Audio Video News

Epson has recently taken significant steps to promote accuracy and transparency in the projector market by addressing misleading brightness claims from manufacturers.

JmGo Updates Brightness Specs to Reflect ISO Standards
In a recent development, JmGo has revised the advertised brightness levels for several of its popular projector models to comply with ISO 21118 standards. The N1 Ultra, initially marketed at 4,000 lumens, is now accurately listed at 1,900 lumens.

Similarly, the N1 Pro's brightness has been adjusted from 3,200 lumens to 1,300 lumens, and the U2 from 2,400 lumens to 1,400 lumens. These corrections aim to provide consumers with truthful and standardized brightness information, facilitating informed purchasing decisions.

“By adopting internationally recognized benchmarks, projector brands foster greater trust and help customers make more informed purchasing decisions,” said Mike Isgrig, Epson America’s vice president of consumer sales and marketing. “We are pleased that JmGo will use validated standards to ensure consumers know exactly what they’re getting.”

AWOL Vision's Voluntary Compliance with ISO Standards
AWOL Vision has taken proactive voluntary measures to ensure transparency in its projector specifications. While its projectors already meet advertised brightness claims, the company has voluntarily revised the brightness specifications of its projectors to align with ISO 21118 standards, an internationally recognized method for measuring projector brightness, instead of peak lumens.

The LTV-2500's brightness was adjusted from 2,000 ANSI lumens to 1,700 ISO lumens, and the LTV-3000 Pro from 2,400 ANSI lumens to 2,000 ISO lumens. These adjustments reflect AWOL Vision's commitment to providing accurate information to consumers and maintaining industry integrity.

Understanding Brightness Measurements: ANSI vs. ISO vs. Peak Lumens
It's essential for consumers to understand the differences between various brightness measurements:

• ANSI Lumens: Developed by the American National Standards Institute, this measurement provides a standardized method for assessing projector brightness under specific conditions.
• ISO Lumens: An international standard (ISO 21118) for measuring projector brightness, similar to ANSI but with slight methodological differences.
• Peak Lumens: Represents the maximum brightness a projector can achieve under optimal conditions, often higher than standardized measurements and not always indicative of typical performance.

According to the conversion ratio described in ISO standard 21118, the ratio between ANSI lumens and ISO lumens is 1:0.8, meaning that 1 ANSI lumen corresponds to 0.8 ISO lumens. Therefore, a projector with a brightness of 2,000 ANSI lumens would correspond to 1,600 ISO lumens. This is the reason for AWOL lowering the number of lumens in its advertised spec, it's pure math.

ISO 21118 as a Benchmark for the Industry
The core of Epson’s legal actions is the universal acceptance of the ISO 21118 standard. This measuring system, developed by the International Organization for Standardization and acknowledged by ANSI in the United States, establishes a worldwide standard for projector brightness. Adhering to these set rules enables producers to provide specifications that facilitate customer product comparisons on an equitable basis.

In its communications, Epson stresses that when businesses adopt transparent standards, it's good for everyone. Instead of backing up false claims, clear and well-defined indicators build trust among customers, encourage fair competition, and spark real new ideas in the market.

A Call for Consumer Vigilance
Seeking out recognized measurement standards, such as ISO 21118, and choosing trusted brands committed to transparency can help ensure a satisfactory purchasing experience.

In summary, Epson's recent actions, along with the voluntary compliance of manufacturers like JmGo and AWOL Vision, contribute to a more transparent and trustworthy projector market.