[pigginbacon]

I contacted Epson and they have arranged another on site visit. I'll be getting to know their engineers on a first name basis.

They tried to get me to return the PJ to Epson but I told them that I wasn't happy with that and they relented.

[tattang]

Thinking about getting a 3200 for a second room and using a Vogels 6565 wall mount. Does anyone have any experience of this, as i know the 3200 is pretty big.
Would like to know if there is enough room for the cables, etc at the back and whether it interferes with airflow?

Cheers

[pigginbacon]

Originally Posted by pigginbacon

I contacted Epson and they have arranged another on site visit. I'll be getting to know their engineers on a first name basis.

They tried to get me to return the PJ to Epson but I told them that I wasn't happy with that and they relented.

The Epson engineer came out today with a replacement. Really sound guy. Pity the replacement was faulty and wouldn't even switch on.

[pigginbacon]

Just got my replacement, replacement 3200.

First impressions are good. This one seems to have good focus over the whole screen unlike my last 2 which produced a sharp image in the center of the screen but was a little blurry in the corners.

Hopefully this one won't start flickering as I think the Epson guys are starting to get sick of me!

[desibeo]

Good to hear of the excellent Epson service in the UK. Does anyone know how well they do in Ireland (Republic)?
I need to contact Epson due to a scratch inside the lens of my 3600 (bought because I found it cheaper than the 3200 everywhere else). When viewing from a standing position it shows a bright margin/strip down the centre of the screen. Once I sit down (lower) it's not viewable /unless I sit up high. The 'scratch' is definitely inside the glass in the lens, not outside. I first noticed it a few months back but I've been reluctant to report it because I'd rather not be projectorless for a few weeks.

I guess I'll contact them after the European cup or my wife and son will never forgive me.
Hopefully they offer a similar replacement service over here (bought around a year ago).

[stoff75]

Hey guys,
New to the forum. Had a Panasonic projector (AE700) since 2005 and it went well over the 3.500h mark but three weeks ago it gave up. So bought a new Epson TW3200 the other day and of the 4 times I turned it on I got the "auto iris error" twice. Contacted Epson that told me to go back to the store and have it replaced. Said and done. Watched a movie yesterday and for the first time in full 1080p. It was beautiful! Also watched the F1 race from Canada but that's "only" plain old 720p.

BUT !!! I so totally miss some option/features in the menu to compensate for keystone effects! I have pretty small throwing distance between the lense and the screen, maybe 3 meter, I centered my ceiling mount for the old projector but this projectors lense is atleast 4 inches more to one side so now I really have to try to find the "sweet spot" of angling the projector and fiddling with the lense shift to get it right. But once that's done I'll be a happy camper

[kbfern]

With lens shift available you should not need keystone.Just keep the projector level and perpendicular to the screen then use the lens shift to where you want the image to fall.

[scottlwl]

I agree with KBFern, no need for keystone when you have the massive lens shift on the 3200.

Just make sure the projected is parallel to the screen and level and you should be fine

[xccxxx]

So after developing the dreaded Green Dust Blob problem on my EH-TW 3200, I decided to open it up to try and clean it myself. I believe the Epson 8350 is pretty much the same, so this should work for that also. I managed to get rid of all the dust with this method, so thought I would post this up for others if they want to try it also. It was actually really easy, and I'm happy to have avoided the hassle of having to go the replaced/exchanged route with Epson. All you need is a can of compressed air, a phillips head screwdriver and 20 or so minutes. Obviously, do this at your own risk, I'm not responsible if your projector blows up etc To start with, make sure your projector is unplugged, and has been off for at least an hour or so.

Step 1
Take out the 2 screws circled in red, then flip the projector upside down.

Step 2
Remove the next twelve screws circled in red.

Step 3
Gently remove the side as shown in the picture. Once you are this far, you need to sort of push it down to disengage the top clips. This is by far the most annoying part of the whole process, be really careful here and do not force anything too much. You can also try flipping the projector right side up and trying to wedge this off that way (it might actually be a little easier like this)

You can see the top clips here, and also the ribbon cable connecting to the 'Menu' panel.

Step 4
With the projector right side up, gently lift off the top casing. This comes off really easily, just be careful of the ribbon cable that is connected.

Step 5
Locate the three ribbons that have the words RED, GREEN and BLUE on them.

They look like this:

Step 6
Spray compressed air as shown in the pictures. (Do all three ribbons just for good measure) I used up a 250ml can while doing this. Try and keep the can as vertical as possible in order to avoid any liquid/moisture coming out of the can. Give it a couple of test sprays before putting it near your projector. You could also get someone to hold the projector on its side while spraying in order to keep the can as upright as possible .

Step 7
Re-assemble, and your blobs will hopefully be gone.

Good luck!

[scottlwl]

Wow that seems awesome! I am so glad I have seen this. Thanks man. I hope it works for me (when this 6th replacement gets them)

S

[kbfern]

Great that someone has taken the time to do this and also the risk what I would say though is regards the can of air get the type that is an inert solvent free, this type forms no liquid when sprayed.

RS did a type a few years ago that was recommended for this exact use it was called an Invertable air duster ref # 497-280 I don't know if it is still available but it was quite expensive (£5-6 IIRC).

[kbfern]

Buy Dusters Invertible air duster,200ml aerosol RS 00016207654J online from RS for next day delivery.

There you go.

[xccxxx]

I'm in Australia, I used a couple of cans of this from Officeworks:
InSystem Pressurised Air Duster 150ML at $2.50 in Stands & Cleaners

[Richie]

Thanks xccxxx! Just bought one of these and its excellent except for these reported dust blobs!
Dreading when and if ill get one but this has lifted my hopes.
Looks like it doesn't break any warranty seal either so another bonus!

[Timun]

Gave it a try but dust still the same. Easy to get apart though. Maybe I didn't blow the air far enough inside, so will try again ..

[Timun]

Tried again and still the same.. Not sure this works..

[Autophase]

This seems like an appropriate place to rejoin the thread.
I have been a happy owner of the 3200 for just over a year now although I have swapped out no less than 5 times due to dust blobs. I got my latest one about 6 weeks ago which was flawless, now I have just developed a new large green dust blob in the top left corner, right on the black bar, so its always noticable when watching 2.35:1 content.
Interesting post above about removing dusblobs your self I might give it a go.
But my question is, is there a newer Epson projector that is 1080p (not too fussed about 3D) which is not prone to the dreaded dustblob?

[Timun]

After another couple of goes I've had success getting rid of the dust blobs . The trick is to get the air into the right spot. Follow the ribbons from the circuit board down through the slots and right inside to where they presumably join the top of the LCD panels. You need to get the air right inside as far as you can. I had a bad blue dust blob and some big green ones and all gone.

[kbfern]

Congrats!!! dust blob free so you must be feeling good.

[Timun]

Yep very pleased. Beats the hassle of swapping it out just for the blobs to return after a couple of weeks. If anyone is going to do this just be careful opening it up.

[scottlwl]

I am so happy this worked for you Timun.

I love this projector but the dust blobs are shocking.

My 6th replacement is another brand new one and I have fashioned a dust cover out of some material to put over it when not in use. My sewing skills are not great, but I can't think how else they get in there.

Anyway I am sure I will have them return soon, and it is is cool to know this works, with a little perseverance

S

[pigginbacon]

Oh dear. The flicker has returned again after only 150 hours on the bulb! This is my third 3200!

I have ruled out any problems with both the source and also the cables. I set the projector to HDMI 2 which has nothing plugged into it and the blue no signal image flickered.

Surely 3 projectors in a row couldn't have the same fault. Could it be that the problem is that the PJ is not getting clean power? It works fine when using normal power mode but flickers when using Eco.

[Tastyzulu]

It was fine in Eco for 150 hours then the flicker started? I don't think its related to clean power or cables/connections. I believe this is just a very common fault with this PJ, having experienced the same problem a few times myself. I've now just resigned myself to using it on normal power mode.
I know its not what you wanted to hear but thats just my opinion.
I would urge anyone thinking of buying this PJ to take into account there is a good chance you may experience a flicker problem and you will definitely get dust blobs at some stage.
I still love it though lol.

[pigginbacon]

Originally Posted by Tastyzulu

It was fine in Eco for 150 hours then the flicker started? I don't think its related to clean power or cables/connections. I believe this is just a very common fault with this PJ, having experienced the same problem a few times myself. I've now just resigned myself to using it on normal power mode.
I know its not what you wanted to hear but thats just my opinion.
I would urge anyone thinking of buying this PJ to take into account there is a good chance you may experience a flicker problem and you will definitely get dust blobs at some stage.
I still love it though lol.

I think I will try plugging it directly into the wall socket and if that doesn't work then I will be getting back onto Epson. I will see if they will give me a different model as there seems to be something fundamentally flawed with the 3200.

It is also embarrassing having the same Epson guys coming out every few weeks to try and fix the same problem. I can't help but feel that it is something to do with my setup that is causing the problem. But I will rule that out today when I plug the PJ directly into the wall socket.

[pigginbacon]

I have tested the 3200 plugged directly into a wall socket and I am still having the same brightness flicker. I have recorded two more videos one with a movie paused and another with the no signal screen to prove it isn't a cable problem.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v1J97sCjAqo

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R0UE3q_iq4o

I am going to ask them nicely for a different model tomorrow and see what they say. I don't want another 3200 as this seems to be an extremely common fault with them. If they won't give me another model I will have to contact trading standards and see what they say.

[Tastyzulu]

Good luck, let us know how you get on. Also ask them how common this problem is.

[pigginbacon]

Originally Posted by Tastyzulu

Good luck, let us know how you get on. Also ask them how common this problem is.

This is what I have written to their support staff:

I am having a recurring problem with my EH-TW3200 projector. The problem is that the brightness seems to change randomly. Since April last year I have had 1 replacement bulb and 2 replacement projectors. The current projector I have is now also showing the flicker problem with only 150 hours on the clock. The last Epson engineer to bring me a replacement out told me if it happens again that I should set the Projector to a source with no cable plugged in so that I get the no signal display to rule out any problem with my cables. I did this and the flicker still happens confirming that the problem is with the projector and not with any of my other equipment. I also plugged the projector directly into the wall socket as opposed to using an extension cable. This did not solve the problem. Having paid over £1000 a year ago and had nothing but problems with the EH-TW3200 I kindly request that Epson now replace this 3rd faulty projector with a different model than the EH-TW3200 as this seems to be a common fault.

[pigginbacon]

Here is the chat log from my conversation with Epson customer support:

Alexander McKenzie: "I am having a recurring problem with my EH-TW3200 projector. The problem is that the brightness seems to change randomly. Since April last year I have had 1 replacement bulb and 2 replacement projectors."

Alexander McKenzie: "The current projector I have is now also showing the flicker problem with only 150 hours on the clock. The last Epson engineer to bring me a replacement out told me if it happens again that I should set the Projector to a source with no cable plugged in so that I get the no signal display to rule out any problem with my cables.

Alexander McKenzie: "I did this and the flicker still happens confirming that the problem is with the projector and not with any of my other equipment. I also plugged the projector directly into the wall socket as opposed to using an extension cable."

Alexander McKenzie: "This did not solve the problem. Having paid over £1000 a year ago and had nothing but problems with the EH-TW3200 I kindly request that Epson now replace this 3rd faulty projector with a different model than the EH-TW3200 as this seems to be a common fault.

Agent (Carl Ainsworth): "We are not able to swap the projector for a different model, Is the projector ceiling mounted?"

Alexander McKenzie: "No it is on a shelf. I am not happy about receiving another 3200."

Agent (Carl Ainsworth): "Is there anything near the projector such as a fan or a speaker that may be affecting the projector?"

Alexander McKenzie: "No there is nothing near the projector."

Agent (Carl Ainsworth): "If there is nothing affecting it I can arrange for a Return to base warranty service to repair your projector Alexander."

Alexander McKenzie: "I am not happy with that solution. The reasons being that when I first bought the projector it was advertised as coming with a on site replacement warranty and also I do not want either a repair to my current projector or a replacement with another 3200."
There is something obviously wrong with the 3200 if this fault has occurred on three separate models in a row.

Agent (Carl Ainsworth): "The only service options we can offer are a Return to Base service, a Return to Base repair option with loan unit or a On site swap for another Quality assured EH-TW3200 projector. Which of these 3 services would you like to proceed with?"

Alexander McKenzie: "I would not like to proceed with either of those options. Unless I can be provided with a different model with similar specifications I will have to contact trading standards for advice. There seems to be a fundamental flaw with the 3200 projector. It is not able to perform it sole advertised function to a sufficient standard. I am not the only person that is having this issue as there are a few people reporting the same thing on the AV forums.

Agent (Carl Ainsworth): "Those are the only services we can offer, as that is the warranty for that projector. For an other possible service you would need to ask the retailer you bought the projector from."

Alexander McKenzie: "If that is your final response then I will have to seek advice for trading standards."

Agent (Carl Ainsworth): "Ok, Is there anything else I may help with Alexander?"

Alexander McKenzie: "No thank you. Goodbye."

[kbfern]

I think you should have asked to speak with a supervisor as the 1st level operator is not able to do anything other than scripted responses.

[pigginbacon]

Originally Posted by kbfern

I think you should have asked to speak with a supervisor as the 1st level operator is not able to do anything other than scripted responses.

After I finished speaking with the customer service rep I phoned the citizens advice bureau and they told me that you are not entitled to ask for a different model. You can only ask for a replacement, repair or refund.

That is what I am doing. I have contacted Projector Point where I originally bought it and they said they would get back to me soon.