Epson PowerLite 680 Projector Review – Special Features

3LCD Technology

It’s worth talking about the projection technology that goes into the Epson PowerLite 680. The name 3LCD, exists because this technology uses three LCD chips. 3LCD projectors produce images with millions of colors for a full-color image. It does this through the use of a combination of mirrors that the light source projects white light onto, which split the light into three basic video colors – red, green, and blue.

Each LCD chip receives an electrical signal that creates an image. Three monochromatic images are taken from the projection and combined using a prism to get that full-color image with millions of colors. In short, what we have here is a bunch of mirrors that use three colors to produce real, lifelike color.

Plug-And-Play Projection

The Epson PowerLite 680 features a 3-in-1, plug-and-play projection, audio and mouse control via the USB port on the inputs and connectors panel. By connecting a USB flash drive, digital camera or smartphone, USB hard drive, or multimedia storage viewer via the USB port, you can project images and video without a computer.

For cameras and smartphones, they must be USB-mounted devices in order for this to work. Hard drives must be single partition, FAT or FAT32 formatted, have their own power source, and be USB Mass Storage Class-compliant. USB flash drives can project slide shows from images.

This same USB port can be used to connect a computer to project video and audio via a USB cable connecting the computer to the PowerLite 680. USB isn’t recommended for projecting movies or video games – Epson’s User’s Guide suggests the HDMI ports for that. This function is compatible with both Mac and PC – Windows XP to Windows 10.

If the computer has been connected to the projector via the Computer, USB-B or HDMI ports, the remote control can be set up as a wireless mouse. This is a cool feature that will be useful for presentations, as you can control the computer at a distance, giving you the freedom to be animated and move around instead of being tethered to the computer.

Low Maintenance

A perk of this projector is that it requires little maintenance from you in order to function properly. Periodic cleaning of the optical sensor, projection window, air filter and vents is all you can do on your own. For all other services, Epson requires you to bring it into an authorized service center for carry-in service – or you can use their ExtraCare Road Service, which is discussed in the Warranty section on the next page.

As with almost all projectors, replacing the lamp is a user friendly.  The User’s Guide provides instructions on how to do so. Also in that guide is how to clean the optical sensor, projection window, projector casing, air filters, and vents. That User’s Guide is thorough, so any questions you may have regarding the projector will be easy to find in the manual.

Crestron RoomView and Control4 Compatible