Epson - Home Cinema 5050UB (V11H930020)

Honestly a room this nice you might want to just hire an integrator. It’s more expensive but it will be done right. The other option is to set up a video call with audio advice or dream media and show them the room and have them give you options. If you’re hands on and somewhat tech savvy it’s not hard to diy especially if the wires are already run Edit on second glance it doesn’t look like there’s runs for Atmos speakers or even surrounds. I guess the better question is what is your budget and what are you looking for? Edit 2: I read some of your other replies The cheapest projector I would reccomend is an Epson 5050ub. It’s 4k but with pixel shifting. It’s decent but you can do much better and it will run you about 2-3k. You can definitely go cheaper but you’re better off asking in r/projectors than here. Most of us are snobs about our image quality here. The next step up gives you real 4k wnd HDR and much better image quality. The Epson LS1200 is the most affordable of these at 4 grand. The new Sony projectors and JVC are fantastic if you can spend more

Same. I’ve had mine for four years and it’s amazing.

I have a 5050ub and was thinking of upgrading to a nz700. Worth it? Noticeable?

If only the 5050 would stop going up in price. I almost pulled the trigger on one for 2500 at one point but figured it would continue to go down in price. Boy was I wrong it’s up to 3700 now and I just can’t understand how a 6 year old electronic device has just continued to cost more.

Have you watched hdr content? This is where the 5050ub really shines. Also, use digital cinema on high settings. Calibrate it if you can. You'll be surprised how good it can be!

Same here. I have a 77" C3 with a soundbar and a 5050UB with a 5.1 sound system. I usually watch movies with really good sound on the projector and ones with really good visuals on the OLED.

I run a 5050ub at 135” in my living room. I game, watch movies, YouTube, anything and everything. I’ll likely never use a tv for my primary screen again.

I have a 110" screen paired with an Epson 5050UB and would choose that over a 100" TV every time if I could only have one. The projector looks great, but besides that, the experience feels different and more special when I lower the screen and watch on the projector. When I watch on the TV in the same room, it feels like I'm just watching TV instead of enjoying a moviegoing experience. Not to mention, watching a movie with a projector on a large screen is much easier on the eyes with its reflecting light vs. a TV's light blasting directly into my retinas. A large TV screen also produces more heat, which becomes very noticeable in a smaller room with the door closed. I love my TVs, don't get me wrong. But if I had to choose a 100" TV or 110" projector screen for movies, I'm going with the projector every time. I find immersion from more than just the screen size, even though the adjustable size is an awesome perk.

Plenty of options on a projector, and the Valerion is well reviewed. No way to know how bad the laser speckle may be and if it bothers you or anyone in your family. Rainbow Effect (RBE) is another thing nobody knows about until they see it themselves. I am RBE sensitive, but it typically doesn't bug me much and I get used to it at a point I don't complain except very rarely. A safer model may be something like the Epson 5050UB, which is larger and has a lot more lens it is working with. Hard to call that out as 'better' overall, but definitely won't have laser speckle or RBE issues.

Either the 5050UB or the BenQ X500i. If you can find a Valerion, it may do a really good job as well. The contrast is going to be okay at best with the BenQ or a model like the Epson 3800.

You will be very underwhelmed with the lifestyle options when coming from a solid home theater designed model. DLP may match the contrast of your old 8350, but the most comparable model to the 8350 today would be the Epson 4010. Better is their 5050UB, or LS11000/LS12000 series of projectors. Those are the direct upgrades to the 8350. The lack of zoom and lens shift means you are basically using keystone correction and digital zoom to make the image fit your screen. This loses resolution as well as light output when in use. Always. And should be avoided. It is still a personal decision, but I wouldn't expect you to feel like it is an upgrade in the least. But, you may be happy to live with it so you can put the projector where you want it.

In my opinion, your throw distance is a massive issue. You've locked in some variables which will increase your cost. For a 130" screen from 19.6 feet, this is the list of projectors which can do it... [https://www.projectorcentral.com/projectors.cfm?g=2&ar=16%3A9&t=6&exp4=1&td=19.6&is=130&oop=1&sort=%24#list](https://www.projectorcentral.com/projectors.cfm?g=2&ar=16%3A9&t=6&exp4=1&td=19.6&is=130&oop=1&sort=%24#list) The Epson 5050UB probably is the best deal overall. A really good image with good black levels and very well respected. It is a LARGE projector, and has been a top favorite for several years now. That said, it uses traditional lamps, which will be tough to get in the EU in upcoming years. There are a lot of lifestyle projectors which have been giving very good image quality and have had really strong reviews, but they rarely have a zoom lens and rarely have a long enough throw distance to hit a 130" diagonal from such a long distance. This video covers some of them... [https://youtu.be/ClIboELoz74?si=nopTpMVdGZ-a0ZM2](https://youtu.be/ClIboELoz74?si=nopTpMVdGZ-a0ZM2) Models like the very well reviewed Hisense C2 are strong options, but need between about 8-14 feet for a 130" screen diagonal... [https://www.projectorcentral.com/Hisense-C2\_Ultra-projection-calculator-pro.htm](https://www.projectorcentral.com/Hisense-C2_Ultra-projection-calculator-pro.htm)

DLP generally just can't keep up on black levels compared to the better Epson, Sony, and JVC models. The 5050UB has been long stated to be one of the best values for quality in the industry, but it is long overdue for a laser update to it. The NP5 is an easy one to call the 'best of the bunch', but the lamp light source instead of a laser really does suck.

This is what I use as well. Love it.

Would say no. I had a 5050UB and a 100" screen. Replaced it with a 98" TCL QM7K. It looks "smaller."

Whats the budget? I have had good luck with Epson, BenQ and JVC Projectors! I currently run an epson ub5050 in my space.

Epson have had a bunch of those a while now. First (and still relevant with 8000:1 contrast today for a fourth the price of the 1000) the 5050ub which is bulb fed but otherwise almost identical, and then the LS11000 and LS12000 which are lasers. The LS12000 is a very mildly worse variant of the QB1000.

You'd probably be better off with a 5050ub even though it's bulb fed. It has considerably better black levels. They're cheaper too (well.. same ballpark). Or, you could look into the Valerion projectors, the Pro 2 model almost certainly gives you a better image in just about every way. Or the Max, better yet. Since you're talking about in-wall speakers, UST projectors are out (can't combine UST ALR screen with perforations) otherwise one of those would have been a choice, at 120 inches; a $2000-ish Nexigo Aurora Pro provides a better image and better dark room viewing than the LS11000 (haven't seen it with my own eyes, have seen a comparo online by The Hook Up). Epson projectors also all have loud fans; I'm an Epson owner myself. I have to run mine on 70% power to shut the fan up otherwise it sounds like a vacuum cleaner.

Yep on a high end Epson 4K HDR LCD projector at 120 inches Looks so damn good.

Yes silver ticket is the sweet spot imo This is the projector I use its amazing for sports, movies, daily tv and gaming all light conditions. Though we mostly use it for sports, hosting parties and family movie nights https://www.bestbuy.com/product/epson-home-cinema-5050ub-4k-pro-uhd-3-chip-hdr-projector-white/J7JTY39P8K/sku/6344895?sb_share_source=PDP&ref=app_pdp&loc=pdp_page I bought and tested multiple projectors in the $2000-$5000 range and this was the one I liked the best.

The contrast of the 12000 and 6050 are very close with edge going to 6050.  The 12000 is sharper with better hdr handling, laser light source, and you can change brightness in small steps with it being silent at 80%.  There is a new qb1000 which costs a lot more and I haven’t seen yet

I think their price is much too high for that age. Eventually the Epson will burn its polarizers and need $1200 in repair. That’s a lot closer after 7 years. Screens from companies like silver ticket look great for $400. I could live with one just fine. My $3000 Stewart does look better, smoother, brighter, perfectly even. Don’t spend $100 unless you need to. But $400 gets you most of the way there. Used Stewart’s that are local can be had really cheap too as it’s a tough to sell product

I’ve got 3 boys, 5,3,and 2, and I love them but nothing is safe from them to be honest. I’ve got the Epson 5050ub in the basement theater, it’s completely light controlled, and it’s an awesome projector if you’ve got the space for a long throw projector and you can adequately control the light. In my old house we used remote controlled blackout shades on the windows because the room had 3 large windows, and that did the trick. They were $75 each from Amazon and surprisingly it was one of the things that helped sell the house. In our main den though we have a 75 inch tv mounted above the fireplace, way too high for them to reach unless they throw something. A projector isn’t a great solution for your main family room.

I have a 5050UB but prior to that I had an Acer H6510BD. That was an amazing projector with an amazing picture for the price. The light output was like 3200 lumens and the picture was crisp

Incredible! My 5050UB might need some color calibration

I honestly think you’d be delighted with the LS12000 from Epson.  The QB1000 is slightly better, but without having them side by side you wouldn’t be able to tell. Hell my jaw drops whenever I turn on my Epson 5050ub.

I got a used 5050ub on eBay last week. Fairly happy and the lens shift / zoom is amazing but not blown away with the image.…..perhaps simply because I’ve gone from 80” on a 4K optoma to 120”.

I got a used Epson 5050ub and it's fantastic. You can probably buy it at around $1,100-$1,300. Found it on Offer up/Marketplace.

Idk how much space you have between walls, but maybe an UST might be something to consider. I have this $40 in my daughters room and it looks great. I do have an Epson 5050ub for my theatre room and have tried a few projectors. Maybe look for a facebook marketplace deal on a Benq. https://a.co/d/6jo5LC3

Love my Epson

I was considering the LS12000 and ended up going with the 5050UB. I decided it was worth waiting to see what other updates come down the road with laser projectors. The 5050UB is excellent. I've been completely blown away by it on a 120" screen. 

Your space is incredibly similar to mine (13' by 11') and we still went with a projector. We got the Epson 5050UB and a 120" screen. 

I love it. I was debating the LS12000. I decided against it because it seems like new tech and I'd rather wait for the next generation. The 5050 was about half the price, on sale. I expected it to feel like a significant downgrade from my OLED and it definitely doesn't. The picture, on a Plex server running 4k content, looks incredible. I also needed it to do some location adjustments, since it's not sitting centered, and being able to do that all via the remote is great. I'm very pleased with it. 

Let me guess, youre not into projectors a whole lot but you are into crunching numbers? People can poopoo this comment o'mine but 98% of projectors out there are Ultra Short Throw or Regular/Long Throw. Now, truth is, once in awhile we see a unit selling that could be called medium throw or short throw. But there arent enough to make a category for them. Plus, a pro tip I'll really get creamed for...Epsons really shouldnt even be included in lists these days. Sounds crazy to you I'm sure. Its cos theyre old models that while known to produce good/great images theyve never been innovative. That means they suck power, dont have any recent tech. Price way too high. Here's an example of an innovative company thats been around 4 years approx and have made a name for themselves. And here is a new product of theirs, [Dangbei MP1 MAX](https://a.co/d/60FzOGh) thats $1999. Take a moment to look at the specs and look at the Epson 5050UB specs that's $2700. And compare their form factor. The Epson looks like it was sold next to the RCA Deluxe Color Galaxy console tv at Montgomery Ward. If you want to make useful projector lists you need to change the categories to price range. Dont do an under $100 category. Not saying it isnt viable just trust me..make the first one $0-$200. The $201-$600. $601 - $1000. People still have a bad taste in their mouth from all the cheap Chinese junk that was being offered for years. The under $100 just doesnt deserve a category of its own. The most exciting category these days for budget minded folk is $300 to $400. And today there are more unkown brands putting out models with high brightness in that price range that people really seem to like. Its a new category. [Putrims 1200 ANSI Google TV](https://a.co/d/3mgeNif)

I have a Epson 5050UB https://youtube.com/shorts/pmT7KNF0LHo?si=EG2Uquq3wZ5rI59k Thats what it looks like on just a plain wall. No screen at the time I made the video.

Last year, I set up a projector in my basement using a 110 inch screen. I first tried the BenQ 3560 and it was OK for its price, but I wanted better. So I went ahead and picked up the BenQ 4550i. While it was brighter then the 3560 and colors were a little better, the contrast was better then the 3560 but still meh. So, I then picked up the epson 5050ub because of all the fantastic reviews. Well, the Epson 5050ub crushed the other 2 projectors in CONTRAST. While, even the BenQ 4550i looked like mud in space scenes and any dark scene. The epson is brighter in HDR, and the black floor as well as blacks are just so much better. Maybe the DL] with 4k pixel shift was a little sharper and the 4550i had slightly better color in HDR BUT it doesnt matter because the epaon 5050ub 3lcd was much better in where it really counts. I would get a 5050ub if you can snag one for cheap. I sent all the other projectors back and I kept the epson.

Yep, I had a 3560, 4550i, and an Epson 5050ub in my house and I ended up keeping the 5050ub because of RBE and also because the epson crushed the other 2 in contrast.

Thats what I have and I AM HAPPY : )

If this helps you. About 2 years ago, In my house I had a BenQ 3560, BenQ 4550i, and an Epson 5050ub. I compared these 3 for about a week, and I ended up keeping the epson 5050ub because the contrast ratio of the epson was light years better then the other 2 projectors. Yes, the 4550i had better color and was a little sharper but overall the epson had a much more engaging picture because of the contrast. The 3560 was meh. Also, my wife was bothered by the rainbow effect of the dip.

I went from 65 inch oled to 110 inch epson 5050ub and I am very happy.

Thanks man. While the ub5050 is dated and is not 4k, It gets me 90% there. I paid $1800 new, so I am happy! I noticed the biggest factor is what you feed it. Highly compressed files, and it looks terrible. 4k disc's, and it looks very sharp. I had a 4k pixel shift. BenQ 4550i and while it was a little sharper, I sent it back, and I kept the 5050ub because the contrast was much much better. Contrast is king.

FYI epson 5050ub is 2x pixels shift while newer projectors are 4x pixel shift. Honestly, my 4k disc's look excellent on my projector.

The smart money is on the Epson 5050. I love mine and I’m pretty sure I’m not getting the best picture from it yet

I’ve had the 5050 for 5 years now. It’s an absolute beast. Don’t feel the need to upgrade any time soon. Excited to hear your feedback comparing that two.

I use an epson 5050ub. Not UST but don’t notice any input lag

Be careful with the Epson 3800. Lots of people have to return for bad focus uniformity and dust blobs. But I'm sure you'll love it if it's a good unit. For $2500 though I would have bought a refurbished 5050UB or Valerion Pro 2. I went with an 85 inch TV only because of our ambient light situation but for you a PJ is the best move. See how it is but honestly I would return it for the 5050UB or the Valerion.

For your application, I would recommend an ALR screen so that you have a better picture contrast under different lighting conditions. Get a motorised retractable screen so that the screen is not down when not in use. That will protect it from accidental damage. Look at the Elite CineGrey, a motorized 106” is just under $1300 US on Amazon. Don’t use a short throw projector set up. Short-throw setups usually assume the projector is sitting on a console under and in front of the screen. Get a standard throw Epson like the UB5050 or a 3800 if you’d like something even more budget friendly. Ceiling mount the projector overhead so that the projector is also protected from damage.

I have both but I end up using the OLED more. That said I still enjoy the projector setup a lot even though it’s not as nice visually. We watch only certain types of movies on it where the large screen immersion may feel more important than absolute quality. One of the other reasons is that tvs allow you to watch with lights on so you can do other things like chores etc. the projector requires full light control and darkness to be enjoyable so it’s more dedicated/committed experience. We end up a lot of times wanting to multitask so that means it’s tv time. Depends on your lifestyle. I’m 8ft from 77” oled, 12ft from 135” Epson 5050.

Invest in building a videoprocessor.org setup. It will help the black levels and uplevel the projector significantly. I have a 6050ub that is calibrated and uses it. I get LLDV, HDR and SDR benefits with it. Highly recommend. Can easily be bought or built for under $1k and will make it seem like a modern new projector with the best DTM and color. Hard to explain how much better it makes any projector.

I looked at the LS11000 for a while then found an Epson Cinema 5050 used at a great price. Can’t recommend it enough and the price delta upgraded my subs.

Possibly. It depends if you have the money to drop. I was looking at them and ended up buying a great condition Epson Cinema 5050UB as an upgrade. I’m thrilled with the performance bump over my old projector and kept over $8500 in my packet. That $8500 has turned into sub and atmos upgrades. I still have money left over and my theatre experience is 100% changed for the better.

I like my Epson 5050 more than my LG oleds

Image is very high quality, input lag is good and the 120 inches beats my 65" by a long shot The oled doesn't outshine projector pros imo

The 5050UB is 1920x1080 native, 3840x1080 shifted. The 665ES is 3840x2160 native, but is also significantly dimmer at 1800 vs 2600 lumens. It’s also several years older than your 5050UB, so you might want to research how good its HDR reproduction is. It also may be a unit affected by panel degradation.

Either the Epson 5050UB (bulb) or the Epson LS11000 (laser) would be my recommendation. I had a 5050UB for 5 years and it was fantastic. Just upgraded to a QB1000 myself.

I have an Epson 5050UB I purchased in November 2020. Since then I've replaced the bulb once when it got to 3,500 hours. The second bulb (OEM from Epson) is currently at 2,900 hours. Last week it started not turning on. When I power on it shows the logo and within 5 seconds the status and temp light flash, fan spins up to full speed, and motorized lens shuts. According to the manual this means that there is a sensor or fan issue. I tried putting another bulb in it. New from Epson, OEM. Didn't work. I don't want to pay to have it repaired. So now I'm looking for a new projector. I was looking at the Epson LS12000 but for the price and not a lot more it looks like there's a lot of other options. This is my home theater. https://www.avsforum.com/threads/september-2022-home-theater-of-the-month-powered-by-anthem.3256659/ The throw distance is 21' 4" onto a Silver Ticket 158” 2.35:1 Acoustically Transparent WVS Fixed Frame. Room is fully light controlled with no windows. I can go to around $5000 or maybe somewhat more. I'm most concerned with the likes of the JVC and Sony options Lumens being less than that of the Epson. At a 21' 4" max throw distance and Acoustically transparent woven screen with 1.1 gain, and without a anamorphic lens, raw lumens are important for me. Not sure if it's something to really worry about though? Appreciate any help!

I have been using an Epson ex3240 for a few years now to project a 105" screen. Ran across a local guy selling their 5050ube and decided to take the chance. It feels like I'm at a real movie theater now! Size difference between the two is insane... Even optimized my computer with the help of AI to get all the settings perfect with MPC and MadVR. Right now it's sitting on a projector table but will probably ceiling mount and eventually increase the size to a 150" 4k screen, and get a Dolby Atmos setup vs the 5.1 I have now. Either way I'm super happy with the upgrade. Hopefully I can sell the old one for $50 or something, haha! Just wanted to share. Thanks!

I did a ton of research and best bang for buck was the Epson 5050UB. About 1/3 the price used and about 90% of the picture quality of the LS12000.

Love my 5050UBe... Looks great!

I bought a used 5050ube and love it..great picture and adjustment lens for throw options. Very large though.

I got an Epson 5050UBe for my 105" and it was still worth it! Now I just need to upgrade the screen. I would like to go to 120"-135" though eventually...

DLP projectors often overstate their lumen specs and Optoma tends to be especially egregious about this. I’d honestly be surprised if that 4500 lumen Optoma was putting out more than 2000 real ANSI lumens in any mode you’d actually want to watch. I’m also dubious the lamp is the issue. You say it’s acting wonky? What’s wonky? I’ve had several lamp based projectors and, yes, the lamps do go bad but they are fairly easily replaced. All that said: I really DO like DLP especially for outdoor applications. You don’t have to worry about filters or dirt getting into the light path. They are comparably compact and efficient. Lastly, there is such a wide variety of DLP make/models out there that almost everyone can find something to fit their needs. I also really like the idea of solid state. While lamp has a cost advantage we’re at the point where LED and laser projectors are getting reasonably priced and offer a substantial upgrade in terms of longevity and picture quality. The Epson you picked out seems to be a nice model for high brightness applications. But like AV said: these high brightness, business use models tend to have a reputation for pretty mediocre contrast/blacks. That extends to both 3LCD and DLP but a comparable price/performance DLP like the $1300, 1080p BenQ LH730 would probably do a bit better here and be sharper to boot. I run a projector outside on a 120” Elite screens yardmaster. But I prefer to stick with 4K these days. If I’m traveling I take a BenQ TK700STI which is a 3000 lumen (but not really) short throw, lamp based, gaming projector. I love that thing for how compact and convenient it is and how you can throw a big image without needing a lot of space. Built in wifi streaming and Bluetooth audio out in a package that weighs less than 7 lbs. At home my upstairs sometimes outdoor projector is a BenQ X3000i (replaced with the X3100i now in BenQ’s lineup). That projector is even brighter and a lot more colorful and has the benefit of LED so no lamp to fuss with. But at 15lbs and requiring more throw I wouldn’t exactly call it portable. For reference my home theater projector was a BenQ HT4550i, then an Epson 5050UB (temporarily) and I’m now using a BenQ W2720i in that space.

We have a 77 inch Samsung S 95D in our family room for daily viewing(TV shows, sports, news, etc.) However, we do have a dedicated light controlled home theater. 142 inch scope screen with an Epson 6050 UB projector, 7.3.4 Atmos speaker system. This is used primarily for movies and cinematic streaming. For us, the projector is the way to go for viewing movies.

Nah the 5050 is a beast, even today. Maybe they could be brighter, but nothing more

i play through an Epson 5050ub on a 110” screen. I don’t sim race. I play single player games like Assassin’s Creed Odyssey, Subnautica, Starfield and it is AMAZING! It’s so immersive and looks great! I don’t notice any lag or problems. My gaming rig is upstairs in the office connected to the theater with a 75’ fiber HDMI cable and usb over Ethernet for the controller. The shadow issue would be a matter of placement of the projector and sim rig. Probably best to ceiling mount the projector.

I got my last Epson 5050 and 6040 UB on Ebay a couple years ago.  One's at my mom's house, one's at my old house (now my friend's house).  Both projectors are still fine.

Felt this! I re-bought my same 10-year-old speakers on eBay when I moved. Would've bought another Epson 5050UB, too--but its throw is too long for the room =(

I have a 65" LG Oled and a 106" screen w/an Epson 5050UB. I LOVE the projector and it has a great picture even when there is some ambient light. But as good as the projector picture is, all things being equal I'd pick the LG's picture quality every time, so if I wanted a screen <100" I would go TV; it's just so much more flexible as it excels in any conditions. I'd do a 77" OLED, although I'm in the States and not sure how close to your thousand pound mark you can get.

I have a 3800 but if the budget is $2k you can get a 5050ub for just a little more at $2300

lol I just saw including screen and mount, so maybe not. But I’m close to pulling the trigger on upgrading to the 5050ub after dealing with 3800 black levels and focus uniformity issues.

That 16 feet mount while requiring 3d will probably be the hardest to match vs your budget. Can you buy a used 5050ub? Probably would be the easiest fit. Most if not all lifestyle projector (except the valerion max with an additionnal lens and out of your budget and still no horizontal shift) will have a shorter native throw (i assume you want to avoid keystone). Most other new projector other than lifestyle don't have 3d or not enough lumens for that throw Maybe benq 4550i but at that throw you need a 150" screen

The issue is the lenght of your throw to project quite a small screen . For horizontal lensshift needed 4k 3d long throw if you can't increase much the screen size other than the benq at a reasonable price but still need to project quite big there is the jvc nz800 at 15k$ or sony 6100es at 18k$ approximately. The horizontal lensshift is really a big issue. One additional possibility would be epson 3800 with manual vertical and horizontal lens shift (you can do about 105 " at 16' however its 60% vertical and 24 horizontal i don't know of its enough for u) and cheap enough its also pretty good for gaming i think. I think the epson 5050ub shpuld be your goto if you need your current shifts they are the same and its a great projector (the last epson prosumer with 3d)

Those are both good projectors. The Benq is sharper and the epson has better blacks. Let us know your findings

An old 1080p Walmart Onn projector for $80 got me to love projectors, and now I have an Epson 5050UD. Its great if you are unsure about projectors or have a specific use case to buy a cheapo one and see the possibilities. Wouldn't have our home theater without falling in love with that inital $80 projectors. Fuck the snobs

Hi! Given your priorities, I’d stick with 3LCD for the safest blacks and no rainbow risk; something like the Epson EH-TW9400/5050UB on the used (or new) market is a clean upgrade for you. It has great lens shift to hit your existing mount, noticeably better contrast than your TW7300, and still plenty of brightness. If that’s too pricey, you could downscale to the EH-TW7100/3800; its blacks aren't as good as the 5050UB but still a solid all-rounder. The BenQ DLPs you listed can fit and are fine, but they won’t match Epson’s dark-room capabilities and you might notice some RBE. The BenQ X3100i is a top pick for gaming, but the RBE is noticeable on it for people who are sensitive to it.

I've tested a lot of projectors (written reviews for some) and seen many others. I had a Epson 5050 and JVC RS420 before this one. I also have a Nexigo Aurora Pro MKII in for review right now. N5? Are you in Europe? I know the NX5 was called the N5 over there. I think the NZ500 is a pretty big jump over the bulbed JVCs. Contrast in mixed scenes is quite a bit better and it'll stay brighter over the long haul due to laser. I also really don't like the dynamic contrast on previous JVCs but it is pretty good on the NZ500. On the NX and NP models it clips too much and makes people look like wax in dark scenes

Used 5050UB, Epson LS11000, Epson LS12000

5050UB all the way.

I like the fact that I can use the Epson Lens memory to easily adjust the lens to any aspect ratio. I got the biggest 2.35:1 screen I could get in my room and it lets me adjust to any aspect ratio quickly with only black bars on the sides. Black bars on the top and bottom are much more distracting.

Absolutely. I don’t think I’d ever buy a projector without lens memory. I have an Epson 5050UB. I originally went with a 135” 16:9 screen but I actually hated watching 16:9 TV on that screen. It was too big to comfortably watch sports, and I would actually shrink it down to about 110” to watch most 16:9 TV programming. For movies the 2.35:1 content was too small, and the black bars were distracting. Finally made the switch to a 142” 2:35:1 screen, and it’s perfect. I get the benefit of a massive panoramic screen for movies and some TV shows, and for 16:9 content it’s a little over 110”. I was skeptical before, but 2.35:1 is absolutely the way to go with a home theater IMO.

You have to adjust the projector lens for each aspect ratio manually, then save each one as a preset. After that you just select the preset and the projector will automatically adjust the lens. AppleTV won’t change the aspect ratio. Technically it will still be 16:9, but you adjust the image to fit the screen using the lens shift. Projectors that will output 2:35:1 natively are $$$$$$. My front wall is 8x12 ft. Actually 9 ft in the center, but I have soffits that run the length of the room on each side. My 142" 2.35:1 screen is hung basically as close to soffit as I can get it, and there is only a few inches of clearance bwteen the wall and screen frame on each side. I'll try and find some photos to show the difference between my old 135" 16:9 screen and new 2.35:1 new one.

Epson 5050UB. Can still get on sale for $2,500 before the price increase goes into effect in July https://www.projectorscreen.com/epson-powerlite-home-cinema-5050ub-lcd-projector-with-2600-lumens.html

Around a grand isn’t going to get you but a budget projector. You’re better off with a 82” TV unless you are willing to spend around $2-3k for something like the Epson 5050UB for decent picture. If your living room is light controlled you can get away with something cheaper like a Benq HT3550, I started around the same price range and wish I upgraded sooner to the Epson.

I got my Epson 5050UB for under $1200 used. Works great. Definitely check local users listings first.

Epson 5050ub and whatever is left for a sound system

Good point. Refurb for 2300?

Qi have the 5050 and love it.

A refurbished Epson 5050UB is an excellent option. Retail price for new is $3,000, but you can find refurbished around $2,200. You may also be able to call an independent store or small chain and get a price in the low-mid $2k range. I got a refurb four years ago directly from Epson for $2,100 and am very pleased with it. Rich colors, super low input lag for gaming, no DLP rainbow effect, good blacks, crazy good zoom and lens shift. It’s also an extremely popular model, so there is ample support and knowledge online for calibration and troubleshooting. 

I just really don't believe that. I have a Epson 5050ub in my downstairs theater with blacked out walls and a nice screen, I also have a cheap 100 dollar project shining on the ceiling of my bedroom. The picture even at 100 bucks is impressive. My friend has one around the 500 range which I could find if I really need to but I dont know its model off the top of my head, green boxy fella. And it honestly looks amazing. If you're telling people don't bother if you can't drop 1000 bucks, you're gatekeeping, that's really all it is. People should be allowed, encouraged, and supported in enjoying projectors even if they can't drop 1000 dollars on a projector and another 4 digits into the room, and they more often than not will really enjoy it.

I currently have the 5050ub and am a backer for the Valerion VisionMaster Max. Assuming no major issues with rainbow effect or speckle, this projector should beat out these Epson's. Color volume is greater, tone mapping is better, it's brighter, and black levels are comparable. And it's cheaper.

Not well versed in this stuff but I got the Epson 5050 and didn't like it, switched to NP5 and liked it a lot more. Both a model below the ones you're looking at.

I tested the JVC NP5 vs NZ7 vs Epson 5050, returned the 5050. Not sure how much better Epson laser is but the JVC's were significantly better to me.

To me yeah definitely. I went from a 5020 => 5050 and didn't see much of an improvement I returned it and tried the NP5 and NZ7 , both seemed significantly better, colors (contrast?) and detail level. Kept the NZ7, missed the return window on the NP5, need to list it on ebay soon lol

If you don't need 60hz HDR you can find a 5040ub for under 1k very easily and it is basically the same as the 5050ub. It will still do HDR just fine on 24p content

Building a theater in the house we just bought and needed to decide on a a projector. I Read all over that the Epson 5050ub is the best projector under $3000, and I was able to find one for $1700 with only 100 hours on it. Only an hour after I bought that I found a BenQ HT3550 for $300 with only 500 hours on it. I figured if I keep the epson I can sell the benq for at least what I paid. With the $1400 in savings I could budget a ton more to audio so I’m hoping the benq is good enough. Time to do some testing!

So I watched an animated spider man show and severance yesterday with both of them. I do not have a screen yet so I’m stuck watching these on a beige wall. Biggest differences is the epson is so much more viewable with the ambient light. I had several lights on in my room and I could see the image perfectly fine. The benq isn’t really bright enough to do that and looks really washed out with the lights on. Secondly, the lens shift on the epson is insanely good. I can move the image like entire feet instead of inches. When it comes to lights off is when it gets a lot closer. Without a proper screen it’s hard to say if the epson is $1400 better. They both look very good to me in dark viewing. I also need to look up the best settings for them so I’ll have to do another round of testing.

If you look long enough you can find a 5050UB around that. I picked one up second hand with 100 hours on it for $1600.

yes I mean two hundred dollars. It's cheap but not one of the mega cheap ones. It compares favorably to the mega cheap ones but is crappier than my $700 Benq 2050 and much crappier than the epson 5050UB in the living room. You need near total darkness for the cheaper ones to look decent, some of them just don't focus at all, etc. I do video synthesis nonsense and weird installations and stuff so I am always looking for whatever the cheapest thing that's bright enough to show up in a lit space and focuses reasonably well.

TW 7100 (HC3800 in the US) ceiling mounted is your only Option then. This would be the next step up (5050UB) in the US: [https://www.classaaudio.com.au/projector/1812-epson-eh-tw9400-4k-pro-uhd-home-cinema-projector-8715946666303.html](https://www.classaaudio.com.au/projector/1812-epson-eh-tw9400-4k-pro-uhd-home-cinema-projector-8715946666303.html) I strongly recommend to buy the Projector where you can get an extended Warranty (5 Years). And buy a proper Screen. These are the best Bang for the Buck Screens in Australia: [https://www.classaaudio.com.au/169-screen-/2663-visualax-130-fixed-frame-home-cinema-entertainment-projector-screen-169.html](https://www.classaaudio.com.au/169-screen-/2663-visualax-130-fixed-frame-home-cinema-entertainment-projector-screen-169.html)

As somebody who did this. Like actually did this exact thing. With a really nice threatre room as well. I have major regrets. Went from 5050UB that died.. I had choice of going to LS11000 for about $3,600 Canadian. Instead I decided I wanted pure “perfect picture contrast” and went for one of the best 100” tvs I could afford Hisense 100” u88qg for ($5,200 Canadian). So I spent more than the projector replacement would have cost me. And I have MAJOR regrets. It feels fucking tiny. But it’s well past my return policy and I’m not watching as much these days so I’m not gonna change anything for now. Don’t do it

Neither the 5040 or 5050 is native 4k. Unless you've owned a projector before, the hunt for hdr is a very expensive choice if you want a true tv comparison. Having owned both, the 5040 is an exceptional projector when paired with a good screen.

Id go for a Lasertv —> ust like formovie Theater premium BUT prefer Hisense px 3 pro, Epson EpiqVision Ultra LS800 Id go for one of them. Personaly im using actually using epson 5050ub in living room 120“ and laserTv (formovie theater) in mencave 120“

Skip the 3800. It has well known soft focus issues in its corners. I am DLP rainbow sensitive, so I can offer no advice on the BenQ model. 2k budget is pretty much buy a refurbished Epson 5050 and call it a day.

Hey, just an update, ended up getting a very good deal on an Epson TW9400 (6050UB). I a now looking at screens since my teal wall isnt exactly a perfect solution. Even on the curent bulb witch has 3500 hours of eco mode i find the picture almost to bright from time to time. As i am looking for a grey non ALR screen i found the ADEO reference grey 2 a good option but it only has 0.5 gain, probably a little more on the real thing. Does a low gain like that halve the luminosity or does it work diferently ? It seems like the best grey option otherwise, and as i said, in a dark room the curent luminosity of a wall or off a paper sheet is a little too much anyway.

This guy knows projectors - this list is solid -- Epson 5050ub, Epson LS1200, JVC NZ500 are generally accepted as the standout winners at their respective price ranges- (with an emphasis on preference for high contrast performance)

I also have a 5050 and use in a non dedicated room... It's in a living room area with some ambient light... Mainly used in darkened evenings and for movies darkened room with 3D... I sit 12 ft away from a 120". 08 gain screen... Asking what you think of yours and if you think the brightness is almost same as Epson 5050ub?

Either get the glasses and see or research that specific projector. I had 3D with the Panasonic AE8000 and had fun with it but was annoyed at how dim it was. I got the Epson 5050 recently and it was a huge upgrade and I love it. Big tech difference between my 2 projectors but went from what you fear to what I think you want. Don’t know your projector tho. Good luck. Also, you can get 3D blurays from Amazon uk and Germany for a fraction of the cost of the us site even with shipping, exchange rates and vat if you order a few of them.

Same, love my epson, I kept the Benq for outdoor movies for the family. If you’re projecting on a wall the least of your issues will be the rainbow ( it still sucks though )

Support the oppressed minority of 3D lovers ;-) and simply don't buy a projector that does not support 3D, even if you have not (YET) been persuaded what a cool feature it is. Especially not when there are so good alternatives around. I am coming from Epson 5050UB, i even have two. I would not even have looked into alternatives if it wasn't for Epson dropping 3D. Not to mention how i was a loyal Epson customers for printers for decades before they totally P.O'ed me there too. Different story.

I have owned and used both. At the end of the day the specs mean absolutely nothing to me. What matters is the image I am looking at and again, I owned the 5030,5040,5050 (and the LS11000 for a couple of days) and yes, the JMGO outperforms them without question. If you can get a chance to see both I suggest you try cause you will be blown away. https://preview.redd.it/7rlbdueas6ze1.jpeg?width=5712&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=a4eb60122f39d00e2208c72bbf7148ceee195fe8