Is a 4k laser projector worth it over a 4k bulb projector?
Discussion
Looking at a theatre room renovation and having had an older Epson bulb projector from 2008 but got really over changing bulbs, the heat it generated, fan noise and importantly brightness degradation over time.
Now looking at 4k laser projectors (Epson 12000 looks good) to avoid i think the bulb, heat, fan and brightness degradation but have seen some comments that bulb projectors now are much better in all these regards and are much cheaper.
I am in Australia and my theatre room is north facing so gets, in Australia technically it's called, 'b
d fking hot'.
So, to laser or not laser?
Now looking at 4k laser projectors (Epson 12000 looks good) to avoid i think the bulb, heat, fan and brightness degradation but have seen some comments that bulb projectors now are much better in all these regards and are much cheaper.
I am in Australia and my theatre room is north facing so gets, in Australia technically it's called, 'b
d fking hot'.So, to laser or not laser?
Hi. Firstly, here in the south of the UK, near the coast, heat is rarely an issue. My head when sitting at the main listening position (MLP) is about two feet in front and four feet below the front of the projector.
The exhaust temperature measures at 40 degrees Celsius using an IR thermometer. The fins on the front mounted exhaust divert the heat to the side of the projector.
I don’t notice any heat from the projector at all at the MLP.
In terms of noise, when first on it seems to run the fan at full speed as the lamp warms, this measures at 36dB at my head height / MLP. After twenty seconds or so the fan speed drops and the sound levels out at 32.5 - 33dB.
I only become aware of the fan in periods of prolonged silence in a production I’m watching. Everyone is different, but I don’t find it an issue.
I upgraded to this projector from a Panasonic PT-AE2000 of some vintage. The Panasonic was well reviewed in its day, but was a Full HD resolution. In comparison the TW-9400 was massively brighter and sharper.
I project a ~80-90” picture depending on the ratio of the original picture. This from about 15’.
I only use it occasionally for watching films on Blu-Ray or terrestrial TV broadcast in Full HD, all via a Denon AV receiver that is doing some scaling to output at 4k.
It all looks fantastic to me, I think I’m quite critical and I’m sure things could be better, but skin tones are great, sharpness is there in abundance.
Having re-read some reviews of it yesterday I can see why I went for it.
Hope this helps.
The exhaust temperature measures at 40 degrees Celsius using an IR thermometer. The fins on the front mounted exhaust divert the heat to the side of the projector.
I don’t notice any heat from the projector at all at the MLP.
In terms of noise, when first on it seems to run the fan at full speed as the lamp warms, this measures at 36dB at my head height / MLP. After twenty seconds or so the fan speed drops and the sound levels out at 32.5 - 33dB.
I only become aware of the fan in periods of prolonged silence in a production I’m watching. Everyone is different, but I don’t find it an issue.
I upgraded to this projector from a Panasonic PT-AE2000 of some vintage. The Panasonic was well reviewed in its day, but was a Full HD resolution. In comparison the TW-9400 was massively brighter and sharper.
I project a ~80-90” picture depending on the ratio of the original picture. This from about 15’.
I only use it occasionally for watching films on Blu-Ray or terrestrial TV broadcast in Full HD, all via a Denon AV receiver that is doing some scaling to output at 4k.
It all looks fantastic to me, I think I’m quite critical and I’m sure things could be better, but skin tones are great, sharpness is there in abundance.
Having re-read some reviews of it yesterday I can see why I went for it.
Hope this helps.
Techno9000 said:
Hi. Firstly, here in the south of the UK, near the coast, heat is rarely an issue. My head when sitting at the main listening position (MLP) is about two feet in front and four feet below the front of the projector.
The exhaust temperature measures at 40 degrees Celsius using an IR thermometer. The fins on the front mounted exhaust divert the heat to the side of the projector.
I don t notice any heat from the projector at all at the MLP.
In terms of noise, when first on it seems to run the fan at full speed as the lamp warms, this measures at 36dB at my head height / MLP. After twenty seconds or so the fan speed drops and the sound levels out at 32.5 - 33dB.
I only become aware of the fan in periods of prolonged silence in a production I m watching. Everyone is different, but I don t find it an issue.
I upgraded to this projector from a Panasonic PT-AE2000 of some vintage. The Panasonic was well reviewed in its day, but was a Full HD resolution. In comparison the TW-9400 was massively brighter and sharper.
I project a ~80-90 picture depending on the ratio of the original picture. This from about 15 .
I only use it occasionally for watching films on Blu-Ray or terrestrial TV broadcast in Full HD, all via a Denon AV receiver that is doing some scaling to output at 4k.
It all looks fantastic to me, I think I m quite critical and I m sure things could be better, but skin tones are great, sharpness is there in abundance.
Having re-read some reviews of it yesterday I can see why I went for it.
Hope this helps.
That is bloody superb and so helpful thank you - couldn't have asked for me. Very much appreciated.The exhaust temperature measures at 40 degrees Celsius using an IR thermometer. The fins on the front mounted exhaust divert the heat to the side of the projector.
I don t notice any heat from the projector at all at the MLP.
In terms of noise, when first on it seems to run the fan at full speed as the lamp warms, this measures at 36dB at my head height / MLP. After twenty seconds or so the fan speed drops and the sound levels out at 32.5 - 33dB.
I only become aware of the fan in periods of prolonged silence in a production I m watching. Everyone is different, but I don t find it an issue.
I upgraded to this projector from a Panasonic PT-AE2000 of some vintage. The Panasonic was well reviewed in its day, but was a Full HD resolution. In comparison the TW-9400 was massively brighter and sharper.
I project a ~80-90 picture depending on the ratio of the original picture. This from about 15 .
I only use it occasionally for watching films on Blu-Ray or terrestrial TV broadcast in Full HD, all via a Denon AV receiver that is doing some scaling to output at 4k.
It all looks fantastic to me, I think I m quite critical and I m sure things could be better, but skin tones are great, sharpness is there in abundance.
Having re-read some reviews of it yesterday I can see why I went for it.
Hope this helps.
I have an Epson 9400 too. The image is exceptional, but it's black, (and massive, they are only available in black) and in my very bright room it's not quite bright enough for me. I have been looking at the Sony 7 & 8. Both are Laser but significantly more expensive. Not sure they are quite worth the upgrade yet...
I also auditioned the new Epson LS1100W. That has a much brighter image and is less than the Sony. Not sure which way I will go yet, but I am happy to soldier on with my 9400 for now. I also bought a new bulb, it was £128 which seemed very reasonable!
I also auditioned the new Epson LS1100W. That has a much brighter image and is less than the Sony. Not sure which way I will go yet, but I am happy to soldier on with my 9400 for now. I also bought a new bulb, it was £128 which seemed very reasonable!
findtomdotcom said:
I have an Epson 9400 too. The image is exceptional, but it's black, (and massive, they are only available in black) and in my very bright room it's not quite bright enough for me. I have been looking at the Sony 7 & 8. Both are Laser but significantly more expensive. Not sure they are quite worth the upgrade yet...
I also auditioned the new Epson LS1100W. That has a much brighter image and is less than the Sony. Not sure which way I will go yet, but I am happy to soldier on with my 9400 for now. I also bought a new bulb, it was £128 which seemed very reasonable!
If you're used to the brightness of the 9400, then the Epson would be your best option. The Sony's are not as bright ... I don't honestly think their lower end units are as good as the Epsons ... I've demo'd them back to back for customers and not of them agree. The Sony's work better with lower ambient light levels at the lower cost end, whcih isn't such a big issue if you have low ambient light levels ... the Sony 8000 up is bright (3300 lm). I also auditioned the new Epson LS1100W. That has a much brighter image and is less than the Sony. Not sure which way I will go yet, but I am happy to soldier on with my 9400 for now. I also bought a new bulb, it was £128 which seemed very reasonable!
So anything in the £3k - £7k range then Epson will outperform the Sony's IMO.
Gassing Station | Home Cinema & Hi-Fi | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff