HIGHLIGHTS
As previously reported, Epson, the number-one selling projector brand worldwide, has been steadily expanding its market presence into medium to large-venue markets and specialty projectors for much of the past decade. Epson aims to increase its market dominance by introducing the six professional projection solutions that make up the new P-Series. The Epson EB-PU1008W falls in the middle of the pack of these new large-venue projectors.
The EB-PU1008W produces a very bright image which measured 8,544 ANSI lumens in my testing. This is more than enough brightness for many environments, including those with large amounts of uncontrolled ambient light. This new Epson P series projector displays an equal amount of color and white lumens, ensuring that it maintains dynamic colors even as the brightness output of the projector increases.
Epson's proprietary 3LCD engine utilizes a true 3-chip design with one LCD chip for each color (Red, Green, and Blue). Epson’s 3LCD 3-chip technology produces bright, accurate colors. The EB-PU1008W also includes Epson's Auto-Calibrate feature, which is helpful, especially in edge-blending scenarios or when color accuracy is critical.
The EB-PU1008W provides an image that balances color performance and brightness. The EB-PU1008W’s black levels are good, and details in the brighter areas of the picture are visible when needed. Although to get increased bright level detail does require the brightness to be turned down. The EP-PU1008W can display HDR, but out of the box, I preferred how the projector displays SDR content more. Epson has provided the ability to adjust the performance of the projector's HDR mode, but I was unable to adjust the image to fit my taste.
The Epson EB-PU1008W P-series projector can use any of eleven optional lenses, including ultra-short-throw, short-throw, middle-throw, and long-throw lenses. Epson lenses enable flexible installation options for a variety of venues. Installation of the lens was as simple as changing a lens on my interchangeable lens camera.
The EB-PU1008W supports protocols from Crestron, AMX, Control4, Extron, and others. These control systems include error messaging, remote broadcasting, scheduling, remote monitoring, and more.
Epson’s multiple software solutions for the EB-PU1008W make the setup and configuration of this projector fast and easy. Epson provides technicians the ability to monitor, adjust, and get projector health alerts should there be an issue. Production engineers' jobs are now easier because Epson has spent time creating efficient software solutions that simplify what is often a complex process.
The projector can receive 4K copy-protected signals and utilizes pixel-shifting to enhance displayed content's detail and perceived sharpness compared to standard 2K projectors.
The Epson EB-PU1008W is an impressive projector that, while not perfect, produces a beautiful image, making it an excellent choice for museums and other large venues where picture quality is a primary concern. This projector should earn a place in many production companies' fleet of large-venue projectors.
PROS
- 8,500 lumens of color and white brightness
- 2,500,000:1 contrast ratio
- Capable of pure black output on black (empty) frames
- Very good color out of the box
- Good black levels and dark shadow detail
- 4K HDCP 2.3 content-compatible
- Pixel-shifting maximizes detail and perceived sharpness
- Supports edge blending
- DICOM SIMULATION mode for use in education
- Advanced networking options
- Powerful app support like iProjection
- Control and monitor multiple projectors on your network
- Eleven optional interchangeable, motorized lenses
- The projector can be mounted at any angle
- Split screen capability
- The Constant Brightness feature maintains brightness over years of operation
- Incredibly quiet for a large-venue projector
- 3-year parts/labor warranty
CONS
- No 3D capability
- HDR performance was lacking
- Only one HDMI connection
- WiFi requires the purchase of additional hardware
