PC Review: Epson Home Cinema 8500 UB 1080p PJ

borromini · 10-26-2009, 09:46 PM

http://www.projectorcentral.com/epso...tor_review.htm

A preliminary review with a pre-production unit, but the indications are that this will be a hot-seller. A very bright PJ without losing performance.

Robertoy · 11-09-2009, 01:28 PM

This model (as 9500UB) uses Super Resolution Technology

:
http://www.highdefforum.com/959711-post379.html

Roberto

d6500k · 11-10-2009, 10:06 AM

While PJ central is a decent data source, it still gives me pause when the writers make a statement found in the "Preliminary Review"

Quote:

So the 8500 might be correctly set to THX standards, but it doesn't look that good on a very large screen.

If the PJ is set to either THX or ISF film standards, the image is accurate, not accentuated or embellished with extra "this or that's".

On the other hand, Epson has produced inexpensive PJ's before that nearly flat-line grayscale at d65 and 6500k, which is perfect if you wish to see the original film in your home. Good stuff.

Doug k

borromini · 11-10-2009, 01:46 PM

I don't doubt the intent behind THX certifying a preset option for PJ manufacturers, but at the same time I don't automatically accept that as proof that the image is accurate.

What does it mean when you take two projectors and place them side-by-side and set each one to the manufacturer's THX preset and don't see the same quality? This is exactly what happened when PC recently tested the Epson 8500 and JVC RS25 side-by-side:

Quote:

...when setting the RS25 and the Epson 8500 side by side with both in their respective THX modes, the pictures are different in color balance. So despite the impression of perfection you might draw from the THX logo, don't assume that the THX mode on every projector is perfectly calibrated and couldn't benefit from a bit of adjustment.

Every consumer who is drawn to the THX logo on a projector should be aware that this is not an end-all solution. When two projectors have that THX logo and don't look the same...

Is it because different lamps and lumen settings will result in a difference?
Could it be the iris design...either manual or automatic that has an affect?
Do we know for sure that the temperature/gamma and biases are all truly the same when a THX certified preset is provided?

It's also intriguing that on some of these PJs the THX preset is locked and cannot be adjusted.

d6500k · 11-10-2009, 05:05 PM

I agree completely with you Borromini.

That is why I cut the quote from the piece with the

Quote:

might be correctly set to THX standards

in my post.

If the display was measured and indeed had the same ct at d65 and another display of the same type was stacked for a true A/B comparison, when calibrated they should both be identical.

The THX logo, like the ISF logo or C3 implementation capabilities, really only seem to mean that either the displays carrying the logos are potentially calibratable, or that they ( the manufacturers ) have made a pass at calibration to "get it close enough" to a margin of error acceptable by the THX/ISF folks.

Quote:

It's also intriguing that on some of these PJs the THX preset is locked and cannot be adjusted

Intriguing IMO is giving them too much of a benefit of a doubt. I have never ever measured a display with the THX/ISF logo in the displays THX or ISF mode that did not warrant adjustments that provided accuracy to a greater degree than the presets delivered. Some came astonishing close when compared to displays from just a few years back, but improvements could and were made. In lockout situ's, there is the option of service menu changes or simply using user settings in a mode that allows the necessary modifications. In any event, the THX/ISF demarcation is more marketing than substance from what I've seen in the field.

But the option of shooting a 25' screen and still having some reserve even with an error or two, is pretty dang cool.

Doug k

borromini · 11-10-2009, 09:56 PM

You've made all good points there. I also realized that with "locked" THX presets, even if it were truly accurate...that benefit is fleeting because in a short matter of time, the colors will naturally shift as the lamp goes through it's initial dimming phase.

Typically, UHP lamps lose around 33% of their initial brightness within the first 200 to 300 hours of use.

emachine1 · 11-12-2009, 01:51 AM

I have gone through the web, its interesting to see that Epson is introducing a new line of products in Pj with very reasonable prices.

Chris Gerhard · 11-16-2009, 04:00 AM

There is also a preliminary comparison to the Panasonic PT-AE4000U. I would expect these two to be very popular models at that price range.

http://www.projectorcentral.com/epso...nic_ae4000.htm

Chris

10-26-2009, 09:46 PM	#1
borromini HT Frontiersman Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Northern California Posts: 9,825	PC Review: Epson Home Cinema 8500 UB 1080p PJ http://www.projectorcentral.com/epso...tor_review.htm A preliminary review with a pre-production unit, but the indications are that this will be a hot-seller. A very bright PJ without losing performance. __________________ "I'd rather have a bottle in front of me than a frontal lobotomy"

11-10-2009, 09:56 PM	#6
borromini HT Frontiersman Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Northern California Posts: 9,825	You've made all good points there. I also realized that with "locked" THX presets, even if it were truly accurate...that benefit is fleeting because in a short matter of time, the colors will naturally shift as the lamp goes through it's initial dimming phase. Typically, UHP lamps lose around 33% of their initial brightness within the first 200 to 300 hours of use. __________________ "I'd rather have a bottle in front of me than a frontal lobotomy"

11-09-2009, 01:28 PM	#2
Robertoy High Definition is the definition of life. Join Date: Jun 2008 Posts: 788	This model (as 9500UB) uses Super Resolution Technology : http://www.highdefforum.com/959711-post379.html Roberto

11-12-2009, 01:51 AM	#7
emachine1 High Definition is the definition of life. Join Date: Aug 2009 Posts: 37	I have gone through the web, its interesting to see that Epson is introducing a new line of products in Pj with very reasonable prices.

11-16-2009, 04:00 AM	#8
Chris Gerhard High Definition is the definition of life. Join Date: Nov 2005 Posts: 8,207	There is also a preliminary comparison to the Panasonic PT-AE4000U. I would expect these two to be very popular models at that price range. http://www.projectorcentral.com/epso...nic_ae4000.htm Chris