EPSON EH-TW7100 Review: Projecting That High-Def
As far as displays go, TVs dominate our households.
They’re compact, often within budget and versatile. What if there were an alternative? Let’s say, a projector. Epson sent us their EH-TW7100, a high-end model capable of 4K resolution, but it’s not true 4K.
The EH-TW7100 takes a few inputs: 2 HDMI 2.1 connectors, 2 USB 2.0 type A and 2 USB 2.0 Type B ports. You’ll get a remote, a HDMI cable and kettle cord. It’s all standard faire but you’ll get all necessary items buying one of these behemoths.
Speaking of size, this projector is a big boy. Its dimensions are 330mm x 410mm x 164mm. You’re going to want to mount it onto your ceiling.
Puts the TEN in TENET
Like most projectors in the market today, the EH-TW7100 sports a RGB LCD lamp but it is far higher end than your run of the mill model.
There’s a reason it comes in at R40,000. This particular projector displays images at HDR10 and has a contrast ratio of 100000:1. This makes it particularly good for home use if you’re after a home theater setup.
The image is bright and colourful. There are 4 modes you can set the display to work on: Dynamic, Bright Cinema, Natural, Cinema. I preferred natural.
You Can’t Handle The Truth
I said earlier that the EH-TW7100 doesn’t show as true 4K. This projector takes two 1080p images and brings them together. The image will upscale to 4K if you use any 1080p or below media but there is a visible fidelity loss. Still, the brightness of 3000 lumens will be useful projecting onto a 40″ wall or projector screen, and for most media, this is not an issue.
The EH-TW7100 offers up standard connectivity options. I would’ve preferred firmware on a projector that could install, for example, Netflix or Prime Video apps. Still, you can buy a Firestick or something similar for streaming since they use HDMI ports. I felt that for the price of R40,000 or so, USB 3.0 ports could’ve been a standard, but I do hope Epson implements this in the future.
You Merely Adopted The Dark
Image quality on the EH-TW7100 was as I expected great. Combining frame interpolation with high refresh rates and super resolution made for a visual feast. Nature documentaries were brought to life, movies lively and colourful. As an entertainment device I loved using it in a dark room.
Darkness is where the EH-TW7100 thrives which tells me this is a unit intended for use in dark home theaters. This makes me wonder: Who is this projector for? It’s probably for someone with a home theater setup and a dark room, but with a projected image of 40″ or so, does a 55″ TV feel more justified? I think it depends on your living space. If you’re a fan of a true cinematic experience this is a great option. If you’re in a well-lit space, go for a TV.
Last but not least you’re going to have to remember that you’re getting 750 hours of life out a lamp on eco mode. The higher quality modes of operation will likely reduce that number. It will also consume around 400 watts while on and 2 watts while on standby. The fans spin up pretty loud on the high image quality modes too and it runs hot, so you need a good open space to vent out that excess heat. There’s the weight also, which is at 6.9kg. You want to mount this unit, as I said.
Should you consider one of these projectors? If you want a projector capable of producing some fantastic visuals while paying R20,000 less on a higher end model that will give you true 4K from Epson’s own projector range. For a cinematic experience there isn’t much to match a good projector screen.
The question is, will you pay R40,000 for a projector if a TV will work better in your environment?
Technical Specifications:
Technology:
- Projection System: 3LCD Technology, RGB liquid crystal shutter
- LCD Panel: 0.61 inch with C2 Fine
Image:
- Color Light Output: 3,000 Lumen In accordance with IDMS15.4
- White Light Output: 3,000 Lumen In accordance with ISO 21118:2020
- Resolution: 4K PRO-UHD
- High Definition: 4K enhancement
- Aspect Ratio: 16:9
- Contrast Ratio: 100,000 : 1
- Light source: Lamp
- Lamp: UHE, 250 W, 3,500 h durability, 5,000 h durability (economy mode)
- Keystone Correction: Manual vertical: ± 30°, Manual horizontal ± 30°
- Colour Video Processing: 10 Bits
- 2D/3D Frequency Image: 240 Hz / 480 Hz
- 2D Vertical Refresh Rate: 192 Hz – 240 Hz
- 3D Vertical Refresh Rate: 400 Hz – 480 Hz
- Colour Reproduction: Up to 1.07 billion colours
- HDR Support: HDR10, HLG
Optical:
- Throw Ratio: 1.32 – 2.15:1
- Zoom: Manual, Factor: 1 – 1.62
- Lens: Optical
- Lens Shift: Manual – Vertical ± 60%, horizontal ± 24%
- Screen Size: 40 inches – 500 inches
- Projection Distance Wide/Tele: 2.95 m – 4.77 m (100 inch screen)
- Projection Lens F Number: 1.49 – 1.77
- Projection Lens Focal Length: 18.2 mm – 29.2 mm
- Projection Lens Focus: Manual
Connectivity:
- Interfaces: USB 2.0-A (2x), USB 2.0 Mini-B, HDMI in (2x), Jack plug out, Bluetooth
- Epson iProjection App: Ad-Hoc / Infrastructure
Advanced Features:
- Security: Kensington lock
- 3D: Active
- 2D Colour Modes: Dynamic, Natural, Cinema, Bright Cinema
- 3D Supported Formats: Side by side, Top and bottom
- Other Features: 3D depth adjustment, 4K enhancement, Frame interpolation, Horizontal and
vertical keystone correction, Quick Corner, Wireless LAN capable - Video Color Modes: Automatic, Cinema, Dynamic, Natural, Bright Cinema
General:
- Power Consumption:
- Normal: 32 dB (A)
- Economy: 24 dB (A)
- Supported Temperature:
- Operation: 5°C – 30°C
- Storage: -10°C – 60°C
- Supported Humidity:
- Operation: 20% – 80%
- Storage: 10% – 90%
- Product Dimensions: 410 x 310 x 157 mm (Width x Depth x Height)
- Product Weight: 6.9 kg
- Noise Level:
- Normal: 32 dB (A)
- Economy: 24 dB (A)
- Supported Voltage: AC 100 V – 240 V, 50 Hz – 60 Hz
Options:
- Air filter ELPAF38, MB22 ceiling mount, Wireless LAN unit
Loudspeaker:
- 10-Watt, Stereo: Stereo
- Main unit, Power cable, Remote control incl. batteries, User’s Manual Set
Room Type/Application:
- 4K Gaming, Home Cinema, Sports, TV & Box sets
Positioning:
- Ceiling Mounted, Desktop
Colour:
- White
