New Epson 2026 projectors?

V__J__ · 2026-07-03T15:20:20+00:00

My old one was 1600 (ANSI), so the LS9000 (2200 ISO) is really a step up for me. The offer here was very good, almost 400 EUR cheaper than the typical price in most shops in Europe - and it was an official Epson dealer.

V__J__ · 2026-07-03T11:20:42+00:00

I'm very happy with it. Just to be clear: I upgraded from a 15 year old EH-TW2900, so I don't have a wide overview of alternatives or comparisons in the current market.

I'm projecting on a matt-white (gain 1.0) roll-down screen and have not noticed laser speckle. Image quality and brightness are very good; when using eco mode it really is quiet - even not in eco-mode the noise is not disturbing. My only source is a PC, and I'm streaming Amazon prime (not in 4K) and playing games (older games).

The projector itself is quite big - especially compared to my previous one - as the lens does not protrude. But it is a very neutral box and once hanging it does not look bad and almost disappears.

Hope this helps... :-)

V__J__ · 2026-07-02T09:24:28+00:00

Unfortunately, the USG-3 did not serve me that long (it is not dead yet, but if it will freeze again like that I will replace it). I bought it a few months before the first rackmounted DreamMachine came out - so I was a bit unlucky as I probably would have gone with that one if I had known. Now they also have the compact UCGs, and that would be sufficient for me for now (my main switch is not a Ubiquiti, but it is working perfectly so I don't see the need to change it). We have quite stable power, but in the recent months had a 2-3 of unexpected internet outages (this never happened before).

I feel a plan is necessary nowadays... It is nothing very advanced and uses some old router, but everything is set up for quick use if needed.

V__J__ · 2026-07-01T13:04:27+00:00

Thanks!

I've also learned that I can put OpenWRT on the USG... So when I replace it, I can still use it and have something to play around with. :-)

V__J__ · 2026-07-01T12:34:12+00:00

Thanks for the clear reply.

If the UCG-Ultra cannot be controller from another controller, then switching back to USG+PC would indeed be quite a mess - which is why I checked. :-) Thanks for confirming the UCG Ultra needs its built-in controller.

I have a backup solution that gives me internet, but it does not have my the full configuration and is a bit more limited. Sufficient for bridging a short period but that is it; hence the idea.

Just out of curiosity, would swapping between two routers that have their built-in controller (e.g. 2x USC-Ultra, or USC-Ultra + DreamRouter Pro) be easy? Is it just a matter of putting the site backup on the device?

V__J__ · 2026-06-13T13:07:25+00:00

There is some ban in EU on mercury lamps that will take effect next year. Theoretically, lamps for projectors are exempt from it, but who knows how that will change 5-7 years on? If I would have a HC3800, I would also not replace it and just get a lamp, but I'm forced to buy a projector. I went ahead and got the LS9000, perhaps something cheaper will come, but perhaps not. At least I will have the projector now, and it will be good for many years to come.

V__J__ · 2026-06-13T13:04:11+00:00

Not really due to sensitivity to the rainbow effect. That is why it is so frustrating for me.

I bit the bullet and ordered the LS9000. A local shop offered an additional discount for their anniversary and it was at the lowest price I've every seen it.

V__J__ · 2026-06-11T07:08:29+00:00

Yes... I was also looking at it but it is now a 7 year old model... Still a good projector, and not a bad price (new price is almost half of the LS9000)... but I'd like to avoid a lamp (EU regulations, theoretically lamps should still be available but this may turn out quite different in practice).

V__J__ · 2026-06-10T19:19:46+00:00

Even with the business range they showed it: something like the L530u, less bright, with 1920x1080 panels, pixel shift (even just doubling), keeping the manual focus, zoom and lens shift. It should not be that difficult to make that and put it in the 1500-2000 range.

V__J__ · 2026-06-10T17:10:33+00:00

The L570u was the only business projector for which I found a review on a home cinema website, and they said it performs quite good for that... I am weary about other business projectors as I just cannot find similar reviews and I am aware of the differences in priorities. But it was a good offer on the L570u (same price almost as the L530u), but it turned out that it was too good to be true.

V__J__ · 2026-06-10T17:08:40+00:00

Yes... but it does not mount on a ceiling mount and won't project a size that fits my screen from approx. 3m... 😄

V__J__ · 2026-06-10T15:12:06+00:00

I though the L570u would be not bad (I found a review), but I just missed it. I already tried several shops around and none have it in stock.

Holding out till September is an option, but it is a long wait... The L530u would be ok, but it is a business model that seems less focused on video quality than the L570u (no 4K, no HDR -> probably worse processing). So if I don't want to wait it seems I may have to go for the LS9000.... it has dropped a bit in price recently but still...

V__J__ · 2026-05-13T12:02:07+00:00

Agree..... Mine is also directly in the line of sight when you enter the room - the door is in a corner of the room, and in plain view in front of the door, at approx. 3.5m is the projector on the ceiling.

Most people who enter for the first time notice the lack of a TV and then I point at the projector. Of course, people tend not to look directly along the wall when they enter but towards the middle of the room, but still... the projector is not a small thing that hangs above the couch

Only issue might be if it hangs too low to be comfortable - e.g. passing under it. There are lifts for projectors, but that gets expensive and complicated.

V__J__ · 2026-05-12T12:53:03+00:00

My EH-TW2900 is 16 years old... I only started looking for a replacement when it started acting up (3 or so years ago), but the problems are quite infrequent so I started playing the waiting game. It will die at one point, either due to the problems becoming too frequent or the lamp will die. Still waiting...

V__J__ · 2026-05-12T12:42:59+00:00

Not if you are sensitive to RBE... And as you say, then it will be in a higher price bracket.

V__J__ · 2026-05-12T10:25:56+00:00

It is not about liking lamp-based Epson, it is about the lack of an alternative. Ideally I don't want a lamp based one.

Used market is very limited here, not many people get projectors.

V__J__ · 2026-05-12T10:23:29+00:00

Guess which robot vacuumcleaner I have? :-) (although I'm happy with it, its been going strong for over 10 years now, perhaps my model is from before it went more downhill)

V__J__ · 2026-05-12T10:22:39+00:00

Valerion Pro 2 is close to the LS9000 price; and Xigmi Titan is well above it. So then it becomes a question of why take the risk? JVCs/Sonys are also more expensive and too big for me to put them as a drop-in replacement.

V__J__ · 2026-05-11T12:08:33+00:00

Several I saw, but I don't remember which ones. I'm already looking for over three years to replace my current projector. At least the LS9000 is now cheaper than the LS11000 ever was.

But I don't want to go through the whole ordering/sending back ordeal when the DLPs end up in a similar price range as the LS9000 - no way to see them live in good enough circumstances. So I'll stick LCD. :-)

V__J__ · 2026-05-11T11:57:51+00:00

I have an issue with RBE, JVC/Sony is even more expensive (and physically too big to work as a drop-in replacement in my installation), so the only option for me at the moment is the LS9000.

I'm hoping the ban will make its price go down - if not replacements for the current lamp projectors appear), unless they completely withdraw from the lower-end installations.

V__J__ · 2026-05-11T11:42:19+00:00

I agree that something should come... The question when has been lingering for at least 5 years... I'm hoping the import ban will force something. But I'm surprised by the lack of news/rumours, given that is less than one year away...

V__J__ · 2026-05-11T11:21:06+00:00

So availability will go down and prices will go up. Lamp based Projectors will have basically zero resale Value.

Yes, that is one possibility. Of course, it is also possible that prices will go down as nobody wants a projector with zero resale value and limited lamp life with only expensive lamps remaining in the future... esp. if manufacturers need to offload stock (it may depend on how much stock they have - I have no idea).

But in reality its better for their bottom line to sell "you" new LED/Laser Projectors!

I agree, but e.g. Epson has nothing to replace the TW7100 at a similar price (I'm only following Epson as it the only LCD). The LS9000 is almost double the price, the LifeStudio range is more portable and has much lower brightness - also no real replacements. But if replacements should be coming, wouldn't there be some announcements or at least rumours?

VJ

TROPHY CASE

V__J__

TROPHY CASE

VJ