The Register® — Biting the hand that feeds IT

Feeds
70%
Epson EH-DM2

Epson EH-DM2 projector with built-in DVD player

Only needs a mains connection?

  • print
  • alert

Agentless Backup is Not a Myth

Review Will users get carried away by Epson's EH-DM2 portable projector that features an integrated DVD player and audio output?

Epson EH-DM2

Epson's EH-DM2: more Volvo than Ferrari

First impressions are not good: this is not a curvy, sexy colour supplement-friendly machine. Think Volvo, rather than Ferrari. Yet if you're a movie buff who wants high-end performance, this is definitely not the machine for you. It does many things quite well, but it really suits folk who want to watch big-screen movies occasionally rather than the home theatre crowd.

The projector itself has a tough exterior, with its own integrated lens cover for keeping dust away from the lens when not in use. Quite a few machines could take a tip here - integrated lens covers are definitely the way to go. The unit also comes with its own built-in carry handle and a padded bag that makes the projector easy to move around. It grants some protection, though the bag is designed to protect the projector only from minor bumps and scratches.

The remote has a slight retro look about it and, to be blunt, is a brick. But its controls are well laid out and we liked some of the more quirky symbols, like a little coffee cup which, when pressed, ceases projection but keeps the disc cued up so you can take a break without leaving the picture on pause. Oft-used functions like Keystone correction are also easily identified and accessed. Since these are so often hidden away in sub-menus only available on the screen, this is a plus. Response time between remote commands and the on-screen graphics is also quick and accurate. The remote also has luminous buttons for control in the dark.

The projector itself isn't the smallest of its kind, but considering it's carrying a DVD drive and speakers, its 320 x 230 x 135mm dimensions are acceptable. Connection-wise there are component-video, PC RGB, component-video, and left and right audio inputs.

Epson EH-DM2

There's a USB port but no HDMI

There's also a coaxial digital audio out if you want to connect to something more serious than the unit’s own pair of 8W speakers. And you get a USB 1.1 port for hooking up portable hard drives or cameras, and a headphone jack. In the minus column, there's no HDMI.

Customer Success Testimonial: Recovery is Everything

Latest Comments

think I will pass

when is the blu-ray verson with hdim and hi def res out?

0
0

@David Wiernicki

It is pretty low, but PowerPoint/OpenOffice/whatever generally does a fair stab at rescaling to fit the available resolution or lack thereof. But you may be right that no-one would actually want to......

0
0

@David Gosnell

A powerpoint viewer wouldn't do much good at 840x480 - remember, that's practically little different than 640x480, and nobody's been using that res for computer stuff for 15 years. I don't think anyone's been selling 640x480 projectors for 5+, either! Yikes...

0
0

More from The Register

 breaking news
Curtain drops on Apple Store ahead of WWDC: What lies behind?
Steve Jobs watching from on high. No pressure, lads
 breaking news
Cold, dead hands of Steve Jobs slip from iPhones: The Cult of Ive is upon us
Billionaire biz baron's death clears way for uber-shiny iOS 7
Airbus imagines suitcases that find themselves
Point your mobe at your smalls to track their every move
Surprise! Intel smartphone trounces ARM in power trials
Tests show equal performance while sipping significantly less juice
First look: iOS 7 for iPad
No, Apple hasn't released it yet, but that doesn't stop intrepid devs
Apple said to be 'exploring' 5.7-inch iPhone
Who's the copycat this time, Mr. Cook?
Review: Belkin Thunderbolt Express Dock
Missing Mac ports reunited, for a price
 breaking news
Australian 'Apple tax' repealed for MacBook Air
But the new MacPro is priced at a premium