Is a 4k laser projector worth it over a 4k bulb projector?
Is a 4k laser projector worth it over a 4k bulb projector?
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Discussion

Pommy

Original Poster:

14,451 posts

238 months

Saturday
quotequote all
Looking at a theatre room renovation and having had an older Epson bulb projector from 2008 but got really over changing bulbs, the heat it generated, fan noise and importantly brightness degradation over time.

Now looking at 4k laser projectors (Epson 12000 looks good) to avoid i think the bulb, heat, fan and brightness degradation but have seen some comments that bulb projectors now are much better in all these regards and are much cheaper.

I am in Australia and my theatre room is north facing so gets, in Australia technically it's called, 'bd fking hot'.

So, to laser or not laser?

Techno9000

208 posts

98 months

Saturday
quotequote all
Epson TW-9400 owner here. I thought 12000 laser was going to be a 'no brainer' but having read some reviewers thoughts on what they experienced and re-read their reviews of the 9400, I'm happy to carry on as I am.

Pommy

Original Poster:

14,451 posts

238 months

Saturday
quotequote all
Thanks

How do you find the heat and fan noise?

Techno9000

208 posts

98 months

Yesterday (12:20)
quotequote all
Hi. Firstly, here in the south of the UK, near the coast, heat is rarely an issue. My head when sitting at the main listening position (MLP) is about two feet in front and four feet below the front of the projector.

The exhaust temperature measures at 40 degrees Celsius using an IR thermometer. The fins on the front mounted exhaust divert the heat to the side of the projector.
I don’t notice any heat from the projector at all at the MLP.

In terms of noise, when first on it seems to run the fan at full speed as the lamp warms, this measures at 36dB at my head height / MLP. After twenty seconds or so the fan speed drops and the sound levels out at 32.5 - 33dB.

I only become aware of the fan in periods of prolonged silence in a production I’m watching. Everyone is different, but I don’t find it an issue.

I upgraded to this projector from a Panasonic PT-AE2000 of some vintage. The Panasonic was well reviewed in its day, but was a Full HD resolution. In comparison the TW-9400 was massively brighter and sharper.
I project a ~80-90” picture depending on the ratio of the original picture. This from about 15’.
I only use it occasionally for watching films on Blu-Ray or terrestrial TV broadcast in Full HD, all via a Denon AV receiver that is doing some scaling to output at 4k.
It all looks fantastic to me, I think I’m quite critical and I’m sure things could be better, but skin tones are great, sharpness is there in abundance.
Having re-read some reviews of it yesterday I can see why I went for it.

Hope this helps.

Pommy

Original Poster:

14,451 posts

238 months

Yesterday (12:52)
quotequote all
Techno9000 said:
Hi. Firstly, here in the south of the UK, near the coast, heat is rarely an issue. My head when sitting at the main listening position (MLP) is about two feet in front and four feet below the front of the projector.

The exhaust temperature measures at 40 degrees Celsius using an IR thermometer. The fins on the front mounted exhaust divert the heat to the side of the projector.
I don t notice any heat from the projector at all at the MLP.

In terms of noise, when first on it seems to run the fan at full speed as the lamp warms, this measures at 36dB at my head height / MLP. After twenty seconds or so the fan speed drops and the sound levels out at 32.5 - 33dB.

I only become aware of the fan in periods of prolonged silence in a production I m watching. Everyone is different, but I don t find it an issue.

I upgraded to this projector from a Panasonic PT-AE2000 of some vintage. The Panasonic was well reviewed in its day, but was a Full HD resolution. In comparison the TW-9400 was massively brighter and sharper.
I project a ~80-90 picture depending on the ratio of the original picture. This from about 15 .
I only use it occasionally for watching films on Blu-Ray or terrestrial TV broadcast in Full HD, all via a Denon AV receiver that is doing some scaling to output at 4k.
It all looks fantastic to me, I think I m quite critical and I m sure things could be better, but skin tones are great, sharpness is there in abundance.
Having re-read some reviews of it yesterday I can see why I went for it.

Hope this helps.
That is bloody superb and so helpful thank you - couldn't have asked for me. Very much appreciated.

Techno9000

208 posts

98 months

Yesterday (13:01)
quotequote all
No worries.

stuthemongoose

2,503 posts

239 months

Yesterday (13:14)
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I have a Sony 5000es 4k laser, it’s ace.

Beast of a thing - highly recommended. Nice to not worry about bulb degradation or heat.

Frankychops

1,821 posts

31 months

Yesterday (22:13)
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i've a BenQ w5850, I sit right below it, hear nothing from it.