1080p Home Theater Projector Comparison Report - Image Quality13

$2100 - $3500 1080p Home Theater Projectors

BenQ W6000

Shadow detail was very good. It not only easily bested the Epson UB projectors, but even slightly outdid the Sony VPL-HW15.

Cinetron HD700

Strictly entry level blacks - right down there with the $999 projectors. Definitely disappointing blacks for a projector retailing for about $2500. Shadow detail was fine, as expected on any projector with not very good blacks. The black level performance is the weakest link of the HD700 projector.

Epson Home Cinema 8500UB

Now we're talking. Three years in a row, Epson has offered up projectors that have been truly superior to the similarly priced competition. Oh, there are one or two others in this group that give the Epsons a run for the money, but the Epson definitely finishes first when we're talking black level performance! The BenQ W6000, and the Mitsubishi HC7000 come close, but only compared to the rest of the field. The Epson is the black level champ, and you are going to have to spring for something almost twice the price to do better. Hey, most projectors twice the price still can't match the Epson Home Cinema 8500 UB for blacks.

Epson shadow detail has never been the best. They always seem to lose just a touch more than most. I believe that, combined with the great blacks, helps give the Epson the rep of a lot of pop and wow.

Epson Pro Cinema 9500UB

Exactly the same as the Home Cinema 8500UB!

Epson Pro Cinema 9100

The Pro Cinema 9100's performance despite the 36,000:1 contrast ratio, doesn't make the cut as an ultra-high contrast projector. That is to say, its black level performance, while very respectable, isn't up in that top tier of performers where most really dark scenes still have a good amount of contrast and pop. Shadow detail is pretty good (better than the UBs), but still not among the best.

The best way to describe the Epson Pro Cinema 9100 in terms of black levels would be one as of the best non-UHC projectors.

LG CF181D

if only the LG CF181D was better at black level performance. Still the LG didn't do badly, but not a UHC projector. As best I could describe them, I said they were a little better than the Mitsubishi HC3800, about half way between the 3800 and the Panasonic. It's not even remotely up there with the Epson UB, or the far more expensive JVCs. Shadow detail was not a problem, The dynamic iris itself was pretty smooth. Combine that with the not spectacular blacks and I conjecture that the LG's iris isn't setup to shut down as far as the irises on most other projectors.