Epson QL3000 4K HDR High Lumen 3LCD Laser Projector Review

The Epson QL3000 is a 4K compatible 3LCD laser projector that retails for $15,999 (body only). The QL3000’s blue laser phosphor light source uses multi-array laser diodes to deliver up to 6,000 lumens of brightness, making it suitable for larger spaces where higher brightness levels are needed to maintain picture quality.

The QL3000 is an interchangeable lens projector, so users can choose from a wide range of Epson high-precision interchangeable lenses, including short and long-throw options, to suit different throw distances and screen sizes. The lens prices start around $2000, so expect to spend at least $18,000 for a complete system.

The QL3000 is part of their new Q series, which also includes the QB1000 and QL7000. All three Q-Series models, including the QL3000, use native 1080P 3LCD panels, but it is equipped with Epson’s latest dual-axis pixel shifting technology so they can reproduce 4K resolution (3840x2160 pixels) on screen.

Since all Q-Series projectors are pre-calibrated at the factory, the Epson QL3000 delivers excellent color reproduction. The QB1000's out-of-the-box color performance is impressive, with color errors typically below a delta of 2, which is outstanding.

The Epson QL3000 supports multiple HDR formats, including HDR10, HDR10+, and HLG. The projector is equipped with Epson’s QZX video processor, which enables Dynamic HDR tone mapping. This means HDR content is optimized on the fly for maximum detail in highlights and shadows, without needing separate HDR presets for dark vs bright scenes. The QL7000 can also dynamically adjust the contrast curve and modulate laser light output scene by scene to optimize HDR content.

The QL3000 is also ISF certified, ensuring that the projector can be professionally calibrated to deliver the best possible image quality tailored to your specific environment.

The QL3000 is equipped with two 48 Gbps HDMI 2.1 (HDCP 2.3) ports so gamers can take full advantage of next-gen consoles and PCs that output 4K at 120 fps.

The Epson QL3000 is designed to deliver reference-level home theater performance with the brightness of a commercial projector, making it a unique offering in the Home Entertainment projector market.

Epson QL1000

Suggested Retail Price: $15999 (body only)

Ratings Based On Comparable Models

Brightness

Color Reproduction

Contrast

Sound Quality

N/A

Pros

+ 4K Onscreen Resolution

+ Excellent Brightness

+ Dynamic HDR Tonemapping

+ Accurate Color Reproduction

+ Motorized Lens with Optical Zoom

+ Excellent Build Quality and Design

Cons

- Native Contrast Good But Not Great

- No Dolby Vision

- 3D not supported

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OVERVIEW

The Epson QL3000 is designed for high-end home theater installations and demanding mixed-use media rooms

This year, Epson introduced a line of premium home entertainment projectors called the Q-Series. This new series, which includes the QB1000, QL3000, and QL7000, combines excellent color reproduction with class-leading brightness to maximize flexibility in a variety of living spaces and media rooms. We already reviewed the Epson QB1000 and we were impressed with it performance. Due to its improved black level, higher brightness, and improved video processing, the QB1000 is an excellent option for someone with a traditional dark home theater who wants to step up from Epson's award-winning Pro Cinema LS12000.

The "B" in the QB1000 model number indicates that the projector's main benefit is black level. The QB1000 delivers 3,300 lumens of brightness and features Epson’s UltraBlack™ technology, which enhances black density to deliver deep, rich blacks that add depth and realism to the picture.

The QL3000 is designed for use with larger screens. The "L" in the model indicates that the projector's most notable feature is its light output. The QL3000 can deliver up to 6,000 lumens of brightness, making it suitable for larger spaces where higher brightness levels are needed to maintain picture quality.

Many premium projectors prioritize inky blacks over higher brightness. While this approach makes sense in a darkened theater, the benefits of deeper blacks are quickly diminished in A room with any ambient light. While good blacks are important, high brightness is more important for maximizing the picture quality of a projected image in most viewing environments.

We cover this topic in detail in an article sponsored by Epson entitled Epson Q-Series: How Higher Perceived Contrast Improves Picture Quality In Most Environments. To deliver a great-looking image on a massive screen in a room with high ambient light requires a huge amount of brightness that far exceeds the capability of most home theater projectors.

The Epson QL3000 can deliver a bright, colorful image even under ambient light

Over the years, Epson has dramatically increased the brightness of its professional models while reducing the size of the unit chassis and its power consumption. They have utilized the experience gained from building compact, high-brightness professional projectors to create high-brightness home entertainment projectors that deliver a distinct HDR experience compared to other premium projector models.

While LCOS panels deliver high native contrast, 3LCD panels do a better job of maximizing the output of a projector’s light source. This is one reason why the QL3000 has a rated brightness of 6000 lumens, which is about double that of most premium home theater projectors. Due to QL3000’s higher brightness, perceived contrast will seem noticeably higher when viewing real-world content or an ANSI contrast test pattern, especially in a room with ambient light.

The QL3000 uses three 1.04-inch 1080p LCD panels (3LCD), which, when combined with Epson’s dual-axis pixel-shifting technology, can deliver 4K UHD (3840×2160) on-screen resolution. To differentiate the new, like the QL3000, from the older Epson single-axis pixel shifting projectors, Epson utilizes a new 4K logo.

The QL3000 list price of $15,999 does not include the lens assembly, which is sold separately. The QL3000 is compatible with a wide range of high-quality Epson lenses that support motorized shift, zoom, and focus. This modular approach provides greater installation flexibility than a fixed-lens projector.

The QL3000 is equipped with two 48 Gbps HDMI 2.1 (HDCP 2.3) ports, which allow it to accept 4K HDR signals at up to 120 fps. The QL3000 features Auto Low Latency Mode (ALLM) to minimize input lag when a game signal is detected automatically. With “Fast Image Processing” mode enabled, measured input lag on the QL series is about 21 ms at 4K/120Hz. While not as fast as a dedicated gaming monitor, it is very respectable for a home entertainment projector.

Epson Q-Series Model Comparison
Model	QB1000	QL3000	QL7000
Price (MSRP)	$7999.95	$15,999.95 (minus lens)	$32,999.95 (minus lens)
Displayed Resolution	4K (3840 x2160)	4K (3840 X 2160)	4K (3840 X2160)
Light Source	Laser	Laser	Laser
Brightness	3300 lumens	6000 lumens	10,000 lumens
Dynamic Contrast	5,000,000:1	5,000,000:1	5,000,000:1
Lens Assembly	Motorized Zoom	Interchangeable	Interchangeable
Zoom (Len Shift)	2.1:1 (±96/3% V,±47.1%,H)	Interchangeable	Interchangeable

The Q-Series lineup includes the QB1000, QL3000, and QL7000. Priced with an MSRP around $15,999 (not including lens), the QL3000 slots above the QB1000 and below the flagship QL7000 in both price and output. The QB1000 ($7999 MSRP) delivers 3,000 lumens and includes a built-in fixed lens. It features Epson’s Ultra Black technology and limited motorized lens shift. While the QB1000 is ideal for dark rooms and home theaters, the QL3000 is better suited for bright media spaces.

The QL3000 increases brightness to 6,000 lumens and introduces an interchangeable lens system with fully motorized adjustments. The flagship QL7000, which costs $32,999 (excluding lens), boasts a rated brightness of 10,000 lumens, making it ideal for ultra-large screens or high-ambient light environments.

In summary, the Epson QL3000 stands out due to its brightness, color reproduction, and installation flexibility. It’s an excellent choice if you have a theater with a very large screen (over 150″) or a multi-use room with ambient light. It delivers a very sharp 4K image with excellent HDR dynamics and very good gaming performance.

HARDWARE

CHASSIS

The QL3000 features a futuristic geometric chassis design with a polygonal faceted top and large ventilation grilles on the sides and front. The projector is available in both black (QL3000B) and white (QL3000W) finishes to blend into a dark theater or white media room ceiling.

Despite its high brightness, Epson has managed to keep the QL3000 relatively compact for its class. The QL3000 weighs about 46.5 lbs and is roughly 22.4 inches square by 7.5 inches tall. While it is larger than many 6000-lumen DLP 4K projectors, it is about the same size as higher-end 3-chip home theater projectors, like the JVC NZ800 or Sony BRAVIA Projector 8.

The combination of high brightness, moderate size, and quiet operation means the QL3000 can be used in dedicated home theaters, living rooms, or media spaces even under low to moderate ambient light. There is an air intake vent beside the centrally mounted lens for the cooling system. The front panel also houses an IR sensor and status indicator LEDs. There are intake and exhaust vents located on the side of the chassis.

While we do not measure audible noise according to Epson’s product specifications, the QL3000 is quieter than comparable premium Home Theater projectors, even though it is twice as bright. The cooling system uses a vapor-chamber heatpipe and fans to manage the laser temperature. At full power, the fan noise is around 28 dB (Normal mode), which is very quiet given the projector’s lumen output, and it drops to 26 dB in Quiet mode.

In most cases, installers will mount the projector behind the audience or in a soffit to further mitigate any fan noise for viewers. With the projector’s Light Output set to its default of 80%, I could barely hear the QL1000 from my sitting position 8 feet away.

All the connectors are located on a rear panel, which can be covered with a snap-on panel to conceal wires. The QL3000 includes two 48 Gbps HDMI 2.1 inputs (HDCP 2.3), so it can accept 4K signals up to 120 Hz, making the QL300000 a great option for 4K high frame rate gaming. One of the HDMI inputs supports eARC/ARC, which allows sending full-resolution audio (including Dolby Atmos and DTS: X formats) back down the HDMI cable to your AV receiver, so you get high-quality sound without running a separate audio cable.

There is a USB Type-A (5V, 2.0A) for firmware updates, and it can also power streaming sticks or other USB-powered devices. There is a second USB Type-A (for optical HDMI, 300 mA) port that can supply power to an active optical HDMI cable. Other connections include a Mini-USB (Type-B) service port and a 12V trigger output (3.5mm mini jack) which can send a 12-volt signal (200 mA) to trigger a motorized screen when the projector is powered on.

For integration into home automation systems, QL3000 includes an RJ-45 LAN port for control via IP and an RS-232C (DB-9) standard serial port for control systems (Crestron, Control4, etc.). You can also use Epson’s web control interface over LAN to adjust settings from a browser.

There is a basic control keypad on the back side of the projector, which includes a power button, menu, escape, lens adjustment trigger, directional arrows, and an Enter key. While most users will rely on the remote to change settings, it’s nice that the QL3000 chassis includes controls that can be used to make quick adjustments when the remote is not handy.

Epson-QB1000-remote-1 - Projector Reviews Images

Epson QB3000 includes same full-size remote as other Epson Home Theater projectors,. It is about 8 inches long and is backlit for visibility in a dark theater. Despite having many buttons, the remote’s large size prevents it from feeling cramped. The remote is well organized with the direct input and power on/off buttons at the top, followed by a cluster for menu navigation (directional pad, Enter, Menu, Esc).

There are direct access buttons for several picture adjustments, such as color mode selection, HDR adjustment, image enhancement level, and frame interpolation. The large number of shortcut keys means less digging through on-screen menus, which enthusiasts will appreciate when making on-the-fly adjustments or calibrating.

There is also a basic control keypad on the back-right side of the projector: it includes a power button, menu, escape, lens adjustment trigger, and directional arrows with an enter key. These let you navigate menus or adjust the motorized lens if you don’t have the remote handy.

Pressing the “Lens” button on the unit (or remote) cycles the projector through focus, zoom, and shift adjustment modes, allowing one to fine-tune the image alignment using the arrow keys. While most users will rely on the remote to make adjustments, it’s nice that Epson provides physical buttons as a backup for initial setup or if the remote is misplaced.

The Epson QL3000 supports several high-quality Epson lenses, making it easy to integrate the projector in a wide range of environments. The QL3000 has a large bayonet lens mount that accommodates a wide range of optional Epson lenses (sold separately). Swapping lenses is straightforward: one turns the release lever, removes the lens, and inserts the new lens until it clicks.

Epson’s lens lineup for the Q-Series covers ultra-short-throw, several short and medium zooms, and long-throw options. The ELPLM15 Middle-Throw Zoom Lens #2 is often considered the “Standard Lens” for many installations. It has a 1.0–1.6x zoom when paired with the QL3000, yielding a throw ratio of 1.52–2.47. It also offers ±64% vertical / ±16% horizontal lens shift on the QL3000. The throw range of Epson lenses differs by projector series type. Below are the throw distances of several lenses when utilized with the QL3000.

Epson QL3000 Compatible Lenses
Lens Throw	Part Number	Zoom Range	Throw Ratio
Ultra Throw	ELPLX02s	Fixed	0.34
Short #1	ELPLU03	1.2x	0.46 – 0.56
Short #2	ELPLU04	1.2x	0.62 -0.75
Wide #1	ELPLW05	1.4x	0.74 – 1.04
Wide #2	ELPLW06	1.4x	1.15 -1.57
Middle #1	ELPLM08	1.6x	0.83 - 1.17
Middle #2	ELPLM15	1.6x	1.52 -2.47
Middle #3	ELPLM10	1.5x	2.34 -3.59
Middle #4	ELPLM11	1.5x	3.42 – 5.23
Long	ELPLL08	1.4x	5.09 -7.16

Most of the lens assembly also includes a good amount of horizontal/vertical lens shift, so you can install the QL3000 significantly off-center from the screen and perfectly align the image. All lens adjustments, including focus, zoom, and shift, are motorized and can be controlled via the remote or the control panel on the back of the unit.

The QL3000 also supports up to 10 lens position memories: You can save custom zoom/focus/shift settings (for instance, one for 16:9 content and another for cinemascope movies and recall them at the press of a button. When choosing a lens, ensure it has the right throw ratio and zoom range to accommodate both aspect ratios from the projector’s throw distance. To make it easier to choose the right lens for your application, Epson has a Projector Throw Distance Simulator.

The QL3000’s on-screen menu system will be familiar to anyone who has used recent Epson projectors. It’s a straightforward text-based menu (with logical categories: Image, Signal, Settings, Memory, etc.). As expected from a projector of this class, Epson provides extensive picture controls and calibration options.

You get the full Color Management System (CMS) to adjust the hue, saturation, and brightness of the primary and secondary colors (RGBCMY). There are detailed white balance controls, including two-point and (in the projector’s professional menu) a 13-point grayscale/gamma adjustment to dial in color temperature across the range. The projector offers several Gamma presets and the option to customize the gamma curve.

The QL3000 also includes a web-based menu system that allows users to access and control projector settings remotely from a laptop or mobile device connected to the same network. This eliminates the need for a remote control or a direct line of sight to the projector. Once the projector is connected to the network, you must input the QL3000's IP address into a laptop or mobile device web browser to access the simple and advanced menus.

The Epson QL3000 includes a web-based menu system which can be access from a web browser

For professional installers and integrators, a web-based system streamlines the setup process by enabling adjustments like lens alignment, focus, and keystone correction from a distance, which is particularly helpful when the projector is mounted on a ceiling or in another hard-to-reach location. The web interface includes all the advanced configuration options, including detailed calibration tools. Additionally, the projector can be integrated into a broader networked system, allowing for centralized monitoring, remote diagnostics, and even automated alerts in case of errors or maintenance needs.

PERFORMANCE

COLOR REPRODUCTION

Since the QL3000 is pre-calibrated, the unit’s out-of-the-box color reproduction is excellent. There are four preset SDR picture modes. The NATURAL is the most accurate picture mode.

In NATURAL mode, most of the projector's image enhancements are turned off; switching it to CINEMA switches on several settings, including Dynamic Contrast, Scene Adaptive Gamma, Frame Interpolation, and Image Enhancement, which is changed from Preset 1 to Preset 2. The CINEMA mode’s color temperature is slightly cooler than the NATURAL mode, and the additional enhancements result in a noticeable boost in contrast and sharpness.

The VIVID mode’s color temperature is cool with more saturated color and boosted contrast. This mode would be good for watching content under warm ambient lighting. The DYNAMIC mode was the brightest but also the least accurate due to its cooler image with a greenish bias. However, there may be times, like watching a sporting event during the day, when the extra brightness may be worth the sacrifice in color accuracy.

In addition to the four preset picture modes, the QL3000 also includes ten user-configurable settings memories. These memories can store picture settings after calibration, such as day and night modes for both SDR and HDR. When viewing SDR, I chose the NATURAL mode and set the Dynamic Contrast setting to Normal.

To test, measure, and adjust the QL3000’s image, I used my Klein K10-A colorimeter, Murideo Six-G test pattern generator, and Portrait Displays Calman color calibration software.

Since your room and screen material significantly impact the overall picture, we don’t recommend using someone else's calibration adjustments. If your room is brighter or darker or your walls are a different color, copying someone else's results can cause more harm than good.

If you would like to make some quick adjustments to improve the picture quality of your projector in your room, check out our video called Optimize The Image of a Projector or TV Using Free Murideo Test Patterns. However, below are the before-and-after calibration results in my room.

Pre-Calibration Color Tracking and Grayscale

I choose to measure and adjust the NATURAL Mode. Before pre-calibration, the color temperature was 6536K, which is close to my target of 6500K. The gamma was around 2.17, which is close to my normal target for a media room. Before calibration, the Grayscale average delta error was 2.4, and the Color Saturation Sweep delta error was just 1.28, which is very good.

Most viewers would be happy with its color reproduction, but the QL3000 includes an extensive array of picture adjustments, which can be utilized to optimize the projector’s image for your specific environment.

Before calibration, the NATURAL mode's peak brightness on our 1.1 gain 160” cinemascope screen was around 309 nits, which delivered a vibrant SDR and HDR image, even under low to moderate ambient light.

Picture Mode: NATURAL
Gamma: 2.17
Color Temperature: 6536K
Average Grayscale dE: 2.4
Average Color Tracking dE: 1.28

Post-Calibration Color Tracking and Grayscale

The default Gamma setting for NATURAL mode produced a nearly flat gamma of 2.2. For those who desire a Gamma of 2.4, all you need to do is switch the Gamma setting to 2.4.

Since the measured color temperature was already close to my target of 6500 K, I left the Color Temp setting at its default of 6500K. To produce even better grayscale (RGB Balance), I increase the Red Gain and Blue Gain settings slightly. This resulted in a color temperature that was even closer to my target of 6500K.

While you can make the projector’s CMS adjustments, it is not necessary since the color tracking was excellent out of the box. To improve the measurements, I did make some CMS adjustments, but the difference wasn’t visible. The brightness after calibration was 273 nits.

Picture Mode: NATURAL
Gamma: 2.19
Color Temperature: 6495K
Average Grayscale dE: 1.2
Average Color Tracking dE: 1.0

Since the QL3000 is a premium model, Epson took the time to adjust the QL3000 at the factory, so the projector’s grayscale and color reproduction were excellent out of the box. While many enthusiasts will calibrate the QL3000 to optimize its image for the room environment, most users would be perfectly happy with the projector’s default picture settings.

HDR Color Tracking and Grayscale

The QL3000 can reproduce about 87% of DCI-P3 color gamut. While it can’t produce the massive color range of a tri-laser DLP projector, the QL3000 is a 3LCD projector, so it can reproduce an equal amount of color lumens as white lumens, so colors still look bright and saturated.

When viewing HDR content, I selected the NATURAL mode, engaged the Dynamic Tone Mapping feature, and set the Dynamic Contrast setting to Normal. If the HDR Dynamic Tone Mapping feature is not engaged, you can use the HDR button at the bottom of the remote control to quickly change the HDR tone mapping curve applied to the signal. Increasing the setting’s number makes highlight details more visible but reduces screen brightness.

Adjustments like Contrast, brightness, CMS, and RGB adjustments are applied to the HDR and SDR versions of that picture mode. Once NATURAL mode was calibrated for SDR, the mode’s grayscale was spot on when viewing HDR.

BRIGHTNESS

The QL3000 has a rated brightness of 6000 lumens. To estimate the projector's maximum brightness, I switched the unit to its brightest mode, DYNAMIC. I set the laser light output to 100% (Normal) and took 3-4 readings about 15-20% out from the center of the lens.

Epson QL3000 Brightness (wide zoom Dynamic mode): 6392 Lumens

The Dynamic mode measured 6392 lumens, which is above the unit’s rated brightness. Due to its 3LCD and efficient laser light source, the QL3000 can achieve its maximum brightness without requiring special high-power circuits or exotic cooling.

Picture Modes: Brightness and Color Temperature
Picture Mode	Brightness Measured (Lumens)	Average Color Temperature
Dynamic	6392	7088K
Vivid	5211	8907K
Cinema	5098	7380K
Natural	4844	6536K

There are very few home entertainment projectors that can match the light output of the QL3000, let alone maintain their high brightness once they are calibrated. Most projectors with similar brightness are single-chip DLP units, which have relatively low color light output (compared to their white light output), so colors do not look as vibrant as those on a 3LCD projector like the QL3000.

Due to its high light output, the QL3000 could produce over 300 nits (cd/m2) on our 160-inch cinemascope screen. While this is more brightness than is needed for SDR viewing, the higher brightness makes HDR look much better. When high brightness is combined with effective Dynamic HDR Tone mapping, colors look rich and lifelike even under low to medium ambient light.

Since QL3000 is so bright, it might appear too bright or tiring to the eyes when viewing SDR in a completely dark room. In those cases, users might want to dial down the laser light output. For instance, an owner with a 120″ 1.3-gain screen might run the QL3000 at 50% power and still have ample brightness for HDR highlights, with the bonus of quieter fan noise and deeper blacks.

BLACK LEVEL AND SHADOW DETAIL

Epson does not list the QL3000’s native contrast on its specification sheet. The QL3000’s black levels and native contrast are better than most DLP home theater projector my space, Using a sequential test, I measured 3120:1, which is good but not great.

The unit does include effective dynamic laser dimming, so the QL3000 has a Dynamic Contrast rating of 5,000,000:1. When using the same sequential measurement process, the unit’s dynamic contrast was nearly infinite. The QL3000 also includes a Scene Adaptive Gamma feature that analyses the picture content and adapts the gamma curve in real time. This can be useful when viewing HDR or SDR scenes that are very dark or very bright, to extract additional highlight or shadow detail.

I have reviewed several LCOS-equipped projectors that offer better black levels and native higher contrast, but the differences are only beneficial when watching dark scenes in a darkened space. I took the time to do a side-by-side comparison of the Epson QL3000 and JVC NZ700. When I’m watching several challenging, dark scenes in movies like Batman, 1917, and Blade Runner 2049, the ability to produce deep blacks offers a massive benefit in the dark theater.

However, when watching dark scenes in a media room under any ambient light or bright scenes in any environment, the benefits of the JVC projector’s better black levels are greatly reduced since our eyes are less sensitive to blacks. To explore this topic more check out our article entitled Epson Q-Series: How Higher Perceived Contrast Improves Picture Quality In Most Environments.

So, while the QL3000 cannot match the deep black levels delivered by a LCOS-based JVC or Sony projector, most customers would be more than happy with the unit’s black levels, especially when they are combined with noticeably more brightness.

STANDARD DYNAMIC RANGE

The QL3000 is equipped with Epson’s new QZX picture processor, so it did an excellent job upscaling HD content. While the QL1000 uses native 1080p panels, it uses dual-axis pixel shifting technology to deliver 4K resolution onscreen. The new version of pixel shifting utilized in the QL300 is noticeably better than the previous versions.

This new version quadruples the visible pixels onscreen, whereas previous Epson pixel-shifting projectors only doubled them. The QL3000 can display 8.3 million pixels onscreen, whereas older Epson 4K Pro UHD models could only reproduce around 4 million. There is also a Super-resolution setting that enhances fine details.

There is still a noticeable difference in clarity between the pixel-shifted QL1000 and a native 4K JVC or Sony projector when viewing resolution test patterns and some ultra-detailed footage. However, most movie and broadcast content doesn’t contain enough fine detail for you to see the difference between a 4K and pixel-shifted image from a normal viewing distance.

The QL3000 includes a frame Interpolation with multiple modes (Low, Normal, High that can smooth out motion in fast-action scenes and sports without introducing glaring artifacts. The Epson QL3000 does not support 3D, but there isn't much 3D content available except for some older Blu-rays and games, so most users will not miss this feature.

HIGH DYNAMIC RANGE

Consumer HDR content is mastered for brighter flat-panel TVs, so it often looks dull and lifeless. Due to a lack of brightness, many HDR projectors struggle to reproduce HDR faithfully. Due to its new QZX processor, the QL3000 includes Dynamic Tone Mapping. This feature analyzes HDR content scene by scene and adjusts the projector’s tone mapping curve and laser light in real-time. The goal is to retain detail in bright highlights while also bringing out shadow detail without the user constantly needing to change HDR brightness settings. The QL3000 doesn’t support HDR10+ or Dolby Vision format, which includes dynamic HDR metadata, but HDR dynamic tone mapping achieves a similar end goal.

While the QL3000’s tone mapping is good, JVC’s Frame Adapt HDR and Sony’s XR Dynamic Tone Mapping did a better job of preserving highlight details. However, the QL3000’s higher brightness also reduces the amount of tone mapping that needs to be applied to HDR content, so the image is likely to look closer to what the creator intended. For example, HDR scenes with bright daylight or reflection on chrome will appear more impactful on the QL3000 because it doesn’t have to tone-map them down as severely.

Epson-QB1000-HDR-DTM-Off - Projector Reviews Images

Epson-QB1000-HDR-DTM-On - Projector Reviews Images

The Epson QL3000 is equipped with the new QZX processor with enables Dynamic HDR tonemapping

I have noticed that HDR looks better when displayed above 200 nits (cd/m2). This is because brighter colors appear more saturated. Most home theaters can only achieve this amount of brightness on screens smaller than 120 inches.

Normally, I utilize the 100” or 120” screen in my lab to evaluate projectors, but those screens are not large enough to fully appreciate the benefits of the QL3000 light output. Since I have access to a larger 160-inch cinemascope Stewart Filmscreen MicroPerf X² THX Ultra screen, I decided to utilize that screen for this review. On that screen, the QL3000 delivers over 300 nits (cd/m2) in its most accurate picture mode.

I took some screenshots of the 160-inch screen to show the visual difference between the 6000 lumen Epson QL3000 and the 3300 lumen JVC NZ900. At an event Epson set up two 130” screens so also had the opportunity compare the HDR image delivered by the QL3000 to a competitively priced 3000-lumen home theater projector. I adjusted my camera’s exposure to capture all the highlight information found in the QL3000 image. Since the settings were locked, the resulting pictures effectively show the actual visual difference.

We have utilized the award-winning JVC NZ900 in this theater space for over a year. When viewed on its own, the JVC looks great. However when compared side by side with the QL3000, the difference was striking. When watching extremely dark scenes in a blacked-out theater, the JVC looked better. However, Epson’s higher brightness gave it a serious advantage when watching most HDR material, especially under any ambient light. JVC’s better HDR mapping is not enough to overcome the advantages provided by the QL3000’s higher brightness.

Due to QL3000’s high brightness, even on a 160-inch screen, HDR content looked like a massive flat-panel TV, not a projector. High brightness, good native contrast, and excellent video processing are the main reasons why the QL3000 delivers class-leading HDR image quality.

GAMING

The QL3000 HDMI Inputs support 4K/120 Hz, which is great news for gamers. While the QB1000 doesn’t have a dedicated gaming-focused picture mode, the projector includes ALLM auto low latency mode, automatically switching the projector’s Image Processor to Fast to minimize input lag time. When you enable Fast Image Processing or ALLM triggers, some menu options gray out because the projector focuses on speed. When playing 4K games at 120fps, the input lag was around 21ms.

When gaming in HDR, Dynamic tone mapping makes it easier to see detail in very dark or bright areas, which often vary scene by scene. The projector's sheer brightness also helps when playing in a room that isn’t fully darkened, like in a social gaming session. In a media room with some lights on, the image will still pop. The projector’s high brightness and saturated color make HDR games like Cyberpunk or Grand Turismo look spectacular on a 160″ screen.

SUMMARY

The Epson QL3000, which retails for $15,999 (body only)is a high-lumen interchangeable lens 4K HDR laser projector positioned between the award-winning QB1000 and the flagship QL7000 in Epson's Q-Series lineup. Designed for living rooms and large media spaces where ambient light is a factor, the QL3000 balances performance, brightness, and installation flexibility.

With its Full HD 3LCD panels, dual-axis pixel shifting, and rated brightness of 6,000 lumens, the QL1000 produces a bright and colorful 4K onscreen image on screens exceeding 150” screen even under some ambient light. Supported HDR formats include HDR10 and Hybrid Log-Gamma (HLG). HDR content is enhanced by the projector’s 10-bit processing and dynamic tone mapping performed by the 32-bit Epson QZX processor.

The lens assembly is sold separately. The QL3000 is compatible with Epson lenses such as the ELPLX01S and ELPLM10. These lenses support motorized shift, zoom, and focus. The zoom range is up to 1.6x, and the throw ratio can vary from approximately 0.35 to 10.57, depending on the selected lens.

The QL3000 offers multiple preset picture modes, including Dynamic, Vivid, Natural, and Cinema. The QL3000 also delivers excellent color reproduction right out of the box. The NATURAL and CINEMA modes are the most accurate, but for those who love to tinker or for installers optimizing it, the QL3000 includes all the picture adjustments you could ever need.

The projector does not support 3D playback. For gaming, the QL3000 delivers input lag of approximately 20 milliseconds at a 4K@120Hz refresh rate. The projector’s HDMI 2.1 inputs support Auto Low Latency Mode (ALLM), which automatically switches the projector’s image processor to “Fast” when a gaming signal is detected from compatible gaming sources.

COMPETITIVE COMPARISON

With a retail price around $18,000 (body and lens), the QL3000’s closest competitors are the Sony BRAVIA Projector 8 (VPL XW6100ES) and the JVC NZ800.

Sony BRAVIA Projector 8 (VPL-XW6100ES)

The Sony BRAVIA Projector 8 (VPL-XW6110ES) is a native 4K SXRD (LCoS) projector that retails for $18,999. The Sony BRAVIA Projector 8 offers native 4K resolution, improved black levels, and significantly higher native contrast, but it’s rated at only 2,700 lumens of brightness. Since QL3000 can deliver more than twice Sony’s colors, colors in HDR content look more vibrant on larger screens.

While the overall image is darker, Sony’s XR Processor does a better job of maintaining the brightest highlight details. While the Sony BRAVIA Projector 8 includes outstanding HDR dynamic tone mapping, it lacks HDR10+ support.

The XW5100ES has a motorized lens assembly with ample zoom and shift, but it can’t match the installation flexibility of an interchangeable lens projector like the Epson QL3000.

JVC NZ800

JVC’s DLA-NZ800 (DLA-RS3100) retails for $18,999 and uses JVC’s D-ILA LCoS imagers, which deliver class-leading native contrast and black level. The N8700 is also a native 4K (4096 x 2160) projector, while the QL1000 relies on dual-axis pixel shifting to display a 4K image.

The NZ800 includes JVC’s highly regarded HDR frame-by-frame tone mapping (Frame Adapt HDR). While Epson’s latest QZX processor performs admirably on HDR10 content, the JVC does a better job displaying both shadow and bright highlight details.

While the JVC NZ700 can deliver noticeably better blacks, the QB1000 is twice as bright. Under ambient light or on larger screens, the Epson’s higher 6,000 lumens give it a visible advantage in image brightness and HDR impact.

When compared to the competitive Sony and JVC models, the Epson QL1000 may not be native 4K, and it may not be able to match their black level, but it surpasses them in brightness for the money while matching them in many other areas of performance.

For many viewers, the difference in native contrast and black is hard to notice unless in a completely dark, dedicated theater using challenging dark content. However, higher brightness is immediately appreciated in all viewing scenarios, especially when watching HDR.

Final Thoughts

The QL3000 delivers an immersive big-screen experience, excellent color reproduction, and good black levels with 6000 lumens of brightness. The QL3000 uses pixel-shifting rather than native 4K resolution and its native contrast ratio does not match that of 4K LCoS projectors from Sony and JVC. In a dark theater viewing darker scenes, an LCOS-based projector may be a better option.

However, in many viewing environments, higher brightness is more beneficial than ultra-deep black levels. Colors appear more saturated when presented at higher brightness. Regardless of how effective Dynamic HDR tone mapping is applied, HDR looks better when onscreen brightness exceeds 200 nits (cd/m2). This much brightness is easy for a 2000+ lumen projector to achieve on a 100 to 130-inch screen. The issue is that most home theater projectors struggle to achieve this much brightness on screens exceeding 160 inches, but the QL3000 does not.

I have reviewed several premium projectors that deliver an excellent HDR image quality, but due to the QL3000’s massive brightness advantage, Epson looks better. On the 160-inch CinemaScope screen I used for the review, the QL3000 looked like a giant flat-panel TV even under low ambient light.

Epson QL3000 supports a wide range of interchangeable lenses, enabling flexible installations. However, the need to purchase a lens separately adds to the overall system cost. Its compatibility with advanced control systems enhances its integration potential.

While it may not achieve the black level performance of Sony or JVC’s native 4K models, its brightness and installation versatility make it a compelling choice for large screen viewing in real-world lighting conditions. Its high brightness, accurate color reproduction, effective HDR tone mapping, and low-latency gaming support make the QL3000 a strong performer in living rooms and media spaces.

Pros

6000 lumens (color and white)
3LCD with dual-axis pixel shifting delivers 4K onscreen resolution
Compatibility with a wide range of lenses ensure maximum installation flexibility
Good color out of the box (extensive calibration controls available)
Motorized Lens with Position Memories
HDMI 2.1 inputs are compatible with 4K@120p HDR content
Good motion performance and 4K upscaling
Quiet Operation

Cons

The image is not as detailed as a native 4K LCOS projector
Black Level and native contrast could be better for its price point
No 3D support

Epson QB1000- SPECIFICATIONS

Full Specifications
Projector Model	QL3000
Price (MSRP)	$15,999 (minus lens)
Imager Type	3LCD
Displayed Resolution	3840 x 2160 pixels (dual-axis pixel shifting)
Native Resolution	1920 x 1080 pixels
Brightness (Manufacturer Claim)	6000 Lumens
Light Source Type	Blue Laser Phosphor
Contrast Ratio	5,000,000:1 (Dynamic)
Zoom Ratio	Varies based on lens
Lens Throw Range	Varies based on lens
Power Zoom/Focus	Yes
Lens Shift	Varies based on lens
Interchangeable Lens	Yes
Ultra Short Throw	Optional lens (ELPLX02S)
Native Aspect Ratio	16:9 (Widescreen)
4K/120 fps	Yes
3D	No
Speakers	No
Noise Level (-db)	28 dB (Normal)
Low Lag Gaming	Yes
Smart Functionality	No
Business	No
Classroom	No
Portable	No
Special Features	Dynamic HDR Tone mapping
Networking	RJ45 Lan
Dimensions (WxDxH)	22.4 x 22.4 x 7.12 inches
Weight	46.5 lbs
Warranty	3-year Limited