High End Home Theater Projectors Compared

We compare three popular 1080p true HD home theater projectors; Panasonic PT-AE4000U, Epson Home Cinema 8500 UB, and Vivitek H5080. Two LCD (AE4000U and HC 8500 UB) and one DLP (H5080) projectors are included. We discuss a few of the mail feature differences and show each of the three projectors in action head-to-head.


Video Timeline Breakdown : Hammer Time

0:00 - 0:21 - Introduction to yellow shirt
0:22 - 0:40 - Epson Home Cinema 8500 UB feature overview
0:45 - 1:00 - Vivitek H5080 overview
1:00 - 1:20 - Panasonic PT-AE4000U overview
1:20 - 2:00 - Three projectors compared for color in default dynamic range
2:05 - 3:00 - Lens shift and zoom capability, and additional features on Panasonic PT-AE4000U
3:15 - 3:40 - Close up video from the Panasonic PT-AE4000U
3:40 - 5:50 - Lens shift and zoom capability on the Vivitek H5080
5:30 - 6:00 - Close up video from the Vivitek H5080
6:00 - 6:40 - Lens shift and zoom capability and features on the Epson Home Cinema 8500 UB
7:00 - 7:25 - Close up video from the Epson Home Cinema 8500 UB

Category:

Science & Technology

Tags:

• Panasonic PT-AE4000U
• Epson Home Cinema 8500 UB
• Vivitek H5080
• 1080p projectors
• true HD projectors
• home theater projectors

[bujoun76]

What kind of splitter are you using? I recently bought one and it died on me, after about 2hrs of use, and I really DONT want to go through that again. Can you recommend one?

[ProjectorPeople]

@bujoun76 Hi there! A good splitter is very important. We aways use the QVS 1x4 4 Port HDMI HDTV/HDCP 720p/1080p Splitter/Distribution Amplifier in our shootouts. I can't post links in comments. Drop me a line if you need any more help.

[fingerdrop]

Ok, one more question for you guys. I'll be video djing in many different arenas, (I have LCDs for daytime) and will need a proper portable screen that is very portable (I drive an IS250), durable, and I want a good 8' plus screen (up to 12' I think is ok). Lighter the better.

Any ideas?

screens/chart_portable.asp

[ProjectorPeople]

@fingerdrop Hey there! We can't wait to see your pictures.

As for the screens, I'm so sorry but I'm going to have to refer you to a Projector Expert. There are a few follow-up questions they'd need to ask you in order to find you the best screen.

We try to answer as many questions as we can over channels like YouTube and Facebook, but sometimes they're a little too complex to answer with a quick paragraph.

The Experts are at 1-888-248-0675. Let me know what you end up purchasing!

[fingerdrop]

Hi guys. After watching this video I picked up the Vivitek H5080 for DJing.

You mentioned that there are additional lenses you can purchase for it. I was unable to find those on your website. Do you have any recommendations on where to find those?

[ProjectorPeople]

@fingerdrop Hey there. Sorry, YouTube won't let me post links so I have to explain this the long way.

Search for 'Vivitek H5080' on our site. The first result will be the projector's main page. Click it. Once there, you'll see an 'Accessories' tab. Click it. Scroll down just a tad and you'll find the accompanying lenses.

And hey, while you're at it, send us some pictures of your new purchase in action. We'll feature you on the blog!

Holler if you have any problems finding those lenses.

[aaronhare]

@ProjectorPeople WHAT IS A SPLITTER? I had a projector that was 720p and i dont think I used one

[70short]

Id like to see a shoot out between the panny 7000 and the epson 5010 tweeked to near perfect picture and lets see which 1 wins in the market for 1 of these in the near future

[JSprayaEntertainment]

25,000:1 contrast is not possible ! once it hits the screen.. its the nature of light and what happens when it hits a wall ( your on the internet look up documentaries on light or read something ... people believe anything its sad ...How ever projector screens are rough for this very reason to try and keep lights away from darks and prevent color bleeding ...

1600 LUMENS kinda ! in the day i cannot watch my ($500) 1500 lumens viewsonic

( view my page to see 1500 lumens in action )

[bujoun76]

@ProjectorPeople I found the splitter on Amazon! Thanks.

[sawink]

The Vivitek is also $1000 more than the Panny and why are we doing reviews right out of the box?  You are a professional...Who is going to spend 2-15 thousand dollars and not set up the projector perfectly? (well near)

[len0808]

these are not high end projectors