See the complete review of the Epson Pro Cinema 6040UB LCD Projector

Just prior to New York’s CE Week which took place in June, I attended a press conference where Epson introduced its new line of Pro Cinema and Home Cinema 3LCD projectors.

I was expecting the usual incremental upgrades but instead, learned that the new models would incorporate several exciting new features.

I immediately requested the top-of-the-line Pro Cinema 6040UB for review in hopes of doing a thorough evaluation before the CEDIA Expo in September. Epson granted my wish and in early August, a shiny new sample arrived at my door.

Epson 6040UB Front View

Unpacking revealed a departure from the retro Star Wars styling seen in the previous generations of these projectors. The chassis is a bit larger while colors and textures are more subdued in the tradition of enthusiast home theater displays. That extra interior volume doesn’t go to waste as Epson has included an all-new fully-motorized lens with generous shift and zoom along with position memories.

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The projector also comes with the latest video tech in the form of Ultra HD and HDR. Ultra HD is supported by a pixel shift device which simulates higher resolution using a refractor behind the lens. It’s not quite the same as a native Ultra HD projector but it does a masterful job of eliminating any visible pixel gap. The 6040UB accepts Ultra HD signals at both 3840×2160 and 4096×2160 resolution with refresh rates up to 60Hz thanks to an HDMI 2.0 input with HDCP 2.2.

Initial Setup and Impressions

After installation, I spent some time exploring the menus and taking a few measurements. The OSD is similar to what I’ve seen in the past but adds many new options. There is a new fixed iris that allows precise 20-step control of light output. This enables the user to increase contrast by closing down the aperture. Even with the bulb on Eco and the iris at its smallest setting, I measured 30fL peak; ideal for a small home theater with complete light control, and enough to cover a very large screen. If you need more light, the Dynamic mode pumps out over 130fL with the bulb on High.

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There is no THX mode this time but I found the Natural preset measured a near-perfect Rec.709/D65 out of the box. Calibration controls include two-point white balance, a full color management system and a gamma curve editor. You also get panel alignment and an all-new color uniformity zone adjustment.

Image enhancements are many, and you can spend hours tweaking the different sharpness, detail and noise reduction settings. Or simply choose one of the Image Presets. They work in 2D and 3D mode as well as with the 4K Enhancement feature.

Did I say 3D? Yes, though many HDTVs are now shipping without it, Epson still supports 3D in all common formats. And they aren’t simply paying it lip service here. I watched Avatar in its entirety and was spellbound by what was, without a doubt, the best 3D presentation I’ve ever seen outside an IMAX theater. It probably has a lot to do with the 12fL peak I measured in 3D mode; higher than any other projector I’ve reviewed.

Stay Tuned

I’ll be completing my viewing and benchmark tests on the Pro Cinema 6040UB in the coming days and the full review should be online around mid-September to coincide with the CEDIA Expo in Dallas. This looks like a major homerun for Epson and projector enthusiasts alike. Oh, and I almost left out the best part – retail price is a mere $3999!

See the complete review of the Epson Pro Cinema 6040UB LCD Projector