Consumer electronics is a cutthroat world. If you are not enhancing, another person most likely is. Five years in the past, the ViewSonic PX727HD might have been an excellent purchase, however it is not in the present day. Other projectors in its value vary put out brighter photos with extra distinction and higher shade accuracy. They additionally throw in additional options like lens shift and wider zoom ranges. Although not with out its charms, the PX727HD has been left behind by competitors that gives extra for a similar cash.
LikeCompact dimensionLens chin minimizes mild leaks beneath the screenLong lamp life on Eco mode
Don’t LikeDimmer than competitorsWeaker distinction ratioBelow-average zoom vary
For this overview I in contrast the ViewSonic PX727HD side-by-side with two different sub-$1,000 projectors, the BenQ HT2050A and Epson Home Cinema 2150. Of the three, the ViewSonic was the dimmest, with the bottom distinction ratio and the least spectacular general image.
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Basic specs Native decision: 1080pHDR-compatible: No4K-compatible: No3D-compatible: YesLumens spec: 2,000Zoom: Manual (1.3x)Lens shift: NoneLamp life (Normal mode): 4,000 hoursI’ll begin with one factor that is good, and completely different, about this projector: There’s a small lip in entrance of the lens, which I’ll identify the “chin spoiler,” or alternately, “the underbite.” It blocks mild popping out of the lens beneath the place the picture is produced, which might in any other case mild up the wall beneath your display and be a distraction. Neither the BenQ nor the Epson had this, possible on account of their lens shift skills. It’s a small however welcome and intelligent addition. You’ll nonetheless get some mild spill on the perimeters and above the picture, however the chin does assist.
The remainder of the specs are fairly customary. The PX727HD can settle for as much as 1080p. There’s no 4K or HDR, which is typical for this value vary. It is technically a 3D projector, although the $34 glasses are offered out on ViewSonic’s web site. You can discover third-party options on Amazon, nevertheless. ViewSonic claims 2,000 ANSI lumens of brightness and I measured roughly 900. It’s regular for projectors to be dimmer in actual use than their specs declare, however that measurement is way decrease than regular. It’s roughly 45% dimmer than the Epson Home Cinema 2150 and the BenQ HT2050A, for instance. The distinction was apparent throughout my comparability. There’s no lens shift on the PX727HD, which is typical of DLP projectors on this value vary. The BenQ, additionally a DLP projector, is an oddity with a small quantity of lens shift. So the dearth right here is not a unfavourable per se, simply not the additional level the BenQ will get for having it. The LCD-based Epson additionally has lens shift, which is way extra frequent amongst LCD projectors.
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Being in a position to shift the picture on the lens would broaden the PX727HD’s placement choices, that are restricted in its present state. You cannot, for instance, place it behind your couch on a stand. The upwards throw would put the picture in your ceiling. Tilting the projector downward to suit a display, on this similar setup, would end in a trapezoidal picture form. Coffee desk or ceiling mount are the one choices with this ViewSonic and different projectors that lack lens shift. The comparatively slim 1.3x zoom vary is one other subject. To match my 102-inch display, the PX727HD wanted to be nearer than both the Epson or the BenQ. Again, not a large deal, however yet one more means this projector limits your placement choices.
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I’ll finish on one other optimistic be aware: ViewSonic claims to have 4,000-hour lamp life in Normal lamp mode, which is about common. However, within the Dynamic Eco mode, lamp life is a claimed 20,000 hours, which is considerably higher than the competitors. The Epson’s Eco mode, as an example, is 7,500 hours. Unlike most Eco modes, there isn’t any general brightness penalty with the PX727HD. The lamp runs full-bore for vibrant scenes, and ramps down for darkish. Unless such mild degree variations trouble you, there would not appear to be any purpose to not simply go away it on this mode and solely have to switch your lamp each decade or so (operating it 4 hours a day).
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Connectivity and comfort HDMI inputs: 2 (solely 1 with HDCP 1.4)PC enter: Analog RGB (plus 1 output)USB port: 1 (1.5A energy)Audio enter and output: YesDigital audio output: NoLAN port: No12v set off: NoRS-232 distant port: YesMHL: NoRemote: BacklitThere are two HDMI 1.4 inputs and an analog pc enter. Hinting that maybe this projector has some enterprise projector DNA, there’s additionally an analog PC video output. The USB connection can provide 1.5 amps of energy, greater than sufficient to energy a streaming stick just like the Roku. A one-eighth-inch analog audio output will allow you to join a speaker, although in a pinch you should utilize the 10-watt inside speaker. There’s additionally an eighth-inch analog audio enter to go together with the analog PC enter. The distant is backlit in vibrant blue. It has devoted enter buttons, together with devoted buttons for distinction, brightness and a number of other of the image modes, which makes setup a bit simpler.
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Picture high quality comparisons
Right off the bat the ViewSonic struggled to maintain up with these two opponents. I instantly observed it was the dimmest of the three, by so much. The ViewSonic would not seem “dim” by any stretch when seen by itself. But for related cash to the Epson and the BenQ, it is a huge step behind. The Epson, regardless of being LCD, has a greater distinction ratio than the DLP-based ViewSonic. Both are noticeably behind the BenQ on this take a look at, nevertheless, which appears way more pure and appears to have extra depth. It had the bottom black degree of the bunch and tied for finest mild output. The ViewSonic’s shade, too, is behind the others. Take the colourful major colours of one thing like La La Land. They do not look unhealthy with the ViewSonic, however on the opposite two projectors, particularly the BenQ, every shade simply appears stronger. Blue, yellow, and inexperienced attire pop extra on the opposite projectors. And Emma Stone and Ryan Gosling’s pores and skin tones look extra pure, particularly on the BenQ.
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Lastly, there’s the query of rainbows. All single-chip DLP projectors could cause this visible artifact on small vibrant objects, particularly after they transfer. Headlights, streetlamps, flashlights and so forth: They type of smear with a rainbow of colours. It’s transient, and most of the people do not discover it. Of the individuals who do discover it, most do not assume it is a huge deal. Some folks, nevertheless, do discover it and are bothered by it. For these folks, get the Epson as a substitute. The three-chip LCD expertise within the Epson cannot have rainbows. So if you cannot stand rainbows, the slight lower in efficiency will likely be value it. Overall although, the PX727HD simply cannot fairly sustain with the others. It’s not a nasty projector, however it’s outclassed by its equally priced competitors. The exceptionally lengthy lamp life is nice, however with many projectors already lasting a few years between potential lamp replacements, that is not sufficient to offset the decrease brightness and distinction ratios.
Geek Box
Test
Result
Score
Black luminance (0%)
0.11
Poor
Peak white luminance (100%)
100.4
Average
Derived lumens
904
Poor
Avg. grayscale error (10-100%)
2.894
Good
Dark grey error (20%)
1.207
Good
Bright grey error (70%)
3.357
Average
Avg. shade error
3.463
Average
Red error
6.993
Average
Green error
3.669
Average
Blue error
2.703
Good
Cyan error
3.986
Average
Magenta error
1.964
Good
Yellow error
1.461
Good
Avg. saturations error
2.88
Good
Avg. shade checker error
2.5
Good
Input lag (Game mode)
16.5
Good
Measurement notesBefore calibration the PX727HD”s most correct image setting was Movie (Rec 709) mode and it was pretty near D65, with darkish photos being closest, and vibrant photos having an excessive amount of inexperienced. Color factors have been moderately correct, although no shade was significantly shut both. Green was particularly off, being oversaturated and considerably cyan. There was little calibration may do to enhance the state of affairs, regardless of a devoted ISF menu and two devoted ISF modes. Color factors specifically may very well be improved, however solely marginally modified. There are 4 lamp modes on the PX727HD. The TremendousEco Plus mode is finest prevented, because it locks out any shade temperature adjustment, and is kind of cool (bluish). Eco was roughly half as vibrant as Normal. Across these two modes, the distinction ratio averaged a reasonably poor 813:1. Most projectors on this value vary are over 1,000:1, with the higher choices round 2,000:1. Dynamic Eco pairs the intense whites of Normal with the deeper blacks of Eco, various the sunshine output relying on the common image degree of what is on display. The dynamic distinction ratio on this mode is round 3,800:1, although inside a given single picture, the distinction ratio remains to be 813:1. Picture Mode: Movie (Rec 709) Expert settings (urged): Brightness: 51Distinction: -10Color Temp: 6500OkayColor: 0Sharpness: 15Gamma: 2.2Brilliant Color: 5Eco Mode: Dynamic Eco