Epson just scored another legal win in its ongoing battle against projector makers accused of inflating brightness numbers. This time, it’s AAXA in the hot seat. The company has agreed to cut the advertised brightness of its P6U projector from 1,100 lumens down to 500 lumens—a pretty big drop.

If this sounds familiar, it's because Epson has already taken similar action against other brands like TMY, Comaogo, Dr. J Projectors, AWOL Vision, and JMGO. Each case centers around the same issue: projector companies promoting inflated brightness specs using non-standard metrics that can leave buyers confused and disappointed.

Epson’s complaint focused on AAXA’s use of 1,100 lumens in marketing its P6U projector. According to proper testing using the internationally accepted ISO 21118 standard, that number was way off. The actual white brightness measured closer to 500 lumens—less than half of what was advertised.

As part of the legal settlement, AAXA will not only correct that number but also start using ISO 21118 going forward for its entire lineup. That means future AAXA projectors should include brightness specs that reflect how they’ll actually perform in the real world—not just big numbers designed to grab attention.

Let’s be honest—most of us don’t walk around quoting projector standards like ISO 21118. But if you’re shopping for a projector, brightness is one of the most important things to get right. A projector that claims to hit 1,100 lumens but really delivers only 500 can look dramatically dimmer than expected, especially if you're using it in a well-lit room.

That’s why Epson has been pushing for all brands to stick to the same rulebook. ISO 21118 is the industry-recognized standard for measuring white brightness, and it removes the guesswork. If two projectors both claim 500 lumens under this standard, they should perform similarly—at least in terms of brightness.

Epson also warns consumers to watch out for vague or confusing brightness labels like “Lux,” “LED lumens,” or “Lamp Brightness.” These aren’t standardized terms and can vary wildly between brands, making it nearly impossible to compare products fairly—especially on marketplaces like Amazon where such claims often go unchecked.

Mike Isgrig, vice president of consumer sales and marketing at Epson America, summed it up this way: when all manufacturers use the same international standards, it helps protect consumers and builds trust across the board.

“When projector brands use the same, internationally developed and published standards, it protects consumers and establishes trust within the industry,” said Isgrig. “AAXA’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.”

Now that AAXA has agreed to adopt ISO 21118, it joins a growing list of brands forced to revise misleading claims and stick to proper measurements. For buyers, that means a better chance of getting what you pay for. For the industry, it’s a move toward cleaner competition and less marketing smoke and mirrors.

While this case is a win, the broader projector market—especially the budget segment—is still packed with inflated specs. Many models under $300 continue to advertise brightness levels that don’t line up with real-world performance.

Epson isn’t the only company affected by this trend, but they’ve taken the lead in trying to correct it. And if you’re shopping for a projector, their advice is pretty simple: look for models that list brightness in ANSI lumens or specifically mention ISO 21118. Anything else should raise a red flag.

Epson’s settlement with AAXA is another step toward transparency in the projector space. With AAXA cutting its lumen claims nearly in half and promising to stick to the standard going forward, this case sends a clear message: inflated numbers won’t go unchecked.

For consumers, it’s a reminder to read the fine print and understand what those brightness numbers really mean. And for brands, it’s a warning that the days of getting away with inflated specs might be numbered.