AI is, arguably, the world’s hottest technology topic, and it seems as though no one and nothing is safe from its omnipresent influence – not even Epson’s new projector range.
The projector stalwart has announced four new 4K home cinema projectors, headlined by a new AI-backed image-processing engine. It can adapt picture settings to the content you are watching, upscale lower-resolution video more efficiently, and improve contrast and motion.
Epson is making a considerable deal of including MediaTek’s MT9681 chipset, which reportedly supports up to 4K/120Hz video via HDMI 2.1. This chipset is also responsible for running the new AI features mentioned above.
The range is split down the middle with two affordable options – the EH-LS5000 and EH-LS6000 – and two higher-end projectors, the EH-LS7000 and EH-LS7500. Based on the name alone, these projectors appear to sit below the Award-winning EH-LS9000.
Starting with the cheaper duo, these projectors both utilise the company’s 3LCD technology, which utilises three liquid-crystal chips to split white light into red, blue and green beams, intended to enhance colour vibrancy and brightness. The EH-LS5000 and EH-LS6000 reportedly deliver peak brightness of 2500 lumens and 3400 lumens, respectively.
This works in tandem with Epson’s new LD Boost Technology, which can reportedly boost brightness by up to 12 per cent without increasing fan noise levels.
Furthermore, these projectors can beam an image up to a staggering 500 inches. Despite the huge screen size, Epson promises easy and flexible set-up options and easy interoperability with connected devices such as external sound systems and gaming consoles.
Moving up the range, the EH-LS7000 takes the brightness up to a claimed 3600 lumens, which Epson says is “ideal for premium media rooms and high-performance entertainment set-ups”.
The EH-LS7500, on the other hand, is billed as the company's “first short-throw professional home 4K projector with 3500 lumens”, which we interpret to mean that this is the company’s first short-throw unit to reach that brightness level. We have reached out to Epson for clarification.
Epson touts this projector’s biggest asset as its ability to beam a large, bright image from a compact form factor, making it ideal for multi-function rooms or even indoor golf simulators.
All four projectors feature HDR10 and HLG support, although Epson has made no reference to any of the available dynamic formats such as HDR10+ or Dolby Vision.
Matter smart home integration is also featured across the range. This will allow users to control their projector via one of the supported smart home protocols, and voice assistants will also be supported.
The new Epson projector range is launching across Europe this month; considering we are nearing the end of September, we assume that means we’ll see them hit shelves next week.
MORE:
Read our full Epson EH-LS9000 review
As well as our Epson EH-QB1000 review
Check out our picks for the best projectors