Epson eats their own, launches TW2000 1080p 3LCD projector

Here it is, Epson's first 3LCD projector to take advantage of their new 0.74-inch HTPS panels already spotted in Mitsubishi and Sanyo projectors. The EMP-TW2000 starts with a trio of Epson-built, 0.74-inch, 1,920 x 1,080 C2FINE LCD panels with D7 process technology, 12-bit LCD driver, and updated OptiFocus engine with DeepBlack phase compensation technology. They then bust a rated 50,000:1 dynamic contrast at 1,600 lumens off a 170W UHE (E-TORL) bulb while supporting x.v.Color over a pair of HDMI v1.3 inputs -- component, S-Video, and D-Sub 15 PC input sprinkled in for fun. Nicely done Epson. Yours in Japan later this month for about ¥350,000. That'll be a tax-inclusive $3,020 when it comes Stateside under the PowerLite Cinema branding. Pics of the backside, front and huge-ass, plastic remote control after the break.

Update: As expected, this model is coming to the US under the PowerLite Home Cinema 1080 UB name for $2,699 in December. Right, the same price their lesser-spec'd Home Cinema 1080 model sells for now. We bet you'll wait, huh?

[Teejay @ Sep 4th 2007 1:25AM]

wow. a hole in the wallet.

[bombastinator @ Sep 4th 2007 1:34AM]

all the numbers look great except the noise level which is missing. 1080i isn't that useful for cinema if the thing sounds like a jet aircraft is stuck to your ceiling.

[fabio @ Sep 4th 2007 9:10AM]

Noise level is 24db in economy mode. Not too quiet but keep in mind it has 1600lm

[JDizzle @ Sep 4th 2007 1:42AM]

If you're going to pay $3000+ for a projector, I would think that you would have a serious surround sound system.

[SYN @ Sep 4th 2007 1:57AM]

you never know. i have seen people with a sharp aquos bragging about the awesome sound from their 15 watt tv speakers.

[Beau @ Sep 4th 2007 2:10AM]

If you're referring to bombastinator's comment, keep in mind there are these things called dramatic pauses. They don't include sound. Esp. that of a noisy projector.

[Tomoki @ Sep 4th 2007 10:30AM]

i want this

[Colin @ Sep 4th 2007 3:11AM]

That thing is pretty slick. I wish they would update that god awful remote for 3000. I love Engadget. I wish I had a Lumix

[chris2cross @ Sep 4th 2007 3:53AM]

What about 24p?

[Ant @ Sep 4th 2007 5:51AM]

Few years down the line I wouldn't mind getting a projector for films and games. The price seems over the top to me, if they get it the same as a 40" LCD they’d sell shed loads of these things. Why have projectors always been so expensive, I imagine there is a magic price for these things and then the floodgates open's and they become the next big thing. It’d be nice having the option of viewing a nice big 1080i (or p) image without having some great fixture in the house.

On another note they really need to make the remotes a bit cooler seeing as it represent a $3000 projector at ground level.

[Obuck347 @ Sep 4th 2007 9:03AM]

I want one of these!

[Randy Gentry @ Sep 4th 2007 9:22AM]

Because this home entertainment projector uses 3LCD technology it only has to have a 170 W UHE E-TORL lamp. With a lamp that small I sure they do not have to fan the system as much. This would keep noise to the lowest level posable. I want one also.

[Jarrett Kaufman @ Sep 4th 2007 12:00PM]

Considering it's 3LCD and not DLP, there shouldn't be much noise since the only moving part is the cooling fan. Epson's projectors are damn near silent for the msot part.

[Jason Campbell @ Sep 19th 2007 6:32PM]

I heard the Epson retracted this pricing info and now this model may be considered part of the sub-5k range. Any word on if this is the case?