EPSON / PROJECTOR

Epson EH-TW9400 / Home Cinema 5050UB + Vertex

The Epson cannot decode Dolby Vision, but it can show LLDV from the Vertex as an HDR (PQ) picture. This guide shows how to get the projector into HDR10 mode and which settings to use.

Epson EH-TW9400 and EH-TW9400W (Europe, 2018), Home Cinema 5050UB / 5050UBe and Pro Cinema 6050UB (US, 2018/2019). The older EH-TW7300 / 5040UB has different menus: see its own guide. None of these models accepts native Dolby Vision.

DOLBY VISION WITH THIS SETUP

No native Dolby Vision; LLDV from the Vertex works as an HDR10-type picture once the projector is in HDR10 mode, either automatically via the Vertex HDR InfoFrame or by forcing Dynamic Range = HDR10.

Native Dolby Vision: NOEpson lists HDR10 and HLG only for these models. There is no Dolby Vision input mode.
LLDV via the Vertex: YESLLDV carries no HDR10 InfoFrame. With Dynamic Range = Auto the projector only switches to HDR10 when the Vertex adds an HDR InfoFrame. You can also force Dynamic Range = HDR10 by hand.
HDR10: YESHDR10 and HLG up to 4K 60 Hz on HDMI1 and HDMI2 (both HDMI 2.0 with HDCP 2.2), once EDID is set to Expanded.

Before you start

Use HDMI1 or HDMI2; Epson says both support 4K HDR on this model.
Set EDID to Expanded first: with Normal the projector accepts 4K only up to 30 Hz.
Use a Premium certified (18 Gbps) HDMI cable between the Vertex and the projector.
Make sure plain HDR10 (for example a UHD Blu-ray in HDR10) already shows as HDR before you try LLDV.

1. Basic signal and picture settings

Open the 4K 60 Hz input modeMenu → Signal → Advanced → EDIDExpandedEpson: Normal supports 3840x2160 at 30 Hz, Expanded supports 3840x2160 at 60 Hz.Not available for the WirelessHD input of the EH-TW9400W / 5050UBe.
Black levelMenu → Signal → Advanced → Video RangeAuto (other options: Limited (16-235), Full (0-255))Only force Limited or Full if the source and the Vertex are fixed to one range.
Colour spaceMenu → Signal → Color SpaceAuto (other options: BT.709, BT.2020)Epson's 4K HDR FAQ asks for Color Space and Dynamic Range both on Auto.
HDR switchingMenu → Signal → Dynamic Range → Dynamic RangeAuto (other options: SDR, HDR10, HLG)In Auto the projector follows the HDR type it detects in the signal.
Image processingMenu → Signal → Advanced → Image ProcessingFineEpson: Fast disables all image adjustment features, including the HDR tuning you need for LLDV.
Colour mode for the widest colourMenu → Image → Color ModeDigital CinemaEpson: the entire DCI colour space is shown in Digital Cinema mode only; it uses the cinema filter and is less bright, so pick another mode if you need more light.Stated in Epson's Home Cinema 5050UB specification sheet.

2. Settings for LLDV from the Vertex

Choose one of the two ways to get the projector into HDR10 (PQ) mode.

Way A (recommended): Auto + Vertex HDR InfoFrameMenu → Signal → Dynamic Range → Dynamic RangeAutoWith the Vertex HDR InfoFrame enabled the projector switches to HDR10 by itself; SDR sources still need the InfoFrame switched off on the Vertex.
Way B: force HDR10 on the projectorMenu → Signal → Dynamic Range → Dynamic RangeHDR10, and Menu → Signal → Color Space = BT.2020This forces the PQ curve without an HDR InfoFrame; set both back to Auto before you watch SDR.
Check what the projector detectsMenu → Signal → Dynamic Range → Signal StatusRead only: should show HDR10 while LLDV playsEpson: Signal Status displays the detected input signal.
Tune HDR brightnessMenu → Signal → Dynamic Range → HDR10 Setting1-16; start at the default and adjust for your screen and roomEpson: changes the PQ curve of the HDR10 picture; only active while HDR10 is detected or forced. There is no universal best value.

THE VERTEX PART

Vertex settings for this setup

LLDV: either force HDR on the display (see the steps above) or let the Vertex send an HDR10 InfoFrame with Enable Custom HDR (part B2). Use one of the two, and undo it for SDR.
Connect the projector to a Vertex output; if a Dolby Vision TV is also connected, the TV must use the BOTTOM output, so put the projector on TOP.
The Vertex HDR InfoFrame is optional here because Dynamic Range can be forced to HDR10; with the InfoFrame, Auto switches for you.
HDfury states the original Vertex can do LLDV with a projector that can be forced into HDR mode, which this Epson can.
The Vertex 'Enable Custom HDR' setting stays on until you switch it off, so SDR content is then also flagged as HDR (Vertex manual p.32, p.77).

VERTEX DOLBY VISION SETUP — ALL STEPS →

Switch these off

Signal → Advanced → Image Processing = FastEpson: disables all image adjustments, including HDR10 Setting.
Forced Dynamic Range = HDR10 and Color Space = BT.2020 (Way B) when watching SDRSDR sources look wrong in forced HDR10; return both to Auto.

How you know it works

Menu → Signal → Dynamic Range → Signal Status shows HDR10 while LLDV plays.
Menu → Info → Projector Info: Color Format shows '4K BT.2020' and 'HDR' (Epson FAQ); Color Depth and Refresh Rate are listed there too.

Problems and fixes

LLDV plays but the picture is grey and washed out.

The projector is still in SDR. Check Signal Status. If it says SDR, enable the HDR InfoFrame on the Vertex, or force Dynamic Range = HDR10 and Color Space = BT.2020.

No picture at 4K 60 Hz.

Set Signal → Advanced → EDID = Expanded (Normal allows 4K only up to 30 Hz) and use a Premium certified HDMI cable.

Colours look wrong after changing HDR settings.

Epson: set Dynamic Range to Auto for HDR, or Color Space to BT.709 for SDR. Epson UK also advises checking the EDID setting.

LLDV is too dark or too bright.

Adjust Signal → Dynamic Range → HDR10 Setting (1-16), but only after Signal Status shows HDR10.

NOT CONFIRMED BY THE MANUFACTURER

Epson does not document whether forcing HDR10 without an HDR InfoFrame gives exactly correct BT.2020 colour; that is why Way B also sets Color Space = BT.2020.
Owners report that the Vertex HDR InfoFrame with BT.2020 primaries works well with the EH-TW9400 (owner-written community site, not Epson).

CHECKED AGAINST

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