Epson 1080UB Projector

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Serendipity
Serendipity Posts: 6,975
edited June 2008 in Electronics
Coming soon...

What do I need to know about this before it gets here?
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  • Sami
    Sami Posts: 4,634
    edited June 2008
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    That it has an absolutely great picture, and that you need a BR player to fully appreciate it. Congrats!
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  • Serendipity
    Serendipity Posts: 6,975
    edited June 2008
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    Cool. How about with regards to connectivity?

    I would assume that I need to run at least one HDMI cable, all I have right now is a RGBHV cable (I bought that to use with a CRT projector, but that never happened)...
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  • Sami
    Sami Posts: 4,634
    edited June 2008
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    2*HDMI, component, VGA etc. You can use the RGBHV cable, just add BNC to RCA adapters if it's a BNC cable. Works well with the cheap Monoprice 4xHDMI switch, in case you need more than 2 HDMI inputs (or don't want to run multiple cables).
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  • Serendipity
    Serendipity Posts: 6,975
    edited June 2008
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    So are you saying that I can use the RGBHV cable for component by just utilizing 3 out of the 5 connectors and then putting on BNC to RCA adapters?

    Thanks!
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    Front projection, 2 channel, car audio... life is good!
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  • Sami
    Sami Posts: 4,634
    edited June 2008
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    I don't see a reason why not. I think I had 5 cable BNC in my earlier setup, on a CRT that only took in RGB.
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  • Serendipity
    Serendipity Posts: 6,975
    edited June 2008
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    Yup, that's what I am using.

    BTW, how flexible is this projector with regards to placement? I understand it has a very generous lens shift so if possible, I'd like to place it on a bookshelf in the back of my room and tilt it down to the screen. I'm going to set it up so that zooming in will allow the 4:3 section to fill the screen, and then for movies zoom out so that the 16:9 picture uses up the top half of the screen. I hope this is possible?
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    Front projection, 2 channel, car audio... life is good!
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  • Sami
    Sami Posts: 4,634
    edited June 2008
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    Should be good, the lens is quite good but make sure you still get it straight as there is no keystone.
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  • Serendipity
    Serendipity Posts: 6,975
    edited June 2008
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    Cool. I'm hoping that it has enough zoom range to display both aspect ratios on my screen properly.

    For 16:9 I've decided to retract the screen a little bit and adjust the projector to fill that part of the screen. Then for 4:3 I'll extend the screen fully and zoom the lens in.

    I'm hoping that at 1600 lumens, this will be brighter than any CRT I've ever seen and this will be great since I can have all my friends over and play Wii or PS2 on the big screen :D
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    Front projection, 2 channel, car audio... life is good!
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  • Sami
    Sami Posts: 4,634
    edited June 2008
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    Just plan to block the light enough that it is not direct. It still needs a fairly dim room but definitely much better than most projectors out there.
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  • Serendipity
    Serendipity Posts: 6,975
    edited June 2008
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    It should be better than a CRT though, as I've seen many demo's of CRT projectors in hi-fi stores and there was a little bit of ambient light in the room. Even then the picture was completely watchable.
    polkaudio RT35 Bookshelves
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    Front projection, 2 channel, car audio... life is good!
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  • Sherardp
    Sherardp Posts: 8,038
    edited June 2008
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    Seen the UB firsthand in Japan, as Sami mentioned it throws an awesome picture. The one I demoed was on a 100 inch screen and the PQ was amazing. Pair it up with a blu-ray player over HDMI and youre set. Congrats.
    Shoot the jumper.....................BALLIN.............!!!!!

    Home Theater Pics in the Showcase :cool:

    http://www.polkaudio.com/forums/showcase/view.php?userid=73580
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  • Serendipity
    Serendipity Posts: 6,975
    edited June 2008
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    Sherardp wrote: »
    Seen the UB firsthand in Japan, as Sami mentioned it throws an awesome picture. The one I demoed was on a 100 inch screen and the PQ was amazing. Pair it up with a blu-ray player over HDMI and youre set. Congrats.

    How is the picture quality compared to the JVC RS1? Some reviews say it is close but others give the impression that the RS1 puts out a much better picture. Is it truly a night and day difference between the two?
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    Front projection, 2 channel, car audio... life is good!
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  • Sherardp
    Sherardp Posts: 8,038
    edited June 2008
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    To me I'd say the JVC is on another level, and it really is. I wouldnt compare it to the JVC, the PQ is much better however you paying a premium for that. Right now the JVC is still at 4k while the Epson is like 2k-2500 maybe. You'll be happy with the Epson though, it truly is a stellar performer. The JVC shines on contrast, sharpness, black level, etc. If you can I highly suggest you try to demo one. You're in good hands though, the epson is a very nice unit.
    Shoot the jumper.....................BALLIN.............!!!!!

    Home Theater Pics in the Showcase :cool:

    http://www.polkaudio.com/forums/showcase/view.php?userid=73580
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  • Serendipity
    Serendipity Posts: 6,975
    edited June 2008
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    Thanks. I knew that the JVC was a much better performer, but I'm on a college student budget ;)
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    Front projection, 2 channel, car audio... life is good!
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  • Sherardp
    Sherardp Posts: 8,038
    edited June 2008
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    appadv wrote: »
    Thanks. I knew that the JVC was a much better performer, but I'm on a college student budget ;)

    Yeah I remember you mentioned that earlier. I'm happy for you, I remember you were looking to fix your old CRT. Good choice on the digital you purchased. Again youre in for a treat and will be happy once you fire it up. I definitely want to see your screenshots of it paired up with a bluray player or some gaming. Post a review once u get it out of box and get some time on it.
    Shoot the jumper.....................BALLIN.............!!!!!

    Home Theater Pics in the Showcase :cool:

    http://www.polkaudio.com/forums/showcase/view.php?userid=73580
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  • Serendipity
    Serendipity Posts: 6,975
    edited June 2008
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    Well, I should be getting the projector in a few weeks, as I'm still on campus right now...
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    polkaudio XRT12 XM Tuner
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    Front projection, 2 channel, car audio... life is good!
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  • Serendipity
    Serendipity Posts: 6,975
    edited June 2008
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    Sherardp wrote: »
    Yeah I remember you mentioned that earlier. I'm happy for you, I remember you were looking to fix your old CRT. Good choice on the digital you purchased. Again youre in for a treat and will be happy once you fire it up. I definitely want to see your screenshots of it paired up with a bluray player or some gaming. Post a review once u get it out of box and get some time on it.

    Which bluray player would you recommend? Right now my only sources are:

    - HTPC
    - Onkyo DVDP
    - HD Cable
    - Wii/PS2
    - JVC VHS
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    Front projection, 2 channel, car audio... life is good!
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  • Sami
    Sami Posts: 4,634
    edited June 2008
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    Right now, PS3 is the best option. Big negative is it doesn't do HD tracks over analog cables, and it's a bit of an eyesore on the rack but that's about it.
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  • Serendipity
    Serendipity Posts: 6,975
    edited June 2008
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    Dangit! I thought the Epson was the last thing I needed for my system...
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    Front projection, 2 channel, car audio... life is good!
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  • Serendipity
    Serendipity Posts: 6,975
    edited June 2008
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    I read a review over on Projector Central of this projector and it states that for maximum light output, the zoom lens needs to be in the "wide angle" setting. Does that mean the projector needs to be as close to the screen as possible or should it be far away? I was under the impression that wide angle = minimum zoom, so what does that translate to with regards to throw distance?

    Thanks!
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    Front projection, 2 channel, car audio... life is good!
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  • Serendipity
    Serendipity Posts: 6,975
    edited June 2008
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    Will be here soon. I'm excited!
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    polkaudio DSWPro550WI
    polkaudio XRT12 XM Tuner
    polkaudio RM6750 5.1

    Front projection, 2 channel, car audio... life is good!
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  • Sherardp
    Sherardp Posts: 8,038
    edited June 2008
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    should be outstanding, I spent time with Grimster over the week. Though it was short, I did get to view the Epson 1080 in his theater and I must say the PQ was outstanding. I got to Demo the XBOX 360 and Rambo on BD and was in complete awe the entire time. Youre in for a real treat as I've said before. Waiting for that review, hurry up and open it up already.
    Shoot the jumper.....................BALLIN.............!!!!!

    Home Theater Pics in the Showcase :cool:

    http://www.polkaudio.com/forums/showcase/view.php?userid=73580
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  • Serendipity
    Serendipity Posts: 6,975
    edited June 2008
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    Sherardp wrote: »
    Waiting for that review, hurry up and open it up already.

    I'm going to be home for the weekend, just for that purpose!
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    Front projection, 2 channel, car audio... life is good!
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  • Serendipity
    Serendipity Posts: 6,975
    edited June 2008
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    Just powered this up a few minutes ago...it's connected to a HTPC showing 1080p HD and DVD's.

    Sami,

    What settings are you using for the projector? There are tons of things like iris, sharpness, etc. and I'm just using the factory settings.
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    Front projection, 2 channel, car audio... life is good!
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  • Sami
    Sami Posts: 4,634
    edited June 2008
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    http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=985831
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  • Serendipity
    Serendipity Posts: 6,975
    edited June 2008
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    Thanks,

    To be completely honest, I have to say that the Epson is not exactly what I expected. HD material is great - I played some recorded HD shows from my HTPC and they looked absolutely wonderful.

    But, for some reason SD material just doesn't look that good with the Epson. Standard DVDs showed lots of artifacts and noise in the image, and VHS tape was completely unwatchable.

    Do you think this is a setting issue or something else?
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    Front projection, 2 channel, car audio... life is good!
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  • Serendipity
    Serendipity Posts: 6,975
    edited June 2008
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    Hmm...

    I've tried tweaking every setting, picture mode, and advanced option in the projector, yet it's still not looking that great with SD sources. Keep in mind - HD performance on this projector is great, almost as good as some of the high-end demo's I saw at CES, but SD performance leaves a lot to be desired.

    Back when I was in junior high AV squad, we would set up a CRT projector in the auditorium every time they needed to show a video. The source was a regular VHS tape and even then, at 200" the picture was watchable.

    With the Epson, VHS tape is completely unwatchable and DVD's show lots of mosquito noise and scaling artifacts. In general, unless the source is HD, the picture isn't very good. Maybe a good scaler would fix this?
    polkaudio RT35 Bookshelves
    polkaudio 255c-RT Inwalls
    polkaudio DSWPro550WI
    polkaudio XRT12 XM Tuner
    polkaudio RM6750 5.1

    Front projection, 2 channel, car audio... life is good!
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  • Sami
    Sami Posts: 4,634
    edited June 2008
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    A lot of the times, memory deceives you. Honestly, I can't help because I don't really watch any SD material anymore.
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  • Serendipity
    Serendipity Posts: 6,975
    edited June 2008
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    Sami wrote: »
    A lot of the times, memory deceives you. Honestly, I can't help because I don't really watch any SD material anymore.

    Sure, but have you tried a DVD with the Epson?

    As per the memory thing, my neighbor has a LCD TV and we compared my Sony 34XBR960 to his flat panel. On SD content, I noticed the same thing - more noise and scaling artifacts on the flat panel, none on the CRT. So I may be wrong but I noticed this on other LCD displays, too :(

    I'm just wondering why DVDs look so bad but not HD. Matter of fact, HD on the Epson is absolutely mind-blowing!
    polkaudio RT35 Bookshelves
    polkaudio 255c-RT Inwalls
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    polkaudio RM6750 5.1

    Front projection, 2 channel, car audio... life is good!
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  • Sami
    Sami Posts: 4,634
    edited June 2008
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    Because HD does not have artifacts and DVD does? :)

    Good speakers reveal a bad recording, and I think a good display also shows the shortcomings of the video source.
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