The official Epson 8700UB thread - Page 9

The holds on my card actually expired before the projector arrived at their returns center if I remember right.


I wouldn't be surprised if the majority of owners never have any problems. Just remember that people are loudest i.e. post on forums, when something goes wrong. I know that I'm pretty lazy and won't rave about a product when it works perfectly, but I'll vent if there are glaring problems.

I was planning to get an 8700UB to replace my ailing Panasonic AE700U, but I have to say that the quality issues described in this thread and other 8000 series threads have me somewhat reluctant to order. The idea of going through several units to get a good one is not something that appeals to me.

I know it's impossible to gauge the percentage of units with issues based on these threads, but it seems as though there are some recurring issues.

For those that have experience with the various brands, do you think I'm being paranoid or does this Epson series have relatively high level of issues?

It certainly seems as though Epson has great customer service, but one would really hope to never have to use the customer service to deal with a defective unit.

I've done some searching, but have not found reliability/quality data for the various projector manufacturers. I would likely give up a little performance for the piece of mind of a higher reliability unit. I've not been happy with the reliability with my last two Panasonic purchases, so I'm steering clear of Panasonic.

Thanks,

Adam

My replacement just arrived and this is the best one I've had. No red edge and pretty good uniformity. But there seem to be two stuck pixels. One is near the center of the screen and yellow. The other is on the right edge and half way up the screen and is magenta. I really hope they get unstuck so I don't have to call them tomorrow for another one.

P.S. Like dysfunction26, I too have 2 8700s and one 8500 right now. The first 8700 is packed up and ready to be dropped off at Fedex tomorrow. I'm still waiting on a shipping label for the 8500 since the label that came with the first 8700 seems to have gotten ripped off the box during shipping.

I was about to say that at this price point, you're going to give up something. Then I remembered the previous 5 year old Panasonic 900 I had before my 8700. It had razor sharp convergence and never gave me a moment of trouble in 5 years of ownership (but only 720p). It also had a lens shift mechanism that was oh...let me see....about a BILLION times better than the ones in the Epsons. If you use a 2.35:1 screen and have to readjust the picture between movies, save yourself and get another projector.

The 8700 puts out a beautiful picture, no doubt. I read all about all the quality concerns but was willing to chance it for what was generally thought of as the best looking projector in this price class by many people (last year's model). I must say, though, that my expectations weren't really met. Sure, the image looks great, but so did my old projector. Take away the added brightness of the new bulb in the 8700 and the images of the two pj's separated by 5 years of technology are more similar than different. I bet I could have swapped projectors and none of my regular movie watching audience would have noticed I did. Except for another drawback - the Epson is easily twice the size of the old Panasonic. And has a much louder dynamic iris than the old 900 did.

I like the picture, but the little things add up to wanting something in the next price class. But, like I mentioned before, you're likely to have to give up something at this price anyway...so you may as well pick the one that's reported to have the best customer service in the game and a great picture to boot. All things being equal this time next year (employment and health), then this year marks the last time I go hunting in the under $3k category.

Each manufacturer has their own problems with their projectors, but it does seem the Epson's have more. But that's offset somewhat by the ability to replace them easily. Still, I'm sure it would be nice knowing that you likely wouldn't have to continuously do that over a two year period.

I'm totally realistic about giving up performance in a $2K vs. $3K vs. $4K model - that's to be expected.

However, giving up a significant amount of quality control is hard to swallow though. As others have said, when you spend $2K on something, you expect it to work properly and not have issues out of the box.

It makes me wonder about the nature of the reported issues with the Epsons. For example, are these manufacturing defects or part quality issues (real quality control issues that get out the door)? Or are these issue inherent in the design and therefore within the performance specifications of the units?

Maybe buying from AVS Sales will help as an additional quality control step. I have not found a list of the checks performed by AVS Sales, so I plan to call them to discuss whether their checks would uncover the types of issues folks have reported.

I think it is inherent of the design of all the models sporting this case. They all seem to have one issue, or another, or multiple issues. The bulb issue probably being the most common.

The only thing that scares me, is going on without a warranty after March, 2011. I have an extended bulb warranty from Mack, so I am not worried about the bulb, just the issues with the performance. I don't want to get into April and get a red haze issue, or some other issue.

dysfunction26, was there something wrong with your second 8700 too or did it turn out fine? Epson is sending me my third and I hope there aren't any problems. This is the first time I've ever encountered stuck or dead pixels.

[quote=fraisa;19467622]Hey Guys,
Have posted some pics from last nights calibrating session
on my 9700 that shows off Blacks, Colours, and Black N Whites...
Since the 8700 is basiclly a 9700 thought you might be intrested
here is the link
Fraisa



Hey guys take a look at the top left corner of my pic that shows the whites
should i be concerned about the darkening of that corner vs the the Right Corner..
Just noticed it after looking at a couple of other pics...

It's hard to tell when the image isn't one solid color since that could just be the image itself and not the projector. Is there any way you can project a solid color field?

Anyone considering purchasing and 8700UB should consider buying from AV Science, as the do quality checks and make sure there are no dead pixels, check convergence, etc.

I am not affiliated with them in any way, but just sayin - at least consider it.

I just got my 8700 today and fired it up and it looks great. No stuck pixels, convergence is good, and I had it calibrated by Jason. Great service.

I can will do it soon...

I concur. Unfortunately mine was a free upgrade, so that was not an option.

Have re edited the pics in the above comment...

I would say that's not acceptable, and might possibly get worse over time. Not sure what the cause is, but maybe one of the experts will chime in.

Okay
Just got off the phone with Epson and they are Overnighting me a Replacement..
Should get it tomorrow...
Will have to make sure i write down all my calibrated Settings...
I only noticed it from after looking at snickers pic...
...

Of the 255 postings to this thread, only four individuals actually have a complaint with the Epson 8700. This Epson will be mine.

I've been off for a while enjoying my 8700. Had a college roommate get together this past weekend when the wife had a baby shower to go to. Watched movies, played some original Halo, put a good 20-30 hours on the bulb. I think I had let the forums here get to me about my purchasing of this projector and thinking I should take it back while is still could. Well after the weekend I cut out the UPC and sent in for the free bulb. Only if you get right next to the screen will you get a hint of convergence issue, slight offset of red to the right and green to the left. Back up a couple feet and everything looks great. Since I have no intention of watching my 106" screen from 1ft away I think I'm good.

My uncle was in the area last night and we watched some hockey. He was laughing the entire time, he was like there is no reason to buy a ticket anymore just stay home, side note is he is a season ticket holder to our local team. He said next time he might bring all of his buddies over.

To sum it up in the terms of my college roommates, "If we had had this 8 years ago we would have never graduated." We had a Sony XBR HD CRT so its not like we were playing on a standard def set back then either.

255 posts, but how many owners? I don't care nearly enough to go look, but the ratio of complaints to owners will be much higher than "4 complaints out of 255 posts" makes it seem.

Did you have it professionally calibrated? I only bring it up because copying the settings from the projector you are sending back into the new one has literally the same chance of hurting the image as helping it. In other words, I wouldn't do it.

The complaints come from 4 individuals. So I don't think the ratio is very high on the complaint side. I am happy they report the problems and they do it with great knowledge on how projectors operate, I just don't want people reading a forum to think the product is junk.

However, I also don't want to curtail people posting their complaints. How else will I have my answers when I have an issue with my electronic items?

Check the 8500UB forum, and the 6500UB forum, there are far more than the same 4 people. This is still a relatively new projector, give it time.

Exactly. Great picture from the Epson's, assuming they work right.

Only complaint I have right now is that HD from the cable company isn't the same HD from blu-ray. No tweaks just switch to THX and blu is amazing on this projector.

Hope to get my black velvet up this weekend. I have a white drop ceiling right above the screen which I plan to cover and make some removable masking for my 16:9 screen for 2.35:1 films.

Here comes more complaining. The first 8700 I had was plagued with a dark pink, almost red band along the entire right edge of the image. Well now I'm on 8700 number 3 after the stuck pixels from 8700 #2 and instead of a dark pink band I have a brownish yellow band along the entire right edge. I'm beginning think I really am cursed. I guess I'll have to call Epson again on Monday morning.

Well, technically Snickerers, I believe it's Espson that is cursed. We're just the unfortunate gamblers who knowingly bought their product.

Really, though, my only real complaint is the ass-worthy lens shift mechanism. If I used a 16:9 screen it wouldn't be an issue. But, I don't.

Once I sell this one (for cheap if anyone is interested), I'm heading to the over $3K territory. No more skimping.

My Masking solution for 2.35 films on my 16/9 screen is my black diamond .8 gain screen...

That's nice if you have the extra cash to spend, my screen cost a fraction of what the same sized black diamond goes for. Maybe in a future upgrade.

Its so worth the investment..
I figure i will replace my projector 4 times over the next 5yrs but the screen it will not be replaced till around 2014

Anyone seriously looking to buy this pj needs to search prices online...there is an authorized dealer doing a $200 rebate Thanksgiving week only. Might see if AVS will match (then that $200 bucks can go back into QC and calibration)

Just found a dead pixel while trying to readjust the lens for a 1.85:1 movie. Here's to hoping the customer service is all that everyone says it is.



87 hours on mine and I can do a lot better than $200 off. And already have the extra bulb in hand..