One minute review
The Epson EH-TW9400, or Epson Pro Cinema 6050UB as it's known in the US, will set you back $2,549/£3,999, but in terms of performance, specs, and features, no other home theater projector can beat it. about. This three-chip LCD model competes with single-chip DLP models that require a color wheel and therefore suffer from rainbow artifacts. For this reason, this projector is capable of bright, detailed and wonderfully saturated images. There's also low input lag, support for HDR10, and even 3D (if that still floats your boat), making it a versatile tool. Epson packs a number of high-end features that are not only missing from competing projectors, but also not found in others costing more than twice as much: There are fully motorized lens controls, making setup a breeze, and there's even a lens memory for those using a range ratio display (2,35:1). The menus are easy to navigate, but there are also ISF controls if you want to get a professional calibration. There's even a motorized lens hood to keep dust out, which is important because an LCD projector's light path isn't sealed. Aside from the possibility of dust spots, the only other limitations are the blacks, which could be deeper, though they're still better than the DLP competition, and motion handling, which isn't a strength of the LCD. (The latter is an area where DLP definitely has the upper hand.) It's also worth noting that the Epson isn't native 4K, but neither is any other projector at this price point, and it can still produce a higher-resolution image thanks to pixel-shift technology. Vous ne trouverez vraiment pas un meilleur projecteur home cinema pour votre argent - gardez juste à l'esprit qu'il n'est pas livré avec des haut-parleurs intégrés, vous aurez donc besoin d'un équipement audio connected as une barre de son that's why.
Prices and availability
Released in 2019, the Epson EH-TW9400 is still widely available in the UK, India and elsewhere, currently selling for €2,549. In the US it's called the Epson Pro Cinema 6050UB and costs around $3,999. While it may seem expensive compared to most cheaper DLP projectors, it's comparable to home theater models from Optoma and BenQ. It's also considerably cheaper than native 4K projectors from Sony and JVC, which are at least twice as expensive. Since it's a bit older now, you can also often find it at a slight discount if you're looking for a great deal. The TW9400 is only available in black, but for an extra €350 there's the EH-TW9400W variant, which has a white chassis and packs in a wireless HDMI connection system. Alternatively, if you prefer a white model but are on a tighter budget, Epson also offers the EH-TW7400 (€2199), which includes most of the features of the more expensive model.
(Image credit: Epson)
Integrated
- Large and robust frame
- Motorized lens cap
- Solid set of connections
The Epson EH-TW9400 is big compared to the competition, with a robust and well-designed chassis with rounded edges. Build quality and price reflect the economies of scale available to the world's largest projector manufacturer. The TW9400 measures 520 x 450 x 193mm (WxDxH), weighs 11kg, and its matte black finish is best suited for dedicated installations. There is a high-quality lens in the center, with air inlets and air outlets on both sides. A power lens cover opens when turned on and closes when turned off to protect the lens assembly from dust. This is important because LCD projectors do not have a sealed light path and as such there is a risk of airborne dirt collecting and the dreaded 'dust spots'. The TW9400 can be mounted on a stand or ceiling, and while you can use a white wall, for the best image quality, invest in a display. Motorized lens controls simplify setup, allowing zoom, focus, and shift adjustments. These can be saved using the lens memory and, depending on the screen shape, allow for the creation of custom aspect ratios ranging from 1,78:1 to 2,35:1. The connections are located in a recess long on the back of the unit, where you'll find two HDMI 2.0 inputs with support for HDCP 2.2, 4K/60p, 3D, and high dynamic range (HDR10). There's also a VGA computer connector, two USBs (both 2.0, one for service only), a 12V trigger, and LAN and RS232C ports for easier integration with third-party home control systems. The included remote control is chunky but quite heavy and fits nicely in the hand. It has all the main controls laid out intuitively, and most importantly, there is a backlight that makes it easy to use in the dark. There are also memory buttons to quickly and easily change the aspect ratio of the image if you have a reach screen.
(Image credit: Epson)
- Stunning images on the big screen
- Reproduction of saturated colors
- Excellent HDR and 3D compatibility
- Incredibly quiet operation
- Extremely low input latency
The Epson EH-TW9400 impresses right from the start, with the kind of bright, detailed, saturated image that makes big-screen projection so enjoyable. Throw in a good-quality Blu-ray like The Incredibles and primary colors pop, blacks and shadow detail are appropriately refined, and the projector extracts every last pixel of image detail. Another great proof is The Revenant Blu-ray, thanks to its expansive snow-covered backdrops. Here, the TW9400 does a great job of producing realistic whites that aren't awash in blue. The same goes for skin tones, which look natural enough, while the image itself is pleasantly sharp thanks to the three well-aligned LCD panels. This projector is also extremely quiet, measuring 20dB from a seated position just a few feet away and still reaching 25dB right next to the chassis. This noise level will increase if you use the high lamp mode, but even on the lowest setting, this is a very bright projector with a claimed light output of 2600 ANSI lumens. Most DLP projectors sound like a hair dryer by comparison, and there's the annoying high-pitched whine caused by the spinning color wheel. The most accurate image preset is, and rightly so, Natural. If you use this particular mode with SDR content, you'll be rewarded with an image that's very close to the filmmaker's original intent. This home theater projector is best suited to a dark room, where blacks and contrast are presented to the maximum of the projector's capability. However, if you have white walls or ceilings, the TW9400 can produce enough brightness to handle reflected light, but you may want to consider darkening the room to get the most out of this projector. Contrast is generally very good, and certainly better than competing DLP models, but if you want really deep blacks you should look to the more expensive JVC projectors. There's a dynamic iris, but it didn't offer a noticeable improvement in contrast and was quite noisy to operate, so it's best left on. The only real area of weakness is motion management, but this is a recognized limitation of LCD technology. That's not to say it's bad, and 24fps footage is largely handled well with no induced blur or unnecessary stutter. However, with more frenetic action, especially sports and games, spots with fast-moving objects appear. This is definitely an area where DLP has the edge thanks to its faster response time.
(Image credit: Epson) If you're watching non-4K content, there's the optional frame interpolation feature, which allows for smoother motion. However, make sure it's turned off for movies and TV shows so they don't end up looking like cheap videos. Also, don't use frame interpolation with games, as this will increase input lag. This is one area where the TW9400 really impresses, with a flicker-and-you'll-miss-it measurement by 26.8ms. TV companies may have abandoned the 3D format, but it's still popular with projector manufacturers, where the bigger picture is more immersive. Epson is no exception, although you will need to purchase the 3D glasses separately. But if you're still a fan of 3D, this projector will put a smile on your face. There is occasional crosstalk, but it's a small price to pay for bright, colorful and detailed 9400D visuals, with the action in Avengers: Endgame feeling suitably epic, with plenty of depth and pop. The TW4 also supports high dynamic range, and while it's not a native 1920K projector, you can create a higher resolution image using pixel shift technology. Basically, the projector takes the image from your 1080 x 1080 panel and shifts it diagonally one pixel to produce a second Full HD image. When combined, the result is an image with a resolution higher than 4p. The technology really works, and at a reasonable viewing distance it's very hard to tell the difference between the Epson and a native 10K projector that costs two to three times as much. In terms of HDR9400 performance, the TW98 really impresses with a bright and detailed image where highlights pop and shadows reveal more subtleties. The wider color gamut (3% DCI-P4) really sets this projector apart from competing DLP models, and viewing the Guardians of the Galaxy Vol.2 XNUMXK disc reveals a wealth of beautifully nuanced colours. A single-chip DLP projector uses a color wheel and cannot come close to that level of saturation. Also, some people will suffer from rainbow colored fringe and artifacts.
(Image credit: Epson) When it comes to HDR, no projector can offer anything close to the maximum brightness levels seen on even a cheap 4K TV. However, as long as the projector correctly maps the HDR signal to match its inherent capabilities, the results can still be impressive. This is apparent when looking at Midway's 4K Blu-ray, which has the kind of visceral HDR visuals that can really put a projector to the test. The TW9400 won...