Epson PowerLite 675W Ultra Short Throw Classroom Projector Review – Performance

Epson PowerLite 675W Ultra Short Throw Classroom Projector Review – Performance: Brightness, Contrast, Audible Noise

When thinking back to normal throw projectors I have reviewed with a similar lumen output, I would have to say that my measurements here are at least close to accurate – the point is, this projector has plenty of power to project your business or education content through some considerable ambient light.

The rest of the modes hover around the same range as each other, which each having just a few hundred lumens less than the next. Cinema mode, one of the projector’s “best modes” in terms of color, has a healthy 2,709 lumens. That is still plenty to cut through some moderate ambient light, such a what is seen in classrooms when the lights are dimmed but there is still some light present.

sRGB is the other best mode, and clocks in at only 202 lumens less – 2,507 lumens, to be exact. Finally, we arrive at Blackboard mode, which is a kind of “throw away mode” in that it is only useful to a small percentage of people – those who still have the archaic blackboard in their classrooms. That mode has 2,146 lumens.

The Epson PowerLite 675W has a manufacturer-rated contrast ratio of 14,000:1. This is a typical number – I’ve seen similar projectors around this claim. Though, manufacturer claims for contrast are all over the place, and sometimes they’re not accurate at all, so we don’t pay too much attention to these. I personally just use them as a frame of reference for how good the black levels should look based on that number.

What we care about is not the number the manufacturer comes out with, but rather, how the projector performs in terms of black levels. Business and education projectors such as the PowerLite 675W and its siblings are not expected to perform well in these areas, nor does it matter – black levels tend to be something we care about in home theater and home entertainment projectors, as business/education projectors do not need the blackest of blacks.

I would rate the PowerLite 675W as having mediocre black levels, but acceptable for the applications it is intended for. What does that mean? Blacks will not be black, but rather, a more medium-dark grey. No matter – it still looks pretty decent, and will do a good job on your presentations and educational content, such as this scene from Journey to Space. If your applications require better blacks, such as graphic design, engineering renderings, etc., you may want to go up a few dollars in price point.