, both in price and size.

Sami

Sherardp wrote: »

If you want that, I suggest a Sony G90, a stack would blow you away, though I've never seen that in person.

And a nightmare to install and calibrate...

Ron-P

Well, I think within the next month, hopefully much sooner I'll be ordering this Epson UB. I'm going to call PP next week and see if they can offer up a different promo or if they know what the next one will be and when it will go into effect. I just don't think I can hold out much longer. I've got the Blu player, I'm fully HDMI for the lossless audio now all I need is a 1080p machine and I'm set.

Sherardp

Excellent choice too Ron, PP are a great bunch to work with. I ordered my Chief mount from them for the JVC. Buying out in Japan they wanted 700 bucks for the mount, PP charged me 202 bucks shipped. Im often amazed at the market out here, I was at my local HT shop and the JVC HD1 is still listed at 7000 bucks out here.....insane, but I guess the Japanese make coin like that.

Serendipity

Ron-P wrote: »

The G90 is a too much, both in price and size.

But oh what a wonderful picture it has

Ron-P

It should for what it costs.