Took the plunge...new projector is on the way!

zybar · « **on:** 25 May 2010, 02:22 am »

I finally pulled the trigger and will have an Epson Home Cinema 8500UB projector here on Friday (just in time for the long Memorial Day weekend).

This pj will be replacing my rather old in the tooth Panny AE900 (which is "only" a 720p projector) and should be a nice upgrade for my HT viewing pleasure.

I have been debating on whether to go with the Epson or the Panny AE-4000, but ultimately decided the extra lumen output, better black levels, and lower cost of ownership were more important to me than some of the cool features that the Panny possesses. What finally made me pull the trigger was getting for a little over $2k shipped from Visual Apex (great place to buy a pj - this is my third pj purchase from them).

Is anybody out there using the 8500UB? Any tips or recommendations?

I'll let you know how things go this weekend and try to post a few pics.

George

Bob in St. Louis · « **Reply #1 on:** 25 May 2010, 12:37 pm »

Ditto on the recommendation of Visual Apex. I got mine there as well.
Good choice on the PJ George, well done Sir.

Bob

p.s. Oh, by the way......pictures, or it didn't happen.

Noseyears · « **Reply #2 on:** 25 May 2010, 03:29 pm »

Some people say that it doesnt look good on large screens. I will wait for your impressions.

zybar · « **Reply #3 on:** 25 May 2010, 03:34 pm »

Quote from: Noseyears on 25 May 2010, 03:29 pm

Some people say that it doesnt look good on large screens. I will wait for your impressions.

Where have you seen that?

What do you consider a large screen?

Everything I have read says that it looks very good on screen up to 130" or even more (depending on which mode is used).

George

ctviggen · « **Reply #4 on:** 25 May 2010, 03:38 pm »

George,

How big is your screen and what's the gain on it? (I seem to remember the gain being around 1.)

zybar · « **Reply #5 on:** 25 May 2010, 03:42 pm »

Quote from: ctviggen on 25 May 2010, 03:38 pm

George,

How big is your screen and what's the gain on it? (I seem to remember the gain being around 1.)

110" and the gain is somewhere between 1.1 - 1.3

George

Noseyears · « **Reply #6 on:** 25 May 2010, 03:45 pm »

I read a review on this,

http://www.projectorcentral.com/epson_8500ub_projector_review.htm

Read under the THX mode.
And it was discussed on some forums as well.

zybar · « **Reply #7 on:** 31 May 2010, 02:20 am »

Well, I have good news and bad news.

Good news is that the picture is fantastic and there is a silly amount of light output. I was able to get a great picture watching the Yankee game today in 1080i via DirecTV with the lights on using Theater 1 mode. I am not even sure if I will need the much higher lumen output modes. Colors have lots of pop and the black level is silly good.

Bad news is that my unit is producing the red lines or halos that have been reported. From my research, it looks like Epson has this issue resolved and I hope to get a replacement unit ASAP.

Will report back after I get a replacement.

George

ted_b · « **Reply #8 on:** 31 May 2010, 04:25 am »

Quote from: Noseyears on 25 May 2010, 03:45 pm

I read a review on this,

http://www.projectorcentral.com/epson_8500ub_projector_review.htm

Read under the THX mode.
And it was discussed on some forums as well.

As is stated in your own review... THX mode on many projectors, including the vaunted JVC RS25, is too low for real use. It's a mode that came over from use on Panny plasmas, etc. I use THX mode on a 52" Panny in my family room but for that size it works fine and is very natural. But for front pj's it's a mode without a home. Again, as is stated in the exact review you link, it's no problem cuz there are plenty of other presets/modes that work fine. Not an issue.

ajzepp · « **Reply #9 on:** 31 May 2010, 09:23 am »

Zybar: Supposedly Epson has the *best* replacement/service program around...please let us know how they handle your swap out. I'm looking at an Epson as my next projector either later this year or sometime next year

ted_b · « **Reply #10 on:** 31 May 2010, 03:35 pm »

Yeah George, thanks for being our own little guinea pig!

Seriously, this will tell us a lot about Epson. As you know from our chats this pj, along with the new LG, and the higher $ JVC RS15 is the grand total of my short list to replace my trusty Samsung 710 DLP (720P). I got that one refurb'd for a song two years ago to simply hold me over until I researched all the new light cannons, and was blown away how well it replaced my age-old Runco CRT. Your initial impressions vs your Panny (along with David's comments via phone chat) have me VERY optimistic about this new mid-level priced pj category.

I certainly would question the dealer, though, and ask why you got such an old stock, what with the reports of this red line bug being behind us. Thanks...good luck. We're pulling for you.

zybar · « **Reply #11 on:** 1 Jun 2010, 07:58 pm »

Talked to Epson Tech Support earlier today and they are shipping me a brand new unit overnight. The process was painless and quick.

Assuming the new unit doesn't have any issues, I will be impressed by Epson's customer support and their commitment to having happy customers.

George

ctviggen · « **Reply #12 on:** 1 Jun 2010, 08:06 pm »

Quote from: ted_b on 31 May 2010, 03:35 pm

Yeah George, thanks for being our own little guinea pig!

Seriously, this will tell us a lot about Epson. As you know from our chats this pj, along with the new LG, and the higher $ JVC RS15 is the grand total of my short list to replace my trusty Samsung 710 DLP (720P). I got that one refurb'd for a song two years ago to simply hold me over until I researched all the new light cannons, and was blown away how well it replaced my age-old Runco CRT.

I also bought a Samsung 710, although I've never plugged it in. Will do so soon, as my family room is finally getting close to being finished.

Noseyears · « **Reply #13 on:** 1 Jun 2010, 08:37 pm »

Im happy to hear that George, i have been waiting to get more impressions on that projector after few hours of testing. Its not the same a real life experience.

zybar · « **Reply #14 on:** 4 Jun 2010, 07:54 pm »

I will be installing the new pj tonight to validate that it doesn't have the red lines issue.

George

zybar · « **Reply #15 on:** 6 Jun 2010, 11:45 pm »

New pj is working fine and doesn't have any issues.

Here is a picture of its temporary resting place. I needed to rig something up because I didn't measure properly and the shelf is about 1 - 1 1/2 inches short on width for the new pj.

I'll take pics of some movies soon - promise.

George

Bob in St. Louis · « **Reply #16 on:** 7 Jun 2010, 12:49 am »

Quote from: zybar on 6 Jun 2010, 11:45 pm

the shelf is about 1 - 1 1/2 inches short on width for the new pj.

When you figure out how to make a piece of wood longer lemme know.
Been there, done that.

Damn fine looking shelf though George. Looks like somebody spent some quality time building and finishing it.
That sucks.

Bob

ajzepp · « **Reply #17 on:** 8 Jun 2010, 03:21 am »

How bout some screen shots?

coke · « **Reply #18 on:** 8 Jun 2010, 03:35 am »

I have a 6100 and my mom has a 8500 UB (or it could be 1 step down, can't remember for sure). We are both using 100" screens.

Very pleased with the picture of both, and have had no issues.

zybar · « **Reply #19 on:** 8 Jun 2010, 08:42 am »

Quote from: ajzepp on 8 Jun 2010, 03:21 am

How bout some screen shots?

Working on it...

I took a few from Avatar the other day, but wasn't very happy with how they came out, so I didn't post them.

George