New CFI fix for Epson Home Cinema 6500 UB, Pro Cinema 7500 UB
May 1st, 2009 Art Feierman
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Greetings all,
Epson has just emailed me the new 1.09 firmware, with “fixes” to their creative frame interpolation. This is just a heads up. I’m going to try to get around to installing it tomorrow, and see how much better it is.
I had hoped that Epson would send it to me in installed in a Pro Cinema 7500 UB. That would have let me run the 6500 UB with old firmware, side by side with the 7500 UB with the new version. Alas, I’ll just have to take one last look at the CFI on the 6500 UB, then do the upgrade, and observe again. Not as good, but any major improvements should be obvious.
And, I do have the Panasonic PT-AE3000 here so I will compare that with the 6500 UB with the new firmware.
Expect my first blog with my findings, probably Monday or Tuesday. -art
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May 3rd, 2009 at 7:23 am
Hi,
Now this is very interesting. Will this new firmware (v1.09) be published sometime soon for everyone to download? I hope it fixes FI issues and that users could update without sending the unit to Epson.
Please inform your findings soon
I wonder if there are other improvements also? Or is it only for fixing FI? I’d like to see faster handshaking with HDMI for example…
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Hi Deranger!
Apparently Epson is already offering it. I received one email the day before I got my firmware, from an end user who apparently already got it from Epson support. Have fun.
Haven’t installed it yet, nor even read anything they sent (busy on other things), so don’t know what else. You are right though, the HDMI switching times when there’s a resolution change sure could use improving. -art
May 3rd, 2009 at 6:34 pm
I just installed the FI update which is quite the process since there is no easy way unless you have the proper rs232 to usb or rs232 to rs232 if you have that port on your computer…..anyway I believe now that this has come out it will be a easy choice under $5000. I watched Dark Knight on Blu-ray with FI on Low and it looked awesome. WOW! It has seemed to have taken away that soap opera feel that seems to be a downer for most. My wife could actually sit there and not complain and enjoy just how amazing it looks at 106″. Now with my 7.1 setup I feel like I am totally satisfied!! Also Iron Man(Blu-Ray) looked great also even though it is not as good a quality as Dark Knight. I feel as if I just got a brand new projector!! THANKS EPSON
May 5th, 2009 at 8:05 am
Hmmm…my 6500ub does defocus. Art, any idea if the new product on the streets has the physical “fix” to the vents that alleviate this? If so, I imagine they will install the correct firmware at the factory?
I’d like to send mine back and get a replacement unit that incorporates these two changes, but I’m just not sure when is a good time to do so. Any thoughts, or did you receive input from Epson?
Thanks!
Fred
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Hi Fred,
I believe all the Epson’s in their replacement fleet should have the physical modification relating to the defocusing, and most likely the new firmware by now.
Easiest way to find out is to call their support on the Private Line number provided on that card that came with your projector. If they aren’t fully ready by now (to deal with both), I imagine it will only be a matter of days.
When you get through to Epson on that line, they have very knowledgeable “level 2″ tech support, and those guys should be able to give you a definite answer. -art
May 6th, 2009 at 3:29 am
Hi Art,
Because of you, I am now a proud owner of a 6500, and am very happy with it; thanx. I am not sure that I want to lose that soap opera feel, or direct HD camera look, it makes me feel like if I was in the action, kind of 3D. Like in Transformers, I felt like I was running right beside Megan Fox. WOW.
So, if I install that fix, will I lose all that effect and make the image flatter like the Pany??? Or will I still have the option to turn it on???
Thanks again Art, your the best.
Hi Art,
Because of you, I am now a proud owner of a 6500, and am very happy with it; thanx. I am not sure that I want to lose that soap opera feel, or direct HD camera look, it makes me feel like if I was in the action, kind of 3D. Like in Transformers, I felt like I was running right beside Megan Fox. WOW.
So, if I install that fix, will I lose all that effect and make the image flatter like the Pany??? Or will I still have the option to turn it on???
Thanks again Art, your the best.
Boubos
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Greetings Boubos,
Fear not, the CFI changes Epson made seem to be concentrated on the Low settings. No question that with the new firmware, the “live digital video” (or “soap opera”) look still exists in “all its glory” in the high, and to a lesser degree, medium settings. The Low settings however are now essentially free of that effect, which should please most of us for movie viewing. -art
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Greetings Boubos,
Fear not, the changes Epson made seem to be concentrated on the Low settings. No question that with the new firmware, the “live digital video” (or “soap opera”) look still exists in “all its glory” in the high, and to a lesser degree, medium settings.
Boubos
December 14th, 2009 at 4:23 pm
Hello,
I own the Epson 6500UB and the day after I bought it, the Epson 8500UB was announced.
I wonder if I should sell my 6500 on eBay, cut my losses financially, and go ahead and get the 8500.
What do you think? Is the 8500 much better? Will I be impressed enough to feel it is worth it for the money it will cost and the hassle of trying to sell my 6500, unmount it from the ceiling, box it up, ship it out, and install the 8500?
I noticed the 8500 is THX Certified which is what excites me the most, but I can’t find any reviews comparing the 6500 to the 8500 DIRECTLY.
So….. What do you think?
Also, the firmware upgrade for the 6500….Version 1.09 I believe??? Is it something “I” can install, or would it have to be sent off to Epson for installation? If it has to be sent off, is it really worth it for the hassle? What EXACTLY does it fix?
If I can install it myself, where could I obtain it and how do I install it?
I am a techno geek and own a Computer Store, so I’m no dummy, but have no clue what is necessary to install this firmware upgrade, and again, no clue if it is even worth it and if I will “notice” the difference, although it must’ve been released for “some” reason.
Any help, comments, and suggestions would be GREATLY appreciated!
Thanks so much to all and Happy Holidays!
–Jason
December 14th, 2009 at 5:16 pm
Personally, not a whole lot of reason to take a loss on the 6500UB. The 8500UB while it has one or two improvements (super resolution is about the only thing of note, and it’s not that wonderful), and just a touch better blacks, it’s really the same basic projector. I wouldn’t make the change, myself. I don’t think the new one is worth $500 more than the old, and really less than that. The CFI itself on the 8500UB is a touch better than the 6500UB with the firmware upgrade, but on sports, they are both just fine. On movies, the 8500UB is a touch better, but most people won’t use CFI with movies.
I”m not on top of firmware versions, but assuming you are talking the CFI, you can get the code and use the usual cables to upgrade yourself, but that will require a serial cable and null-modem adapter, most likely. I think I covered that in an old blog.
Or you can call Epson support, which would basically tell you the firmware, and whether you have the one with the fixed CFI. If you don’t, as I understand it they’ll use their replacement program to ship you another unit (refurbished), and when it arrives, you drop your old one in the box the replacement comes in. Epson pays all freight.
In other words, you end up with a different unit, but the effort on your part consists of a 10 minute or so call to them, a credit card (all companies doing replacement programs require them, to make sure you return one of the units), and the time it takes to unbox the upgraded one, install it, and place yours in the box and call for a pickup. If you want to install yourself, contact Epson support for the file.
As to THX, yes it provides a very good “out of the box” performance. However, most of the few people emailing since they got their 8500UBs me tell me that our calibration settings
are every bit as good.
That’s about it. other to say that any techno-geek, with the right cables should have no problem. Once I raided radioshack, I think the whole process took me about 10 minutes or so (but that was a long time ago).
Your call. If budget is fairly tight – stay where you are. If you have lots of money to burn – well, why not, but then I’d say why not spend $4K+ or $8K on a JVC, etc.
Only you can figure out what it’s worth to you.
January 28th, 2010 at 10:43 pm
Just found your site through yahoo. Glad I found it I’ve learned a lot.