Interchangable Lenses
For the ultimate customizability of installation, Epson offers a choice of seven bayonet-style lenses to choose from, depending on your installation needs. No lens is provided with the projector. The “standard” lens (model V12H004S04, $1399 MSRP) has a throw ratio that ranges from 1.74 to 2.82 (this means the projector can be placed at a distance calculated by multiplying those numbers times the screen width, so for a 10 foot wide screen, placement can be accommodated anywhere within the range of 17.4 to 28.2 feet back from the screen). By contrast, Epson's optional short throw lens, model ELPLU02 ($4999 MSRP) has throw ratio range of 0.64 to 0.77 meaning the projector could be located as close as 6.4 feet from a 10 ft. wide screen. At the other extreme is Epson's long-throw lens, model V12H004L07 ($2899 MSRP), with a throw ratio of 5.83 to 8.18, meaning with that lens the projector could be as far back from the screen as 81.8 feet. Now that's placement flexibility.
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Mounting Flexibility
The Z10005UNL can be mounted in just about any orientation, including on it side for projecting portrait mode images. This makes this model great for a wide variety of applications including such things as digital signage, fashion shows, art galleries or anywhere vertical oriented images are to be projected.
Dynamic Iris
Typically, dynamic irises are found on home theater projectors to improve black level performance – blacker blacks. Epson, in order to deliver respectable blacks offers a dynamic iris you can turn off or on. 3LCD projectors business class projectors normally have less native contrast than DLP projectors, so they don’t start out as good when it comes to blacks. However, I noted that the native contrast of the Z10005UNL (with the dynamic iris turned off) is higher than most business or education class 3LCD projectors I have reviewed, although still a step below the better DLP models. DLP projectors, however, rarely offer a dynamic iris, except in home theater models. When designing a projector there’s a very direct trade-off between contrast and brightness. Since these projectors are built first for maximum brightness, that dynamic iris helps balance the projector, with those now respectable blacks for most commercial applications. Even many other business class projectors that do offer some sort of dynamic contrast control, offer implementations of these functions that operate far to slowly to be of any real-world benefit with viewing video content. Not so with the dynamic iris in the Z10005UNL, which seems to operate is a fashion similar to the dynamic iris Epson uses in their home theater class of projectors.
Multi-PC with Moderator Software
The Multi-PC Projection and Moderator function allows up to 50 devices to connect over a network. Simply select up to 4 devices to project simultaneously, for an engaging collaborative experience.
EasyMP Monitor Tool
Short for Epson Administrative System for Meeting and Presentation, EasyMP allows for flexibility in presentations with such features as follows:
- Slide Converter (which allows you to perform a slide show without connecting to a computer. A PowerPoint file is converted into a scenario file which can then be transferred to a USB storage device and installed in the projector.)
- Multi-Screen Display (which allows connection to up to 4 projectors for a wide spreadsheet or flowchart). This mode also allows for the display of a PowerPoint slide, while the presenter’s monitor is also displaying the PowerPoint tools.
- Presentation Mode (which allows for display of PowerPoint or Keynote slide shows)
- Distribution Function (which allows for display from a remote computer on the network)
Email Notification – When using the networking ability of the Z10005UNL, either wired or wireless, it can be set to notify the owner of the projector status, reminders or any problems via email. PCFree – This feature enables you to display photos, videos, PowerPoint presentations and other files stored on a USB storage device, without the use of a PC. Presentations created with Slide Converter (above), can also be used with PCFree.
Split-screen/Multi-source Capabilities
The Epson Z10005UNL offers split-screen capabilities. This projector has an awful lot of different inputs to choose from for your left and right screen images. For example, you can fed it one signal via HDMI and another signal via the analog computer input. It’s very simple to switch the images, control them from the remote, it’s not a feature that most will use but it is very nice in many presentation environments when used correctly. It’s a great “extra” feature for rental and staging where all kinds of unique presentations and uses are common.
Quick Corner Geometric Connection
In addition to the usual horizontal and vertical keystone correction, the Z10005UNL also features an option to adjust each corner of the projected image called Quick Corner. This can come in handy if the projector is tilted up (as much as 30 degrees) or placed at an angle. We’ve tried this feature with other Epson projectors and it works well, with less image degradation compared to basic keystone correction. As such, it is quite useful for making minor corrections, especially in non-permanent installations. However, if the projector is to be mounted, it’s better to get it placed properly to provide a square image without the use of keystone or Quick Corner correction.
Multi-Projector Edge Blending
The Epson Z10005UNL is very versatile when it comes to edge blending. You can use multiple projectors and each projector can be adjusted to match the colors and brightness to the other projectors in order to create a seamless combined image. One perhaps unique feature that the Epson Z10005UNL offers in this regard, is the ability to operate at any angle. This allows a whole new wide range of commercial setups for staging theater, just about anything you can think of.
DICOM Simulation Mode
In addition to the usual Picture modes, Epson has added a special mode that displays images following what is known as DICOM (Digital Imaging and Communication in Medicine) Part 14, which is a Grayscale Standard Display Function used with B/W medical imaging (such as X-rays, CATs and other imaging). This mode optimizes black/gray/white detail with a custom gamma curve. While not intended for actual medical evaluation, this mode allows for more accurate training of medical students, as well as more detailed medical imaging presentations.
Frame Interpolation
The Epson Z10005UNL offers frame interpolation, which is not common on this class of commercial installation class projector. This, plus the extensive color and image controls, gives the Epson Z10005UNL virtually all features found on today’s better home theater projectors. One of those things is creative frame interpolation to smooth out the image and effectively create a new frame in‑between existing frames to accomplish that.
Super-Resolution
Super resolution is Epson Z10005UNL’s dynamic sharpening and clarity system. We’ve worked with that extensively on their home theater lineup for the last few years. It definitely can give you a more razor sharp looking image on the screen, an image where things stand out better. It works extremely well. That is, Epson’s offering just about all of the image quality processing performance found in their home theater projectors. Few business / commercial projectors can claim that.
Crestron RoomView Network Service/AMX Device Discovery
In addition to the control capabilities provided by Easy MP, the Z10005UNL also supports Crestron’s RoomView management system. This allows for centralized access and control over a single projector or multiple projectors simultaneously, as well as notifications which can be distributed to each projector.
Networking
The Epson Z10005UNL’s networking is extensive. This is nothing new for Epson. We’ve seen basically the same networking layout for I’ve go to say a number of years. In addition to the wired (Ethernet) network port and optional wireless networking capabilities, the Z10005UNL comes with a HDBaseT port (see below).
HDBaseT Support
HDBaseT is an input source that combines HDMI, Ethernet LAN and RS-232 into one convenient Cat5e/6 cable, for expanded connectivity. It simplifies the connectivity by allowing both the video input signal and the control signals for the projector to be networked over a single cable. Epson offers an option HDBaseT Transmitter box for use with their Z-series projectors.
SDI Input
3G-SDI is a relatively new feature, and is offered on the Z10005UNL. Perhaps the most common use of SDI which is a high performance digital interface, is for use with commercial video cameras. I’m talking from full HD television quality down through lower resolutions. Thanks to the SDI interface, at events and other setups that call for live coverage such as in the worship industry, rental and staging, concerts. A camera can be run up to 300 feet to the projector with a coaxial cable! That’s a huge benefit. I’m not sure how widely SDI has been implemented so far in these higher end commercial projectors.
Computer Free Presentations
This Epson model (actually the whole series) has a set of controls for handling computer free presentations. An optional wireless IR mouse receiver is needed for full control. The Epson can present from the network, without a computer.
There are plenty of additional “Special Features”, as one could see, just by scanning the many projector menus, however, I believe those above, cover the bulk of the most significant features.
