Anyone got the Epson 9400W projector?

[3t3P]

Got a lockdown itch to change my projector (HW 40es) but am still impressed by the filmic quality this projector produces, contrast levels, low noise, colour accuracy and excellent motion handling.

I'll get a PS5 at some point so UHD/4K streaming, gaming and UHD Blu-ray disc content will be used in time.

I'd love to stay with Sony and get the 270ES, gutted it wasn't updated like the more expensive 570ES/590ES model this year.

The Epson gets lauded as an excellent projector at it's price. I've generally read black levels are less than that of LCOS/SXRD projectors ala SONY/JVC, but did read one magazine reviewer say black levels bested his 270ES.

I'm not especially concerned about native 4K vs shifted, even at 113'' diagonal sat 11ft away, I think colour, contrast, motion handling will be more noticeable than resolution if say you compared a 270ES vs the 9400W.

My concern is shifting noise with the 9400W, some can hear it come can't.

Other concern is when it comes to using a PS5, is a native 4k PJ going to look a lot better than a shifted one? People have seemingly said yes when it comes to gaming, native 4k is more noticeable than film content.

Then there's the train of thought to get an Epson at £2500 and in a few years when PJ's have moved on I could buy again at that price point if I wanted to, rather than dropping ~£5k on the Sony now and having to keep it far longer but gradually see it go out of date (e.g HDMI 2.1).

I could buy twice and gain from generational improvements across the board rather than be stuck with one machine.

My heart wants the Sony but logic and wallet! say to give the Epson a chance.

Any thoughts/feelings appreciated.

 

[3t3P]

4K vs E shift there is a difference but I don’t think you will notice it unless you have a native 4K side by side.

In my opinion your question should be JVC NX5/NX7 vs Epson 9400. That is a tough question. Epson 9400 vs Sony is an easy one unless ur going lazer.

Thanks some great insights there. I have read something similar regarding black floor being the same but perceived contrast better.

There are times id take a bit more brightness but I can light control my lounge.

We rarely watch 3D but have a few times and it's ok even with the grey screen.

I am sensitive to motion, hence why I can't go DLP for all the rainbows. If Sony arbitrarily was 100% for motion where would you say the Epson falls?

Can you hear the Epson when it is shifting?

There was a chap on a forum, he took his 9400 to his mate for a shootout against his Sony 4k. They both preferred the Epson.

Epson still seem a few years away from consumer native 4k, so don't think it's worth holding out for that.

Could I overcome DTM by seeing if PS5 has it or a Panasonic Blu ray player?

What are fan noise levels like from the Epson in all modes?

Ta

 

[3t3P]

Spoke to my dealer about 270ES Vs TW9400 yesterday for my needs he let me come to the conclusion of the Epson.

One nail in the coffin for the Sony was High lamp.mode being louder than my generations high lamp mode which he correctly said is liveable. The 270Es is fair amount louder and to get the lumens in high mode would likely be too distracting.

Then money talks of course! So much cheaper. I'll be getting the UB820 player from him too for HDR goodness.

 

[3t3P]

I was worried about 9500, we haven't had an announcement this autumn this year when it would normally be released

I have enjoyed games with my current Sony, very clear as you say even in spiderman flying through the city.

Are you talking about lack of clarity when feeding the Epson UHD/4K? Would it be any different/better being fed 1080p? The new consoles don't really properly output 4k so i'd likely run them in perf mode anyway for higher FPS.

Don't know what to do. I want to avoid what happened when I bought 40ES, few months later 45ES came out. Though in real terms only bulb life was extended as far as I know.

Question is what do EPSON do from here, my dealer thinks they may try to plug the laser PJ gap but for £6-7k but not be native 4K. He didn't think they'd do BOTH 4k and laser at the same time. And laser is just a light source at the end of the day, I don't care too much where the light comes from. Epson bulbs are also cheap.

 

[3t3P]

I like the essays don't worry. It's hard to find actual constructive user opinion that isn't 'this PJ is totally amazeballs with no cons' !

I don't have PC in my lounge, I've heard of MADAVR for HDR tone mapping but no access to it.

Re the 9300, I don't plan to change PJs like that, although selling them is certainly a good idea. I also can't find that model in stock anywhere.

I know what you mean buying a model near it becoming EOL, covid is certainly going to have and still be delaying engineering meetings and construction for all electronics. It's a safe bet of course that an equivalent 9500 prototype is sitting on a lab bench somewhere

I wish I could just demo but my dealer is far from me and ofc COVID19.

In the states the N5 is often bought below RRP, being only a grand or so more than a 9400.

I appreciate projectors are more complex mechanically than TVs and made/sold in less numbers.

Still it's frustrating to only have what we have now. I can afford a 270es or an N5 but it is financially 'unwise' for me to do this and I am not in a batcave but a light controlled room with a grey tab tensioned screen.

Know what, I ordered LOTR UHD of Warner Bros site direct as new customers get 10% off with WELCOME code.

I'm gonna get a UB820 and enjoy it downsampled to 1080p with Atmos sound. In fact may get the greatest showman too as only way to get Atmos mix is with the UHD discs (hate saying 4k when it's not).

 

[3t3P]

Using the UB820 I will have good HDR tone mapping yes? Or is dynamic mapping useful for all sources e.g. streaming?

The problem I think I and possibly others are facing is that 4-5 years ago when I got my first and only projector the Sony 40 es it was SO clear at that price that they wiped the floor with the competition. Now things have moved on in some ways and there are more enticing options at double /triple what I paid for my machine.

I could still sell the 9400 I suppose and keep abreast of the latest and greatest. Epson warranty is transferable?

 

[3t3P]

Seems I am waiting and just running the HW40ES in high all the time for extra punch with the new bulb is helping as I have a grey screen. I may try putting the ND filter back on as it was originally calibrated for use with it for extra perceived contrast. It puts out fantastically realistic images, reminds me of a plasma TV without trailing behind the pixels which I can see.

Motion is just so good on the Sony, you can scroll netflix Icons left and right and nigh on but not quite read what they say. Fast SXRD pixels and motion flow working well together there.

I'm going to get a UB820 regardless and enjoy atmos and supersampling on UHD discs (can anyone say LOTR), I think it will be cool.

DTM is worth waiting for. All hell will break loose once Epson go Native 4k what will Sony and JVC then do?!

I am surprised in the times we live in that laser light sources are actually expensive to manufacture. I know they're different to the laser pen craze of 20+ years ago but still haha...

 

[3t3P]

I pay off my student loan in Dec/Jan. Will give me nice funds to get something pretty baller this time next year.

I've taken the calibration filter off the 40es (it was slightly red to allow more green/blue push when calibrated to get more brightness).

Honestly white looks white now and all colours still accurate. Did a chroma and hue test with the Disney WOW BD and the blue filter you hold up, everything spot on.

Now I see this projector is actually bright with a new bulb on my grey screen, it looks great. Just going to run in high lamp mode exclusively I think from now.

 

[3t3P]

Well now it seems next Wednesday we may learn of new 4k laser projector(s?) from Epson at Ei Live UK electronics show.