Epson QB1000: two-minute evaluation
The Epson EH-QB1000 is a improbable projector, and by way of efficiency, specs and options, no different beamer comes shut at this worth.
The QB1000 makes use of a three-chip LCD design and laser mild supply that’s able to producing an extremely vibrant 3,300 lumens, which is greater brightness than lots of the best 4K projectors can handle. As well as, because of wonderful out-of-the-box accuracy the ensuing photographs usually are not solely vibrant but in addition naturally saturated. There’s a really low enter lag, 4K 120Hz excessive body fee help, and even HDR10+ excessive dynamic vary help, making this beamer a cracking all-rounder.
The SDR efficiency is clear and detailed, with good movement dealing with and nice accuracy. The HDR photographs are even higher because of the dynamic tone mapping that will get probably the most out of the specular highlights and expanded shadow element. The result’s a wealthy and nuanced picture with loads of visible pop. The identical goes for HDR10+ content material, with its further dynamic metadata.
Epson features a host of higher-end options which can be usually absent from competing projectors. These embrace absolutely motorised lens controls and as much as 10 lens reminiscences for these utilizing a ‘Scope ratio (2.35:1) display. The menus themselves are complete however easy to navigate, plus there are additionally in depth image controls in case you fancy getting your new beamer professionally calibrated.
The construct high quality is great, with a strong chassis and a alternative of matte black or white finishes. There’s an in depth collection of connections, together with two HDMI 2.1 inputs, together with a well-designed distant management that has a really helpful backlight. There’s even a motorised lens cowl to maintain out mud, which is necessary as a result of the sunshine path on an LCD projector isn’t sealed.
Apart from the potential of mud blobs, the one different limitation is the black degree, which may very well be deeper. It’s additionally value mentioning that the Epson isn’t native 4K, however can nonetheless produce higher-resolution photographs because of pixel-shifting expertise. So while you add all of it up, you actually gained’t discover a extra extremely specified or higher performing 4K HDR residence cinema projector for the cash.
Epson QB1000 evaluation: worth and launch date
- First obtainable: December 2024
- Value: £4,799 / $7,999
The EpsonQB1000 is the brand new entry-level mannequin within the model’s vary of Premium Residential projectors and is offered now in a alternative of matte black or matte white finishes. The QB1000 presently retails for £4,799 within the UK however prices extra within the US, the place it is going to set you again $7,999.
Epson QB1000 evaluation: Specs
| Display screen sizes supported: | 50-300 inches |
| Brightness (specified): | 3,300 lumens |
| HDR help: | HDR10+, HDR10, HLG |
| Optical expertise: | Three-panel LCD |
| Sensible TV: | NA |
| Connections: | 2 x HDMI 2.1 (1 with eARC) , 2x USB-A (powered), RS-232C, Ethernet |
| Dimensions (H x W x D): | 7.6 x 21.7 x 20.5 inches (178 x 551 x 521mm) |
| Weight: | 49.8 kilos/22.5kg |
Epson QB1000 evaluation: design
- Totally motorised lens controls
- 10 lens reminiscence positions
- Backlit distant management
The Epson QB1000 appears to be like similar to the sooner Epson LS12000, with the identical matte black or white chassis and central lens flanked by giant forward-firing cooling grilles. The bodywork is strong and well-built, the motorised lens cowl is retained, and there are primary controls on the rear, together with a detachable cowl to maintain issues tidy. There’s additionally an non-compulsory ceiling mount if required.
Setup is straightforward because of a beneficiant throw ratio and motorised lens controls that embrace 10 lens reminiscences for these utilizing a 2.35:1 display. The QB1000’s elevated brightness makes it ultimate for rooms with lighter-coloured partitions, and as a bonus, the weak distinction ratios gained’t be as apparent. There are additionally numerous image modes, together with in depth calibration controls.
The connections are situated in a protracted recess on the rear of the unit, the place you’ll discover two HDMI 2.1 inputs with help for 4K 120Hz, eARC, HDCP 2.3 and HDR10+, alongside common HDR10 and HLG. There are additionally three USB ports, a 12V set off output, an Ethernet port and RS-232C serial connector, together with help for numerous built-in management methods when utilized in a customized set up.
Epson QB1000 evaluation: options
- Dynamic HDR Tone Mapping
- Assist for 4K 120Hz excessive body fee
- Assist for HDR10+ with dynamic metadata
The Epson QB1000 incorporates the identical 3LCD design the model makes use of on all its projectors, and this specific expertise is restricted to Full HD (1920 x 1080 pixels). Nonetheless, the QB1000 can settle for and show 4K content material (3840 x 2160 pixels) through the use of pixel-shifting expertise that actually shifts every pixel diagonally to extend the perceived decision and create extra detailed photographs.
Regardless of utilizing the identical laser mild supply as earlier fashions it has a claimed peak brightness of three,300 lumens, which is huge, and a median lifespan of 20,000 hours. As with all beamers that use LCD show expertise the black ranges are poor, with the QB1000 producing a claimed native distinction ratio of 5,000:1, though the dynamic laser function can increase this to five,000,000:1.
New this 12 months is dynamic tone mapping that analyses HDR10 content material and optimises the picture, permitting the QB1000 to ship improved efficiency with HDR in comparison with the sooner LS12000. As with the sooner mannequin there may be additionally help for HDR10+, which implies the QB1000 can use the format’s dynamic metadata to ship a picture optimised to its inherent capabilities.
The QB1000 has improved movement dealing with and upgraded body interpolation. Because of this, it will probably ship easy and detailed movement with sport, though I’d suggest leaving the body interpolation off when watching film-based content material. The Epson additionally helps greater body charges as much as 4K 120Hz, which makes this beamer an amazing alternative for any next-generation players.
Epson QB1000 evaluation: image high quality
- Extremely vibrant HDR photographs
- Spectacular HDR tone mapping
- Very low enter lag for gaming
The Epson QB1000 impresses proper out of the gate, with the sort of vibrant, detailed and saturated image that makes big-screen projection so pleasant. With high quality content material, main colors are punchy, whereas the uniformity of the LCD chipset is sweet with no indicators of patchiness, banding or mud blobs. The latter might be a difficulty with LCD because of the mild path not being sealed.
The out-of-the-box accuracy is great within the Cinema mode, with whites that aren’t awash in blue. The identical goes for the pores and skin tones, which look suitably pure, whereas the picture itself is pleasingly sharp because of efficient 4K upscaling and the three LCD panels being well-aligned.
Regardless of its inherent brightness, the QB1000 is surprisingly quiet, though the noise ranges will enhance in case you use the upper laser settings. Nonetheless, there’s a lot brightness obtainable that you just don’t want to maneuver the facility up too excessive to light up even a big projection display.
In truth, the QB1000 has ample brightness to deal with rooms with light-coloured partitions, and the choice of a white end additionally lends it to extra lifestyle-friendly installations. The mirrored mild in this sort of setup has the added benefit of disguising the Epson’s poor distinction efficiency.
Black ranges are the QB1000’s massive weak point, with the distinction ratio solely measuring 4,300:1 in my assessments. To be truthful no less than that is near the 5,000:1 Epson claims in its advertising, nevertheless it does imply blacks look extra like a darkish gray. You should utilize the dynamic laser function to enhance the distinction efficiency however in actuality this solely helps with fades to black and the remainder of the time the blacks stay the identical.
One space the place Epson has improved the efficiency is by way of movement dealing with, even with the body interpolation turned off. When it’s engaged this function leads to smoother movement, which makes it very efficient when watching fast-paced sports activities. Nonetheless, make certain it is switched off for films and TV dramas, so they do not find yourself wanting like low cost video.
The inclusion of HDMI 2.1 inputs means the QB1000 can help body charges as much as 4K 120Hz. This makes it an amazing alternative for players, and this enchantment is barely enhanced by the inclusion of ALLM (auto low latency mode), which robotically selects the Sport mode when a console is detected. In Sport mode the enter lag measures a really spectacular 19ms, with solely Sony’s VPL-XW5000ES projector measuring decrease.
The QB1000 helps excessive dynamic vary, and actually impresses with a vibrant and detailed picture the place the highlights pop and the shadows reveal extra subtleties. The QB1000 doesn’t use a color filter, which implies it solely covers 88% of the DCI-P3 broad color gamut. Nonetheless, because of the elevated brightness and new dynamic tone mapping the outcomes are sometimes wonderful.
For instance, the Alfred Hitchcock traditional North by Northwest was shot on the bigger VistaVision movie format and the ensuing 4K disc is gorgeous. The QB1000 expertly delivers the splendid photographs, fleshing out the positive element and wealthy colors with ability. The crop-duster assault is a selected deal with, with the Epson’s elevated brightness serving to to convey the Indiana cornfields vividly to life.
Furiosa is the prequel to Mad Max: Fury Highway and enjoys the identical epic desert vistas and insanely detailed manufacturing design as the sooner movie, together with a intentionally stylised color scheme. The QB1000 handles all these visuals completely, whereas the wonderful movement dealing with ensures all of the frenetic vehicular motion is delivered easily and with none annoying artefacts.
The WW1 thriller 1917 is a few mission throughout no-man’s land and boasts excellent pictures and HDR10+ encoding. Because of this, the QB1000 can render all of the element within the native 4K picture, in addition to ship vibrant and clear daytime vistas. The nighttime scenes are extra of a problem, and whereas the blacks may very well be higher, the intense flares actually reduce by way of the darkness.
- Image high quality rating: 4/5
Epson QB1000 evaluation: worth
- Incredible worth for cash
- Cheaper than any direct competitor
The Epson EH-QB1000 is improbable worth for cash worth, particularly when in comparison with its direct rivals. The Sony VPL-XW5000ES is presently £4,499/$5,999, and whereas it is likely to be native 4K it doesn’t have motorised lens controls, dynamic HDR tone mapping, or HDR10+ and 4K 120Hz help. The JVC DLA-NZ500 is dearer at £6,499/$5,999 and whereas it’s native 4K, has higher blacks ranges and does embrace motorised lens controls, lens reminiscences and HDR10+, it nonetheless lacks help for 4K 120Hz and doesn’t have a Sport mode, so it’s not your best option for players.
| Header Cell – Column 0 | Notes | Score |
|---|---|---|
| Options | Lengthy-life laser mild supply, dynamic HDR tone mapping, 4K 120Hz and HDR10+ help | 5/5 |
| Design | Compact chassis, backlit distant, wonderful construct high quality, simple setup and motorised lens controls with reminiscences | 5/5 |
| Image high quality | Good out-of-the-box accuracy and super-bright photos produce pleasant HDR, though the black ranges are weak | 4/5 |
| Worth | improbable worth for cash, particularly when in comparison with direct competitors | 5/5 |
Ought to I purchase the Epson QB1000?
Purchase it if…
Don’t purchase it if…
Additionally think about…
| Header Cell – Column 0 | Epson QB1000 | Epson LS1200 | Sony VPL-XW5000ES | JVC DLA-NZ500 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Value: | £4,799 / $7,999 | £4,399 / $4,999 | £4,499/$5,999 | £6,499/$5,999 |
| Display screen sizes supported: | 50 to 300 inches | 50 to 130 inches | 40 to 200 inches | 60 to 200 inches |
| Brightness (specified): | 3,300 lumens | 2,700 lumens | 2,000 lumens | 2,000 lumens |
| HDR help | HDR10+, HDR10, HLG | HDR10+, HDR10, HLG | HDR10, HLG | HDR10+, HDR10, HLG |
| Optical expertise: | Laser 3LCD | Laser 3LCD | Laser SXRD | Laser D-ILA |
| Sensible TV: | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Connections: | 2 x HDMI 2.1 (1 with eARC), 2xUSB-A (powered), RS-232C, Ethernet | 2xHDMI 2.1 (1 with eARC), 1 x powered USB, Ethernet, RS232-C, 12-volt set off output | 2x HDMI 2.0 , 1 x powered USB, Ethernet, RS232-C, 12-volt set off output | 2x HDMI 2.0 , 1 x powered USB, Ethernet, RS232-C, 12-volt set off output |
How I examined the Epson QB1000
- Measured with Calman calibration software program
- Evaluated utilizing SDR and HDR content material
- Reviewed in a devoted residence cinema
As with all my TV and projector opinions I take advantage of a mixture of subjective viewing and goal measurements in opposition to the business requirements. For projectors, I additionally do all my testing in a devoted residence cinema with a totally blacked-out setting and high-quality display.
The subjective testing is predicated round watching a wide range of acquainted scenes, primarily sourced from 4K and 1080p Blu-rays, plus the Spears & Munsil UHD Benchmark 4K disc. Any check scenes have been particularly chosen to guage a show’s black ranges, distinction efficiency, color accuracy, upscaling, picture processing, movement dealing with, and HDR tone mapping.
For the target testing, I measured the QB1000’s brightness, greyscale and color gamut in SDR, earlier than doing the identical in HDR. I additionally evaluated the accuracy of the HDR tone mapping, together with the color gamut protection for DCI-P3. To do that I used a sample generator and color meter mixed with Portrait Displays’ Calman calibration software. I measured the QB1000’s enter lag in milliseconds utilizing a specialised Leo Bodnar tester.
First reviewed: January, 2025
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