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HCC Review Epson EMP-TW20 [EMP-TW600 review here]
September update 2006  HCC EDITORS' CHOICE
The Epson EMP TW20 is our "Budget Buyers" Editor's Choice.
 The TW20 is 16:9 which is the Aspect ratio you want for Home Cinema now that Digital TV is here (It's all 16:9)
It's got great lines, it's sexy and it projects fantastic images. Projector Class: Home Cinema WVGA
Size Category: Portable
Resolution: 854 x 480
Lumens: 1200 ANSI Lumens
Projection Type: LCD Technology
Size: 373mm(W) x 295mm(D) x 127mm(H)
Weight: 3.5kg
. Pixel number 854 x 480 pixels
. Native resolution WVGA
. Aspect ratio 16:9
. LAMP Type 135 W UHE E-TORL Lamp
. SCREEN SIZE (PROJECTED DISTANCE) 30 o 300 inch (0.88 to 9.16m) (Wide) 30 to 300 inch (1.33 to 13.65m) (Tele) First impressions We put the TW20 against the Panasonic PT-LM2 and the first thing we didn't notice was the noise, it's quiet. The second item was the lens shift, which some much more expensive projectors lack, the projected image was better than the Panasonic LM2 which you'd expect because the TW20 is designed for Home Cinema, not business graphics. This doesn't mean the EMP TW-20 can't be used for business, rather it's been tuned for home theater use. Big from up close You can have a whopping 100 inch image from 3M away. (See our screensize calculator) The Epson EMP-TW20 has features that are sometimes missing from more expensive projectors like LENS SHIFT and a good range of presets to choose such as: Theatre Black 1, Theatre Black 2, Theater, Dynamic and Natural, so there is no excuse to have settings that don't match your situation. In terms of Picture Quality, Low noise (We were very impressed with the almost silent operation) and style this projector wipes the floor with the Panasonic PT-LM2 for home cinema because the LM2 is more a business projector, where noise and looks aren't as important. To put the TW20 against an entry level DLP model would be a joke they don't come close for realistic colours. The TW20's total lack of "Rainbows" will be appreciated, rainbows seem to plague cheaper DLP models with slow (2 or 4 speed) rotating colour wheels. But wait there's more Another bonus is Component Input. Using this input you'll get the best possible picture. While more expensive projectors have digital inputs we dare say you wouldn't be able to tell the difference between digital and true component. Component has the advantage of being able to cope with longer distances too. If you want to mount your projector on the back wall of a 6M room this is not the model for you. The TW20 has a short throw lens so it's better suited to a coffee table or have it ceiling mounted 2-4M from the screen (See our screen size calculator). Hang up a fixed projection screen whilst showing a good quality DVD or Digital TV and you could fool most people that you've paid $4K or more for your home theatre setup, it's that good for the money. If you come across a small, cheap pull down screen keep it for the kids room, you'll soon get sick of the distortions. Trickster On many well lit scenes you can't pick much between the TW20 and a top of the range Sanyo Z4, Epson TW600 or Panasonic AE900, of course the TW20 is not as good but it's way better than 1/2 as good. Used in a very well lit room the Epson EMP-TW600 with 1600 ANSI lumens would be worth the extra cash. Thinking about what most people will be watching the TW20 is subjectively 90% as good as current perfection at twice or more dollars. Episodes of Seinfeld look the same! Unlike many low cost DLP models this 3-LCD projector won't give you DLP headaches or have you seeing rainbows [See forum] because it's LCD. Not DLP Don't under estimate how important this could be if you or someone in your family is sensitive to DLP technology which tricks the brain into seeing colours by quickly flashing the primary colours one after the other (The DLP chip switches white on and off so a spinning colour wheel must be between it and the lens) we've found the lower cost DLP models are often DLP "Rainbow" kings. Epson have shown they know how to get the most out of LCD, even on a budget priced TW20. Plasma ain 't Cinema If you'd rather pay more for a plasma TV in the hope of having some sort of home cinema you're kidding! Buy a big CRT TV and with the change get this, you won't look back. We are selective at HCC with our Editors Choice. We don't believe one projector is right for everyone so please note the key condition for our editors choice. HCC EDITORS' CHOICE
The Epson EMP TW20 is our "Budget Buyers" Editor's Choice. Updated September 2006 HCC Buy $  Epson PDF Brochure - Epson Web Page
PDF of this projector review [EMP-TW600 review here]
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