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Epson PowerLite Home Cinema 400 Discussion Thread, MSRP 1599 available now

post #1 of 1356
9/5/06 at 7:05am
Thread Starter 
This is listed as in stock on the Epson web page for 1599.00 and free shipping.
Specs:
Projection Method

* Front / rear / ceiling mount

LCD

* Size: 0.7" wide MLA
* Driving method: Poly-silicon TFT Active Matrix
* Pixel number: 1280 x 720 pixels
* Native resolution: 720p
* Aspect ratio: 16:9
* Pixel arrangement: Stripe
* Refresh rate: 50Hz or 60Hz (based on input signal)

Projection Lens

* Type: Manual zoom / focus
* F-number: 2.1 - 2.8
* Focal length: 21.4 - 31.7mm
* Zoom ratio: 1 - 1.5

Lamp

* 170W UHE (Ultra High Efficiency) Lamp / E-TORL
* Lamp Life: 3000H¹ (Color Mode: Theatre Black 1/ Theatre Black 2), 1700H¹ (Color Mode: Dynamic / Living room / sRGB / Natural / Theatre)

Optical System

* Dichroic Mirror Separation and Prism Combine Method

Screen Size (Projected Distance) - 16:9 Image

* 16:9
* Wide: 30" to 300" (2.9' - 30')
* Tele: 30" to 300" (4.4' - 44.8')
* 4:3
* Wide: 30" to 300" (3.5' - 36.8'))
* Tele: 30" to 300" (5.3' - 54.8')

Lens Shift Range

* Vertical: 100% max (upward and downward)
* Horizontal: 50% max (left and right)

Brightness

* Up to 1500 ANSI lm (Color mode: Dynamic)

Contrast Ratio

* Up to 5000:1 (Color Mode: Dynamic, Auto Iris On)

Brightness Uniformity (Typical)

* 85%

Color Reproduction

* 10 bit (10 bit input, 10 bit output)

Color Modes

* Dynamic, Living Room, sRGB, Natural, Theatre, Theatre Black 1, Theatre Black 2

Effective Scanning Frequency Range (Analog)

* Pixel clock: 13.5MHz to 110MHz
* Horizontal: 15KHz to 92KHz
* Vertical: 50Hz to 85Hz

Adjustment Function

* Projector Remote: Keystone (Vertical) / Brightnes / Contrast / Tint / Saturation / Input Signal and more
* Tilt angle: 0° to 2.1°
* Keystone correction: Vertical: -15 to +15 degrees
* Epson Cinema filter: Controlled automatically with color mode (ON:Theatre / Theatre Black 1/ Theatre Black 2/ Natural / s-RGB, OFF: Living room / Dynamic)
* Auto Iris controlled automatically adjusting to video source (available in all color modes; user selectable ON/OFF on OSD)
* Epson Super White controlled automatically adjusting to video source (Available at Natural / Theatre / Theatre Black 1/ Theatre Black 2; User selectable ON/OFF on OSD)
* Customized Gamma Curve Adjustment: 9 points, adjustable
* Six-Axis Color Adjustment: Hue and saturation for each of RGBCMY
* Advanced Sharpness Adjustments: High-band Enhancement / Low-band Enhancement / H-Sharpness / V-Sharpness
* Manual Focus
* Manual Zoom

Video I/O

* Component Input
Input signal
o Video standard: 480i / 480p / 575p / 720p / 1080i
o Video signal: Component Video (Analog Y level 0.7V 75 ohm / Cr Cb level ±0.35V 75 ohm / sync.negative 0.3V or 3-state± 0.3V on Y)
o Input
+ RCA x 3 (Red / Green / Blue)
* Composite / S-Input
Input signal
o Video standard: NTSC / NTSC4.43 / PAL / M-PAL / N-PAL / PAL60 / SECAM
o Video signal: Composite Video (1.0Vpp / sync.negative, 75ohm) / S-Video (Luminous 0.714Vpp, Chrominous 0.286Vpp, 75 ohm)
o Input Terminal
+ S-Video: Mini DIN 4pin
+ Video: RCA (Yellow) x 1
* SCART Input
Input signal
o Video standard: 625i / 525i
o Video signal: RGB video(0.7Vp-p 75 ohm) ,Sync:CVBS(1.0Vpp / Sync.negative, 75ohm)

RGB

* Analog RGB I/O
Display performance
o Native: 720p
o Resize: 1280 x 1024 / 1280 x 768 / 1360 x 768 / 1024 x 768 / 800 x 600 / 640 x 480 / 480i / 1080i
* Input signal
o Signal type: Separate Signal
o Video signal: Analog (0.7V p-p,75 ohm / Mac0.714Vp-p,75ohm)
o Sync. signal: Separate (positive and negative, bi-polarity 2-5Vpp) Composite (positive and negative,bi-polarity 2-5Vpp) / Sync-on-green (negative,0.3Vpp)
* Input Terminal
o Video: Mini D-sub 15pin x 1 Blue-molding

HDMI

* Input signal
* Video Standard 575p / 720p / 1080i
* Video Signal TMDS
* Input Terminal: Video HDMI x 1

Control I/O

* Serial I/O
o I/O terminal: Mini D-sub 9 pin
o I/O signal: RS-232c

Lock Function

* Control Panel Operation Lock , Power Button Child Lock

Operating Temperature

* 41°F to 95°F (5°C to 35°C)
* Cool-down period: Approx. 30 seconds
* Start-up period: Approx. 10 seconds
* Operating Altitude 7500 ft.

Power Supply Voltage

* 100-240 VAC ±10%, 50/60Hz, 2.7 to 1.2A

Power Consumption

* 120V
o Lamp ON: 245W (Lamp high), 200W (lamp low)
o Standby: 4W

Dimensions

* 12.2"D x 16"W x 4.9"H (excludes lens and feet)

Weight

* Approx. 11.5 lb / 5.2kg

Fan Noise

* Dynamic color mode: 32dB
* Theatre Black modes: 28dB

Remote Control Infrared Receiver Range and Directivity

* 30 feet range; Right/Left : -30 to +30 degrees; Upper/Lower : -30 to +30 degrees

Warranty

* 2 year parts and labor limited warranty, 90-day lamp warranty, Epson HomeService Program and Epson PrivateLine dedicated toll-free support (U.S. and Canada only)

Accessories in the Box

* Power cord: 3m, Remote control: Stick type, Battery: AA x 2, D/SCART Adaptor Cable (EEB only), User's manual, Warranty Instructions, PrivateLine card / PrivateLine card holder, Notices Included in the User's Guide: FCC Compliance Statement, Declaration of Conformity, Important Safety Information, and Remote Control Information

************************************************************ ****

I am thinking about ording one of these to replace my Panasonic 300u, but I'm wondering if other dealers may discount it more than Epson direct? Anyone have experience buying an Epson from another dealer and how much it was discounted from MSRP? Does AVS sell Epson?
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post #2 of 1356
9/20/06 at 12:33pm
Thread Starter 
Has anyone received one of these projectors yet? I am surprised by the lack of discussion about this model, it has many of the same features as the upcoming panasonic AX100, but a few less lumens, and sells for MUCH less. (MSRP anyway)
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post #3 of 1356
9/21/06 at 1:25pm
I've been following this forum for over a year now. I'm just about ready to jump on the wagon with fp and this projector has about everything I want and need, including the price, if it lives up to its specs. I too would love to see a review of hands-on from a forum member.
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post #4 of 1356
9/21/06 at 1:32pm
Projectorreviews.com says the review is in progress.
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post #5 of 1356
9/21/06 at 3:04pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by justabit View Post

I've been following this forum for over a year now. I'm just about ready to jump on the wagon with fp and this projector has about everything I want and need, including the price, if it lives up to its specs. I too would love to see a review of hands-on from a forum member.

Obviuosly I cannot tell you that this pj will be better than its competitors
but I can say that Epson has a very good reputation for service and
for coming close to its published specs. It looks like it will be quite bright
for a pj at this price point.

As for MSRP, Epson has a tighter than normal distribution network so you should
not expect to see an immediate drop from the MSRP to a much lower street price.
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post #6 of 1356
9/21/06 at 6:17pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Jim McC View Post

Projectorreviews.com says the review is in progress.

It's up now...

http://www.projectorreviews.com/Manu..._400/index.asp
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post #7 of 1356
9/21/06 at 7:29pm
Looks like a decent unit at a decent price... Can't wait for the PT-AX100 review for comparison purposes. One of these units will be hopefully headed my way shortly!
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post #8 of 1356
9/21/06 at 7:59pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by price3 View Post

Has anyone received one of these projectors yet? I am surprised by the lack of discussion about this model, it has many of the same features as the upcoming panasonic AX100, but a few less lumens, and sells for MUCH less. (MSRP anyway)

I followed the original 550 thread and it was also a very slow thread. I think for two reasons. Epsons seem to have better reliability (reading the forums anyway) and they are stubborn when it come to adjusting the MSRP or street price of their projectors meaning that they were higher priced than say the Panny 900 or the Sanyo Z4 and would not lower their price to compete with those two best sellers.

Epson only lowered their prices when the new 1080p PJ were beginning to be announced. I think the MSRP of this projector is aligned where the 550 should have been all along. I also think that the 1080p PJ introductions have cooled the excitement of the newest offerings of 720p PJ's. I had the 550 on my short list for a very long time and now I think my budget will allow a move up to the Mist HC5000. However if my budget gets adjusted down I will be looking at seriously at this new offering from Epson.

Regards,

RTROSE
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post #9 of 1356
9/21/06 at 8:29pm
This is one of two projectors I have my eye on, it's great to see the review is up. Once the Panasonic AX100 has a set price in Canada I'll be able to make my decision. These seem to be the only two high-lumen LCD projectors out right now for home theater use within my budget.

I was worried this would just be a rehash of the 550, but reading this makes me happy:

Quote:


In talking with Epson, I was not able to solidly determine why I found the Cinema 400 to be sharper, but here's what Epson told me. The Cinema 400 uses newer, better LCD panels called D5+ instead of the old D5, so that, likely had much to do with it. Also, of note, the Cinema 400 (like the 550) uses a dynamic iris to enhance contrast, but the Cinema 400's contrast is rated 5000:1 instead of 3000:1, and the improved contrast, no doubt gives you the feel of a sharper image. Perhaps the key change is in the optics themselves, Epson said there are "improvements to the multi-lens array". The newer Cinema 400 also uses an improved lamp. Epson also tweaked the positioning of the panels, thus changing the light path slightly.

I wonder if all the models this year are using the 'D5+' panels.
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post #10 of 1356
9/21/06 at 8:58pm
we should be talking about build quality. How many 11lb projectors can you buy at 1599.00. It is true that for OEM reasons that there prices are higher then company's that buy the panel from them but there reliability is not in question. I have been selling there units for over 3 years now and not one defective. There attention to detail is a welcomed site.
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post #11 of 1356
9/21/06 at 9:15pm
Lets ask the real question here, does it have a sleep timer on it?
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post #12 of 1356
9/21/06 at 9:19pm
According to the manual:

Sleep Mode:

Turn off this setting if you don't want the projector to enter sleep mode. (Sleep mode shuts the projector off automatically when there is no video signal.)

Select 30 min., 10 min., or 5 min. as the length of time before shutoff; decreasing the time conserves power and extends the life of the lamp.
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post #13 of 1356
9/22/06 at 5:07am
Quote:
Originally Posted by BassTek View Post

... Once the Panasonic AX100 has a set price in Canada I'll be able to make my decision...

Personally, I like to buy locally but obviuosly there are many here who
would buy via the internet. Epson used to have a North American
warranty where as Panasonic did not. Given Panasonic' normal
pricing policy in Canada I would be very surprised if it did not turn
out that you could get the Epson for quite a bit cheaper than a Canadian
AX100. We will see soon.
Regards
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post #14 of 1356
9/22/06 at 5:53am
Thread Starter 
Wow, good review. I wonder if the dynamic iris is improved from the one some called slow in the 550.
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post #15 of 1356
9/22/06 at 8:49am
This thing is a lumens beast. I had purchased an Optoma 6800 from Costco, but I found out that I'm one of the few who is affected by RBE (which gave me headaches). Returned it and got this right after it came out. The setup flexibility for this machine is incredible. At its second highest brightness level (Living Room), I can have all the lights on (4-5 lights around the room). At the highest level (Dynamic) the colors are a little unnatural, but I made some adjustments and got it a little more acceptable. But I don't think I'd ever use this mode, given how nice the Living Room mode works.

Overall, I'm very satisfied.
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post #16 of 1356
9/22/06 at 10:09am
Thank you! I totally forgot about the fatwallet discount. How about the SDE on this projector? How far do you sit and is it noticeable? How big an image are you projecting? And, ahem.. any screen shots?
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post #17 of 1356
9/22/06 at 1:35pm
well i just did it. for some reason this seems like the right pj. it will be my first .was waiting for the panny to come down, but no turning back. on to the screen thread. oboy
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post #18 of 1356
9/22/06 at 2:13pm
brettf and jkbird,

Full reports please!

Quote:
Originally Posted by jkbird View Post

well i just did it. for some reason this seems like the right pj. it will be my first .was waiting for the panny to come down, but no turning back. on to the screen thread. oboy
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post #19 of 1356
9/22/06 at 10:07pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by price3 View Post

Has anyone received one of these projectors yet? I am surprised by the lack of discussion about this model, it has many of the same features as the upcoming panasonic AX100, but a few less lumens, and sells for MUCH less. (MSRP anyway)

I agree... this is an interesting projector option and seems like a good value at the moment.

I saw a few copies of last year's Epson Cinema 550 in action and was quite impressed. Unfortunately, Epson's pricepoint and MSRP policies kept that model from being a consideration (for me, at least). The Cinema 400, on the other hand, seems like a good deal - at least until the prices on the AX100 begin to drop.
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post #20 of 1356
9/23/06 at 10:50am
I definitely have my eye on this projector.
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post #21 of 1356
9/23/06 at 1:49pm
Does anyone have a list of authorized internet resellers for the 400? I found one place that I believe is legit that ships to Canada, but I haven't found a way to verify outside of contacting Epson by phone. I wonder if it will be offered for sale on Epson.ca in the near future.
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post #22 of 1356
9/23/06 at 6:07pm
Does anyone have an idea when/if (and under which name) this projector will be available in Europe? I've searched around the web, but haven't found anything so far, only the predecessors (TW520/600 - i.e. 550/800 in US-speak. )
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post #23 of 1356
9/24/06 at 5:30am
Does anyone know how this differs from last year's Cinema 800? The specs are nearly identical.
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post #24 of 1356
9/24/06 at 12:10pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by nbpc View Post

Does anyone know how this differs from last year's Cinema 800? The specs are nearly identical.

The one major advertised difference is that the Cinema 800 was
"ISF calibrated". This would lead to more accurate colors
right out of the box. However, Epson does not always emphasize
the specific differences between their models. In the
500 vs 200 series, the 500 had better processing and reportedly
different optics. Most reviews have rated the 800 as producing a better
all-round picture than the 550 which this pj seems to be replacing.
Perhaps someone else can fill in the why.
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post #25 of 1356
9/24/06 at 3:24pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by price3 View Post

Wow, good review. I wonder if the dynamic iris is improved from the one some called slow in the 550.

Greetings,

As I indicated, I didn't have the Cinema 400 as long as I would have liked, due to personal vacation, and having to get it back to Epson for the next reviewer.

So, I didn't get as much relaxed movie watching time, as I normally do, which is where I might spot slow iris's and slow lamps.

I, therefore wont comment on whether it is faster than the old 550, but I can say, that during the maybe 6 hours of general viewing - I personally did not have it "jump out at me" so that I would notice, unless I was looking for it.

I have found that every projector with dynamic iris's and/or frame by frame brightening/dimming lamps, is detectable on the right scenes if looking for it.

The one time I do recall noticing, was during a HD football game as the camera cut from a bright scene of the sunlit field, to players on the sideline in the shade, with no really bright areas in the sideline frame. I did notice that the first few of frames brightened slightly over a fraction of a second. The iris, no doubt - althought it could also be their camera, but in this case, I would say the iris.

It's a trade off with dynamic iris's and lamps. Too fast an adjust tends to be more noticeable, as can too slow. Or, let me put it this way, the concept is inherently flawed, there is no one best speed for all kinds of scene changes, and radical changes within scenes.

Bottom line, in my limited viewing (relative to any of you owners), the dynamic iris never jumped out at me enough to make me want to turn it off.

By comparison, last year's Sanyo Z4 review, their dynamic lamp was sufficiently noticeable, that I permanently turned it off.

Remember it's only a problem if you notice it when you are just watching content, and not watching for the iris's changes. If you are watching for the effect of the iris, you will see it on any projector that uses it, although what type of scenes/scene changes you spot it on, will vary based on how that projector's iris works. -art

BTW, for those of you waiting and seeing - I have the Panny AX100U here now (watching football at the moment). If possible, it is even brighter than the Epson, although I'll be measuring and calibrating this evening. Review should post Wednesday evening. Sooner if I can, but not likely.

I'm also trying to find out from Panasonic about the panels in the AX100U, my initial impression is that the AX100U isn't as soft looking as the last generation "smooth screen" panels made the 900u look. A real plus for this new panny.

I'm a huge fan of brighter projectors - I have yet to meet anyone who prefers to watch sports and most HDTV in a really dark room. Both the Cinema 400 and the AX100u have the muscle to have a modestly well lit room and still enjoy a football game. For movie watching, not even these projectors have anywhere near enough lumens to enjoy (even with modest lighting) - a really dark scene, from any movie. That's the advantage of sports, sitcoms, and most TV/HDTV content - no dark scenes.
The perfect projector for everything sports with no window shades, and movies at night, I fear, will have to have 5000-6000 lumens in brightest mode, and drop down to as low as 500 in dimmest. Two more years maybe, maybe less. The manufacturers are not convinced, so - they won't be cheap. I think, though the future AX100U, the Epson 400 and 810, may convince manufacturer that more than 2000 lumens, is even better... so next year, maybe Epson will have a 2500 lumen, and Panaonic a 3000?

Good hunting! -art
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post #26 of 1356
9/24/06 at 6:53pm
Thanks for the info Art! Eagerly awaiting your AX100 review to pull the trigger on buying one of these two units.
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post #27 of 1356
9/24/06 at 7:28pm
Me too!

I will be buying one of these two.

I wonder which has more lens shift?

I would think they would be in the same price range but it seems the epson may have an edge with the warranty and build quality.

I guess for me it all depends on where the Panny streets at.

We already know the Epson is a great deal even at full MSRP!

Well thank goodness for these higher lumen projectors for those of us using a living room style set up it could make all the difference.
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post #28 of 1356
9/25/06 at 6:01am
I think I'm going with the Epson too as soon as I get my theater room finished. I'm tired of reading about quality control issues with other lines. My AE200 has held up pretty well, but is showing all the wierd LCD failure artifacts.
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post #29 of 1356
9/25/06 at 6:41am
Thread Starter 
Thanks for the info Art, didn't know you were on this site. I just recently found your reviews, and they really help in the decision process, thanks! As someone who sees a lot more projectors than the common poster here, do you personally prefer the cheaper DLPs like DC2 720p models over these new LCDs? (for mostly film watching) I guess the pearl is about to throw this whole category on its ear in the next year or two...
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post #30 of 1356
9/25/06 at 10:06am
Quote:
Originally Posted by presenter View Post

Greetings,

...

Good hunting! -art

I am choosing between the Epson 400 and Panny AX100, and a significant factor for me (and especially my wife) is db level. It sounds ( ) like the Epson might be noticably louder than the Panny. Looking forward to the next review! Thanks.
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