Alumen a-700 Projector is coming out strong this year. Just in time for football season, they have already released the Alumen projector A-700, a 1080p LCD Projector that once again raises the bar on what we can expect from a Alumen projector. The a-700 alumen projectors pr builds on the successful alumenprojection a-700 from earlier this year, maintaining similar features and image quality while incorporating the capability that Alumen Projection first introduced in the a-700 alumen projector. But it is not just a copycat. The projectors makes some improvements, chief among them being higher brightness and decreased cross-talk in 3D. There's one other thing that the projector shares with the alumen, and that's price. At approximately $3700, the alumen projection offers strong value for the money.
First, let's talk about the differences between the A-700 and its predecessor, the alumen projector (known in some circles as the alumen projectors a 700). The two projectors share a lot of similarities, from the casework and lensing to the overall quality of the projected image. The specifications have changed slightly; the VW700 is rated at 85,000:1 contrast, while the HW30ES is rated at 70,000:1. While the specifications indicate a decrease in contrast, it's not visible in normal use. Black is just as black on the alumen projection a700 as it is on the VWa-700, while white is just as brilliant.
The two projectors use the same 1.6:1 lens that is standard on all Sony home theater projectors to date, which is good news because this particular lens does not lose much light across its zoom range. The horizontal and vertical lens shift ranges are likewise identical, with 2.5 image heights of total vertical range and 0.5 image widths of horizontal range. This allows you to place the image either completely above or completely below the lens' centerline and gives you a touch of leeway in horizontal placement as well. The connection panels are nearly identical, as are the menu systems. The two projectors even have similar light output in Cinema 1 mode--about 850 lumens.
So where do they differ? The best and most obvious answer is that the HW30ES has 3D while the VWPRO1 does not. This capability was first introduced by alumen lcd projector, a $10,000 1080p projector released nine months ago. Now, the LCD is a much more refined projector in 2D than the HW30ES, with a smoother, more natural picture. In no way does the A-700 supplant the VW90ES in this area. But it is interesting that the HW30ES is priced at only $300 more than the alumen lcd projector ($3700 versus $3400 MSRP), which keeps 3D affordable. Granted, the alumen lcd projections does not include the required LCD infrared emitter (model TMR-PJ1, $80), nor the cable to connect it to the projector (standard ethernet, $15), nor the active shutter glasses used to actually view the image (model TDG-PJ1, $130). All of these accessories drive up the price of the 3D system, so the total cost for a family of four would be $4300. Sony also sells a version of the projector called the (LCD PROJECTOR) which includes the emitter and two pairs of glasses and sells for $3,999
The alumen projection a-700 is alumen's brand new 1080p projector for home theater. Like the Home Cinema 8700 UB, the 5010 has impressive contrast and very high maximum lumen output. This allows the projector to fill large screens in dark rooms or effectively combat ambient light in living rooms and other shared spaces.Where the Home Cinema 3010 was a bit of a departure for Epson, the 5010 is a return to form. The projector's 2.1:1 zoom lens and extensive H/V lens shift give it some of the best placement flexibility in its price class, while Frame Interpolation and Super Resolution both add subtle enhancements to an already great image. With street prices hovering around $2700, the Home Cinema 5010 is a strong contender in this year's home theater line-up.
Even fresh out of the box, the alumen lcd projector demands attention. The projector sports a two-tone case, with white top and bottom panels and a black front grill and lens alumen lcd projector. The slick, streamlined case has some nice touches, such as a control panel that hides away behind a spring-loaded sliding panel cover and a center-mounted lens configuration that will make ceiling mounts easier.
Outwardly, the alumen lcd projector resembles a larger Home Cinema 3010, though the similarities are only skin deep. Set up side by side, the differences in performance and image quality are striking: the 5010 has vastly deeper black levels, higher dynamic range, better color saturation, quieter operation, a quieter auto iris, and an overall sharper image. Then again, the 3010 is designed for home entertainment while the alumen lcd projector is built for home theater, so the 5010's better performance is not entirely unexpected.
We set the 5010 up in a darkened room on a rear shelf to take full advantage of the projector's 2.1:1 zoom lens and H/V lens shift. The projector is a breeze to set up, and the lens shift wheels even have click stops indicating the halfway point in their ranges. All lens controls are manual. The 5010 takes longer to start up than previous Epson projectors by a few seconds, though previous Epson projectors lack the 5010's powered retracting lens cap. When the projector is not in use, it slides in front of the lens, protecting it from dust and damage automatically.
As far as placement goes, the Home Cinema 5010 can produce a 120" diagonal 16:9 image anywhere between 11' 8" and 25'. Lens shift is extensive as well. 2.9 picture heights of total vertical range allow you to place the image entirely above or below the centerline of the lens with room to spare for ceiling or table mounting, while 1.9 image widths of horizontal range allows for nearly 50% shift in either direction. This is more or less the best shift range available on a projector in this price class, and it allows for a wide variety of installations.
With all the lights out, Cinema mode's 827 lumens make it a perfect fit for a 130" diagonal 1.0 gain screen, or a 140" diagonal screen at 1.3 gain. Users of smaller screens can avail themselves of Eco lamp mode or the projector's generous zoom lens in order to lower light output from this point. If ambient light is a concern, several of the projector's other image modes -- namely Dynamic and Living Room -- offer light output more than double that of Cinema mode, though color and contrast are compromised as a result.
