Epson Powerlite 78 3LCD Projector

Posted on July 1, 2009 by Art Feierman

The Epson Powerlite W6 is one of three similar projectors in the Epson lineup, the W6, S6 and 78 models, which all vary namely by resolution, but also by available features. So, if you don’t require the high resolution W6, there are other alternatives that are cheaper but perform just as well. Access to the full W6 review, as well as the other model in the trio, the S6, will be found in links below.

It should be mentioned that ProjectorReviews.com has not physically reviewed the Epson Powerlite 78. However, performance of the 78 should be similar to the W6 (which was fully reviewed), albeit with lower resolution. Let’s see how the Powerlite 78 varies from the W6.

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Epson Powerlite 78 Projector Overview

The Powerlite 78 is a portable XGA (1024 x 768) projector. It is the same size, shape and weight as the W6, 12.9” x 9.6” x 4.0” and weighing in at 6.2 pounds. It comes with a soft travel bag that holds the projector, remote and any accessory cables for easy transport.

The Powerlite 78 has a number of connection options including the standard computer VGA input, composite and S-video inputs and a USB Type B input. It does not have the HDMI input of the W6, nor can it display directly from a USB drive or SD card like the W6. One feature that the 78 has that the W6 doesn’t is a VGA output for use with an external monitor.

As the Powerlite W6 we reviewed came within about 200 lumens of achieving its rated 2000 lumens, we would expect the Powerlite 78, which is rated at 2200 lumens, to measure somewhere in the neighborhood of 2000 lumens. This is fine performance for a portable projector and will easily handle the demands of a classroom or conference room that will have some ambient lighting. The Powerlite 78 uses the same lamp as the W6 (170W rated at 3000/4000 hours), so the increase in output is due to the smaller panels (reduced number of pixels) of the 78.

The Powerlite 78 shares the same 1.2 optical zoom of the W6, has digital zooming as well and up to 2000:1 contrast ratio when the Auto Iris is engaged (510:1 native).

One feature of the W6 that unfortunately is not carried over to the Powerlite 78 is the larger, 7 watt speaker. The 78 has a smaller speaker that is powered by a 1 watt amplifier. Where the W6’s speaker could be heard in a less than quiet classroom, it’s unlikely that the same could be said for the 78.

Both the dust filter and lamp are easily accessible, even if the projector is mounted, which makes maintenance easy. Also, the Powerlite 78 comes with the same excellent Road Service program and PrivateLine toll-free support as the W6 and other Epson projectors.

Final thoughts

The main attraction of the Powerlite 78 is its position as a lower-priced alternative to the Powerlite W6. As the W6 performed very well in its full-length review, undergoing the normal tests, it is likely that many of the W6’s strengths, namely color accuracy and depth, will be evident in the Powerlite 78 projector. Please, use the links to learn more about this family of projectors, the W6, S6 and 78, and their common features and performance.