Katarzyna Petru
Epson is expanding its Lifestudio projector line, showcased in September, by introducing a significantly more powerful model, the EH-LS970. The manufacturer announces that the new design aims to "raise the bar for home, shared cinematic screenings," offering higher brightness and much better detail in 4K images.
The company, which has been the world's best-selling projector manufacturer for over 25 years, initially positioned the Lifestudio series as a more affordable and portable option for home entertainment. Models such as the Lifestudio Flex EF-71 and EF-72, as well as the Lifestudio Pop EF-62B/N and EF-61W/G/R, utilised RGB-LED 3LCD technology and Triple Engine, providing a bright, large image – even three times brighter than competing, portable DLP projectors with a single chip.
From mobility to a true home cinema
Just a few weeks after the launch of the entire line, Epson made a clear pivot, presenting a significantly less portable but definitely more powerful model, the Lifestudio Grand EH-LS670. This was an ultra short throw projector, capable of generating an image with a brightness of 3600 ISO lumens, designed for a "vibrant, realistic image both day and night."
Now Epson is going even further. The new Lifestudio Grand EH-LS970 also uses a 3LCD laser light source but increases brightness to 4000 lumens. The manufacturer also emphasizes the elimination of the so-called rainbow effect, which refers to the irritating RGB flashes that can appear in some projectors.
True 4K and an even bigger image
The key difference compared to the EH-LS670 is the resolution. The older model used pixel shifting technology, whereas the EH-LS970 offers native 4K UHD – a full 8.3 million pixels at a resolution of 3840 x 2160. This means distinctly better sharpness and more detail, especially on large diagonals.
And there will be no shortage of those. The new Epson projector can display an image with a diagonal of up to 150 inches, while the EH-LS670 capped at 120 inches. The throw ratio is 0.16-0.4:1, and the dynamic contrast is claimed to be at 5,000,000:1.
AI, Google TV and sound from Bose
Similar to the previous model, Epson heavily focuses on AI-based features. The manufacturer mentions "intelligent image optimisation," which is designed to automatically adjust the displayed image to lighting conditions. While the details have not been revealed, one can expect features such as autofocus, geometry correction, object avoidance, and automatic image fitting to the screen.
The EH-LS970 operates under Google TV and offers a pre-installed Netflix app as well as other popular streaming services. Gamers will appreciate the dedicated auto low-latency mode with input lag below 20 ms via HDMI. The sound is handled by a built-in audio system designed by Bose, aimed at providing immersive, room-filling sound. Dolby Audio is supported, and while Epson has not confirmed this outright, one can expect the presence of one of the HDR formats.
Premiere coming soon, price remains a mystery
At this moment, there is no official product page, so the full specification of the EH-LS970 remains unknown. However, it is known that the projector will go on sale in Europe in April, which is just a few weeks away. It is quite possible that the device will also appear in the USA – similar to the EH-LS670. The price has not been revealed yet, but considering that the EH-LS670 currently costs around £1999, the new, brighter and native 4K model will almost certainly be significantly more expensive.
