Epson is pushing further into the all-in-one home entertainment space with the launch of the Lifestudio Grand Plus Ultra Short Throw Laser Projector, continuing a busy product cycle for Epson following its LS9000 debut last July and its earlier partnership reveal with Bose.
Lifestudio Grand Plus Features at a Glance
Image courtesy of Epson
At the core of the Grand Plus is Epson’s 4K Display Technology which works with the projector’s 3-chip 3LCD architecture to produce 4K HDR images on screen sizes up to 150 inches. The onboard architecture also drives both 4,000 Lumens of Color Brightness (IDMS rated) and 4,000 Lumens of White Brightness (ISO rated) with HDR10 color support.
Beyond the raw performance metrics, Lifestudio also comes with Google TV and Gemini integrations, enabling what Epson describes as “free-flowing conversations” with the system. This includes getting movie recommendations based on mood, sports updates through connected apps, among many other options.
The Google TV integration also extends to practical convenience as well, though, as the Epson Setting Assistant app for iOS and Android handles initial setup and display-size calibration. On top of that, the system comes with a built-in 2.1 audio system calibrated by Bose.
Ultra Short Throw Projectors vs. Large Screen TVs
Despite the growing popularity of larger-than-life TV screens, CE Pro‘s own market research confirms that projection installs remain on a significant upswing in the space, with UST solutions being particularly popular within the growing segment of multipurpose media rooms.
As a result, this segment has also been seeing increased competition by the likes of Hisense, Samsung and LG. Though, in recent times, competition within the American home media market has seen some considerable activity, especially now as brands like TCL, SKYWORTH and Hisense have begun encroaching on the market shares of longtime leaders.
Additional Considerations
The projector itself sits for just under $4,000 (MSRP $3,799.99) being available in both black and white finishes. Epson is also offering a SilverFlex ALR screen (sold separately) as a potential pairing for the product in environments with lower light control. This ALR comes in 100-inch and 120-inch configurations, according to Epson.
Three HDMI ports are also included with the projector offering framerate support up to 4K at 120Hz for smooth gameplay and easy connection to gaming consoles and audio gear.
For more information, readers are instructed to visit the Lifestudio main page.
