Epson 8500UB 200,000:1 CR - Page 107

Its great to hear some ones praise for this unit. I think we sometimes forget (when discussing other problems) what a fine picture (especially for the price) when matched with a high def player the 8500ub can have.

Have had my 8500 for over a week now - got in on the PP demo unit deal - and have to say that I, too, am thoroughly impressed! I just had an 8100 new unit for a month before this and I could immediately tell a very nice difference in contrast, color depth and black-levels. The 8100 is perhaps slightly brighter, but not near the picture quality.

IM2 and HTTYD are the latest BDs I've seen on it. Everyone is really impressed with its PQ. I have an acoustically transparent screen (Draper's nifty cloth material) that allows a lot of light through, but even so, the 8500 in THX mode is fantastic for brightness. I am in a bat-cave, so that helps I'm sure.

I have it running in Eco with High Altitude to preserve lamp life. I've also installed a power-conditioning/protection outlet in the ceiling for it. Hopefully I'll get a lot of life out of the lamp.

Before the Epsons I had a Planar 7060 (720p) machine for a couple years - poor thing was finally giving me the lamp warning at around the 3k hours mark, but its best days were still absolutely nothing compared with the 8500 (or the 8100 for that matter).

Truly impressed and happy so far - thanks for everyone's input in this thread.

I love the 8500 and the support of Epson is outstanding!!!

I sense a story behind that remark...

I believe that Epson support is truly underrated and there are a lot of companies that can learn from their paradigm. All programs/products and services have issues, but it's the way that the company handles these issues that really counts. Even if I had to deal with a lot of BS with things that should be fixed that aren't, I can't turn the other cheek with great support and understanding.

I have worked with both Sanyo and Panasonic and they can't hold a candle to the support and backing of Epson...I will and do recommend Epson products based on the support alone...

So I received my replacement projector last night, showed up and the convergence on the projector was slightly off, not much, but off more than the projector they were replacing. So I called Epson up and they agreed to send me a brand new unit, instead of a refurbished unit. I've decided to sell mine however and buy the 8700.

So if anyone is interested in a brand new Epson 8500 for 1750 ish, which will come with over 14 months remaining on the original 2 year warranty, send me a PM. Rather sell it to an AVS member.

Why go to the 8700?

Couple of different reasons that may or may not only apply to me.
1) Get the free lamp with the 8700.
2) Im planning on buying an Epson 21000 when they come out in Decmber/January ish. So if I sell my 8500UB now for 1750 ish and buy a new 8700UB for a slight discount through my local dealer (I spend a lot of money with him) then Ill save a few hundred bucks when I buy the 21000.

May seem like a lot of work for only a couple hundred bucks but when you have to get around the wife who controls all the funds a few hundred bucks here or there goes a long way in persuading her to allow new purchases

Yes, Epson is completely willing, at their expense and with little questioning, to send you another projector that's defective. And, they will do this again and again with no hesitation.

I hear you. Make it sound like a good deal for all.

Guys can you advise on what settings you are using on this projector ie Super resolution mode etc ?

Should I have the iris on or off ?

Is the super resolution with this done with optics/hardware or through software inside the machine?

I'm asking because I was wondering if there existed a pc program that could do this to a ripped bluray via computer and sent on to an older model pj?

My bulb bit the dust at 805 hours. I applaud Epson's Customer Support for how they handled my situation, but if this were a car, the Lemon Law would have been enacted long ago and Congressional hearings would have commenced.

When you guys purchase a refurbished unit or receive a refurbished replacement, does it have a new bulb, or does it vary how many hours are on it?

It's supposed to be a new bulb.

i purchased an open box from projector people. the bulb read 0 hours. i couldnt tell you if someone simply reset the counter or if they installed a new bulb...

So I have someone from Criagslist hopefully coming tonight to pick up my Optoma HD72 and I'm ready to step up to a 1080. My only question from you projector gurus is, do I go with the newer 8350 or pay a couple hundred more for the 8500? I'm sorry if this question has been asked already, but I didn't see it through the 50 out of 107 pages of this thread. If I get the money tonight, then I'm looking to make my purchase by Friday. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

-I have full light control so light is not an issue.
-have a 107" screen
-currently 70% games 30% movies, but with the addition of 1080, I'm looking to make that more 50/50

Thanks again.

Nate

If you have the cash, go with the 8500UB...no question.

Is there that big of a difference between the two? I've seen stellar reviews for both. What would be the deciding factor...money aside? I'm obviously leaning towards the 8500, but I'm looking for that little bit of assurance that I'm making the right choice.

Yes - my wife and kids noticed it, in fact. That says a lot! We had an 8100 (specs are only marginally improved on the 8350) for a couple months and then I grabbed one of those 8500UB demo-units from PP for a great price that was too hard to resist. They were nervous for sure, but they immediately said, "good upgrade, Dad."

The increased contrast makes the colors pop and have a depth and realism that is just a blast. Love the blacks - they are noticeably darker.

If you are close in the $$, it is IMO a no-brainer.

Yeah, the contrast, and black level. I have the 6500UB (older model), and I find myself still saying, damn...that black is black! I owned an Infocus IN72 (480p), and a Planar PD7130 (720p), both great projectors, but nowhere near as good as the 6500UB, and the 8500UB is slightly better.

So talked with my A/V dealer and worked out a deal for the 8700UB.

So going to put my brand new and unopened Epson 8500UB on ebay probably Saturday night if no AVS members are interested in it. If your interested let me know, I'll throw in the ceiling mount which I dont need any more for free.

AVS has a classified section for listing stuff like this. I sold my RS1 through it.

Thanks all for the replies...making the decision easy!

Epson has announced full two year lamp replacement coverage for the 8500 retroactive for all 8500's.

You also may be sure that they are working to correct the production problem on the lamp.

I think that running the projector on "HIGH ALITITUDE" mode will help extend the life of the lamp.

Let's hear it for EPSON !

FANTASTIC!!! That's really incredible news! Where is this announcement, btw? I'd like to get it in print, eh?!

where did you read this? that is great news if it is true...

Posted at Projector Central.

Here's the 8500UB lamp story...

http://www.projectorcentral.com/proj...e&entry_id=354

Holy Cow - that's pretty sweet for us! Feeling better and better about my purchase of 3 weeks ago. I figured

My picture is just such a blast - watched IM2 on it last night with some friends and my wife (who is a major critic of my theater and my equipment) was/is really impressed. That's my highest praise I can give this pj!