We have had many requests to see the Epson Home Cinema 8500 UB and the Panasonic PT-AE4000U head-to-head, so we’ve put together a video comparison just for you! We are also including a lesser known (perhaps ‘underdog’) DLP projector; the Vivitek H5080 to the shootout.
So, let’s start with the video (view it here or below). Then we will move on to some additional analysis of what we saw in our shootout.
Video Timeline Breakdown : Hammer Time
0:00 – 0:21 – Introduction to yellow shirt
0:22 – 0:40 – Epson Home Cinema 8500 UB overview
0:45 – 1:00 – Vivitek H5080 overview
1:00 – 1:20 – Panasonic PT-AE4000U overview
1:20 – 2:00 – Three projectors compared for color in default dynamic range
2:05 – 3:15 – Lens shift and zoom capability, and additional features on Panasonic PT-AE4000U
3:15 – 3:40 – Close up video from the Panasonic PT-AE4000U
3:40 – 5:30 – Lens shift and zoom capability on the Vivitek H5080
5:30 – 6:00 – Close up video from the Vivitek H5080
6:00 – 6:40 – Lens shift and zoom capability and features on the Epson Home Cinema 8500 UB
7:00 – 7:25 – Close up video from the Epson Home Cinema 8500 UB
High End 1080p Projectors : Pros and Cons
As you can see, Rodney looks ravishing in yellow! And he’s given a nice rundown on the primary differences between the three projectors. Feel free to share your own opinions below, and here is a cheat sheet for shoppers of pros and cons between the three 1080p projectors.
Pros: 2-year warranty with no specified hour limitation*, 120hz, THX color mode, (best in class) 200:000:1 contrast ratio, broader zoom range than Panasonic AE4000 and H5080
Cons: Manual (but not cumbersome) lens shift and zoom, x2 HDMI inputs (versus x3) , mid range MAP price at $2499 ($200 rebate may apply. See here for latest promotions and best price.)
* There is no specified limit to the number of hours you can use the Epson Home Cinema 8500 UB within the 2-year warranty period. This won’t be an issue for most users, but to those who use the projector over 2000 hours in the first year or two, it can provide some peace of mind. The Panasonic AE4000 has a 1 year warranty standard, with an additional year of warranty with mail in rebate. Both the AE4000U and the 8500 UB have a 90-day lamp warranty. Vivitek offers just 30 days on the lamp and 1 year on the projector.
Pros: Two (2) optional lenses available for short or long throw if needed, DLP technology (a plus for some buyers) with lens shift (not common on a DLP projector), very good color out of the box.
Cons: 60hz, 25000:1 contrast (lower than AE4000U and HC 8500 UB), limited lens shift and zoom, cumbersome lens shift controls, highest MAP price at $2999.
Pros: Power zoom, lens shift, and focus, very good zoom and lens shift range, preset for recognizing aspect ratios (video from AVForums explains feature here), 100,000:1 very good contrast ratio, lowest MAP price at $1999.
Cons: Slightly red color space out of the box (possibly due to red rich lamp technology), warranty limited to just 2000 hours of use.
During the shootout, our Projector Experts shared their opinions about the three head-to-head. We were given a demo Vivitek H5080 projector that several took home – out of the goodness of their hearts – to review. The H5080 won over over most all of those who took it home. One or two even reported that it was among the best DLP home theater projector they have seen to date.
In our shootout, the Vivitek H5080 got the most positive reviews of the three for color representation with out of box settings. The H5080 was also lauded for its 120hz-like clarity, even though it’s a 60hz unit. There were others who gave the Epson Home Cinema 8500 UB the nod (including myself) for color. Color wise, most felt the Panasonic PT-AE4000U was pushing red (possibly because of the ‘red rich’ lamp technology). Whatever the out of the box settings were, all three are fine tuneable, including a “THX” mode on the Epson Home Cinema 8500 UB and a bunch of tweak-friendly features on the Panasonic PT-AE4000U.
As for features, the Panasonic PT-AE4000U, has all the right moves. Power zoom and lens shift are nice features to have (even though some may only use them once) and the menu includes lots of tools for tweakers. It also featured the widest lens shift range, though it appeared to be second to the Epson HC 8500 UB on the zoom range. The THX setting also looks nice on the Epson 8500 UB, and will be a plus for some buyers. If you have a very short or very long room, the Vivitek is one of the only home theater projectors in this price range that offers optional lenses.
Panasonic PT-AE4000U, Epson Home Cinema 8500 UB, and Vivitek H5080: All Good
The short story, as it usually is, the that the average home theater buyer would be happy with the picture quality of any of the three high end home theater projectors we included above. The decision for most buyers will probably come down to the more technical elements like throw distance, and desired features like 60hz or 120hz frame rate, number of HDMI inputs, or a coolness factor like power zoom and lens shift. And for those who are flexible about features, at least you have this low rez youtube video to help you choose! No problem. You are welcome!
Projector Showroom Updates Coming Soon!
We will soon be adding the Epson Home Cinema 8500 UB, BenQ W1000, and the Optoma HD20 to our HomeTheaterPeople.com showroom. Also the new brand new LG Electronics CF181D has just been added to our site as well as the showroom.
With one more big game of Pro football left to go, we offer you savings upon savings, on a selection of our specially designed full HD projector packages. We have choosen a few of our most competitvely priced complete HD packages to feature, and you’ll save an extra $50 off the already discounted package price through the end of our sale.
Our featured big screen projectors packages will cost you a lot less than a trip for two to Miami for the game, and you’ll get to enjoy your projector all year long… and next season too! HD is almost like — and cheaper than — being there!
Use Coupon Code : CHEAPER
Choose from one of our packages below and save an additional $50 off the already discounted price. (or see more here) :
Offer Dates : Monday, January 25th – February 7th. Shipping Costs : In stock projectors include free ground shipping within the continental US, but shipping charges will apply for accessories and out of stock projectors.
As promised, we are reporting on the first of the 3D projectors to hit the shelves. It just so happens that ProjectorCentral.com has just posted a new review of the 3D capable Mitsubishi XD600U projector. The 3D ready XD600U was meant primarily for use in educational environments (schools, training rooms) to help illustrate concepts in a new dimension. However, it utilizes some of the same technology that will be used in new 3D home theater projection that was all the rage at the CES show last weekend. Here’s a peek at what Projector Central had to say about the new Mitsubishi projector.
Projector Central on the performance of the projector overall :
“Mitsubishi’s XD600U is a compact powerhouse of a projector. With a weight of less than eight pounds and 4500 ANSI lumens of brightness, it is a versatile, portable option for large-venue installation. Its 1.5:1 zoom lens makes it easy to install, and 3D capability goes a long way towards making it future-proof. Maintenance costs are kept low thanks to a filter-free design and long lamp life. Wired networking makes things simple for the folks in charge of maintenance, as well. All in all, the XD600U is a projector that is designed to deliver a great image for a reasonable price, both up-front and in the future. If you are looking for a versatile projector for a multi-unit installation in conference rooms or university classrooms, the XD600U may be just what you’re looking for.”
Reviewer Bill Livolsi also goes into some of the details about how you get the projector in 3D mode:
“The XD600U is 3D ready, but there seems to be a lot of confusion floating around as to what this actually means. When a DLP projector like the XD600U is labeled 3D ready, it does not mean that you can simply attach it to a Blu-Ray player and start watching movies in 3D. It means that the projector is compatible with DLP’s new implementation of stereoscopic viewing, but you will need some extra equipment in order to use it…
…First, you will need a computer with a fairly beefy graphics card, capable of outputting XGA at 120Hz. Next, you will need a suite of 3D content. Several companies now market 3D content to schools, and there is some gaming content available as well (though we have not had a chance to test this yet – check back soon for more information). Finally, you will need a pair of compatible active 3D glasses. These are not the cardboard colored-lens glasses you may have seen inside “3D” movies sold on DVD, nor are they the polarized plastic glasses you get if you go see a movie like Avatar in theaters. The glasses required for 3D viewing on the XD600 are active LCD shutter glasses, designed to strobe in synchronization with the content on screen and trick your eyes into seeing two separate images.”
As we mentioned in our previous blog post about 3D projectors, there are still a lot of questions about 3D content (though ESPN promises to bring the World Cup in 3D this year) and about what it will take to get your home setup 3D ready. That is in terms of overall cost, and equipment upgrades or updates that will be required. In some cases it may only take a firmware upgrade to make a source 3D ready. As an example, we heard the Playstation3 would have a 3D firmware update available as early as this Summer.
As for whether it will require a new display (tv or projector) or a simple update, we don’t have the answer yet – and it will likely vary by model. More on this as soon as we know.
And on another positive note for the new 3D projector :
“…DLP’s implementation of 3D is easily the finest in-home 3D we have ever experienced. The quality is light-years ahead of the old anaglyph 3D method (the kind that uses the colored glasses) and is nearly on par with the 3D you will see in commercial theaters. If the amount and quality of available content starts trending higher, this could be a major area of growth in years to come…”
And another point of interest… higher contrast ratios with 3D glasses?
“One other thing. We mentioned that 3D mode on the XD600U cuts lumen output rather drastically, but there are also the 3D glasses themselves to consider. Since the glasses operate through the action of an LCD shutter, they do cut light output significantly – about 70%. To the viewer’s eyes, the picture appears to be about 775 lumens. There’s an upside, though – the same shutter that cuts lumen output also deepens black levels, meaning the net result is an increase in contrast. With a bright projector like the XD600U, you still end up with enough light for a very enjoyable picture. On 3D projectors with much lower light output, this may not be the case.”
Just a few thoughts to ponder as we wade our way into the third dimension. Stay tuned for more!
Yesterday was ProjectorPeople.com’s 11th anniversary! That’s eleven years of uninterrupted service for you, your family and friends. However, this morning there was a series of unfortunate events which caused our website to be offline for a few hours. We are very sorry for this occurrence and have taken measures to correct the problem.
We understand some of you saw messages that said things like “this domain is for sale” among other bits of misinformation. The messages you saw are generated automatically when a websites DNS cannot be found, and they differ from internet provider to provider. Rest assured we are not for sale! But our wide selection of projectors at competitive prices still are.
We understand that this anomaly prevented online shopping this morning and we will do everything we can to prevent this from happening in the future. We thank you for your patience today and your patronage over the last 11 years!
The majority of the pre-CES buzz has been about the emergence of 3D into the home. So, while we don’t have a lot of information on 3D projectors just yet, we can take this opportunity to discuss the new HDMI 1.4 standard which will be the most common method of delivery for a 3D display. CES will undoubtedly deliver more information about new 3D content and the displays that can show them and we will post more about those developments here. But in the meantime let’s start with the crucial component that is already ready for 3D – the HDMI 1.4 cable standard.
What’s New About HDMI 1.4?
Previously we posted information on the HDMI 1.4 standard that was probably a bit too pessimistic. Yes, there will be five different cables available for purchase, but for the purposes of home and business projection there will really only be two varieties of use to most home and business projector users – “Ethernet” equipped and “high speed” HDMI. There is also “standard speed” HDMI, which may do the job for some users, but it can’t deliver full 1080p resolution or a 120hz frame rate.
So what’s different from HDMI 1.3 to the new 1.4 standard? Per HDMI.org, any HDMI 1.4 cable has to have the bandwidth and shielding to perform the following functions:
Note : Keep in mind, not every HDMI 1.4 cable will perform each of the functions mentioned above. There will be five different “versions” of the cable available. But only a couple will be related to home theater. The ‘micro HDMI’ connection, for example, looks like it will be offered on cameras, phones, and possibly pico projectors in the future. The new ‘micro’ cable is about half the size of the previous version – making it very easy to mistake for the smaller USB connector. The automotive standard is obviously designed for the auto industry. So there shouldn’t be too much confusion when you shop for an HDMI cable for your projector or TV.
Pro Cable Guys Have Been Ready for 1.4
In the cable business, a few manufacturers are well ahead of the game. Comprehensive Cables, for example, has had cables that meet the ‘high speed HDMI’ standard for several years now. So, if you have a professional grade Comprehensive HDMI 1.3 cable you bought a few years ago, from ProjectorPeople.com it should still work using your new 1.4 enabled 3D ready source and display.
This is because when Comprehensive designed their 1.3 cable, they exceeded the official requirements, perhaps in anticipation of the 120hz and native 1080p displays that came to market last year. Whatever their motivation, this is great for buyers of Comprehensive product. It also makes good business sense for them, because they have not had to retool their entire HDMI line to meet new 1.4 specifications. So, everyone’s a winner!
Some of the ultra cheap HDMI cables you’ll find were not designed to perform up to the new 1.4 standard – since they didn’t have to be. So if you bought a cheap cable and are wondering if it’s compatible with the new features mentioned above (and even 120hz) including 4k x 2k resolution, 3D, and 1080p support (required for only the ‘high speed’ HDMI 1.4 cables) as well as the audio return channel (for crisper audio) – you’ll have to check the specs. And if you need to buy a new HDMI cable, check the specs.
Just Say HDMI! (And Leave the Numbers Out of It)
HDMI manufacturers are no longer allowed to display the standard (i.e. 1.4 or 1.3b) on their packaging. In order to avoid confusion, they have been asked to address their cables in terms of performance and features. So, instead of promoting “HDMI 1.4″ on their packaging, they will have to say something like “3D Ready” or “120hz Compatible.” This is to avoid confusion for the average customer who doesn’t want to do research, but who knows what they want. Since if you’re reading this you most likely to your research, be aware that 1.4 won’t (or shouldn’t by rule of HDMI.org) be on your HDMI cable literature.
3D Almost Ready for Prime Time… Almost
While some cable makers were ahead of the game on this one, manufacturers who make the sources and displays have had more challenges in making 3D affordable. It does appear that multiple manufacturers have worked out many of the kinks and will be making efforts to produce displays that can deliver 3D visuals.
The buzz at CES is that there will very soon be sources and displays at reasonable priced that can make 3D a reality in your home. In fact, ESPN has announced a 3D channel, as well as ABC and other affiliate stations. This is great news for sports enthusiasts who have been dying to have balls fly at their face in their own home. There may be other viewers who are not entirely ready for 3D, but for others, it’s a dimension whose time has come. Either way, it’s coming your way soon.
3D Projectors on the Horizon?
You bet they are! And there are even a few available now. However, thus far, most of the 3D love has been directed at learning and education tools market. But after CES, you will feel the love directed at you, the consumer. We promise to fill you in on what’s available in 3D as soon as we get the details. BenQ and LG are among a few who have already made announcements this week.
The Glasses Ceiling?
One issue some viewers will have with 3D technology of today is the need to wear special glasses. While this is probably no surprise since we’ve been wearing glasses at all our 3D movies in the theater, many people just prefer to be glasses free (as any Lasik provider will tell you). Also, with some of the current technology, the glasses can cost as much as $200 a pair. Why $200? Because in some cases the glasses actually generate the ultra-fast flickering movement that creates depth. In other technologies, the motion is created in the display, and the glasses serve as a filter alone. More on the types of 3D projector technology in a future post.
Ethernet over HDMI 1.4
The ultimate goal for the folks who designed the HDMI standard was to create a single cable that can carry audio, video, and data. While HD audio and video are covered, the data and controls have not yet been adopted by display manufacturers. It appears it is too costly to integrate the new technology just yet. Watch for more on this, and what it may mean for customers who want a fully integrated large scale projection system or home theater enthusiasts who use a home network.
As of yet, there aren’t any manufacturers who have implemented the new Ethernet over HDMI into their projectors. Comprehensive cable says that they expect to have a cable ready for Ethernet over HDMI soon, but there won’t be any displays that utilize it (affordably) till at least 2011.
Let Us Know What You Think!
There are still questions about the viability of 3D. At Cowboy stadium, for example, their giant display 3D experiment only lasted about 7 minutes before it was booed off the gargantuan moni-staur.
So we’d love to get your feedback if you’re in the mood to share. How do you feel about having 3D entertainment in your living room? Would you upgrade your display (TV or projector) to enjoy 3D content? Would you be willing to wear 3D glasses or do you prefer to wait till you can see 3D without glasses? Would you rather companies innovated with Smell-o-Vision and rumble seats?
Follow Projector People’s visit to CES on Twitter for updates on Projection Technology and more.
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Posted by Jennifer on February 2nd, 2010 | 
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