HARDWARE REVIEW

Epson EH-TW 9300 Projector Review

by Luke Walsh, January 25th, 2017

The Epson EH-TW9300W 4K home cinema projector is the highest in their recent range of UHD displays designed for the top enthusiasts to create a cinema or epic games room at home. Much like the recently reviewed EH-TW7300 we looked at, a lot of the specifications are the same but the biggest differences are in some components which upgrade the picture accuracy and quality. As we have already explain ourselves in the EH-TW7300 review, you can head there for the basics on this range.

Now for the differences between the 7300 and the 9300W…

Straight out of the box, the TW9300W being the higher end of the range comes with a selection of extras you would normally have to buy optionally. One of the most useful extras is the Epson WiHD Wireless transmitter box that enables you to stream from your devices to the projector, without having to physically connect the two. Due to the fact that the 7300 and 9000W range are designed for ultimate 4K experience, they don’t come with any easy audio connections apart from an HDMI out. Unlike most projectors in lower tiers, usually you’d be supplied with some other audio ports (optical, 3.5mm jack etc). If you are looking to connect this up to your existing sound system you may need convertors like we have to use.

The wireless box comes with a few extra connections, one being an optical port and the others, an HDMI out and 3 HDMI in ports. As this was designed to push 4K signals to your consoles, Sky box and other devices, it was relieving to see 3 HDMI inputs as that seems like the logical minimum in today’s hi-tech world. I connected up a PS4 and Xbox One to the WiHD box and then connected some stereo speakers using a HDMI to 3.5mm jack converter, this was the easiest way to get sound from the projector without a full HDMI sound system.

Setting up the Wireless signal was an average experience but can be a little confusing when trying to pair up to the projector and know which input to select. Due to a delay in the signal being sent and the projector picking it up pre-connection, sometimes you can swap inputs/outputs before realising you had it right the first time. Once set up though, I was extremely surprised by the quality and speed. Whenever you think about wireless video signal, quality is not one of them you think of and neither is speed. In the time using the TW900W through the wireless HD box, not once did I noticed any degrade in quality or in any lag in-game.

You can also control the projector over LAN, including sending video over the network and streaming it through the projector. I found on a Gigabit network this was pretty decent and allowed your PC to gain the 300 inch screen for movies, Photoshop or anything you wanted. Over a 100mbps network though, the quality is either so poor it’s not worth using or the delay causes it to unusable.

Much like the previous model, the 9300W has a motorised lens which is able to shift (±96% vertical and ±47% horizontal), zoom and focus making set up really easy. If you do get stuck with the correct angle and distancing, Epson have a Throw Distance application which you can use to find the installation information you need to get the correct viewing area.

Where the EH-TW9300W really starts to stand apart from its siblings is the quality. Able to produce 4K with full support for UHD, Full HD and HDR the picture is just absolutely stunning. With an on the box contrast of 1,000,000 : 1 ratio, the quality seemed far superior to even the TW7300 which only has a 160,000 : 1 contrast ratio. Although we did not have testing equipment handy to measure the exact differences, to the eye, the 9300W was richer in colour and deeper with blacks. Something I have not seen on any other projector we have reviewed so far.

On the left is when the light is on, the right shows the projector in a darkened room only lit by itself.

In my usual testing for projectors I switched on the Xbox One and decided to see what Fallout 4 would look like. Being a combination of light colours and dark in different environments, it was interesting to see how well it pick up light and shadows. In a darkened room the picture quality was phenomenal, colours were spectacular and blacks were so deep there was no grey hues between shades. Even when there was a lot of similar colours, you could easily tell the difference.

When watching movies, the quality was the same as gaming but dark scenes are more frequent in movies than in video games I tested. Contrasting between the background and an actors face you could see the colour accuracy from the projector between a dark scene being unviewable and actually being able to pick up the definition .

Even in the Xbox One menu the pixel quality was superb, being clear when looking directly up against the wall but it was let down when the lights were on. Even with the 2500 lumen rating, much like most projectors you really still need to use them in a dark room with no light on the projected wall or in ambiance. The EH-TW9300W did better than the TW7300 but, colours were washed out in a yellow hue with the indoor lighting. It was still playable but by far not as enjoyable an experience or have nearly as vivid colours. At a push you could get away with using the projector in the day time but for the true experience would want to close the curtains.

Projectors really have come along way since sitting in school and being able to barely read a word off the wall to complete home cinema set ups. The Epson EH-TW9300W is top of its class being able to deliver exceptional quality, quietness, brightness and colour. A gamer who wants to play the latest Battlefield in 4K on a screen bigger than ever imagined 10 years ago would love this as a tech toy. Movie buffs will also enjoy the at home cinema experience this can offer and more so effortlessly over wireless technology with no downgrade in quality.

It may cost a hefty £3299 but for those looking for a projector with the best quality without buying a cinema projector will understand the cost. If you’re at getting a top notch picture at home on wall, you will not be disappointed by the TW900W.