Epson 3800 VS Optoma UHD38

Epson and Optoma both offer high-quality projectors at affordable price points. Whether it’s a home cinema or a gaming device, both these brands have something for everyone!

The Epson 3800 vs Optoma UHD38 are two such projectors that seem to have a lot in common at first glance. They share a pretty similar price point and seem to be very identical performance vise too.

So, I am here to do a side-by-side comparison for you for both of these projectors so that you can make the best possible choice for your home theater needs!

Epson 3800 VS Optoma UHD38 Quick Comparison

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So before we do a detailed comparison between the Epson and the Optoma,

let me just quickly tell you that the main difference between these models is the resolution. The Optoma UHD38 is a true native 4K projector, while the Epson 3800 is a simulated 4K projector.

Detailed Comparison

Similarities 

Both the Epson 3800 and Optoma UHD38 are DLP projectors. This means that they beam light through a color wheel, reflection mirrors, and then finally a lens.

Both these projectors have the right lamp, low input lag, and high picture quality

And both need a good amount of space to produce a high-quality picture due to the long throw range.

Differences

Epson 3800 is not native 4K., as I mentioned before. So Optoma UHD38 obviously has a better resolution. It also doesn’t have the rainbow effect that the Epson 3800 has.

Epson 3800 will work best indoors, while Optoma UHD38 is also good for outdoor settings due to the higher brightness levels. 

For gaming, both these projectors have a suitable input lag but the Optoma UHD38 is ideal for hardcore gamers. Thanks to its Enhanced Gaming mode, which drops the input lag as low as 4.2ms for gaming in full HD with a high 240Hz refresh rate, the Optoma takes a slight edge as compared to Epson.

Installation and setup

The Epson 3800 has a wider zoom and includes a lens shift option that gives it more flexibility, in addition to keystone correction for squaring the screen geometry.

So you can put it easily on a table, on a bookshelf, or on a ceiling mount. It does need a larger space though, because of the long throw range.

Epson 3800

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The Epson Home Cinema 3800 is one of the two new Epson projectors that have a lower price range for entry-level 4K models. The other one is the Epson 3200.

The Epson 3800 is slightly higher in price as compared to the 3200. This price increase buys you onboard stereo speakers, a 12V trigger port, an RS-232 port for external control, and, most importantly, higher brightness and contrast ratio.

This projector is not a true native 4K, and it is perhaps the biggest difference between the Epson 3800 and Optoma UHD38. It uses pixel-shifting DLP technology, combined with Epson’s 4K Pro-UHD technology and a 12-element high-quality glass lens, to give you more detail in images with more pixels.

Even right out of the box, it delivers notable color accuracy and contrast!

Both SDR and HDR are bright enough after calibration to be used in a dark room. The Epson 3800 also has far brighter 3D images as compared to its 2D brightness, unlike what most other projectors have to offer.

Beyond that, the lens zoom, vertical shift, and horizontal shift make it easier to fit the 3800 anywhere you need it, like a table, on a ceiling mount, or on a bookshelf!

Pros

• Terrific picture quality for 1080p SDR and 4K HDR
• Bright enough for ambient light and a dark room
• Great setup flexibility 
• Supports HLG as well as HDR10
• Lens shift and zooming capability

Cons

• The brightest mode has a green bias
• Picture quality is not quite as sharp as true 4K

Optoma UHD38-Ultra-low input lag-Gaming projector

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Optoma has always been the brand to really push the boundaries when it comes to the all-important gaming market.

Gamers are likely looking to upgrade their display to get the best from their new hardware and with this projector, Optoma is hoping that gamers will consider ultra-large screen gaming instead of opting for one of the latest TVs.

The Optoma UHD38 is a brilliant multipurpose projector. For just under 1500 dollars, it is giving you a native 4K resolution, HDR10 and HLG support, Dynamic Black contrast, and Ultra bright technology, so you can experience a high-quality picture on a giant 120-inch screen! What’s more, it is offering an ultra-low input lag to cater to all you gamers out there as well!

With the Optoma UHD38’s enhanced gaming mode, you can get fully immersed in your 4K games without getting frustrated with delays or image problems. It has lowered its input lag down to just 4ms in full HD (16 ms for 4K). And the lightning-fast 240Hz frame refresh rate prevents blurring and other issues.

So this projector is a dream come true for gamers!

Ok, so now that we have covered the strengths in detail, let’s look at some of its weaknesses. Like all projectors, this one also has some downsides.

The biggest issue is the rainbow effect because this projector uses a color wheel.

The next big issue is the long throw distance. This means that it won’t be easy to align and needs a larger space. 

Furthermore, this projector has a single 10W speaker, so the sound quality is also not great. You will need to buy external speakers if you plan on using them as a home cinema.

Pros

• Ultra-low input lag
• HDR10 and HLG support
• UltraDetail image enhancement
• High brightness means it can be installed in a variety of spaces
• Ideal for gaming and priced within reach!

Cons

• Longer throw range
• Only one speaker

Final Verdict

The Optoma UHD38 is a true 4K projector with a sharper resolution and brighter lamp. Combined with a lower input lag, I would recommend this highly for gamers.

It is also an ideal choice if you are looking for an outdoor projector or one for the living room, which receives a lot of natural light.

Overall, the best thing about this projector will definitely be its gaming experience!

The Epson 3800 is better for those who are sensitive to the rainbow effect. It’s more user-friendly and very flexible to install.

If you plan on installing it in a dark room, it will give you amazing picture quality because it has lower brightness levels. I also recommend it for gamers because the input lag is good enough for casual gaming.

Frequently Asked Questions