Epson - Pro Cinema LS12000 4K PRO-UHD Laser Projector

I think you can get an ls12000 for closer to 4k if you message dealers. I think some discount off MSRP is common. I just bought one from a private seller off AVS forum for $2,800 and couldn't be happier. It's much closer to a TV than my other projector in image quality but it's still not going to match a TV for e.g., solid HDR. I would much prefer this projector and 120-in screen to even a 77-in OLED unless I'm sitting extremely close.  Also, if you are willing to invest a little bit more and make some trade-offs, you could get an AVR screen which makes poor light control less of an issue (but there are some compromises).

You will be very underwhelmed with the lifestyle options when coming from a solid home theater designed model. DLP may match the contrast of your old 8350, but the most comparable model to the 8350 today would be the Epson 4010. Better is their 5050UB, or LS11000/LS12000 series of projectors. Those are the direct upgrades to the 8350. The lack of zoom and lens shift means you are basically using keystone correction and digital zoom to make the image fit your screen. This loses resolution as well as light output when in use. Always. And should be avoided. It is still a personal decision, but I wouldn't expect you to feel like it is an upgrade in the least. But, you may be happy to live with it so you can put the projector where you want it.

NZ500 first, Sony second, Epson LS12000 third. Then the BenQ models which will struggle with black levels. I'd likely get a Valerion over the JVC models at that price point. No question, I would always go for a JVC in a good theater.

You wanna go new tech? Go tri-laser or laser phosphor. Hisense c2 ultra or Valerion vision pro 2 or Epson Laser phosphor LS12000. You won't regret it especially for gaming. Recently I finish Clair Obscur Expedition 33 on my Hisense c2 and was absolutly cinema.

For Gaming and sports the Sony BRAVIA Projector 7 (VPL-XW5100ES) is an excellent choice. Great for movies as well. I recommend Epson for use cases with Ambiant light and also gaming. QB1000 is pretty awesome or LS9000/11000/12000 depending on budget. However for a more cinematic feel, JVC takes the cake. Unfortunately the Nz500 and 700 are limited to 60Hz To better assess the options, i usually ask my clients to put a % on each use type, and see if it makes sense. Also, game types can influence the recommendation. Any competitive games or more causal games. I game causally on my JVC and I am pretty satisfied. Hope this helps

Try to find out just how many total hours the projector has run or how many bulbs it’s had. Each bulb has up to 4000hrs max possible use. That total times no of bulbs will give you an idea of its total projector usage. Is the seller an enthusiast or just selling old stock. Try to judge who is selling and do the seen trustworthy. All this I would do. It’s your money and your judgement call. I don’t know what you can afford or budget of course. Obviously a remote opinion without seeing and using the PJ is guesswork I have an Epson LS12000 and IF the one you’re looking at is good and genuine you might get a bargain. Don’t forget it’s upwards of 15 years old now with all that implies If you do go for try to think (like placing any bet) it may fail on you. Regardless Good luck!

I own an LS12000 but to be honest for the price of the upgrade now I’d go for another JVC (previously had one) I got the LS12k for an absolute steal but otherwise it’s JVC for my money. I have the Epson dialled in to my liking and it has some great feature but…

No it’s not but having one I defy you to see any real world difference at MSP. (I’ve owned JVC 4k too) as it’s 4x shift there are very few obvious signs. I:e https://preview.redd.it/bll565978bpe1.jpeg?width=3752&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=fa161f869d729b96eb29fa54b16176b5210da98f This is an iphone still from my screen. Slight blur as it’s just a paused image. Zoom in and see the detail - especially the yellow fabric

LS12000 120”

You’re correct about accuracy. (I own an LS12000 for context). Sadly, those looking at ewaste projectors are rarely interested in the details of £3 -&4000 up projector specs. So I think in context of that “The Hook up” is “valuable” to such folk. Education has to start somewhere.

I say JVC (as an ls12000 owner!) you will get better black levels - if that’s important to you. I think from owning both the colours are slightly better on Epson. If you’re a gamer then the Epson does 120hz and the latency is below 20ms - no low latency on the JVC. But only you can judge which in the end. I got a very good deal on the Epson (£2k off) so it was a no brainier. Had that not been on, I’d have got JVC in a heartbeat. [NZ500 review](https://www.projectorcentral.com/JVC-NZ500-Projector-Review.htm) [LS12000 review](https://www.projectorcentral.com/Epson-Pro-Cinema-LS12000-Laser-Projector-Review.htm)

Well, that’s essentially what I have currently due to renting and space constraints. (I previously had a far bigger space) I’m happy with my LS12000 and small screen. Not ideal, but it works for me. An appropriate seating distance can still be immersive. Again not ideal but if (when) we move a bigger screen is easy.

Oh stop it with the guilt! You’ve made a great choice. I love my Epson LS12000, but compared to my old JVC I miss the later for black levels. ( The Epson is better in other respects as no system is perfect) Just enjoy or the guilt will never leave! Alternatively give it to me, I’ll give it a good home.

I bought a second hand but new (0hrs) LS12000 for just under £3000. Have a good search or look at Epson’s own refurbished units. Alternatively, look at JVC if you happy to go elsewhere. Usually plenty of marketplace units about (like AVSforum.) If you’re full light controlled I don’t think the lumens will be a problem at all. Better contrast on JVC will compensate.

LS 12000 - I have one. In fact I also have Wharfedales (4.4 with a 5 for centre) like it look you have. Great combination.

Epson LS12000 does 4k 120hz. Check the Epson site for Epson refurbished units for a more budget friendly price. Also AVSforum (USA) marketplace or Avforum (UK) Classifieds.

I have no issues there. As for shifting its 4x so if you can REALLY tell the difference I concede. I’m assuming you have seen comparisons in the flesh to comment? You did hit the nail on price, but I paid £2900 for my Epson so a steal really. Mine tests under 20ms. I have owned JVC but the point is that the OP might not have the budget for high end 4k.

Good to see your enjoying the PJ. 👌🏻 I too have an LS12000 (after a JVC). The one issue I had to resolve was the cyan push on HDRand LLDV converted contents An HD FURY VRRoom sorted that. Together with using movies settings and using SDR mode. The best thing I did was getting a Ugoos AM6b+ with CoreELEC. Using the V10 engine to down convert Dolby vision FEL files. This really shows off the Epson capabilities. Worth considering …..

Epson Ls12000 for the win

I own one too, and while it is pixel shifted 4k, the picture is absolutely bright and beautiful and worth every penny I spent on it.

A refurb is $4200, so not too far off the mark and it's well worth it.

If you can afford an extra couple hundred bucks you could pick up an Epson LS12000 refurb.

I have an LS12000 and am happy with it but the JVCs are supposed to be better particularly contrast and tone mapping for HDR. The cheaper JVCs laser weren’t available when I bought mine and the price difference was a bit too high at the time. The only thing is I wouldn’t go bulb if that is your option for the JVC in your price range.

Also lenses shift is very useful if you don’t have full control of where you can place your projector.

I went with a LS12000 and am happy. You can usually pick one up for around AUD$7500 without much trouble. You may / probably will be able to get it a bit cheaper if you try.

To be fair, the Epson is known for this green shift. Sure, it can be corrected with calibration and by lowering the brightness, but at the max luminance, it is always present. Still, from a purchaser's perspective, needing to make those adjustments is a downside when you're looking at it from the average user's perspective. Also, the whole reason he made a second video was to satisfy LS12000 owners who were disappointed by the first comparison. This isn't a case of valerion owners convincing him to sabotage the LS12000, he used the settings he was told to be LS12000 owners both times. I’m not saying the Valerion is better than the LS12000 or the other way around. The point was to show how both perform out of the box without calibration, which is how most people will actually use them. The Hook Up could have explained that a little more clearly, but that doesn’t make the comparison invalid.