Epson Lifestudio Grand Plus (LS970) Hands-On: 4000 Lumens, Gemini AI, and Real World Performance

Thinking about replacing your flat-panel TV with something bigger and more immersive? In this video, sponsored by Epson, Phil Jones discusses the new Epson Lifestudio Grand Plus (LS970), one of the brightest ultra-short-throw projectors in its class. Priced at $3,799, the LS970 delivers up to 4,000 lumens, making it a strong option for living rooms and media spaces—even in ambient light. But brightness is only part of the story. This projector combines Epson’s 3LCD technology for equal color and white brightness, with a built-in Bose 2.1 sound system. Most notably, the Lifestudio Grand Plus is one of the first displays to incorporate a TV powered by Gemini AI, which completely changes how you interact with your content. Phil walks through what makes the LS970 unique, how it performs based on real measurements, and what it’s like to live with it day to day. From image quality and HDR performance to gaming responsiveness and smart features, this is a comprehensive look at whether the Lifestudio Grand Plus is ready to replace your TV. For the full written review with detailed measurements and comparisons, visit ProjectorReviews.com. 00:00 – Introduction 00:24 – Overview & Key Specs 01:31 – What Makes It Unique? (3 Key Features) 01:41 – Brightness Performance 01:51 – The Benefits of 3LCD Technology vs DLP 02:42 – Gemini for Google TV Overview 02:56 – How Gemini Changes Content Discovery 04:08 – Design, Size & Placement 04:30 – Connectivity & HDMI Features (4K/120Hz, eARC) 05:15 – Throw Distance & Setup Flexibility 05:39 – Picture Quality Out of the Box 06:41 – Post-Calibration Results (ΔE, Color Accuracy) 07:16 – Real-World Brightness Measurements 08:41 – HDR Performance & Tone Mapping 09:31 – Black Levels & Contrast 10:23 – Gaming Performance 10:50 – Built-in Bose Audio Performance 12:31 – Where to Find the Full Review