Epson Powerlite Cinema 500 Home Theater Projector Users Guide

							Introduction11
Optional Accessories
Epson provides the following optional accessories for the projector:
You can purchase accessories from an Epson authorized reseller. To find the nearest reseller, 
please call 800-GO-EPSON (800-463-7766). To purchase online, visit www.epsonstore.com 
(U.S. sales only). In Canada, please call (800) 463-7766 for reseller referral.
Registration and Warranty
The Epson PowerLite Cinema 550 comes with a basic two-year carry-in warranty.  For 
details, see page 73.
In addition, for customers who register their projector, Epson offers free Extra Care
SM Home 
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.
Product Part number
Replacement lamp (ELPLP35) V13H010L35
Air filter replacement (ELPAF09) V13H134A09
Projector mount (ELPMB20) V12H003B20
Kensington security lock  ELPSL01
S-video cable ELPSV01 
						

							12Introduction
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.
Need additional help? Take advantage of Epson’s automated support services 24 hours a day 
at http://support.epson.com. Use this site to view FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions) or 
product information and e-mail your questions to Epson support.
If you need more help, you can use the Epson PrivateLine
® Support service. Call 
(800) 637-7661 and enter the PIN on the PrivateLine support card that came with your 
projector.  
						

							Setting Up the Projector13
Setting Up the Projector
Follow the instructions in this section to choose a location for the projector, connect the 
cables, and display an image.
Choosing a Location
You can install the projector for various viewing setups, as shown below. 
Center
CeilingSide 
						

							14Setting Up the Projector
Ideally, 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 dial 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 25).
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 dial to center the image on the screen. Do not place 
the projector too far to the left or right, or your image won’t be rectangular. 
Vertical lens shift dial Horizontal lens shift dial 
						

							Setting Up the Projector15
The maximum size of the image is determined by the distance from the projector’s lens to the 
screen. Depending on your display settings and how you use the Zoom ring, the actual size 
may be smaller. Use this table as a rough guide for projector placement:
To determine the exact image size when you know the projection distance (or the exact 
projection distance when you know the desired image size), you can use the Projection 
Distance Calculator. You can download this program from the Epson website at 
http://support.epson.com. 
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 9.8 feet of a grounded electrical outlet or extension 
cord.
16:9 aspect ratio 4:3 aspect ratio
Projection 
distanceMaximum diagonal 
image sizeProjection 
distanceMaximum diagonal 
image size
2.9 to 4.4 feet 30 in. (26 × 15 in.) 3.5 to 5.3 feet 30 in. (26 × 18 in.)
3.9 to 5.9 feet 40 in. (35 × 20 in.) 4.8 to 7.2 feet 40 in. (32 × 24 in.)
5.9 to 8.9 feet 60 in. (51 × 28 in.) 7.2 to 10.8 feet 60 in. (47 × 35 in.)
7.9 to 11.8 feet 80 in. (71 × 39 in.) 9.7 to 14.5 feet 80 in. (63 × 47 in.)
9.9 to 14.8 feet 100 in. (87 × 47 in.) 12.1 to 18.2 feet 100 in. (79 × 59 in.)
20 to 29.8 feet 200 in. (173 × 98 in.) 24.5 to 36.5 feet 200 in. (161 × 118 in.)
30.1 to 44.8 feet 300 in. (260 × 146 in.) 36.8 to 54.8 feet 300 in. (240 × 181 in.) 
						

							16Setting Up the Projector
Installing the Projector
To install the projector, you first need to determine the location, based on the size of your 
screen (maximum diagonal image size). Use the table on page 15 as a guide to locating the 
projector. Note the following dimensions:
■Distance from the center of the lens to the mounting bracket holes: 2.32 inches (59 mm), 
0.34 inch (8.6 mm) maximum vertical lens shift
■Distance from the center of the lens to the center of the projector: 4.33 inches (110 mm), 
0.30 inch (7.7 mm) maximum horizontal lens shift
The following illustrations show the dimensions of projector:
5.63 in.
4.33 in.
15.98 in. 5.18 
in.2.32 in.
0.75 in. 
0.45 in.
3 in. 11.81 in.2.08 in.
6.3 in. 12.17 in. 
						

							Setting Up the Projector17
You will need the optional projector mount designed for the projector. See page 11 for 
ordering information.
Follow the instructions included with the mount to install the projector, which weighs 
11.5 pounds. The wall or ceiling where you install it must be capable of supporting a weight 
of 58 pounds. 
In addition to the tools supplied with the projector mount, you will need a Phillips head 
screwdriver and a drill to use on the wall or ceiling.
If you install the projector on the ceiling, you will need to 
invert the picture so that it appears right side up. Follow 
these steps:
1. Press the 
Menu button on the remote control.
2. Press the menu navigation buttons to open the 
Settings menu, then select Projection.
3. Use the navigation buttons to select 
Front/Ceiling.
4. Press the 
Menu button when done.
If you are planning to use an AV controller with the projector, 
refer to the table of ESC/VP21 command codes on page 67.
Menu
button
Menu
navigation
buttons 
						

							18Setting Up the Projector
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
® Macintosh® system.
You can connect up to five pieces of video equipment at the same time, using any of the 
commercially available cables shown below:
* For details on compatible video formats, see page 65. 
Port name Video equipment connection* Computer connection*
HDMI Use an HDMI cable:
Input A Use a component video cable 
(with RCA-style connectors):
Connect the cable to the three 
component video ports. Match 
corresponding colors between the 
cable and the ports. 
Select YCbCr (NTSC) or YPbPr 
(HDTV) as the Input Signal setting 
(see page 22).—
Input B — Use a Mini D-sub, 15-pin monitor 
cable to connect to a computer 
RGB (monitor) port
S-Video Use an S-video cable: —
Video Use an RCA video cable: —
Component 
video ports
RGB port 
						

							Setting Up the Projector19
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 (for component video), S-Video, or 
Video (for composite video). 
If you connect to the Input A port, be sure to select the correct Input Signal setting for your 
equipment, or the image may not display properly (see page 22).
Making Other Connections
Connect the power cable and other cables described below, depending on how you plan to 
use the projector.
■Plug the power cable into the projector and a grounded electrical outlet. 
Connect video equipment to the 
HDMI port or one of these portsConnect a computer to one 
of these ports 
						

							20Setting Up the Projector
■The Trigger out 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 Batteries in the Remote Control
The remote control uses 2 AA batteries.
Warning: Keep batteries away from children. If a battery is swallowed, contact your doctor 
immediately.
1. Release the tab and lift open the cover.
2. Insert 2 new AA batteries as shown. 
3. Insert the tab on the cover and press it down until 
it clicks into place.
Aim the remote control at the front or back of the 
projector. Make sure you are within 30 feet of the 
projector with the remote aimed within a 30° angle 
from the infrared receivers.
When you suspect the batteries are weak, take the 
remote control to a darkened room and press the  illumination button. If the buttons do 
not glow red, replace the batteries.