Epson offers up a diverse selection of projectors for use in business, education, and residential environments. To further solidify its market share and meet increased demand for high-performance projectors for use beyond traditional dark room settings, Epson has announced the Q-Series 4K 3LCD Projectors. The new models start at $7,999 for a 3300-Lumen model and top out at $29,999 for a 10,000 Lumen light cannon.
Epson’s Q-Series projectors are optimized for those who want the big-screen immersive performance of a projector, but want the option of watching movies and TV shows in a brightly lit environment. Also, with a projection system’s ability to virtually disappear when not in use, these projectors satisfy the needs of interior designers who don’t want a huge TV to dominate a multi-purpose living space. Epson’s Q-Series projectors also offer a pleasing aesthetic design so if the projector is visible it will complement a room’s decor instead of detracting from it.
“Our new lineup of ultra-premium, high-lumen Q-Series laser projectors showcases Epson’s commitment to producing superior entertainment solutions” says Melvin Diaz, Senior Product Manager, Epson America. “Breaking performance, efficiency, and size benchmarks, the Q-Series offers immersive big-screen entertainment within and beyond traditional dark room theater spaces, creating limitless integration possibilities for home entertainment design.”
At launch, the Q-Series includes three models:
Epson Q Series Core Features
All projectors in the Q Series feature Epson’s 3LCD technology. This means the projector incorporates three independent LCD imaging chips, one for each primary color (red, green and blue). This eliminates the need for a color filter or color wheel that can reduce brightness or lead to color artifacts.
All Q Series projectors include a laser light source. A blue laser with yellow phosphor is used to create a pure white light source to feed the three LCD panels. In comparison to a traditional projector lamp which may need to be replaced after 2,500-3,000 hours of use, Epson’s laser light source can last up to 20,000 hours or more before a significant loss of brightness. This has become a trend in high performance projection systems.
All Q-Series projectors also offer high brightness. Building on 3LCD technology and the Laser Light source, Epson has bumped the white and color light output capability of its Q-Series projectors, ranging from 3,300 Lumens up to 10,000 Lumens (ISO and IDMS standards) depending on the model. This means the Q-Series is at home in dark ambient lighting but also in brightly lit room environments.
The three Q Series projectors offer full 4K resolution with HDR. Similar to most 4K DLP projectors, the Q Series uses advanced pixel shifting to create four pixels on screen for each pixel in the 1080p LCD chip. Epson calls this “dual phase pixel shift” but it’s also called quad pixel shift. This is the same technology used in the company’s highly rated LS11000 and LS12000 home theater projectors. HDR format support includes HDR10, HLG and HDR10+.
Epson’s Q Series projectors feature the company’s proprietary 32-bit QZX picture processor. This optimizes brightness, color accuracy and black level/contrast to more accurately display video content. All three Q Series projectors include two 40 Gbps HDMI 2.1 ports with support for up to 120Hz at 4:2:2 in 8-, 10- and 12-bit color modes.
All three Epson Q Series projectors include a 3-Axis Motorized Lens Shift and powered zoom with Memory Presets (depending on the lens selected). This allows for the most flexible installation options and projector placement without having to resort to detail-robbing digital keystone controls. It also allows these projectors to be used in a Constant Image Height (CIH) home theater.
All three Q Series projectors offer ISF certification for professional calibration and are compatible with popular smart home control systems including Control4 and Crestron. All Q Series projectors are offered in a choice of black or white finish options.
Additional Technologies in QL3000 and QL7000 models:
In the two higher end Q Series models, Epson includes MLA (Micro Lens Array) technology. MLA uses microscopic quartz crystal lenses to focus and concentrate the light output of each LCD pixel. This is one of the reasons the projectors are capable of such high brightness, without excessive power usage. MLA technology is also used to enhance brightness in select OLED TVs.
While the QB1000 comes with a built-in lens, the QL3000 and QL7000 just come with the projector body, allowing the customer to select the best lens for the job in their specific installation. There are a variety of lens options for short throw or long throw implementations and even a motorized “periscope” lens that allows the projector body to be hidden in the ceiling with just the lens visible.
The QL3000 and QL7000 also feature an optional champagne gold top plate to enhance the look of the projector when mounted in a visible location. Unlike many high lumens projectors, both the QL3000 and QL7000 feature whisper quiet operation that won’t interfere with your movie or TV viewing. The QL3000 features a maximum sound output level of 28 dB while the QL7000 maxes out at 33 dB (26 dB in Eco mode).
Epson Q-Series Projector Feature Comparison
| QB1000 | QL3000 | QL7000 | |
| Price (SRP) | $7,999 | $15,999 | $29,999 |
| Projector Type | 3LCD | 3LCD | 3LCD |
| Driving Method | Poly-Silicon TFT Active Matrix, 0.74″ wide panel, 12-bit | Poly-Silicon TFT Active Matrix, 1.04″ wide panel with Double Micro-Lens Array, 12-bit | Poly-Silicon TFT Active Matrix, 1.04″ wide panel with Double Micro-Lens Array, 12-bit |
| Light Source | 20,000-hour Laser Light Source | 20,000-hour Laser Light Source | 20,000-hour Laser Light Source |
| White Brightness | 3,300 lumens (ISO-rated) | 6,000 lumens (ISO-rated) | 10,000 lumens (ISO-rated) |
| Color Brightness | 3,300 lumens (IDMS-rated) | 6,000 lumens (IDMS-rated) | 10,000 lumens (IDMS-rated) |
| Fan Noise (Quiet/Normal) | 22/32 dB | 26/28 dB | 26/33 dB |
| Display Resolution | 4K Display Technology via Pixel Shift | 4K Display Technology via Pixel Shift | 4K Display Technology via Pixel Shift |
| Picture Processing | Proprietary 32-bit QZX Picture Processor | Proprietary 32-bit QZX Picture Processor | Proprietary 32-bit QZX Picture Processor |
| 10-Bit HDR Color Processing | HDR10, HLG | HDR10, HLG | HDR10, HLG |
| Lens Options (Additional Purchase) | 15-Element Epson VRX Cinema Lens | Compatible with Epson Precision Short/Long-Throw Lens | Compatible with Epson Precision Short/Long-Throw Lens |
| Double Micro-Lens Array | – | Yes | Yes |
| Lens Shift | 3-Axis Motorized Lens Shift with Memory Presets | 3-Axis Motorized Lens Shift with Memory Presets (dependent on the installed lens) | 3-Axis Motorized Lens Shift with Memory Presets (dependent on the installed lens) |
| Lens Shift Range | Vertical: -96.3% to +96.3% Horizontal: -47.1% to +47.1% | Vertical: -64% to +64% Horizontal: -16% to +16 % | Vertical: -64% to +64% Horizontal: -16% to +16% |
| Keystone Correction | Vertical/Horizontal: ± 30 degrees | Vertical/Horizontal: ± 30 degrees | Vertical/Horizontal: ± 30 degrees |
| Screen Size | 50″ to 300″ (at 58″ to 62’4″ screen distance) | 60″ to 300″, based on attached Epson High Precision Lens | 60″ to 300″, based on attached Epson High Precision Lens |
| Connectivity | Dual 40 Gbps HDMI® 2.1 ports with ARC & eARC (supports up to 120 Hz at 4:2:2 in 8-, 10-, and 12-bit color modes) | Dual 40 Gbps HDMI® 2.1 ports (supports up to 120 Hz at 4:2:2 in 8-, 10- and 12-bit color modes) | Dual 40 Gbps HDMI® 2.1 ports (supports up to 120 Hz at 4:2:2 in 8-, 10- and 12-bit color modes) |
| ISF® Certified | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Smart Home Control Compatible | Control4®, Crestron®, PJ Link, and others | Control4®, Crestron®, PJ Link, and others | Control4®, Crestron®, PJ Link, and others |
| Model Color | Black | Black or White | Black or White |
| Dimensions (WxDxH) | 20.5 x 17.6 x 7.6″ | 22.8 x 7.5 x 22.4″ | 22.8 x 7.5 x 22.4″ |
| Weight | 28.2 lbs | 46.5 lbs | 46.5 lbs |
Initial Impression
Epson is a projector company that doesn’t sit still. With an extensive product line, they offer projectors for virtually every use case.
Anchored firmly in the LCD-based projector camp, Epson has also called out many DLP projector makers for being less than truthful concerning lumens ratings. In many cases, Epson’s complaints have forced several competitors to lower their published brightness stats to more accurately reflect their real-world performance.
That being said, Epson is taking their new Q-Series to a higher level in terms of light output, and other features that place them in a category that is suitable for both professional and residential applications in both dark and daylight room settings. However, along with that higher brightness, there are higher price tags.
Also, take note that, unlike the growing trend in home entertainment and portable projectors, the Q-Series does not incorporate a built-in speaker system. The closest thing to audio functioning is the presence of HDMI-ARC/eARC connectivity on the QB1000 which can loop incoming audio from its HDMI inputs out to a compatible external audio system. The assumption is that customers spending $8,000 or more on a projection system will also be investing in a dedicated audio system. And considering these projectors are exclusively sold by CI (custom install) channels, that’s a pretty safe assumption.
Pricing & Availability
The new Epson Q-Series Projectors will be demonstrated publicly for the first time at the 2024 CEDIA Expo in booth #3107 from Sept. 5 – 7, 2024 at the Colorado Convention Center in Denver, CO. Pricing as follows:
- Epson QB1000 – $7,999 at ProjectorScreen (available in September 2024)
- Epson QL3000 – $14,999 at ProjectorScreen (available September 2024)
- Epson QL7000 – $29,999 at ProjectorScreen (available in October 2024)
All projectors come with service and support including Epson’s 3-year limited warranty with full unit replacement and free lifetime technical phone support.
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