Epson PowerLite 725W Education Projector Review - Hardware: Inputs and Connectors, Lens, Control Panel, Optional Projector Mount, Remote Control, Menus
OVERVIEW
The Epson PowerLite 725W appears to be well designed. The location of the control panel, vents, and input panel are as convenient as possible for a projector that will typically be mounted upside down above the presenter.
Looking up at the projector mounted above the screen, you'll see the ultra-short-throw lens, along with the obstacle sensors. To the right of the lens is the 16-watt speaker. Behind the lens is an IR sensor for the remote control. In this mounting configuration, the control panel is on the projector body's left side. You'll find various indicator lights for On/Off Standby, Status, Laser, Temp, and Wi-Fi on the front bottom. On the right side, the cool air intake filters are located behind an easy-release door that also allows access to the Focus lever. To the rear, facing the wall is the panel for the inputs and connectors.
INPUTS AND CONNECTORS
HDMI
3
USB-B
1
USB-A
1
LAN Connector
1
Computer w/Audio-In
1 (3.5mm)
Computer w/Audio-Out
1 (3.5mm)
System Audio-Out
1 (3.5mm)
Composite Video-In
1
Audio-In
1 (3.5mm)
Mic Input
1 (3.5mm)
RS-232C
1
The Epson PowerLite 725W has all the necessary inputs and connectors for your typical business and education needs. The projector has a computer input for PC presentations. It features three HDMI inputs for connecting a wide range of devices like a Smart Media stick, Blu-ray players, and even a PC with HDMI. The 725W has two USB connectors, one of them for powering devices like the Amazon Firestick and many others. For sound, the PowerLite 725W features three individually dedicated 3.5mm Audio inputs (see above photo) as well as a 3.5mm Mic input. There is also a 3.5mm Audio Out for connecting the projector to an external system for more dynamic sound.
The chart to the left and the photo above detail all the inputs and outputs on this projector.
LENS
The PowerLite 725W ultra-short-throw lens.
The PowerLite 725W ultra-short-throw lens looks like a pretty standard Epson UST lens. It does not have analog zoom capabilities, which is not unexpected. There doesn't seem to be any apparent lens-based distortion in the projected image. Ultra-short-throw projectors nearly always have some image curvature at the top of the screen, but it is barely noticeable on the 725W.
Focusing is easy and fast with the focus lever located on the side of the projector, under the easy-release air filter door. The PowerLite 725W is a simple setup after it's mounted. As soon as you finish positioning and focusing the projector, you're pretty much good to go.
The PowerLite 725W produces a large image with the projector sitting inches from the screen. Epson recommends displaying an image between 65 – 120 inches diagonal. The 725W has a 1.0 – 1.35x digital zoom, giving the projector some placement flexibility. It's best to place it as perfectly as possible before resorting to using digital zoom.
CONTROL PANEL
Left Side
The Epson PowerLite 725W control panel is well laid out. The standard directional arrow keys surround an Enter button. As is the case with many projectors, the PowerLite 725W's arrow keys serve dual functions. Up and Down control keystone correction, while the Left and Right arrow keys control the digital zoom.
On either side of the Up-arrow key is the Menu button, and the Esc button, for opening and exiting the menu system. All that said, you're not likely to use this control panel except during the initial setup. From then on, you'll be using the remote control.
OPTIONAL PROJECTOR MOUNT
The Optional Mount
The optional projector mount designed for the 725W is a thing of beauty. Epson has created a whole series of incredibly detailed videos on their support website and YouTube to help your professional installer efficiently complete the installation process. These videos also provide a wealth of knowledge for the user to make their 725W operating experience as smooth as possible.
The mount offers the ability to slide the projector back and forth, thus increasing or decreasing the image size accordingly. The mount also provides roll, pitch, and yaw adjustments to help your installer get the projector as physically square to the screen as possible.
This durable mount should provide years of flexible service beyond the life of the 725W.
REMOTE CONTROL
The Epson PowerLite 725W remote control is a pretty ordinary Epson remote. It fits nicely into your hand, the controls are easy to push. Unfortunately, It is not backlit. For some users, this won't be a problem since this projector will sometimes be used in spaces where the room lights are on. However, when the room lights are off a backlight on the remote will be missed.
You have a Source Search option, Input buttons, Aspect Ratio, Menu, and Esc buttons. There are quick-access buttons for Color Mode and even a Custom User button that allows you to choose from Light Source Mode, Info, Test Pattern, Resolution, On-screen Display, Image Enhancement, or Content Playback. You have standard controls like Page Up/Down, Zoom In/Out, and Volume Up/Down. This remote provides access to almost every core feature of the 725W.
Although the remote is smaller than some others, the button spacing makes for easy use.
Epson EV-100 Remote Control
MENUS
One of the things I like about the Epson 725W menu system is the simple scrolling layout. I found it highly intuitive and had no trouble finding all the adjustment features I was looking for in my testing. Epson goes out of its way to segment the menu system, combining similar features in obvious categories, like many other manufacturers. However, unlike many other projectors, the linear nature of this projector's menu system allows you to keep going down the list to see where you were, rather than constantly backing out to the Main Menu to get to another feature. I found this also reduced accidentally going into categories more than once.
The menu layout is simple and feature-rich. I wish more projectors were like this.
