Chances are you’ve landed here because you have a purpose. No no, I’m not talking about your life purpose – that’s a different post altogether, and I wouldn’t presume to be so knowledgable. Right now, I am referring to your desire to take the next step into the magical world of home cinema.

The only way to enjoy a proper movie night, is when there is a large screen in front of your face and a big bag of popcorn in your lap. Alright, very well – it doesn’t have to be a bag. Tell you what, it can be one of those designated plastic or cardboard containers, okay?

So, you have your friends over, the popcorn is ready, the lights go out, and you hit that PLAY button. The question is, will you be watching this movie on a projection screen or a television screen?

Epson was formed from the fusion of several companies. Its origins are in Nagano, Japan, 1942. At the time, the Daiwa Kogyo company was established. This was one of Epson’s predecessors. Another name the company carried was Suwa Seikosha. Epson itself was established later on, in the middle of the 1970s, and later on it was merged with Seiko.

Epson released its first projector in 1989. The company had carried a couple of different names, changed some hands, and was essentially part of the TV and computer world. Epson has always been into communications and media, and it is really inspiring to see the changes and standards they have brought to the industry over the years.

Projector vs. TV

Projector vs. TV

Televisions and projectors are both excellent ways of watching programs and films. There is always a question of which to go for, and these parameters are a good way of assessing the device at hand, and your necessities:

Quality of image – take a look at the resolution and brightness. You know the line “what you see is what you get”? Well, it works here, too. Don’t settle for online shopping. Get yourself to several actual shops, browse around, and see if you can find a company and model – be it a TV or a projector – that you can see yourself owning.

Technology – TVs have smart capabilities, while most projectors do not. If this is something which you care about – and yeah, you should be thinking long-term – then take it into account. The ability to control a lot more from the comfort of your couch is worth it for some.

Ease of use – if you find that one device or model is significantly easier to operate than another, it could be a deal maker.

Reliability – technology is awesome, it really is, but let’s face it: things break. Devices fail. Do you have small kids or a dog? They could be detrimental to the state of your home theater setup. Either way, you need to be sure that if something breaks off or goes wrong, there will be a place where you can talk to someone and replace what needs to be replaced.

I am more of a projector man. I have a TV, but for movie nights I have my projector. The one I own is an Epson, so I figured I’ll talk a little bit about them and their best selling models.

To be clear: I did not use all of these models long-term. I gave them a “test drive” of sorts, and these are my initial impressions. Your mileage may very well vary.

Okay, let’s get into it.

Epson VS240 Review

The VS240 is one of Epson’s most affordable projectors. Here are some of its specs:

Epson VS240

• Aspect ratio – 4:3
• Resolution -800X600
• Brightness – 3000 lumens
• Display size – 30-350 inches
• Lamp life (normal settings) – 5000
• MSRP – $299.99

As you can tell, it is one of the more simple models, but it still includes all of the standard connections and cables. It has 3-chip technology, and this is one of its main attractions. The 3000 lumens stand the test of dark and bright conditions, and it seems that Epson have seriously hit a home run with this projector. Of course, it does come with a couple of cons. First, there is no ability to perform an optical zoom, and there is no 3D function. Then again, I honestly would not expect it from such a device. This is a projector which seems ideal for offices and academic establishments.

Epson EX3240 Review

This is another SVGA projector from Epson. It is more expensive than the VS240, even though the differences between them are not that great.

Some of the EX3240’s specs:

Epson EX3240

• Aspect ratio – 4:3
• Resolution -800X600
• Brightness – 3200 lumens
• Display size – 30-350 inches
• Lamp life (normal settings) – 5000
• MSRP – $399.99

The major difference between them is the lumen count, which is 3200 on the EX3240 as opposed to the VS240’s 3000. Like the VS, this one also has 3-chip technology inside of its guts, and it is another affordable options for those who want quality without spending thousands of dollars. Good for presentations and home entertainment.

Epson EX5250 Review

Now we are cranking things up a notch, as far as quality and price are concerned. The EX5250 is an XGA 3-chip projector which does not disappoint.

Epson EX5250

Some of its technical specs:

• Aspect ratio – 4:3
• Resolution – 1024X768
• Brightness – 3600 lumens
• Display size – 30-300 inches
• Lamp life (normal settings) – 5000
• MSRP – $599.99

One of the biggest advantages this projector has – on top of its improved graphics – is its wireless capabilities. With the EX5250, you can project your film or presentation from a laptop, a tablet, or a smartphone. The device is compatible with all popular players and computers, and the HDMI connection makes hooking things up a cinch. One cable, and you are good to go.

Does it cost more? Yes. But you get more professional features with this model. Attributes such as exceptional brightness and color visibility of 3600 lumens, or a way to adjust and correct both vertically and horizontally. A huge leg up, however you look at it. Although, one thing is still lacking in this unit, and that is the ability to play 3D content. That is one feature which this device does not possess, but for those who are looking better projection capabilities for a slightly higher price, the EX5250 is certainly worth looking into.

Epson Home Cinema 640 Review

Another one of Epson’s best sellers, which easily commands a lot of attention from would-be users. Because of its price and 3-chip LCD technology, it has become very popular.

Epson Home Cinema 640

Technical specifications for the Home Cinema 640:

• Aspect ratio – 4:3
• Resolution – 800X640
• Brightness – 3200 lumens
• Display size – 30-300 inches
• Lamp life (normal settings) – 5000
• MSRP – $359.99

Its main drawback is its resolution. The fact that the 640’s resolution is only SVGA, could be a potential turn off for some, but for many, many other users, SVGA is enough. The rainbow-free liquid crystal display makes this an affordable and solid choice for your home theater needs.

Comes with USB, HDMI, and other standard connections.

Epson themselves recommend this one for gaming. I haven’t tried playing any games on it, but the video is clear, bright, and highly satisfying. Look, to be honest, after a while testing these units, I stopped noticing the differences and just appreciated how well they work, and how clearly they lend themselves to the user’s needs. Epson’s products are certainly worth the money.

Epson Home Cinema 2040 Review

This is the most expensive unit on this small list of ours, and it is also the most advanced. The feature lacking from all of the previous models we went through was the lack of HD (in some of them), and the lack of 3D support (in all of them). This one blows them all out of the water.

Epson Home Cinema 2040

The 2040 has some impressive specs:

• Aspect ratio – 16:9
• Resolution – 1920X1080
• Brightness – 2200 lumens
• Display size – 34-332 inches
• Lamp life (normal settings) – 4000
• MSRP – $799.99

Okay, so first of all, this unit has 3D support, full HD, and even though it is less bright than others on this list, it does not feel that way. The image is just amazing.

In a way, using this projector may end up making you feel bad. You know why? Because after getting some viewing time on this thing, you’ll never want to watch movies any other way. Seriously.

Obviously, it is more expensive, and so it should be. It is perfect for movies, gaming, and it is one of the best sellers Epson has in the “top tier home equipment”. For the quality and features which thing projector brings with it to the table, the price is definitely worth it. Also, keep in mind that the MSRP is not the final price. You can always find cheaper prices, so get cracking and look for some sales. You won’t regret it.

Epson's New LS100 ultra-short throw projector boasts a 130-inch display and 20,000 hour lifespan! https://t.co/GWKiQPN3Au via @MailOnline

— Epson UK (@EpsonUK) September 8, 2017

Conclusion

Surely, this is the way that movies were meant to be seen. So if you are tired of hunching over your laptop, and are ready to take matters to the next level, I highly recommend a projector. It doesn’t even need to be Epson. Right now I am just speaking on behalf of directors and screenwriters all over the world, who are begging you: watch our movies properly!

Epson or not, you can’t deny that projectors are getting more popular as their technology advances. People are seeing a lot more value in investing the time and effort (and money) in projectors, in an attempt to help their home theater experience go from good to great.

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