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Category Archives: Acer

Acer S1385WHne: Projector Review

The Acer S1385WHne combines portability and output brightness to serve primarily on-the-go business operators. And even though it’s super affordable, starting around $750, the projector performs extremely well. The images are cast in native WXGA resolution and the projector delivers 3,200 lumens of estimated brightness. It works best in small- to mid-sized venues.
Of course, with its sub-$1,000 price tag, the S1385WHne isn’t equipped with a long list of features, but even so, it’s not a complete bare-bones piece of hardware. First, it’s equipped with dual HDMI ports – which are very useful for business presenters. Plus, its short-throw lens works well even in cramped venues. Bottom line, if you’re looking for a budget-friendly projector that gets the job done, the S1385WHne is well-positioned for PowerPoint presentations and occasional video.
acerS1385WHne_sku_main
Acer S1385WHne: Most Useful Specs
A number of the Acer’s features are standard fare when it comes to projectors released in 2015, but there are a few points that help this projector stand out from the competition. Its best features include:

  • Above-Average Brightness: At 3,200 lumens of brightness, the Acer competes above competitors in the price range, as the average hovers around 2,500-3,000 lumens. Because of the output, the projector is better-suited for larger venues, especially those with more amounts of ambient light. In darkened spaces, the projector can handle 250+ inch screens, but in a venue with moderate ambient light, the projector would work best with about a 100- to 150-inch screen. The projector is DLP-based, and as such, full color images aren’t as bright as black-and-white, but the diminished quality isn’t noticeable on average-sized screens. Additionally, the projector’s bulb achieves a lamp life of between 4,000 and 10,000 hours – which is also much better than the competition.
  • High-Quality Data Images: The Acer S1385 is designed to deliver high-quality black-and-white data images. With a high contrast ratio of 13,000:1, as well as optimize color balance, the images are right on point, with an accurate palate, great contrast in white-on-black text, and superb crispness. Overall, image quality is great and on par with what you might find in more expensive models.
  • Versatile Portability: Another reason this projector is a business favorite: Its size. The S1385 weighs just 5.5 pounds, and it measures about the size of a reference book. That makes it easy enough to quickly move from presentation to presentation. Additionally, the projector is designed with a short-throw lamp with a .49:1 throw ratio, making it possible to fit the image on the screen even in small conference rooms.

394589-acer-s1385whne-rear-ports
Competitors to the Acer S1385WHne
There are a number of entries in the sub-$1,000 category, but the Acer S1385WHne offers a little something more compared to its competitors. For starters, the Acer is one of the brightest in the category, and it’s also priced competitively. Here’s a look at some of the competition:

  • ViewSonic PJD6683ws: The ViewSonic was recently discontinued, but it’s still available from third-party resellers. It compares closely to the S1385 in terms of brightness (3,000 lumens) and contrast (15,000:1), but it was still $100 more.
  • Optoma GT1080: Last year, Optoma released this Full HD projector. It compares closely with the Acer in terms of price, about $700, as well as brightness and contrast, 2,800 lumens and 25,000:1 respectively. They’re very evenly matched; yet the GT1080 is more suited for video and gaming, while the S1385 is a more optimized data projector.
  • InFocus IN1146: The InFocus is an LED projector that’s rated for just 800-lumen images. Yet it does cost $100 less than Acer, and has a 30,000-hour lamp life. If you won’t be battling with ambient light, this would be a suitable option.

Looking for an Acer S1385WHne replacement lamp? Shop and save on MyProjectorLamps.com. We offer the best prices on replacement projector lamps, fast shipping, and unbeatable selection.
 
 

Acer H9500BD Home Theater Projector Review

In 2011, the Acer H9500BD was one of the first 3D projectors to hit the market at a sub-$2,000 price. Thanks to its pricing, it quickly found a loyal audience of operators. But that was just one factor that made it a fast favorite. The projector was also equipped with several technologies that delivered impressive image quality. For example, the H9500BD’s dynamic iris increased the overall black levels, providing rich dark scenes.
Overall, the 3D specs are fairly impressive too. The projector is capable of displaying a variety of 3D content – from Blu-ray to PC 3D – and the image quality is fairy crisp, bright and clear. Today, the projector’s specs are a little aged, as many of the components that made it unique in 2011 have become commonplace. But at the time, the H9500BD was a unique and powerful projector for 2D and 3D content.
Acer H9500BD
Acer H9500BD: Unique Specs and Features
Although the projector is capable of 3D imaging, it’s particularly impressive as a 2D projector. Image quality and color performance are far above-average and near flawless, especially compared to similarly priced projectors. Features that made this possible included:

  • Dynamic Iris: The projector’s dynamic iris adds depth to dark images, helping to enrich black levels and clarify shadow detail. In 2011, when the projector was initially released, dynamic iris wasn’t common in $1,500 projectors. Today, it’s more of the norm. Even so, the H9500BD’s iris delivers superior performance; dark scenes are vibrant and the black levels are deep. With a 50,000:1 contrast ratio, images are also crisp and fine details are on point. Maxing out the contrast can create a soap opera effect, though, and it’s best to adjust the contrast until you reach a desired level.
  • Accurate Color Pre-Sets: Another advantage: The H9500BD’s color performance out-of-box was near perfect. It only required slight adjustments for optimal color performance. Because of this, it’s pretty much a plug-and-play projector. Overall, the color performance is very good. Skin tones appear natural and colors are saturated and vibrant.Acer_h9500bd Back_
  • Additional Specs and Features: Acer H9500BDIn addition to supreme image quality, the projector was also equipped with tons of rich features. For starters, it delivered a bright image with a 2,000-lumen output in standard operating mode. That was well-suited for home theaters and moderately lit living rooms. Plus, there are tons of other great features:
    • Horizontal and Vertical lens shift
    • 50:1 Zoom Ratio
    • Connections: 2 HDMI, Composite Video, S-Video, 2VGA

    One disadvantage: The projector’s 280-watt UHF lamp doesn’t offer long-lasting performance, starting at about 3,000 hours in normal operating mode and 4,000 hours in eco mode. Fortunately, replacement lamps for the Acer H9500BD are relatively affordable, starting around $300.
    MyProjectorLamps is your source for affordable, OEM-quality replacement projector lamps. We carry replacements for the Acer H9500BD. Order yours today.

Acer P5207B Review: Specifications, Pros and Cons

How does the Acer P5207b perform as a multimedia projector? On one hand, the two-year-old Acer provides satisfactory image quality in its native XGA resolution. Plus, the image is extremely bright, which makes this model perfect for large venues. The projector provides an estimated 4,000 ANSI lumens of brightness – powerful enough for spaces with modest levels of ambient light.
But the projector does have its shortcomings. For one, compared to similarly priced models from various manufacturers, the Acer P5207 is missing some features that have become fairly common in recent years, including WiFi connectivity. That might be problematic, especially for web-based business and classroom multimedia presentations.  Yet, overall, for the price, the Acer P5207b is a solid piece of hardware that delivers a crisp image and a number of functionalities. In other words, it competes well with similarly priced multimedia projectors. Here’s a look at some of the specs:

Acer P5207B Projector
Acer P5207B Projector


Pro: Image Quality and Performance

Rated at 4,000 ANSI lumens, the biggest advantage of the DLP 3D P5207b is its brightness. Other projectors in the price range generally hover around the 3,000-lumen mark. Plus, additional image specs, including its 10,000:1 contrast ratio and native XGA resolution, which deliver a data image that’s clear, even when projected on large screens. In terms of color performance, the Acer also delivers. Featuring Acer’s ColorBoost II+ technology, the colors are vibrant, and compare nicely to other DLP-based projectors.


Pro: Powerful Built-In Audio

The Acer P5207b is equipped with two built-in speakers, which gives the projector an advantage. Other similarly priced projectors have either or one or two, and some require external audio. They are dual 5-watt speakers, which is substantial enough for large venues, although for the largest rooms, the speakers may require amplification.

Pro: Optical and Digital Zoom

Another advantage: The Acer also has some advanced technologies that enable setup flexibility. For one, the Acer’s lens has a 1.6x optical zoom. This makes it easier to resize images to fit a screen. Plus, the projector has a superior 2x digital zoom, which enables users to zoom in on particular images.

ACER P5207B Projector - Rear Inputs
ACER P5207B Projector – Rear Inputs

Con: Average Lamp Life

On one hand, the Acer’s bulb is fairly bright, but it also has just an average lamp life. The bulb (Replacement Part No.: MC.JG211.001) is a 280-watt OSRAM bulb. There are three settings, the normal mode, eco mode and an advanced eco mode. Lamp life for the Acer ranges from 3,000 hours (about average) up to 7,000 in its advanced eco mode. In its eco mode, though, the Acer has a 4,000-hour lamp life, which is average compared to other projectors.

Con: Average Video Performance

For presentations with short video clips, the Acer is capable yet underwhelming. Video performance is average, at best, and leaves something to be desired. Plus, in its native resolution XGA, videos aren’t crisp and clear, and although it does support higher resolutions, often video image is lost.
 

The Verdict: Should You Buy the Acer P5207b?

Starting at roughly at about $738 US, the Acer P5207B is slightly higher in price than other two-year-old projectors with similar specs. But the projector leaves something to be desired. Although it produces fairly crisp and clear images, the limited number of ports, average video performance and limited lamp life are all factors that diminish its value. Simply put, you could find better projectors for the price, however, the Acer’s brightness might be the redeeming quality that makes you go out and buy one as it definitely fills the room.

Top 9 Classroom Projectors Under $1,000 from 2014-2015

Top 9 Classroom Projectors Under $1,000 from 2014-2015
Finding the best projector for your classroom or business presentation can be a challenge. What specs should you be looking for? How bright does the projector need to be? And should you opt for a short-throw or long-throw projector?
Fortunately, all of these questions are fairly easy to answer, but before you start shopping, you should know what you’re looking for. First things first, start with resolution.

Projector In Classroom
Projector In Classroom

Classroom Projector Native Resolution Types
Currently, the majority of classroom and business projectors are set at specific native resolutions. This means that they’re designed to display images from particular devices. So if you have a computer with an XGA resolution, you should opt for an XGA projector. This will ensure that the image you project appears the same as it does on the computer.
Common resolutions:

  • XGA (1024×768) – Many laptop computers display images in XGA, and this resolution provides a decent amount of detail. If you need a projector for PowerPoint presentations, simple graphs or business presentations, an XGA projector will suffice.
  • WXGA (1280×800) — In the last few years, WXGA have become increasingly common. These projects display even more resolute images in widescreen format. For instance, a WXGA is ideal for detailed architectural designs, large format digital photography and complex drawings. Many computers are set in WXGA resolution.
  • SVGA (800×600) – The SVGA format was long the budget resolution, but that’s changing as the prices of XGA and WXGA projectors have come down dramatically. The picture here is less resolute, but yet an SVGA projector is capable of showing similar presentations to the XGA.
    WXGA vs SVGA
    WXGA vs SVGA

What Else Do You Need to Consider?
You should also consider brightness and throw ratio. First, brightness refers to the image. In large classrooms or in spaces with large amounts of natural light, you’ll need a projector that casts a brighter image or will need to darken the room. Generally, a projector with a bulb rating between 2,000 and 3,000 is sufficient for most classrooms.
Additionally, you should consider throw ratio. Simply put, throw ratio is the distance the projector needs to be placed away from the screen to project an image of a certain size. There are three types of throw ratios: Long-throw, short-throw and ultra short-throw. For classrooms, long throw projectors can be mounted to the ceiling. But short-throw and ultra short-throw projects can be placed closer to the screen, which diminishes the amount of shadows that are cast on the screen.
So Which Projectors Are Best?
Here are a few of the top classroom projectors in each resolution category. Projectors were chosen based on a few criteria, including brightness, price, features and construction. All of these projectors are 2014 or 2015 models.
XGA Resolution
These three projectors provide great data-image quality, long lamp life and they’re also all feature-rich which make these ideal in business and classroom settings. Plus, they’re all offered at unbeatable prices. The NEC model is a bit more expensive, due to its USB thumb drive connectivity.

  • BenQ M529 — $399 – 3000 Lumens
  • NEC NP-M282X – $595 – 2800 Lumens
  • Optoma X316 – $379 – 3200 Lumens

WXGA Resolution
The top 3 WXGA projectors are all 3D ready. Both the ViewSonic and BenQ are PC 3D ready, while the Vivitek model is Full HD 3D ready. Overall, these projectors provide a lot of value – excellent image quality, built-to-last construction, and long lamp life – and each one would work nicely in the classroom.

  • Vivitek DW868 – $432 – 3200 Lumens
  • ViewSonic PJD5555W – $810 4500 Lumens
  • BenQ MW526 – $499 – 3200 Lumens

SVGA Resolution
As you can see, the SVGA and XGA models are comparable in price, whereas these were once much more affordable than XGA projectors. For the price, these projectors cast bright images, and they data-image quality is sufficient.

  • Epson V230 – $349 2800 Lumens
  • Acer P1173 – $305 3000 Lumens
  • BenQ MS504 – $339 – 3200 Lumens

These were a few of our favorites that were released in 2014 and earlier this year. In terms of performance, many 2013 models are still very competitive, but we narrowed it down a bit. Did we miss anything? What are your favorite business and classroom projectors released in 2014 and 2015?
MyProjectorLamps.com is your source for the best prices on projector lamps from America’s favorite manufacturers. Order a genuine projector lamp from us today.

The 5 Top Full HD Home Theater Projectors Under $1,000

Looking for an entry-level home theater projector? You’re in luck. Just a short time ago, the budget-friendly projectors sacrificed image quality, for price. If you didn’t have the budget to pay more than $1,000 for a projector, you could expect sub-par image quality and construction.
The good news is that has changed. Today, there is a range of sub-$1,000 options that provide impressive image quality and that will completely enhance your home theater. So which budget-friendly projector should you choose? Really, it depends on what you’re looking for, but here are 5 projectors under $1,000 that provide excellent picture quality, solid construction, configuration flexibility, and competitive brightness.

  1. BenQ HT1075 – For years, BenQ manufactured one of the most popular sub-$1,000 home theater projectors – the W1070. Finally, they released an update last year, the HT1075. For the price, the 1075 is tough to beat, especially in terms of picture quality. The HT1075 provides crisp, detailed images with a vibrant color array and strong contrast. Plus, the HT1075 incorporates vertical and horizontal lens shift, which is a useful feature during installation. The W1070, on the other hand, remains a solid option for your home theater, as well.
    Benq HT1075
    Benq HT1075

Features:

  • Native Full HD Resolution
  • 2,200 Lumens
  • 3D Ready, Available Wireless Connectivity
  • 10,000:1 Contrast Ratio
  • Price: $799

 

  1. Optoma HD26 – Optoma is a market leader in budget-friendly projectors, and the HD26 is hands-down the best option they offer that’s less than $1,000. As far as a home theater projector, the HD26 does reasonably well, providing a bright picture even in modestly lit living rooms. Plus, the HD26 has a built-in speaker – a 10-watt mono – which makes this a great, affordable “out-of-the-box” system for your home theater. The Optoma HD141X, which is a bit more affordable than the HD26, shares many of the same features, and is another great option from Optoma.
    Optoma HD26
    Optoma HD26

Features:                                                                                                      

  • Native Full HD Resolution
  • 3,200 Lumens
  • 3D Ready, HDMI Connections
  • 25,000:1 Contrast Ratio
  • Price: $699

 

  1. Epson PowerLite Home Cinema 2030 – Compared to the two previously mentioned projectors, the Epson 2030 is a LCD-based projector. So you won’t see any rainbow artifacts with the 2030 – which is one advantage. Plus, the Home Cinema 2030 is built for home entertainment – it can be used in your home theater, for gaming, or as a replacement for your TV. The biggest disadvantage: The 2030 doesn’t have lens shift, which limits your configuration options.
    Epson Powerlite Home Cinema 2030
    Epson Powerlite Home Cinema 2030

Features:                                                                                                      

  • Built-in Audio
  • 2,000 Lumens
  • 3D Ready, HDMI Connections
  • Native 16:9 Aspect Ratio
  • Price: $799

 

  1. Acer H6510BD – When it was introduced in 2013, the Acer H6510BD was one of the most affordable 3D-ready projectors on the market. Now, the space is a bit more crowded, and prices on a few better performing models have dropped. Overall, the Acer performs reasonably well. The picture quality is vibrant in rooms with ambient light, but in theaters, the Acer is prone to showing rainbow artifacts.
    Acer H6510BD
    Acer H6510BD

Features:                                                                                                      

  • Full HD, 3D Ready
  • 3,000 Lumens
  • HDMI Connections
  • 10,000:1 Contrast Ratio
  • Price: $699

 
5. LG PF85U – The LG PF85U might be the best replacement for your TV. LG bills this as a LED Smart Projector, which means it has a built-in smart TV. The LG PF85U can connect easily to web-based viewing sites like Hulu or Netflix. Also, the projector has a reasonably loud stereo sound system built-in. Where the LG falls short is in image quality. Overall, in dimly lit rooms, the LG performs well, but when more light is present, you’re likely to experience washed-out colors and less detailed images. Also, the LG isn’t 3D ready and there aren’t zoom capabilities, which are two other disadvantages.

LG PF85U
LG PF85U

Features:                                                                                                      

  • Built-in Audio
  • 1,000 Lumens
  • HDMI Connections
  • Extended-life LED lamp
  • Price: $999

 
If you’re planning a home theater on the cheap, you have options available to you that will enhance your home theater. Is there a clear winner? The BenQ HT1075 is one of our favorites, but depending on the features you’re looking for, all five of these projectors offer something a little different. Plus, they’re all affordable and perform well.