Today we are opening a mini-series on budget Full HD Projectors. I must say right away that they will be budgetary only in the world of projectors: and there, unfortunately, the high-quality picture begins with 45-50 thousand rubles and ends somewhere in the prices of Moscow apartments. And at the same time I will explain that under “quality” we mean normal color rendering and a good response, this is such a message for those who will now remember Chinese projectors for 15-18 thousand. This is not there.
Actually, the series itself will definitely consist of three projectors, but if you like it, we will continue it. In order not to pull, the following models got into the materials: Epson EF-11 , Epson TW-540 And Acer H6541 BDI. Why are they? Yes, because at the time of the tests they were one of the most affordable in their class, and constructively these are three completely different projectors. EF-11, which we will talk about today, is a laser projector on 3LCD. TW-540 is a 3LCD lamp. H6541BDI is also a lamp, but on DLP technologies. And, you know, each of these projectors has every right to be at your home. As I said, we will start with a mini projector Epson EF-11. According to the description of itself Epson , This is a compact solution that is designed not so much for a stationary installation, but for frequent transportation or transfer from place to place. Running it in the way, we note that the impression is a deceptive, and it is still a full-fledged projector, which calmly replaces the TV.
Positioning
The projector is part of the series Epiqvision mini , And it is really very small: about half the size Xbox Series S. At the same time, it weighs only 1.2 kg, and another 300 grams adds 120 watts power supply. In general, throwing this thing in a backpack and taking with you to the country is quite a working option: this is not a lamp makhina weighing three kilograms.
The configuration here is quite simple. There is a PSU, there is a control panel on two AAA batteries, and there are a pair of mounting plates. One is needed to fix the projector on a tripod or on Vesa-strengthening in size 80×80 mm. The other – to fasten the power supply to the wall.
The projector itself is assembled from plastic textured under the skin. He has a power button and a focal length regulator on top. From below – a extending leg, a place of attachment to a suspension or tripod, as well as a compartment with a dust filter, which should be periodically vacuumed or washed with subsequent drying. And on the left side all the connectors are located: this is an exit to a 3.5 mm jack, service mini-USB, only one HDMI 2.0 and a standard USB in which you can stick a flash drive.
All this is connected and connected is very simple: the power supply – into the outlet, from the source – one HDMI, and you can press on the power button.
Technologies
The menu here resembles standard TV settings – the difference is only in the ability to change the screen size and compensate for the distortion. And the last one in the EF-11 is made convenient. Firstly, there is a very wide range of adjustment of both horizontal and vertical trapezes. Secondly, the settings themselves go in the corners, that is, you adjust the picture clearly to the size of the screen. True, it is worth making a reservation: such wide settings are here for a reason.
The fact is that the projector does not have an optical zoom, and with a fixed distance from wall to wall there is a big chance of not getting into the screen size. So you have to either buy a smaller canvas, or put up with the fact that part of the wall on the sides is lit. However, again, only aesthetes will be nervous in such a situation: in real life, these little things have little effect on.
As for the technical side, then everything is standard for Epson-the projector works using 3LCD technology with three mirror matrices, which immediately project the final picture on the screen. For a general understanding: there is another technology in the world, DLP, and there the image is already collected on a screen of four multi -colored layers.
It is believed that because of this, DLP has the so-called rainbow effect: this is when, with a quick change in plans, the image is relaxed to color components. We will talk more about this in the Acer review, but, running ahead, this is not such a critical problem. However, 3LCD from Epson in any case does not suffer. In contrast, however, the technology with three matrices is scolded for the fact that the pixel grid is visible on the screen – but there is also their own “but”. There really is a mesh, but in order to see it, you need to know about it and you need to approach the screen at least half a meter. I’ve been sitting on the Epson projector for four years now, I look at a picture of 105 inches from a distance of 2-2.5 meters, and I don’t see the grid, even if I try to make it out ..
Now about the light source. It is clear that with such dimensions and the weight of speech about a standard lamp there can be no: it would have turned out too hard and cumbersome. Here stands a laser source rather modest in paper parameters: at a maximum it can give only 1000 lumens.
The service life of him is declared at 15,000 hours, but, in my opinion, this is an underestimated figure: if everything is fine with circuitry, then the LED just should not degrade. However, even 15,000 hours are two years of the continuous operation of the projector (well, or ten years in real life, that is, the projector himself will become outdated much earlier than the lamp died).
Installation
As for the convenience of installation, the EF-11 does not differ from hundreds of its competitors. Yes, of course, due to the size and very concise forms, it fits easier into the home environment, it is easier to cram it on some small shelf. But all this applies only to the initial moment when you first bought a projector in your life and you still believe that it can really be kept on a shelf all your life.
When enlightenment still comes, the EF-11 just like all the other projectors will still have to hang on a tripod on the ceiling (well, or under the ceiling on the wall, if you have a stretch top), centering relative to the screen and,,,,,,,,, accordingly, select the size of the canvas depending on the distance to the wall and the diagonal of the resulting picture. By the way, about the diagonal: since this is still a classic, then in order to get a normal size-at least inches a hundred,-from the screen the projector must be set at a distance of two and a half meters.
And here we are approaching the main question: whether there is enough brightness to the projector to work with such dimensions? Honestly, when I saw a characteristic of 1000 lumens, I did not believe that the EF-11 is generally capable of something: this is a really very modest figure. However, he was mistaken. I don’t even know where the problem is: either those models with which I talked earlier received overstated characteristics by brightness, or Epson here has fallen off the possibilities on paper. But the fact remains: EF-11 in brightness is not inferior to my home projector by 1800 Lumens.
What does it mean in life? In a picture of 105 inches, I can, without closing the curtains in the afternoon or without turning off the upper light in the evening, watch conventional news, football or hockey. Of course, the contrast is zero, the picture is pale, but there is enough content for this type of content.
Further: in the afternoon, closing the loose curtains, I can calmly watch TV shows, films and play bright games. Speaking "bright", I mean conditional Yakuza: Like a Dragon , Cyberpunk 2077 , FIFA 21 – That is, projects with a juicy contrasting picture.
But, of course, if I want to get the most quality from films or go through dark games like Dead Space , GEARS of WAR And Dark Souls , then you can no longer do without normal blinds like Blackout (on average about 2.5-3 thousand rubles for the entire window) that the sunlight is extinguished-well, either you have to wait for the evening or night. Otherwise, the projector simply can’t cope with the dark zones: there is not enough brightness.
However, here I must say that there are problems with dark games in the absence of external lighting. The fact is that by default EF-11 gives a very contrasting and juicy picture. It looks cool, but, unfortunately, leads to the loss of parts in dark areas. You do not pay attention to this in films, but in games, when an enemy can hide in a conditional dark tunnel, this is not at all good. However, again, it runs the settings of contrast: the shadows are highlighted, the picture is spoiled, but the problem is more or less solved.
As for the general quality of the picture, then, except for the traditional segment and technology of the problem with dark zones, then the projector shows very well. Yes, it pulls a little into the green component, but at the same time it is 82%.
And finally, EF-11 has four more important aspects. Firstly, the projector, unlike his lamp brothers, is very quiet. Yes, it also has a fan, but even at maximum brightness it works quieter 30 dB – this is almost on the verge of audibility. For comparison: my tube projector buzzes at 35-36 dB, approximately like a gaming laptop under load.
The second point: there is a speaker, but it is neither hot nor cold from it. That is, of course, he works and does not wheeze, but he is enough for the maximum of news. To get a normal sound, you still have to engage in switching and lead the wires to the columns next to the screen. Moreover, most likely, this will need a receiver.
Third point: the presence of a USB port for flash drives. It is better not to roll your lip here, the projector does not know how to show films: this thing is purely for presentations and viewing photos. Moreover, the projector understands the flash drive only in FAT32. However, this compensates for the presence of Miracast. By WiFi, the projector can be connected as a wireless display and drive any video stream on it. Of course, it will not work to play the games, the delay is too large, but watching the series is not a problem.
We will summarize. EF-11 is the device that surprised. I did not expect anything from a mini-design for 1000 Lumen, but Epson showed that even from such a small piece with very modest paper characteristics, you can get an excellent picture for a shaded room.
In fact, the only problem EF-11 is the price/bright ratio. In the same price range-from 66 to 75,000 rubles-the lamps are two to three times brighter, and this naturally facilitates the work with the projector in the daytime. But if we are talking about more familiar conditions for projectors-a shaded room-then the EF-11 wins at the household level. Firstly, it is small and it is easier to both establish and take away in the summer to the cottage. Secondly, he is not noisy at all. Thirdly, it does not heat up. And believe me, at home the last two points are a really important factor. Of course, you get used to the noise of the lamp, but this is such a habit: in silence is much better.
So, in short, EF-11 is a good, but expensive, version of the first projector in life. It’s just to install it, it looks pretty in the interior, does not bother with a noise and at the same time gives out a good picture. However, you should not discard the lamp from the accounts.
Technical characteristics
Epson EF-11 Project technology: 3LCD (0.62 inch) Permission: 1920×1080 Focal length: 13.9 mm Image size: 0.51 – 3.81 m Light source: laser LED, 49.5 watts Light source resource: 20,000 hours (ECO), 12,000 Yummy Wins Casino hours (standard) Brightness: 500–1000 Lumens Trapezed correction: 34/40 degrees vertically/horizontal Interfaces: USB 2.0, 3.5 mm Jack, HDMI 2.0 Dimensions: 17.5×17.5×5.8 cm Weight: 1.2 kg The price for April 2021: from 63,000 rubles ($ 840)
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