Epson EH-TW2900 review

This newcomer from Epson is not quite a class-leader, but it gets mighty close to the best available at this competitive price-point Tested at £1100.00

What Hi-Fi? Verdict

A solid effort from Epson – the projector's small flaws only highlight the quality available at this price

Pros

  • +

    Easy set-up, Full HD;bright, vivid colours

  • +

    good insight

  • +

    quiet

Cons

  • -

    Lacks solidity with black levels

  • -

    a little soft around edges

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Seemingly paying little notice to notions of exterior styling, this is another bulky beast that would be as happy on a shelf of cooling fans and microwaves as it would surrounded by AV kit.

Still, it's what's inside that counts, and here you'll find plenty of cutting-edge projection technology.

Most noteworthy is perhaps the automatic iris mode, which busies itself constantly with making minute adjustments to your picture so that you see it at its very best.

It proves fruitful, too, delivering worthwhile improvements without being distracting in operation.

All the right specification boxes are ticked. This Epson LCD projector proudly sports a Full HD 1080p resolution, two HDMI inputs and a versatile throw ratio that allows for plenty of flexibility when it comes to positioning – provided you can find room for the main unit.

Still, that size comes in handy when it comes to cooling, with plenty of room to ensure it's very quiet in operation.

The enticing figures are not only inside: Epson's three-year warranty on the projector and lamp adds another bargaining tool to your box should you have an other-half to persuade.

Up and running in no time

Thanks to its easy to follow menus, this is a doddle to get up and running and we're soon enjoying Terminator Salvation.

It shows that the '2900 is adept at digging detail out of dark scenes, although contrast levels don't quite match the best, and leave a gloomy picture that could do with a little more clarity and solidity to the image when the lighting is low.

Talking of solidity, while motion is handled comfortably and with no great signs of distress, lines could be more sharply drawn at times, with the precise detail in Land Of The Lost not quite as crisp, clean and punchy as the very best rivals.

There's much to like, though, with bright, colourful scenes. These reveal the Epson to be more than capable of delivering the quality required.

A wide colour palette allows for a vital, punchy image, with South Park looking great, and given as much of a sense of three-dimensionality as the deliberately lo-fi animation allows.

The bar is mighty high for projectors of this price to jump up to but Epson's EH-TW2900 makes a fine job of it. It can't quite hit the heights, but certainly gets within touching distance.

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What Hi-Fi?, founded in 1976, is the world's leading independent guide to buying and owning hi-fi and home entertainment products. Our comprehensive tests help you buy the very best for your money, with our advice sections giving you step-by-step information on how to get even more from your music and movies. Everything is tested by our dedicated team of in-house reviewers in our custom-built test rooms in London, Reading and Bath. Our coveted five-star rating and Awards are recognised all over the world as the ultimate seal of approval, so you can buy with absolute confidence.

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