CurtPalme.com Home Theater Forum

km987654 · Posted: Sun Dec 11, 2011 11:46 pm Post subject: Huge Contrast Ratio

Can someone explain these figures please.

http://www.epson.com.au/products/projector/EH-TW9000W_specs.asp

Apparently this projector can produce a contrast ratio of 200,000:1

Just thinking about this. This means that white is 200,000 times bighter than black right?? but it doesn't mean black is actually black.

Spanky Ham · Joined: 22 Mar 2006 Posts: 5643 Location: Comedy Central

I am not sure if you are talking this pj or the subject in general. For this pj, it is with a dynamic iris. The native contrast is closer to 4k to 1.

For the subject in general,
http://www.hometheaterhifi.com/volume_13_2/feature-article-contrast-ratio-5-2006-part-1.html

CasetheCorvetteman · Joined: 09 Nov 2008 Posts: 6319 Location: Australia

That is a "dynamic" contrast ratio, what does it give for the static contrast ratio?? Itll be lucky to be much more than 5,000:1

HogPilot · Posted: Sat Jan 14, 2012 2:29 pm Post subject:

Most projectors with dynamic irises make claims of ridiculously high contrast ratios. The manufacturer generally measures these by putting the projector in "torch" mode (high bulb, iris full open, max zoom, highest color temp), and measuring white. How they measure black is anyone's guess - do they keep the projector in that configuration, display a fully black screen, and then clamp down the iris? Do they put it at min zoom, put the bulb on normal/low, and then change the color temp to a warmer/dimmer setting? No one really knows.

However the main point I'm driving home is that the quoted contrast ratios are completely unattainable as the projector would be actually used by someone. Often reviewers will measure the projector's on/off CR without the use of the manual iris, and although this is much more useful information than the mfr specs, it still doesn't really represent how the projector would be used at home as most people engage the auto-iris to enhance CR. Some sites will actually produce useful dynamic CR measurements, however one must keep in mind that the dynamic CR can vary significantly depending on how the projector is set up and the material that it is being fed.

Your best bet is to read reviews from trusted reviewers that hopefully compare the CR performance of the projector you're looking at to others in its class. FYI, I would not consider "projectorcentral.com" to be a "trusted review" site. Not only does the editor have a strong bias for LCD (Panasonic projectors in particular), but his reviews have steadily become less objective (providing real/accurate measurements) and more like subjective opinion pieces.

MikeEby · Joined: 24 Jun 2007 Posts: 5238 Location: Osceola, Indiana

I had a demo of the Epson last week at a local high-end HT store... The black levels were surprisingly good, and frankly the sharpness blew our CRT's out of the water. The image was also extremely bright too. I hate to say it but I really think I could live with the projector.

Mike

WanMan · Joined: 19 Mar 2006 Posts: 10273

Mike, how were you able to see this in the states? It seems that every link I viewed upon a Google search was for Australia or Europe. Also, what could you compare it do in your observed digital experience, and what was it being offered for ($$$)?

ecrabb · Posted: Sat Jan 14, 2012 8:27 pm Post subject:

Wan, the Epson 9000W is just the European/World market version of the 5010e.

Epson EH-TW9000W = Epson Home Cinema 5010e

SC

MikeEby · Joined: 24 Jun 2007 Posts: 5238 Location: Osceola, Indiana