Entries in 1080p (15)
Review: LG PF1500 LED Projector
Tuesday, October 27, 2015 at 5:06PM Note: this projector has since been surpassed by the remarkably similar (and even more affordable, and recommendable) LG PF1500W.
Projectors are the ultimate flat screen display that can transform a blank wall into supersized video viewing nirvana. Sure, the setup and maintenance of a video projector is more involved compared to a regular television, but the visual reward is almost always worth the effort. The LG Portable LED Projector with Smart TV (PF1500W) is a compact wonder of a display device that features useful multimedia capabilities and technologies that help ensure long-term, hassle-free enjoyment.
Size, style, and setup
The compact design of the LG PF1500 measures about 5.25" x 3.5" x 9.25" (WxHxD) and weighs in a 3.3 lbs. The projector’s stylishly well-ventilated exterior is textured to resist fingerprints and mask dust while improving grip when handling. The PF1500’s exterior controls are simple and effective with a chromed 4-way joystick, a matching lens focus ring, and a slide for adjusting the relatively limited zoom control (1.1x zoom ratio).
The PF1500 projects its image slightly above the plane of its lens so it can be placed on flat surface and pointed at a nearby wall or screen. The projector’s wide front foot is height-adjustable with the press of a button, and automatic vertical keystone correction ensures a square picture no matter the angle of the projector. A 4-corner keystone adjustment is also available for when the projector is placed in a less than optimal location.
The bottom of the PF1500 features three points for connecting a standard ceiling mount, and a fourth centralized point is compatible with tripod adapters. Use of a tripod made it easy to quickly square the PF1500's image without resorting to digital keystone correction that sacrifices picture resolution. Use of a tripod also made it easier to live with the PF1500's limited zoom (and related throw range) when filling a fixed-size screen. In the case of using an 80-inch portable screen that I'm particularly fond of, the PF1500's zoom control left less than a foot of throw distance to work within. For fixed installations with the PF1500, carefully consult a projection calculator before finalizing a potential mount location.
Power for the PF1500 is supplied by a brick-style switching adapter with a rated output of 19V at 5.79A. Input voltage compatibility is listed as 100V-240V at 50/60Hz (1.5A maximum). During operation, the power brick became very warm to the touch and measured up to 130F (54C) according to my infrared thermometer.
Projection tech
A lamp module is a key component of any projector, and its eventual failure is all but guaranteed to occur immediately prior to an important viewing event. The LG PF1500's lamp module ditches the old school bulb in favor of an array of RGB (red, green, and blue) LEDs that are rated for 30,000 hours of operation - about 5-7 times the longevity of a typical lamp module. The projector's LED array also enables very fast start up and shutdown times - less than 7 seconds before a usable picture appeared! The only downside to the projector's LED system is that it isn't user replaceable. LG rates the light output of the PF1500 at 1400 Lumens making it ideal for screen sizes up to 120-inches with adequate ambient light control.
The PF1500’s imaging system centers around a single Texas Instruments DLP chip. Traditional single-chip DLP projectors utilize a segmented spinning wheel to generate color from a white light source, and increasing the rotational speed of the wheel as well as the number of segments help reduce the perception of a distracting artifact known as color breakup (aka rainbows). The use of fast-switching RGB LEDs in the PF1500 eliminates the need for a color wheel, and another potential source of unwanted noise, while minimizing rainbow artifacts as well as I've seen with any single-chip DLP projector.
Audio
The speakers built into most portable projectors are there for convenience rather than epic audio quality, and the dual 3W speakers of the PF1500 are certainly convenient. I appreciated having sound without the added bulk of external speakers, and the projector's stereo output had enough volume to overcome modest amounts of background noise in indoor and outdoor environments.
For augmented listening, the PF1500 provides several audio output options including an HDMI-ARC port (Audio Return Channel), optical, Bluetooth, and a headphone jack. Bluetooth streaming to a quality portable speaker like the RIVA Turbo X (read my review) greatly improved the listening experience, however, Bluetooth output had the unfortunate side effect of disabling the projector's game mode feature that reduces video lag.
Inputs and networking
The selection of inputs on the PF1500 gave me everything I could ask for in a projector of any size. Ports included dual HDMI (MHL/ARC) and dongle adapters for component/composite video with analog stereo input. Dual USB ports support a lengthy list of popular multimedia file formats as well as office documents including PDF files, spreadsheets, and text files.
The projector's Ethernet and WiFi networking gave a solid performance for accessing local files and streaming content via its built-in apps, and an RF input feeds the projector's ATSC/QAM tuner.
Remote
The projector's Freespace-enabled Magic Remote provides Nintendo Wii-like cursor control for fast and precise menu navigation. The remote's contoured shape and simplified button layout with a clickable scroll-wheel made it easy to orientate and operate, and its RF link eliminated the need for line-of-sight to the projector. The on-screen cursor appreciably enhanced the use of virtual keyboards and interactive apps, and its built-in microphone proved adept at responding to a variety of spoken commands including search queries, channel selection, and changing inputs.
Free TV
Every television sold today includes a built-in digital tuner that enables the free reception of local stations using an antenna. The PF1500 marks the first projector I've used that also incorporates an over-the-air (OTA) digital tuner. Using a quality indoor antenna, the projector's impressively sensitive tuner captured my local stations with ease and stability. The PF1500 lacks a channel guide, but station and program information is displayed at the top of the screen along with the time and date. Also, the remote's scroll-wheel made it easy to quickly zip through and select available stations.
Gaming
With its selection of analog and digital video ports and input signal support up to 1080p at 60Hz, the PF1500 would seem to be a near-perfect companion for any game console made in the last 20 years. However, video lag measuring 170.2ms with my calibrated picture setup was certainly less than ideal for any game that requires precise timing, and the 70.2ms of lag using the projector's Game picture mode translated into more than 4-frames of delay with 60Hz video input - some of the best gaming TVs feature sub-20ms lag measurements.
Apps
Another feature of the PF1500 not typically associated with video projectors is its selection of popular apps. The PF1500's menu of apps was limited at best, but some of the must-haves like Netflix and YouTube were there. Other apps included MLB.TV, VUDU, Spotify, and Google Maps. Obviously absent from the lineup is Amazon Instant Video and Hulu. App performance was very good, and consistent integration with the Magic Remote's cursor control made the projector's app experience all the easier.
Fan noise
Projectors require active cooling to prevent a meltdown, and the PF1500 brightest picture configuration produced audible fan noise that thankfully wasn't overly annoying. Moderate amounts of volume from the projector's speakers easily masked fan noise, and reducing light output using the mid or low power settings all but eliminated cooling-related sounds.
Review: Epson Home Cinema 3500
Video processing
With all keystone correction features disabled and the projector focused on an 80-inch screen, the PF1500 breezed through my suite of 1080i video tests. The classic HQV benchmark revealed terrific deinterlacing and 24p source detection, and results from the Spears & Munsil Blu-ray test disc further confirmed solid video processing with only a slight roll-off noted in the benchmark's chroma tests.
Calibration
Grayscale optimization using the PF1500's 2-point white balance setup proved effective at taming the default response that was too blue and lacking green in the brighter shades. However, I found that the white balance controls for the darker shades of gray were ineffective, and a 20-point white balance setup was available but I didn't use it.
Color measurements showed that red at 100% saturation was very oversaturated compared to the HD video spec. Also, yellow and cyan exhibited the most obvious chromaticity errors. The PF1500's color management system (CMS) proved effective at optimizing primary and secondary colors, but it was unable to reign in the overly saturated 100% reds and blues. Also, unlike the white balance calibration that could be copied to other inputs using a menu option, CMS adjustments required tedious manual entry on a per-input basis.
Viewing exams
My time with the LG PF1500 included many hours of enjoyable video viewing. Having live TV and some of my favorite video streaming apps built-in was further enhanced by the speed at which the projector could achieve full brightness and produce a viewable picture. Using the PF1500 on a tripod mount, it was easy to relocate the projector to different rooms and have it quickly up and operational.
Local HD stations broadcasting in 720p and 1080i looked crisp and detailed. Sports on the big screen looked great with no signs of issues related to fast on-screen action. Likewise, prime time HD programming revealed excellent post-calibrated color and detail. Netflix and YouTube content at up to 1080p resolution loaded quickly and looked as good as expected. The red-heavy logos of these particular streaming services did appear a touch too colorful, but this characteristic of this LED projector didn't obviously taint the content I enjoyed.
For Blu-ray movie exams, I configured a player for 1080p/24Hz output and switched off the projector's video motion smoothing feature (aka TruMotion) for faithful cinema reproduction. Loading up The Dark Knight revealed excellent picture detail with this classic Blu-ray title. Skin tones among the movie's wide variety of characters appeared natural and properly represented in the many bright and dark-lit scenes. However, the Joker's painted smile did appear a bit too colorful with the projector's RGB LED light source.
The audio and visual treat that is the Blu-ray edition of Samsara takes the viewer on a worldwide journey exploring people and places in exquisite film-captured detail. The PF1500 adeptly recreated the cinematic viewing experience with careful preservation of fine detail and naturally colorful imagery that avoided the projector's tendency to over-saturate some red and blue hues.
Bottom line
The LG Portable LED Projector with Smart TV (PF1500) impressed me with its useful integrated features including compatibility with a wide variety of multimedia and office file formats. Its LED lamp technology gives this portable 1080p projector impressive light output for its size as well as hassle-free longevity and fast start up times. A good 720p projector can be had for half the price of the 1080p PF1500, but none incorporate a DTV tuner and smattering of popular streaming applications. The projector's Magic Remote brings everything together with precise navigation and functional microphone control. A dedicated home theater room may be better served by a projector with greater zoom range and installation-friendly lens shift capabilities. However, the PF1500's light weight, good video performance, and feature-rich functionality make it a great option for less than $1000.
2015 Vizio E-Series TVs
Tuesday, March 24, 2015 at 12:49PM 
he new 2015 Vizio E-Series Full-Array LED Smart TVs have arrived! Vizio positions its E-Series as a strong value for owners who desire well-speced display technology. Vizio's 2015 E-Series models retains the core features that made its predecessor so popular while incorporating new design elements that give it a more modern look.
Specs for the 2015 Vizio E-Series include:
- 1080p resolution
- 60Hz refresh rate (65", 70" 120Hz)
- VA and IPS panel technology
- Full-array local dimming (up to 16 zones)
- Backlight scanning/blinking to improve motion resolution
- Smart TV features with built-in WiFi
- Quad-core GPU + Dual-core CPU (65", 70" only)
Design
The E-Series features a new base stand design that places feet near the sides of the TV's frame. Compared to the central location of previous Vizio stand designs, this configuration should provide increased stability although it will require a wider perch to sit upon. Otherwise, the E-Series retains the slim bezel design of its predecessor, and cabinet depth for the 70" model is 2.68-inches without the stand.
The 2015 Vizio E-Series lineup includes the following models:
- E-Series 24-inches (E24-C1) $168
1080p + Prime Members Save Extra! - E-Series 32-inches (E32-C1) $248
Prime Members Save Extra! - E-Series 40-inches (E40-C2) $376
5-zones local dimming + Prime Members Save Extra! - E-Series 43-inches (E43-C2) $388
5-zones local dimming + Prime Members Save Extra! - E-Series 48-inches (E48-C2) $483
6-zones local dimming - E-Series 50-inches (E50-C1) $528
12-zones local dimming + Prime Members Save Extra! - E-Series 55-inches (E55-C2) $666
12-zones local dimming - E-Series 60-inches (E60-C3) $800
12-zones local dimming - E-Series 65-inches (E65-C3) $998
16-zones local dimming + Prime Members Save Extra! - E-Series 70-inches (E70-C3) $1278
16-zones local dimming + Prime Members Save Extra!
Contrast enhancement
The 24-inch E-Series will be the only model to feature an edge-lit backlight system instead of the full-array local dimming (FALD) technology of the larger screens. Full-array local dimming enables a TV to dynamically dim the backlight behind darker portions of the picture for improved picture contrast.
Zone count
The number zones for the E-Series' full-array local dimming system varies by screen size; the zone count increases with screen size. For the 2015 models, the number of FALD zones is as follows:
- 5 zones: 40-inches, 43-inches
- 6 zones: 48-inches
- 12 zones: 50-inches, 55-inches, 60-inches
- 16 zones: 65-inches, 70-inches
Read more about the latest 2015 TVs and display technologies.
Great 1080p TVs for Less
Friday, February 27, 2015 at 12:27PM 
The cost of 4K ultra-high definintion (UHD) TVs continues to decline, but the best UHD bargains sacrifice picture quality to achieve a low price. Spending the same amount on a similar sized 1080p screen often translates into superior picture contrast - considered the most important, and eye-catching, display characteristic! Like 4K UHD televisions, 1080p TVs also feature the necessary picture controls to reduce video overscan for increased visual detail. After carefully considering the latest reviews, owner comments, and hands-on testing experience, here are some great 1080p televisions that you can buy right now without breaking the budget.
If you are looking for a very bright 1080p 120Hz LCD television with impressive out-of-the-box color and grayscale accuracy, the Samsung H6350 Series Smart TV is a great choice. Compared to the similar H6400 Series (read my review), the H6350 reduces costs by ditching 3D and the otherwise impressive Smart Remote Control. Samsung's superior video processing gives the H6350 effective film-mode detection for maximum detail and deinterlacing that's free of distracting jagged edges, and its well-contrasted picture looks great in bright or dark room environments. The H6350 also features a quad-core processor that delivers a pleasingly fast app experience and impressively quick start up times. The Samsung H6350 Series is a budget-friendly pick for terrific picture quality. Consider adding a good soundbar/soundstand for an even more impressive and capable home theater experience!
Perfect as a second TV for the bedroom or kitchen, the LG LB5600 series is a terrific value for a quality 1080p LED-backlit LCD. The 42 inch 42LB5600 features a modern slim bezel design that not only looks great but reduces its overall width to less than 38 inches! Weighing in a 21 pounds also makes it easy to setup and move. The LB5600 keeps things simple with no Internet apps and only basic file support (photos and music) via USB input. With only two HDMI ports, LB5600 owners may want to consider adding a decent HDMI switch for connecting multiple HD video sources with ease. The LB5600 series also includes screen sizes of 32-inches and 39-inches.
The Sharp LE551U AQUOS HD series is an affordable and stylish 1080p LCD television with good picture performance. The LE551U's direct-lit LED backlit screen is framed with a slim bezel that maximizes viewing enjoyment while reducing its overall footprint - its lightweight design also makes it easy to move. The LE551U has no apps or other 'smart' features, and its USB port has a relatively short list of supported multimedia file types (JPG, MP3, MPEG-2). Gamers will appreciate this TV's low lag, and it has two HDMI ports (one MHL-enabled). The LE551U is a quality mid-sized HDTV at a great price, and cordcutters (read our guide) can pair the TV's built-in over-the-air (OTA) tuner with an inexpensive indoor antenna for free local HD channel reception. The Sharp LE551U is available in screen sizes of 32 inches, 39 inches, and 48 inches.
Robert's Favorite Home Theater Gear
Vizio made headlines this year by abandoning unpopular 3D technology in its top TV models while adding a full-array local-dimming LED backlight system for inky-dark black levels and improved picture contrast. The Vizio M-Series doubles the number of zones of local-dimming of the company's E Series TVs for more detailed backlight control with fewer related artifacts. The M-Series features a 1080p 120Hz screen that reveals the details of fast action video like sports programming while providing the necessary picture controls to enable the proper reproduction of video with a 24p film cadence. The M-Series has four HDMI ports, built-in 802.11 a/b/g/n WiFi, and a good selection of popular apps for streaming local and online AV content. Controlling it all is a two-sided remote with a backlit QWERTY keyboard.
The LG LB6300 Series is a terrific value for a 1080p 120Hz LCD television that features IPS panel technology (except for the 50" model) that helps minimize the loss of picture contrast and color saturation that occur when the screen is not viewed straight-on from the 'sweet spot'. The LB6300 skips 3D support in favor of an improved app experience through its beautiful looking webOS tabbed interface. Menu and app navigation are further enhanced with the included Magic Remote that controls an on-screen cursor with mouse-like precision, and its built-in microphone is optimized for the TV's speech recognition and voice control features. The LG LB6300 Series has three HDMI ports (one MHL-enabled), three USB ports for photo/audio playback, and universal remote control functionality for simplified home theater operation. The LG LB6300 series is available in screen sizes of 42-inches, 47-inches, 50-inches, 55-inches, 60-inches, and 65-inches.
The Samsung LED H5203 Series Smart TV features the most comprehensive suite of popular apps and good picture quality at an equally attractive price. The H5203's screen has 1080p resolution with a 60Hz refresh rate and an edge-lit LED backlit system for ample brightness and efficiency. The TV's WiFi networking supports screen mirroring from many mobile devices making it easy to share content on its much larger display. The Samsung H5203 has two HDMI ports, one component video input, and two USB ports. Multimedia file support is especially good and includes compatibility with lossless formats like PNG, FLAC, and ALAC. Video codec support includes many container file types (MKV, MP4, MOV) and resolutions up to 1080p30.
The BenQ HT1075 Home Entertainment Projector is a good reminder that truly BIG screen 1080p video enjoyment doesn't have to cost thousands of dollars. The new HT1075 produces a bright clear picture using single-chip DLP technology, and it features dual HDMI inputs (one MHL-enabled) and a built-in 10W speaker for quick and easy setup. An affordable screen can help any projector look its best, but the HT1075 can transform any relatively flat surface into an immersive viewing experience - perfect for movie night or console gaming sessions! Compared to the BenQ W1070 it replaces, the HT1075 is slightly brighter and it features a simplified menu system. However the BenQ W1070 delivers equally excellent HD imagery at a nicely discounted price. Always consult the Projection Calculator Pro for estimating room and screen size requirements before buying any front projector!
Review: Epson Home Cinema 3500
Friday, January 30, 2015 at 4:01PM 
Note: the Epson 3500 has since been replace by the equally capable Video projectors are perfect for creating a wall-filling picture that is easily resized to best fit the available space. Projection in a dark room is the best case scenario as there is little interference with the creation of an immersive and detailed viewing experience. Projection in spaces with ambient light reaching the screen surface require much more light output to look good, and the Epson PowerLite Home Cinema 3500 came through with impressively bright imagery and useful audio/video (AV) extras that added to an already strong value.
Size, style, and setup
The Home Cinema's curvy white-colored chassis measures 16.1" x 12.6" x 6.4" (WxDxH) and weighs in at 15 pounds. The projector's slightly offset lens configuration provides space for a front facing exhaust that's ideal for placement close to a wall at the back of the room or on a table in front of the viewer. A removable cover on the top of the projector provides easy access to the lamp module even if inverted for ceiling mounting, and a side intake vent simplifies air filter maintenance.
Display tech
The Epson 3500 features 3LCD technology that incorporates a 3-chip light engine for superior color brightness compared to single-chip DLP projectors. Three-chip projectors process and display primary colors (red, green, and blue) simultaneously whereas a single-chip design quickly flashes each primary color in sequence. The projector's 0.61 inch 1080p LCD panels refresh at 240Hz in 2D mode doubling to 480Hz during 3D playback. Two pairs of rechargeable RF 3D glasses are included in the box.
Light cannon
As a home theater projector, the Epson 3500's primary benefit is its brightness. It's the brightest projector I've tested to date with its maximum light output rated at 2500 lumens including an equivalent level of color brightness. The BenQ HT1075 is a favorite value of mine that features a single-chip DLP light engine that can produce 2200 lumens of white light output, however, its color brightness measures about 37% less at 1390 lumens. For light-controlled rooms, the 3500's ample brightness will easily fill the largest screen sizes or a wall (ceiling-to-floor) with well-defined imagery.
Fan noise
Projector brightness and cooling fan noise go hand-in-hand. The projector's 250W UHE lamp operating in Eco mode kept fan noise to barely audible levels yet still provided ample brightness for a smaller 80" screen in a room with some ambient light. The much brighter Medium lamp setting increased fan noise into the audible (but very tolerable) range and made for a much improved viewing experience during daylight hours. I found the slight difference in light output between the Epson 3500's Medium and High lamp settings wasn't enough to justify the latter's increased fan noise.
Robert's Favorite Home Theater Gear
Picture setup
Lens controls on the 3500 are all manual and include a 60% vertical and 24% horizontal lens shift adjustment - pricier projectors like the excellent Panasonic PT-AE8000 extend vertical lens shift to 100% of the screen height. Compared to projectors that provide only digital keystone correction (that the 3500 also has), lens shift allows for precise image placement without altering geometry or degrading fine picture detail. The 3500's 1.6x zoom lens gives it good throw range too. For example: filling a 100" screen, the 3500 can be positioned 9.6' to 15.6' away from from the screen surface. A 120" screen would increase the throw range to 11.6' to 18.8'.
The 3500's picture presets include a Dynamic mode that maxed out the brightness with a slightly green-hued picture and audible fan speed to keep things cool. A Living Room preset defaults to a medium lamp setting, reduced fan speed, and a cool (bluish) color temperature that proved ideal for general daytime use. For a calibrated picture setup, the projector's Natural picture mode preset produced a good RGB balance that was well-matched to the D65 white point used in HD video production.
Calibration
Prior to calibration and use, I confirmed the convergence of Epson 3500's 3-chip system using a convenient built-in test pattern and related adjustment controls. A convergence check is a must for any 3-chip projector as it improves picture brightness and detail with all displayed content.
Use of the 3500's RGB gain/offset controls enabled me to better optimize the Natural picture preset for my setup (above): reduced red slightly in the darker grays, reduced blue in the brighter grays, and smooth out the gamma response. The 3500's color management controls were unable to improve upon the projector's somewhat truncated primary color response that limited the saturation of secondary colors like cyan and magenta (below).
The above response is likely due to relatively 'loose' RGB filters being applied to the white light source enabling more light energy (luminous flux) to exit the system. I've measured superior coverage of the HD color palette with more costly projectors including the Sony VPL-HW40ES and Epson's 5030UB, but they're less suited for use in rooms with elevated levels of ambient light compared to the Epson 3500.
Audio quality
In addition to being the brightest consumer 1080p projector I've seen, the Epson 3500's built-in stereo speakers (2x10W) proved impressively loud and clear. These rear-firing speakers won't replace a decent soundbar or surround sound system, nor will they delivery room shaking bass, but its ample volume proved useful for impromptu use where audio options are limited.
Input options
Inputs are located on the rear of the Epson 3500 and include two HDMI ports (one MHL-enabled), component video input, VGA, and composite video. There is also a 12V trigger output and serial port for integration with an electric screen or home theater control system. The 3500's USB port enables easy display of JPG slideshows, but I found it more useful for powering a DVDO Air3C-Pro wireless HDMI receiver (read review). Epson also offers the similarly-speced Home Cinema 3600e that integrates WirelessHD technology and includes a 5-port HDMI transmitter hub.
A picture-in-picture function includes options for placement and resizing of the sub-screen. Epson claims this function will work with almost any combination of inputs, but I was unable to successfully enable it when feeding both of the Epson 3500's HDMI ports with HD source devices.
Remote design
The 3500's substantial baton-style remote is fully backlit and features large mashable buttons that are clearly labeled. The remote's dedicated shortcuts proved useful and included buttons for quickly selecting picture presets, detail enhancement levels, and lamp power levels.
Viewing Exams
The Epson 3500's dynamic iris was adept at seamlessly reducing light output for dark scenes to enhance contrast perception, however, this projector is optimized for brightness and projectors like the Epson 5030UB and the Sony VPL-HW40ES produce darker black levels in a dimly-lit environment where light output isn't as critical. For dark room use, the Epson 3500's extra brightness would be useful for very large screen sizes or when trying to fill a wall floor-to-ceiling with imagery.
That extra brightness proved ideal for 3D viewing as the Epson 3500 delivered the best home 3D experience I've had to date. The slight tint of the excellent rechargeable RF glasses improved perceived contrast, and the projector’s 480Hz 3D mode exhibited very little crosstalk with the games, Blu-ray movies, and streaming sources that I examined.
The selection of Blu-ray movies experienced on the 3500 included Samsara, Casino Royale, Quantum of Solace, and The Dark Knight. I was picking out details on the big screen that I hadn't noticed before. However, scenes with lots of dark detail reinforced the projector's suitability for brighter room environments where some ambient light is best countered with increased light output.
Motion resolution performance of the Epson 3500's 3LCD technology is similar to that of any other LCD that lacks video smoothing technology (motion compensation/estimation) or has the feature turned off: 300-350 lines on a 1080 line test pattern. Static resolution tests produced 600 lines with the Fast video processing setting enabled and 800-850 lines with the Fine setting enabled. The Fast/Fine setting also affected video lag measurements with a drop from 111ms to 47ms when switched to Fast.
An adjustable detail enhancement setting labeled Super Resolution improved the appearance of lower resolution content like DVDs and standard definition TV shows when enabled at moderate levels, but it also reduced the projector's ability to filter jagged edge artifacts and I left it disabled with most HD sources.
Bottom line: it's bright!
Video projectors deliver truly big screen viewing on a budget, and the Epson PowerLite Home Cinema 3500 brings this experience to more places with bright, detailed imagery at an attractive price. I've put several hundred hours on the 3500 in a room environment that almost always has some ambient light present, and its ability to push additional light output on demand has left my reference flat panel television feeling a bit neglected. I've also become accustomed to using wireless HDMI with this projector and would give greater consideration to the Epson 'e' models that integrates this feature.
TV Picture Setup Guide
Monday, January 26, 2015 at 7:25PM Television manufacturers carefully calibrate the picture quality of its products before they leave the factory. These calibrations include optimizations for a variety of common viewing scenarios:
- to make a TV's picture quality stand out in a crowded store shelf
- an energy efficient setup as the default 'home' mode
- a color and detail configuration that closely adheres to the HD video spec
I'm less interested in the extensive research and time manufacturers have invested in perfecting a TV's ability to grab a potential owner's eyeballs by sacrificing detail to increase brightness, exaggerating color saturation, and tweaking white balance to be as blue as possible.
Robert's Favorite Home Theater Gear
However, I am interested in evaluating a carefully tuned (hopefully) preset picture configuration that will enable the most accurate and faithful video reproduction. Many TVs feature these quality visual presets, and the video below shows the steps that I perform with a new or recently reset TV before evaluating its factory calibrated picture quality.
1080p, 4K UHD, Calibration, How To, LCD 
