April 28th, 2009
Epson adds new 1080p LCD projectors to Ensemble HD Home Cinema System
Projectors are still a niche in home theater setups, but they provide maximum screen size for your buck if you don’t mind using a projector screen instead of a sexier flat-screen panel. Epson makes it easy to create an instant home theater with its Ensemble HD Cinema System, which includes a 100-inch motorized screen with integrated satellite speakers, a controller unit with virtual surround sound and a built-in DVD player, a subwoofer, and a universal remote.
Now the company is bundling the system with its newest three-LCD 1080p projectors, the PowerLite Home Cinema 6100 and Home Cinema 6500 UB, giving you an unbeatable option compared to the biggest TVs on the market that don’t cost $15,000. The biggest difference between the two projectors is the 6500’s 75,000:1 contrast ratio, which dwarfs the 6100’s 18,000:1 ratio—though we’ll need to wait for some reviews before we know if that’s a significant advantage in terms of picture quality. The A/V unit is equipped with a pair of HDMI inputs, which you might use for a Blu-ray player, since the system lacks one.
Considering the price for the system with the projectors—$6,499 with the 6100 and $7,999 with the 6500—that’s a notable oversight. If you aren’t as concerned with 1080p, you can get the Ensemble system with the PowerLite HC 720p projector for “just” $4,999. Those who want to install the system themselves can find them at online sites like Projector People and Visual Apex, or it can be professionally installed through a local Epson dealer.
Sean Portnoy spent several years as an editor at Computer Shopper magazine, most recently serving as online executive editor. See his full profile and disclosure of his industry affiliations.
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