It used to be a draw between the two opposing projector camps. The DLPs had the performance advantage of deeper backs, while the versatile LCDs featured short-throw and lens shift capabilities. This delicate balance is somewhat skewed now that the Epson-led LCD camp is gaining new ground with a combination of enhanced LCD engine and dual-iris optics. Its latest EMP-TW700 home theatre projector is one fine example with an ultra-high 10,000:1 contrast performance.
Upside
A step up from its predecessor, the TW700 is shipped with a tweaked version of the company's D5 3LCD engine and an improved Cinema Filter. The former, when paired with an automated dual-iris optics, enables the projector to deliver a two-fold leap in contrast performance of up to 10,000:1. This is adequately matched by an above-average 1,600 ANSI lumen brightness which first debuted in its predecessor, handy for countering ambient lighting in less ideal environments.
Comparing the Epson with other competing new 3LCD solutions in terms of the above figures, the TW700 falls right in between the pack. It outshines the Panasonic's PT-AX100E by an arm's length with the latter's lower 6000:1 contrast ratio, while putting out brighter pictures against the Sanyo's Z5 and Hitachi's PJ-TX300 by up to 500 ANSI lumens.
If you are having a hard time convincing your better half to ceiling-mount your projector, the Epson's new Fujijon lens and its power 2.1x zoom are probably your best workaround. What this has brought about is the flexibility to install the beamer further away from the screen. Say on top of a shelf flushed against the rear wall without projecting an oversized picture. That's beside the customary wide lens shift for off-axis setup commonly found in most LCD projectors.
Downside
The provision of dual HDMI terminals still proves elusive for this 720p Dreamio. In its place is a Japanese-centric D4 jack which is, by and large, irrelevant in most other parts of the world. Though you can convert this analog video input to the compatible component-video format using an optional adapter, the accessory is hard to come by outside of Japan and an unnecessary overhead.
Aside from the unsolicited choice of connectivity, we were also rather disappointed to see a lack of 1080p support for A/V boxes such as PlayStation 3, Blu-ray and HD-DVD players. Some may argue that the TW700 has only a native resolution of 1,280 x 720 pixels, which is not optimised for full HD after all. But it would, nevertheless, be a welcome feature for protection of your investment.
Outlook
Slated for launch in the coming weeks, the Epson EMP-TW700 features all the positive traits of its predecessor plus a healthy boost in performance. For users who care less about full-HD capability, this Dreamio is definitely a good and handsome candidate for theatrical-sized entertainment. Anything else, and you will have to wait for its EMP-TW1000, a true 1080p shooter rumoured for release in early 2007.
4%
1%
