Epson has announced the QS100, the newest addition to its high-performance Q-Series projector lineup. The QS100 is a 4K PRO-UHD ultra-short throw (UST) laser projector designed specifically for custom integrators.
We have been impressed with the Epson ultra-short throw projectors that we have reviewed. Due to their projector’s performance, Epson has the #1 market share in this category. One of the most popular ultra-short throw projectors on the market is the Epson LS800, which is unique because it is the only 3LCD smart ultra-short throw projector on the market.
Since the LS800 was designed to replace a TV, it includes all of the features you would typically find in a smart TV, like streaming apps and a built-in sound system. However, due to its operating system, the LS800 lacked many adjustments and features that custom integrators and cinema enthusiasts desire in their home theater projectors.
While the QS100 and the LS800 look identical, several things differentiate the models. While the QS100 and LS800 have the same throw distance, the QS100 also supports a slightly larger image size, up to 160 inches, versus the LS800’s 150 inches.
With a maximum image size of 160 inches and a throw distance of just a few inches, the QS100 is aimed at users who want a cinematic, immersive image in spaces where utilizing a traditional home theater projector would be challenging.
The QS100 delivers a rated brightness of 4,500 lumens for color and white light output, while the LS800 capped brightness at 4,000 lumens. The new QS100 utilizes a new laser light source, which is why it is 500 lumens brighter than the LS 800 while still delivering excellent color reproduction. The new laser light source architecture improves brightness while providing up to 20,000 hours of nearly maintenance-free operation.
High brightness combined with Epson’s proprietary 32-bit QZX Picture Processor, which enables dynamic HDR tone mapping, should deliver excellent picture quality whether you are watching movies or gaming.
From a hardware perspective, the QS100 simplifies connectivity with two HDMI 2.0 ports (including one eARC) and introduces Auto Low Latency Mode (ALLM), benefiting gamers with smoother response times. The LS800 offered three HDMI inputs but lacked ALLM and had known HDMI control quirks—an issue Epson claims to have addressed with the QS100.
In addition to higher brightness and updated video processing, the QS100's design philosophy separates it from the LS800. The LS800 was designed to replace a flat-panel TV, so it included an Android TV with streaming apps and a built-in 20W Yamaha speaker system. In contrast, the QS100 is audio-less by design, allowing for seamless pairing with high-end audio setups.
Since the QS100 will be utilized with external sources streaming devices, the Android TV operating system was replaced by a menu system found on Epson premium Home Theater projectors—a move that aligns with its custom integrator target audience.
The QS100 also includes ISF Certified Calibration Controls, which allow professional installers and projector enthusiasts to fine-tune performance based on the room environment. This capability is absent from the LS800.
While the LS800's Grayscale (RGB balance) and color tracking are very good out of the box, they cannot be fine-tuned further. The LS800 uses an Android-based menu system, which provides many smart features, but several picture quality settings are no longer available.
This means you are limited to basic picture adjustments like brightness, contrast, saturation, tint, and sharpness. The new QS100 includes all the image adjustments found on traditional Epson Home Cinema projectors, such as gamma, grayscale, and CMS adjustments.
For smart home integration, the QS100 offers several Custom integration-focused features like IP Control and Web setup—an area where Epson’s previous model, the LS800, was notably lacking. IP and RS232 Drivers are available for most of the major control systems manufacturers, including Control 4, Crestron, URC, AMX, and Josh.ai.
Dealer feedback also influenced the redesign. The QS100 addressed complaints about the lack of panel alignment and slow Android bootup with the LS800. It offers extensive image adjustments and more robust system integration tools, including a web-based setup interface.
The QS100, priced at $4,999, will be available in black-and-white models through Epson's authorized dealers. It joins the Q-Series family alongside other Premium Residential models like the QB1000 and QL3000, positioning itself as a premium option for great rooms and modern media spaces.
With a focus on brightness, detail, and integrator-friendly features, the QS100 aims to further solidify Epson's dominance in the high-end UST projector category.
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