Projector question

[butchgo]

I am getting close to finalizing the layout for my media room and I am thinking of entering the world of projectors but I know nothing about them.
I am currently looking at the Epson 5030UB and I was wondering if anyone out there owns this projector and what your thoughts are on it.

[Boomzilla]

I had a 5010e by Epson. Everyone who saw it thought it the best picture they'd seen. The "e" suffix on my model indicated wireless video. This was great for me because my equipment rack was on the opposite side of the room from the projector. I really liked having wireless video! It could also do 3d wirelessly.

And may I say that IMHO, the screen that you use is as important (and maybe more important) than the projector. Screens come in two "flavors." High-Gain, which is a highly reflective surface, usually in white, and High-Contrast which is usually a charcoal gray color and is designed not to reflect much.

For use in a brightly lit room, or where you can't control ambient light from windows, you need a High-Gain screen. It makes the picture bright enough that it can be seen despite high background light levels. BUT, that reflective screen loses (scatters) much of the detail that you paid for in your expensive, high-resolution projector. IMHO, high-gain screens are appropriate for business presentations and not much else.

For a movie room where you can dim the lighting, the High-Contrast screen is a much better option. It enhances the black level and provides startlingly sharp definition.

The BestBuy kid said: You date your projector, but you marry your screen. In other words, even if you later buy a better projector, a good screen will make it look its best.

High-Contrast screens need not be expensive. If you have a flat wall that you can paint, non-reflective, dark gray paint works fine. I bought a 110" non-motorized, pull-down screen (Chinese made) for about $130. garbulky and his wife saw it & can tell you how good it looked.

So back to projectors - The Epsons are highly rated and very good deals for their price. Enjoy!

Boomzilla

[garbulky]

I don't have a frame of reference because I haven't seen other projectors in its class. But I can tell you that B'zilla's projector was easily the best picture I have seen by far - short of an imax screen. Easily outclassed anything I've seen in the homes. Incredible. Deep blacks, natural colros like you wouldn't believe blah blah blah. I honestly thought I was seeing a 4 k picture but it was a blu ray. That's how good it was. The picture size was also huge. The wireless HDMI feature on it also worked quite well. No quality degradation I could see. No pixelation. Just tons and tons of detail.

[gus4emo]

I have a Panasonic 4000 that I never bothered calibrating because the picture is sooooo good, and I'm running it in eco mode, even in eco mode when I turn lights on it still looks awesome, of course I want lights off, the screen is 106 inches....

[novisnick]

Calibrate! Most people don't have a clue as to the proper amount of light a picture should be, it is actually much darker then most emagine.
Ive had multiple TVs calibrated and of course they are stunning, Four shades of black on the screen at one time is just amazing!!
One of the Batman movies has a scene in it with 4 blacks and its just amazing!! Thats the only word I can come up with to describe it.

[butchgo]

My room has no windows so ambient light is not a problem.
I have been trying to learn about DIY screens and it looks like the spandex is the material of choice so I will pursue that path.
Thanks for the feedback.

[creimes]

Jun 19, 2016 21:29:48 GMT -5 butchgo said:

My room has no windows so ambient light is not a problem.
I have been trying to learn about DIY screens and it looks like the spandex is the material of choice so I will pursue that path.
Thanks for the feedback.

Here's my spandex screen build, I just love having the speakers hidden behind the screen. I went with the Epson 3500 as I didn't want to spend the extra grand for the 5030 and hopefully in a few years when my bulb is on it's way out 4K projectors will be cheap


www.flickr.com/gp/creimes750/G4E635

[pallpoul]

I HAVE THE PANNASONIC PT8000AE and it came with a calibrating disk, however the picture is soooo good I did not even bother using it.
I have tried the Epson 3500 and the Epson 5030 and returned both. I found the Panni to be superior, at least to me, in terms of picture quality and it is much more "tweakable".
In my other dedicated HT, I use the Sony VPL-HW40ES projector, the it delivers also an amazing PQ on a 120" screen.

[Deleted]

Jun 19, 2016 9:38:53 GMT -5 butchgo said:

I am getting close to finalizing the layout for my media room and I am thinking of entering the world of projectors but I know nothing about them.
I am currently looking at the Epson 5030UB and I was wondering if anyone out there owns this projector and what your thoughts are on it.

if you can up your budget about 800$ I HIGHLY suggest the JVS rs400.

1) accpets 4k and its e-shift is indiscernible from true 4k
2) 3d is ridiculously good
3) brightness for ANY sized screen

I had the panasonic 8000 for over a year (about 1300 hours) and was in LOVE with it...but the JVC blows it away...not even kidding...night and day. I demod mine before I bought it...so wasnt a buyers justification..I know it will blow away the epson as well.

with any choice you make...make sure the throw distance of the PJ fits your needs for screen size and room distances....alos for Fl. you want to be in the sweetspot of 14-18fl. and for 4k much much more

good luck! Projectors are the best!

p.s. I use it on my white over black millskin spandex (cost about 180$) and am thrilled every day I turn it on... IMHO a screen is the one thing of MAJOR diminished returns...

[sebastianr]

I can only speak to what I own and I have the Epson 6030, which is just the 5030 in black. I love it. I use it in a family room with black out blinds if I need it. My screen is a 113" Screen Innovations Black Diamond and the combo is fantastic. I know @fattykid also just bought the Epson 5030 and loves it. The one thing that concerns me with the Epson is that the light path is not sealed and you have the chance of getting screen blobs (dust motes). My original Epson 6030 got a blob and I sent it back (24 hour service and I had a replacement, pretty amazing) and I am on my second Epson, so far blob free. I heard that the JVC models are sealed but I haven't really looked into it. If I had the money, I'd probably go with a Sony or a JVC, just based on having the lens sealed off.

You will LOVE having a projector, good luck!

[pop]

I have a 5030, and honestly for the money it's unbeatable. Great placement options, tons of brightness, good color, good black levels. All in all, I have been extremely happy with my purchase.

[Deleted]

Jun 20, 2016 7:30:54 GMT -5 sebastianr said:

I can only speak to what I own and I have the Epson 6030, which is just the 5030 in black. I love it. I use it in a family room with black out blinds if I need it. My screen is a 113" Screen Innovations Black Diamond and the combo is fantastic. I know @fattykid also just bought the Epson 5030 and loves it. The one thing that concerns me with the Epson is that the light path is not sealed and you have the chance of getting screen blobs (dust motes). My original Epson 6030 got a blob and I sent it back (24 hour service and I had a replacement, pretty amazing) and I am on my second Epson, so far blob free. I heard that the JVC models are sealed but I haven't really looked into it. If I had the money, I'd probably go with a Sony or a JVC, just based on having the lens sealed off.

You will LOVE having a projector, good luck!

Thanks Paul. I did buy a 5030. It is stunning, the 3d picture quality is better than my Panasonic gt50 plasma .
I demoed a panny 7000 and it was washed put in comparison to the epson. After reading the black level measurements of the epson vs panny 8000 i was sold even more.
I don't regret my decision one bit. I use a silver over black spandex screen. It gives that little extra depth to the blacks and the epson is more than plenty bright to give me deep rich and vibrant colors on my 140" screen.