Epson VS250 vs EX3280: Which HDMI Projector Offers Better Performance?

Barend Ray

Active member

Introduce​

Parameter
Epson VS250​
Epson EX3280​
Picture​
EpsonVS250.jpg
EpsonEX3280.jpg
Reference Price​
$499.99​
$438.55​
Recommended Uses​
business presentations, classroom presentations, home theaters​
Office, Home​
Built-In Media​
Quick Setup Sheet, computer cable (VGA), batteries, User Manual CD, VS250 projector, projector remote control, power cable​
EX3280 projector, power cable, projector remote control, batteries, Quick Start Guide​
Highlight​
Brightness: 3,200 lumens
Fan Noise: ECO mode 28 dB, Normal mode 37 dB
Resolution: SVGA (800 x 600)
Projected Distance: 30 inch to 350 inch (0.88 to 10.44 m)
Compatibility: PC, Mac, iProjection App, HDMI
F Number: 1.44
Focal Length: 16.7 mm
Digital Zoom Ratio: 1.0 to 1.35
Pixel Number: 480,000 dots
Speaker: 2 W (Mono)
Power Supply Voltage: 100 to 240 V ±10%, 50/60 Hz
Power Consumption: ECO mode 211 W, Normal mode 296 W
Operating Temperature: 41°F to 95°F (5°C to 35°C)
Brightness: 3,600 lumens
Warranty: 1-year limited warranty, full-unit replacement, free lifetime technical support
Picture Correction: Built-in picture skew sensor for vertical keystone correction
Display Technology: True 3-Chip 3LCD
Color Accuracy: 100% RGB color signal, excellent color brightness
Connectivity: HDMI port for streaming devices
Resolution: XGA for crisp text and images

Unboxing Experience​

Epson VS250:​

From the moment I unboxed the Epson VS250, I was struck by its sleek design and solid build quality. The projector feels premium in my hands, and the thoughtful design extends to features like the focusing adjustment knob and the lens cover. Even the simple act of opening and closing the lens cover brings a sense of satisfaction. It's compact enough to fit comfortably on my small desk, making it a visually appealing addition to my home entertainment setup.

Epson EX3280:​

Right from the outset, I was impressed by the overall design of the projector. It has a sleek and modern aesthetic that fits well in various environments, whether it's a church, conference room, or even a home setting. The compact size also makes it easy to transport and set up. However, I found the misleading image in the item description, which showed items like a USB cable that weren't included, to be a minor disappointment.

Display​

Parameter
Epson VS250​
Epson EX3280​
Screen Size​
30 Inches - 300 Inches​
N/A - 300 Inches​
Throw Distance​
-​
1.44 Meters - 1.95 Meters​
Contrast Ratio​
15000:1​
15000:1​
Maximum Resolution​
800 x 600​
786,432 Pixels​
Native Resolution​
SVGA - SVGA (800 x 600) (native) / 1400 x 1050 (resized)​
1024 x 768​
Brightness​
3200 Lumen​
3600 Lumen​
Display Type​
LCD​
LCD​
Picture Enhancement​
-​
True 3-Chip 3LCD technology​

Viewing Experience​

Epson VS250:​

The viewing experience with the Epson VS250 has exceeded my expectations, especially given its price point. The brightness is impressive, even in moderately lit rooms, making it suitable for both movie nights and business presentations. Colors are vivid, and while the resolution is 800 x 600, I found the image quality to be acceptable for streaming videos. The only downside is that there can be some graininess when viewing text closely, but this is less noticeable with video content. Overall, the projector delivers a satisfactory performance for casual viewing and presentations.

Epson EX3280:​

The viewing experience was predominantly positive, especially regarding brightness. The projector delivered a bright picture that was easily visible even in a well-lit church setting, making it perfect for large gatherings. However, resolution quality left something to be desired; at a distance of 10 feet, images appeared washed out and pixelated, making it less than ideal for displaying text clearly. The sound quality was decent but not exceptional, with built-in speakers that struggled to provide adequate volume for larger spaces.

Features​

Parameter
Epson VS250​
Epson EX3280​
Other Features​
Portable, Lightweight​
Built-In Speaker​
Video Encoding​
-​
HEVC​
Lamp Wattage​
200 Watts​
200 Watts​
LightSource Life​
6E+3 Hours​
-​
Controller Type​
Button Control​
Button Control​
Control Method​
App, Touch​
Touch​
Connectivity Technology​
HDMI
HDMI
Compatible Devices​
Laptop, Gaming Console, Smartphone, Tablet​
Laptop, Gaming Console, Speaker, Smartphone​
Wattage​
2 watts​
260 watts​
Mount Type​
Tabletop Mount​
Tabletop Mount​
L x W x H​
11.9"L x 9.2"W x 3.2"H​
11.9"L x 9.3"W x 3.2"H​

System Experience​

Epson VS250:​

Setting up the VS250 was a breeze. The intuitive controls made it easy to connect to my devices, and I appreciated the inclusion of various connection options. While I did have to purchase an HDMI cable separately, the projector's compatibility with a range of devices, including my laptop and streaming devices, made it incredibly versatile. The ability to project images clearly from a distance of 11 feet was a pleasant surprise, allowing for a large display without compromising on quality.

Epson EX3280:​

Setting up the projector was a breeze, taking me less than 20 minutes to get it ready for use. The comprehensive remote control made it easy to navigate through the settings and adjust the picture to suit different viewing angles. However, I did encounter some frustration with the lack of a USB port and Bluetooth capability, which would have enhanced its functionality for my needs. The inability to connect it to a Wemo plug was also a slight inconvenience.

Conclusion​

Epson VS250:​

Pros:
• High build quality and user-friendly design.
• Bright and vivid colors, suitable for various lighting conditions.
• Quiet fan operation compared to previous projectors.
• Great for watching movies and making presentations.

Cons:
• Limited resolution may not meet the needs of all users.
• No audio output port; built-in speakers are average.
• Mounting thread not compatible with universal tripods.
• No wireless functionality for direct device mirroring.

Overall Impression:
In conclusion, the Epson VS250 is a fantastic projector for anyone seeking an affordable option for home entertainment or business presentations. While it does have some limitations, such as the lack of wireless connectivity and audio output, the overall performance in terms of brightness and color quality far outweighs these drawbacks. I genuinely love this projector and highly recommend it for anyone looking to enhance their viewing experience without breaking the bank.

Epson EX3280:​

Pros:
• Excellent brightness for well-lit environments
• Easy to set up and use
• Affordable price for the quality provided
• Good sound quality for mid-sized rooms

Cons:
• Lacks USB port and Bluetooth connectivity
• Resolution not suitable for text at average distances
• Built-in speakers are not powerful enough for large spaces
• Customer service experience was subpar

Overall Impression:
Overall, I would say this projector offers a solid performance for its price point, especially if you're looking for something bright and easy to set up. While it may not rival higher-end models in image resolution or audio capabilities, it serves well for casual presentations and small to medium gatherings. Just be aware of the limitations regarding connectivity and sound, and consider your specific needs before making a purchase.
 
Set up my Epson VS250 in the backyard for the Super Bowl and it was awesome! Super easy to get going and adjust the picture. Only downside? No audio out jack for extra speakers. If it had that, it’d totally be a 5-star device!
 

Charger196904

New member
So, I got my hands on the Epson VS250 because I wanted to make sure my pics fit well on this old slide projector screen. The aspect ratio is kinda square, like those old-school monitors, not like today's wide-screen movies.

But man, it's super bright with great colors! My son has this tiny Optoma pico projector that's not as bright but looks better at night.
 

manowar09

New member
Epson EX3280 is nice, but I wish it had a headphone jack or Bluetooth for sound when using HDMI. I ended up getting an audio extractor to fix that. The brightness is awesome for early evenings and perfect for nighttime with super sharp, colorful pics!
 
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