Before we even delve into this projector's specs, the most important and standout metric with the EMP-S1 is its extremely humble $1,999 price tag, which when compared to the usual $5-10K standard for home cinema, puts the EMP-S1 well within reach of people for whom home video projection was merely a dream.

With such an amazingly low RRP it's obvious that certain concessions have been made under the hood, but it doesn't mean it's a bad projector. In fact, with a few modifications that negate some of these cons the EMP-S1 is actually a fabulous projector and well worth the initial outlay of two grand.

The EMP-S1's native resolution is only 800 x 600, which is more than adequate for DVD or TV projection, but is somewhat lacking for PC gaming. That said, it will display at 1,024 x 768 and although you take a slight hit in image quality there's nothing quite like GTA Vice City taking up the lounge-room wall.

Which brings me to one of the greatest features of the EMP-S1. It has an amazingly wide image size for its throw distance compared to other projectors we've used, which means that even in smallish rooms you'll get quite a large image from it. The downside to this feature is that the pixels are quite noticeable.

At 1,200 ANSI lumens the EMP-S1 is not the brightest projector on the block, but it's more than adequate with the lights off and the curtains drawn. It also offers a 400:1 contrast ratio which is quite good, although we found the colours had a tendency to wash out slightly.

Its lamp-life is rated at 2,000 hours and replacements cost only $349.

While this may seem costly now, 2,000 hours at one two-hour movie a night still gives you well over two-and-a-half years of usage.

At only $1,999 the Epson EMP-S1 is a true alternative to a large-screen TV that these days can cost far more. It's entry-level for sure, but certainly a viable option for the AV enthusiast on a budget.