This post was most recently updated on May 17th, 2019
The Epson Home Cinema 5040UB Leading the way to 4K
The Epson Home Cinema 5040UB is a high end, top of the line home cinema/theatre projector. When initially seeing this projectors exterior design, it would appear to be just another projector comparable to modestly priced projectors. Nothing really stands out in its exterior as far as aesthetics goes to make you take notice, however as a premium priced projector, you should expect some very advanced features not found in lower priced projectors, and that’s exactly what the Epson Home Cinema 5040UB aims to deliver. Stunning imagery when viewing your favorite DVD/Blueray movies, but also really impressive clarity from your own movies, whether you use a video camera, or an iPhone to capture your videos.
4K Enhancement the New High Bar in Video Projectors
Much like with DLP technology and LCD projectors, the 1080p resolution will eventually go the way of 4K resolution standard. We’ve started to see that with GoPro action cameras having 720p resolution, then 1080p resolution then finally, and currently 4K razor-sharp resolution. Even cameras on drone cams, yes drone cams are going to go the way of 4K camera resolution. It’s a foregone conclusion. With the Epson Home Cinema 5040UB, we’ll just enjoy it before everyone else does 🙂
What’s the BIG to-do?
So what’s the big to do about 4K capability and resolution? First, High Definition that we normally refer to as HD has limits of vertical columns of 1920 pixels. For the horizontal pixels, that’s limitation is capped at 1080 pixels. With Ultra HD that 4K technology brings, the total resolution of both vertical and horizontal pixels increases to 3840 for the vertical columns, and 2160 for the horizontal columns. Not too long ago this threshold of ultra-high definition technology was just way too expensive, that could only be enjoyed by professional cinematographers. It just was not feasible for even the most ardent movie enthusiast to buy anything 4K for the home theater.
Thankfully, we’re nearing that point where 4K will gradually be phased into many video projector model lines and the Epson Home Cinema 5040UB will be at the forefront of this new technology.
The Price Point – What are we actually paying for?
As we mentioned in previous reviews, you get what you pay for. There’s nothing at all wrong with buying a $150 projector. As long as you’re happy and satisfied with the picture quality, that’s enough for most users. The Epson Home Cinema 5040UB though is all about picture quality. The exterior design as we’ve already mentioned isn’t going to turn your head. It looks very ordinary, but the stunning, ultra sharp, and crisp picture quality will definitely make you notice what’s in the box. Now while the Epson Home Cinema 5040UB is really a 1080p projector, it’s still one of the cheapest projectors that can give you 4K capabilities. So the price is really relative to what other projectors give you for the money. There’s a reason why this particular projector is popular. Those buyers who really do their research know important details like this, not just focus on a lower cost.
High Dynamic Range(HDR)
Photography geeks like myself know this technology. HDR really isn’t anything new, but it’s really been a breakthrough for the digital photography world, and I’m happy to say the digital video world finally has put the technology front and center. HDR puts a strong emphasis on the color black and is able to enhance the contrast with the foreground and background of an image. Finally, it’s able to pull the shadows and enhance its lightening such that the details do not get lost as they do with non-HDR imagery. If you’re wondering what the ‘UB’ stands for in the Epson Home Cinema 5040UB UB = Ultra Black
This makes an object really jump out at you by how that object contrasts with its background. This is one of those really cool things you’re paying for. It’s not much different than a photographer that buys a very high-end camera or lens that can really feature this wonderful technology that is HDR
If you’re going to be spending hours and hours watching your favorites movies just for the pure enjoyment and love of it all, then like 4K digital televisions, buying the Epson Home Cinema 5040UB is worth that little extra cost. Home theaters are dedicated spaces in a home. It adds both beauty, value, fun and entertainment for many people and for many different occasions. You’ll share that enjoyment with others. For many, you can’t put a price on that. The Epson Home Cinema 5040UB will fit right into the scheme of things. You’ve already spent all that money on your home theatre. You’d definitely wouldn’t want to skimp on one of, if not the most important pieces of the home theatre experience.
Wireless Technology
What’s not going the way WiFi these days?? Many of our clients watch DVD and Blueray movies for their outdoor movie events, but lately, more and more clients have been requesting streaming a movie with their Apple TV or Netflix. One of the Epson Home Cinema 5040UB standout features is its wireless technology. It wouldn’t be fun if you couldn’t stream from your favorite devices, iphone, computer laptop, roku. The Epson Home Cinema 5040UB certainly gives you that capability so that there doesn’t have to be any tinkering with extra plugins and adapters. Just fire up the WiFi and make the connection and project.
3D Technology
The Epson Home Cinema 5040UB does have 3D technology which is pretty exciting. 3D glasses are not included with the projector and please bear in mind that even though this is a 4K unit able to receive 4K content, the projection with regards to 3D’s resolution is at the 1080p level. Again, this shouldn’t disappoint anyone, just having the 3D capabilities at this price point is an added plus. The picture quality will be that good that you’ll be able to enjoy 3D where with other projectors at the same price you would not.
Here’s a good deal for 3D compatible glasses, buying a set of more than 2 and you save:
Any Downsides to owning the Epson Home Cinema 5040UB
We can’t avoid asking a question that everyone will have to ask themselves. As mentioned earlier, the price point may not be in everyone’s budget. The other factor that may discourage some with a special purpose is that this projector is not as portable as other projectors. This projector is about the size of many inkjet printers. If you’re on the go, need to take your projector along with you on your travels, say business, vacation home for 6 months etc. This is not the size projector that would probably be a fit. All these things are relative, the next section will give you some good reasons why even at this price point, the value in the Epson Home Cinema 5040UB is there.
Why Not Just buy a Jumbo Sized Digital TV and Save?
Did you ever ask yourself that question? True, you can save a few hundred bucks, just get a big flat screen in your home theatre, for some homes this is the common setup. This really isn’t a savings though. Why? Well when you buy that big flat screen, that screen size is fixed. It’s not going to get any smaller, but it’s certainly not going to get any bigger. A projector is versatile and dynamic enough to grow and resize should you decide you can fit a larger screen in your home theatre. When your neighbors are still stuck with that big flat screen, you can go bigger and not compromise any picture quality in the least bit. The best part is you didn’t have to drop another penny to do it.
So I hope this short review has given you a little food for thought. Throwing a price at you and giving you impressive technical specifications still isn’t always convincing at the value you’re getting with this projector. Epson has done a wonderful job in making great technology available, now, not just years from now for a fair price, and great value. Thanks for visiting the site, and please stay tuned for our future features!!