Customer Reviews

Epson PowerLite S3 LCD Projector

5 star:		(17)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

This is a good product. I especially liked the design and convenient menu. Very easy to use and good picture quality. Two things I did not like about this projector: (1) no optical zoom and (2) only 800by600 resolution. This is not a problem if you plan to place the projector close to the screen, such that your image is not very large. In my case I wanted to project images on a wall in my living room (which is about 14 inches long) and mount the projector next to the opposite wall. It did not work. The image size was huge and the image quality was not so good. I could see separate pixels and it was very annoying. You can decrease the image size digitally, but it does not improve the image quality.

I ended up returning this projector and ordering Epson Powerlite 76C LCD instead. Couldn't be happier. 76C has all the same features + 1024by768 resolution and optical zoom. Definitely worth additional $250!

I'm a Beginner to the world of projectors but I do have a Brother with a Epson Powerlite. His is a way older model but I took his advice and got to research the new Epson Powerlite S3 against other entry level projectors. My budget was to not spend over $1,000. The new Powerlite S3 was a instant contender. But there are other brands and models to take in to consideration. I took to CNET.com and the reviews are in depth and on target along with a pick and compared option to side by side compared just about anything. I've had the powerlite S3 for a shortwhile now and this thing for me is by far no entry level projector sure it's for novices and the replacement bulbs are cheap and it is very easy to use, transport, setup, control, and adjust settings. In other words this baby delivers images so sharp, bright, clear, vivid you'll think your in a movie theater. I mean once you get the porjector out of the box your speechless. But you'll BE AMAZED at what a little patients can do you can make the image to your total approval. Which leads me to before. This is for me by far NO entry level projector the features on this unit make for so many possibilities in image quality and clarity.

SURE IT'S A ENTRY LEVEL PROJECTOR BUT IT DELIVERS LIKE A PRO WOULD AND WON'T HURT YOUR WALLET AND REPLACEMENTS ARE CHEAP! THIS EPSON HAS ALL THE RIGHT FEATURES YOU NEED AND WANT IN A PROJECTOR BE IT YOUR FIRST OR YOUR SHOPPING AROUND...THANK U FOR READING

This projector is quite nice, but there are a couple of things you might want to be aware of, especially if you are thinking about this as a home theater setup. I bought this unit and found it unsuitable for my use, and here's why. The image projected is HUGE. You might think that's a plus, but I had to move it to no further away from the screen than the middle of the room in order to fit the image on a reasonable size screen.

At a distance of around 7 or 8 feet, the image is a minimum of approximately 60 inches diagonally. If I moved it back to where it could be mounted on the wall (12 ft.) the image was nearly from floor to ceiling and almost 12 ft. wide. I don't know about your house, but an 8 ft. by 12 ft. image was not what I was looking for. Zooming all the way didn't help all that much at that scale. Unfortunately, I didn't even have the option of a ceiling mount in the middle of the room because that area is taken by a ceiling fan.

The other thing is that it takes a very small amount of light to degrade the image unless you use a very high quality (expensive) screen. I can't see how it could actually be suitable in the daytime at all.

So... I'm not really knocking the projector so much as suggesting you judge whether it will fit logistically into your home. If it does, then you probably can't miss with this projector.

I have been searching a <$1000 projector for years, which I need for teaching/presentation and home entertainmnet. This projector meets all my needs.

For teaching and presentation, its light weight, instant off feature, and keystone correction ability make my job very easy. It really can go anywhere, setup within a min. or two. Just connnet it with my computer (I used both PCs and Mac laptop), switch on, correct keystone setting electronicly, and everytime it gives me the perfect projection.

For home entertainment, I connnet it with DVD player/VCR/playstation with S-video cable, projecting pictures on a 70'X70' screening. This projector's 3LCD technology really works, shows great color and details. Its presettings for movie, game..., is really convenient and easy to use. My whole family just love it!

This projector is a SOLID value. This is basically a huge wide-screen TV with the portability of a laptop at half the price. I think it will be great for those big holidays and family get-togethers, just like the 'old days' with the family slide projector.

Just add a laptop PC, or VCR, or DVD player and you have everything you need for watching TV, movies, or slide shows!! Of course a portable projector screen would also be nice if you don't have a big white wall available. Contrary to one reviewer's disappointment with the remote, mine works great and that's pointing it at the screen with the projector behind me!!


P R O S:
- PRICE ($750 @ Staples plus $100 gift card and free Epson All-In-One printer)

- 4 PROJECTION MODES (front or rear screen, rightside up or down)
You can bounce the image off a mirror and still get the proper picture!

- 3 VIDEO INPUTS (S video, RCA-composite, PC RGB)

- NORMAL/WIDESCREEN MODES (4:3 or 16:9)
Great for watching widescreen DVD's

- VERTICAL KEYSTONE ADJUST

- 2 BRIGHTNESS LEVELS

-'ON-SCREEN' POINTER (controlled by remote)

- FREEZE THE CURRENT IMAGE (video will continue to 'run')

- ZOOM UP & PAN (zooms still and live video).

- IMAGE/SCREEN RESIZE
This allows the overall screen size to be reduced/enlarged instead of moving the projector nearer or further from the screen. The projected image can also be relocated side-to-side and up-down electronically without moving the projector IF the image size is in a reduced state.

- 7 PRE-DEFINED COLOR SETTINGS (Photo, Sports, Presentation, Blackboard, RGB, Game, Theater)

- ONLY 5.6 LBS & COMES WITH A NICE CARRY BAG

- QUIET

C O N S:
- no horizontal keystone correction, so you will want to make sure that it is centered from 'side-to-side'.

- manual focus. This shouldn't be a problem unless you have it mounted out of reach.

All the good things that you have heard about this projector are true. Just plug in and you are ready to go. Excellent for DVD projection right on you living room wall. Easy to use for your work presentations from a laptop computer.

If you have any reservations about buying a projector, this one will change your mind.

I bought this projector for a starter "workout" room in my home, since I had no floor space for a TV. The Pros: picture is sharp, colors are great, and it works well, cheap bulbs, fairly quiet. The Cons: a bit of screendoor effect (all LCDs do this), no DVI/HDMI, digital keystone correction. The keystone is no big deal if you can mount it close to the viewing height. I've tried it out with the XBox and it works great for games too (no blurring). The high resolution puts this projector a leg above some of the other units costing over $1000. It has much better color than the DLP projectors, and it doesn't have "rainbow" problems.

I recently purchased this projector for my room and it is AWESOME!
I have lived with a 20" tv for a while with surround sound and I needed a bigger display for a cheap price. I was able to and 80" display in my room which is a HUGE change from my small TV.
I can connect it to my computer, VCR, TV, Camera, Gaming system and more.

The only things that are a minor inconvience are that if you are sitting next to it, you will fry. This thing exhausts so much heat and your room will be heated up in the summer if you don't have A/C or a fan.

Images from a Computer tend to be pixelated. Other than this, this is a great projector.

I bought the S3 a month or so ago after a lengthy search process. My goal was to get a projector for watching DVDs. The image is bright and clear. 1,600 lumens gives you a good picture even with substantial ambient light. I use a 92" high-gain screen, and a projection distance of around 13'. At that distance, 92" is about as small as the image can get.

I would prefer that the zoom was manual rather than digital, but image quality does not suffer much at all with the DVDs.

Overall, our family is very pleased with this projector.

Worked right out of the box and easy to hookup. Automatically detects which input your video source is coming from. Remote control is easy to use (don't buy a projector without a remote or you will regret it). Picture quality is outstanding - better than the LCD rear projection I used to own. I highly recommend it for the money.