Advice Epson 2045 vs BenQ 2050 projector

[itobandito]

Hey Gang,
Looking to get a projector, this would be my first use of one for a dedicated home theater. After doing some research I came across the DLP based BenQ2050 as being a being a projector with good recommendations. I was set on this until I stumbled upon the 3 LCD based Epson 2045, also with good reviews. Now I understand correctly, the LCD based projectors are often brighter than the DLP based ones. My theater room would be completely dark so window light would not be an issue so I could probably get away with a DLP no problem. The epson apparently could have better blacks but its not a huge issue. I was wondering if any of you guys had an opinion on which you recommend. Price wise the BenQ 2050 can be had for $800 while the Epson 2045 can be had at $849 with a $200 bestbuy gift card given if purchased. On paper it looks like the Epson according to projectorcentral.com edges out a little. Longer warranty, better contrast ratio. It is noiser though. here is a link of a comparison on that site. http://www.projectorcentral.com/part...=9027&add=8949 Any suggestions?

[Psybits]

When I was shopping/researching, my choices also boiled down between these 2.
I read reviews on digitaltrends, wirecutter, cnet, soundandvision, and also projector central. For the most part as much as they all loved the Epson, the one thing in common I saw from all their reviews is they all compared it to the BenQ W1070.

On paper, the BenQ W1070 doesn't seem so impressive, lower ANSI lumens, lower contrast ratio, yet both professionals and consumers recommend it. A couple sites even say that the BenQ W1070 is the best selling under $1,000 projector.

So in the end I got the BenQ HT2050 since it is the updated version of the BenQ W1070 which most reviews said does perform better overall and it just came out. (Although the mover's coupon says it excludes HT Projectors, it worked when I used it online, 10% off! )

[Nick The Slick]

Now I have no experience with LCD projectors (or any projector other than my W1070 for that matter) so take what I say with a grain of salt, but from everything I've read the DLP will have much better motion resolution and 3D (if that matters at all to you). It also has much better uniformity (evenness of white/black/colors across the screen).

I'm not 100% sure on this one, but I believe color accuracy is much better out of the box too. That may have been a specific comparison I was reading at the time between the W1070 and competing LCD though. Calibration can make this a moot point, but it helps to start off as accurate as possible.

As far as black level goes, I've read that in the sub $1K range you're pretty much splitting hairs when it comes to that category. Brightness shouldn't be a concern either in a dedicated, blacked out room. My room is semi-blacked out (I.e. no natural light. Only ambient light or reflections off the walls from the screen/projector) and I have plenty of brightness; in eco mode, on a lamp with roughly 4600 hours, with contrast set to 36 out of 100. I actually find myself squinting sometimes if I get caught off guard when a scene goes from dark/black to extremely bright.

After calibration, my calibration software says the contrast ratio is roughly 1000:1. This is measuring a full white screen vs full black though I think instead of the ANSI checkerboard pattern, since the software calculates this ratio automatically after the calibration. The only way I can figure it does that is using the data from the 0% white vs 100% white measurements. I just haven't bothered to do the ANSI measurement.

Sorry for the long post, just my $.02 though. Hope it helps.

[Psybits]

To add to what Nick^ said.

From what I read the Epson 2045 is just the BestBuy version of the 2040.
A couple points to consider as I know its important to a good populace.

Per Projector Central, the Epson has better input lag at only 25ms vs 33ms for the BenQ if you're a twitch gamer. (Although reviews from gamers are divided saying the difference doesn't really translate)

Also, they state that replacement bulbs for the Epson are much cheaper. (But depending on how you use your projector, who knows, BenQ bulbs may be cheaper 3-4yrs from now when you need to replace)

*edit - looks like Projector Central already did a comparison article

On installation: The BenQ throws the picture above the lens (and offers 10% lens shift)
The Epson, however, throw offset starts below the lens, so you will need to mount higher off the ground or lower from the ceiling.

The downside to the Epson 2040's lower throw angle is that if you place it on a coffee table it may throw the image too low, or if you invert and ceiling mount it, it will throw the image too high. For ceiling mounting, this is fixed by using an extension drop tube. The HC 2040 will need to be suspended one or two feet lower from the ceiling than would be required with the competing units.

hmm now that I read the strengths/weaknesses page, I am starting to wonder why I chose the BenQ.
I guess it really boils down to personal preference at this point.

[strangerthangs]

I'm stuck on these two as well lol, are the black levels on the Epson really that bad compared to the benQ?

[Flatnate]

Originally Posted by ralphdename

I'm stuck on these two as well lol, are the black levels on the Epson really that bad compared to the benQ?

I doubt it unless you have an incredibly dark colored cave room to compare in.

[strangerthangs]

so it's not much of an issue? cause everything else about the Epson seems great to me. I remember first reading up on the vizio e series and every con involved the black levels but I love this tv so..