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Epson 3850 - Washed out image (due to ceiling?)

post #1 of 6
2/14/13 at 7:40am
Thread Starter 
Hi Everyone, I’m a long time lurker but a first time poster. I setup my first projector last night and I think my wife is going to kill me. Our old Samsung LCD finally bit the dust, I loved the picture quality but it had to be replaced. I promised a “theatre like experience” with a crystal clear image, and what I’m left with is a very washed out picture with poor detail, so I’m hoping the resident experts within this thread can save my marriage 

The projector is an Epson 3850 with a 92” EliteScreen (CineWhite). I chose the white screen because usually the PJ will be used with zero ambient lighting.

I have a strong suspicion the white-wash is being caused by the white semi-gloss ceiling which sits aprox 1 foot from the top of the screen. I’ve noticed when a bright image appears on screen the whole room is lit up. However, even in dark scenes the contrast is pretty terrible and the black levels are really disappointing.

My questions:
  • Are my expectations for this projector unreasonably high after in comparison to the old LCD?
  • Could the short distance between screen and ceiling affect picture quality?
  • Painting the ceiling a dark colour isn’t an option, the least I can do however is paint it with a matte off-white colour. Are there any alternatives?
  • Anything else I’m missing?
I'll try to upload some pictures tonight
Edited by Temo000 - 2/14/13 at 11:59am
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post #2 of 6
2/14/13 at 11:52am
Quote:
Originally Posted by Temo000 View Post

Hi Everyone, I’m a long time lurker but a first time poster. I setup my first projector last night and I think my wife is going to kill me. Our old Samsung LCD finally bit the dust, I loved the picture quality but it had to be replaced. I promised a “theatre like experience” with a crystal clear image, and what I’m left with is a very washed out picture with poor detail, so I’m hoping the resident experts within this thread can save my marriage 

The projector is an Epson 3250 with a 92” EliteScreen (CineWhite). I chose the white screen because usually the PJ will be used with zero ambient lighting.

I have a strong suspicion the white-wash is being caused by the white semi-gloss ceiling which sits aprox 1 foot from the top of the screen. I’ve noticed when a bright image appears on screen the whole room is lit up. However, even in dark scenes the contrast is pretty terrible and the black levels are really disappointing.

My questions:
  • Are my expectations for this projector unreasonably high after in comparison to the old LCD?
  • Could the short distance between screen and ceiling affect picture quality?
  • Painting the ceiling a dark colour isn’t an option, the least I can do however is paint it with a matte off-white colour. Are there any alternatives?
  • Anything else I’m missing?
I'll try to upload some pictures tonight
epson 3250?
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post #3 of 6
2/14/13 at 11:59am
Thread Starter 
Ahhhh - 3850 my bad
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post #4 of 6
2/14/13 at 12:45pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Temo000 View Post

Ahhhh - 3850 my bad


u mean 8350 right? lol
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post #5 of 6
2/14/13 at 1:21pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Temo000 View Post

Hi Everyone, I’m a long time lurker but a first time poster. I setup my first projector last night and I think my wife is going to kill me. Our old Samsung LCD finally bit the dust, I loved the picture quality but it had to be replaced. I promised a “theatre like experience” with a crystal clear image, and what I’m left with is a very washed out picture with poor detail, so I’m hoping the resident experts within this thread can save my marriage 

The projector is an Epson 3850 with a 92” EliteScreen (CineWhite). I chose the white screen because usually the PJ will be used with zero ambient lighting.

I have a strong suspicion the white-wash is being caused by the white semi-gloss ceiling which sits aprox 1 foot from the top of the screen. I’ve noticed when a bright image appears on screen the whole room is lit up. However, even in dark scenes the contrast is pretty terrible and the black levels are really disappointing.

My questions:
  • Are my expectations for this projector unreasonably high after in comparison to the old LCD?
  • Could the short distance between screen and ceiling affect picture quality?
  • Painting the ceiling a dark colour isn’t an option, the least I can do however is paint it with a matte off-white colour. Are there any alternatives?
  • Anything else I’m missing?
I'll try to upload some pictures tonight


Regardless of the model number here is some info that may be helpful.
A light controlled (no ambient light) means dark walls, ceiling and floor.
YES, a white ceiling 1 foot from a simple matt white screen is going to destroy the picture quality.
This is because the screen reflects all the light from the projector and the ceiling sends it right back on the screen. Black in an image is lack of light, so if your bright ares of the image light up the ceiling, the ceiling will in turn light up the ares of the image that should have no light.

Making the ceiling non light reflective is the only thing that is going to help you.

The other things that should be considers are using Eco/low lamp mode if you are not.
Use movie/cinema picture mode.
Use a calibration disk to Properly set Brightness, Contrast and Sharpness.
Make sure you have the input device set to the native resolution of the projector
Make sure you are using an aspect ration that will map 1:1 image to pixel (Check user guild for what that is called on your model)
If the projector has a manual iris close it all the way.
If possible lower the screen from the ceiling if you can.
Buy a gray screen (sort of duct tape really won't fix the problem but can help)
If projector is table mounted, buy a Dalite HP screen (will direct light back at projector but will still light up the room) Also with that size screen be blindingly bright )
Buy a new flat screen and forget projection. (not and option in my world)
Good luck!
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post #6 of 6
2/17/13 at 5:38am
What's the true contrast ratio of this PJ? Even so I think you could improve it a lot. I could get great images from an old NEC with a 400:1 contrast ratio in a small room with white ceiling, the screen about 4 inches from the ceiling and some calibration.
If this PJ has plenty lumens which I think it has then defo use eco mode, a grey screen does wonders for contrast and black levels, especially to tame a high lumens PJ and give ambient light rejection, and you won't really notice. Use cinema mode if it has it.
As for the ceiling you could do what I have and use a black roller blind mounted above the screen and close to the ceiling, so it can be extended out and attached to a small hook in the ceiling so it absorbs the spurious light when the screen is in use.
I tried a matt white screen with my 5010 and the image looked pants in my room because of the light reflections, with a gray screen it looks great and it's only a cheapy motorized one at the mo.
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