Home Cinema 1080UB Measurements and Adjustments - Bottom Line

Posted on January 18, 2008 by Art Feierman

Out of the box performance leaves much to be desired, but I'll consider it to be good overall, because, (with the exception of Living Room mode), just changing the from the default color temp settings, is all it takes to get really good results in most modes!

HC1080UB Image Noise

The Epson is overall, rather good in terms of different types of image noise. When it comes to basic image noise it is very good, better than my more than acceptable JVC RS1. Jaggies were a non-issue, as were typical motion artifacts. This Epson uses Silicon Optix image processing, so it was no surprise, that it tested out excellently, using my standard and Blu-ray HQV test discs, from Silicon Optix! If I had to pick on one thing, though, it is a bit noisy on lower res standard defiinition sources. (I generally avoid SD-TV, where it is at its worst). Still, not bad, just others do better. I don't play with the various noise filters, which can help, but have no further advice here. I don't see it as an issue. Standard TV looks so bad, compared to anything else, on any projector, that I refuse to quibble about noise differences when watching SD TV.

And that brings me to the subject of motion blur. LCD and LCoS projectors are often accused of being "slow", and truly, their panels cannot react anywhere near as fast as a DLP chip.

Up until now, I have pretty much ignored motion blur - simply because I never notice it. I have presumed, that, like with the DLP rainbow effect, it affects some people more than others. In my case, I am only slightly sensitive to RBE, which has allowed me to own and enjoy a number of DLP projectors.

Finally, though, I have seen motion blur - or at least I think so. Two nights ago, in flipping through the channels, I stumbled on to a tennis match on HDTV. Sure enough, I'm seeing something that could well be described as a motion blur. Of course, it's possible that the blurring I was seeing on the fast moving tennis ball, is part of the broadcast - no real way to tell, right now - not until I have another DLP in here, and can view tennis in HDTV again.

I did switch, however, to my JVC, and noticed the same effect. Since, however both technologies are similar in speed, it didn't answer the question of projector, or source material.

Bottom line: Great in terms of image noises. Verdict not in on motion blur. Let me say this: If what I did see on the fastest moving tennis balls (when the camera isn't following the motion), is all projector, then I imagine, a few people will be put off by it. My personal opinion, though is that if this is what motion blur is all about, it's another minor factor, and certainly not a deal breaker except for those, who find motion blur to be their personal pet peeve, much as some who will only buy the absolute quietest projectors. For most of us, a total non-issue.

OK, be wise, and spend the 60 seconds or so, it takes to read the Warranty page. It is an important consideration. You're spending a lot of money on a projector, so read the page. It might make a difference. After that - it's off to the summary!