Epson Home Cinema 1040 vs ViewSonic PX701HDH: Which Projector Delivers Better Brightness for Home Entertainment?

[cruets620]

When it comes to home projectors, the Epson Home Cinema 1040 and the ViewSonic PX701HDH both claim to deliver an impressive cinematic experience, but they cater to different needs and preferences.

The Epson Home Cinema 1040 offers a solid performance with its 3000 lumens brightness and a contrast ratio of 15,000:1, making it a reliable choice for those who prioritize sharp image quality in moderately lit environments. However, it lacks lens shift capabilities, which could be a dealbreaker for some who are looking to position their projector flexibly.

On the other hand, the ViewSonic PX701HDH steps up with a brighter output of 3500 lumens and a more versatile setup process thanks to its 1.1x optical zoom and vertical keystone correction. This projector seems to target users who not only want to enjoy movies but also gaming, boasting advanced visual features and a wider color gamut.

So, which projector is the better investment for your home theater setup? Is the Epson's emphasis on contrast worth the compromise on flexibility, or does ViewSonic's brightness and user-friendly features take the crown? Let’s break down the specifics and see which projector truly deserves a spot in your living room.

Specs Comparison​

Basic​

Parameter	Epson Home Cinema 1040 Home Projector​	ViewSonic PX701HDH Projector​
Picture​	​	​
Reference Price​	$625.98​	-​
Recommended Uses​	Gaming​	Gaming​
Built-In Media​	built-in speaker​	remote control, power cable, PX701HD projector, Quick Start Guide​
Control Method​	Remote​	Remote​
Highlight​	Screen Size Range: 80-inches from 8 feet; 119-inches from 12 feet White Brightness: 3000 Lumens; Color Brightness: 3000 Lumens Contrast Ratio: 15,000:1; Keystone Correction: Yes; Lens Shift: No	SUPERSIZED MOVIES AND GAMES: High brightness 3500 Lumens 1080p projector with advanced visual features EASY SETUP: 1.1x optical zoom, and vertical keystone CINEMATIC COLORS: Exclusive Color technology offers a wide color gamut for beautiful image production in nearly any environment

Display​

Parameter	Epson Home Cinema 1040 Home Projector​	ViewSonic PX701HDH Projector​
Screen Size​	30 Inches - 300 Inches​	30 Inches - 300 Inches​
Throw Distance​	N/A - 36.02 Feet​	1 Meters - 10.96 Meters​
Contrast Ratio​	15000:1​	12000:1​
Native Resolution​	1920x1200​	1920 x 1080​
Maximum Resolution​	1920 x 1200p​	1080 Pixels​
Brightness​	3000 lumen​	3500​
Display Type​	LCD​	DLP​
Picture Enhancement​	3LCD, 3-chip technology​	High​
LightSource Life​	5000 Hours​	5000 Hours​
Video Encoding​	H.264, H.265​	-​

Features​

Parameter	Epson Home Cinema 1040 Home Projector​	ViewSonic PX701HDH Projector​
Lamp Wattage​	200 Watts​	203 Watts​
Controller Type​	Button Control​	Remote Control​
Connectivity Technology​	Dual HDMI​	USB 2.0 Type A, HDMI​
Compatible Devices​	Laptop, Smartphone, Tablet​	Personal Computer​
Wattage​	291 watts​	300 watts​
Mount Type​	Tabletop Mount​	Ceiling Mount​
Other Features​	speakers​	Portable​
L x W x H​	-​	12.2"L x 8.7"W x 4.4"H​

Side-by-Side Comparison​

System Experience​

Parameter	Epson Home Cinema 1040 Home Projector​	ViewSonic PX701HDH Projector​
System Experience	I recently purchased the Epson Home Cinema 1040 projector, and I must say, the setup was impressively straightforward. Within minutes of unboxing, I had it projecting onto a wall in my living room. I love that it comes with two HDMI ports, making it easy for me to connect my devices without any hassle. The compact design is perfect for my space, and I appreciate that I can take it along for presentations when needed.	Setting up the ViewSonic PX701HDH projector was a breeze, which I truly appreciated as a newcomer to the projector world. The installation was straightforward, and I was able to connect it to my devices without any hiccups. I love that it’s designed to be user-friendly, especially since I wanted something that wouldn’t require a lot of technical know-how. The only minor annoyance is that it needs to be placed at a specific distance to project a decent image, but I found a good spot that works for me.

Viewing Experience​

Parameter	Epson Home Cinema 1040 Home Projector​	ViewSonic PX701HDH Projector​
Viewing Experience	The picture quality has genuinely blown me away! I was pleasantly surprised by how bright and vivid the colors are, even in a room with some ambient light. I was initially concerned about the clarity during the day, but it's been more than usable. The projector handles gaming, movies, and even presentations beautifully, with sharp details and a decent contrast. While I’ve read that some users experience issues with shadow details, my experience so far has been largely positive, especially when watching vibrant content.	The picture quality has genuinely impressed me. Watching my favorite movies and shows on a large screen feels like a whole new experience. The brightness is particularly noteworthy; I’ve been able to enjoy watching during the day, although I do sometimes have to close the blinds to get the best view. The colors are vibrant and sharp, making everything I watch look fantastic on my wall. However, I can relate to some reviews that mention the colors can feel a bit muted at times, but with a few adjustments, it looks great.

Other Experience​

Parameter	Epson Home Cinema 1040 Home Projector​	ViewSonic PX701HDH Projector​
Other Experience	Using this projector has been a joy. I’ve set it up for both indoor movie nights and casual gaming sessions, and it’s performed admirably in both scenarios. The built-in speakers are not the best, but I expected that and have connected it to a soundbar, which has significantly enhanced my viewing experience. I also appreciate the ECO mode that reduces fan noise, making it easier to focus on what I’m watching. On the downside, I did notice that the fan can be a bit loud during intense scenes, but it hasn't detracted from my overall enjoyment.	Using the projector has been mostly positive. I appreciate the internal speaker, but I decided to connect it to a better external speaker for an enhanced audio experience. It does get pretty warm while in use, which is something to keep in mind, especially if I’m having a movie marathon. The keystone correction is a nice feature, but I wish it had a bit more flexibility. I found that I need to be careful about where I place it to avoid any image distortion.

Our Verdict​

Epson Home Cinema 1040 Home Projector：​

Pros:
There are several aspects of this projector that I truly admire. First and foremost, the brightness level of 3000 lumens is fantastic, making it versatile for any lighting condition. The color quality is stellar, and the projector's ability to project a large image without significant loss in quality is a huge plus. I also appreciate the long lamp life and the low cost for replacements, which makes it an economical choice in the long run. The auto-keystone feature is quite handy, especially when setting up in less-than-ideal spaces.

Cons:
However, it’s not without its flaws. The biggest drawback for me has been the sound quality of the built-in speakers, which can be subpar for larger spaces or outdoor use. I also wish there was a way to adjust the auto-iris noise, as it can be somewhat distracting at times. Lastly, while the projector does well in general lighting, I found that it struggles a bit in bright daylight, which could be a concern for those planning to use it outdoors frequently.

Overall Evaluation:
Overall, I’m genuinely thrilled with my purchase of the Epson Home Cinema 1040. It has exceeded my expectations in terms of picture quality and usability, making it a fantastic addition to my home entertainment setup. While there are some minor issues to consider, the positives far outweigh the negatives. For anyone looking for a reliable and bright projector that performs well in various settings, I would highly recommend giving this one a try!

ViewSonic PX701HDH Projector：​

Pros:
One of the biggest advantages of the ViewSonic PX701HDH is its brightness; it really shines in various lighting conditions. It's also very affordable for the quality it provides, making it a great value for someone like me who didn’t want to break the bank. The ease of setup and connection with multiple devices has also been a big plus, allowing me to stream content without any hassle. Overall, it feels like a solid investment.

Cons:
On the downside, the projector’s throw distance can be a little tricky; to achieve the full 100" image, I had to position it quite far back, which might not work for everyone. Additionally, while the picture quality is good, I’ve encountered some limitations with color saturation that can be frustrating. I’ve also noticed that the projector gets quite hot, which raises some concerns about long-term use, though I haven’t faced any major issues yet.

Overall Evaluation:
Reflecting on my experience so far, I’m genuinely happy with the ViewSonic PX701HDH projector. It has met my expectations, providing a bright, enjoyable viewing experience that has transformed my home entertainment. I’m looking forward to using it for gatherings and movie nights, and I’m hopeful it will continue to perform well in the long run. While there are some minor drawbacks, they haven’t overshadowed the overall positive impression I have of this projector. I’m glad I made this purchase!

 

[Hellopi314]

So, I picked up the ViewSonic PX701HDH projector because it was the most budget-friendly option that ticked all my boxes—no deal-breakers, you know? Honestly, I kinda wished it was cheaper, but hey, you get what you pay for!

I've been using it as my main TV for the past few weeks, and I’m pretty stoked about it. Here’s the lowdown:

- Brightness is solid! I can easily watch stuff during the day, though I sometimes pull the blinds down for a better view.
- The built-in speaker is decent, but we ended up hooking it up to a better one with a 3.5mm jack for crisper sound.
- The keystone correction is digital-only, so keep that in mind.
- The lens has a zoom feature, but it’s kinda limited.
- It does get pretty warm when it’s running, so just a heads up.
- Picture quality is sharp and the colors pop. Overall, I’m really enjoying the visuals!

Honestly, this projector has been delivering on what I expected, and I don’t have any major complaints. I’ll definitely keep you posted if it decides to take a nosedive...

UPDATE: It’s been 2 years now, and guess what? Still going strong! No issues at all.

 

[Gullible_Eagle4280]

So, I just got my hands on the ViewSonic PX701HDH projector, and let me tell you, it’s a game changer! I’ve never owned a projector before, but since we moved into this new pad with a perfect room for it, I decided to ditch the TV and go big with this bad boy. The wall is massive, like 4.2 meters wide, so it’s just begging for a big screen experience.

When I fired it up to catch a game, I was blown away! I’m streaming through a Fire Stick and have a pretty solid Bluetooth soundbar, so now my place is officially the hangout spot for all the guys wanting to watch sports. Seriously, it’s a total win!

 

[OneTimeSE]

So I recently picked up the Epson Home Cinema 1040 projector, and let me tell you, it's awesome! I've got some curtains that let in a bit of light, so during the day, it’s not super bright. But at night? Wow, this thing really shines! My last projector gave me those annoying rainbow effects, so I was really looking for something better. I heard DLP projectors are supposed to be sharper, but honestly, the picture on this one is just mind-blowing. It’s hard to believe it could get any better!

I did dock it a star because it’s not quite bright enough to fully replace my TV during the day.

But I had to come back and update because this projector has turned out to be one of my best buys ever! I finally got my lighting situation sorted out, and now I’m projecting a massive 155" image on my wall. Hooked it up to my PC and PS4, and it looks absolutely glorious!

 

[mvppaulo]

So, I recently picked up the ViewSonic PX701HDH projector to watch some 3D Blu-ray flicks with my trusty old PS4 Pro, and man, it’s doing a great job! Just a heads-up though, you gotta sync the glasses right for that 3D magic to kick in.

Now, I did run into a couple of hiccups. First off, the throw distance is a bit tricky; to get that sweet 100-inch screen, I’ve gotta set the projector up across the room. And let’s not forget about sound – it doesn’t have Bluetooth, so I’m grabbing a Bluetooth audio converter to sort that out. Nothing too crazy though, just some little fixes.

Honestly, I’ve never seen 1080p look this good on a screen this size!

Oh, and here’s an update: I found out that I may have gotten a previously opened item. There’s a setting that shows how many hours the lamp has been used, and it logged more hours than I’ve had it. So, I’m bumping my review down from 4 stars to 3. On the bright side, I got it on sale, and it’s still working like a champ!

 

[Elfman72]

So, I’ve been diving into the world of home theaters, and after a solid hunt, I ended up snagging the Epson Home Cinema 1040 projector. Now, it’s a 1080p projector (well, kinda). The real deal is 1920x1200, but it’ll show 1080p content by chopping off a bit at the top and bottom. That’s cool by me, but just a heads up! The brightness is rated at 3000 lumens, but when you’re using it for 1080p, it actually drops to about 2700. Totally works for my setup though, especially since I'm running it in eco mode to keep things chill.

Speaking of eco mode, it does make the image a bit dimmer but cuts down the fan noise a ton. I mean, you can still hear it when it’s right above you, especially during those quiet moments in movies like Interstellar. But during regular movie chatter or music, the fan doesn’t bother me at all. If you crank it up to normal mode, though? Yeah, that fan gets super loud and you definitely wouldn't want it in the same room.

Now, about that 3000 lumens – sounds impressive, right? But then you realize you lose some brightness for 1080p images and even more for wider formats. So, if you’ve got any ambient light, this projector might struggle a bit. In my dark theater, the picture is vibrant and clear, but once I turn on even a little light, it starts looking washed out. With all my lights on, it’s pretty much unwatchable. And trust me, my home theater lights are way dimmer than your average room. If there’s daylight coming through a window? Forget it. But hey, I can’t knock off a star for that since it’s a common projector issue.

The picture quality, though? Really good! The colors pop, and the whites are super bright – as long as there’s no light in the room. The blacks aren’t as deep as I’d hoped; they look more like dark gray, but the shadow details are spot on. I tweaked my brightness and contrast, and the projector handled it like a champ. You can see the details even in the shadows, which is awesome. My screen is a white, acoustically transparent one, so if you’ve got a gray screen, your blacks might look better.

Now, let’s talk about some quirks. This projector is super picky about placement. There’s no optical adjustment for keystone, so you really have to nail the positioning. It needs to be mounted lower than the projected screen for overhead setups, and if you’re putting it on a table, it has to be higher than the bottom of the screen. No optical adjustments means you could end up a bit off and have to tweak it a lot. I learned that the hard way!

Another thing to note is the convergence issue. I’ve noticed that the green is slightly off from the red and blue, which gives white pixels a bit of a green and magenta halo. It’s not a big deal unless you’re sitting super close to the screen, which I don’t usually do. From my 140" screen (yeah, it’s massive), I barely notice it unless I’m practically nose-to-screen.

Honestly, I’d give this projector 3.5 stars if I could, because it’s definitely better than average, but not quite a full four. But you know what? If I had to do it all over again, I’d still grab one of these bad boys!