Epson launches new home cinema projectors

The new Epson EH-R4000 home theatre projector

Epson has announced two new models in its home cinema projector line-up. Taking over as the company's flagship models from the Epson EH-TW3500, EH-TW4500 and EH-TW5500 home cinema projectors, which were released in 2009, the Epson EH-R4000 and EH-R2000 use a new 3LCD panel design to increase contrast ratios and response times.

The new Epson EH-R4000 has a dynamic contrast ratio of 1,000,000:1 and a native contrast ratio of 40,000:1 — 10 times the 4000:1 rating of last year's EH-TW3500. The newer mid-range EH-R2000 boasts 500,000:1 dynamic and 25,000:1 native contrast ratios. Pricing has not been finalised, but the EH-R4000 and EH-R2000 are expected to retail for around $5500 and $7500 respectively.

Electronic zoom, focus and lens shift compensation have also been included, as has a lens memory function that re-positions the projector lens when the viewing aspect ratio is altered. The new home theatre projectors will be released in October. The existing EH-TW4500 and EH-TW5500 home cinema projectors will be retained in Epson's model line-up and the budget EH-TW3500 model will be upgraded.