Projector Reviews

Epson Home Cinema LS100 LCD Projector and Elite Screens Aeon CLR Screen Review Test Bench

Test Bench

Full-On/Full-Off Contrast Ratio: 1,030:1

Pre-calibration measurements were made with the Epson’s Cinema preset active. Post- calibration measurements were made in the same mode. All measurements were made using the Elite Screens Aeon CLR screen.

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The projector’s highest contrast ratio in the Cinema preset was achieved with its Quiet Light Control mode selected and its Dynamic Contrast feature set to High Speed. With this combination, black level measured 0.022 ft-L and peak white 22.68 ft-L, for a contrast ratio of 1,030:1. Contrast ratio in Cinema preset with the Dynamic Contrast turned off was 200:1. Maximum light output was measured at 70.32 ft-L with contrast set to 100 in the projector’s Dynamic preset mode, with Normal brightness selected.

Before calibration, the Epson’s default color temperature preset in the Cinema preset displayed somewhat below-average tracking, with the Delta E averaging out to 4.3. Calibration in the User mode improved that average to 1.1, with a high of 1.6 at 30% brightness. (Delta E is a figure of merit that indicates how closely a display adheres to the Rec. 709 HD color standard. Experts generally agree that levels below 3 are visibly indistinguishable from perfect color tracking.)

With the Cinema mode’s default settings active, the Epson’s mea- sured color points were some- what inaccurate, with the Delta E averaging 7.0. Post-calibration, the Delta E for color points improved slightly, averaging 5.8.

With the 1 Gamma preset selected, the Delta E for gamma in the Cinema mode averaged 6.2. Post-calibration, gamma improved substantially, closely tracking the 2.2 target for most of its range, with a high of 2.1 at 90 IRE.

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Picture uniformity on the Epson was mostly good: White full-field test patterns showed some brightness drops between the center and edges of the screen, but color shifts were minimal. (Our measurements for color and brightness uniformity in different screen sectors, available at soundandvision.com, indicated that performance was mostly consistent between the Elite and Screen Innovations screens used, though the SI model had better brightness uniformity.) The projector also had very good brightness uniformity when the picture was viewed off axis. A degree of light spray could be seen when viewing in dark room conditions. Our suite of video processing tests revealed mostly good performance, with the Epson only tripping up on HD and SD 2:2 pulldown patterns, a not uncommon result.—AG

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COMMENTS
drny's picture
Submitted by drny on January 30, 2018 - 2:46pm

Ultra short projectors are nipping at the heels of mid-level large screen TV displays (85-88" diagonal image). However, they pale (pun intended) compared to reference level displays from Sony, LG, Samsung, or even Vizio.
The dollar value for the larger screen image makes an UST projector tempting, specially for living/ family room viewing.
Unfortunately, when the lights are off, in a dark viewing environment, all UST projector (even with the best ALR screens on the market) will disappoint the Videophile. I am optimistic that market demand will be conducive to the manufacturer's developing UST projectors that match dedicated Home Theater Projectors in image quality.
I imagine a Laser light UST that can match Sony's 285ES 4k projector for $3,000. That would take a huge bite out of the large display TV market.

hk2000's picture
Submitted by hk2000 on January 30, 2018 - 4:32pm

In my opinion, the CLR screen is wrong for the purpose of UST for living room. Most living rooms suffer from different sources of ambient light, such as windows, and table lamps. If you try different ALR screens, you might find this projector performs better. CLR screens are for business applications where most offices have ceiling lights.

hk2000's picture
Submitted by hk2000 on January 30, 2018 - 4:38pm

I might add, I have seen many reviews from users of this projector actually complaining about the high light output and contrast, saying it's too much for viewing in a darkened home theater room.

nkatz's picture
Submitted by nkatz on January 31, 2018 - 2:45pm

> unlike regular projectors, which require careful lighting control to perform their best, UST models can operate in well-lit environments.

I believe the ability to deal with ambient light has everything to do with the screen and nothing to do with projector throw ratio.

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