Epson is once again expanding its Home Cinema lineup with the introduction of three new 4K HDR laser projectors: the LS5000, LS6000 and LS7500. Designed to complement Epson’s established Home Cinema projector portfolio, including the flagship Home Cinema LS11000, the new arrivals are said to fit into a wide range of home entertainment spaces, being tailored specifically to today’s big-screen viewing preferences while being conscious of room space.
LS5000, LS6000 and LS7500 Features and Specs
The new Home Cinema projectors come in a compact design with front-exiting airflow and wide-range manual lens shifting to provide greater placement flexibility, according to Epson.
Inside, the projectors use Epson Picture Processing alongside a 3-Chip 3LCD projection engine powered by a laser array light source. According to Epson, these new models produce 2,500 to 3,500 lumens of equal Color Brightness (IDMS Rated) and White Brightness (ISO Rated) for a bright, vivid, immersive picture on screens up to 300 inches.
The Home Cinema LS5000 and LS6000 use a high-quality Epson Cinema lens, while the Home Cinema LS7500 features a unique short-throw lens that allows the projector to be positioned a few feet closer to the wall than conventional projectors.
Dual HDMI ports support 4K HDR content up to 120Hz for smooth, ultra-clear movies, sports and gaming across all units. In addition, high refresh rates and Auto Low Latency Mode (ALLM) further reduce input lag and screen tearing to ensure responsive gameplay and cinematic playback. Integrated Bluetooth 6.0 is also available for wireless headphones.
The projectors also come with support for multiple aspect ratios ranging from 16:9 HDTV to cinematic 21:9.
Why Integrators Should Take Note
The new lineup comes as TV technology like microLEDs and RGB LEDs continue to steal headlines within the channel. While much discussion has been had in the debate about TVs vs. projectors for the home theater, the recent uptick in conversation surrounding bigger and brighter screens has left projection on the sidelines.
However, not everyone believes that TVs are the way to go when it comes to building a home theater.
“As TVs get bigger, they can also become a design challenge, leaving a large black rectangle that dominates the room when not in use. Projection offers a discreet alternative that virtually disappears when the entertainment ends, while creating immersive experiences, not possible with a traditional TV – from every day 16:9 content to cinematic 21:9 and IMAX-style viewing,” said Fernando Tamashiro, product manager, Epson America, Inc
Michael Hamilton of the Image Science Foundation also had this to say in an article written for CE Pro: “Home theater’s roots have always had a symbiotic connection with the local movie palace: a larger-than-life image projected onto a screen. So, in the debate of whether to use a TV or a projector as the centerpiece of a home theater, I have a few questions to ask you.”
Still, others have likened projection nowadays to that of vinyl or vacuum-tube amplifiers, with the aesthetics and qualities imparted onto the experience by the technology itself holds greater value over raw specifications.
Availability and Pricing
The Home Cinema LS11000 ($4,499.99 MSRP) is available now and the new Home Cinema LS7500 ($2,699.99 MSRP), LS6000 ($2,199.99 MSRP) and LS5000 ($1,999.99 MSRP) will be available in late September through the Epson online store and select retailers.
