Epson EX71 Multimedia HD Projector - Performance

I first tested the Epson EX71 using my computer and the included USB cord. Pairing the two together couldn’t be easier. Simply plug each end of the USB cord into the USB output on the projector and any available USB port on your computer, and that’s about it. There is some included software you can download as well.

Once connected, I was able to view my computer’s desktop on an adjacent wall, and it only took a matter of minutes to reach this point from start to finish. This setup is perfect for boardroom presentations, college/university projects and any other PowerPoint (or related program) presentation. I pulled up Hulu.com as well to watch a video via this very same setup, and the performance was sub-par, but most likely not because of the projector; the culprit is probably an outdated video card on my computer.

So I was impressed with the performance of the EX71 in a business application environment. Epson’s 3-LCD, three chip technology displayed a very vibrant image that was brighter than most projectors I’ve tested over the years. Epson claims an increased light output of 2,500 lumens color light and the same 2,500 lumen output for white light.

For those not familiar with lumens, it is the unit of measurement used to determine how bright the image will be displayed from the projector. In general, higher numbers are better, and 2,500 lumens is actually a relatively high number. With this amount of light output, you can expect to get a great quality image in a relatively brightly lit room (i.e., boardroom, living room, etc) for picture sizes that span over 100 inches. For more information about lumens and a handy guide for determining how many lumens are required for your desired projector application, visit ProjectorPeople.com. 

Next, I tested the EX71 in a home theater environment. I used an HDMI cable (not included) to connect the projector to my HD cable box. Again, installation was a breeze and took about one minute to complete. I tested the projector at various sizes, and picture sizes well over 100 inches looked as good as smaller sizes. The image quality was outstanding for a projector—not quite up to the standard of my Samsung plasma, but that’s to be expected.

The EX71 performed well and showed great clarity and detail when watching sporting events and movies. There was no noticeable lag like you may see in LCD TVs when watching fast moving imagery (i.e., sports and action movies). The image brightness was adequate in my living room, which was well-lit during testing. I tested the same setup later in the day when the room was darker, and the imagery looked outstanding. Colors were relatively accurate right out of the box, but you can also choose to manually adjust several color and brightness settings in the on-screen menu.

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