I dunno what to do.

Previous PJ was a Panasonic(*spit*) ae-700 which did work nicely in the room, pity about the globe...and flickers...and cropping over HDMI.

The screen is homemade BO 2.77m diag, PJ lens is 4.3m from the screen, closest seating is about 2.8m(head to screen).

My only concerns with the Z5 are possible screen door and some reports of colours being pretty wrong - purple lips and orange skin. I don't want everyone looking looking an Oompaloompa!

The Epson sounds good but reviews are thin and there are almost no comments here about them. Epson Aussie does have a very good reputation for warranties though.

Better blacks on the Z5 but better colours out of the box on the Epson.

I really like the lens door on the Z5 as well as the dust removal tool.
I really like the light output on the Epson, I can use it in low lamp all the time.

HELP! I'm going around in circles. :confused:

Anyone?

Comments? Suggestions? Virtual slap?

Don't think you are going to find too many Epson 810 owners around for first hand knowledge. Shame since it appears to ba a very good projector.

Don't know how relevant it is but I saw an Epson 800 this week and it looked very good with very little sd. Cound not see any from about 8 ft. on a 100" screem.

There are varying reports on the Z5 about SD from "no problem" to "can't stand it". Wish I could be of more help.

Happy Holiday Season.

I dunno what to do.

Previous PJ was a Panasonic(*spit*) ae-700 which did work nicely in the room, pity about the globe...and flickers...and cropping over HDMI.

The screen is homemade BO 2.77m diag, PJ lens is 4.3m from the screen, closest seating is about 2.8m(head to screen).

My only concerns with the Z5 are possible screen door and some reports of colours being pretty wrong - purple lips and orange skin. I don't want everyone looking looking an Oompaloompa!

The Epson sounds good but reviews are thin and there are almost no comments here about them. Epson Aussie does have a very good reputation for warranties though.

Better blacks on the Z5 but better colours out of the box on the Epson.

I really like the lens door on the Z5 as well as the dust removal tool.
I really like the light output on the Epson, I can use it in low lamp all the time.

HELP! I'm going around in circles. :confused:

With Epson's pricing (ie. cheaper than Z5 & AX100) in Australia you almost can't go wrong with the TW700. Still have to wait for some more user & pro reviews to confirm its pic quality but so far everything looks very promising. They make very good pj's and the main reason they are not more popular in North America is because they are considerably more expensive than Panasonic & Sanyo alternatives.

I just replaced my Sony HS 10 with the Z5 this week. The improvement in picture quality is pretty substantial once you calibrate the Z5 with Avia and Kruzmusik's tweaks. IMO the SDE is not and issue from my viewing distance of 10-11 ft.
Overall I have been very happy with my decision to go with the Z5.

The projector is very quiet, extremely sharp, very little picture noise, excellent colours, blacks and shadow details plus a 3 year warranty. By then I will think about upgrading to the 1080p since it should hopefully be in the price range of what the Z5 is selling for now.

I just replaced my Sony HS 10 with the Z5 this week. The improvement in picture quality is pretty substantial once you calibrate the Z5 with Avia and Kruzmusik's tweaks. IMO the SDE is not and issue from my viewing distance of 10-11 ft.
Overall I have been very happy with my decision to go with the Z5.

The projector is very quiet, extremely sharp, very little picture noise, excellent colours, blacks and shadow details plus a 3 year warranty. By then I will think about upgrading to the 1080p since it should hopefully be in the price range of what the Z5 is selling for now.

The number of feet from the screen is meaningless for SDE, unless the screen width and diagonol size is given as well. Please provide.

The number of feet from the screen is meaningless for SDE, unless the screen width and diagonol size is given as well. Please provide.

My screen size is 92" diagonal

The number of feet from the screen is meaningless for SDE, unless the screen width and diagonol size is given as well. Please provide.

My screen size is 92" diagonal


Assuming standard hdtv ratio, your screen is 80 inches wide.

1.5 x screen width for you is 10 feet (120 inches). So you would normally be fine with that on just about any projector.

I'd be curious to see reports coming in from people who have compared the two.

You may want to look at Joe_Black's comments on pages 4 and 5 of this thread.

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?p=9001877#post9001877

Personally i can't see spending $3000 on the 810 when the z5 is half that price

Pricing here is different to the USA.

Z5 and AX100 are about the same, Epson is actually cheaper by a few hundred.

Real world prices that is, rrp is similar on all three.

Oiler - I have been monitoring that thread and I have to say I'm pretty much convinced to go with the Epson at this stage.

I don't doubt that going from a Panasonic 700 to either would have been an improvement, however Epson seems to be producing a higher quality product and everyone I've spoken to regarding Epson's support have only good things to say.

The summer promotion pack (car fridge, picnic hamper, picnic rug, mp3 player) has nothing at all to do with my decision, personally I would have preferred a spare globe and cash back.....

Have you looked at www.homecinemacentral.com.au They have a very basic review of the AX100, Z5, TW700

Have you looked at www.homecinemacentral.com.au They have a very basic review of the AX100, Z5, TW700

Yes I have, but realise they are also;
www.ausmedia.com.au
www.scannerplace.com.au
and a couple of others I can't remember now.

They are a retailer and as such never have anything bad to say about a projector.
Nor are they the best value around.

Just FYI

Well it came to crunch time - insurance company was ready to go( they were hurrying me up?) so i went with the Epson tw700.

I'll be receiving it Friday mid morning so I'll post my initial thoughts sometime Friday and more info next week.

I'll post in the Epson 700/810 discussion thread.

Unfortunately it's my dad's 75th on Sunday and i have to cook....bugger.

It would have been nice to lock myself in the cinema with a case of nice local red and a bunch of movies. :p

Now that the TW-700(810) has been out for a while - has anyone here done a side by side with the Z5???

Aus street pricing has the TW700 about $500 less than the Z5!

Smegger,
I'm in the market and trying to decide between the epson and sanyo also
I think I'm leaning toward the Epson (sight unseen mind you) due to the pricing / good reviews and / current bulb offer
Can you tell me after 6 months of playtime with the Epson - are you happy, any problems, is the picture sharp enough ete etc
I would value your input as a user . I cant find anyone anywhere where I live that has one on display
thanks

Smegger,
I'm in the market and trying to decide between the epson and sanyo also
I think I'm leaning toward the Epson (sight unseen mind you) due to the pricing / good reviews and / current bulb offer
Can you tell me after 6 months of playtime with the Epson - are you happy, any problems, is the picture sharp enough ete etc
I would value your input as a user . I cant find anyone anywhere where I live that has one on display
thanks

No complaints here, love this pj. Mind you I still havent seen a Sanyo in action in a comparable setting.

I have one slight issue and I mean slight. This unit had perfect convergence and that has gone out a little. Using the Epson's test pattern I now have a slight red glow down one side of the white lines. I only noticed it because I use a HTPC and was reading a web page.
Anyway, I rang Epson about it and was told to just take it in and they will adjust it under warranty. Sweet!

I'd expect any projector would need to be adjusted for convergence with heavy usage and mine certainly gets that. How the company deals with it is the kicker for me.

Considering Panasonic's (lack of) after sales service, Epson was refreshing. :)

Smeggar
thanks for the advice
2 things I forgot and would really appreciate yr input

1. from time to time will not be able to resist the saturday afternoon footy on fox or free to air. room wil be light controlled. All light blocked out by blinds. Similar to walking ito fully darkened bedroom with blinds pulled in the day. No direct light
How does the Epson handle (Small) ambient light

2. When pumping up the lumens (brightness) for this is the 36db specs correct. Do you find the front firing vents help with this extra noise or does the extra load annoy in normal viewing ??

thanks again

Smeggar
thanks for the advice
2 things I forgot and would really appreciate yr input

1. from time to time will not be able to resist the saturday afternoon footy on fox or free to air. room wil be light controlled. All light blocked out by blinds. Similar to walking ito fully darkened bedroom with blinds pulled in the day. No direct light
How does the Epson handle (Small) ambient light

2. When pumping up the lumens (brightness) for this is the 36db specs correct. Do you find the front firing vents help with this extra noise or does the extra load annoy in normal viewing ??

thanks again

I do a similar thing here with V8 Supercars, daytime viewing with some mates having a few drinks and the door and window open - the Epson handles ambient light brilliantly. Direct sunlight on the screen is not so good, but then you'd expect that from any pj.
The noise is not an issue at all, even though it is louder than normal, because we never have the volume turned down! I want to hear the V8's growl!

I do a similar thing here with V8 Supercars, daytime viewing with some mates having a few drinks and the door and window open - the Epson handles ambient light brilliantly. Direct sunlight on the screen is not so good, but then you'd expect that from any pj.
The noise is not an issue at all, even though it is louder than normal, because we never have the volume turned down! I want to hear the V8's growl!

Thanks
Im sold on the Epson. I (minor) lightthing was of interest and the price Im getting + the free bulb offer at the moment is to good an offer
Thanks again

Thanks
Im sold on the Epson. I (minor) lightthing was of interest and the price Im getting + the free bulb offer at the moment is to good an offer
Thanks again

Enjoy your purchase, Slozza.

I just got one myself (after sending back a Panny AX100, and coming from a Panny PT-AE900) and it's great! Nicely sharp and bright. Virtually perfect convergence, too. And if something crops up, the 3-year warranty (on both pj and bulb [or 2000 hours]) will take care of it. :)

Enjoy your purchase, Slozza.

I just got one myself (after sending back a Panny AX100, and coming from a Panny PT-AE900) and it's great! Nicely sharp and bright. Virtually perfect convergence, too. And if something crops up, the 3-year warranty (on both pj and bulb [or 2000 hours]) will take care of it. :)

Thanks Bart _R
The good name service and warranty sold me too. Its hard to see one in action in Australia where I live> I wish that Epson would give them to retailers that can display them. Anyway the advice from people like yourself who own and use one is more valuable
cheers

I've tried 3 Z5 at home and now an Epson TW700/810. I had discoloration issues with my Z5 from the moment I bought it. I then had it replaced by Sanyo twice, but they had more or less of the same problem. By then I had enough of Sanyo and got an Epson instead. The only thing that was better with the Z5 was the sharpness, which was extreme. The Epson is a little softer (but still very sharp). On the other hand the Epson has much better brightness, colors and blacks. I can now see details in dark movies that I've never seen before with the Z5 and my old Z2. No picture-noise on all these projectors. Also the Epson deals with ambientlight much better than the Z5.
I have a 100" screen with a viewing distance of 3.5 meters. No SDE with any of the projectors and I spot image problems easily. Vertical banding only on the old Z2.

I'm very pleased with the Epson and would not even consider going for the Z5 again.

My Z5 is 9 months old with 700 hours on it, PQ including colours were excellent from the start. After being ISF calibrated it is simply jaw dropping especially in HI DEF (Hot fuzz, Kong, 300 etc).
You have light control issues, not good with the Z Pj's due to lumens but your lack of being ISF 'd makes a HUGE difference in PQ, the Z5 really does need a proff. job to look totally amazing which it does, I am a keen Ht enthusiast and used DVE to calibrate it but I was not able to get close to what the ISF guy could do.

3 bad PJ's out of the box? sounds like a load of BS to me. :rolleyes:

I'm telling the truth (unfortunately). I guess it's my usual bad luck with such things. A friend of mine bought a Z5 and it looks great. Great as in no discoloring and such. I still feel that my Epson has better colors and black details.

My Z5 is 9 months old with 700 hours on it, PQ including colours were excellent from the start. After being ISF calibrated it is simply jaw dropping especially in HI DEF (Hot fuzz, Kong, 300 etc).
You have light control issues, not good with the Z Pj's due to lumens but your lack of being ISF 'd makes a HUGE difference in PQ, the Z5 really does need a proff. job to look totally amazing which it does, I am a keen Ht enthusiast and used DVE to calibrate it but I was not able to get close to what the ISF guy could do.

3 bad PJ's out of the box? sounds like a load of BS to me. :rolleyes:

What would you recommend to me for getting the easiest and best calibration out f my Z5? I dont have it hooked to my computer.