Projector technologies: LCD (3LCD), DLP, LCoS. LED projectors: reviews of manufacturers and review of the best models Which is better ice or chipboard projectors

LCD projectors are easy-to-use optical devices that broadcast an image onto a special surface (screen). Unlike a TV, using a projector you can get a very large picture. This makes them in demand in educational institutions, commercial companies and, of course, as devices for home theater equipment. How to choose a multimedia LCD projector and what to pay special attention to?

The modern market offers a wide range of projectors from different manufacturers in a wide price range. One of the most significant characteristics that is worth paying attention to is the technology used to form the projected image. There are several such methods, but the most common are LCD and DLP.

Features of LCD projectors

LCD projectors are optical devices based on liquid crystals. The design of such a device is similar to the operation of a conventional filmoscope, which is used to view slides, or a film film projector. Modern LCD devices use a transparent solid-state liquid crystal panel instead of film. The picture on it is formed using a digital electronic circuit. In the design of LCD projectors, technology involves the use of several panels, each of which contains one colored glass. There are three such panels in total - red, blue and green. The light beam comes from the lamp, passes through the colored panels, and then through the lens. As a result, an image appears on the screen, and it is enlarged several times compared to the original image.

Among manufacturers, Epson LCD projectors occupy the largest share of the market. The company has developed a branded floor. In 3LCD projectors, instead of one liquid crystal matrix, three are installed. Each of them simultaneously works with a blue, red and green color beam.

One of the main advantages of LCD projectors is the ability to generate a very powerful light flux. The picture turns out extremely saturated. Unlike DLP devices, devices using LCD technology do not have the rainbow effect - multi-colored color flashes. These so-called artifacts can cause attacks of dizziness, headaches and nausea in some people.

How to choose an LCD projector

Before making your final choice, you should pay attention to the most significant indicators of projection devices.

Typically this is:

• cost, not only of the device itself, but also of after-sales service
• ease of connection and use
• brightness, clarity, color rendition and contrast level of the projected image

Where will it be used and what will be projected

The first thing you need to decide before purchasing is the place where you plan to use the device. Models that will be used in an office or educational institution and projectors for home theater have different requirements. In offices and classrooms, presentations are most often shown using projectors. That is, static images that require high contrast and clarity. And an LCD projector for a home theater assumes that the main content will be video, for which natural color rendition is very important.

Projectors vary in design type and can be:

Fixed versions can be mounted on the wall or ceiling. A portable LCD projector is easy to transport and move around the room.

Brightness

The second most important criterion when choosing a projector is brightness. This indicator indicates in what external lighting the viewer will be able to see a high-quality picture. For offices, the standard brightness is 3000 Lumens and above. And for home theaters they are suitable with a brightness of 2000-2500 Lumens.

Unfortunately, high levels of brightness and contrast cannot be achieved with models in the lower price segment. These projectors are sensitive to the level of light in the room. The image will be quite bright, and individual static elements will be clearly readable, only if there is high-quality dimming. The picture quality in bright external lighting will be ensured. Everything is simple here - the more lumens, the more legible the image will be without dimming.

Permission

This is a completely useless indicator if we consider it in isolation from the resolution of the information source from which the image will be transmitted. A projector with the highest resolution will not be able to project a high-quality picture from an old computer or DVD player. But even a low-resolution projector model will not be able to adequately display a movie from a Blu-ray player on the screen. For use in an office or classroom, a resolution of 1200 by 768 or more is sufficient. For displaying on a large screen and watching television programs, they can handle it with a resolution of 1024 by 768, but to watch video in HD format you will need a slightly higher resolution - at least 1280 by 720. For video content in Blu-ray quality, choose a USB source.

LCD projectors are somewhat more compact and slightly cheaper than models using other imaging technologies. Compared to DLP projectors, versions of LCD devices with the same power of the lamp used project an image of greater brightness.

The main disadvantage of LCD projectors is their lower black color saturation than in DLP devices. Features of the matrix structure can lead to the effect of pixelation (spotting) at high magnification.

Simply put, a projector is a box that contains a lamp and a lens. But a lamp + lens is more of a spotlight than a projector - there needs to be something in the path of the light that forms the image. Once upon a time this was a film:

Think of overhead projectors: the user manually inserts film between the lamp and the lens, and we essentially have the same image-forming principle as today:

• the black section of the film tries to block the light,
• white areas of the film are transparent and transmit light,
• translucent areas can be colored, coloring the image on the screen.

This technology has the same image shortcomings that still worry us to one degree or another when choosing a projector.

1. The film tries to block black, but it doesn't do it well - there's a problem with contrast and black level.
2. Brightness limited lamp and the ability of the entire system, including the film, to withstand heat. The image is dim.
3. The image has undesirable shade due to the characteristics of the film and lamp, its “color temperature”.
4. If the filmstrip is in color, then the colors are unsaturated and it is not always clear how exactly they should look according to the author’s idea - the limitations of the film.

The main difference between a modern multimedia projector is that instead of film, a certain matrix is ​​used, which is constantly updated, drawing a new picture at least 60 times per second.

How is a color image formed?

However, the matrix has nothing to do with color formation. The matrix produces a monochrome image. If you shine white through it, it will be black and white, if you shine red through it, it will be black and red.

Since any sRGB color can be obtained by mixing red, green and blue, any color image can be obtained by superimposing black-red, black-green and black-blue on top of each other.

Below is the famous color photograph restored by the Americans from three black and white cards of Prokudin-Gorsky (taken before 1917):

They say that the black and white cards correspond to the red, green and blue components of the image. Americans need to trust-but-verify - I check in Photoshop, substituting one card on the red channel, another on the green, and a third on the blue:

They say the truth. So, if the white color is transparent, and we shine a flashlight of the correct color through each photo, then, by combining the three images on the screen, we will get our color photo.

All projectors use this principle: a matrix of streams of light in red, green and blue colors creates three images that overlap each other and give us a color image on the screen.

Sometimes more than three are combined, but three is enough.

Three-matrix and single-matrix projectors

Perhaps this is the main difference in projector technology. There are two ways to superimpose the mentioned red, green, blue images on top of each other: simultaneous overlay and sequential overlay

Simultaneous overlay is carried out in three-matrix projectors: red, green and blue streams pass through separate matrices, and then are combined, and the finished color image goes on the screen.

Three-matrix approach using the example of 3LCD technology

Using 3LCD technology as an example, it looks like this:

1. White light came out of the lamp.
2. Came to the filter, divided into red and blue.
3. Red passed through matrix No. 1, resulting in a red image.
4. The blue is divided into green and blue.
5. Green went to matrix No. 2, blue - to matrix No. 3.
6. We have three images that are superimposed on each other - we get one color one.
7. The color image disappeared onto the screen.

When applying “one by one”, the projector only needs one matrix - first red is supplied to it, then green, then blue, and the projector draws on the screen first red, then green, then blue image.

Single-matrix approach using the example of “1-DLP” technology
Please note: DLP matrix... mirror (more on this later)

This happens very quickly and, just as we do not see the individual spokes of a spinning bicycle wheel, we do not see individual color images on the screen, but we see the result of their connection - a finished color image, although formed not in the projector, but “in the viewer’s head "

In both cases we get a color image. Now regarding the pros and cons of the single-matrix and three-matrix approaches.

1. Price. Three matrices are more expensive than 1 matrix. 1 matrix is ​​cheaper than 3.
2. Efficiency. A three-matrix projector works with red, green and blue at any given time, while a single-matrix projector only works with one color(the rest is thrown away). A three-matrix projector has a noticeably higher efficiency in using lamp light.
3. Reduction of matrices. When there are three matrices, it is difficult to perfectly match each other, but single-matrix projectors do not have this problem - if the optics do not fail, then every pixel on the screen will be sharp, clearly defined.
4. Undesirable visual effects(artifacts). No matter how often the color images on the screen of a single-matrix projector change, conditions will arise when the eye recognizes and highlights these individual colors. This happens especially often in dynamic, contrasting dark scenes, when the gaze runs across the screen. There are many such situations, for example, in The Dark Knight. The eye twitched - a colored trail was visible for a split second behind the bright object. It is called " rainbow effect" or "color separation effect".

Please note that formally all this has nothing to do with LCD or DLP technologies. However, it just so happened that the most widespread, most budget part of the projectors is presented single matrix DLP And three-matrix LCD(3LCD) projectors that inherit all the pros/cons of the single-matrix and three-matrix approaches.

Separately, it is worth touching on the issue about efficiency, since it is not immediately clear what follows from the greater efficiency of using lamp light. Let's say you take a 190 W lamp and put it in a budget projector. A more efficient projector will be able to make the most of that 190W more brightness, or the same brightness with less lamp load, extending its resource. The advantage here is on the side of three-matrix technology, so single-matrix projectors have a tradition of having a bright image mode, in which the maximum brightness corresponds to a similar three-matrix projector, but only on white, and the colors are much duller than they should be. Most often this is done as follows: instead of creating a color image from red, green, blue, white (transparent) is also added:

The images show the color wheel of a single-matrix projector with a transparent segment

In other words, one of the components of the image is black and white, obtained not by mixing colors, but “dumbly” by transmitting lamp light onto the screen bypassing filters. However, these methods are used where the combination of cost and high brightness is important. For example, for office projectors this is suitable for displaying documents, but a home theater projector does not need high brightness - such projectors use an RGBRGB (six-segment) color wheel:

By repeating the full cycle of colors twice per turn, the visibility of the “rainbow effect” is also reduced.

LCD and DLP

If we consider the matrices directly, the LCD (LCD) matrix is ​​most reminiscent of the above-mentioned overhead projector film, since it works " into the light", getting in the way of the light flow. The task of each pixel is to block the light or let it pass further.

The DLP matrix does not work for transmission, but according to the reflective principle. Each of its pixels is a microscopic mirror, which, when rotated, reflects light onto the screen, or, in a deflected position, throws it onto the light absorber.

Overall, the mirrors do an excellent job cutting off unnecessary light, therefore a DLP matrix (“DMD” chip) can give noticeably greater contrast than an LCD matrix (other things being equal). Of course, contrast depends not only on the matrix, but as it becomes more expensive, it is possible to achieve higher contrast levels (take LCD projectors such as the EH-TW9200/9300 - huge contrast!). However, the bottom line is that we are talking about the advantage of DLP projectors in terms of contrast and black level.

Light path in a DLP projector: lamp-color wheel-mirror-matrix-...

LCD technology is found almost exclusively in a three-matrix configuration (Epson 3LCD), the vast majority of DLP projectors are single-matrix, and in expensive segments (some installation projectors, luxury home and cinema projectors) three-matrix DLP technology is present.

"Mosquito net effect"

Supposedly, another advantage of DLP technology is less interpixel space.

The fact is that an LCD matrix operating in transmission mode requires drawing contours to each pixel, and these contours can only pass between pixels - this results in some unused space between them. The advantage of DLP matrices is that the mentioned contours go under the mirrors, although the very need to change the position of the mirrors also creates a certain inter-pixel gap. As a result, 3LCD projectors tend to have slightly more noticeable inter-pixel spacing than DLP projectors.

LCoS, incl. D-ILA, SXRD, 3LCD Reflective

True, the latter deny that they are LCoS...

As we move into more expensive projector segments, LCoS (liquid-on-silicon) technology is emerging. Many manufacturers call it by their own name. Sony - “SXRD”, JVC - “D-ILA”, Epson - “Reflective 3LCD”, or “Reflective 3LCD”. Well, the latter captures the essence quite accurately.

This technology is an attempt to combine the advantages of LCD and DLP technologies. Liquid crystal matrices located on the mirror surface transmit light twice through themselves, better cutting off black (high contrast), while they do not have moving elements, and the control circuits are located under the mirrors, which allows for smaller interpixel space than both LCD and DLP .

The mentioned technologies are found only in a three-matrix configuration. The color formation scheme is similar to 3LCD, with the only difference being that LCoS matrices reflect light rather than transmit it through themselves:

Light source: lamps and lampless projectors

Comparing a modern digital projector with an overhead projector, we talked about the matrices that replaced film, and now it’s time to talk about the lamp.

Classic light source - mercury lamps. Depending on the type of lamp and load level, the resource of such a lamp ranges from 3000 to 5000 hours at maximum brightness. How is a resource counted? As far as I know, until the calculated moment the lamp brightness drops by 50%. This is the first drawback of lamps - a gradual decrease in brightness.

Lasers and LEDs are another matter! Resource - 20,000 or even 30,000 hours! The brightness also gradually decreases, but more linearly and over the same period.

And there are also xenon lamps - they have a shorter lifespan than mercury lamps, but they have their advantages.

Spectral radiation of xenon and mercury lamps

As a result, a significant disadvantage of mercury lamps is that the light they emit contains too much green. This means that the excess green color, which carries a significant portion of the light energy, must be cut off and discarded so that the green, red and blue are in the correct proportions and when mixed produce the correct white color (neutral, without tints). However, there is an agreement that brightest mode projector, noticeable loss in color rendering is acceptable. Thus, in the brightest picture mode, the picture takes on a slightly greenish tint.

For example, according to my observations, the most pronounced greenish tint in the brightest mode- DLP projectors with an RGBRGB color wheel, followed by 3LCD projectors, then DLP projectors with a transparent segment - somehow they manage to achieve a fairly neutral white. But the problem here is that when switching from the brightest mode to the most accurate, we in any case improve color rendition and cut off excess green using matrices projector, and then suddenly it turns out that by removing the excess green, we got a significant drop in brightness, but the black color did not change, it is the same for the bright and precise modes! The brightness decreased, but black remained, which means the contrast decreased as much as the brightness decreased - up to two times! So it goes. Switched to the precise mode designed for darkness and lost contrast... just great!

In this sense, xenon lamps have more even characteristics, although they are used very rarely and on expensive projectors.

Another strange problem with mercury lamps - for some reason they prevent most projectors from displaying 100% correct sRGB green color- Necessarily A little turns yellow.

Well, it is obvious that the lamps heat up and require powerful active cooling, which not only increases the size of the projector, but also increases its noise. Also, the lamps take some time to reach full power and, depending on the projector, may require some time before turning off the power - the lamp needs to be cooled.

With light emitting diodes (LEDs) the situation is different: LEDs can be extremely compact and allow you to create extremely miniature projectors, but ironically they have a problem with the brightness of the green LED, so the brightness of an LED projector is usually quite limited. A significant advantage of LEDs is their ability to have a very narrow emission spectrum, that is, a very rich, pure color. In this regard, from RGB (red, green, blue) LEDs it is possible to achieve a wider color gamut than the sRGB standard (used in Blu-ray, HDTV, for the Internet, etc.).

Yes, LEDs and lasers are not lamps that the user can easily pick up and replace. These light sources are highly integrated into the design of the projector, into its “optical engine”. Let's see why. There are many ways to use LEDs and lasers. So,

Semiconductor sources lights in the projector and their options:

1. White LEDs. This is similar to a lamp - we have white LEDs, their glow is divided into red, green and blue, like lamps... This is rare in practice.

2. RGB LEDs. We initially have three colored light sources - no need to separate anything - compactness! In addition, you can achieve high color saturation. Often used in miniature projectors in combination with single-array DLP technology.

Illustration of the operation of an RGB LED projector from NEC

3. Blue laser + yellow phosphor. Popular with expensive home laser projectors (JVC, Epson, Sony?). A blue laser produces a blue color, a second blue beam activates a yellow phosphor, and this yellow color is then divided into red and green. Below is an example of use with LCoS technologies:

Epson LS10000 schematic

The scheme is approximately the same for JVC

And here is an example of use with single-matrix DLP technology (BenQ):

4. LED laser projectors(“hybrid projectors”). Casio is actively used. So, we want an RGB LED projector, but we need to replace the dim green LED with something. Instead of a green LED, we install a blue laser (a green laser is expensive), which activates a green phosphor. We get a brightness close to lamp projectors (and, by the way, a similar green tint in bright mode).

Hybrid projector diagram from the Casio website.
The phosphor wheel must rotate to allow blue to pass through,
or produce green!

5. RGB laser projector. Everything is at the highest level: excellent colors, high brightness, high price, large size.

Illustration of the NEC RGB laser projector design
It is noted that the pipes are made of fiber optics

Among the qualities of laser projectors used in practice are flexible and smooth control of the light source with the possibility of complete blackout in dark movie scenes, or limiting the brightness of the projector, leading to an increase in laser life. If the projector uses an array of lasers, then even after their service life has expired, the lasers will fail one by one, and not all at once, which in the worst case will lead to a gradual decrease in brightness.

However, when talking about laser and LED projectors, we have to admit that 20,000 and 30,000 hours are numbers related to the light source itself, and the design may contain other elements that may have a completely different resource. As a result, it is useful to look at the official manufacturer's warranty period...

As for phosphors, they obviously have their own characteristics when it comes to color rendering. As a rule, in practice, the color saturation of a phosphor is much less than what can be achieved from a laser/LED.

Is it possible to get a wide color gamut from a lamp projector?

I guess, yes. To obtain a wider color gamut, you need to cut off unnecessary parts of the spectrum using color filters. Actually, if we can isolate red from white, then why not isolate a purer red? True, light losses will increase, but who counts them when it comes to expensive projectors?

Light Emitted Diodes (LED) are actively penetrating our lives. Consuming relatively little energy and possessing significant durability, step by step they are replacing traditional incandescent lamps in household lighting fixtures, eloquently announcing themselves as an excellent alternative to fluorescent backlighting in LCD displays, and, finally, are ready to lead the revolution in the country. video projectors. LED video projectors, their features and the current state of affairs on the market will be discussed in this material.

Disadvantages of Traditional Projectors

Modern video projectors, for all their positive qualities, also have the following disadvantages:
1) the projection lamp has a limited service life, high cost and significant energy consumption;
2) the projection lamp gets very hot during operation - each projector needs a special cooling system, which not only consumes additional energy, but also makes noticeable noise (due to the rotation of the fan);
3) the presence of a projection lamp and cooling system imposes certain restrictions on the size and weight of the projector.

LEDs to the rescue

LEDs “started their career” as household lighting devices, then found application in the automotive industry, then LEDs began to be used to backlight LCD matrices in the corresponding video panels, and finally made their way to video projectors. The idea of ​​replacing a traditional incandescent projection lamp with an LED analogue, at first glance, is simple and obvious. However, the creators of the first LED projectors had to solve a number of fundamental technical problems. First, choose the most appropriate image formation method for LED specifications. The use of LEDs in conjunction with LCD matrices (which are equipped with most projectors sold in the world) turned out to be futile. After all, working with LCD matrices in transmission mode implies a significant (up to 60%) weakening of the light flux on the way from its source to the lens. Therefore, micromirror DMD chips used in DLP projectors are most suitable for symbiosis with LEDs. It is no coincidence that Texas Instrument (the founder of DLP technology) was one of the first to propose using their matrices in conjunction with LED backlighting.

However, currently there is a concept of using LEDs in conjunction with LCoS matrices (they also work on the principle of light reflection) - it is quite possible that LEDs will lead to a “renaissance” of this technology.

It is worth emphasizing that LED projectors owe their appearance to significant progress in the technology of producing bright LEDs. Lumileds is currently the leader in this field and the main LED supplier for the projection industry. Today, its specialists are intensively working to create even more advanced LEDs, the characteristics of which (brightness, energy efficiency) are becoming better with each new generation.

Operating principle of an LED projector

So, in an LED projector, instead of a “hot” and energy-hungry incandescent lamp, LED light emitters are used. There are either three of them (red, blue and green) or more (in addition to the primary colors, Lumileds proposed adding blue and yellow in order to increase the luminous flux and enrich color rendition). LED projectors also do not have a light wheel (which is traditionally used in DLP devices). Instead, a special electrical circuit is responsible for the formation of each color layer of the image, which switches the backlight color channels with a certain (imperceptible to the eye) frequency. Thanks to the inertia of visual perception, we see a complete picture on the screen.

LED projectors: a lot of advantages

1) Dimensions and weight
The LED+DLP image forming method allows all electronic elements to be placed as closely as possible to each other and create miniature (about the size of a CD box) and subminiature (about the size of a mobile phone) projectors.

2) Power consumption
LEDs consume 10 times less energy (LED - about 10 W, lamp - about 100 W). This means that LED projectors can be powered by rechargeable batteries.

3) Service life
The service life of a typical projection lamp is on average 2–3 thousand hours. For LED solutions, this figure is about 20 thousand hours without a drop in brightness. There has been a tendency to increase the above-mentioned resource to 100 thousand hours.

DLP and LCD projectors differ in image creation technology. The light from the lamp is split by a prism into rays of primary colors: green, blue and red, and then hits one of three small liquid crystal matrices. LCD matrices transmit light only at the points (pixels) needed to create an image, after which the three light beams combine again to create a complete image.

In a DLP projector, light first passes through a rotating color filter. It is then guided by a million small movable mirrors and projected through a lens onto a screen. Thanks to the movement of mirrors in accordance with a certain color, the human eye already perceives a full-fledged image, although it is formed from a sequential projection of pictures in three primary colors.

In addition to LCD and DLP projectors, there are competing models - LED - LED projectors.

DLP or LCD: Which projector is better?

LED projector

Neither of the two technologies can be called ideal. Which projector is best for you depends on what you intend to use it for.

The advantage is that the dark and light tones of the image are finely graded. But at the same time, their maximum contrast is lower than that of projectors with DLP technology, because the image cannot be created completely without light.

DLP technology allows you to turn away small mirrors in dark areas of the image, which is why the picture becomes truly black, and the contrast is accordingly higher than that of LCD. The disadvantage of a DLP projector is that the picture consists of separate images of primary colors. Fast-moving objects can produce a trail of color called the “rainbow effect.”

LCD - projector for cinema and video

The idea of ​​purchasing a projector for the home has been around for a long time. My first acquaintance with this format of media devices took place in 2014 and it turned out conditionally successful. It was then that I came across a Chinese NONAME LCD projector. Although it was a rather primitive gadget with limited functionality, a dim picture and poor resolution, I immediately understood all the charms of this box. . For a while, even he completely satisfied me. However, as you know, “the best is the worst enemy of the good” and I decided to get a projector with more impressive characteristics. And just recently I received an expensive (by the standards of Chinese goods) product worth over $200. For your attention - DLP projector Ecsee ES135.
So Ecsee ES135 is:
Time to market: 2016
Light source: Light-emitting diode
Size: 100x100x22mm
Weight: 160 g.
Nominal Resolution: 854*480, 16 million colors
Maximum resolution: 1920*1080
Contrast: 1x1000
Screen scale: 4:3 / 16:9
Support: Miracast Airplay => Android, IOS, HDMI, USB 2.0
Application: For home, office, etc.
Projection Distance: from 1 meter
Lifetime 20,000 hours

DISTINCTIVE FEATURES

This projector is positioned as the ultra-compact headliner of 2016. As you can see, ES135 belongs to the family DLP projectors.

A little about DLP and LCD...

What is the difference between DLP and LCD technology? . So, in LCD a lamp is used that sends white light to a combination of mirrors. These mirrors separate light into its three primary colors (red, green and blue). Each color has its own LCD matrix (hence 3LCD). The three colors are then combined using a prism, which produces a full-color image consisting of millions of colors.

Advantages of LCD technology:
Provides higher brightness in three primary colors
Offers more flexible mounting options due to the lens' greater optical zoom range
3LCD projector produces less noise than DLP projector
Richer colors provide better results in high-light spaces
Consumes less energy and produces less heat
No "rainbow effect" on projected images

Disadvantages of LCD technology:
Requires constant filter cleaning and replacement
Pixels in the image are more visible compared to DLP technology
Projectors are larger and heavier
Black tones may appear grayer as a result of less contrast
May have color disintegration after long-term use

Now is the time to deal with DLP . The key element of all DLP projectors is the DMD matrix from Texas Instruments, which manipulates light and color using several hundred thousand microscopic mirrors located on the surface of the chip. Spaced less than one micron apart, these mirrors produce smooth, crystal-clear images.
Advantages of DLP technology:
Produces smooth, crystal clear images
Allows you to project ultra-fast (16 microsecond pixel response time, approximately 1000 times faster than LCD projectors), smooth, judder-free images
Projectors are smaller and lighter
Image pixels are less noticeable than LCD projectors
Filterless design allows for virtually zero maintenance
Greater maintenance savings and extended projector life reduce total cost of ownership (TCO)

Disadvantages of DLP technology:
Requires more lumens than LCD in high light environments
Longer distance projections possible than LCD
DLP color wheel can create a "rainbow effect" on projected images
Rotating color wheel and exhaust fans make noise ©

Based on reviews from professionals, when choosing a projector type between LCD and DLP, it is necessary to take into account the expected operating conditions. Initially, more powerful and high-contrast LCD projectors are suitable for office presentations, while DLP are optimal for home use in home theater mode. That is, the ES135 is perfect for my purposes.

Availability of HDMI and USB, as well as Miracast support opens up endless possibilities for data entry.

Compactness of the projector is another “strong” side of the device. I was convinced of this already when I received the parcel at the post office...

Availability built-in battery It is also not typical for its relatives ES135, which also distinguishes it from its peers.

Read more about these and other features of the device below.

BY THE WAY, ABOUT CUSTOMS...

As you know, the infamous decree “On 22 euros” has recently come into force in the Republic of Belarus. So, my compatriots now have to pay a customs duty of 30% of the excess amount. BUT! You can't take our people with your bare hands! Currently, there is a completely legal method of delivery through a Russian intermediary. Limit - 1000 euros. I checked it on myself - everything works.

PACKAGE, EQUIPMENT

Contrary to my expectations, I was handed a package slightly larger than a box of perfume. Having opened the envelope, I saw packaging made from eco-materials with the laconic inscription ECsee.
Inside, displaying the wonders of Chinese Tetris, several boxes are expertly stacked flush.
Having opened the boxes, we were presented with this set
Tripod It turned out to be a very good construction made of plastic and aluminum. The tripod is simply screwed into the base of the projector body, and the level is fixed using a thumbscrew. As it turned out later, the tripod turned out to have a secret: its legs are telescopic.
power unit very similar to a computer one. The technical characteristics are as follows: 12V, 2A. The plug is flat, but the kit included an adapter for a European socket.
HDMI The male-to-male cable is 1 meter long, nothing special. Remote controller moderately compact, fits comfortably in a man's hand. The functionality of the buttons is tailored for viewing multimedia and presentations. Batteries included. During further operation, one drawback was discovered - the absence of a structurally dedicated power button for the device. Thus, to turn off the projector you need to go to the corresponding menu item or turn it off on the projector.
With trembling hands, we move on to studying the projector itself. The body of the device is made of matte bronze-colored plastic with black plastic inserts and chrome trim. During operation, fingerprints do not remain. The shape is a perfect square.
On the top edge there are branded “ECsee” and DLP Texas Instruments. At first glance, the brand name gives the impression of being “underpainted,” but this is just the style of the font. In addition to the inscriptions, there are two status indicators - red and green. We will look at their work later. Everything is quite laconic and stylish.
The side edges of the projector are heavily padded with ventilation grilles to dissipate heat. The front part, naturally, reveals a focusing lens to the world.
According to the manufacturer, this is a high-tech multilayer lens with high throughput.
One of the side faces, in addition to ventilation holes, houses control buttons.
From left to right:
1. Sharpness adjustment wheel
2. Projector on/off button
3. Volume up and down buttons


The back of the projector houses all the technological connectors and ports. From left to right:
1. DC IN jack
2. HDMI
3. USB 2.0 connector
4. 3.5 jack connector for connecting third-party speakers
5. Barely visible RESET button hole
All buttons are slightly highlighted in relief. It is quite difficult to feel, say, in the dark. The only saving grace is the presence of a control panel.
The base of the projector contains an explanatory note about the device, power and model parameters. Oddly enough, HDP200 is indicated in the MODEL column. During a Google search, it was not possible to find any information about such a device. In addition to the sticker, rubber feet are glued to the bottom. This solution turned out to be very useful when testing the device in action: the cooling cooler creates noticeable vibration. Speaker holes are also found here. There are two of them, with claims to stereo sound.
The weight of the device was only 237 grams. without a tripod. The compactness of the projector is amazing
As you can see, it fits perfectly in the palm of your hand, thanks to which the owner receives unlimited freedom of movement and placement. Consequently, the ES135 can simultaneously work as a home theater and at the same time travel to the office or to the country. Isn't this happiness!?

In general, the first impression of the device was very positive. How the projector will prove itself in operation - just below)

PROJECTOR: INSTRUCTIONS, CONNECTION AND TURN ON

Like any Russian person, I did not read the instructions (but I scanned them and am posting them). It is, by the way, in Russian and English. We started working with the projector by installing the projector on a tripod.
This is where retractable legs were discovered
It is thanks to this system that the length of the tripod has increased from 12 to an impressive 20 cm. The tripod holds the projector quite confidently. Adjustment of tilt angles is possible in all planes.

The projector turns on ONLY with the button on the body. We will write this down in the passive of the device) If only because this eliminates the possibility of permanently installing the projector under the ceiling or other hard-to-reach places. Apparently for the same reason, the device menu does not provide the ability to flip the image: the manufacturer did not even allow the possibility of installing the projector under the ceiling. Loading takes about 5-7 seconds. The cooler starts working immediately. Quite noisy. After turning on the device, the main menu with a set of functions lights up. Menu in English, Chinese, French, etc. languages. There is also a Russian one, but you shouldn’t delude yourself on this score. Why - a little lower. On the main screen, in addition to the menu and manufacturer’s advertising, the battery charge level (and power source) + sun is displayed??! Yes exactly. There is no brightness adjustment (which could be indicated by an icon).
The menu itself includes:
"MOVIE"
"PICTURE"
"MUSIC"
"WIFI DISPLAY"
"HDMI"
"SETUP"
"POWER OFF"
In the “SETUP” tab we have access to information about the firmware version - 3.44A9. Also in the settings, in addition to selecting the language, we find the “BURN HDCP 2.1” tab. The option to update the firmware and reset settings to factory settings is also available.
The ability to select the Russian language is recorded, but the interface language does not change. It's a small thing, but let's note it.
You can start working with any of the MENU functions by selecting the appropriate tab using the remote control or buttons on the projector. Regarding “MOVIE”, also known as “VIDEO”: the projector accepts all popular formats. In terms of the amount of plug-in memory: I accepted the 32 flash drive with a bang.
As I already mentioned, there are several options for sending a signal to the projector.
Let's start with HDMI…
A fairly ordinary connection that allows you to transmit video and audio signals to the projector. The advantage of this connection is the stability and uninterrupted flow. The only drawback is that it is tied to the source by a cord. I personally used HDMI in combination with a TV BOX. So I got the following functionality: the TV Box communicates via WiFi with a modem, and the projector acts as a screen. It looks something like this:
The solution is excellent due to the fact that you can organize an online cinema or Internet surfing anywhere, provided you have a free Wi-Fi access point.
USB The connector is designed for reproducing information from digital media. The device menu is quite ascetic.
To start working with media files on the carrier, you need to go to the appropriate tab (video, images or music) and select the one you need. The sharpness of the image is adjusted with the wheel. The quality of the picture largely depends on the quality of the original source. During the test, the device's omnivory on FHD video files was verified. The latter completed the task without any problems. And here's what the video-audio player looks like.
The player settings are quite limited. Both when watching videos and photos. It should be mentioned that in the photo viewing settings there is a slide show mode. Regarding the power of the projector, I didn’t expect miracles. As it turned out, the brightness of the lamp is absolutely comfortable for viewing in dark rooms.

But in a lit room, the device significantly lost ground compared to the traditional EPSON LCD projector.
For comparison, I tested the subjects in a completely equal environment with the same media file: a photo of me.
As it turns out, the Hero of the review fades greatly (in every sense) under the specified conditions. And the picture below is a clear confirmation of this.

Thus, you can’t count on the ES135 as an office worker.
Another option for connecting to the device is the wireless connection protocol Miracast. Thanks to this function, you can connect a mobile device running IOS or Android to the projector and broadcast the image from the screen.
First, download the necessary application to your phone. The choice of programs is enormous, choose any one. If your device supports the wireless monitor function, then you don’t need to download anything. Just activate it.
Next, go to the Wi-Fi tab on the projector and select the desired platform.
Now that the device is ready to connect to your smartphone/tablet, you can pair.
Despite my concerns, online video streaming runs smoothly. That is, the Wi-Fi channel “does not swear” when simultaneously connected to both the modem and the projector.
That's all the limited functionality of the device. Just in case, I’ll say that the device does not play presentations Microsoft Office, in particular PowerPoint. As for me, this is quite logical.

PICTURE AND SOUND

Sharpness Images Adjustable from 20-30 cm, adjustment is made with the previously mentioned wheel. The maximum tested distance is about 25 meters. The test in this case was carried out in almost complete darkness with a projection on the wall. With a more distant location of the projector, the image gradually turned into soap. There are no complaints about the quality of the picture. The playback color palette (when using a white screen) is not distorted, and the sharpness is uniform across the entire field. Sound The speakers are average: at maximum volume the speakers do not wheeze, but their power is not enough. In a word, the hero of the review is in the same weight category in terms of sound as a tablet or smartphone. Peripheral acoustics can be a way out of this situation. If you are used to enjoying movies in splendid isolation, this option with headphones will suit you:
If a noisy group is organizing the viewing of action films, more powerful active acoustics are quite suitable. For example this:
Both one and the second option have the right to life and the choice depends only on your needs and capabilities.

ENERGY INDEPENDENCE

Ecsee ES135 is equipped (according to the manufacturer) with a built-in 4000 mah battery. Since the device was not disassembled, I checked the duration of the projector on a single charge. At full load with maximum volume, the projector lasted 1 hour and 23 minutes. Of course, it is not possible to claim complete independence from the power grid. However, it is quite possible to count on a lengthy presentation or promotional video “without an outlet”.

A little video of the ES135 working

To summarize what has been said, we summarize

Minuses:
The brightness of the light flux is not adjustable
Doesn't read Microsoft Office documents, especially PowerPoint
The remote control does not turn on the power
A little expensive, whatever you say...

Pros:
Variety of information flow sources
Very bright (for its size)
Compact
Non-volatile

INSTEAD OF AN EPILOGUE

Considering that I received the product for free, it is not easy to write an objective review) And having written an honest review, it is difficult to convince the reader of this. Frankly, I really liked the Ecsee ES135. The device will certainly find its buyer among a niche audience, which I am. I personally plan to use the projector in the context of holiday events to display slideshows, love stories and congratulations. For these purposes, the device is ideally suited due to its compactness, simplicity and the ability to connect powerful acoustics. The only thing that can stop you from purchasing this projector is its price. But here, too, the economics are extremely simple: the cost of renting a “full-fledged” projector is about $30-40, which means the payback for the device is about 5-7 orders. This is not much during the season.

For this I say goodbye. If you have any questions, ask, I will try to answer as best I can. Everything and more for everyone!

The product was provided for writing a review by the store. The review was published in accordance with clause 18 of the Site Rules.

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