Buzz
Included Accessories
The Optoma P1 comes with standard accessories you'd expect from a projector, essentially including the necessary connection cables and a remote control for navigation. For those users seeking the best image quality, this means you'll need to purchase a screen if you don't already have one.
With the Epson LS500, a 100-inch screen is included – and not just any screen. The ambient light rejecting (ALR) screen with high resolution is designed to enhance image quality. It's also great for large groups and viewing parties, with virtually no glare and a wide 178° viewing angle.
Better Included Accessories: Epson LS500
Sound Quality
The integrated speakers on the Epson LS500 are quite standard, similar to the projector itself. With 10 watts of power, they provide enough volume for basic TV viewing, while offering decent sound quality and clarity for mid-range audio like dialogue. They're not enough to deliver cinema-style immersive sound, but they'll get the job done.
The Optoma P1 comes with an integrated NuForce soundbar featuring two mid-range drivers and two dedicated subwoofers for low-frequency sounds. With Dolby 2.0 processing for audio signals and 40 watts of power, both the output volume and overall sound quality far surpass what you'll get from the LS500. You can still connect external speakers if you want to use a surround sound system, but for most users, the soundbar on the Optoma P1 is sufficient.
Better Sound Quality: Optoma P1
Gaming Performance
Input lag refers to the delay between your actions and what you see on the screen. This is a particularly crucial metric for gamers, especially if you're playing reflex-based games like first-person shooters. Serious gamers aim for input lag below 30ms. For more casual gaming, most users won't notice input lag of around 60ms or lower.
Optoma P1 can achieve low input lag of up to 49ms. However, if you use the SmartFIT app or PureMotion technology, that can increase to 75ms, which some gamers may find uncomfortable. Epson LS500 is a much better choice for gaming, with an input lag of 16.7ms that will satisfy even the most demanding gamers.
Better Gaming Performance: Epson LS500
Smart Features
Epson LS500 features a user-friendly operating system for streaming, allowing you to wirelessly cast content from iOS and Android devices as well as stream directly to apps on the projector. It also comes with some support for voice control via Google Assistant, although it's limited to voice search.
Optoma P1 offers more options for smart home owners. It supports voice control through both Alexa and Google Assistant, which you can use to adjust volume or start and stop playback as well as search. Moreover, it's compatible with IFTTT. This allows you to turn it into cooking recipes and custom routines, opening up a wide range of automatic adjustments or voice commands not available on the Epson LS500.
Best Smart Features: Optoma P1
Full Review: Epson LS500 vs. Optoma P1
Epson LS500
With the Epson EpiqVision Ultra LS500, you have everything you need in one box, including a ambient light rejecting screen with wide viewing angles and all the hardware you need to mount it. The ultra-short throw simplifies the setup process. A range of adjustment features, including zoom and both vertical and horizontal digital keystone correction, means you have plenty of flexibility when it comes to projector placement.
Flexibility is another strong point of the Epson LS500. It's an ideal home theater projector, with sharp Ultra HD image, HDR10 processing, and 3LCD chip color technology. It's also a great gaming application, with low input lag and high processing speed to avoid lag and glitches. This makes it a great choice for media rooms, living rooms, and other versatile spaces. The 4,000-lumen lamp is powerful enough to avoid image loss even in ambient light conditions, so you can use the projector anywhere without worrying about light control.
The Epson LS500 uses the Android operating system and intuitive navigation for anyone familiar with streaming interfaces. You can stream content from multiple channels directly to the projector, including popular services like Netflix and Hulu. While its smart functions are somewhat limited, it supports voice search via Google Assistant and Chromecast for direct streaming from Android or iOS devices.
Optoma P1
Optoma P1
The Optoma P1 becomes the ideal centerpiece for any home theater or smart multimedia room. It offers users plenty of options to integrate it into a smart network, with support for both Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant as well as IFTTT. When you're not watching movies, the InfoWall feature allows you to use the Optoma P1 to view daily news, check the weather, or see your calendar. The display information can be easily customized through the Optoma Connect app.
The Optoma P1 is a smart choice even if you're not interested in smart features. The ultra-short throw eliminates the need for ceiling mounting. To adjust the image, you can use the SmartFIT app to automatically correct the picture and there's also an auto-focus feature to fine-tune the image.
Once set up and running, the image quality is very impressive, with true-to-life 4K resolution and high dynamic contrast bringing you stunningly realistic images. The Optoma P1 is also one of the few projectors with on-board sound achieving surprisingly good bass thanks to the dual subwoofers on the NuForce soundbar.
The Optoma P1 can be used for casual gaming if you disable features like SmartFIT that increase input lag, but it's not what we'd call a 'gaming projector'. It's designed for movies and TV viewing and that's where it excels, with a user-friendly interface and superior image quality.
Final Verdict
Both Epson LS500 and Optoma P1 offer numerous advantages. If you want something that can be used for both watching movies and gaming, then Epson LS500 is your best choice. It's also a more convenient option as it comes with a screen and supports more options for streaming content.
However, remember that the screen included with the LS500 is not entirely free. Optoma P1 is significantly cheaper than the LS500, so if budget is a factor (or if you already have a screen), then it will be a more attractive option. Smart home users will also find Optoma P1 more suitable for their needs.
The good news is, whether you purchase Optoma P1 or Epson LS500, you'll get a user-friendly projector with superior image quality and plenty of flexibility. We hope this comparison has helped you determine which one is the best fit for you!
