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The Epson PowerLite 76c ($999, as of January 18, 2006) is a fine choice for budget-minded business buyers who also want a crossover unit for home use. Rated at 2000 lumens, this 5.7-pound LCD model is bright enough for use in small and medium-size conference rooms with moderate ambient light. Its modest (1-watt) speaker may suffice for adding simple sounds or music effects to presentations, but you'll need a more powerful system if you plan to view movies or TV.
The 76c is well designed for quick plug-and-play presentations and fast getaways. The projector starts up in less than 4 seconds, and Epson's Instant Off feature lets you quickly unplug the 76c after a presentation, with no lamp cool-down period required. Some projectors make you fumble around trying to get a good grip on the lens's focus and zoom rings, but the 76c provides rings with knobs that are easy to access and adjust. Besides carrying the usual assortment of options for analog connections--including computer (VGA) and composite video signals--the 76c has a pass-through connector (for hooking up an external monitor) and a USB port (for providing full mouse control when you use the remote, a helpful option for presentations). You'll need to obtain a USB cable and video cables in order to use some features, however, since the 76c comes bundled with only a VGA cable and a power cord.
In our image quality tests conducted at its standard settings, the 76c posted average scores across the board. Its text images were generally clear and readable, but not quite as crisp or prominent as those from higher-scoring projectors (such as the NEC LT35). Its graphics image scores were similarly pedestrian. In our group photo, skin tones looked a bit harsh and slightly washed out. In our motion tests, the 76c earned a rating of Good, for displaying colorful images with no unwanted artifacts (such as false contours around moving objects). Using the projector's alternate picture modes helped improve the image quality of both video and still graphic images.
The 76c's on-screen menu is straightforward and intuitive. Color adjustments include a host of different preset color modes (for photo, sports, presentation, theatre, game, sRGB, and blackboard), but color temperature options are limited to three choices (high, medium, low). The unit lacks options for adjusting gamma or white level, though you can adjust the individual intensities of red, green, and blue.
The remote includes digital zoom, a pointer (with three different shapes), and a convenient picture mode button for cycling through the many preset choices. Another convenience is a help button that tells you which adjustments to use to correct any problems you're having with the display.
Upshot: The Epson 76c's image quality isn't great, but it delivers as much as some projectors that cost twice as much.
Richard Jantz
