The Epson PowerLite 99W WXGA 3LCD Projector ($749) fits neatly in Epson's line above the Epson EX6220 WXGA 3LCD Projector and below the Epson PowerLite 955W WXGA 3LCD Projector, our Editors' Choice for lightweight WXGA (1,280-by-800) projectors for a small to midsize room. More importantly, like the Epson 955W, it offers high-quality images for data screens, along with better-than-typical video quality. Depending on your needs, it could easily be the projector you want.
As a step up from the Epson EX6220, the 99W delivers several extras, the most important of which being much better connectivity and audio. As a step down from the Epson 955W, however, it differs primarily in having a 1.2x, rather than 1.6x, zoom lens. If you don't need the additional zoom capability, it lets you get essentially the same projector as the Epson 955W without having to pay for an expensive lens you don't need.
Basics
The 99W is built around a three-chip WXGA LCD engine, a feature that it shares with both of the other Epson models, as well as the NEC NP-M311W.
The three-chip design gives all of these projectors the advantage over single-chip DLP projectors of not displaying rainbow artifacts (flashes of red, green, and blue). It also gives them the advantage of offering the same color brightness as white brightness. That means you don't have to worry about a difference between the two affecting brightness or color quality. (For more on color brightness, see Color Brightness: What It Is, Why It Matters.)
The key disadvantage for all of these models is that, unlike almost all recent DLP models, they don't support 3D. Fortunately, this won't be an issue for most applications, but if you want 3D, consider a DLP projector, like the BenQ MW523.
Setup and Brightness
The 99W weighs just 6 pounds and measures 3.5 by 11.6 by 9.7 inches (HWD), including its feet, making it small and light enough to carry with you. However, it's also suitable for permanent installation or for a cart, for room-to-room portability.
Setup is standard, with manual controls for focus and zoom. Connectors on the back panel include an HDMI port, a VGA port, and both S-video and composite video ports. In addition, there's a USB Type B port for direct USB display and for controlling the computer mouse from the projector's remote, a LAN port for sending images and audio, as well as for controlling the projector over a network, and a USB Type A port for reading files directly from a USB memory key or for connecting an optional ($99) Wi-Fi dongle.
Epson rates the projector at 3,000 lumens, which is in the typical range for projectors meant for small to midsize rooms. Assuming a 1.0-gain screen, that makes the 99W bright enough for roughly a 210- to 280-inch (diagonal) image in theater-dark lighting, according to the Society of Motion Picture and Television Engineers (SMPTE) recommendations. With moderate ambient light, it's bright enough for a 140-inch (diagonal) image. You can also lower the brightness for smaller screen sizes by switching to the projector's Eco mode, one of its lower-brightness preset modes, or both.
Image Quality, Lamp Life, and Audio
The 99W did an excellent job with data images in my tests, sailing through our standard suite of DisplayMate tests without any serious problems. Colors were suitably vibrant, eye-catching, and well-saturated in all modes. Even better, the projector did well with detail. White text on black was crisp and readable at sizes as small as 7.5 points, and black text on white was easily readable at 6.8 points.
See How We Test Projectors
As with any 1,280-by-800 projector, the video quality is limited by the native resolution to a maximum of 720p HD video without having to scale the image. In addition, the contrast was a little low, as is typical for data projectors. However, the video quality overall is basically at the low end of what you might expect from a home entertainment projector, or at least close to it, which makes the video much better than most data projectors can manage.
The 99W also earns some points for its audio system. The 16-watt mono speaker offers good sound quality and enough volume to fill a midsize room. You can also connect an external sound system to the audio output as an alternative. As a final plus, Epson claims a longer-than-typical lamp life for the projector, at 5,000 hours in Normal mode and 6,000 hours in Eco mode. The long life, combined with a low cost for the replacement lamp, at $99, translates to a promised low total cost of ownership.
If you need 3D, you'll want to look at a DLP projector like the BenQ MW523. And if you need the flexibility of a zoom lens with a greater range, you'll want to consider the Epson 955W or NEC NP-M311W. Alternatively, if you don't need all the connection choices the Epson PowerLite 99W WXGA 3LCD Projector offers, you can save some money by getting the Epson EX6220. But if the 99W's 1.2x zoom lens is sufficient for your needs, and you also need its connectivity, its balance of image quality, features, and price make it a highly attractive choice.
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