Mini projectors are easily portable. Compact and lightweight, small projectors are great for outdoor movie nights. A common downside to these home theater projectors is image quality. Some are also missing many of the features you expect on a smart laser projector.
The Epson EF12 mini smart laser projector is different. Not only is it portable, but you also get stunning onscreen images. It comes with an impressive sound system by Yamaha, along with an Android TV interface.
The EpiqVision Mini is everything you want in a compact laser projector. While the advertising is great, does the EF12 mini projector perform? (>>> Check current price on Amazon)
Epson EF12 review of Specifications:
| Epson EF12 | |
|---|---|
 |
|
| Resolution | 1920x1080 |
| Contrast Ratio | 200,000:1 |
| Brightness (Lumens) | 1,000 ANSI |
| Input Lag | 120ms |
| Throw Distance | 2.2' - 10.9' |
| Screen size | 30" - 150" |
| Internal Speakers | 5.0 Watts × 2 |
| Price | Bhphotovideo.com |
The EpiqVision EF12 by Epson has some impressive specifications, especially when you look at its price. Here’s what you need to know about the mini laser projector.
Image Quality
The laser light source may only be 1,000 lumens, but ambient light isn’t a problem. You can watch movies outdoors when the moon is out. The EF12 uses multi-array laser diode technology. It produces bright images, while also enhancing darker colors.
Colors aren’t only bright, they’re also accurate. 3LCD technology produces true-to-life colors. It also helps to prevent rainbowing and issues with image brightness. Automatic color correction ensures you get a clear, natural-looking picture for every frame.
Ease of Installation and Use
The cube-shaped mini projector weighs less than 5 lbs. You won’t have any problems moving it around. It’s also designed for wall and ceiling mounting, saving you space on the shelves. It is a short-throw mini laser projector. You need 7’ between the lens and screen for 100” images.
Image alignment is a breeze. It’s one of the reasons this is a great portable projector. Horizontal and vertical digital keystone correction makes it easy to center onscreen pictures. If you’re still having problems, the geometric correction feature will take care of the image alignment. You also have auto-focus so blurry images aren’t a problem.
Pros
- Bright images
- Accurate colors
- Android OS
- Yamaha sound system
- Portable
Cons
- The EF12 is not a mini laser projector for games, the input lag is too high for most games
- Installation is limited with the lack of optical zoom and lens-shift
Audio Quality
External speakers do produce better sound, but the EF12 isn’t bad. The two 5W speakers are custom designed for the EF12 by Yamaha. It produces a powerful sound. You’ll feel like you’re at the cinema when you’re watching movies at home.
You can boost sound quality by connecting the built-in sound system to an external speaker via Bluetooth. It’s one of the smart features on the EF12.
Consumer Impressions
While consumers wish the EF12 was 3D compatible and battery-powered, there is a lot they like about the Epson mini laser projector. It’s lightweight and easy to install almost anywhere. Its wall or ceiling mounting flexibility is a bonus with consumers. Buyers also agree on image quality. Pictures are bright and colors vivid.
Conclusion
You can’t go wrong with the Epson EF12 if you’re looking for a mini laser projector. It does have a few downsides. Installation may not be as flexible as you need. Your missing optical lens shift. Input speed also isn’t going to make gamers happy. However, the EpiqVision mini projector has several features that make it stand out.
You get bright images with realistic colors. It’s also a smart projector with tons of connectivity. Along with your standard jacks, it also boasts wireless networking. You can even connect the onboard sound system wirelessly to your external speakers. Best of all, the EF12 is the perfect projector for outdoor movie nights.
Easy to move and setup, there’s a lot to like about the Epson EpiqVision mini laser projector. (>>> Check on Bhphotovideo)
REFERENCES:
- https://hometheaterabc.com/epson-ef11-vs-ef12/
- Best Projector Picks in “Under 1000 Category“