Epson Home Cinema 880 projector review: Bright and cheap, but that’s about it
The Epson Home Cinema 880 is an entry-level projector, and one could argue it’s best suited for beginner home theatre enthusiasts due to its affordability and easy setup. Upon using the projector, however, it soon becomes apparent that the low price point comes with a couple of drawbacks.
One of the standout features of the Epson Home Cinema 880 is its impressive brightness. Rated at 3300 lumens by Epson, it has the ability to produce vivid and clear images even in rooms with considerable ambient light. This makes it perfect for backyard movie nights or open-plan living areas.
In terms of ease of usage and installation, the projector scores high. It’s lustrously compact and straightforward to set up and operate. The control panel on top is intuitively designed, and there’s also a simple remote control included in the box. Moreover, the built-in speakers offer reasonable sound quality which is okay but don’t provide the immersive cinematic audio experience some might seek.
However, when it comes to image quality, this is where the projector’s limitations start to become evident. While bright, the image lacks depth and contrast seen in more expensive models. The color accuracy might not meet discerning viewer’s expectations as hues tend to be over-saturated at times.
The lack of Full HD resolution is another downside with Epson Home Cinema 880. Unlike most modern projectors, it’s native resolution is only 800 x 480 pixels which can leave images appearing soft or lacking detail compared to those produced by full HD or 4K projectors.
Moreover, this projector doesn’t support any kind of 3D content which could be a let down for those interested in 3D movies or games. A noticeable absence of HDMI ports also limits its usability with modern devices like game consoles or Blu-ray players.
To summarize, the Epson Home Cinema 880 is undeniably a bright and cheap projector that fits perfectly for those on a budget or looking for their first home cinema experience. Although its brightness makes it adaptable in several environments; it arguably compromises on image quality, detail clarity due to lower resolution and has limited connectivity options. It may not offer the full-fledged cinematic experience that pricier competitors might provide but can still be deemed a decent starter model for the home theater novice.