Epson PowerLite W29 Projector Review — Performance Posted on May 25, 2016 By Art Feierman 1. Epson PowerLite W29 Projector Review - Epson PowerLite W29 Projector Review - Highlights2. Epson PowerLite W29 Projector Review — Special Features - W29 Advanced Networking - Web Controls - PC-Free Display - MHL Support3. Epson PowerLite W29 Projector Review — Hardware Tour - Overview - Control Panel - Inputs and Connectors - Remote Control - Audio - Lens and Image Adjustments4. Epson PowerLite W29 Projector Review–Menu Details - IMAGE MENU - Signal Menu - Settings - EXTENDED SETTINGS - NETWORK - ECO - Info and Reset5. Epson PowerLite W29 Projector Review–Picture and Sound Quality - Color and Picture Quality - Text Readability - Video Performance - Sound Quality6. Epson PowerLite W29 Projector Review — Performance - Epson W29 Brightness - Audible Noise, Networking - Power Consumption - Cost of Operation7. Epson PowerLite W29 Projector Review — Warranty8. Epson PowerLite W29 Projector Review — Summary - Epson W29: Overall Impressions - Pros - Cons9. Epson PowerLite W29 Projector Review – Specifications and Brochure EPSON W29 PROJECTOR REVIEW – PERFORMANCE: Brightness by Color Mode, Effect of Eco Mode, Effect of Zoom Position, Audible Noise, Networking, Power Consumption Epson W29 Brightness Epson W29 Projector – Brightness By Color Mode – Mid-Zoom Pre-set Color Mode Lumens Dynamic 3050 Presentation 3030 Theatre 1760 sRGB 1730 Blackboard 1450 I set the projector up on my test bench and set the horizontal and vertical keystone correction to zero. Then, I measured the projector’s brightness by setting up an image that measured 48.5- by 30.5-inches and made three brightness readings around the center with an Extech EasyView 31 light meter. When I was done, I normalized the brightness lux readings to a full square meter to yield lumens. Audible Noise, NetworkingAudible: The Epson PowerLite W29 has a specification for producing 37 dB of fan noise in the lamp’s Normal mode. In fact, the projector was a lot louder and pulsed, emitting 44.5dBA of fan noise 36-inches from its exhaust. While we don’t usually measure the audio levels of this class of projector and a single point doesn’t tell you a lot, the W29’s fan seemed particularly loud. It shouldn’t be a disruptive influence in the classroom if the projector is mounted on the ceiling, away from students and teachers to dissipate the noise. Networking: The PowerLite W29 has the ability to connect with just about any school’s network via its RJ-45 port in the back. There’s an optional $99 USB-based WiFi adapter as well, which plugs into the W29’s USB slot. While Epson takes $120 off the price of the projector for schools, everybody pays the same $99 for the WiFi adapter. The good news is that you don’t need the WiFi adapter to get the most out of the PowerLite W29. You can connect the projector to a wired network and be able to connect with phones and tablets using WiFi. Epson’s free iProjection app for Androids and iOS systems starts by searching for a compatible projector. It found the nearby PowerLite W29 on the first try. Within a minute I was able to take control of the projector by using the app to mimic the projector’s remote control’s features. Later, I sent the projector photos, documents and Web pages from a phone. Unfortunately, the software doesn’t allow mirroring what’s on the screen. This might make it useful for a digital show-and-tell lesson. Power Consumption - Cost of OperationWhile the W29 projector was doing its thing, I measured its power draw with a Kill A Watt P4480 power meter. In Dynamic mode, it used 248 watts, which drops to 2.3 watts when the projector is turned off, but still plugged in and connected to a network. Assuming that it’s used for 6 hours a day for the typical 180-day school year, its $79 lamp lasts for its rated 5,000 hours and electricity costs the national average of 12 cents per kilowatt-hour, the W29 has an estimated operating expenses of $51 per year. While this is quite economical, this doesn’t include after-school enrichment activities, teacher training sessions or night school classes, but provides a good estimate for comparison. (Ed. note: Few teachers will have a curriculum that uses a projector anywhere near that continuously.) 1. Epson PowerLite W29 Projector Review - Epson PowerLite W29 Projector Review - Highlights2. Epson PowerLite W29 Projector Review — Special Features - W29 Advanced Networking - Web Controls - PC-Free Display - MHL Support3. Epson PowerLite W29 Projector Review — Hardware Tour - Overview - Control Panel - Inputs and Connectors - Remote Control - Audio - Lens and Image Adjustments4. Epson PowerLite W29 Projector Review–Menu Details - IMAGE MENU - Signal Menu - Settings - EXTENDED SETTINGS - NETWORK - ECO - Info and Reset5. Epson PowerLite W29 Projector Review–Picture and Sound Quality - Color and Picture Quality - Text Readability - Video Performance - Sound Quality6. Epson PowerLite W29 Projector Review — Performance - Epson W29 Brightness - Audible Noise, Networking - Power Consumption - Cost of Operation7. Epson PowerLite W29 Projector Review — Warranty8. Epson PowerLite W29 Projector Review — Summary - Epson W29: Overall Impressions - Pros - Cons9. Epson PowerLite W29 Projector Review – Specifications and Brochure Epson PowerLite W29 Projector Review–Picture and Sound Quality Epson PowerLite W29 Projector Review — Warranty