The catch
Epson Home Cinema 3800
The 20-foot example is beyond its 2.15 maximum throw.
Side by side
Epson Home Cinema 3800 vs Epson Home Cinema LS11000: LS11000 brings 4K120 and puts 12.8 lb on the mount
Quick verdict
Home Cinema 3800 is the better pick if a manual lens works in your room and you would like a lighter, 15.2-pound body to install. The LS11000 is for 4K120 input, powered optics or a longer rear mount. As the laser model it weighs 12.8 pounds more, so an existing mount needs a load check as well as a throw calculation.
Before you buy
Why, and what it costs you
At twenty feet, the decision changes
From 20 feet, a 120-inch 16:9 image calls for a ratio near 2.295. The 3800 ends at 2.15 and LS11000 reaches 2.84, so the 3800 would have to move closer or show a larger image.
Where this comes from
Image width = 120 × 16 / √337 = 104.589 in, and 240 / 104.589 = 2.295. Compare that with the ranges of 1.32–2.15 and 1.35–2.84.
The catch
Epson Home Cinema LS11000
The mount takes on 12.8 more pounds with its 28-pound body.
Epson Home Cinema 3800
- Why pick it
- A lighter 15.2-pound body suits your install
- Manual optics are fine in your compatible 4K60 setup
- The catch
- The 20-foot example is beyond its 2.15 maximum throw.
Epson Home Cinema LS11000
- Why pick it
- Your 4K120 gaming signal has to pass through the projector
- Your lens will be 20 feet from a 120-inch picture
- The catch
- The mount takes on 12.8 more pounds with its 28-pound body.
We may earn a commission from qualifying Amazon purchases. How we make money
What this page compares
Epson 3800 or LS11000? See which suits a permanent theater with a 20-foot rear mount, and how they differ on 4K120 gaming, weight and remote lens adjustment.
Home Cinema 3800 is the better pick if a manual lens works in your room and you would like a lighter, 15.2-pound body to install. The LS11000 is for 4K120 input, powered optics or a longer rear mount. As the laser model it weighs 12.8 pounds more, so an existing mount needs a load check as well as a throw calculation.
Which one fits
Pick the situations that sound like you
From a 20-foot lens position, I need 120 inches
The 3800's 2.15 maximum falls short of the required 2.295 ratio.
- Epson Home Cinema 3800
- Not suitable
- Epson Home Cinema LS11000
- Good
My source has to hold 4K120
Just the LS11000 documents that 4K input rate.
- Epson Home Cinema 3800
- Not suitable
- Epson Home Cinema LS11000
- Good
The ceiling-mounted lens is hard for me to reach
With LS11000's powered adjustments, no hands-on lens changes are needed.
- Epson Home Cinema 3800
- Caution
- Epson Home Cinema LS11000
- Better fit
For installation, I want the lighter projector
Before mounting hardware is added, the 3800 weighs 12.8 pounds less.
- Epson Home Cinema 3800
- Better fit
- Epson Home Cinema LS11000
- Caution
I would rather not swap projection lamps on a routine basis
Where the 3800 has a UHE lamp, LS11000 has a laser array.
- Epson Home Cinema 3800
- Caution
- Epson Home Cinema LS11000
- Better fit
In practice
Differences you will notice
At twenty feet, the decision changes
From 20 feet, a 120-inch 16:9 image calls for a ratio near 2.295. The 3800 ends at 2.15 and LS11000 reaches 2.84, so the 3800 would have to move closer or show a larger image.
How we worked this out
Image width = 120 × 16 / √337 = 104.589 in, and 240 / 104.589 = 2.295. Compare that with the ranges of 1.32–2.15 and 1.35–2.84.
Roughly 84% more projector load comes with the laser upgrade
Even if the new lens fits, the extra 12.8 pounds counts for a ceiling plate or wall shelf. Compare the mount's documented capacity with the complete installed assembly.
How we worked this out
28.0 - 15.2 = 12.8 lb, and 12.8 / 15.2 × 100 = 84.2%. Only the projector bodies are counted. Brackets and cables are left out.
A 120 Hz console calls for a check at each resolution
The LS11000 accepts 4K120, but buying it does not upgrade an older HDMI cable or receiver that only passes 4K60. Check the source-to-projector path as one system.
How we worked this out
In the US signal table for LS11000, 3840 × 2160 at 120 Hz and HDMI 2.1 are listed. The 3800 specifies 4K at up to 60 Hz. Both resolution and refresh rate have to be met.
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 LS11000
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
- A lighter 15.2-pound body suits your install
Facts we checked
- Light source: 250 W UHE lamp
- 4K input: Up to 60 Hz
- Optical throw: 1.32 to 2.15:1
- Lens operation: Manual focus, zoom and shift
Option B
Epson, V11HA48020
Home Cinema LS11000
For fixed theaters, this motorized 3LCD laser projector offers broad lens memory and 4K120 input, and it has no sequential-color rainbow mechanism.
- Best for
- Your 4K120 gaming signal has to pass through the projector
Facts we checked
- Light source: Laser diode array
- 4K input: Up to 120 Hz
- Optical throw: 1.35 to 2.84:1
- Lens operation: Powered focus, zoom and shift
Spec by spec
Where they really differ
| Spec | Epson Home Cinema 3800 | Epson Home Cinema LS11000 | In practice |
|---|---|---|---|
| Light source | 250 W UHE lamp | Laser diode array | With the laser, routine projection-lamp replacement goes away. |
| 4K input | Up to 60 Hz | Up to 120 Hz | 4K120 also depends on a compatible source and cable, along with any receiver in the path. |
| Optical throw | 1.32 to 2.15:1 | 1.35 to 2.84:1 | The LS11000 reaches farther back, which helps rear-shelf installations. |
| Lens operation | Manual focus, zoom and shift | Powered focus, zoom and shift | You do not need to reach the body to adjust the LS11000. |
| Projector weight | 15.2 lb | 28.0 lb | Before swapping out a lighter projector, check the mount and shelf ratings again. |
| Maximum centered-axis shift | Vertical ±60%, horizontal ±24% | Vertical ±96.3%, horizontal ±47.1% | The maximums hold with the axes centered and not with both at their limits at once. |
Trade-offs
What each pick costs you
With Epson Home Cinema 3800
- Owning it still means handling manual optics and a replaceable lamp.
With Epson Home Cinema LS11000
- Pixel shifting produces the 4K image, even with the laser light source.
Change of plan
When the answer changes
I need either 4K120 or 120 inches at 20 feet
Go with Epson Home Cinema LS11000. Those signal and optical-range requirements are met by LS11000.
My fixed 4K60 setup works, and a lighter installation is what counts
Go with Epson Home Cinema 3800. At 15.2 pounds, the 3800 suits that simpler plan.
Decision guide
How to decide
Go for Home Cinema 3800 when a manual lens suits the room and installing a 15.2-pound body is simpler. Go for LS11000 when you need 4K120 input, powered optics or a longer rear mount. Because the laser model is 12.8 pounds heavier, check the load on a reused mount along with the throw calculation.
Budget for the installation of a bigger projector
More weight can call for a different mount or shelf, even if the bolt pattern looks workable. Put the mount, cables and safe access into your upgrade plan. The LS11000's lens-distance advantage only helps if the room can support and ventilate its larger installed assembly.
Everyday movie playback and 4K120 are different needs
When most of what you watch is 24 or 60 Hz material, the 120 Hz input ceiling may not give you much in practice. Someone who wants a console kept at 4K120 has a clearer case for the LS11000. Before you blame the projector for a 60 Hz limit, confirm the signal formats and receiver settings.
Powered optics can remove an everyday annoyance
If the 3800 sits somewhere accessible and never moves, manual focus and shift are reasonable. Mount it high and the LS11000's remote adjustments become more valuable. Both offer real optical adjustment, so work within their supported lens ranges instead of leaning on digital keystone to make up for a badly placed mount.
What this page can’t tell you
- The throw examples assume a 16:9 image and no digital keystone. Settle final placement with manufacturer guidance and an allowance for installation tolerance.
- We claim no measured advantage in brightness, contrast, input lag or lifetime.
By the numbers
What the data shows
What we found across the home projectors we compare, plus the checked facts behind each finding.
Show the facts and the math
| Product | Needs it meets | Facts we checked | Sources |
|---|---|---|---|
| Epson Home Cinema 3800 |
|
| |
| Epson Home Cinema LS11000 |
|
|
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
A lighter 15.2-pound body suits your install
See price & reviews on AmazonEpson Home Cinema LS11000
Your 4K120 gaming signal has to pass through the projector
See price & reviews on AmazonEach link opens in a new tab.
We may earn a commission from qualifying Amazon purchases. How we make money