Epson Pro Cinema LS12000 4K PRO-UHD Laser Projector
Epson has announced the new Pro Cinema LS12000 4K PRO-UHD Laser Projector. This brings a slew of features, including 4K UHD (3840×2160) resolution, full-bandwidth HDMI 2.1, 20ms input lag, and 2700 lumens. With 4k120 capability, the LS12000 could be the perfect projector for AV enthusiasts and gamers alike. At $4999 retail, it’s undercutting much of the competition. Let’s take a closer look.
Under The Hood
Epson has employed four-phase, dual-axis pixel shift technology with native 1080p imagers to get the Pro Cinema LS12000 4K PRO-UHD Laser Projector to 4k resolution. For those not familiar with pixel shifting, the projector will overlay two HD images and shift them by half a pixel up, down, left, or right quickly. This happens so quickly that we can’t perceive the change with the naked eye. This shifting is what gives the LS12000 its 4K resolution. We lovingly call this “wobble-K” technology.
Epson made their version of pixel-shifting possible using their innovative Precision Shift Glass Plate technology. Epson says it has both a quicker and quieter coil design. So what does this mean for you? Sharper 4k images with up to 8.29 million pixels displayed.
Epson has employed 3-chip 3LCD technology that uses 3 LCD chips to show continually 100% of RGB color signal for every frame. This technology provides a wide color gamut and outstanding brightness with HDR, HDR10+, and HLG content. Match this with 2700 lumens of output, a 20k hour lifespan, and a 2,500,000:1 contrast ratio and you get a bright and long-lasting projector with incredible black levels and HDR performance! That’s a win in my books!
Other Goodies
The Pro Cinema LS12000 uses the Epson VRX Cinema Lens with a proprietary 15-lens structure with zero light leakage. The LS12000 is capable of 2.1x zoom with a throw ratio of 1.35-2.84:1. The LS12000 offers powered focus, optical zoom, vertical and horizontal lens shift, and a powered lens cover. There are ten onboard lens memory slots for your presets, and you can add an anamorphic lens if you wish.
The Epson LS12000 also comes with ISF certification and tools to allow precise calibration. It has two HDMI inputs with full HDMI 2.1 support with eARC, and even comes with its own ceiling mount. Throw in less than 20ms of input lag, and you have an incredibly capable projector that will appeal to an AV enthusiast who also likes to game.
Our Take
At $4999, this is not a cheap projector, but it is much less expensive than some of the other offerings out there. You don’t get 8k resolution (not that there is any real content for it yet), but you do get a lot of extras. Are you an AV enthusiast who wants excellent HDR as well as top-notch gaming performance? Do the laser light projectors fall outside of your budget? Then the Epson Pro Cinema LS12000 4K PRO-UHD Laser Projector is the projector for you.
The thing to remember is that the LS12000 is marketed at installers. If my experience tells me anything, a similarly capable (but slightly less expensive) consumer version will follow this release. It might be missing a feature or two (kiss the RS-232 port goodbye), but it will retain the bulk of the capabilities. If you look at some of the larger flat panels, the Epson Pro Cinema LS12000 4K PRO-UHD Laser Projector commands the same price but provides a much bigger image. Now with all the HDMI 2.1 features, we finally have a 4k120Hz gaming projector at a more reasonable price.
For more information, check out Epson.com.
