The new Epson Home Cinema 5050UB launched last month, is almost certainly the most anticipated new home theater projector from Epson in over two years, and certainly one of the most anticipated projectors from any projector manufacturers.
"I'm so excited, I just can't hide it..." - The Pointer Sisters. Regulars have long known that I have considered most of the UB projectors (over the years) to hold the honor of being the best value among the relatively affordable serious home theater projector that isn't ridiculously expensive. Basically, we're talking $1500 - $5000 range.
Epson's Home Cinema 5050UB is about many things, especially:
Great black level performance, especially considering the price
Great in a dedicated home theater or "cave," yet also happy (thanks to 2600 max lumens) to work well in media rooms, living rooms, dens, family rooms, etc. as long as you have some reasonable lighting control. Expansive and capable eature set, there are few projectors anywhere near the price that can take on this Epson, feature for feature.
The great thing about my getting to write this Advertorial with Epson is that I get to drop in my opinions, instead of it being all manufacturer's usual marketing. Put another way: although I am most enthusiastic about the HC5050UB, I get to downplay some of the usual hype that goes into manufacturers own advertorials.
Projector Reviews full, in-depth review of the HC5050UB is in the works.
Epson Home Cinema 5050UB (aka HC5050UB) projector: 4K capable, loaded with features and abilities!
I had previously written that the model below this 5050UB - the HC4010, launched last fall - was selling so well that there were significant back orders. (good for Epson) Days ago I was speaking with Epson folks, discussing this new model, and learned that the Home Cinema 5050UB is off to an even hotter start in sales than the HC4010 was. Not that I was surprised.
The Home Cinema 5050UB - aka HC5050UB - replaces the earlier HC5040UB, which has been shipping for over 2.5 years! Many expected this projector to be launched last fall, at CEDIA and IFA, along with the Home Cinema 4010 and Pro Cinema 4050, which were launched just a few weeks apart).
That is the traditional time for Epson to launch home theater projectors, although sometimes they have launched lower end home entertainment models at CES or other times.
Epson tells me that while the step down HC4010 and PC4050, have many improvements, there were a few new features and capabilities that were just not ready in time for a near year-end launch of a new UB projector. We'll be discussing those in a minute.
The HC5050UB started shipping on April 9th (we already did a "First Look" short review).
Here are the basics - Epson Home Cinema 5050UB:
- MSRP: $2999
- Brightness: 2600 lumens
- Motorized Lens features
- Zoom
- Focus
- Lens shift
- Lens Memory - to support owning wide screens
- Faster (18Ghz) HDMI than all previous Epsons allows for
- Low input lag for hardcore gamers
- Full support of 4K up to HDR/60fps/P3 color
- Two ways to do HDR and color
- "Best" - Digital Cinema mode for 4K HDR with P3 color
- "Brightest" - Cinema or Natural mode for 4K HDR with REC709 color
- Choose "Best" for the best color
- Or about twice as bright: Choose "Digital Cinema " for a big jump in brightness, but not quite as good color
- Use that "best" for movies in a properly darkened room
- Use that "brightest" combination for sports or some lights on
- Two-year warranty with two years of a rapid replacement program
- Usually overnight (1 business day)
Now, let's talk about where the Home Cinema 5050UB positions in "home theater space." I'll start with a little background.
It's been over a decade since the first "UB" series projector. When that one launched in 2007, (the HC1080UB), it was a game changer. The selling prices were similar back then, but those older model UBs were no match in features. The original UB sold for about what this 5050UB will over its life.this new UB has lots of big-time new capabilities and improved picture quality: Now you get motorized lens features, 3D, 4K capabilities including HDR and P3 color, etc. Still, what set that first UB apart from everything else near or below its price, was truly superior black level performance. To do better, you would have had to spend way more on a JVC.
Both companies launched their first projectors with great black levels in 2007. Not exactly the same price. The old Epson was under $3000, while the JVC RS1 was $6295!
To this day, Epson remains the leader in more affordable projectors with excellent black level performance.
Epson sells this new Home Cinema projector online, find them at top online projector resellers as well as at Amazon. The HC5050UB is also available at your local big box houses including Best Buy, and Walmart!
Or, many of you will choose to purchase from smaller local dealers, most of them are full-fledged integrators that can provide the projector all the accessories, and, if you choose, do a professional installation in your home.
Epson’s Home Cinema 5050UB like many great Epson projectors before it, blend technology expertise with performance, a great feature set, and legendary support. Providing value, it seems, is one of Epson’s key strengths. With that in mind, there should be little surprise that Epson is by far (no one close), the largest seller of projectors in North America.
Again, as a disclosure: This is an advertorial contracted by Epson, primarily written by me, aka Art Feierman (they get to do minor edits - if I approve of them). Works for me! -art
