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Topic: Upgrade Epson Home Cinema 3700 to 4k Laser with 3d HELP
 
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Topic: Upgrade Epson Home Cinema 3700 to 4k Laser with 3d HELP
Home Theater RN
member
Joined: Apr 14, 2022
Posts: 5
Apr 14, 2022 7:13 AMReply to PostAlert Moderator
Epson Home Cinema 3700
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Hello Projector Central Members and thank you for your time. I am proud home Theater Owner and am looking to make my 4th big upgrade over the theaters' 17 year life span. We currently have an Epson Home Cinema 3700 and am looking to move up to a 4K High Lumen (preferably over 3,000) laser projector with Full HD 3D. Here's the current set up

Room size - 15' wide by 21' deep
Ceiling mounted projector in back in the room.
Screen - 120" perforated with a 1.0 Gain (white)

I am looking to spend no more then $5,000 or so (and sure, I could be convinced to spend more but not a lot more)

I am willing to switch to the newer UST Projectors like the BenQ V7050i but have read in multiple sources that there are still better options for a traditionally ceiling mounted front projector like I already have. This would save me the time and expense of re-wiring the projector and/or purchasing and installing a new screen.

I have read about the following projectors and would love more input on them (especially since our current projector still runs well) or even more options to consider

Optoma UHZ65LV or the older ZK507-W
Optoma UHZ50
NEC P5060QL

Thank you again for your time and input

Sean
[Edited by Home Theater RN on Apr 14, 2022 at 7:48 AM]
AV_Integrated
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Joined: Mar 28, 2005
Posts: 13,350
Apr 14, 2022 7:59 AMReply to PostAlert Moderator
Do you have a really large screen and a lousy room where image quality doesn't matter?

If not, then get the Epson LS12000.

Brightness is nice, but it often comes with the tradeoff of really weak black levels, shadow detail, and image quality.

At the moment, the best at $5K or less will be the Epson LS12000. It is brighter than the 5050, and the laser light source will keep it running and consistently bright for years to come.

The DLP lie of 'brightness' comes at the cost of serious color accuracy and serious black level detail.

We are at the front edge of what laser will bring to home theater, but until Texas Instruments really gets a great DLP chip for high brightness and high contrast at a reasonable price, we are still a long way away from really bright plus a phenomenal image.

Every single model you listed will, in the real world, have weak image quality compared to the 3700 that you are currently using. They just are pumping brightness without getting the image quality that home theaters deserve. At a 120" screen size, you don't need fake brightness, you need good everything.
AV Integrated - Theater, whole house audio, and technology consultation during the build and installation process in the Washington, DC metropolitan area.
Home Theater RN
member
Joined: Apr 14, 2022
Posts: 5
Apr 14, 2022 8:05 AMReply to PostAlert Moderator
Quote (Home Theater RN on Apr 14, 2022 7:13 AM):
Hello Projector Central Members and thank you for your time. I am proud home Theater Owner and am looking to make my 4th big upgrade over the theaters' 17 year life span. We currently have an Epson Home Cinema 3700 and am looking to move up to a 4K High Lumen (preferably over 3,000) laser projector with Full HD 3D. Here's the current set up

Room size - 15' wide by 21' deep
Ceiling mounted projector in back in the room.
Screen - 120" perforated with a 1.0 Gain (white)

I am looking to spend no more then $5,000 or so (and sure, I could be convinced to spend more but not a lot more)

I am willing to switch to the newer UST Projectors like the BenQ V7050i but have read in multiple sources that there are still better options for a traditionally ceiling mounted front projector like I already have. This would save me the time and expense of re-wiring the projector and/or purchasing and installing a new screen.

I have read about the following projectors and would love more input on them (especially since our current projector still runs well) or even more options to consider

Optoma UHZ65LV or the older ZK507-W
Optoma UHZ50
NEC P5060QL

Thank you again for your time and input

Sean

Home Theater RN
member
Joined: Apr 14, 2022
Posts: 5
Apr 14, 2022 8:11 AMReply to PostAlert Moderator
Quote (Home Theater RN on Apr 14, 2022 8:05 AM):

Thank you for your input. I was extremely excited about the new Epson and was ready to buy until I found out it did not support 3D. We have a large 3D library and although 3D viewing is only 10-20% of our total viewing time, we still love to show it off once and a while. The Epson 3700 was my second Epson projector and I loved them both. I appreciate what you mean about the Optoma and DLP brightness as my third projector was indeed that. I was so happy with the over all brightness but still noted that even at night, Master and Commander was a no go (that movie is a projector killer). The theater is also a family room and is used through out the day. It can be dimmed somewhat well in the day time and is nice and drak in the evening and morning. It is during parties and family gatherings when light is high that we also need the Lumen. Lord knows the blinds can't stay closed during the Super Bowl or March Madness

Thank you again
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