If you think your TV screen is too small, Epson has come up with a cost-effective solution. On Wednesday, Epson launched a new short throw laser projector, which can create a 10-foot display even when placed just inches from the wall.
A better option than TV
If you are thinking it will replace your 4K TV, you will be disappointed to learn that the Home Cinema LS100 is limited to a 1080p resolution. However, Epson’s product costs just $3,000, compared to $25,000 for a similar product from Sony giving a 4K experience. Similar products that are cheaper than the Epson LS100 are the LG PF1000UW ($1,100), Optoma EH320UST ($1,600), and Optoma GT5500+ ($1,500).
Epson’s offering is also better than a TV. A decent 75-inch TV could cost between $2,500 and $2,800. Buying anything larger than 75 inches could cost you $4,000 to $10,000. So considering this, $3,000 for a 130-inch screen is not all that bad.
“The Home Cinema LS100 Digital Laser Display is designed to allow people to enjoy life-size images in Full HD up to 10 feet diagonal with the lights on and the shades open – all at a fraction of the cost of a 120-inch traditional flat panel display,” says Rodrigo Catalan, senior product manager for projectors at Epson America.
Epson LS100 has impressive specs
The Epson LS100 is lamp-free laser system and is similar to the one that was released in 2015 under the Epson LS1000 name. The company claims that the system has a useful life of at least 10 years and that in just 5 seconds, the system reaches full brightness. This projector also uses a 3LCD arrangement, which helps eliminate the rainbow effect, notes CNET.
The new Epson is rated at 4,000 lumens with a reported contrast ratio of 2,500,000:1, and it comes with a trio of HDMI ports that allows you to connect all your devices, including cable or satellite boxes, Rokus, Fire TVs, Chromecasts, and Apple TVs. According to the company, the picture is bright enough to give a pleasant viewing experience when viewed with the “lights on and the shades open.” In addition, the company claims that it features “No Shadow” projection and simple cable management, meaning that users will not be troubled with interruptions when others walk by the image.
However, according to CNET’s David Katzmaier, who had a brief demo of the LS100 in New York, “The picture was sharp (I didn’t miss 4K resolution) and bright, although as expected it got washed out when I asked the representatives to brighten the lights.”
The Epson LS100 will be showcased this week at the CEDIA Expo 2017, and it will be available for purchase from Amazon and other retailers this fall. Epson also announced several standard projectors, including the EH-TW5400 (£700), EH-TW610 (£600), EH-TW5650 (£900), EH-TW650 (£600), and EH-TW5600 (£800). According to Epson Europe’s project manager, Paul White, these five projectors are more suited for “home cinema and entertainment enthusiasts.” Others are pitched for work environments.
With a 53% market share in the United States, Epson is the market leader in the home projector market. The company offers a wide range of high-end models and high-quality affordable projectors.
