Epson EH-LS10000 – 3D Picture Quality

For the most part, the LS10000 is a superlative 3D performer. Particularly outstanding is that its 3D images are almost completely free from crosstalk ghosting noise. Only during the most extreme shots of depth or contrast did we detect even a hint of the tell-tale double-ghosting phenomenon, and even then its appearance was so low-level that it didn’t really draw our eye. Here, it clearly outguns its JVC and Sony rivals.

The LS10000’s excellent contrast performance helps it deliver a beautifully judged, expansive yet always realistic sense of 3D space too. Also, its unexpected colour prowess is retained in 3D mode, despite how hard the projector’s light system is having to work to counter the inevitable dimming effect of the shuttering 3D glasses.

SEE ALSO: BenQ W1350 3D projector

Detail levels are high with 3D, and motion is handled well, even without the use of the Frame Interpolation system.

The only issues are that the LS10000’s 3D pictures aren’t very bright, lacking some of the dynamism and pop of 2D images. The projector has to work fairly hard to achieve even the dim results described above, which results in noticeable fan noise in 3D mode.

Other Things to Consider

If you fancy adding big-screen gaming to the LS10000’s home-cinema talents, then provided you choose the Fast option for the projector’s Image Processing feature, it suffers just 33ms of input lag. This is as low as most LCD TVs, and shouldn’t interfere excessively with gaming performance.

Also worthy of further discussion here is the LS10000’s running noise. In its ECO light output mode it’s remarkably quiet, but stepping up to the Medium setting raises noise levels considerably. These weren’t to intolerable levels, though, especially if there’s some distance between you and the projector.

However, at the High setting the LS10000 makes quite a racket, to the point where it becomes uncomfortable to use in a bright room. It will also prove distracting when watching 3D, given that it need to be used on the High setting to deliver 3D that isn’t unwatchabley dull.

On the whole, though, the LS10000’s running noise is usually smooth and consistent, reducing its potential to distract. You also won’t have to listen to any whining or chugging noise from a dynamic iris  – something that’s afflicted a number of Epson’s recent standard LCD projectors.

Should I buy an Epson EH-LS10000?

Before today, any high-end projector that didn’t feature a native 4K resolution had been crossed off our list. However, the LS10000 has done a sterling job of trying to overturn our standpoint, thanks to its combination of mostly outstanding picture quality and that hugely attractive cost-free lifespan.

In other words, your decision will be based on what’s of most importance to you: the slightly richer black levels of the JVC DLR-X700R; the gorgeous native 4K resolution of the Sony VPL-VW300ES; or the immense “lamp” life and good contrast of the Epson EH-LS10000.

SEE ALSO: Best Projectors

Verdict

The image quality produced by the  LS10000’s ground-breaking laser-based optical system, together with its enormous lamp life, go a long way towards countering any disappointment caused by its lack of native 4K and HDR support.

Although it may be only an alternative to rivals such as the JVC X700R and Sony VW300ES, rather than delivering a quantum leap ahead, the fact that it’s even worthy of consideration alongside such illustrious company makes it a resounding success.

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