Page 30 - 2022-08-01 Sound & Vision

test report

EPSON LS12000 4K PRO-UHD LASER LCD PROJECTOR

light output levels than standard
dynamic range content to prevent Test Bench
over-compression and allow for
more headroom in the tone map.)
With a dedicated HDR picture Measurements were taken in a variety of conditions, with the bulk of them using the Cinema
mode offering adjustments more picture preset. Calibration was performed with dynamic laser modes disabled. Contrast ratio
suitable for HDR playback (such measurements were done in various modes as noted. A 110-inch diagonal 1.78:1 Stewart Studiotek
as higher laser output, etc.) like we 130 (G4) screen (1.3 gain) was used for all viewing and measurements.
see on other projectors, the viewer
wouldn’t have to manually switch
to a different picture memory every Average Native Dynamic Dynamic
Display (Short throw) (Normal w/prolonged (Fast)
time they watch HDR content.
Luminance measurement)
As I mentioned above, Epson
offers 16 adjustment steps for
fine-tuning the projector’s onboard On/Off 3,436:1 13,963:1 18,190:1
HDR tone mapping. While that’s 1 Pixel 3,780:1 13,963:1 18,190:1
a useful tool, I was hoping to see 1% ADL 3,160:1
Epson progress to a true scene-by-
2% ADL 3,032:1
scene or frame-by-frame adaptive
4% ADL 2,700:1
tone map for HDR processing
with this model. This would take 5% ADL 2,554:1
a lot of the burden off the viewer 10% ADL 2066:1
to constantly fiddle with HDR 20% ADL 1281:1
se ings to maximize the projector’s
30% ADL 880:1
dynamic range depending on
content, or even on a scene-by-
Full on/off contrast was
scene basis. The LS12000 does
measured with a Minolta T-10
support the HDR10+ format, which
is dynamic in nature (the content meter approximately 1 meter
away from the lens face. I
provides metadata to the display
tested the projector in various
that determines the adjustments),
dynamic laser modes (Normal
but HDR10+ on streaming and disc
and Fast) for dynamic contrast
is currently limited. The far more
measurements. Refer to the
prevalent Dolby Vision HDR format
table for details on the contrast
offers similar dynamic advantages
results and measurements at
(more so, in fact) but is not available
different average display levels.
on any front projectors at the
Native sequential contrast
moment.
varied based on projector throw
with the peak reading of 5,266:1
CALIBRATION reflecting the longest throw. The
table lists the contrast in the
Even with the Epson’s menu
shortest throw in calibrated Cinema mode to represent the native contrast level of the projector’s
system ge ing in the way a bit,
LCD panels. I did not conduct ADL measurements for the different modes due to the nature of the
I was still able to get my calibra-
Epson’s dimming performance.
tion job done with great results.
Calibration reports were captured from a workflow in Portrait Displays’ Calman 2020 calibration
The Epson has numerous picture
software. SDR calibration was measured with REC.709 and a 2.4 gamma for targets.
modes to choose from, all of which
The BT.709 color gamut was marginal, with a peak Delta E (dE) of 7 and an average of 4.
push the color space or grayscale
Post-calibration results were much improved, with a peak dE of 2.6 and an average of 1 for the
in different ways to accommodate
grayscale/gamma, and a peak of 3.5 and average of 1.1 for color tracking. Red tracking at 75%
different viewing environments
and tastes. I chose to start my work saturation was non-linear compared to the rest of the gamut tracking and was the only point that
exceeded a dE of 3. The rest of the luminance and saturation values throughout the inner gamut
from Cinema mode. The grayscale
were much better. Grayscale/
in Cinema was a bit heavy on blue
and colors were slightly over- gamma before calibration had an DIMENSIONS (W x H x D, inches): 20.5 x 7.6 x 17.6
average dE of 6.2 but an average WEIGHT (pounds): 28
saturated, but it appeared to be the
of 1 after calibration with no level Specs VIDEO INPUTS: HDMI 2.1 (2, 1 w/eARC, 48Gbps)
most accurate preset of the bunch.
exceeding a dE of 3. Overall, this OTHER: USB type-A, mini-USB (service only),
To calibrate for best HDR
is very good performance and in- LAN (Ethernet), RS-232C, 12-volt trigger output
results, you would need to create
line with other projectors at this ILLUMINATION METHOD: Laser array
different image modes for different
price point.–KRD RATED LIGHT SOURCE LIFE: 20,000 hours (all laser levels)
content brightness levels since
there is a large variance in peak
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30 August September 2022 soundandvision.com