I´m writing because I just had my second recently arrived Epson 1080UB returned to Epson because it had bad convergence problem. I would like to know if you have had any update on this matter. I bought this projector mainly based on your review and your comments on the convergence problem. If you can provide me an e-mail, I can send you the pictures of the convergence as seen on my latest 1080UB, on the right side of the projector´s own test pattern which I think is supposed to be a 3 pixel wide vertical line you can only see a rainbow of red, blue and green almost 5 pixels wide.

What would you consider acceptable for convergence?

Thanks and keep up the good work!

Victor

Not possible to clean it yourself as you need to open the case and put your hands on sensitive material and electrical components that worth some money (and most probably, if you damage anything inside warranty will for sure not cover it). So, this is one of the biggest CONS on this projector.

Anyone familiar with the problem? If yes, any tip?

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All I can say, is that in the US, that is covered by the warranty. Epson will just swap out the unit. I’d start by talking with your epson support folks. For more info, try the major forums like AVSforum.com

best of luck!

Regarding convergence, the pattern supplied with the Epson has a circle in the middle. The circle appears to be one pixel wide, and has short horizontal sections top and bottom, and short vertical sections left and right. Looking at the horizontal 1-pixel wide sections of the circle, convergence is excellent. There’s of course some fringing, but the line itself is white, indicating that the red, blue, and green are all lined up together. By contrast, convergence on the vertical line sections is not as good: on each of the left and right vertical sections of the circle, I see a red line next to a green line — no white line. So the panels are aligned well vertically, but the displacement in the vertical lines indicates they are offset horizontally. Do you consider this acceptable?

Regardless of the convergence issues, I’m not sure I can live with the projector: even on low bulb mode, I find the fan noise very fatiguing, and easily audible while watching movies. It’s like a loud computer. It also fills the room with a terribly strong plastic odor, that but that should hopefully go away.

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Hmmm, sounds like you need a different projector. The Epson on low fan isn’t bad, so audible noise levels looks like will be a primary criteria. Don’t worry about trading off say 10% of performance for a projector that has a flaw you can’t live with (fan noise). The Mits HC6000 can’t match the Epson’s black levels, but is silent, and very nice, if you can find a good price. The Sony is no quieter than the Epson. The PT-AE2000U might also work for you, or if you can handle a little more image noise than average (but in the normal range for DLP projectors), the BenQ W5000 is most impressive. Good luck!

I was reading a few AV forum comments regarding the replacement warranty and it seems some people are getting back refurbed replacements from Epson and new units from the dealers. Any thoughts?

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Good question! Traditionally, these are the issues:
1. Returning to dealer - time consuming, as dealer won’t ship to you until they receive the first projector back. And, you pay for freight, which means the more the hurry you are in, the more it costs you for freight. This all presumes you are buying online, and not at your local dealer. Obviously, if buying from a local dealer (which is supposedly the only way you can buy a Pro UB), then you don’t have any shipping costs, but might have to wait for the dealer to order another.

2. Replacement from Epson (same applies to any other line offering a replacement warranty): Manufacturer picks up all the costs including shipping - and usually ships via overnight or 2nd day. Manufacturer traditionally ships out the unit immediately (1-2 days), and has you send your unit back in the box the replacement came in (or your box) after you receive the replacement. Minimal downtime. However in almost all circumstances (except the first 30 days or so, of a new product) they will ship you refurbished product. At this point in time, however, even the oldest UB’s haven’t been out there for 90 days.

There is a question about the lamps in refurb projectors. I recall Epson telling me several years ago, about their replacement program that they replaced lamps on projectors coming in with more than 50 hours on them, before sending them out. That was, though several years ago. I asked Epson that question again late last week, and they said they will get back to me regarding that.

Being an optimist I like to think of the projectors coming back as replacements as projectors that have had a service technician perform an individual quality control and adjustment to your new (replacement) projector. -art