Epson - PowerLite Home Cinema 5030UB

Yup, I went projector maybe 15 years ago? I’ve been using an Epson 5030ub on a 130 inch screen for about 7 or 8. I just picked up an Epson 6050ub yesterday, excited to hook it up and experience 4k! My motivation was a friend of mine bought a projector, and it just blew me away and exceeded my expectations. I thought projectors would be pixelated, dim, just not as good as a good TV….but it literally looked as good as a movie theater IMO. We still have a bedroom TV, but the projector/movie room is our main.

I know that $500 *sounds* like a lot of money. And it is. But that is an ***extremely*** low budget in the world of projectors. Yes, you're going to have to buy used, but that goes without saying. You're also going to need to pick some other pretty significant compromise to make. And in this case, IMO, you should forget about 4K or HDR. If you stick with 1080p SDR, there starts to be some pretty decent options with good picture quality in this price range. Chief amongst them would be the **Epson 5020UB and 5030UB:** https://www.projectorcentral.com/Epson-PowerLite_Home_Cinema_5020UB.htm https://www.projectorcentral.com/Epson-PowerLite_Home_Cinema_5030UB.htm They were the last and best of Epson's flagship 1080p home theater projectors. They are over a decade old. But they would have superior brightness, contrast, and color accuracy than pretty much anything else in the $500 range. Including anything that claims to do 4K in this price range. You can find used models for less than $500. Example listings: https://www.ebay.com/itm/205824351687 https://www.ebay.com/itm/306379935912 And it's quite easy and affordable to find replacement lamps for them that would restore them to full brightness: https://www.myprojectorlamps.com/projector-lamps/Epson/PowerLite%20Home%20Cinema%205020UB.html

I got a used epson 5030ub that has 2350 hours on it that I’m looking to sell for around $400

I bought the $60 dollar one and it was reasonable for watching low stakes entertainment. It crapped out 3 days into it. I bought a used $200 Epson 1080p 3D capable one and haven’t regretted it. (dont remember the model)

with cheap 100" 4k LED's available (walmart has a 98" Samsung for 1997 right now, costco has 98" TCL for 1599), maybe look at those before spending over $2k for a projector. Unless your screen is bigger than that, then a projector still the way to go since budget TV's max out at 100" right now (another couple years and you'll probably see 120" for $2k). Redoing my basement this is my dilemma - will stick with my 1080p Epson until the price comes down for 120"

I second this. Check Facebook marketplace for used name brand. Whatever you find research the model to avoid the conference room and multimedia model fluff. Literally Google the model number or check projector central website. You want to look for 720p or 1080p home theater models. You won't find anything more than that in your budget. Saw a Marantz VP-12S4 720p projector for $110. Here's an Epson 1080p that retails for $800 for $150. Make sure they test it for you. Ask if the bulb has been replaced. Unfortunately some people know how to reset lamp hours but check that anyways as well in case they haven't. Disregard the 4k advertising from Knock off models, it's a sham. Those are paperweights and just know they won't last long at all. https://preview.redd.it/e2orfdenxwbf1.png?width=1080&format=png&auto=webp&s=307cee1847275b626efaf631982de2e8ca291c5a

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

Yes it is. Got mine open box in 500$. For anime it's a no brainer.

For $800 you’re looking at 1080p not even pixel shift. You’ll have to do the math on throw distance but an Epson 1080 or Benq 585 are decent machines

If that's the case, see if you can look at an Epson 1080, maybe refurbished or open-box. It will be a good starting point and its retail price is around $500 US. The Epson 8350 (my first ever projector) is also a good option. They have been out of production for awhile but they can be had for $250 or less. Only down side is they are larger than that Optoma or the 1080.

I have the Epson 880 and 1080.  They're both fantastic projector and some of the best values you can possibly get, especially in the 200 - $250 range, which is phenomenal value.  1060 is, as I understand it, similar to between the 880 and 1080 so I would absolutely recommend it.

I love my 1080 Epson projector. Quality seems plenty good for me, and I strongly prefer the experience of watching it over my 4k TV. Not sure of the purpose of OP's post, but my enjoyment factor is in no way influenced by your opinions.

Your previous projector only had 1000ANSI lumens not bright enough. I'd say at least 2500-4200 is perfect for daytime viewing. If you pair it with a grey screen even the cheap cloth ones it will improve contrast an reduce the light washout you get in the day. There are also paint mixes you can paint on your wall. For $1100 on Amazon you can get a new Epson 2350 with 4k uhd/pixel shifting 2800ANSI lumens. The Epson 1080 is a decent option for $700 at 1080p 3400ANSI lumens. I have 4 Epson projectors the home cinema 3100 at 2600 ANSI lumens, the 696ui at 3800 ANSI lumens, the 2247u at 4200 ANSI lumens and the LS650 at 3600 ANSI lumens. All bright enough and I have them all in eco mode.

The Epson hc 880, 1060, and 1080 are wonderful little light cannons and great quality for value. If I find one at that price I'm buying it for a secondary or movable protector They still won't compete with the sun but will work well at night/ late evening and they are physically small and easy to move

Try to look locally and find a used epson 880/660/1080/1060 or benq ht2050. They're old enough that they're probably around that price used and they have well documented response times. I sold my HT2050 for 250$ on fb marketplace last year. If you can go up to 500$ you can find an epson official refurbished hc1080 https://epson.com/Certified-ReNew/c/cc?q=%3Aprice-asc%3AdiscontinuedFlag%3Afalse%3AinStockFlag%3Atrue%3AproductType%3APROJECTOR

Maybe try and find a used Epson 880, 1060, 1080, 660. You'll need a lot of light for 200in, those are very high brightness 1080p projectors. Most affordable while still being designed for home theater use (vs office use). If you can afford 400$, Epson sells factory refurbs for around that much

I think you have the right instincts here A 4k projector will do the trick. Heck I have a 1080p Epson I picked up open box and a denon avr that can do 7.1. No atmos. And it sounds and looks amazing So nowadays an atmos capable receiver and 4k projector ( even just led ). Will look and sound amazing Just need a few small extra back speakers if and when you decide to use all the extra channels

I don’t have a 4k tv even. I will probably get one soon But I am really impressed with how good even an 1080p Epson can project at 110” image that is totally cinematic So I think any 4 k Epson will be totally good I feed it an Apple TV I have a marantz cinema 70 which is their lowest powered one and use an extra 2 channel amp I have to power fronts. That room looks pretty big so I would go with something cinema 50 and still have the option to add extra power later.