Projectors

Priced at £1,350, Epson’s EH-TW6000 appears a clone of the award-winning EH-TW5900, which can be bought for just £1,000. Despite the price gulf, the two are very similar in specification, yet differ in a couple of key areas.

Outwardly, the EH-TW6000 is identical to its more affordable sibling – it shares the same curved-edge cosmetic design with eye-catching grilles that makes many of its rivals look dull and old-fashioned. The basic feature specification is the same, too, including +/-30 degree manual horizontal and vertical keystone correction, manual focus and zoom adjustment. Again, generous connectivity includes a pair of HDMI inputs, component video, PC input and USB port for JPEG viewing. There are speakers on board, too.

Similarities also extend beneath the hood. Close inspection confirms that the EH-TW6000 runs exactly the same imaging engine, based around a 0.61in-wide LCD panel. In both projectors, this runs at 240Hz for Full HD and accelerates to 480Hz for 3D. They even use identical 230W UHE (E-TORL) lamps.

But powered up, there’s an obvious visual disparity between the two. The EH-TW6000 is demonstrably brighter, thanks to an increase to 2200 ANSI lumens over the EH-TW5900’s 2000. While this doesn’t necessarily help home cinema enthusiasts viewing in controlled lighting conditions, it does means the model can be used in causally-lit rooms, making it more ideal for communal video gaming than its stablemate.

Yet where the EH-TW6000 really proves its worth is with the huge hike in available contrast. Epson rates it at 40,000:1 – twice that of the EH-TW5900 – and the difference really is noticeable.

This step-up model also includes one pair of Active Shutter 3D glasses in the box – they’re an optional extra with the EH-TW5900. Again, the 3D performance is highly commendable considering the price point, albeit with some crosstalk.

Whether or not you plump for this projector or its cheaper iteration will ultimately depend on the size of your wallet. The increased brightness and contrast levels definitely improve performance – but come at a £350 cost. My suggestion would be to audition the EH-TW5900 first and see if you find it lacking. Then grab a demo of this model.

Just to complicate things further, £1,500 gets you a wireless iteration of the EH-TW6000. If you can’t stomach an HDMI cable traipsing through your living room then you’ll have to audition that, too. Who ever said home cinema was easy?

Epson EH-TW6000
Prce: £1,350 Approx 

Highs: Improved brightness and contrast; setup is straightforward; still great value for money
Lows: Crosstalk noticeable with 3D; no motion interpolation option

Performance: 4/5
Design: 5/5
Features: 4/5
Overall: 5/5

3D ready: yes Active Shutter
HD Ready: yes Full HD, 1080p24
Component video: yes 1 x input
HDMI: yes 2 x HDMI v1.4 inputs
PC input: yes 1 x VGA 15-pin D-Sub PC input
12V trigger: no
Resolution: 1,920 x 1,080 
Brightness (claimed): 2,200 ANSI lumens
Contrast ratio (claimed): 40,000:1
Dimensions: 420 x 365 x 137.3mm
Weight: 6kg
Features: Full HD 3D compatible, 10W integrated sound system; USB JPEG viewer; bundled with one pair of Active Shutter 3D glasses; integrated IR sync transmitter, 24dB eco mode; backlit remote control; Auto, Dynamic, Living room, Natural and Cinema 2D picture presets; Dynamic and Cinema 3D picture presets; 5,000-hour claimed lamp life; stereo audio input