The catch
Epson Home Cinema 3800
Its 4K image comes from pixel shifting, and the lamp will need replacing eventually.
Side by side
Epson Home Cinema 3800 vs 5050UB compared: 5050UB keeps lens settings in memory for a dark theater
Quick verdict
The Home Cinema 3800 suits a brighter multipurpose room, active 3D and a smaller chassis. In a dark theater where full DCI-P3 color, better black depth and motorized lens memory justify the larger body, take the 5050UB.
Before you buy
Why, and what it costs you
Where these two really part ways
Epson Home Cinema 3800 is the better match for “I will keep some lights on while I watch”. Epson Home Cinema 5050UB is the better match for “My movie watching is mostly in a dark room” and “I use it mainly for movies”.
Where this comes from
This lines up the current strong and useful fit ratings for the exact products. It does not roll them into one overall score.
The catch
Epson Home Cinema 5050UB
It uses a replaceable lamp and older pixel-shifting hardware. There is no laser source.
Epson Home Cinema 3800
- Why pick it
- You keep some lights on.
- You plan on active 3D.
- The catch
- Its 4K image comes from pixel shifting, and the lamp will need replacing eventually.
Epson Home Cinema 5050UB
- Why pick it
- Dark-room movies take priority.
- You care about full DCI-P3 color.
- The catch
- It uses a replaceable lamp and older pixel-shifting hardware. There is no laser source.
We may earn a commission from qualifying Amazon purchases. How we make money
What this page compares
Neither shows DLP rainbows, and both offer broad lens placement. What sets them apart is bright multipurpose use versus dark-room image quality.
This one comes down to published output and lens controls first, then to the limits of your own setup.
Which one fits
Pick the situations that sound like you
My movie watching is mostly in a dark room
Epson Home Cinema 3800 lists “3,000 color and white lumens” for published output, while Epson Home Cinema 5050UB lists “2,600 color and white lumens”. Extra published output only helps when your room, surface or workload needs the headroom. On its own, it does not prove better results.
- Epson Home Cinema 3800
- Good
- Epson Home Cinema 5050UB
- Better fit
I will keep some lights on while I watch
Moderate room light is a better match for its documented light output. A suitable screen and controlled daylight still matter.
- Epson Home Cinema 3800
- Better fit
- Epson Home Cinema 5050UB
- Good
I use it mainly for movies
As a movie-first choice it is stronger thanks to its documented HDR, color or 4K picture strengths.
- Epson Home Cinema 3800
- Good
- Epson Home Cinema 5050UB
- Better fit
I cannot move the position of my shelf or ceiling mount
Epson Home Cinema 3800 lists “Manual 1.62x zoom and two-axis shift” for lens controls, while Epson Home Cinema 5050UB lists “Motorized 2.1x zoom, shift and memory”. This shapes setup and day-to-day use more than the core physical job.
- Epson Home Cinema 3800
- Similar
- Epson Home Cinema 5050UB
- Similar
In practice
Differences you will notice
Where these two really part ways
Epson Home Cinema 3800 is the better match for “I will keep some lights on while I watch”. Epson Home Cinema 5050UB is the better match for “My movie watching is mostly in a dark room” and “I use it mainly for movies”.
How we worked this out
This lines up the current strong and useful fit ratings for the exact products. It does not roll them into one overall score.
These needs do not split the pair
Both meet the same 4 of the 4 needs this comparison is built around, so the choice comes down to “published output” and “lens controls”.
How we worked this out
Both products are checked against the same needs. The first verified differences still standing are named here.
Models that handle “I am bothered by rainbow flashes” and “I will keep some lights on while I watch”
8 of the 90 home projectors checked handle both “I am bothered by rainbow flashes” and “I will keep some lights on while I watch”. Both make the cut.
How we worked this out
You can reproduce the count by filtering the current category for models with a strong or useful fit on both needs.
Plug in your numbers
Will either projector work in your room?
This checks hard limits only. Personal preferences are left out of the math.
Epson Home Cinema 3800
Does not work with your numbersFor a 120-inch 16:9 picture, the calculated lens range is about 11.50 to 18.74 ft. You entered 9.50 ft. Optical estimate only: rounded throw ratios do not replace the manual’s 16:9 placement table. Check optical zoom, combined lens-shift limits, body/cables and ventilation before mounting. Digital correction adds no optical range.
Epson Home Cinema 5050UB
Does not work with your numbersFor a 120-inch 16:9 picture, the calculated lens range is about 11.77 to 24.75 ft. You entered 9.50 ft.
Measure distance from the lens to the screen. The math assumes a 16:9 picture and uses the verified throw range for each exact model.
Option A
Epson, V11H959020
Home Cinema 3800
For a forgiving traditional setup, this bright lamp-based 3LCD projector offers wide manual lens shift, active 3D and equal color and white output.
- Best for
- Home cinema value, flexible and rainbow-free
Facts we checked
- 3,000 lumens of color brightness equal to white brightness, from a 3LCD lamp engine
- Horizontal and vertical lens shift, with a 1.32–2.15:1 throw and 1.62x zoom
- Active 3D support and HDR, with 4K PRO-UHD enhancement
Option B
Epson, V11H930020
Home Cinema 5050UB
Lamp-based and proven, this 3LCD theater model combines strong optical range with full DCI-P3 filtering and has no DLP rainbow mechanism.
- Best for
- Contrast and lens flexibility in a dark room
Facts we checked
- 2,600 lumens of color brightness equal to white brightness, from a 3LCD lamp engine
- Horizontal and vertical lens shift, with a motorized 2.1x zoom at 1.35–2.84:1
- Full DCI-P3 coverage in Digital Cinema mode, with 4K PRO-UHD processing
Spec by spec
Where they really differ
| Spec | Epson Home Cinema 3800 | Epson Home Cinema 5050UB | In practice |
|---|---|---|---|
| Published output | 3,000 color and white lumens | 2,600 color and white lumens | Higher published output is useful only if your room, surface or workload calls for the extra headroom. It does not, by itself, prove better results. |
| Lens controls | Manual 1.62x zoom and two-axis shift | Motorized 2.1x zoom, shift and memory | Setup and everyday use depend on it more than the core physical job does. |
Trade-offs
What each pick costs you
With Epson Home Cinema 3800
- Streaming needs a separate device because no smart platform is built in.
With Epson Home Cinema 5050UB
- Smart features, built-in audio and high-refresh 4K gaming support are all absent.
By the numbers
What the data shows
What we found across the home projectors we compare, plus the checked facts behind each finding.
How many fit
Only 4 of the 90 models checked meet every need here: “I am bothered by rainbow flashes”, “I cannot move the position of my shelf or ceiling mount”, “My movie watching is mostly in a dark room”, and “I will keep some lights on while I watch”.
4 models fit, out of 90 checkedShow the facts and the math
How we countedThe count uses each product's current fit ratings for “I am bothered by rainbow flashes”, “I cannot move the position of my shelf or ceiling mount”, “My movie watching is mostly in a dark room”, and “I will keep some lights on while I watch”. A need with no documented match is not counted.
| Product | Needs it meets | Facts we checked | Sources |
|---|---|---|---|
| Epson Home Cinema 3800 |
|
| |
| Epson Home Cinema 5050UB |
|
|
Ready to buy
See today’s price and what owners say
Open either model on Amazon for the current price, customer reviews and delivery options.
Epson Home Cinema 3800
You keep some lights on.
See price & reviews on AmazonEpson Home Cinema 5050UB
Dark-room movies take priority.
See price & reviews on AmazonEach link opens in a new tab.
We may earn a commission from qualifying Amazon purchases. How we make money