Epson Pro L1755UNL Laser Projector Review- Summary

Posted on April 1, 2019 by Phil Jones

Epson Pro L1755UNL Laser Projector Review – Summary: Highlights, Value Proposition, Pros & Cons

HIGHLIGHTS

The Epson Pro L1755UHL is near the top of the Epson’s L series laser projector lineup. It offers 15,000 color, and white lumens. Epson offers two more expensive “flagship” laser projectors but they are in a bit of a different class, weighing in at over 100 pounds (double the weight of this model) and larger by comparison, not to mention they are retailing for around $100K. This unit retails for $33,000 without a lens (UNL designation).

While the unit does not ship with a lens, it is compatible with 9 different Epson motorized lenses including a short throw option. This gives you a total throw range of .35 all the way to 7.41 so there should be a solution for nearly every application.

This Epson projector is loaded with features, it is compatible with 4K content and you can utilize its pixel shifting ability to produce a sharp, detailed picture. Since it includes several features to enhance its flexibility in large venue applications like edge blending, projection mapping, portrait and off axis mounting, the ability to stack multiple projectors to increase brightness drastically, Lens Memory and more.

Networking is the usual “advanced” variety, with support for protocols from Crestron, AMX, Control4, Extron and more and all the capabilities which that implies (including messaging, remote broadcasting, scheduling, monitoring, etc.). Let’s not forget the Auto-Calibrate feature, which can be a wonderful ability especially in edge blending environments, but anytime color accuracy is highly critical.

VALUE PROPOSITION

❮ ❯

There are a lot of high brightness laser projectors out there today, from the likes of Christie, Barco, Sony, NEC, Panasonic, Digital Projection and a few others. Most, except for the high-brightness Sony laser projectors which can be expensive, are not true 4K models. Most can’t accept 4K commercial (copy protected) content or offer pixel shifting to take advantage of that content to deliver a more detailed, and sharper image than a standard WUXGA projector.

The short version, Epson vs. Direct Competition – other 2K Laser Projectors

The Pro L1755UNL is much brighter than similarly priced competitors (which are all DLP projectors)
It can handle 4K copy protected content (HDCP 2.2) and utilize pixel shifting to enhance the detail and perceived sharpness compared to standard 2K projectors
Its color brightness output (lumens) equals its white lumens output to provide for better color reproduction (unlike single chip DLP projectors)
While the L1755UNL does not ship with a lens, it is compatible with 9 motorized lenses including a short throw option

While most of the competitors do offer things like edge blending, it’s the Pro L1755UNL brightness capability and its ability to handle 4K content (including HDMI 2.0, HDCP 2.2) that sets it apart from the vast majority of WUXGA laser projectors.

It is true that the Pro L1755UNL can’t match the ultimate sharpness and detail of a true 4K projector but consider the pricing difference: Sony’s GT280 is a 6000 lumen, $50,000 true 4K laser projector. There will be applications calling for true 4K projection, where a pixel shifter like the L1755UNL, just won’t be good enough. Once you exclude that small segment this pixel shifting Epson will provide more than enough detail and the image is definitely sharper than a standard 2K projector.

Epson has been expanding its line into the larger venue category, in addition to the lower cost, high volume projector market it has been in for the past several years. The Epson Pro L series laser projectors are not just impressive, and feature laden, but appear to be the price-performance leaders in their class. That said, Epson’s less expensive laser projectors will no doubt sell better than the Pro L1755UNL, especially since they start at $8,499 for 6000 lumens. Price and performance wise, it’s hard to argue with the Pro L1755UNL’s overall value proposition.

PROS AND CONS

Epson Pro L1755UNL Pros

15,000 lumens (color and white)
Improved contrast by using laser light engine as “dynamic iris”
- Capable of pure black output on black (empty) frames
Very good color out of the box (full calibration controls available)
- Auto Calibration maintains color consistency, white balance and uniformity over long periods of time, and is great for edge blending and other multi-projector applications
Very good black levels and dark shadow detail
- In part thanks to the laser engine behaving like a dynamic iris
Accepts commercial 4K HDCP 2.2 content which most high brightness large venue projectors can not
Utilizes Pixel shifting to maximize detail and perceived sharpness on both 2K and 4K content
Edge Blending, Projection Mapping for digital signage, museums, and other multi-projector display applications
DICOM Simulation mode for displaying medical films and other high-tech images in a teaching environment
Advanced networking (includes support for Crestron, AMX…)
Optional wireless ($99)
Powerful apps, supporting software
- iProjection app supports tablets and phones
- Easy-MP for command and control
- Multi-PC Moderator for projecting up to four sources at once
Nine interchangeable motorized lenses (including a short throw option)
Projector can be mounted at any angle and in Portrait mode
Split screen capability
Brightness can be adjusted in 1% increments from full power down to 30%
Constant Brightness feature maintains brightness over years of operation
Quiet mode reduces audible nose to 30db, a touch louder than the average home theater projector – absurdly quiet for a large venue projector
3G-SDI– transfer live video (up to 1080p) over coax
HDBaseT- 4K HDMI content over low-cost CAT5/6 cable,
- Up to 100 meters
- Optional HDBaseT transmitter required
Powering on or off takes only a few seconds
3-year parts/labor warranty (3-year overnight replacement program)

Epson Pro L1755UNL Cons

No 3D capability
- It can be used in a stacked solution, using two projectors with polarized filters
No support for HDR (HDR10 or HLG)
- While most large venue projectors still don’t support HDR formats, the extra brightness could be used to enhance the color saturation and highlight detail found in high dynamic range content, or an external processor can handle HDR processing.
Pixel shifting (2K or 4K content) can’t be combined with other desirable features like CFI, edge blending, projection mapping and mpeg noise reduction
Black levels could be better still, despite the laser engine dimming with dynamic iris type action
- In fairness, for most large venue applications the enhanced brightness would be consider a far bigger benefit than deeper black level
Only one HDMI while there is also a DisplayPort and HDBaseT connections, additional HDMI inputs would make sense
At a price of $33K, the $99 wireless module should be included

Epson Pro L1755UNL Laser Projector Review – Summary: Highlights, Value Proposition, Pros & Cons

HIGHLIGHTS

The Epson Pro L1755UHL is near the top of the Epson’s L series laser projector lineup. It offers 15,000 color, and white lumens. Epson offers two more expensive “flagship” laser projectors but they are in a bit of a different class, weighing in at over 100 pounds (double the weight of this model) and larger by comparison, not to mention they are retailing for around $100K. This unit retails for $33,000 without a lens (UNL designation).

While the unit does not ship with a lens, it is compatible with 9 different Epson motorized lenses including a short throw option. This gives you a total throw range of .35 all the way to 7.41 so there should be a solution for nearly every application.

This Epson projector is loaded with features, it is compatible with 4K content and you can utilize its pixel shifting ability to produce a sharp, detailed picture. Since it includes several features to enhance its flexibility in large venue applications like edge blending, projection mapping, portrait and off axis mounting, the ability to stack multiple projectors to increase brightness drastically, Lens Memory and more.

Networking is the usual “advanced” variety, with support for protocols from Crestron, AMX, Control4, Extron and more and all the capabilities which that implies (including messaging, remote broadcasting, scheduling, monitoring, etc.). Let’s not forget the Auto-Calibrate feature, which can be a wonderful ability especially in edge blending environments, but anytime color accuracy is highly critical.

VALUE PROPOSITION

❮ ❯

There are a lot of high brightness laser projectors out there today, from the likes of Christie, Barco, Sony, NEC, Panasonic, Digital Projection and a few others. Most, except for the high-brightness Sony laser projectors which can be expensive, are not true 4K models. Most can’t accept 4K commercial (copy protected) content or offer pixel shifting to take advantage of that content to deliver a more detailed, and sharper image than a standard WUXGA projector.

The short version, Epson vs. Direct Competition – other 2K Laser Projectors

The Pro L1755UNL is much brighter than similarly priced competitors (which are all DLP projectors)
It can handle 4K copy protected content (HDCP 2.2) and utilize pixel shifting to enhance the detail and perceived sharpness compared to standard 2K projectors
Its color brightness output (lumens) equals its white lumens output to provide for better color reproduction (unlike single chip DLP projectors)
While the L1755UNL does not ship with a lens, it is compatible with 9 motorized lenses including a short throw option

While most of the competitors do offer things like edge blending, it’s the Pro L1755UNL brightness capability and its ability to handle 4K content (including HDMI 2.0, HDCP 2.2) that sets it apart from the vast majority of WUXGA laser projectors.

It is true that the Pro L1755UNL can’t match the ultimate sharpness and detail of a true 4K projector but consider the pricing difference: Sony’s GT280 is a 6000 lumen, $50,000 true 4K laser projector. There will be applications calling for true 4K projection, where a pixel shifter like the L1755UNL, just won’t be good enough. Once you exclude that small segment this pixel shifting Epson will provide more than enough detail and the image is definitely sharper than a standard 2K projector.

Epson has been expanding its line into the larger venue category, in addition to the lower cost, high volume projector market it has been in for the past several years. The Epson Pro L series laser projectors are not just impressive, and feature laden, but appear to be the price-performance leaders in their class. That said, Epson’s less expensive laser projectors will no doubt sell better than the Pro L1755UNL, especially since they start at $8,499 for 6000 lumens. Price and performance wise, it’s hard to argue with the Pro L1755UNL’s overall value proposition.

PROS AND CONS

Epson Pro L1755UNL Pros

15,000 lumens (color and white)
Improved contrast by using laser light engine as “dynamic iris”
- Capable of pure black output on black (empty) frames
Very good color out of the box (full calibration controls available)
- Auto Calibration maintains color consistency, white balance and uniformity over long periods of time, and is great for edge blending and other multi-projector applications
Very good black levels and dark shadow detail
- In part thanks to the laser engine behaving like a dynamic iris
Accepts commercial 4K HDCP 2.2 content which most high brightness large venue projectors can not
Utilizes Pixel shifting to maximize detail and perceived sharpness on both 2K and 4K content
Edge Blending, Projection Mapping for digital signage, museums, and other multi-projector display applications
DICOM Simulation mode for displaying medical films and other high-tech images in a teaching environment
Advanced networking (includes support for Crestron, AMX…)
Optional wireless ($99)
Powerful apps, supporting software
- iProjection app supports tablets and phones
- Easy-MP for command and control
- Multi-PC Moderator for projecting up to four sources at once
Nine interchangeable motorized lenses (including a short throw option)
Projector can be mounted at any angle and in Portrait mode
Split screen capability
Brightness can be adjusted in 1% increments from full power down to 30%
Constant Brightness feature maintains brightness over years of operation
Quiet mode reduces audible nose to 30db, a touch louder than the average home theater projector – absurdly quiet for a large venue projector
3G-SDI– transfer live video (up to 1080p) over coax
HDBaseT- 4K HDMI content over low-cost CAT5/6 cable,
- Up to 100 meters
- Optional HDBaseT transmitter required
Powering on or off takes only a few seconds
3-year parts/labor warranty (3-year overnight replacement program)

Epson Pro L1755UNL Cons

No 3D capability
- It can be used in a stacked solution, using two projectors with polarized filters
No support for HDR (HDR10 or HLG)
- While most large venue projectors still don’t support HDR formats, the extra brightness could be used to enhance the color saturation and highlight detail found in high dynamic range content, or an external processor can handle HDR processing.
Pixel shifting (2K or 4K content) can’t be combined with other desirable features like CFI, edge blending, projection mapping and mpeg noise reduction
Black levels could be better still, despite the laser engine dimming with dynamic iris type action
- In fairness, for most large venue applications the enhanced brightness would be consider a far bigger benefit than deeper black level
Only one HDMI while there is also a DisplayPort and HDBaseT connections, additional HDMI inputs would make sense
At a price of $33K, the $99 wireless module should be included