stupid projector question???

[avncars]

hi, this may just be the stupidest question ever posted on this forum...i have decided to upgrade to a more up to date projecto(1080p). i have been debating between the epson 8500 and panasonic 4000 for about a week now. i finally decided i was going with the Epson, i took one more look at the specs and picture and thats when it hit me! the marantz projector i have now is perfrctly aligned, the center of the lens is lined up perfectly with the center of the screen. on the Epson, the lens is offset to the right side of the projector (here comes the stupid question) will i be able to mount this Epson projector in the same spot as my projector is now, or do i have to shift the mount over so the lens is centered with the screen again? if so, im gonna save myself alot of work and time and go with the panasonic 4000 where the lens is centered on the projector...

[kpkelley]

The Epson, like most projectors nowadays, has lens shift(I believe it is manual, i.e. by hand) for both the vertical and horizontal directions. The Epson is in fact one of the most versatile in terms of this functionality and should be able to suit your current mounting position just fine.

This Epson has plenty of lens shift too! For that same 100 inch screen, the Epson can be placed, (normal or inverted), anywhere from 22.7 inches above the top of the screen surface, all the way down to 22.7 inches below the bottom of the screen surface. That is measured from the center of the lens. There is also a good amount of horizontal lens shift. Using horizontal lens shift will partially limit the range of the vertical lens shift (and vice versa).

The combination of the wide range zoom lens, and excellent lens shift, makes ceiling mounting or shelf mounting practical in almost any room situation. I can't think of any projector under $5000 that can match both the zoom and lens shift flexibility of the Epson Home Cinema 8500UB and Pro Cinema 9500UB.

http://www.projectorreviews.com/epso...00ub/index.php

Out of curiosity, how did you come to a conclusion on which projector you decided upon?

[avncars]

thanks. i posted a question last week asking which projector to go with, replys pointed towards the Epson 8500. i actually wanted to go panasonic, but even when compared the specs are better for the epson, although the comparisons say that "one is not better then the other" i havent pulled the trigger yet, so i am all ears for which projector to go with...

[kpkelley]

I won't dissuade you from either, they are both very good projectors.

The only issue I have with them is my general distaste for active irises. That being said these two are generally well considered in terms of their iris action and a projector with similar capability and a fixed iris would cost you quite a bit more.

If I were forced to decide between the two, my decision would be dependant upon one thing...anamorphic viewing. If I wanted to use a 2.4:1 screen, I would go for the Panasonic. Otherwise, I would choose the Epson because it's the brighter projector.

[Fors*]

Originally Posted by kpkelley

I won't dissuade you from either, they are both very good projectors.

The only issue I have with them is my general distaste for active irises. That being said these two are generally well considered in terms of their iris action and a projector with similar capability and a fixed iris would cost you quite a bit more.

If I were forced to decide between the two, my decision would be dependant upon one thing...anamorphic viewing. If I wanted to use a 2.4:1 screen, I would go for the Panasonic. Otherwise, I would choose the Epson because it's the brighter projector.

I wasn't sure about the Epson, but that Panny and it ability to project a 2.35:1 and 16:9 picture with just a change of a single setting is just so attractive to me. The other thing is I have total 100% light control in my HT, so I wouldn't gave a big need for better brightness. I just wish I had the proper space to put up a 2.35:1 screen though, then I would be looking hard at the Panny. But that is just my own opinion for my HT. I think the OP really can't go wrong with either.

[dolphinc]

Originally Posted by avncars

hi, this may just be the stupidest question ever posted on this forum...i have decided to upgrade to a more up to date projecto(1080p). i have been debating between the epson 8500 and panasonic 4000 for about a week now. i finally decided i was going with the Epson, i took one more look at the specs and picture and thats when it hit me! the marantz projector i have now is perfrctly aligned, the center of the lens is lined up perfectly with the center of the screen. on the Epson, the lens is offset to the right side of the projector (here comes the stupid question) will i be able to mount this Epson projector in the same spot as my projector is now, or do i have to shift the mount over so the lens is centered with the screen again? if so, im gonna save myself alot of work and time and go with the panasonic 4000 where the lens is centered on the projector...

Both projectors are top notch so either choice would have been fine. I own a Epson and love it. One of the best features of Epsons is it has great placement because of it lens shift. One of the best in on market so you should be just fine leaving you mount where it is.

Good luck with it.

[TKNice]

I'm no expert, but I'd say that either projector will have some kind of lens shift and will have no problem moving the image to compensate.

They say the ideal way to project would be directly in front of the screen, centered in both a horizontal and vertical plane which is just not realistic since many of us have ceiling mounted projectors. The downside to shifting the image is that it could affect the focus and sharpness across the entire screen.

[ditch-digger]

Originally Posted by TKNice

I'm no expert, but I'd say that either projector will have some kind of lens shift and will have no problem moving the image to compensate.

They say the ideal way to project would be directly in front of the screen, centered in both a horizontal and vertical plane which is just not realistic since many of us have ceiling mounted projectors. The downside to shifting the image is that it could affect the focus and sharpness across the entire screen.

first.....SICK home theater..!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

lens shift does not effect the sharpness...nor focus.

go with the epson. 2 year replacement warranty (overnight a new one if anything goes wrong) they pay for shipping both ways. cant loose.

enjoy

screenshot of my 6100 (almost identical to the 8100)

[Brain Sturgeon]

Although you could use horizontal lens shift (assuming your projector has it), I (and most installers) would recommend that you not use it. Shifting the lens does affect image quality, but most projection lenses are engineered to minimize this with vertical lens shift, as this is almost always used in an install-- Most PJ's are mounted above the viewer's heads above the dead center of the screen. However, the lenses are not engineered as well for horizontal shifts, so it should generally be avoided unless absolutely necessary. Pretty much every installer I've ever spoken to out there recommends that you mount the PJ so that the lens is dead center to the screen in the horizontal plane.

What would be better is to use a horizontal shift mechanism on your mount to center the lens. I use one of these in my Chief mount-- they call it a Lateral Shift Bracket (LSB-100), and it allows for about 5" of lateral shift. I'm not sure what mount you have, but you could probably see if there is an equivalent product you could add to yours. Or you could consider switching to a Chief or other mount that has a lateral shift mechanism.

I would definitely go with the projector you prefer, and adjust the mount as needed to center it.

Hope this helps!
BSt.