When purchasing a projector (or television), consumers often look for the higher number as it pertains to light output (lumens rating) and automatically assume that the specifications are accurate; because manufacturers never overstate those kinds of important details that might influence what you buy.
Epson takes this so seriously that they have filed multiple lawsuits against competitors whom they suspected were not being honest. AWOL and JMGO were the targets of the most recent lawsuit that was just settled.
Considering the importance of light output when deciding on which projector to purchase, providing consumers with accurate specifications should be a given.
Epson AWOL Settlement
AWOL Vision has to correct previously misstated White Brightness specifications worldwide for two models:
- LTV-3000 Pro: Reduce the Lumens rating from 3,000 down to 2,000.
- LTV-2500: Reduce the Lumens rating from 2,600 down to 1,700
Moving forward, AWOL Vision will use ISO 21118, the internationally recognized standard for measuring a projector’s White Brightness.
Epson JMGO Settlement
JMGO will correct previously misstated White Brightness specifications worldwide for three models:
- JMGO N1 Ultra: Reduce the Lumens rating from 4,000 down to 1,900.
- JMGO N1 Pro: Reduce the Lumens rating from 3,200 to 1,300.
- JMGO U2: Reduced the Lumens rating from 2,400 to 1,400 Lumens.
Just as with AWOL, moving forward JMGO will use ISO 21118 for measuring a projector’s White Brightness.
Misleading Projector Brightness Ratings
Epson’s lawsuits against AWOL and JMGO are part of its ongoing efforts to ensure the implementation of internationally recognized and accepted brightness standards to help consumers make informed purchasing decisions.
In video projector marketing, there has been an influx of projector brands that provide misleading brightness claims.
As we mentioned in our previous report about Epson’s settlement with Formovie, they caution shoppers need to be wary of misleading metrics listed as “Lux,” “LED lumens,” “CVIA,” or “Lamp Brightness” that don’t adhere to standardized methods. All of the unofficial brightness claims make it more confusing for consumers to compare the performance of projectors, especially when shopping on Amazon and other online marketplaces.
Correct projector light output measurements should be stated using standards from internationally recognized standards groups. These groups include:
When these standards are followed, there is no ambiguity regarding how projector brightness is measured, advertised, and compared.
The Bottom Line
Epson has struck again in its crusade to standardize how video projector makers need to provide accurate lumens ratings to consumers. In many cases, lumens ratings from projector makers are hyped to mislead consumers about the brightness levels of their products.
Another factor in the battle for standardized lumens is that there is a difference on how LCD and DLP projectors output light. LCD-based projectors have the ability to output the same amount of White (WLO) and Color (CLO) light. Whereas light output on DLP projectors differs between WLO and CLO light output, with color light output being much less.
This means that when shopping for a projector, both WLO and CLO lumens ratings should be stated.
Epson is very serious about projector lumens ratings and they are going after anyone that they believe is misleading customers. Here is a list of some of their successes in addition to AWOL, JMGO, and Formovie (which we have covered previously).
Watch out video projector makers, Epson is on the prowl!
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