- Epson has launched a trio of new 3LCD laser projectors
- The new models have 4K 120Hz support and a brightness of up to 10,000 lumens.
- High brightness and a living room-friendly design make the Q Series an alternative to microLED TVs
With CEDIA Expo, a showcase of the latest and greatest developments in home cinema technology, just around the corner (September 5-7, 2024), announcements of new related equipment are coming. First up is Epson, which has just released news about the Epson Q Series, a trio of new 3LCD laser projectors aimed at the high-end custom installation market.
Epson’s Q series consists of three high-brightness models designed for multi-purpose living spaces. However, like the best 4K projectors, they can also be installed in traditional home cinema environments and include the contrast-enhancing UltraBlack technology found in previous models such as the Epson LS12000.
The entry-level model of the Q Series is the QB1000 ($7,999, around £6,160 / AU$11,900)which features Epson’s VRX Cinema Lens and boasts two HDMI 2.1 inputs with support for 4K 120Hz and ALLM. Between its HDMI 2.1 connections and specified input lag time of less than 20ms, the QB1000 could be the perfect big-screen gaming projector.
The QB1000’s brightness is specified at 3,300 lumens (color and white) and it supports HDR, including HDR10+, HDR10 and HLG formats. It uses Epson’s QZX image processor, has a laser light source with an estimated life of 20,000 hours and features a 3-axis motorized lens shift for easy setup and installation.
He QL3000 ($14,999, around £11,550 / AU$22,300) and QL7000 Epson's projectors of this model ($29,999, around £23,100 or AU$44,600) are body-only projectors that can be paired with any of Epson's high-precision lenses. This design allows for a wide range of installation options, including floor- or ceiling-mounted ultra-short throw setups.
Epson’s QL3000 and QL7000 projectors offer the same features as the QB1000. They have specifications of up to 6,000 and 10,000 lumens and support screen sizes up to 300 inches. According to Epson, these new models are more compact than their high-brightness competitors, something made possible by a new, smaller light source with a vapor chamber heat sink, making them more suitable for bright living spaces. Both projectors are available in black or white and have a unique angular housing that should also complement any room they’re installed in.
Epson Q Series: A Cheaper Alternative to MicroLED TVs?
With its new Q-series projectors, Epson is taking on a number of competitors in the high-end custom-installation screen arena. Chief among them are flagship projectors from brands such as Sony, Barco and Digital Projection, but huge microLED video walls also appear to be in the mix.
Making its new projectors compact and cutting-edge in design should give Epson an edge over its competition in the high-brightness projector space, which is dominated by industrial-looking models that don't exactly fit into a typical living room environment.
Projectors like the Sony VPL-GTZ380, a model that offers the same 10,000-lumen brightness as the Epson QL7000, are quite large and best hidden away. Just as importantly, they're hugely expensive: the Sony costs $80,000, compared with $29,999 for the QL7000.
An attractive feature of Epson’s two new high-end projectors is the option to pair them with an ultra-short throw lens. This will allow the projector to be installed close to a screen in a cabinet or ceiling rather than requiring a long throw distance to project large-scale images. The best ultra-short throw projectors, such as the Epson LS800, are already bright enough to be installed in typical living rooms, but increasing brightness to the 6,000-10,000 lumen range will make images look even more vivid and dynamic. And with prices reaching $29,999 for the projector, Epson’s new models will also provide a budget-friendly alternative to huge microLED TVs, which currently sit in the $100,000 range and up.
The QB1000 will be available in September 2024, and the QL3000 and QL7000 in October 2024. We look forward to hearing more about them at CEDIA Expo 2024, where TechRadar will be on hand to cover Home Theater Week.
