Epson delivers excellence, value and versatility
Chris Sullivan (Account Manager) and Paul Wilson (Business Manager) at Epson UK, provide a rundown of the significant capabilities, flexibility and serious support available for Epson projectors.
Epson has a compelling and recently updated range of projector offerings. Launched at EI Live! last year, the EH-QL Series delivers a brighter, high-performance 4K laser range with a full suite of interchangeable lenses from 0.34:1 (UST lens ELPLX02S) through to standard and longer throw options for all install scenarios.
The range is perfect for use in high ambient light areas such as media rooms, which are gaining popularity. These options also offer strong flexibility where room depth is restrictive, but the customer would still like the advantages of a larger image. This range also comes with a sleek new chassis, complete with customisable covers and casing designed to work within the customer’s décor, matching any aesthetic ambition.
There are two models. The EH-QL7000 delivers 10,000 lumens, is based on a 4K laser engine, and has an RRP of £20,999.99 inc. VAT, plus lens.
The EH-QL3000 delivers 6,000 lumens, is a 4K laser projector, and is priced at £12,799.99 inc. VAT, plus lens. Both projectors are available in a black or white chassis or with an attractive optional ‘champagne’ coloured top casing.
Also released at EI Live!, the EH-QB1000 delivers 3,300 lumens and is a fixed lens 4K laser projector offering HDR10+ compatibility at a keen RRP of £4,799.99 inc. VAT. This unit delivers stunning performance for dedicated cinema use, including dynamic tone mapping, low latency functionality for enhanced gaming and increased brightness versus the EH-LS12000B model. This unit has white and black chassis options.
Also offering an affordable option, the EH-LS12000B has 2,700 lumens performance over a fixed lens 4K laser model with HDR10+ in a black chassis, delivered at RRP £3,999.99 inc. VAT. This is a popular model with a strong track record. Installers highlight the powered lens flexibility as a particular strength, with 10 lens memory presets allowing customers to switch between aspect ratios when toggling between TV and movie sources.
Offering incredible performance and flexibility for the price tag, the EH-LS11000W is a 2,500-lumen fixed lens 4K laser projector with HDR10+ in a white chassis (RRP £3,399.99 inc. VAT). The white livery is a good match for when the unit needs to be more obvious in the room to fit in with the décor.
The EH-QS100 is a 4,500-lumen fixed lens UST projector with HDR10, 4K enhanced 1080p performance using single-axis pixel shift (RRP £4,499.99 inc. VAT). The unit has a 0.16:1 throw ratio for images up to 160in diagonal, with little throw distance required. The EH-QS100 also has IP controls for home integration. The 4,500-lumen performance allows for usage in living room environments with high ambient light, and this model is ideal to pair with a fixed frame ambient light rejecting screen for enhanced contrast and visual impact.
Adding flexibility: The QL platform
During and after lockdown, we saw an increase in requests from residential custom integrators for brighter projectors in less traditional spaces. Epson found itself specifying its professional business projectors in these spaces. While all performed well, it highlighted the demand for products that would offer the best of both worlds. Something that could offer the flexibility of interchangeable lenses with the brightness capabilities of a pro model but didn’t compromise on contrast, black levels, and overall image quality. The QL platform fulfils that need.
The combination of a QL projector and lenses can offer anything from a 0.34:1 throw ratio up to a 7:1 lens. There is very little that can’t be achieved in today’s more varied use case scenarios.
For example, when the QL projectors are paired with a UST lens - the ELPLX02S - it offers some unique features. These include a very large image from an extremely short throw distance and a very limited amount of light drop-off (16% versus the competition’s 30-35% for their UST lens equivalents).
Also, the option to hide the projector body in the ceiling void, leaving only the lens visible, delivers a neater solution. On the aesthetics side, the option for white, black or champagne finishes offers further choices.
The QL range is adept at catering for the growing world of golf, driving and cycling sims, especially the shorter throw lens options.
A top technical team
Support is key in this sector, and on a day-to-day basis, we have dedicated account management and technical pre-sales support. We also have several online tools to help dealers, such as online distance calculators, manuals and product pages.
Training can also be made available. The structure and content of this are often tailored to our dealers’ requirements. We have conducted sessions on Teams or in person. We urge any reseller interested in learning more about the Pro Home Cinema range to reach out and speak with our Pulse/Invision teams.
If dealers want to see any of the range in person, Epson projectors are on display at SDS Pro Home Cinema integration showrooms or within our demonstration spaces. Ad hoc demos can also be hosted within the new Epson customer demo facility in Lutterworth, Leicestershire, especially for those wanting to explore the new QL range and its various lens options in a brighter setting.
Why choose Epson?
Epson is confident in its current lineup and support. Reasons for this include a rock-solid performance with very low failure rates. Resellers often comment, ‘It just works.’ This type of reliability leads to fewer repeat visits, meaning margins aren’t being eroded.
Its performance versus cost is very high. Epson is often told its kit performs at similar levels to projectors costing much more. Epson’s 4K projectors utilise a dual-axis shift mechanism to achieve 4K with brighter output in a compact chassis while offering great value.
The Epson flexibility is also strong. Integrators often comment that only Epson products work in tricky spaces. This is due to the amount of lens shift its units offer, the flexibility of projector and lens options, and the brightness.
Many integrators also like the easy-to-understand layout of the menus within the products and throughout the range. The last thing an integrator wants is to spend time on-site familiarising themselves with new menus and functionality. The five-year/12,000-hour warranty on all Epson Pro Home Cinema projectors is included as standard, delivering complete peace of mind.
The future
Epson launched new SDS products at the end of last year and is expecting further innovation shortly. Epson is also currently reviewing its Pro Home Cinema programme to see what additional value it can offer to its Pro Home Cinema partners in conjunction with us.
The increased brightness and flexibility of Epson projection are certainly opening the broader potential for projection to be adopted in the home. Projection needs no longer be confined just to dedicated dark cinema rooms.