Epson Home Cinema 8700UB Projector - Physical Tour

Posted on November 1, 2010 by Art Feierman

This is essentially the same tour as for several other previous Epson projectors that we've reviewed. For the most part, all we've done is change the model number to the Epson 8700UB, and an appropriate changer or two, as needed.

Epson Home Cinema 8700UB Projector - Appearance

The Epson is a smaller projector, but not particularly so. It may be full size smaller than larger projectors like the Sonys, JVCs and larger BenQ and InFocus models, but it's fairly large compared to the very smallest, like the Optoma HD20. All considered, it's a larger, small projector. It is finished in a shiny off-white casing with matching white side panels and silver lens trim.

Like the other Epsons, it's hardly gorgeous, more boxy, but has some curves and some contrast. Not bad looking.

The local dealer only version of the 8700UB - the Pro Cinema 9700UB, comes finished in black, instead of white.

The lens is mounted to the right side (if looking at the front of the projector), with a large vent on the left side. The lens protrudes out about 2 inches from the case. (When figuring out placement distances, one normally measures from the front of the lens.) There's an infra-red sensor in the front for the remote (and another in the top back). Below the front, are two screw thread adjustable feet. The control panel is located on the side with flush buttons (I much prefer control panels to be located on the top, where they are almost always accessable, if needed). Still, that's not a real issue.

To focus the lens, and adjust the zoom, simply rotate the appropriate rings on the lens. To control the lens shift, there are two dials on the top of the projector near the lens. It's that easy.

Home Cinema 8700UB Control Panel

click to Enlarge. So close

While I'm not a fan of side control panels (Epson, Sony), because I tend to use control panels a lot while testing, for most folks it really won't matter much, since they will rely on the remote control.

One thing though, I refer to it as being on the side, but I should point out that the power button and source switch are located on the top of the projector. The control panel functions are rather typical.

Closest to the front of the buttons is a large Menu button. To its right, the four arrow keys on a rocker (diamond configuration, with a center Enter button), I'm not a fan of the rocker type four way around the enter button, but, its functional. Finally closest to the back, is the Escape key which takes you back up a level in the menus.

It's that simple, should you misplace your remote!

Click Image to Enlarge

Input/Output

click to Enlarge. So close

No surprises here, everything is the same as on last year's Epson projectors, in precisely the same places.

The Home Cinema 8700UB has a fairly typical selection of inputs and outputs. There are (from the left) two HDMI (1.3b) inputs, a component video input (3 color colded RCA jacks), the basic S-Video and composite video inputs, and an analog computer input (standard HD15 connector), which can double as a second component video input. At the top, above the PC input, is the rear infra-red sensor for the remote (partially cut off).

There is an RS-232 serial port for controlling the projector from a computer or room control sytem. Additionally, this Epson projector has one 12 volt screen trigger.