Epson has built the new EpiqVision Ultra LS800 on an entirely new chassis design available in both black and white versions. This unique design ditches the snorkel lens that stuck up an extra four inches on previous ultra-short-throw models. Gone is the hard-edged, boxy design which has been replaced with a flowing, curved design that is attractive and blends well with various living spaces. The LS800 is a gorgeous projector.
Epson designed the LS800 to sit very near the screen. For example, there was only a 6.4-inch space between the rear of the LS800 and the face of the 120-inch screen I used in my testing. One way that Epson achieved this extremely close screen placement was by moving the projector inputs to the right side of the chassis. As a result, the LS800 is 9.4 inches wider than its predecessor, the LS500.
Another big reason for the LS800's increased width is the projector's new Yamaha-designed sound system featuring a built-in subwoofer which I'll cover in the Performance - Audio section of this review. The projector's front-firing Dolby 2.1 sound system is housed behind a removable black cloth that runs across the entire front and a few inches around each side of the unit.
Epson provides an uninterrupted visual flow by incorporating a removable panel that completely hides all the projector's inputs and any cables that may be plugged into them.
The projector has three adjustable feet, two on the front bottom on the left and right and one at the projector's rear in the center.
The EpiqVision LS800 chassis is the widest and heaviest of any Epson ultra-short-throw projector I've reviewed, measuring 27.4" wide x 6.2" high x 13.4" deep and weighing a stout 27.6 lbs. The increased weight and width are well worth it with the new Yamaha 2.1 sound system and ultra-short-throw lens.
INPUTS AND CONNECTIONS
Epson provides EpiqVision LS800 owners with the inputs they need in a projector designed to replace a flat-panel television. These inputs include a low input lag HDMI port for gaming and an HDMI connection with an Audio Return Channel (ARC) for passing your audio through to an external sound system along with a third HDMI port.
Epson provides a USB Type-A port for powering an external HDMI streaming stick which is necessary for watching Netflix because the LS800 does not include this streaming service as an option. There is also a standard USB Type-A IO for increased storage or playing external content.
Epson has removed the wired LAN and RS232 ports found on its predecessor, the LS500. There is also no built-in 12-volt trigger for controlling an external screen. Fortunately, this projector supports Radio Frequency (RF) and Infrared (IR) remote control. The EpiqVision Ultra LS800 supports discrete IR commands for both Power and Input selection, so the projector should still be easily integrated into a home control system like Control4 or others that can issue discrete IR commands. There are also plenty of third-party solutions to trigger electronic screen controls even without the 12-volt trigger built into the projector.
The lack of RS232 and LAN ports on the LS800 does not limit the ability of consumers to control and manage the projector as part of a larger system for customers who want this functionality.
LENS
The EpiqVision LS800 is currently the second of a new class of ultra-short-throw projectors from Epson featuring a new lens design. Until now, Epson used a ultra-short-throw lens system that protruded from the top of the projector about four inches looking like a snorkel.
The LS800 utilizes a brand-new proprietary, multi-element, precision glass structured lens. This lens provides a stunning viewing experience. I paired this projector with Epson's SilverFlex Ultra 120" Ambient Light Rejecting (ALR) screen. This screen is four times larger than the Sony 60-inch TV I had hanging on the wall. I talk more about this fantastic screen below.
The lens is an f1.8 with a focal length of 2.3 mm, creating a high-resolution, clear 4K image with edge-to-edge uniformity.
Epson provides a digital zoom with a ratio of 1.0 – 2.5. The projector's throw ratio range is 0.16 (Zoom: Wide) and 0.40 (Zoom: Tele).
Epson's new UST lens design allows the LS800 to sit an impressive 6.4-inches (using the closest edge of the projector) from a 120-inch diagonal screen.
Image and Focus uniformity are excellent. In plain English, the image that this new lens produces is stunning.
CONTROL PANEL
The Epson EpiqVision LS800 has no control panel on the projector. Its menu operation can only be done via the supplied remote control with one exception.
One of the benefits of having Android TV 11 fully integrated into this projector is that users have access to specific Google applications designed to operate Android OS projectors. For example, if an owner misplaces the LS800 remote control, they can download and launch the Google TV application from Google Play, which can navigate the OS menus and use all the projector's features and settings. I know because I've tested it, and it works.
REMOTE CONTROL
As I mentioned, the included remote control offers the standard RF frequencies found on most Android-based devices. Still, Epson has backed this up with Infrared (IR) functionality for many of the remote buttons.
The simple-to-use remote provides users with voice search with built-in Google Assistant. Users can watch their favorite streaming channels, including Amazon Prime, Hulu, Disney+, HBO Max, YouTube, and more. There are even apps that allow users to stream live TV.
The button that looks like a gear is the Shortcut Settings button, which takes you directly to the Basic Settings menu.
Rather than recycle the typical Android streaming device remote control, Epson has decided to put its own spin on it. The remote is larger than the standard Android device remote. Epson increased the spacing of the buttons and, in many cases, increased button size.
Epson gives users dedicated buttons for Android TV OS settings and a dedicated button for Projector settings where users can adjust the IMAGE mode and SOUND settings, screen setup, and more. The remote has a typical Android TV navigation wheel, but Epson has chosen to increase its size by about 50%. There is a button for Gaming that selects the projector's low latency HDMI3 input. There is a Flexible Picture menu button, a Mute button, a dedicated button for YouTube Music, and many more. Check out the image I've included.
MENUS
The Epson EpiqVision LS800 is more than just a new projector. It is the second time the company has chosen not to use its traditional Epson projector operating system and menu interface. In a savvy move, Epson has fully integrated Android TV OS into their EpiqVision LS300 and now the new LS800. This integration of Android is significant for Epson and an excellent feature for consumers.
For anyone who has previously used an Android-powered phone, tablet, or smart media device, the LS800's operation and menu navigation will look very familiar. The LS800 menu system is easy to navigate and well-organized. The Home button, which looks like a house, gives users access to Google's extensive library of Android TV apps providing access to many popular streaming platforms, games, and dedicated features such as the Google Assistant and Chromecast built-in.
SCREEN
Epson provides an incredibly well-matched Ambient Light Rejecting (ALR) screen in two sizes that can be purchased separately or as a package with the LS800.
The screen is called the Epson SilverFlex Ultra and is available in 100-inch or 120-inch sizes. It is an Ambient Light Rejecting (ALR) Super Mega Screen. The Epson EpiqVision series of projectors are designed to produce the best color, brightness, and contrast results when paired with these SilverFlex screens.
Epson uses material on the SilverFlex screens designed to absorb up to 90% of the ambient light striking the projection screen surface. This absorption helps to produce a bright, crisp picture that makes playing games, watching sports, or just enjoying a movie an experience that draws the watcher into the film.
120-inch screens are the sweet spot where watching movies crosses over from a big screen experience into a cinema screen experience. In addition to my testing space, I set this system up in my living room. I was blown away by the ultra-wide viewing angles, how black levels improved, and the dynamic colors that this screen provided, all while rejecting so much of the ambient light coming through my living room's wood blinds. I highly recommend this screen if you don't already have a high-quality ALR screen.
