Epson EH-TW7400
£1800
FOR
Electronic lens controls; 4K and HDR support; rich, refined colour palette; 3D compatible
AGAINST
3D glasses not included
Epson may have declared its latest projector a 4K supporter with its ‘PRO-UHD’ label, but on the spectrum between ‘4K’ and ‘definitely not 4K’, the EH-TW7400 occupies somewhere near the middle ground.
It can play 4K (and HDR) material, and features its own ‘4K-enhancement’ technology that promises to convey the superior resolution. But typically of 4K-supporting projectors at this price, it has only 1920 x 1080 (Full HD) resolution chip architecture, as opposed to the native 4K variety found in models such as the Sony VPL-VW270ES (£5000).
So, while you shouldn’t expect the sharpest 4K projection from Epson’s newest beamer, you can hook it up to a 4K Blu-ray player and play UHD Blu-ray discs. But does the Epson’s performance warrant investing in a 4K source?
Once the 11kg Epson is hoisted onto our AV rack and connected to the Cambridge Audio CXUHD 4K Blu-ray player via one of the Epson’s two HDMI inputs, set-up is straightforward, thanks to its motorised optics. This allows us to fit the picture onto the screen simply by using the 2.1x zoom, focus and lens shift keys on the remote control.
You’ll get the best contrast (and overall picture) in a dark or dimly lit room, but the LCD projector’s claimed 200,000:1 contrast ratio and above-average 2400-lumen brightness output means that it’s capable of producing a coherent picture with a little light present too.
Rich pickings
We play Star Wars: The Last Jedi on Ultra HD Blu-ray, and the Canto Bight casino scene is made even more appealing by the Epson's sharp and richly coloured delivery. It highlights the gleam on the casino floor, the sparkle of the dresses and jewellery to the glistening casino tables and slot machines. Not only does it boast the dark depth to make the tuxedos look slick, but it also has the insight to distinguish their outlines too.
There’s an almost effortless intelligibility to the Epson’s picture thanks to its stark clarity and brightness, and those traits don’t suffer in dimly lit scenes either. When Finn and Rose head out on the balcony, lamp lights punch out against the night sky with definition.
While the Epson does 4K Blu-ray justice with its 4K enhancement technology and HDR playback, it still can’t match a native 4K projector. Sony’s VPL-VW270ES, for example, justifies the extra £3000 spend with a huge leap ahead in colour richness, crispness and overall transparency.
But when playing Blu-rays or Full HD material, its 1920 x 1080 resolution means no scaling is necessary. We play the standard Blu-ray version of Star Wars and the Epson feels right at home. As expected with the lower-resolution format, it glosses over skin tones rather than surfacing their variations and blemishes, and blue lightsabers are almost lost against the clear blue sky.
The overall rendition loses noticeable shine as well as colour and contrast potency and scrutiny from the 4K alternative, but that aside, the picture still pops from our projector screen – it’s bright, clear and detailed, solidly coloured and convincingly stable.
Like many Epson projectors, the EH-TW7400 excels for its price. Native 4K projection for under £2000 may one day be common, but 4K workarounds are good middle-ground solutions for now. If you’re about to buy a projector, and hankering after something bigger than a telly, but cheaper than a native 4K projector, this is the perfect compromise.