Projector Calibration and Settings

Posted on October 9, 2013 by Art Feierman

We calibrate each home theater that is reviewed. The Epson Home Cinema 8100 is no exception, except that we're working from a pre-production unit. I expect changes to the color tables, by the time the full production Home Cinema 8100 projectors arrive and for that reason, we will publish new settings based on a production Home Cinema 8100, when we receive it.

It is a pretty standard calibration, there's always more that can be done by some of the "hi-end" calibrators. Our calibrations, including the Epson Home Cinema 8100, are normally limited to a grayscale calibration, along with brightness, contrast, color saturation, etc.

Epson Home Cinema 8100 Color Temperature

Pre calibration, these are the color temperatures over the grayscale range:

Color Temp over IRE Range, Cinema Gamma, Medium color temp, BC on:


30 IRE	6513
50 IRE	6652
80 IRE	6649
100 IRE	6556

Mike notes: For not being calibrated, RGB balance is quite good throughout IRE range

Because the Home Cinema 8100 doesn't have presets that work the same as most other projectors - with different gammas and color temps, as separate controls, here are two more charts that should provide some clarity (or confusion). You can see how the Gamma affects different color temp settings, and vice versa:

Lumen Output for various Gamma modes at 100 IRE, color temp on Medium:


Auto	948 @ 6611
Cinema	968 @ 6590, 726 @ 6238 w/BC off
Video	953 @ 6617
Sports	1142 @ 6352, 880 @ 6154 w/BC off

Lumen Output at various Color Temps at 100 IRE, Gamma on Auto:


Medium	948 @ 6611
High Brightness	1091 @ 6143, 1142 @ 6148 on Sports gamma
Cool	655 @ 8942
Warm	843 @ 5342

Below you'll find final color temp measurements, post calibration.

Epson Home Cinema 8100 Basic Settings

In addition to calibrating Red Green and Blue for a correct grayscale balance (6500K), there are a number of other settings that come into play. Typically Contrast and Brightness (white balance and black balance), need to be done first. Color saturation and gamma also need adjustment.


Contrast	(0), 0 for all except Sports, which is -4
Brightness	(0) 13 for all
Gamma	Auto
Color Temp	Medium (default for Auto gamma)
Lamp Mode	Standard (unless noted otherwise)
Brilliant Color (BC)	On (unless noted otherwise)