Epson Powerlite 400W Ultra-Short Throw Multimedia Projector Review - General Performance

Posted on October 4, 2013 by Art Feierman

Epson Powerlite 400W Projector: Menus

Epson really hasn't changed its menu structure in a great many years. For the most part the Powerlite 400W menus look, and are organized much like Epson's first 4 pound projector back around 2000. The way I see it, if you have something that works well, there's no need to change it. That must also reflect Epson's thoughts on the subject. Upon hitting the menu button, the partially translucent main menu comes up, with the seven primary menus listed down the left side.

Epson Powerlite 400W Projector: Menus

Image Menu

Signal Menu

Settings Menu

Network Menu

Info Menu

Help Menu

Help Menu2

The first of these is the Image menu, with its choice of Color modes (including Presentation, Photo, Theatre, and sRGB modes). As you would expect, this menu also has the Brightness, Contrast, and Sharpness controls. In addition there is access to the more advanced Color Adjustment menu. A Reset option will set the Image controls back to factory default settings.

The next menu is the Signal menu, which is primarily concerned with manual adjustments for computer signals, in the event that the Auto setting isn't exactly right on. It also lets you define Computer 1 and 2 as analog computer, or component video, however, the Auto setting for each should handle that automatically. Manual control of the aspect ratio is also on the Signal menu, as well as a Reset to reset these items back to factory default.

The Epson Powerlite 400W's Settings menu offers control of keystone correction, digital zoom, security features, lamp brightness, volume, and offers test patterns, along with the Settings menu reset.

The Network menu has all of the controls associated with network features, including the notification system, that can let an administrator know if the projector has a problem, or if it's time for a new lamp.

Shown here, is the Info menu, which provides a status of many of the Epson Powerlite 400W's settings, including source, resolution of source, and lamp hours in both low and high brightness modes.

Lastly, there is a Reset menu (not shown) allowing for resetting all of the projector's settings back to factory defaults.

Epson offers an interactive Help system, which is launched from the remote, or from a menu. Basically it tries to offer up questions that you are seeking answers to, mostly to deal with issues, such as poor color, aspect ratio, etc.

As you navigate, if you choose a question, it will offer some choices. If you then need to make an adjustment, the Help screen will have that control there for you to adjust, so you don't have to leave help, and start searching through the menus. The image above shows some questions, and the one below also shows lower level questions, and their answers. As you can see, it is offering direct access to Source, Brightness and Contrast...

As I basically said at the start of this section, the menus are well laid out, very logical, and easy to navigate. I should note that setting up for a network is a bit complicated, but that is the nature of networking, rather than a weakness of this Epson projector.