The Epson EH-TW5500 Projector is a neat machine, and while it is not the smallest on the market, it is pretty light, making it easy to carry around.
The TW5500 has been designed specifically for home use. However, its price tag is extreme, so it will likely only attract home theatre devotees. Having said that, this machine delivers quality viewing.
Look and feel
The projector has a simple design with a black plastic casing. It isn't sleek by any means, but I found the design functional, while the projector itself is unobtrusive. This is, in part, due to the black matt finish, which disappears into a darkened room, reflecting no light.
Unfortunately, while the projector is not noisy, it's not silent, either. However, this is not a problem when watching movies, because the sound should block out the projector, and it is, after all, aimed at home cinema use. It also generates a lot of heat, so make sure it has sufficient ventilation while running.
All the ports are at the back of the machine, making them easy to access, and keeping them out of the way at the same time.
Usability
The TW5500 is incredibly easy to set up. It's just a matter of connecting the relevant cables, which shouldn't take more than 10 minutes. The projector also comes with a variety of inputs, including two HDMI version inputs, YUV and RGB input. This means you can plug your TV or PC into the projector, which is essential today, given how many people store movies on external hard drives. You will need to buy a separate converter if you want to plug your hard drive directly into the projector, however.
Its adjustable feet and the vertical and horizontal image shifting makes it easy to get a perfect image within minutes. It is also easy to project from different angles, so you won't have to rearrange your lounge to accommodate the TW5500.
Zooming in and out is intuitive, thanks to the lens shift dial. While people with a preference for motorised zoom may find the dial a disappointment, I found it gave the projector that old-school filmic feel that would convince me to buy a projector in the first place.
The onscreen menus are clear and easy to follow.
Display
The TW5500 offers full HD viewing at 1920 x 1080p. It also has 12-bit colour rendering. Most PC monitors have eight-bit colour rendering, while high-end PC monitors might have 10-bit. The 12-bit rendering makes this a machine for true enthusiasts. The use of progressive, as opposed to interlaced rendering, produces a high-quality image with fluid motion.
The contrast ratio of 200 000:1 means the projector can deliver great light contrast, even in a light room. At the same time, edges are crisp, colours are bright, and there were no signs of colour bleeding.
The projector can project to screen sizes between 30 and 300 inches.
Share