A historic player in the video projector market, Epson has recently invested in the ultra-short throw segment. Its latest model intends to make you question your home cinema installation.
Did you still think that a video projector required tedious installation, both to attach it to the ceiling and to connect it to your equipment? Since the advent of ultra-short focal length cameras, this has been ancient history. From now on, a few centimeters of distance are enough to benefit from an immense display diagonal.
This is precisely what Epson’s brand new 4K PRO-UHD ultra-short throw video projector offers: the EH-LS650. A beautiful object, designed by a historic and experienced brand in the field, which aims to bring the cinema experience directly into your living room without changing its layout.
Minimum setback for maximum diagonal
Your living room doesn’t have to be as big as a movie theater to benefit from a video projector. With ultra-short focal length technology, less than 20 centimeters of distance is enough. This is made possible thanks to a series of lenses placed in the device, capable of increasing the size of the image tenfold over a very short distance. So forget about the few meters of distance needed for your installation.
In the case of the Epson EH-LS650, you can enjoy an image diagonal of 60 to 120 inches by moving the device back just a few decimeters from the wall. Enough to enjoy a much larger image than the vast majority of televisions on the market, but with a much more discreet device.
And this is the advantage of ultra-short throw video projectors, they do not disfigure your living room with a large black rectangle. Especially since you can broadcast the image directly on a wall if it is clear, even if a projection screen offers even higher quality.
Quantity and quality
Epson does not sacrifice image quality to extend its diagonal, on the contrary. The historic manufacturer uses its own laser projection technology: 3LCD. Compared to competing DLP technology, it provides better contrasts, more realistic colors and an overall rendering that is less tiring for the eyes. The 3LCD also benefits the durability of the video projector, extended up to 10 years according to the manufacturer.
The brightness offered by the Epson EH-LS650 video projector is also excellent. It can reach a peak of 3,600 lumens, enough to watch your content in comfortable conditions even when the environment is not (entirely) plunged into darkness.
Finally, the ultra-short throw projector displays a 4K image thanks to a process upcalling. 4K enhancement technology shifts each pixel diagonally to double the resolution. It is also compatible with HDR10 and HLG standards, thus offering realistic rendering of light contrasts.
Just plug in to enjoy
If image quality is one thing for Epson, ease of use is another. The manufacturer has designed its video projector like a television. It incorporates a connected interface based on Android TV, allowing you to enjoy SVoD applications with the included remote control without having to connect any other device. Better yet, Chromecast compatibility allows you to stream your content from your smartphone in just one click.
However, Epson has not abandoned traditional connections. The EH-LS650 video projector has complete connectivity, consisting of 2 HDMI ports (including an eARC, to connect a soundbar), 3 USB ports, an Ethernet port and an optical audio output. Sufficient range to connect Blu-ray players, game consoles or even storage disks.
The Yamaha reference on the sound part
On the sound side, Epson trusted Yamaha to equip its ultra-short throw video projector. The result is a 2.1 audio system with a total power of 20 watts. You can even connect your smartphone to it to simply listen to music.
Above all, the Yamaha sound system also acts as an excellent amplifier into which you can plug your own speakers. The sound signature of the Japanese firm is very careful.
A reference already available
The new 4K ultra-short throw video projector is already available for sale, in white or black. You can find the EH-LS650 model from 2,290 euros on merchant sites such as Fnac or Boulanger.
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