The Epson EMP-S3 multimedia projector: smooth 3LCD viewing at a ground breaking price
Smaller and lighter than its predecessor, the EMP-S3 is a portable
multimedia projector and continues Epson’s pricing strategy set with
the release of the EMP-S1 in 2003. Epson’s patented 3LCD technology
produces brighter and more natural images, a smoother and sharper
playback and as there is no color break-up viewing is easier on the
eyes. The EMP-S3 also features a SVGA (super video graphics array)
800×600 pixel native resolution.
The EMP-S3 uses a newly designed compact Epson E-TORL lamp, which
eliminates light leakage and minimizes diffraction by combining an
ellipsoidal reflector with an aspherical lens and hemispherical mirror,
for efficient light projection at up to 1600 ANSI lumens. The E-TORL
lamp also gives a quick 5-second start up time and an instant shutdown
at the push of a single button, eliminating waiting time and the
possibility of lamp damage.
The EMP-S3 takes up 30% less space and is lighter than its predecessor,
weighing just 2.5kg, for added portability, ideal for taking to
presentations or for use around various rooms in the office or home.
For added flexibility the EMP-S3 has a +/-30 degrees keystone
correction (+/- 20 degrees for video) and an image shift function so
the projector can be placed in convenient locations. With a wide 1.35x
digital zoom, the EMP-S3 lets users get up close with the images on the
screen, and can highlight particular areas of a presentation or zoom in
on photos.
A low noise two-speed 28dB fan (in low brightness mode), allows the
EMP-S3 to project high quality images without intruding on the
soundtrack or presenter. EMP-S3 users can easily replace lamp and air
filters even when the projector is ceiling mounted.
In Use
The S3 is a great little projector. The fast turn on and off times are
a real bonus. The image is bright, contrasty and sharp. It has a good
range of connections and the remote not only fully controls the
projector (except you must focus manually), but has mouse emulation for
controlling your presentation. The digital zoom covers an adequate
range. The 3CCDs do help with the moving image appearance and it is a
very easy projector image to look at for a long time.
The Epson EMP-S3 is $799 in the US and $1699 RRP including GST in
Australia. At these prices, if you only need SVGA resolution, then this
is a hard projector to go past. Recommended
Specifications
Projection System
Epson 3LCD technology
Projection Method
Front/rear/ceiling mount
LCD
Driving method: Epson High Temperature Poly-Silicon TFT, Pixel number:
480,000 dots x 3 (800 x 600), Native resolution: SVGA, Aspect ratio:
4:3 (supports 16:9), Pixel arrangement: Stripe
Projection Lens
Type: Manual: zoom / focus, F-number: 1.4, f-number: 16.6 mm, Digital Zoom ratio: 1.0:1.35
Lamp
Type: 135W UHE, Life* 2000H (High Brightness), 3000H (Low Brightness)
Screen Width Ratio: (Dist/Width)
1.45 to 1.8:1
Screen Size: (Projected Distance)
30″ to 300″ (2.9′ to 34.4′)
Lens Shift
n/a
Keystone Correction
Vertical: +/-30°, Component video image with a ratio of 16:9: +/-20°
Brightness: (typical)
1600 ANSI lumens (High Brightness), 1400 ANSI lumens (Low Brightness)
Contrast Ratio
500:1
Brightness Uniformity: (typical)
85%
Color Reproduction
Full-Color (16.7 million colors)
Sound Output
1W Monaural
Operating Temperature
41° F – 95° F (5° C – 35° C)
Power Supply Voltage
100-240VAC +/-10%, 50/60Hz
Power Consumption
195W Lamp ON, 4W stand-by
Dimension
9.7″ x 12.9″ x 3.9″
Weight
5.6lb
Fan Noise
36db (High Brightness), 28db (Low Brightness)
Effective Scanning Frequency Range
Pixel Clock: 13.5MHz to 162MHz, Horizontal 15KHz to 92KHz, Vertical 50Hz to 85Hz
Remote Control Features
Features: Zoom, source selection, power, page up/page down, color mode,
volume, e-zoom, a/v mute, freeze, resize, menu, help, auto, mouse
functions; Operating Angle: Right/Left +/- 30 degrees, Upper/Lower +/-
15 degrees; Operating Distance: 19.7 ft (6m)
RGB
Analog RBG I/O
Display Performance: Native: 800 x 600, Resize: 1280 x 1024, 1024 x 768, 640 x 480
Input Terminal: Video: Mini D-sub 15 pin x 1, Audio: Stereo RCA x 2 (White/REd)
Output terminal: Video: mini-D-sub (monitor out) x 1
Card I/O
N/A
Video I/O
Display Performance: NTSC: 550 lines, PAL: 550 lines (Depends on
observation of the multi burst pattern) Input signal: NTSC, NTSC4.43,
PAL, M-PAL, N-PAL, PAL60, SECAM, HDTV: 480i, 480p, 720p, 1080i, Input
terminal Video: Composite Video: RCA (Yellow) x 1; S-Video: Mini DIN;
Component Video: Mini D-sub 15pin (in common with Analog RGB
connector); Video-RGB: Mini D-sub 15pin (in common with Analog RGB
connector) Audio: RCA(Red/White) x 2 (in common with Analog RGB
connector); Audio signal: 500m Vrms/47Kohm
Control I/O
USB 1.1 connector Type B x 1 (for mouse/keyboard control)
Security
Kensington®-style lock provision
Warranty
Two-year limited warranty, 90-day lamp warranty, Epson Road Service
Program and Epson PrivateLine dedicated toll-free support (U.S. and
Canada only)
Supplied Accessories
Power cable, remote control with batteries, computer cable, User Manual on CD-Rom, Start Here Kit, soft carrying case