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Hi Scott,

I just got an email from Epson, indicating that they now have, inhouse, the final version of the “upgrade”. I expect we’ll hear of how they will handle in the next week or so (hopefully).

I’ve asked for a “beta” to check out. Haven’t heard back on that, but I have a 6500UB sitting here, just waiting. -art

I sold my Planar, because it would not work with the layout of my new townhouse. I went and bought a 50″ Sharp Aquos 1080p LCD (big mistake). We sat down and watched it that night, the next morning we knew it wasn’t right, we had to get a projector again. I knew we had to go with a LCD for placement flexibility. I just hope it isn’t too much of a shock going to LCD.

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Hi again,

First, as I said, I wasn’t sure about which HDMI, without looking it up. (I’d never get through all the blog responses and email responses if I didn’t rely on memory, and had to look everything up.) So, anyway, good that it has 1.3 though hardly a critical thing.

Next, issues with 1080p and 24fps – Not that I’m aware of. I put over 400 hours on my HC1080 (in my Ensemble HD) before replacing it with a 1080 UB. Probably 80% of all viewing was movies, and probably 2/3 of that Blu-ray titles in 24fps. I noticed no issues.

Brightness – the 6100 isn’t significantly brighter than the 1080. I’d say that a 1080 is brighter in full lamp power than a 6100 in low lamp – so within 20%.

I’d expect the black levels to be roughly comparable. The 7130, though I never reviewed it, or got a close look at it, (a pitch black screening room at a trade show isn’t any kind of guide), has a Darkchip3, so it’s black levels are going to be pretty good. That said, on dark scenes most 3LCD projectors (excluding the newer ultra high contrast ones like the 6500UB, PT-AE3000…), are very comparable to Darkchip3 projectors. The Epson might even do better on a very dark scene without any really bright areas, but the Planar might have blacker blacks on mixed scenes with a fair amount of very bright areas, as that’s when the iris’es can’t do their thing. However… the “thing” is, on that second type of scene, the eye is always drawn to the large bright areas, so you are less likely to notice even a significant difference.

So, tough call. Certainly any of the ultra-high-contrast 3LCD projectors should be able to produce far darker black levels on dark scenes than the Planar.

Lastly, no, you won’t get the same “pop” with the 1080. The higher contrast/black level performance adds to that. Forgetting those almost all dark scenes, though, the 1080 does a pretty good job. If you want significantly better, you’ll have to go “ultra-high-contrast”. -art

I noticed you compared the 6100 to the 1080UB, but how does it compare to the Epson 1080 (non UB) model? The 1080 is $1349 after the $300 rebate and comes with an extra bulb. The 6100 is $1899 with no extras. Is the 6100 worth the extra $550? I am most curious how it compares to the 1080’s black levels and contrast.

Thank you!

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Good question Scott!

Well, the short version is – the older 1080 is definitely the better value. The 6100 isn’t significantly improved over the 1080. I had a 1080 in my Ensemble HD (now replaced with a 1080 UB), so I hadn’t pulled it down for a side by side, but, given the price spread, I’d definitely have to go with the older unit. There’s a small improvement in black level performance, but insignificant, compared to either the standard 1080, or the 6100, when compared to the 1080 UB or 6500UB.

Oh, the iris is a bit noisier on the 1080, but that’s about the only downside I can think of, except that (without looking), the 1080 is probably old enough that it’s hdmi is probably 1.2 not 1.3, so no deep color. I really wouldn’t worry about that, however, especially if you are the type that thinks that you might want to move up significantly in performance in a couple/few years.

I would have thought the 1080’s were all gone (the 1080UB’s are history), but obviously not. -art

Thanks
Jason

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Hi Jason,

I don’t know the serial numbers. A call to Epson support MIGHT be able to help you out. At this point, I figure the larger online dealers will have nothing but the new ones, as they likely take fresh product in every week or two. Ask the dealer. Be clear that you only want one of the new ones, and if they send you an old one, you expect them to replace it, including all freight costs, with a newer one. If a dealer hedges, well, take that into your consideration. I know a few dealers have told me more than a week ago, that they have nothing but the newer ones.

I will email Epson to ask for info on which serial numbers are which, but it may take days or even a week or three for them to release it. On the other hand, the individual dealers may know, because they will know which are the new ones.

PS. small dealers that only sell a few units a month are the ones most likely to have old inventory. Also because they buy from distributors, and not directly from Epson.

Either way, Epson seems to be fully determined to take care of everyone. I have received a few emails from folks that have already had their older units replaced (whether by new units, or other older ones that now have the same modifications, I don’t know, but it shouldn’t matter). -art

To inform you Epson Sweden is handling this issue very well, they will either update my existing unit with as per today 2 fixes (defocus issue and a new FI software more equal to the Panny’s which is good)or the will replace the unit. They are currently waiting on info from Japan on which route to take. Either way the will pick up the projector at my place and return it at my place in order to prevent it from getting home sick so all good.

/Patrik