Home Theatre/TV: Epson EH-TW3500 LCD Home Theatre Projector – Review – 80

With the current high-definition specification of 1920 x 1080 becoming the de facto industry standard (for now), manufacturers are embarking on a path of refinement and enhancement rather than undertaking total revamps.

Take the new Epson EH-TW3500, for example. This reasonably priced projector has replaced the beaut TW3000 that brightened up my HT room just a few issues ago (see Tone 76), the new model promising increased performance overall, with a contrast ratio double that of the earlier version.

The TW3500′s connection options are pretty good – two HDMI inputs allow flexibility with other HD video equipment (games machines/laptops), while those who haven’t taken the HD plunge will find familiar sockets for composite (lousy), S-Video (a bit better) and Component (actually pretty good). Those wishing to use a PC as a source have the handy mini D-sub input, while an RS-232c is available for custom install automation. The TW3500 has Epson’s excellent 2x manual zoom, while its lens shift means that off-centre positioning will not be an issue.

Contrast ratio is up to 36,000:1, and the 1800 lumen output is possibly the best of the current 1080p crop. This will please those wishing to use the TW3500 in situations where there is ambient light.

The projector is attractively styled and, if ceiling mounted, the elegant white casework will not be too obtrusive.

The TW3500 acquitted itself very well in operation. I preferred the Theatre Black 1 mode out of all the picture settings available, and once I’d turned off the auto iris and raised colour temperature I was good to go.

Watching Blu-ray source material was a great experience with the TW3500. Dumb blockbusters such as Transformers: Revenge of The Fallen leapt from the screen with vivid detail and colours, a scene with Megan Fox sitting on a chopper early in the movie being particularly memorable – certainly the denim cut-offs looked very realistic in terms of colour and texture. The crazy Autobot versus Decepticon fight scenes were projected well with no motion blur or digital picture noise, and detail was excellent. The black levels were also very acceptable, although not quite up to the standard of the more expensive LCD or LCOS designs. This was only apparent when viewing side by side but in real world terms the TW3500 acquitted itself very well indeed.

Another big budget flick on Blu-ray, Watchmen, with a proper storyline (well, I think so) and an altogether darker premise than Transformers, was again a treat on the big screen. Colours in this movie are subtly rendered, and the Epson came up trumps with a natural and very watchable (no pun intended) rendition of this graphic novel adaptation.

In the 3500, Epson has a worthy successor to the excellent EMP-TW3000, except that the 3500 is superior in most respects, making it worthy of a very high recommendation. With its fine, no-fuss picture, this is yet another quality projector from Epson.

GARY PEARCE

Epson EH-TW3500 LCD Home Theatre Projector – Tech Specs

RESOLUTION: 1920 x 1080
CONTRAST RATIO: 36000:1 (with auto Iris control on)
BRIGHTNESS: 1800 Lumens
OPERATION NOISE: 22dB (Whisper mode)
ZOOM: 2.1x (plus vertical/horizontal lens shift)
CONNECTIONS: HDMI x2, Component, S-Video, composite video, mini D-Sub, RS232/12v trigger
DIMENSION: 450 x 360 x 136mm (W/D/H excl feet)
WEIGHT: 7.3kg

Pros

• Very good picture quality
• Easy installation and facilities

Cons

• Blacks not quite up with the best
• Uses organic LCD panels

Verdict

A top-performing entry-level HD projector that continues to raise the bar for Epson

CONTACT

www.epson.co.nz

This article is from Tone issue 80. Click here to check it out.