Posted on October 18, 2022 By Philip Boyle
The Epson PowerLite L730U is a 3-chip 3LCD laser projector selling for $4,181 MSRP.
The PowerLite L730U uses three native 1,920 x 1,200 polysilicon TFT active matrix RGB LCD chips to produce a WUXGA image.
The PowerLite L730U is an extra-bright laser projector producing 7,000 ANSI lumens of manufacturer’s rated brightness. It can display a Dynamic Contrast Ratio of over 2,500,000:1.
The PowerLite L730U series consists of two models: the PowerLite L730UF and the PowerLite L730U. Except for cabinet color, both projectors are identical.
The PowerLite L730U is part of the Epson L Series line of 2022 projectors, comprised of eight new models. The latest L-Series contains six long-throw projectors and two short-throw models. These new L-Series models have the same cabinet design as Epson’s previous ones, so they should fit nicely into an existing fleet of L inventory, providing installers and operators with consistent functionality and operation.
The PowerLite L730U is a 1,920 x 1,200 projector that takes a signal from three polysilicon LCD panels and combines them to display a native WUXGA image without pixel shifting. The L730U can project these images onto a 16×10 screen as big as 500 inches diagonally.
The PowerLite L730U is lightweight, weighing only 18.5 pounds making this projector incredibly easy to lift, position, and install. The L730U can display huge images and supports 16:10 or ultra-wide 16:6 to cover a large wall with high-quality content.
The Epson PowerLite L730U uses a blue diode laser plus an inorganic phosphor wheel, producing red, green, and blue (RGB) light sources for each projector’s three polysilicon TFT active matrix LCD panels. The resulting RGB streams travel to the projector’s lens and onto a screen.
Epson lists that the PowerLite L730U’s laser light source will last up to 20,000 hours in NORMAL light mode or 30,000 hours in the projector’s EXTENDED light mode.
Projectors using a bright laser light source provide a broad range of contrast and color gamut compared to lamp-based projectors. These high-performance laser light sources are almost maintenance-free and should last for the entire life of the projector.
The Epson PowerLite L730U is an incredibly bright L-Series projector providing a manufacturer’s rated 7,000 lumens of brightness.
The L730U provides excellent dynamic contrast rated at over 2,500,000:1. Good contrast performance is fundamental, if not required, for many venues where installers don’t have much control over ambient light yet still need content to display detail in dark and bright areas of an image.
The Epson PowerLite L730U has many connectivity options, including three HDMI connections, HDBaseT, and integrated wireless networking with enterprise-level security.
Network administrators can remotely access and control L-Series projectors via their wired connections and on specific models, such as the L730U, over the wireless LAN when used with Epson Projector Management or iProjection software.
The PowerLite L730U is excellent in single-projection setups but offers even more value in multiple-projection configurations. These L-Series projectors feature Epson’s SCREEN MIRRORING, SPLIT SCREEN, QUICK CORNER, ARC CORRECTION, and EDGE BLENDING technologies.
Technicians can install the L730U and the rest of the L-Series at any angle, making them capable of complete 360-degree installation.
Another element of this projector’s installation flexibility is the high-performance lens Epson provides. It is a 1.6x Optical Zoom lens with a focal length of 20.0 mm – 31.8 mm and a Throw Ratio range between 1.35 – 2.20, allowing images to be projected from 50- to 500 inches diagonally.
Epson offers five in-house software tools, including mobile applications, for the PowerLite L730U.
Epson Projector Management Software: Check the status of multiple networked projectors and perform various operations via a PC. Get power status, errors, warnings, and alerts for problems as they occur.
Epson iProjection Software: Display content wirelessly from PC, Mac, Chromebook, Android, or iOS devices to compatible Epson projectors.
Epson Projector Professional Tool: Manage the setup of multiple Epson networked projectors in a single, large space. This software provides easy access to advanced tools, including geometric correction and Edge Blending. This intuitive software automatically finds and displays all network projectors, making adjustments easy.
Epson Projector Content Manager Software: Add images and movies to playlists and save them on an external storage device. There are playlist control functions. Add effects such as intervals, transitions, loop playback, brightness, color, and custom shape effect filters.
Epson Creative Projection App: Create content using built-in templates and stamps and wirelessly transfer that content to the projector with this exclusive iOS app.
In addition to Epson’s included software, the PowerLite L730U is also compatible with the following third-party monitoring and control software.
Crestron Connected, Control4, PJLink, AMX, Extron XTP, RS232 and SNMP (Simple Network Management Protocol) Software.
As I wrote above, the new L-Series has eight models. The chart below breaks down their basic features, differences, and prices.
Epson lists the L730U as “ideal for nearly any application from lecture halls to gallery walls.” I like a good marketing rhyme as much as the next former marketing guy. However, I have to say that this is not simply hyperbole. After using this projector in my lab and living room for the better part of a week, I think it could easily find a home as a business or education projector, enhancing presentations and lectures. If I were still in the staging and production industry, I would find this a valuable projector for tradeshows, galleries, retail, and even digital signage projects. Because of the L730U’s performance, price, and incredible installation flexibility, not to mention a rich feature set, I would happily add many of them to my rental fleet. This projector has even provided a better image than many higher-resolution “home theater” projectors I’ve had in my living room over the years.
© 2021 Projector Reviews
