The PJ406D (£550) is ViewSonic’s latest DLP-based projector. The low-cost model is well suited to delivering presentations in business environments or even classrooms and its specifications are impressive considering the unit’s attractive pricing, but home theatre buffs and graphics-intensive users will be left wanting.
The DLP projector delivers relatively high-contrast images in an ultra-portable 2kg package. This compact powerhouse is also loaded with many features found on more expensive models, such as multiple video inputs, zoom lens, digital keystone correction, digital gamma adjustment, auto tuning and HD support (720p and 1080i). Another neat design feature is that due to its compact design (238x211x97mm), the footprint of the PJ406D is approximately the size of an A4 page.
In terms of specifications the PJ406D offers a brightness of 1900 ANSI lumens, 2000:1 contrast ratio, and native resolution of 800x600 (SVGA). If you need a higher resolution, ViewSonic's PJ458D (£899) also has a brightness of 2000 ANSI lumens, 2000:1 contrast ratio, but has a better native resolution of 1024x768 (XGA). And if that doesn’t rock your world, the LCD-based PJ656 (£950) offers a brightness of 2100 ANSI lumens, 400:1 contrast ratio, and native resolution of 1024x768 (XGA).
To give presentations a dynamic boost, multiple data sources may be connected concurrently. Thanks to the zoom function, the projector is suitable for use in numerous types of rooms, with vertical digital keystone correction ensuring depictions remain free of distortion. It can also create a 34.67- to 254-inch (0.88 to 6.46m) screen size from a throw distance of around 1.5- to 10m.
The PJ406D can process a range of video and data signals, including HDTV. When switched to Eco Mode lamp life is extended to 3000 hours, or even 4000 hours on the PJ656. That’s enough for around 2000 or 2600 feature films of average length, respectively. The Eco Mode also ensures these models’ operating noise is kept pleasantly low at 30- to 33dB, but under normal conditions its run louder than average at 37dB (typical). The projector comes with a soft carrying bag, remote control (PJ656 comes with mouse control function), Wizard CD-ROM plus an A/V cable connection set.
Operating the projector is a snap. The on-screen menu allows you to select brightness, contrast, white intensity, colour temperature, sharpness, saturation, H-phase, H/V-position, degamma, aspect ratio, vertical shift (16:9), and even colour setting (red, green, blue, yellow, cyan, magenta).
Of course, you can also select the preferred menu language (English, French, German, Italian, Spanish, Portuguese, Dutch, Simplified Chinese, Traditional Chinese, Japanese, Korean), OSD position, projection (normal, H:invert,V:invert, H/V:invert), keystone, source lock, high altitude, translucence, volume, reset, projection hour, lamp hour, lamp reset, lamp reminding, whisper mode, auto power off, as well as sleep timer.
Connectivity options are relatively plentiful considering the reasonable price of the projector. Sitting at the back of the unit is an analogue 15-pin mini D-sub (VGA), 4-pin mini DIN (S-Video), RCA composite video jack, 3.5mm stereo mini jack, and VGA-out port. A 15-pin mini D-sub to x3 RCA component video adapter is optional, but there’s no support for Bluetooth, Ethernet or 802.11x networking. At the top of the unit is a pair of built-in 2.0-Watt stereo speakers. Input signals supported include NTSC M (3.58MHz), NTSC 4.45MHz, PAL (B, D, G, H, I, M, N), SECAM (B, D, G, K, K1, L), and HDTV (480i/p, 576i/p, 720p, 1080i).
The best features of the PJ406D are its low cost, portable form factor and ease of use. Picture quality was reasonable in our tests, with vibrant colours and clarity but text and line graphics were jaggy. We’d also like ViewSonic to come out with a short throw lens add-on because we could only get a small image from a distance of a couple of metres.
The PJ406D packs an amazing 1900 ANSI lumens and impressive contrast ratio of 2000:1, but its native resolution of 800x600 is restrictive. The projector is also a little on the noisy side when running at its highest quality settings, and it got hot and smelly in our tests. The PJ406D is a solid choice for business users and educational institutions on a budget who don’t have high-resolution digital laptops, but there are better products for home theatre installations and gaming.
[6.5]
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