Epson 8700UB LCD Projector First Look

We've reviewed most of Epson's latest projectors and the 8700UB grabbed our attention for several reasons. First off, it can be had for a mere $2199 - bringing most of the features of its Professional big sister to a more affordable consumer level. In fact, aside from a very small amount of features, extra lamp, and an admittedly mediocre mount, the 8700UB is the spitting image of the 9700UB that represents the top of the Epson LCD line. The 8700UB features 3LCD technology with Epson's C2Fine D7 chipset and UltraBlack technology. The projector aims to please by providing some of the deepest blacks yet seen in LCD front projection systems. The delivered contrast is stated at up to 200,000:1. It also delivers sharp, detailed images with Epson’s latest Super-resolution technology, real color reproduction and frame interpolation. And with new pre-set color space selection and a new anamorphic lens mode for 2.35:1 viewing without an external processor, the Home Cinema 8700 UB really offers a cinematic experience in the home.

The 8700UB has a dual-layered auto iris technology that's responsible for the high claimed contrast. The bottom line is that it reacts quickly to the on-screen content, and does so silently and without a huge delay present in lesser projectors. Epson included its C2Fine D7 chipset 3LCD technology, which is the latest LCD tech they have (not to ignore the new Reflexive technology that they are releasing this year, but it is being positioned as a notably higher-end, more expensive, solution than the C2Fine systems). For processing, the built-in Silicon Optix HQV Reon-VX video processor and PW390 video scaler do a bang-up job. I mean, the picture on this thing is incredible.

Picture quality is really helped, not only by the video processing done by the implementation of Epson's FineFrame frame interpolation circuitry, but also by the physical use of a Fujinon OptiCinema lens with 2.1 zoom ratio. Brightness is more than adequate with 1600 lumens - that typically ends up around 1000 or so after calibration, and a new anamorphic lens mode enables 2.35:1 anamorphic viewing without an external processor. This feature alone is worth the price of admission - as it means that you no longer have to buy a separate lens system in order to enjoy full-pixel implementation of 2.35:1 content on your projector. As an added bonus, you can also use it to vertically stretch 4:3 aspect ratio source material to optically fit a 16:9 space. You'll lose information at the top and bottom, but it's a nice option to have and we use it on older TV shows we happen to have on DVD or non-HD television and movies.

Configuration and setting the projector is easy as always, since Epson has a manual lens shift of 96.3 percent maximum vertical and 47.1 percent maximum horizontal. Inputs are plenty, with two HDMI 1.3 connections (with Deep Color support) and, of course, component video - which we use extensively for delay-free gaming.

Epson’s 200W E-TORL lamp will last up to 4,000 hours provided you are using the system for home theater and don't operate it at the highest possible brightness (we recommend calibrating it to the dimmer economy mode for best blacks assuming a light-controlled room).

Breaking Down the Key Features

The Home Cinema 8700 UB features class-leading signal processing technologies, including dual video processors and 12 bit chip driver technology. It also has a THX Movie video mode for better color accuracy. Here is how all that breaks down in terms of an expanded look at its specific features:

• D7 1080p 3LCD Technology
  At the heart of the Home Cinema 8700 UB is Epson’s latest generation D7 three-chip 1080p LCD imaging engine, which features individual LCD chips for each of the primary colors.  While retaining the same high (>52%) aperture ratio of earlier models, the Home Cinema 8700 UB’s latest generation D7 chips and UltraBlack technology along with our latest dual-layer Auto Iris system help provide dramatically improved dynamic contrast ratio, with a remarkable 267% increase over the prior generation UB model (200,000:1 vs. 75,000:1). This improved contrast ratio provides darker blacks and brighter whites.
  
• Cinema Filter
  Epson’s exclusive Cinema Filter technology features a unique, multi-layer optically coated glass panel that when activated, provides spectral response tailoring of the light engine’s output.  This allows the projector to mimic a theater projector by taming spikes in the spectrum while at the same time providing an expanded color gamut of up to 115% of NTSC.  The filter is activated into position when any of the following picture modes is selected: THX Movie Mode, Theater, Theater Black 1, Theater Black 2 and x.v.Color.
  
• 200W E-TORL Lamp
  Epson’s exclusive E-TORL (Epson-Twin Optimized Reflective Technology) high output lamp provides a number of benefits over conventional off-the-shelf UHP bulbs.  The unique dual parabolic reflector design maximizes lamp efficiency, directing the greatest concentration of light output to the three-chip imaging engine.  The E-TORL design also provides increased collimation accuracy, minimizing stray light and improving light output uniformity with increased contrast across the entire screen surface. The Home Cinema 8700 UB features Epson’s latest E-TORL lamp design, which is rated at 200 watts, compared to 170 watts in earlier versions.  This output provides maximum brightness (1,600 lumens) and is comparable in performance to the light output of conventional 250 and 300 watt off-the-shelf lamps.  The increased output allows for a greater range of screen sizes, while higher efficiency provides lower cost of ownership in terms of reduced power consumption and extended lamp life in the low power mode.  The E-TORL housing also includes a number of improvements that help extend lamp life, while the pull-out handle enables quick and easy lamp replacement.
  
• Epson UltraBlack Technology
  This feature is defined by Epson using the same words over and over, leading us to believe it must be magic and controlled by Keebler (or other) elves that put out special rays of blackness in a way that improves upon the image's ability to portray contrast. Or it could just be the way the system dims the lamp output in response to what's on the screen, generating a 200,000:1 dynamic contrast ratio – an improvement of 267% compared to previous models.
  
• C2Fine (Crystal Clear Fine) Vertical Array Technology
  Conventional LCD chips utilize Twisted Nematic technology, where the LCD chips are normally translucent (high transmittance) in their natural state.  To reduce transmittance, signal voltage is applied, but achieving a true opaque (no transmittance) state isn’t achievable, resulting in light leakage that impairs the ability to produce true, deep blacks. Epson’s C2Fine Vertical Array technology shifts the light transmittance paradigm around, as the Vertical Alignment chip’s natural state is opaque and signal voltage is applied to produce increased light throughput, resulting in better control over deep black and very dark gray reproduction, with none of the washed-out blacks and dark grays obtained with conventional LCD technology.
  
• 12 Bit Chip Driver
  By increasing the chip driver bit rate from 10 bits (1,024 levels – 1.07 billion colors) to 12 bits (4,096 levels – 68.72 billion colors), gradation and banding artifacts are virtually banished, providing a smooth, natural color palette.
  
• FineFrame Technology – 120 Hz Frame Interpolation
  The Home Cinema 8700 UB features an improved 120 Hz FineFrame Interpolation system, which derives intermediate frames from prior and following frames, and improves motion sharpness while reducing motion smear.  Fast motion images, such as sports and quick pans, are sharper, clearer and more precisely defined.
  
• 96 Hz 4:4 Pulldown; 120 Hz Frame Interpolation with Blu-ray 24p Movies
  With Blu-ray movies output at 24p, the Home Cinema 8700 UB features a choice of 4:4 pulldown or 96 Hz Frame Interpolation.  The 4:4 pulldown function keeps the original film frames intact, but displays the frames with a fast 4X (96 Hz) refresh rate.  The 96 Hz Frame Interpolation feature creates three new intermediate frames between each film frame, smoothing out the image.  According to the program material and the user’s preferences, either can be applied to improve image detail and reduce noticeable film judder.  The Blu-ray player’s 24p output capability must be activated.

The Epson Powerlite Home Cinema 8700UB also comes with Epson’s 2 Year Warranty, including 48 hour advanced replacement so consumers can rest at ease that they are buying truly high quality product from one of the largest manufacturer of front projectors in the world. As we mentioned, it can be had for as little as $2199 from venders like VisualApex.com, which is an incredible deal for what this offers. This is a really impressive product and quite possibly the premier consumer solution for LCD in the market today. We can't wait to check out Blu-ray discs and content from VUDU on the big screen from this projector. The THX video mode, backlit remote, anamorphic scaling options, excellent Fujinon lens, and ample connections means that this is a projector that will perform as well as endure for some time to come. It doesn't support 3D, but then again, neither does the industry - if you base that on the number of software titles currently available. Epson keeps making their products better and better and we're confident that this new 8700UB is going to be one of the most well-received projectors in its price class and one that should score several Editor's picks this year.

Unless otherwise indicated, this is a preview article for the featured product. A formal review may or may not follow in the future.