EPSON EH-TW5910
Price: $1,350
Rating: 5/5
Epson is a familiar name in the projector
world, its $1,500-plus projectors on the receiving end of Awards and glowing
five star ratings. The EH-TW5900 got five stars at $1,425 last year, so we’ve
got high hopes for its follow up - this 5910.
Things get off to a good start: it’s a
well-specified projector that features 3D, Full HD resolution of 1920 x 1080,
built-in speakers, twin HDMI inputs and a backlit remote control handset. It is
also the only LCD projector in this test.
The curvy white chassis is built and
finished to a substantially higher standard than the rest on test. It’s also a
larger and heftier projector than the three other models here. The TV-style
remote control is large and solidly built to match. It’s backlit, too.
We’re so impressed with the quality of the
picture that we double-check this Epson’s price tag
You’ll
need to splash out extra on 3D glasses, but it might be worth it for this
fine-value unit
A throw ratio of 1.32 – 2.15 gives you a
maximum image size of 300in but on the off chance you won’t need such a large
image, adjusting the zoom and focus manually is easy, as is getting it centered
on to your screen.
With a THX Optimizer disc at hand, it’s
worth getting the image tweaked to its very best – switch the color mode to
‘Natural’ to adjust the brightness/ contrast/color settings. We’d also
recommend turning off noise reduction, over scan and auto iris, and setting
image processing to ‘Fine’ and power consumption to ‘Normal’ for a much
smoother performance.
A captivating picture
Spin any Blu-ray disc – we’re going with
Star Trek again and the Epson’s clean, crisp picture is immediately
captivating. There’s great definition, deep blacks that don’t swallow up subtle
detail, and punchy highlights that contrast beautifully. From the shots of the
Romulan ship careening through deep space, to the flurry of activity inside the
USS Enterprise, the EH-TW5910 delivers a confident performance. The same
qualities are consistent when showing DVDs as well – it’s a clear and bright
picture that’s great to watch.
Color balance is well judged with skin
tones looking natural, and there’s a great deal of subtlety that adds to the
depth and insight of the picture. The Epson’s skill at conveying subtle detail
is a notch above the rest here. In fact, we’re so impressed with the quality of
the picture that we’ve double checked its price tag: $1,350 is great value.
Epson
EH-TW5910: The king of the projector world turns to the budget market for its
latest offering
The built-in 20W speakers, too, deliver a
robust and balanced sound – it’s the most comfortable sounding projector on
test to listen to on its own.
3D quality isn’t ideal on any of the
projectors in this test, but this Epson arguably has the most watchable 3D
picture. There’s little flickering involved, and while there’s some motion
struggle during fast-moving scenes, on the whole it’s tolerable with a good
sense of depth. Epson doesn’t include any active shutter glasses, but a
lightweight pair costs $105.
We’re impressed: a projector with a fine
picture that is immediately immersive, with decent sound and 3D, too. And all
that for just $1,350? A bargain.
Rating: 5/5
For: Immersive picture; subtle details;
deep blacks don’t compromise on detail and whites have sufficient punch;
acceptable 3D
Against: 3D glasses not included
Verdict: Brilliant picture quality belies
that price – a confident, highly desirable projector
Epson EH-TW5910 specs
·
Resolution: 1920 x 1080
·
Type: LCD
·
3D: Yes – active
·
Rated fan noise: 27dB
·
Throw ratio: 1.32-2.15
·
Max image size: 300in
·
Rated brightness: 2100 lumens
·
HMDI in: 2
·
PC in: 1
·
Audio in: 1
·
Dimensions (H x W x D): 14 x 42 x 36cm
InFocus IN3118HD
Price: $1,485
Rating: 4/5
The InFocus IN3118HD is the only projector
in this test that is made specifically for use in the classroom or office. The
Oregon-based projector brand aims to bring a home cinema standard of high-def.
picture to a more professional setting with its Full HD, 1920 x 1080 DLP
projectors, priced at $1,485.
We’re usually wary of reviewing business projectors
alongside home cinema projectors, as the two tend to have different priorities,
the former giving less importance to absolute picture performance.
If this 1920 x 1080 HD unit is the new
standard of quality for classroom projectors, we’ll pay more attention in class
It
might have been designed for learning applications, but this InFocus is a real
treat
The IN3118HD bucks that trend, and InFocus
delivers on its promise: this projector looks great. If this is the new
standard of quality for classroom projectors, we’ll pay more attention in
class. The picture is bright, clear and there’s minimum noise.
There’s no 3D on board – the only instance
in this test but the IN3118HD performs well across both Blu-ray and DVD, with
no discernible motion issues.
Play Star Trek again, and you’ll find the
interior of the USS Enterprise shines brightly, with whites and the trademark
lens flares looking sharp and punchy.
Business projectors tend to have high
levels of brightness to ensure images can be seen in a lit room, and the
IN31118HD follows that trend with an impressively rated 3600 lumens – the
brightest in this test. In fact, we’d tone it down just a touch to prevent any
unnecessary bursts of glare.
Black levels are respectable, but not as
deep as we’d like; there’s hints of detail in shadows, but not as subtle or
layered as with the Epson EH-TW5910.
As with all the projectors in this test,
the IN3118HD has built-in speakers, but a 5W output is thin and unremarkable
compared with the 10W and 20W on offer from rivals. We had to boost the treble
and bass levels to make it sound more substantial and clear.
Easy set-up
The projector is fairly uncomplicated to
set up. A THX Optimizer disc is your friend here: the aspect ratio test is a
great way of centering the image on your projector screen or wall. After mere
minutes we were set to go and explore the image settings (which aren’t as
comprehensive as rivals’, with contrast and brightness adjustments too crude to
offer much scope for fine-tuning.) One thing we’d note is that, as with all
these projectors, it’s well worth taking time to run through the various menu
options. Tweaking parameters like gamma can make a big difference.
InFocus
IN3118HD: Can a business projector deliver a true 1080p home cinema experience?
There’s ample connection, both for laptops
(VGA connections) and AV equipment (two HDMI inputs), along with an RJ45
Ethernet port for update alerts over the network. A small, backlit remote is
included – always convenient when watching films in a dark room.
We’re pleasantly surprised and impressed
with the IN3118HD. Don’t let that ‘office’ label deter you: this is a talented
projector that stands confidently alongside its class rivals.
Rating: 4/5
For: Clear and bright image; smooth motion;
enjoyable viewing experience; backlit remote
Against: No 3D; lacks the detail definition
and black levels of the class leader
Verdict: Despite a few niggles, the
IN3118HD is a bright and capable projector
InFocus IN3118HD specs
·
Resolution: 1920 x 1080
·
Type: DLP
·
3D: No
·
Rated fan noise: 35dB
·
Throw ratio: 1.6-1.92
·
Max image size: 247in
·
Rated brightness: 3600 lumens
·
HMDI in: 2
·
PC in: 1
·
Audio in: 2
·
Dimensions (H x W x D): 10 x 33 x 25cm
