Projector Reviews

Full-On/Full-Off Contrast Ratio: 1,830:1

The measurements here were made using CalMAN measurement software from Portrait Displays (www.portrait.com), together with a Photo Research PR-650 color meter, Minolta LS-100 luminance meter, and a Murideo/AVPro (Fresco Six-G) test pattern generator.

Pre-calibration measurements were made with the Epson LS500's Cinema color mode active in the default settings. Post-calibration measurements were also made in the Cinema mode. All measurements were made with the projector paired with a 100-inch diagonal Screen Innovations Zero Edge screen with 0.6 gain Short Throw material.

The projector's maximum full-on/full-off SDR contrast ratio was measured in Cinema mode with Normal (100%) Light Output and High Speed Dynamic Contrast active. Using this combination, black measured 0.020 ft-L and peak white 36.6 ft-L for a contrast ratio of 1,830:1.

Before calibration, the Epson's grayscale was fairly linear aside from a slight green deficit at the top of the brightness range, with the Delta E averaging out to 4.2. After calibration using the LS500's Custom color temperature settings in the White Balance menu, that number was reduced to 1.9 with a 4.6 Delta E at 100 percent brightness being the outlier. (Delta E is a figure of merit indicating how close the color comes to the standards, either D65 for the white point or the color coordinates for each of the primary and secondary colors that define the color gamut under test. Values below 3 are generally unnoticeable.)

With the Cinema color mode's default settings active, the Delta E of the LS500's color points averaged out to 7.7. After making adjustments in the projector's color management system (RGBCMY) menu, that number was reduced to 2.6. Coverage of the Rec. 709 color gamut topped out at 87.2 percent.

Before calibration, gamma mostly tracked a 2.2 target, with a maximum Delta E of 5.5 at 90% white. Post-calibration, the Delta E measured below 2 for much of the brightness range, with a maximum Delta E of 4 at 100% white. In HDR10 mode with Normal Light Output selected, peak output measured 158.6 nits +/- 2 nits regardless of the size of the measured white window.

Picture uniformity was excellent: white full-field test patterns showed minimal brightness drops between the center and edges of the screen, and no color shifts. Our suite of video processing tests revealed below-average performance, with the Epson tripping up on HD 2:2 pulldown patterns, along with several 2:3 pulldown cadences and mixed film/video tests.

Measured input lag with a 1080p source was 27ms, making the Epson a very good option for high-def gaming.—A.G.