Epson launches 1080p PowerLite Home Cinema 1080 UB projector

Originally, we heard that the PowerLite Home Cinema 1080 UB projector would be headed stateside in December, but apparently Epson (smartly) chose CES to actually launch it. Aside from the 1,920 x 1,080 resolution and 50,000:1 contrast ratio, this unit also features a 3LCD optical engine, 1,600 ANSI lumens, 12-bit video processing, a pair of HDMI 1.3 inputs, the firm's exclusive OptiCinema lens system / E-TORL lamp and a pearlescent finish nice enough to stare at. Best of all, this beast is not only available now, it's available for $2,799 after a $200 rebate. Yeah, we're diggin' the trend.

[(Unverified) Posted Jan 8th 2008 2:06PM]

i think thats supposed to be 5000:1

[(Unverified) Posted Jan 8th 2008 2:22PM]

I'm pretty sure 50,000:1 is correct. In reality I'll bet the contrast ratio will be much closer to 5000:1 than 50,000:1.

[(Unverified) Posted Jan 8th 2008 2:09PM]

Dang - i keep getting the itch to return my 73" mitzy and replace it with something like this....

[Biggiesized Posted Jan 8th 2008 3:15PM]

I'd prefer it to have a 3-chip DLP solution instead of 3LCD.

[(Unverified) Posted Jan 8th 2008 3:25PM]

I'm thrilled with the specs on this unit. I'm one of those people that the rainbow effect of DLPs drives crazy. Also, the lens shift & zoom range of all DLPs that I've seen take them off the list for my room. I have to go LCD.

I'm running a Panasonic AE900 & am dying to go to 1080p. The UB is available from Visualapex.com (where I bought my Panny) for $2799 after rebate. From what I've been reading so far, it's worth the $500 premium over the old Home Cinema 1080, the Panny AE2000 and the Sanyo Z2000. Sign me up!

Plus the new panels are inorganic, so they won't degrade like the old LCD panels (mine included).

[Biggiesized Posted Jan 8th 2008 7:42PM]

3-chip DLP projectors eliminate the rainbow effect.

[(Unverified) Posted Jan 15th 2008 8:16PM]

Ours arrived today, and I have to say I'm pretty blown away...

So far, I've run Ratatouille, Blade Runner, and Planet Earth through it (@ 1080P), and have nothing but praise.

Color fidelity is spot-on (currently using x.v.), brightness is excellent (watchable, even with a few lights on), and contrast is stunning.

I'm VERY pleased with the purchase.

A couple of photos here: http://www.flickr.com/photos/numlok/sets/72157603722915656/

[(Unverified) Posted Jan 29th 2008 7:53AM]

I just got done playing BG with the hi rez patch on this projector. 90hx200w. Minsc was 3ft tall and the immersion was unreal. We also played Empire Earth. The image was faaar vibrant/cripser and brighter then what I was used to on my 1080p 47inch Vizio. Not to mention 90 inches high and 200 inches wide. We took it upstairs and put it on his DaLite High Power screen 75hx130 and I promptly passed out.