EPSON POWERLITE Cinema 500 User Guide

EPSON® PowerLite® Cinema 500

Home Theater Projector

User’s Guide

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, without the prior written permission of SEIKO EPSON CORPORATION. The information contained herein is designed only for use with this EPSON product. EPSON is not responsible for any use of this information as applied to other products.

Neither SEIKO EPSON CORPORATION nor its affiliates shall be liable to the purchaser of this product or third parties for damages, losses, costs, or expenses incurred by purchaser or third parties as a result of: accident, misuse, or abuse of this product or unauthorized modifications, repairs, or alterations to this product, or (excluding the U.S.) failure to strictly comply with SEIKO EPSON CORPORATION’s operating and maintenance instructions.

SEIKO EPSON CORPORATION shall not be liable for any damages or problems arising from the use of any options or any consumable products other than those designated as Original EPSON Products or EPSON Approved Products by SEIKO EPSON CORPORATION.

EPSON is a registered trademark of SEIKO EPSON CORPORATION. EPSON Extra Care, EPSON Connection and EPSON Store are service marks, and PrivateLine and PowerLite are

registered trademarks of Epson America, Inc. DCDi is a registered trademark of Faroudja, a division of Genesis Microchip, Inc. HDMI is a trademark of HDMI Licensing, LLC. Pixelworks and DNX are trademarks of Pixelworks, Inc. General Notice: Other product names used herein are for identification purposes only and may be trademarks of

their respective owners. EPSON disclaims any and all rights in those marks.

CPD-17304R1

Introduction 7

Registration and Warranty 7 Projector Parts 8 Projection Controls 9 Optional Accessories 10 Using This Manual 11

Getting More Information 11

Setting Up the Projector 13

Choosing a Location 13 Connecting the Cables 15

Making Other Connections 16 Installing the Cable Cover 17

Displaying and Adjusting the Image 18

Focusing and Zooming the Image 18 Inverting and Mirroring the Image 19 Selecting the Input Signal Setting 19 Positioning the Image 20 Performing Keystone Correction 20

Basic Operation 21

Turning On the Projector 21

Turning the Projector Off 22 Selecting the Image Source 22 Choosing the Aspect Ratio 23 Choosing the Color Mode 24 Locking the Projector 25

Making Adjustments 27

Using the Menu System 27

Changing How the Menu Displays 28 Adjusting the Image Quality 29

Brightness and Contrast Settings 29

Sharpness and Picture Quality Settings 31

Color Settings 32

Adjustments for Computer Images 33 Saving and Resetting Menu Selections 34

Creating Memory Settings 34

Recalling Memory Settings 34

Resetting the Projector 35 Customizing Projector Features 36

Image Sizing 36

Screen Options 37

Connectivity 38

Using Cinema Color Editor 41

Setting Up Your Computer 41

Using Cinema Color Editor 45

4 Contents

Other Setup Options 38

System Requirements 41

Installing the Software 42

Connecting With a Serial or USB Cable 43

Connecting With a Network Cable 44

Remote Control Operations 46

Adjusting the Picture Quality 47

Adjusting the Color 48

Saving and Recalling Picture Settings 49

Managing Your Settings 51

Maintenance 53

Cleaning the Lens 53 Cleaning the Projector Case 53 Cleaning and Replacing the Air Filter 54 Changing the Remote Control’s Batteries 55 Storing the Projector 55 Transporting the Projector 56 Replacing the Lamp 56

Resetting the Lamp Usage Timer 58 Checking the Projector Status 58

Problem Solving 59

What To Do When the Lights Flash 59 Solving Picture Problems 60 Solving Remote Control Problems 64 Where To Get Help 65

Specifications 67

General 67 Lamp 67 Remote Control 67 Dimensions 68 Electrical 68 Environmental 68 Safety 68 Compatible Video Formats 69 Image Size and Aspect Ratio Settings 70

Contents 5

Notices 73

Important Safety Information 73 Remote Control Information 74 FCC Compliance Statement 75 Declaration of Conformity 76 Epson America, Inc., Limited Warranty 76

Index 79

6 Contents

Introduction

The EPSON® PowerLite® Cinema 500 projector lets you enjoy theater-quality images in the relaxing environment of your own home. Designed especially for home cinema use, it offers these outstanding features:

■ 1280 × 720 resolution, 1200:1 contrast ratio, and up to 1000 lumens for incredibly rich,

sharp images

■ DCDi

■ HDMI

■ True 16:9 wide-format projection

■ Flexible setup configurations, including front or rear projection and ceiling mounted,

■ Adjustable color modes to quickly optimize viewing for different lighting environments,

■ Vertical and horizontal lens shift to position the image without distortion, and electronic

technology by Faroudja and PixelworksTM Digital Natural ExpressionTM

technology to make moving images appear clear and lifelike

port for superior, uncompressed digital video

with a screen trigger port to automatically raise and lower your projection screen

and Cinema Color Editor software for making fine custom color adjustments

zoom and focus for precise image adjustment

■ Parental control using the projector’s Operation Lock

Registration and Warranty

The EPSON PowerLite Cinema 500 comes with a basic two-year carry-in warranty. For details, see page 76.

In addition, for customers who register their projector, EPSON offers free Extra Care Service. In the unlikely event of an equipment failure, you won’t have to wait for your unit to be repaired. Instead, EPSON will ship you a replacement unit anywhere in the United States or Canada, usually via overnight delivery. See your Extra Care Home Service brochure for details.

To register, simply fill out the registration card that came with your projector and mail it to EPSON. Or you can register online at http://www.epson.com/webreg. Registering also lets you receive special updates on new accessories, products, and service.

Home

Projector Parts

Control panel

Lamp cover

Ventilation slots

Adjustable foot

HDMI port

Vertical lens shift knob

Horizontal lens shift knob

Lens cover

Infrared receiver

Video port

S-Video port

USB port

Input A ports

D4 port (used

mainly in

Japan)

Kensington

lock port

Input B ports

8 Projector Parts

Network port

Infrared receiver

Trigger out port

AC power inlet

Control (RS-232C) port

Projection Controls

Zoom button

Lamp light

Power button

Temperature

light

Menu button

Displays the projector’s menus

Memory button

Recalls custom picture settings

Menu navigation buttons Menu selection/Line menu

Selects menu items or opens Line Menu

Menu navigation buttons

Focus

button

Menu button

Displays the on-screen menu

Source button

Switches the video input source

Aspect button

Changes the picture’s aspect ratio

Esc button

Exits the current menu item

Keystone correction buttons

Corrects the shape of a non-rectangular image

On/Off buttons

Color Mode button

Optimizes viewing for different lighting environments

Aspect button

Changes the picture’s aspect ratio

ESC button

Exits the current menu item

Blank button

Turns off the screen image

Pattern button

Displays test patterns to adjust the image

Source buttons

Switch between equipment connected to the projector

Zoom and Focus buttons

Illumination button

Lights the buttons on the remote control

Projection Controls 9

Optional Accessories

EPSON provides the following optional accessories for the projector:

Product Part number

Replacement lamp (ELPLP28) V13H010L28 Air filter replacement (ELPAF04) V13H134A04 Ceiling mount ELPHB01 Kensington security lock ELPSL01 Macintosh

and desktop adapter) S-video cable ELPSV01

You can purchase many of these accessories from your dealer, by calling EPSON at (800) 873-7766, or by visiting the EPSON Store (U.S. sales only). In Canada, please call (800) 463-7766 for dealer referral.

adapter set (includes monitor adapter

ELPAP01

at www.epsonstore.com

10 Optional Accessories

Using This Manual

This book contains all the information you need to use the projector, in addition to basic setup and maintenance instructions, troubleshooting tips, important safety instructions, specifications, and warranty information.

Please follow these guidelines as you read through the manual:

Warnings: Must be followed carefully to avoid bodily injury.

Cautions: Must be observed to avoid damage to your equipment.

Notes: Contain important information about your projector.

Tips: Contain helpful projection tips.

Getting More Information

Need additional help? Take advantage of EPSON’s automated support services 24 hours a day at http://support.epson.com. Use this site to download FAQs or product information and e-mail your questions to EPSON support.

If you need more help, you can use the EPSON PrivateLine (800) 637-7661 and enter the PIN on the PrivateLine support card that came with your projector.

Support service. Call

Using This Manual 11

12 Using This Manual

Setting Up the Projector

Follow the instructions in this section to choose a location for the projector, connect the cables, and display and adjust the image.

Choosing a Location

You can install the projector for various viewing setups, as shown below.

Front/Ceiling

Front

If you install the projector in a rear or overhead position, you’ll need to flip and/or mirror the image by selecting the correct Projection option (see page 19). For overhead projection, you’ll also need to install the optional ceiling mount bracket (see page 10 for ordering information).

For all setups, it’s best to place the projector at a height where its lens is between the top and bottom of the screen. That way, you can keep the projector level and use the vertical lens shift knob to position the image. This produces the best-looking picture.

If you place the projector above or below screen level, you’ll have to tilt it up or down to aim the image at the screen; this distorts the shape of the image, but you can correct its shape using the projector’s Keystone function (see page 20).

Rear/Ceiling

Rear

If you place the projector off to the side, aim it straight ahead (rather than at the center of the screen), then use the horizontal lens shift knob to center the image. Do not place the projector farther to the left or right than the edge of the screen, or you will not be able to project a square (or rectangular) image.

Vertical lens shift knob

Horizontal lens shift knob

The maximum size of the image is determined by the distance from the projector’s lens to the screen. Depending on how you use the Zoom and other settings, the actual size may be smaller. Use this table as a rough guide for projector placement:

Projection distance Maximum image size (16:9)

2.9 feet 30 in. (26 × 14 in.)

3.9 feet 40 in. (34 × 19 in.)

5.9 feet 60 in. (52 × 29 in.)

7.9 feet 80 in. (69 × 39 in.)

9.9 feet 100 in. (87 × 49 in.)

19.9 feet 200 in. (174 × 98 in.)

29.9 feet 300 in. (261 × 147 in.)

Also keep these considerations in mind:

■ Make sure there is plenty of space for ventilation around and under the projector. Do not

set the projector on top of loose materials that could block the vents underneath.

■ Make sure the projector is within 10 feet of a grounded electrical outlet or extension cord.

14 Choosing a Location

Connecting the Cables

You can connect the projector to any type of video equipment, such as a VCR, DVD player, digital tuner, cable or satellite box, video game console, camcorder, or digital camera. You can also connect it to a desktop or laptop PC or Apple

You can connect up to five pieces of video equipment at the same time, using any of the commercially available cables shown below:

Port name Video equipment connection Computer connection

HDMI Use an HDMI cable: Use an HDMI cable:

Macintosh® system.

Input A or

Input B

Component video terminals

S-Video Use an S-video cable: —

Video Use an RCA video cable: —

Use a component video cable (with RCA-style connectors):

Connect the cable to the three component video terminals on the left, as shown. Be sure to match corresponding colors between the cable and the terminals.

Select YCbCr, YPbPr, or RGB-Video as the Input Signal setting (see page 19).

Use a VGA-to-BNC monitor cable, and attach RCA adapters to each of the five BNC connectors:

When connecting the cable, use the marking on each connector as a guide to match it to the correct terminal on the projector.

Select RGB as the Input Signal setting (see page 19).

Note: For details on compatible video formats, see page 69.

Connecting the Cables 15

For best results, connect your video equipment to the HDMI (High-Definition Multimedia Interface) port, if possible. If your equipment doesn’t support HDMI, connect it to one of the following ports (highest quality listed first): Input A or B (for component video), S-Video, or Video (for composite video).

Connect video equipment to one of these ports

Connect a computer to one of these ports

If you connect to the Input A or B port, be sure to select the correct Input Signal setting for your equipment, or the image may not display properly (see page 19).

Making Other Connections

Connect the power cable and other cables described below, depending on how you plan to use the projector.

■ Power cable

Plug the power cable into the projector and a grounded electrical outlet. The P power

light on the projector’s control panel turns orange when the projector is receiving power

and is in standby mode.

16 Connecting the Cables

■ Control (RS-232C), USB, or network port

Connect a computer to one of these ports to use the Cinema Color Editor software.

See pages 43 and 44 for details.

Caution: Be sure to install the Cinema Color Editor software before connecting a USB cable.

See page 42

■ Trigger out port

This port outputs a 12-volt DC signal when the projector

is turned on. This lets a central control system monitor

whether the projector is on or off, and can be used to raise

or lower your projection screen automatically when the

projector is in use.

Connect a 3.5-mm mini jack to the port, as shown.

Installing the Cable Cover

Once you’ve connected all the cables, you can install the cover to conceal them from view.

1. Turn the projector upside-down.

2. Press the cover firmly into place, as shown.

3. Tighten the thumbscrews on the cover, then

return the projector to its upright position.

Note: If the projector is to be ceiling-mounted, you can change the direction of the EPSON logo plate. Use the eraser-end of a pencil or similar tool to push in on the side of the plate closer to the ventilation slots. Rotate the plate as needed, then press it back into place.

Connecting the Cables 17

Displaying and Adjusting the Image

Make sure your video or computer equipment is turned on, then turn on the projector as described on page 21. If necessary, select the correct source to display the image (see page 22).

Note: If you turn on the connected equipment before starting the projector, the projector automatically detects and displays the image. If you turn on the projector first, or have multiple pieces of connected equipment, you may have to select the source manually.

If an image does not appear, check the troubleshooting tips on page 61.

Focusing and Zooming the Image

Follow the steps below to adjust the sharpness or size of the image.

Note: Before starting, you may want to display a test pattern to facilitate adjustment. Press the

Pattern button on the remote control, then select Cross-hatching.

1. Press the Focus or Zoom button on the projector or remote control.

You see this screen:

2. Use the arrow buttons to adjust the image.

Note: If you use the remote control, you can stand close to the screen while focusing the

image. This lets you adjust the picture more precisely.

3. Press ESC when done.

18 Displaying and Adjusting the Image

Inverting and Mirroring the Image

If the image is displayed upside-down or backward, select the correct Projection option:

1. Press the

2. Use the menu navigation buttons to open the

menu, then open the

Projection.

Menu button on the remote control.

Setting

Screen menu, and then select

button

3. Choose from these options:

■ Front if the projector is located in front of the

screen (for example, on a table).

■ Front/Ceiling if the projector is located in front

of the screen and mounted overhead.

■ Rear if the projector is located behind the screen.

■ Rear/Ceiling if the projector is located behind

navigation

buttons

the screen and mounted overhead.

Selecting the Input Signal Setting

If you’re using the projector’s Input A or Input B port, select the correct setting for the type of equipment you’ve connected to it:

1. Press the

2. Use the menu navigation buttons to open the

menu, and then select Input A or Input B (depending on the port to which you’ve

connected the equipment).

Menu button on the remote control.

Setting menu, then open the Input Signal

3. Choose from these options:

■ YCbCr if your video player outputs an NTSC signal.

■ YPbPr if your video player outputs an HDTV signal.

■ RGB-Video if your video player outputs an RGB video signal.

■ RGB if the image is coming from a computer.

Note: If you’re unsure which setting to use, check the label next to the port on your video

equipment.

Displaying and Adjusting the Image 19

Positioning the Image

If the image is not centered on the screen, use the horizontal and vertical lens shift knobs to adjust its position.

Note: You can display a test pattern to facilitate adjustment. Press the Pattern button on the remote control, then select Cross-hatching.

Vertical lens shift knob

Horizontal lens shift knob

Adjustable feet

If you still need to raise the height of the image after using the vertical lens shift knob, lift the front of the projector and rotate the adjustable feet until the image is positioned correctly. You can also use the feet to correct the angle of the image if it’s tilted.

Performing Keystone Correction

If the projected image looks like or , use the Keystone function to correct its shape.

Note: If the image is shaped like or , the projector has been placed off to the side of the screen and angled toward it. Face the projector straight ahead (instead of at the center of the screen), then use the horizontal lens shift knob to center the image.

To perform keystone correction, press the arrow buttons on the projector, or access the menu system as follows:

1. Press the

2. Use the menu navigation buttons to open the

menu, then open the

Keystone.

3. Use the arrow buttons to adjust the shape of the

image.

4. Press the

20 Displaying and Adjusting the Image

Menu button on the remote control.

Screen menu, and then select

Menu button when done.

Setting

button

navigation

buttons

Basic Operation

Make sure the projector is set up as described on page 13, then follow the instructions below to turn it on and display an image.

Turning On the Projector

1. Remove the lens cap.

2. Press the

Power button on the projector.

Note: If this is your first time using the remote control,

make sure batteries are installed as described on page 55.

To keep children from turning on the projector, you can use

the projector’s Operation Lock (see page 25).

The projector takes about 30 seconds to warm up and

display an image. If you don’t see a picture, you may

need to change the image source as described on the

next page.

On button on the remote control, or press the

Turn on the projector

Turning the Projector Off

To turn off the projector, press the Off button on the remote control (or press the Power button on the projector twice). Let the projector cool while the Ppower light flashes (about 30 seconds). Once the light stops flashing and stays on, it’s safe to unplug the projector.

Caution: Turn the projector off when not in use. Continuous 24-hour-a-day use may reduce its overall life. Never unplug the projector without turning it off and letting it cool as described above, or you could damage it and reduce lamp life.

Selecting the Image Source

The Source buttons let you switch between images from different pieces of equipment connected to the projector (such as a DVD player, cable or satellite box, or video game console).

If you don’t see the image you want, press the

Source button that corresponds to the port to

which your video source is connected. For example:

To select the image source connected to the Video port . . .

Note: Do not press the Input A or B button repeatedly, or you will change the Input Signal setting. If the screen colors don’t look right, make sure the correct Input Signal is selected (see page 19).

If you’re projecting in a darkened room, press the button (located near the bottom of the remote control). This lights up the buttons on the remote control.

To temporarily turn off the image and darken the screen (without turning off the projector), press the Blank button. Press the Blank button again to return to normal viewing.

...press the Video button

22 Selecting the Image Source

Choosing the Aspect Ratio

In many cases, video signals are automatically resized to fit on your screen when Auto is selected as the Aspect setting. If you’re viewing images through the Input A or B port, you may need to change the size of the image (or aspect ratio) by pressing the the remote control.

■ If your video source is connected to the projector’s HDMI, S-Video, or Video port, select

Auto to automatically display your image in the correct size.

■ If the Auto option is unavailable (when the source is connected to the Input A or B port),

you’ll most likely want to choose one of these settings:

Normal for standard TV broadcasts, computer images, or images having a 4:3 aspect

ratio.

Zoom for images recorded in 16:9 (wide-screen) format.

4:3 image using Normal setting 16:9 image using Zoom setting

Aspect button on

You can also select from these options:

■ Wide if you want to expand a 4:3 image to 16:9 so it fills the whole screen. This stretches

only the right and left sides of the image; the central part is unchanged.

■ Squeeze for DVDs or video recordings made in a compressed (or anamorphic) 16:9

format, sometimes called “Squeeze Mode.”

■ Through if your image is smaller than 1280 × 720 pixels and you want to display it at its

original pixel size without resizing it to fit on the screen.

■ Squeeze Through if your image is recorded in Squeeze Mode, is smaller than

1280 × 720 pixels, and you want to display it at its original pixel size.

Note: If you display a 4:3 image using the Zoom setting, the edges of the image will be cut off. You can use the Zoom Caption option and other settings to resize and reposition the image to your liking (see page 36).

For details on how the projector resizes the picture when you choose an Aspect setting, see page 70.

Choosing the Aspect Ratio 23

Choosing the Color Mode

You can change the Color Mode to automatically adjust brightness, contrast, and color, letting you quickly optimize the projected image for various lighting environments. You can also select a different color mode for each input source—which is useful if you view different types of images from different sources. (For example, you might set the S-Video source to

Living Room if it’s usually used for watching movies, and set the Video source to Dynamic

for playing video games.) Select the image source you want to adjust, then press the

Color Mode button on the remote

control. Choose from these settings:

■ Dynamic for projecting images with vivid color in brightly lit rooms.

■ Living Room for projecting images with vivid color under ordinary room lighting.

■ Natural for projecting in subdued lighting; increases contrast and makes flesh tones

appear more natural.

■ Theatre for projecting in subdued lighting; enhances the appearance of movies with dark

scenes.

■ Theatre Black for projecting in fully darkened rooms.

■ sRGB for projecting computer images that conform to the sRGB color standard.

Note: You can fine-tune the color and other image quality settings using the projector’s menu system (see page 29) or the Cinema Color Editor software (see page 41). You can also create your own customized groups of settings (see page 34).

24 Choosing the Color Mode

Locking the Projector

The projector includes various lock settings to prevent the image from being accidentally changed once it’s adjusted, and to keep children from using the projector without adult supervision.

To access the lock settings, follow these steps:

1. Press the

Menu button on the remote control.

2. Use the menu navigation buttons to open the

menu, then open the Operation menu, and then

select

Lock Setting.

3. Choose from these options:

■ Focus Lock to prevent the focus from being

changed.

■ Zoom Lock to prevent the picture size from

being changed.

■ Operation Lock to disable all the buttons on the

projector’s control panel. To operate the projector, you must use the remote control.

Setting

button

navigation

buttons

Locking the Projector 25

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