Epson Home Cinema 5030UB Projector Review - Performance 3

Sharpness

In viewing the Home Cinema 5030 UB along side a 5020 UB, I could not detect any visible difference in sharpness. I would certainly say differences from projector to projector in terms of the panel alignment would result in more difference.

Sharpness Comparison Images

Epson Home Cinema 5020UB

Sharp XV-Z3000

Panasonic PT-AE8000

Sony VPL-HW50ES

Optoma HD8300

JVC DLA-RS45

Bottom Line Sharpness

Very good sharpness.  For sports and general HDTV, if you prefer, crank up the Super-Resolution feature.  This "detail enhancement system really does make the image look noticeably sharper.  It's great if you aren't viewing critically, as you might watching a movie.  I find the 2 setting to almost always be acceptable.  A setting of 3 adds a notch to perceived sharpness, but does offer some artifacting such as some obvious contrast enhancement of edges.  Again, great on sports, but over the top on a close-up of a face.

Naturally as a 3 panel device not as purely sharp as a well designed single chip DLP projector, but overall, people will consider this Epson's image to be very sharp.  Next stop - true 4K in a couple of years.  That's where you'll get a real change.

Light Leakage

Image Noise

Once again, the Epson UB has no particular image noise issues.  Slow panning is less distracting than on some competitors.  Background mosquito noise is less noticeable than on typical DLP projectors, and not a problem, although Super-Resolution when cranked up does make that noise more visible.

Audible Noise

Once again, like the 5010 UB and 5020 UB that proceeded, the Home Cinema 5030 UB is definitely a bit onthe noisy side when running at full lamp power. Epson claims 32 db, not a number to be particularly proud about, but, it doesn't seem to be that much of an issue, as the pitch is farily low, no whining. There is a low rumbly sound from the dynamic iris.  If you hear the iris rumble in your setup (enough to notice when not listening to hear it), try some spacers between the feet and table, or adding spacers to your ceiling mount.  I find from talking with folks that often when people are complaining it's because the table or mount is vibrating sympathetically. Acoustic dampeners or foam can solve that.

The HC5030 UB projector's overall audible noise level is pretty much just below most of the DLP projectors, and noisier than most other LCD based projectors and LCoS projectors. Persoally, based on hundreds of hours with UB projectors, I rarely notice it at full power.  Mostly I notice it when I'm doing photo shoots, and I have the audio off.  The Epson HC5030 UB at full power is definitely quieter than my Sony PS3's fan.

If you are one of the few who is especially audible noise adverse, note that the Epson claims 22db, which in reality, is very quiet.  I don't think anyone will have an issue with Eco-mode, not even the most noise sensitive.