Epson MovieMate 72 All-In-One Home Theater Projector: Physical Tour

Posted on October 5, 2013 by Art Feierman

Always start at the front, but, with the Epson MovieMate 72's swivel top, first I need to define the "front". For purposes of this review, "front" will be the MovieMate 72 set up so that the DVD player is below the lens. Of course, if it works better in your room, you can have the DVD player in the "back", and inputs in the front.

This image shows the alternate "back" with the DVD player now in the back, and inputs in the "front". For purposes of this section though, the "front" is the setup with the lens and the DVD player facing the same way.

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From the front: On the top half there is the recessed zoom lens with 1.5:1 ratio zoom for good placement flexibility. The placement range for a 100" diagonal 16:9 screen allows the MovieMate 72 to be as close as 8.1 feet, or as far back as 12.2 feet.

Lens shift will be discussed in the General Performance section. The lens has a slide out lens cover to protect it while moving the projector.

Also on the front of the projector is an infra-red sensor for the remote control.

In the center of the bottom of the projector is the DVD player, a single slot affair similar to those found on cars. Below it is a display screen, providing information on the DVD or CD in the player. The player's eject button is on the right side of the display screen. Note, Epson advises that the DVD player may not work correctly if you tilt the projector more than 15 degrees (a very reasonable amount). You can forget about shining the image on the ceiling.

Immediately to the left, along the bottom is a vertically mounted USB port, that allows flash drives and other USB devices to be quickly connected. The projector can run slideshows of photos, a very nice touch.

Directly above the USB port is a headphone jack. When engaged it mutes the speakers, allowing a user to enjoy great sound without disturbing others (as in late night).

Below the front are two non-adjustable feet. If you are using the projector in this configuration, and need to tilt the projector up, to get the image as high as you want, you can place the provided riser below the front of the projector. If you have reversed the head of the projector, (DVD player in the rear), then two adjustable feet are there to raise the front of the projector.

Moving to the top of the MovieMate 72, first is a recessed area behind the lens. Within, are the adjustments for focus and zoom. A sliding door can cover these controls, and when used, it also slides the lens cap in front of the lens for protection.

Control Panel

From left to right: Power Off/On (once for On, once for Off), next comes the Source button to select between the internal DVD/CD player and external sources. Next comes the controls for the internal player, with buttons for reverse/back, play/pause, stop, fast forward, skip (chapter). Next is a Break button - a very nice touch, which stops the movie, and lights up the screen so you aren't wandering around in the dark.

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HDMI input for digital video and audio. Next comes a standard HD15 computer port which can be used to interface to a computer, or accept a component video input. Further to the right is the standard composite video and S-video inputs, and next to them stereo audio inputs (standard RCA jacks).

Finally there are two audio outputs, first is an RCA jack for hooking up an external subwoofer (which you'll need if you really want to shake the walls), and lastly (and most impressively, as far as I'm concerned), a fibre-optical Digital Audio output. This will allow you to output full 5.1 surround sound to an external audio system, should you have a nice one in one of the rooms you'll be using the projector. Away from the input area, on the right, is the rear infra-red sensor for the MovieMate 72's remote control As previously mentioned, the back has two screw thread adjustable rear feet.