Epson has announced settlements with AWOL Vision and JMGO, two manufacturers implicated in disputes over exaggerated brightness specifications for their projectors. These legal actions, part of Epson's broader campaign to promote transparency and standardization in the projector industry, have resulted in adjustments to the advertised brightness of several models and a commitment from both companies to adhere to the ISO 21118 standard going forward.

AWOL Vision, a prominent player in the ultra-short throw (UST) projector market, has agreed to restate the brightness of two of its models. The LTV-3000, previously advertised at 3,000 "peak lumens," has been revised to 2,000 ISO lumens. 

Similarly, the LTV-2500’s brightness rating has been reduced from 2,600 to 1,700 ISO lumens. Notably, AWOL's flagship LTV-3500 Pro, listed at 3,000 ISO lumens, was not included in Epson’s action.

JMGO, known for its portable and lifestyle projectors, also revised the brightness specifications of several models. The N1 Ultra, initially promoted at 4,000 ANSI lumens, is now listed at 1,900 ISO lumens. The N1 Pro's rating was reduced from 3,200 ANSI lumens to 1,300 ISO lumens, while the discontinued U2 model dropped from 2,400 ANSI lumens to 1,400 ISO lumens. These changes align with the ISO 21118 standard, an internationally recognized benchmark for measuring projector brightness.

“When projector brands use the same, internationally developed and published standards, it protects consumers and establishes trust within the industry,” said Mike Isgrig, vice president, consumer sales and marketing, Epson America.

“AWOL Vision’s commitment to use internationally published and accepted standards (such as ISO 21118 for White Brightness) moving forward for their entire product line will provide accurate White Brightness information for consumers."

Projector brightness, often expressed in lumens, is a critical specification for consumers making purchasing decisions. Misleading claims in this area can significantly affect user experience, as brightness directly impacts a projector's ability to perform in different lighting conditions and screen sizes.

For years, the projector industry lacked strict regulations, leading to the proliferation of non-standardized brightness measurements like "peak lumens," "LED lumens," or "lux." These metrics often yielded inflated values that made it challenging for consumers to compare products accurately.

The introduction of ISO 21118, which replaced the older ANSI lumens standard, aimed to address these discrepancies. ISO 21118 requires manufacturers to measure and report average brightness values across production samples, thereby reducing reliance on "golden samples" that might not represent typical performance. While an improvement, the standard permits a tolerance of up to 20% below the specified brightness, which can still leave room for discrepancies.

Epson’s legal actions show the importance of reliable and standardized metrics in fostering consumer trust and fair competition. By holding companies accountable for inflated claims, Epson aims to set a precedent for greater industry-wide transparency.

This is not the first time Epson has taken legal measures to address misleading specifications. The company has previously targeted other manufacturers over similar practices. These efforts highlight a recurring issue in the industry, where some brands employ questionable tactics, such as "cheat modes," to boost measured brightness during testing. These modes, designed to inflate results under specific test conditions, do not reflect the projector's actual performance during regular use.

The settlements with AWOL Vision and JMGO mark a significant step toward standardization. Both companies have committed to using the ISO 21118 standard for future products, providing consumers with more accurate and comparable information.

For consumers, understanding brightness specifications and their measurement methods remains crucial. ISO lumens, derived from the ISO 21118 standard, offer a reliable benchmark for evaluating projector performance. Shoppers should be cautious of alternative metrics that lack standardization and opt for products from reputable brands that adhere to recognized guidelines.