Five home theater projectors

The EH-TW5350 model from Epson has a similar cost to many models of LCD TVs, whose screen size ranges from 49-55". At the same time, with the help of a projector, the transmitted image can be stretched much more — at the maximum throw distance, the diagonal of the image will be about 300".

The projector provides the ability to play content from almost any source. So, external devices are connected to it via two HDMI ports, one USB output, a VGA connector, a set of "tulips" or an audio output. And inside the case there is a Wi-Fi module, the main purpose of which is to support the broadcast of images from the screen of mobile gadgets over the air. To do this, a proprietary Epson iProjection application must be installed on a smartphone or tablet. In addition, the built-in speaker with a power of 5 watts is hidden in the projector case.

The set of interfaces does not take up much space on the compact body of the model. The projector, by the way, stands steadily on any type of flat surface (starting from a table and ending with a regular stool), and can also be suspended from the ceiling. To calculate the optimal location of the model indoors, taking into account the distance to the intended screen, you can use a special calculator on the official website of Epson.

A high brightness margin (2200 lm) allows minimizing the influence of external lighting on the quality of the broadcast image. Accordingly, the projector does not require dense curtains or a complete shutdown of the light — the image will be clearly visible even in a not completely darkened room. The projector supports video content playback in resolutions up to 1920x1280 pixels.

During prolonged operation of the projector at maximum brightness values, impressions about it may be slightly spoiled by a noisy cooling fan. In fact, this is the only minor disadvantage of the model. Otherwise, the Epson EH-TW5350 only bribes potential buyers. The projector is equipped with everything necessary to create an improvised cinema hall at home.

The DSE symbols in the abbreviation of the projector model index from the Taiwanese brand Optoma indicate that the device is equipped with an integrated video processing system. Its presence favorably distinguishes Optoma HD28DSE from other representatives of the primary class.

By default, the image "improver" works too aggressively — it overestimates the levels of sharpness and contrast, and also tries to emphasize details when it is not quite appropriate. The intensity of image processing can be reduced manually (it is enough to lower it from the "boxed" 80% to the level of 20-30%). Then the image in films and animated commercials will be slightly supplemented with cleanliness and detail.

According to the manufacturer, the maximum brightness of the projector reaches 3000 lm. In fact, it was not possible to achieve this indicator in the tests. Nevertheless, the brightness reserve is quite enough to view video content in dark rooms or rooms with a certain level of background lighting. Only a claim is made to the brightness regarding the uneven illumination at the edges of the projected frame.

The small size of the device and the built-in 10-watt speaker allow you to use the Optoma HD28DSE as a portable projector. Moreover, it is not necessary to take a laptop with you to project images using it — the model supports the transmission of images from the display of a smartphone or tablet that are connected to it via an HDMI port with support for the MHL interface.

In addition to playing normal content, the projector supports 3D video playback. You can adjust the image display parameters using a convenient remote control with backlight. The focus and position of the image on the projected screen are adjusted manually. In this regard, the model is no different from most colleagues in the shop of the same price category.

Useful to know. 3D glasses are usually not included in the package of projectors, respectively, they must be purchased separately.

The heir to the popular model Sony VPL-HW40ES is the most affordable solution on the modern market, built on the basis of the progressive SXRD technology.

Two key links are involved in the formation of the image by the projector: a transparent LCD screen through which the light from the backlight lamp passes, and a mirror reflecting the resulting image. Such a method of obtaining an image allows you to ensure the most accurate colour reproduction and high clarity of the transmitted image. In addition, the projector handles well with the conversion of low-resolution videos to FullHD format, increasing the sharpness of the original image during processing and ensuring its smooth playback. This useful feature will come in handy, for example, when watching live broadcasts of football matches on cable TV.

Another indisputable advantage of the projector is the excellent depth of black colour display. Of course, in a completely dark room, small flaws on a black background can be seen, but in the vast majority of the usual viewing conditions, it will not be possible to declare claims to black areas of the image.

All functions of the projector are controlled by the complete remote control and duplicate keys directly on the device body. And the adjustment of the sharpness and size of the image must be done manually, for which the object of the model is framed by two plastic rings. In the same way, the vertical and horizontal shift of the image is adjusted, with the only caveat that both of these settings are made using two wheels on the upper panel of the projector.

Due to the fact that the ventilation holes are located in the front of the projector housing, it can be safely installed close to the wall or in blind niches, without fear of possible overheating. This feature becomes especially relevant in small rooms. No less pleasant are a couple more useful "chips" of the model: an increased life of the backlight lamp (6000 hours in Eco mode) and a low input lag in games (about 23 ms). The low signal delay allows you to comfortably play any games on the big screen, including with many highly dynamic scenes.

The company JVC specializes in the production of exclusively high-end projectors. Therefore, you should not be surprised at the sky—high price of the junior representative of the model range of the Japanese brand — JVC DLA-X500.

To compete with the projector in terms of picture quality can only be expensive Sony models that play videos in the "native" 4K resolution. The brainchild of JVC also supports the UltraHD format, but with one caveat — the image is converted to ultra-high resolution by using e-Shift technology. Its meaning lies in the displacement of the D-ILA matrices vertically and horizontally by a distance of half a pixel, as a result of which the points from which the picture is built overlap with each other. The basic resolution for the projector is the FullHD format (1920x1280 pixels).

The content in interpolated 4K resolution boasts the highest detail. The picture is also characterized by high contrast (more than 60,000:1) and the deepest black colour — completely dark areas of the image practically do not emit a glow when displayed. In addition, the projector is perfectly calibrated "out of the box", which is quite rare. The accuracy of its colour rendering practically corresponds to the reference triangle of the Rec.709 colour space.

The playback of 3D movies by projectors is usually accompanied by a lightening of the picture and subsequent loss of contrast, but not in the case of the JVC DLA X-500. It gives out a large picture with high definition. To view stereo content, you only need to get an appropriate set of 3D glasses.

The projector is equipped with a motorized zoom and focus drive, which makes it possible to change the zoom and focus area using the remote control. The presence of a backlight allows you to use the remote control with the same comfort both in sufficient light and in the dark. The projector is devoid of direct competitors in its price range. And if the amount necessary for its purchase is collected, you can take the JVC DLA-X500 without the slightest hesitation.

The Sony VPL-VW320ES projector supports real 4K resolution with a frame size of 4096x2160 pixels. The UltraHD image is displayed with the highest degree of detail, so that it becomes possible to examine even the smallest objects in all details.

The model uses the proprietary SXRD image projection system. It is a kind of LCoS technology, in which liquid crystals on a silicon substrate are responsible for constructing the image. This system is equipped only with top-end devices that provide uncompromising picture quality on all fronts. Minor claims on the part of users are put forward only to the depth of the black colour — I would like to see more of it. But then the projector would not be much different from the older brother in the face of Sony VPL-VW520ES , which is included in a completely different price category.

Sony VPL-VW320ES is equipped with a motorized focus and zoom drive. Thanks to them, the projector can be hung from the ceiling mount and forget about its presence in the room, especially since it makes a minimum of noise when working. The cooling fan becomes audible only when watching HDR content for a long time, when the lamp of the device heats up from the intense glow. But even at this time, the noise does not cause any discomfort to the audience. You will need to remove the projector from under the ceiling in one case — when replacing the backlight lamp, which has a resource of 6000 hours in economy mode. With such a long service life, not all owners of the device will have to do this.

Flexible adjustment of image display parameters and 2.06-fold optical magnification are available to projector users. With the help of these functions, the projected image can be adjusted to any size. And if you also buy a few pairs of 3D glasses in addition to the projector, the home cinema will turn into a real 3D cinema. Against the background of the total cost of Sony VPL-VW320ES, glasses certainly will not ruin the owner of the projector with their price.