2007 State of the CE Union Epson Interview

Kevin Miller, independent consultant for Epson America and President of ISFTV, sat with us and discussed the newest 1080p projector from Epson. Epson was showing of its brand new PowerLite Pro Cinema 1080 UB ("Ultra Black") projector at the 9th annual Audioholics State of the CE Union Show and we were quite impressed by the picture quality of this unit. While Epson projectors were in every room at the event, they featured their top of the line in the RBH Sound/Yamaha demo room, which was just on the other side of the wall where we conducted this interview.

The Pro Cinema 1080 UB also had an outboard motorized anamorphic lens system attached which allowed pristine cinematic 2.35:1 material to be shown on a matching Carada fixed Criterion screen. The effect was like being at the movies and we could hardly believe we were watching a 3LCD projector. Technology is moving forward!

The new "UB" model differs from the currently shipping Pro Cinema 1080 by reproducing overall higher contrast levels. An improved LCD panel improves contrast and subsequently increases lamp efficiency. The new UB model increases the lumen output to 1600, whereas the Pro Cinema is 1200. The contrast ratio has gone through the roof (stated as 50,000:1 full on/off, and with a native contrast ratio of 4500:1). The Pro Cinema 1080 UB will retail for under $5000 and the anamorphic lens kit with external HQV scaler/processor will bring the system price to somewhere between $12,000-$13,000.

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