Projector Reviews Images

1080p Comparison Report - Image Quality

Posted on November 12, 2013 by Art Feierman
  1. The 1080p Home Theater Projector Comparison Report - 2009
  2. 1080p Projector Categories by price
  3. Home Theater Projectors: Street price $3500-$10,000
  4. Picking the Winners - the best projectors in each price range
  5. $2100 and under 1080p Home Theater Projectors
  6. $2100 - $3500 1080p Home Theater Projectors
  7. $2100 - $3500 1080p Home Theater Projectors-2
  8. $3500 - $10,000 Home Theater Projectors
  9. The 1080p Home Theater Projector -Special Features
  10. The 1080p Home Theater Projector -Creative Frame Interpolation
  11. The 1080p Home Theater Projector -Special Features3
  12. Guide to the 2009 1080p Projector Comparison Report
  13. Home Page of the 1080p Projector Comparison Report
  14. Defining Your Expectations Regarding Projectors and Your Final Theater Experience
  15. Understanding your room environment-2
  16. Photos Found In This Projector Report
  17. 1080p Projector Report - Best in Class Awards for 2009
  18. Best in Class, Runner-up Award: Sanyo PLV-Z700 Projector
  19. Best in Class Special, Interest Award: InFocus X10
  20. Class: Medium Priced 1080p Home Theater Projectors: $2100 - $3500
  21. Best in Class Award (tie): Panasonic PT-AE3000
  22. 1080p Home Theater Projector-Special Interest Awards
  23. Category: Higher End Priced 1080p Home Theater Projectors: $3500 - $10,000
  24. Special Interest Award (tie): Planar PD8150
  25. Special Interest Award (tie): Planar PD8150-2
  26. 1080p Projectors - Physical Tour
  27. 1080p Projectors - Physical Tour2
  28. 1080p Projectors Lens Throw and Lens Shift
  29. 1080p Projectors - Physical Tour3
  30. 1080p Projectors - Physical Tour4
  31. 1080p Comparison Report - Image Quality
  32. 1080p Comparison Report - Image Quality2
  33. 1080p Comparison Report - Image Quality3
  34. 1080p Comparison Report - Image Quality4
  35. 1080p Comparison Report - Image Quality5
  36. 1080p Comparison Report - Image Quality6
  37. 1080p Comparison Report - Image Quality7
  38. 1080p Comparison Report - Image Quality8
  39. 1080p Comparison Report - Image Quality9
  40. 1080p Comparison Report - Image Quality10
  41. 1080p Comparison Report - Image Quality11
  42. 1080p Comparison Report - Image Quality12
  43. 1080p Comparison Report - Image Quality13
  44. 1080p Comparison Report - Image Quality14
  45. 1080p Comparison Report - Image Quality15
  46. 1080p Comparison Report - Image Quality16
  47. 1080p Comparison Report - Image Quality17
  48. 1080p Comparison Report - Image Quality18
  49. 1080p Projector Comparison Report - Performance
  50. 1080p Projector Comparison Report - Performance2
  51. 1080p Projector Comparison Report - Performance3
  52. 1080p Projector Comparison Report - Performance4
  53. 1080p Projector Comparison Report - Performance5
  54. 1080p Projector Comparison Report - Performance6
  55. 1080p Projector Comparison Report - Performance7
  56. 1080p Projector Comparison Report - Performance9
  57. 1080P Home Theater Projector Report - Calibration
  58. Compare Projectors - Epson 6100 vs PLV-Z700
  59. Compare Projectors - Epson 6100 vs PLV-Z700 - 2
  60. Compare Projectors - Epson 6100 vs PLV-Z700 - 3
  61. Compare Projectors - Epson 6100 vs PLV-Z700 - 4
  62. Compare Projectors - Epson 6100 vs PLV-Z700 - 5
  63. Compare Projectors - Epson 6100 vs PLV-Z700 - 6
  64. Compare Projectors - Epson 6100 vs PLV-Z700 - 7
  65. Compare Projectors - Epson 6500UB vs. 6100
  66. Compare Projectors - Epson 6500UB vs. 6100 - 2
  67. Compare Projectors - Epson 6500UB vs. 6100 - 3
  68. Compare Projectors - Epson 6500UB vs. 6100 - 4
  69. Compare Projectors - Epson 6500UB vs. PT-AE3000
  70. Compare Projectors - Epson 6500UB vs. PT-AE3000 - 2
  71. Compare Projectors - Epson 6500UB vs. PT-AE3000 - 3
  72. Compare Projectors - Epson 6500UB vs. PT-AE3000 - 4
  73. Compare Projectors - PT-AE3000 vs. PLV-Z3000
  74. Compare Projectors - PT-AE3000 vs. PLV-Z3000 - 2
  75. Compare Projectors - PT-AE3000 vs. PLV-Z3000 - 3
  76. Compare Projectors - PT-AE3000 vs. PLV-Z3000 - 4
  77. Compare Projectors - PT-AE3000 vs. PLV-Z3000 - 5
  78. Compare Projectors - JVC DLA-RS10 vs. RS20
  79. Compare Projectors - JVC DLA-RS10 vs. RS20 - 2
  80. Compare Projectors - JVC DLA-RS10 vs. RS20 - 3
  81. Compare Projectors - JVC DLA-RS10 vs. RS20 - 4
  82. Compare Projectors - JVC DLA-RS10 vs. RS20 - 5
  83. Compare Projectors - IN83 vs. JVC DLA-RS10
  84. Compare Projectors - IN83 vs. JVC DLA-RS10 - 2
  85. Compare Projectors - IN83 vs. JVC DLA-RS10 - 3
  86. Compare Projectors - IN83 vs. JVC DLA-RS10 - 4
  87. Compare Projectors - - IN83 vs. JVC DLA-RS10 - 5
  88. Compare Projectors - Epson 6500UB vs. JVC RS20
  89. Compare Projectors - Epson 6500UB vs. JVC RS20 - 2
  90. Compare Projectors - Epson 6500UB vs. JVC RS20 - 3
  91. Compare Projectors - Epson 6500UB vs. JVC RS20 - 4
  92. Compare Projectors - Epson 6500UB vs. JVC RS20 - 5
  93. Compare Projectors - VPL-HW10 vs PT-AE3000
  94. Compare Projectors - VPL-HW10 vs PT-AE3000 - 2
  95. Compare Projectors - VPL-HW10 vs PT-AE3000 - 3
  96. Compare Projectors - VPL-HW10 vs PT-AE3000 - 4
  97. Compare Projectors - HC5500 vs. PLV-Z700
  98. Compare Projectors - HC5500 vs. PLV-Z700 - 2
  99. Compare Projectors - HC5500 vs. PLV-Z700 - 3
  100. Compare Projectors - HC5500 vs. PLV-Z700 - 4
  101. Compare Projectors - HC5500 vs. PLV-Z700 - 5
  102. Compare Projectors - HC5500 vs. PLV-Z700 - 6
  103. Compare Projectors - BenQ W5000 vs 6500UB
  104. Compare Projectors - BenQ W5000 vs 6500UB - 2
  105. Compare Projectors - BenQ W5000 vs 6500UB - 3
  106. Compare Projectors - BenQ W5000 vs 6500UB - 4
  107. Compare Projectors - BenQ W5000 vs 6500UB - 5
  108. Compare Projectors - BenQ W5000 vs 6500UB - 6
  109. Compare Projectors - BenQ W5000 vs 6500UB - 7
  110. Compare Projectors - Epson 6500UB vs PLV-Z3000
  111. Compare Projectors - Epson 6500UB vs PLV-Z3000 - 2
  112. Compare Projectors - Epson 6500UB vs PLV-Z3000 - 3
  113. Compare Projectors - Epson 6500UB vs PLV-Z3000 - 4
  114. Compare Projectors - Epson 6500UB vs PLV-Z3000 - 5
  115. Compare Projectors - Epson 6500UB vs PLV-Z3000 - 6
  116. Home Theater Projectors - Warranty and Support - 2
  117. 1080P Home Theater Projector Comparison Report: Summary

The goal of this section is to allow you to quickly read over our findings for different projectors, all in one place. This year's report is tackling it more efficiently.

For image quality, our primary concerns will be:

Out of the box color (without adjustment)
Naturalness of flesh tones
Black levels and shadow detail
Projector brightness
Image sharpness
Overall image quality
( "feel" of the projector). My partially subjective opinions on "film-like performance", ease of watching, and for lack of a better term, "wow factor" (some projectors just look good, and others make you think "awesome", even though they may technically be very, very similar).

Let's get started!

1080p Home Theater Projectors - Out of the Box Picture Quality

First things first: While the "out of the box" picture quality varies significantly (from not very good to extremely good), not one projector reviewed couldn't be improved with a good calibration. We always recommend you get your projector calibrated to get the most out of it. Best of course, is a professional calibration (unless you have the gear to do it yourself), but, alternately, you can improve a projector's performance even with a basic end user calibration disc. The third alternative is to try the calibration settings we provide. They aren't quite as in-depth as a full professional calibration, but readers consistently report a significant improvement with our settings, compared to out of the box performance.

$2100 and under 1080p Home Theater Projectors

This year there are five projectors in this group of entry level priced 1080p projectors. They cover a street price range of about $500 (US pricing).

Our focus here, is on "best" mode - usually the least bright, but designed to be the most perfect for viewing movies.

Sanyo PLV-Z700 projector

In the Sanyo PLV-Z700 review, we described the out of the box quality as "reasonably good, and definitely not great". The overall starting image is slightly warm (reddish), and the projector is a bit weak in terms of shadow detail (improved by adjusting the brightness).

Mitsubishi HC5500 projector

The HC5500 was a little better than the Sanyo, but still only "pretty good". Again, major improvements will be realized with a calibration.

Optoma HD806 projector

Another case of a "pretty good image, although not a truly great one".

Epson Home Cinema 6100 projector

The Home Cinema 6100, Epson's entry level 1080p projector, did a lot better than most: "The Epson 6100 is very good, right of the box in TheaterBlack 1 image mode - its "best" mode." "Skin tones need to look really good, and this Epson passes that test. After we fine tuned it, they looked even better." You'll get most of your money out of this one without calibration, but at least try our calibration settings, you should like them better.

  1. The 1080p Home Theater Projector Comparison Report - 2009
  2. 1080p Projector Categories by price
  3. Home Theater Projectors: Street price $3500-$10,000
  4. Picking the Winners - the best projectors in each price range
  5. $2100 and under 1080p Home Theater Projectors
  6. $2100 - $3500 1080p Home Theater Projectors
  7. $2100 - $3500 1080p Home Theater Projectors-2
  8. $3500 - $10,000 Home Theater Projectors
  9. The 1080p Home Theater Projector -Special Features
  10. The 1080p Home Theater Projector -Creative Frame Interpolation
  11. The 1080p Home Theater Projector -Special Features3
  12. Guide to the 2009 1080p Projector Comparison Report
  13. Home Page of the 1080p Projector Comparison Report
  14. Defining Your Expectations Regarding Projectors and Your Final Theater Experience
  15. Understanding your room environment-2
  16. Photos Found In This Projector Report
  17. 1080p Projector Report - Best in Class Awards for 2009
  18. Best in Class, Runner-up Award: Sanyo PLV-Z700 Projector
  19. Best in Class Special, Interest Award: InFocus X10
  20. Class: Medium Priced 1080p Home Theater Projectors: $2100 - $3500
  21. Best in Class Award (tie): Panasonic PT-AE3000
  22. 1080p Home Theater Projector-Special Interest Awards
  23. Category: Higher End Priced 1080p Home Theater Projectors: $3500 - $10,000
  24. Special Interest Award (tie): Planar PD8150
  25. Special Interest Award (tie): Planar PD8150-2
  26. 1080p Projectors - Physical Tour
  27. 1080p Projectors - Physical Tour2
  28. 1080p Projectors Lens Throw and Lens Shift
  29. 1080p Projectors - Physical Tour3
  30. 1080p Projectors - Physical Tour4
  31. 1080p Comparison Report - Image Quality
  32. 1080p Comparison Report - Image Quality2
  33. 1080p Comparison Report - Image Quality3
  34. 1080p Comparison Report - Image Quality4
  35. 1080p Comparison Report - Image Quality5
  36. 1080p Comparison Report - Image Quality6
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  40. 1080p Comparison Report - Image Quality10
  41. 1080p Comparison Report - Image Quality11
  42. 1080p Comparison Report - Image Quality12
  43. 1080p Comparison Report - Image Quality13
  44. 1080p Comparison Report - Image Quality14
  45. 1080p Comparison Report - Image Quality15
  46. 1080p Comparison Report - Image Quality16
  47. 1080p Comparison Report - Image Quality17
  48. 1080p Comparison Report - Image Quality18
  49. 1080p Projector Comparison Report - Performance
  50. 1080p Projector Comparison Report - Performance2
  51. 1080p Projector Comparison Report - Performance3
  52. 1080p Projector Comparison Report - Performance4
  53. 1080p Projector Comparison Report - Performance5
  54. 1080p Projector Comparison Report - Performance6
  55. 1080p Projector Comparison Report - Performance7
  56. 1080p Projector Comparison Report - Performance9
  57. 1080P Home Theater Projector Report - Calibration
  58. Compare Projectors - Epson 6100 vs PLV-Z700
  59. Compare Projectors - Epson 6100 vs PLV-Z700 - 2
  60. Compare Projectors - Epson 6100 vs PLV-Z700 - 3
  61. Compare Projectors - Epson 6100 vs PLV-Z700 - 4
  62. Compare Projectors - Epson 6100 vs PLV-Z700 - 5
  63. Compare Projectors - Epson 6100 vs PLV-Z700 - 6
  64. Compare Projectors - Epson 6100 vs PLV-Z700 - 7
  65. Compare Projectors - Epson 6500UB vs. 6100
  66. Compare Projectors - Epson 6500UB vs. 6100 - 2
  67. Compare Projectors - Epson 6500UB vs. 6100 - 3
  68. Compare Projectors - Epson 6500UB vs. 6100 - 4
  69. Compare Projectors - Epson 6500UB vs. PT-AE3000
  70. Compare Projectors - Epson 6500UB vs. PT-AE3000 - 2
  71. Compare Projectors - Epson 6500UB vs. PT-AE3000 - 3
  72. Compare Projectors - Epson 6500UB vs. PT-AE3000 - 4
  73. Compare Projectors - PT-AE3000 vs. PLV-Z3000
  74. Compare Projectors - PT-AE3000 vs. PLV-Z3000 - 2
  75. Compare Projectors - PT-AE3000 vs. PLV-Z3000 - 3
  76. Compare Projectors - PT-AE3000 vs. PLV-Z3000 - 4
  77. Compare Projectors - PT-AE3000 vs. PLV-Z3000 - 5
  78. Compare Projectors - JVC DLA-RS10 vs. RS20
  79. Compare Projectors - JVC DLA-RS10 vs. RS20 - 2
  80. Compare Projectors - JVC DLA-RS10 vs. RS20 - 3
  81. Compare Projectors - JVC DLA-RS10 vs. RS20 - 4
  82. Compare Projectors - JVC DLA-RS10 vs. RS20 - 5
  83. Compare Projectors - IN83 vs. JVC DLA-RS10
  84. Compare Projectors - IN83 vs. JVC DLA-RS10 - 2
  85. Compare Projectors - IN83 vs. JVC DLA-RS10 - 3
  86. Compare Projectors - IN83 vs. JVC DLA-RS10 - 4
  87. Compare Projectors - - IN83 vs. JVC DLA-RS10 - 5
  88. Compare Projectors - Epson 6500UB vs. JVC RS20
  89. Compare Projectors - Epson 6500UB vs. JVC RS20 - 2
  90. Compare Projectors - Epson 6500UB vs. JVC RS20 - 3
  91. Compare Projectors - Epson 6500UB vs. JVC RS20 - 4
  92. Compare Projectors - Epson 6500UB vs. JVC RS20 - 5
  93. Compare Projectors - VPL-HW10 vs PT-AE3000
  94. Compare Projectors - VPL-HW10 vs PT-AE3000 - 2
  95. Compare Projectors - VPL-HW10 vs PT-AE3000 - 3
  96. Compare Projectors - VPL-HW10 vs PT-AE3000 - 4
  97. Compare Projectors - HC5500 vs. PLV-Z700
  98. Compare Projectors - HC5500 vs. PLV-Z700 - 2
  99. Compare Projectors - HC5500 vs. PLV-Z700 - 3
  100. Compare Projectors - HC5500 vs. PLV-Z700 - 4
  101. Compare Projectors - HC5500 vs. PLV-Z700 - 5
  102. Compare Projectors - HC5500 vs. PLV-Z700 - 6
  103. Compare Projectors - BenQ W5000 vs 6500UB
  104. Compare Projectors - BenQ W5000 vs 6500UB - 2
  105. Compare Projectors - BenQ W5000 vs 6500UB - 3
  106. Compare Projectors - BenQ W5000 vs 6500UB - 4
  107. Compare Projectors - BenQ W5000 vs 6500UB - 5
  108. Compare Projectors - BenQ W5000 vs 6500UB - 6
  109. Compare Projectors - BenQ W5000 vs 6500UB - 7
  110. Compare Projectors - Epson 6500UB vs PLV-Z3000
  111. Compare Projectors - Epson 6500UB vs PLV-Z3000 - 2
  112. Compare Projectors - Epson 6500UB vs PLV-Z3000 - 3
  113. Compare Projectors - Epson 6500UB vs PLV-Z3000 - 4
  114. Compare Projectors - Epson 6500UB vs PLV-Z3000 - 5
  115. Compare Projectors - Epson 6500UB vs PLV-Z3000 - 6
  116. Home Theater Projectors - Warranty and Support - 2
  117. 1080P Home Theater Projector Comparison Report: Summary

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