Technical Innovations of Epson Projectors
Primarily, these are 2K projectors that meet all requirements to transmit and play 4K signals. This is made possible by the so-called 4K-Enhancement. This technology shifts image pixels by half a pixel to the right and up using a special refractive glass. Ultimately, it's not a native 4K image, but it comes very close. You can adjust the pixel shifting via the "Image Optimization" menu item.
The projectors offer Ultra HD and HDR mode. This mode (English for "High Dynamic Range") includes several technical innovations that, in combination, result in the display of an image with extended dynamic range, high contrast, and uniform brightness. This makes details much clearer. Epson relies on the HDR10 standard here.
In addition, Epson offers the original DCI-P3 cinema color space, which is commonly used for digital film projection in the US film industry.
If you want to learn more about HDR, we recommend this article, in which we provide an overview of the most important terms on the subject.
Furthermore, the projectors work with Epson's developed 3LCD technology. A light source provides white light, which is split into red, green, and blue via mirrors. In a prism, the images of the primary colors are combined into full-color images. These, in turn, are projected onto the screen through the projection lens, creating bright, natural images.
On the Optics of the TW Series
It is noticeable that the new TW generation is considerably larger than the older devices. This is primarily due to the deeply recessed connections, which create a shaft that elegantly conceals the plugs.
Building on this, the volume of the ventilation also benefits from the size, as the projector is now much quieter. Only at the highest brightness level does the volume increase again.
The lens contains additional glass elements, which create a sharper image. Lens shift, focus, and the large zoom range are now fully motorized via the remote control. The zoom can be adjusted at the touch of a button, depending on the format being played. Furthermore, the three models are compatible with CinemaScope screens in 21:9 format. You can save up to ten different lens positions via the remote control, allowing you to set the correct image format with a single button press.
Finally, there is now also the function to pixel-accurately hide the image borders, meaning to black out the entire image area. What is particularly surprising, however, is the color matching menu, in which the color temperature can be calibrated in eight steps. It is therefore possible to correct any color deviations in the image area.
We find the user button on the remote control particularly user-friendly, as you can assign it an individual function that you use particularly often, e.g., switching from 2D to 3D. As already known from the older TW series, the new series also works at 60Hz in 3D, which provides a particularly flicker-free image.
What are the differences between the models in the new TW series?
The entry-level model EH-TW7300 is price/performance optimized compared to the other two. The main difference with this projector lies in its slightly lower light output and also lower contrast ratio.
In the focal point of the lens of the EH-TW9300 or EH-TW9300W, there is an iris diaphragm whose closing degree can be regulated via the "Lens Iris" menu item. This influences the contrast ratio. The two 93 models therefore have particularly good black levels.
The top model EH-TW9300W offers maximum flexibility through an integrated Wireless U-HD transmitter. With this transmitter, you can wirelessly transmit 4K signals up to a frequency of 30Hz via your smartphone, game console, Blu-ray player, etc. Apart from the power cable, you don't need any additional cabling.
Since you can now also connect the projector to your network, it is possible to view your travel photos on the projector, for example, using the installed Epson iProjection app for iOS and Android.
Conclusion
The new Epson projectors are larger than their predecessors, and at the same time, their performance has improved. The devices have become brighter in the Full HD range, which is an advantage for your home cinema as you need to dim less. 4K enhancement and HDR compatibility are the icing on the cake. Thus, the projector series has been expanded with features and functions, with the integrated wireless extension in the EH-TW9300(W) even gaining a unique selling point. The new EH-TW series is expected to be available from mid-September 2016.
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