PowerLite Home Cinema/Review

PowerLite Home Cinema

 Price: $1,999-$2,999/Official Site: Epson.com
 Specs: 1080p; 16:9; 75,000:1; 16.5 lbs; 2 HDMI ports
 Company: Epson America Inc.

One of the best ways to get an ultra high-definition experience on a large screen is with top-end projectors. If you follow this , then it's no secret that Epson is one of the leading companies producing premium projectors, and its new PowerLite duo offers units that cover the genre’s entire spectrum. Whether you’re looking for the absolute best home-theater experience in the 6500 UB, or want a great balance of price and quality with the 6100, the PowerLite series is a fantastic option that can easily go toe-to-toe with any of the market competition.

PowerLite Home Cinema-2

While the technology behind the PowerLite Home Cinema series may seem complex, the actual setup and use of the projector could not be any more simple and easy. Right out of the box, the PowerLite is ready to produce sparkling images, but for those tech heads who want to really get in and tweak the picture, it is possible to ramp up the performance to something that approaches visual nirvana. Both items run over a 3 LCD system that outputs images at a full HD resolution of 1080p, and unlike display screens such as a plasma-based TV, these projectors hold up surprisingly well in strongly lit rooms. One of the additional benefits of this style of TV is the black levels, and as you upgrade from the 6100 to the 6500 UB model, you can take advantage of some of the most absolute darks found on any home theater available. For a movie buff that wants to bring the true film experience home, the Epson PowerLite Home Cinema is a great solution.

There is a lot of good to say about the Epson PowerLite Home Cinema series, but if there were one knock, it would go to the 6500 UB, which by all accounts is a tremendous gadget, besides the ill-fated 120Hz mode. This frame rate feature is all the rage right now, so it is understandable that Epson felt the need to include it on at least its top model, but in reality the FineFrame capability is a mess here. Thankfully, you can turn it off without taking away anything from the otherwise class-A home-theater experience. The setup is easy, the colors are vibrant and clear, and if you step up to the 6500 UB, you will project a picture that will absolutely blow your mind. The stunning contrast ratio and visual clarity are on a whole other level, and it really is a wonder after using these PowerLite products that home projectors do not have more of a foothold in the LCD/plasma-controlled flat-panel market.

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