HC8100 Set Up and Remote

We mounted the Epson 8100 to our Peerless PRG-UNV Precision Gear universal projector mount using its four screw anchor points. I like that this projector has four mounting points. All projectors should, though it often seems like the heaviest ones are the ones that choose to go with just three – go figure. We again leveled the projector by using a simple torpedo level which we placed atop the projector to square it to the screen and apply the manual Zoom and Focus. The 8100 had the same Fujinon 2.1:1 lens that exists across the entire lineup and it produced a flawless 92-inch picture on our Carada Masquerade masking projector screen. Since the Epson has a 96% vertical and 47% horizontal lens shift, you can place it just about anywhere and hit a screen without having to resort to keystoning (which is good, because the 8100 doesn't have any).

The Color modes are the same as with the 6500UB and we really liked that the Dynamic mode delivers much better color than one would expect. Epson has done away with the typical green tinge you will find on most other Vivid or High output modes.

• Dynamic - The image appeared bright, but not nasty green like many other projectors. Epson did a great job keeping the color in line while increasing output to its maximum potential. With some minor calibration this can actually be an excellent Daytime mode for regular use.
  
• Living Room – This mode isn't as profoundly bright as the Dynamic mode, but offers a bit more boost with the lamp in Normal mode.
  
• Natural - This is a your best bet for rooms with little ambient light where you'd still like to maintain some semblance of Black level. Color temp is set to 6500K. I actually preferred this mode to Theater mode.
  
• Theatre - This mode also uses the projector's "High" Brightness control but sets the color temp up at 7500K for a brighter, more "white" (Blue) white.
  
• Theatre Black 1 - This is the recommended starting point for a fully light-controlled room. It sets the Brightness Control to Low and puts the color temperature to 6500K. This is where you'll want to begin calibrating the projector for your home theater.
  
• Theatre Black 2 – I recommend using this mode to tweak your black and white movie playback – if you care about such things. It's always nice to have a mode with a bit more red to simulate the way old projector houses used to show them (with warmer bulb temperatures).
  
• x.v.Color - This mode locks out most color adjustment controls and opens up the color depth to the larger "Deep Color" color space. It's not "accurate" to ATSC CIE standards, but it can look nice.
  

Connections

The Epson Home Cinema 8100 projector has enough inputs to meet almost anyone's needs. Though you'll likely only use one, there are two HDMI inputs and a single component video (YpbPr) input, plus a composite and S-video input for legacy sources. It's nice to know that you don't need to step up to the Pro Cinema line to get RS-232 control and if you want, you can connect any PC to this projector and send it screen resolutions up to 1920x1080.

Remote Control

The remote control is unchanged and features the same, easy-to-use backlit functionality as prior models. This remote is excellent and delivers direct access to each of the projector's six inputs. You also continue to have direct access to such functions as Aspect (ratio), Memory, and Color Mode – which is nice for on-the-fly changes. The backlight is activated by a small button on the top right of the remote and remains on for approximately 10 seconds after the last button press.

This remote is backlit perfectly and easy to use in the dark