The ViewSonic M2 is tiny for a projector — in regards to the measurement and form of a small cake. Copper-colored flan, perhaps. Aside from the tote-friendly measurement, a few distinctive options set it other than the pack. Built-in streaming lets it mission your favourite Netflix and Amazon Prime reveals nearly anyplace. And it may possibly run off an non-compulsory battery, offering a giant image on the go.
LikeCompact, trendy designBuilt-in streamingCan run off a USB-C battery pack
Don’t LikeWorse image than others at this priceStreaming choices aren’t niceBattery not included
Unfortunately the M2’s image high quality comes up brief for the worth. The colour is inaccurate, you possibly can’t disable the Soap Opera Effect and it is a lot dimmer than the Epson EF-100 ($800 at Amazon), one other compact projector I reviewed not too long ago. Its distinction ratio and total image high quality are considerably worse than the BenQ HT2050A, my favourite residence theater PJ underneath $1,000. Neither of these projectors can run off a battery, nonetheless, and each are a lot bigger.Since the M2 is a bit completely different, its mediocre efficiency must be weighed towards its comfort and flexibility. This little unit can simply slot in a backpack and, tethered to a telephone for Wi-Fi, may give you Netflix-on-a-tent underneath the celebrities. That’s fairly cool.
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Basic specsNative decision: 1,920×1,080HDR-compatible: No4K-compatible: No3D-compatible: YesLumens spec: 1,200Zoom: NoLens shift: NoLamp life (Normal mode): 30,000 hoursThe M2, like most sub-$1,000 projectors, is neither 4K nor HDR-compatible. Surprisingly, it does work with 3D sources nonetheless. The $34 PGD-350 glasses are out of inventory on ViewSonic’s web site, however there are alternatives on Amazon that ought to work.Unlike most residence projectors, the M2 does not use a UHP (extremely excessive strain) lamp. Instead it makes use of LEDs. There are professionals and cons to LED-based projectors. On one hand, the M2 is rated to last as long as 30,000 hours, or about 20 years for those who watch it 4 hours day-after-day. That’s considerably longer than even the longest-lived UHP lamps. The tradeoff, nonetheless, is brightness. While many projectors at this value are rated to 3,000 or extra lumens, the M2 is rated to 1,200 — and I measured what calculates out to 349 (it is regular for a projector to measure lower than what it claims). Since the M2 wasn’t supposed to fill a house theater-sized display screen, this is not a direct dealbreaker however it definitely has an impact on picture high quality.
There’s no zoom in any respect on the M2. Instead ViewSonic intends so that you can transfer the projector farther from the display screen in order for you a bigger picture and vice versa. In what’s a primary for any projector I’ve reviewed, there is not even a spotlight management. Instead, it has autofocus like a digital camera. That’s a fantastic thought and in observe works moderately nicely, if a little bit slowly. You can regulate it “manually,” however that choice remains to be motorized and requires you to make use of the distant. I did not really feel like I used to be in a position to get it as sharply targeted as I might have with bodily, handbook management. The edges of the person DLP mirrors weren’t as sharp as they are often with different DLP projectors, however the blurring was slight and never sufficient to have an effect on the picture from a traditional viewing distance.In yet one more nod towards the M2’s portability, there’s an “Adjuster Foot” that levers up the entrance of the projector to permit closer-than-normal positioning to a wall or display screen. You can even use it like a deal with to hold the projector. The draw back to this sort of angled placement is that it requires digital keystone adjustment to make an oblong (as an alternative of trapezoidal) picture. All keystone changes cut back picture high quality, however in a conveyable projector, generally placement choices are restricted. The vary of the Adjustor Foot is way larger than comparable choices on different projectors, letting you get the projector aimed upward at 45-degrees from a tabletop, if that you must.
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Connectivity and convenienceHDMI inputs: 1 (HDMI 2.0)PC enter: NoUSB port: 1 USB-A (2A energy), 1 USB-C (energy and video)Audio enter and output: 3.5mm audio outputDigital audio output: NoLAN port: No (Wi-Fi by way of included dongle)12v set off: NoRS-232 distant port: NoMHL: NoDistant: Not backlitIf you need to use the M2 with out plugging it into an influence outlet you may want a USB-C battery pack (ViewSonic does not embody one). In this mode the brightness in Full mode will probably be 50% dimmer, and 30% dimmer in Eco mode. ViewSonic claims that you will get about 2 hours of film time for those who use a 10,000 mAh pack just like the Mophie powerstation PD XL. Read extra: Best moveable chargers and energy banks in 2020The M2 has a single HDMI enter, which is HDMI 2.0, although the projector can solely settle for 1080p and never 4K. Having just one HDMI enter is not actually a limitation with any projector, particularly not one like this with a number of different methods to obtain content material. The USB-A connector has sufficient energy to simply run a streaming stick, like Roku or Amazon Fire TV, for those who do not need to use the interior apps. If you’ve gotten a tool that is able to sending video over USB-C, the M2 can settle for that and show it. Double examine that your telephone can earlier than you contemplate this as an choice. As evidenced by a brand on the facet, the audio on the M2 was co-developed by Harman Kardon. Two audio system solely have three watts every for energy, which is not a lot, however they will fill a small room and really sound fairly good for small audio system. Alternately you join a Bluetooth speaker to the M2.There’s even Alexa and Google Assistant compatibility. Though saying “Hey Google, talk to ViewSonic to Mute” appears cumbersome sufficient I’d simply use the distant, to be sincere.The distant itself is not backlit and total is moderately easy. There’s additionally the vRemote cellular app, nonetheless, it requires registration to make use of which looks as if a moderately nonsense requirement to connect with a product you have already bought.
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The M2 has built-in entry to the Aptoide app retailer, a kind of variant on the Google App Store. I used to be capable of finding and obtain Netflix and Amazon Prime, however couldn’t discover Vudu, HBO Max or Hulu. I’m at all times cautious of third celebration app shops, even these primarily based on Android, since by their nature they’ve extra restricted choices. If you need to go down the rabbit gap, there are intensive directions within the proprietor’s handbook how you can set up third celebration Android apps.One odd difficulty is that the interior app for Netflix solely streams in commonplace definition, leading to a noticeably gentle image. The M2 additionally has the power to reflect iOS and Android screens, although this is not fairly the workaround for lacking apps as you would possibly hope. The display screen is mirrored proper up till the second you press play on a video — in Vudu or Netflix for instance — after which the projector’s display screen blanks out.In the top connecting a streaming stick with the M2’s HDMI and USB energy ports is a greater method to get entry to all of your streaming choices. Picture high quality comparisons
Compared to the ViewSonic M2, the BenQ is a really typical projector. It’s my favourite for picture high quality at this value, designed for a house theater atmosphere and massively sized subsequent to the opposite two. The Epson EF-100 is extra of a direct competitor to the M2, with built-in streaming and a small, moveable design. All are in an identical value vary, nonetheless, so that they’re truthful sport for a picture high quality shootout. I related all three to a Monoprice 1×4 distribution amplifier and considered them on a 102-inch 1.0-gain display screen. First impressions doubtless go as you’d count on given the numbers talked about above. The Epson with its laser mild engine and BenQ with its UHP lamp are noticeably brighter than the LED-powered M2. Given that it is a lot smaller and may run off a battery in a pinch, this is not an enormous knock. But for those who’re not planning on transferring the projector fairly often, there are different choices that can work higher in a house. While a 100-inch picture is feasible, the M2 seems to be much better on a smaller display screen to take greatest benefit of what mild it may possibly produce.
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The second most noticeable factor, not less than between the Epson and the M2, is how a lot smaller the pixels are on the latter. The EF-100’s decision is simply 1,280×800, in comparison with the 1,920×1,080 (1080p) of the M2 and HT2050A. On its personal, and likewise contemplating the moveable nature of the EF-100, that is not an enormous deal. Side-by-side-by-side with 1080p projectors, it is extra noticeable and some extent within the M2’s favor. That is, so long as the picture is massive sufficient, otherwise you’re sitting shut sufficient.The distinction ratio between the EF-100 and M2 is principally the identical and each regarded pretty flat, with shiny black ranges in comparison with the HT2050A. On the Epson these ranges seem far increased, after all, as a result of that projector has practically 5x the sunshine output of the M2.These points on their very own, whereas crucial, do not affect the viewing expertise as a lot as you would possibly count on. I’d assume most individuals shopping for the M2 aren’t prioritizing picture high quality for the cash. Instead they’re on the lookout for one thing that may slot in a backpack for a film night time exterior someplace, or whereas they’re stress-free of their yard on a heat summer season night time.That stated, there are two significantly noticeable points to the efficiency that stored bugging me. The first is the colour. Most projectors on this value vary have pretty inaccurate colours, particularly inexperienced, however the M2 is completely different. Differently inaccurate anyway. Green is definitely fairly correct, as are yellow and teal. Red and blue, nonetheless, actually stand out. Both look oversaturated and synthetic, nearly cartoony.
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Take Steve Carell’s uniform within the Netflix present Space Force. It’s bluer than any material I’ve ever seen. Even the Netflix brand, not one thing you often take into consideration, is an nearly electrical crimson. The service ribbons on the uniforms are one other instance, the place yellows and greens appear regular however then a phase of pink or blue vividly stands out. Some of that is adjustable within the person menu, however as you may see within the measurement notes under, I used to be unable even with specialised tools, to dial them again to actuality. The second is that there’s a Soap Opera Effect smoothness to movement with the M2. There is not any choice for it within the menu, nor any point out of it within the proprietor’s handbook. It’s delicate, however for those who’re like me and actually dislike the impact, it is fairly noticeable.Conclusion: Pancake on the goDespite its image high quality points I truly just like the M2 so much. It’s tiny, can run off a battery and has first rate sounding inside audio system. It even comes with a small carrying case, letting you throw it right into a bag to take to a buddy’s home or on a hike for a film night time out within the wild. For that, it really works nice, particularly for those who join your individual media streamer. But for one thing with a extra everlasting place in your house, there are higher choices for a similar cash.
The moveable ViewSonic M2 is kinda cute (for a projector)
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Geek Box
Test
Result
Score
Black luminance (0%)
38.7
Poor
Peak white luminance (100%)
0.1
Poor
Derived lumens
349
Poor
Avg. grayscale error (10-100%)
7,291
Poor
Dark grey error (20%)
6,847
Poor
Bright grey error (70%)
7450
Poor
Avg. colour error
6.258
Average
Red error
3.512
Average
Green error
6.965
Average
Blue error
11.211
Poor
Cyan error
5.318
Average
Magenta error
7.256
Poor
Yellow error
3.284
Average
Avg. saturations error
5.69
Poor
Avg. colour checker error
3.9
Average
Input lag (Game mode)
N/A (See Text)
Average
Measurement NotesFor a conveyable projector, there’s much more adjustability within the person menu than I anticipated. In the Movie image mode and the 6500Okay colour temperature mode, the colour temperature was fairly cool. Colors ranged from correct (inexperienced, yellow and teal) to oversaturated (pink and blue). Magenta was each oversaturated and pretty blue. Some adjustment of those have been doable throughout the person menu, however it was nonetheless off sufficient that some colours did not look fairly pure. Color temperature was much more receptive to adjustment and was in a position to fall proper in line throughout the grayscale vary.The Brightness image mode wasn’t any brighter and the colours have been, shall we embrace, otherwise fallacious. Light output and distinction ratio are much more “portable” than “home theater” projector. With the Light Source Level set to Full, the M2 was able to roughly 350 lumens. The Epson EF-100, for comparability, might put out practically 1,500. Eco mode dropped this by about 25%. Contrast ratio was equally unimpressive, at round 376:1. This was barely, although not visibly, larger than that of the Epson. One constructive impact of the decrease mild output was that even on its brightest mode, the M2 may be very quiet.The M2 had an impossibly low enter lag. Low sufficient that I think some kind of error, however was unable to discover a work round. Picture Mode: Movie (or Brightest)Expert settings:Lamp: FullBrightness: 50Contrast: 0Sharpness: 15Color Temp: 6500KGamma: 2.2