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Epson Pro Cinema 1985 Projector Review

January 25, 2016

Just before New Year’s, Epson released the latest in their best-selling line-up of mid-level projectors: The Epson Pro Cinema 1985. Like most Pro Cinema projectors, the 1985 carries a middle-of-the-road price point, starting right around $2,000. But this isn’t designed to be an entry-level model.
Instead, the Pro Cinema 1985 offers a number of features you won’t find in more budget-friendly projectors. First, and most important, is the Pro Cinema 1985’s lamp. The Pro Cinema delivers an ultra-bright image rated at 4,800 lumens. In other words, it’s very well-positioned for environments with high ambient light, like a sports bar, large home living room or business venue. But the 1985 is not a true cinema projector like the name suggests. For one, the 1985 isn’t equipped with 3D imaging or frame interpolation – common features in Epson’s Home Cinema line-up – and that’s why it’s much more like a high-quality business projector with above-average video.

Epson Pro Cinema 1985: Best Features

Impressive Brightness: With a rating of 4800 lumens, the Pro Cinema 1985 delivers a substantial amount of brightness. Most home theater operators wouldn’t ever need a lamp that bright, and that’s one reason it would be suited much more for commercial or high-ceilinged living room applications. In standard operating mode, the projector performs great in well-lit environments like a busy sports bar, or bright living room. And although some detail is lost due to the brightness, the video image quality is still much better than you’d find from many similarly priced commercial projectors.
High-Resolution Imaging: The Pro Cinema 1985 has a native resolution of WUXGA or 1920×1200. Many other business and brighter units are built on top of the WXGA resolution of 1280×800 – which is about 2/3 as resolute compared to WUXGA. Therefore, the Pro Cinema 1985 achieves enhanced clarity, better video quality, and the ability to project much finer details.

Epson Pro Cinema 1985 vs. Epson Home Cinema 5030UB
The Pro Cinema is Epson’s answer for larger spaces with greater amounts of ambient light, whereas Home Cinema projectors are better suited for darkened home theater spaces. Therefore, if you’ll be using the projector in a larger living room with many windows, the Pro Cinema model might be best. The Home Cinema wouldn’t be nearly bright enough, especially during daytime.
Plus, although they’re similarly priced, each model excels in different areas. The Home Cinema’s image is much clearer, providing loads of shadow detail and expressive black-level performance, while the Pro Cinema is much brighter. In other words, you should choose the model that best suits your home theater space. Another consideration: The Pro Cinema 1985 is equipped with many features you’ll find in true cinema projectors, and as such, it will not leave many cinephiles disappointed.
Bottom line: The Pro Cinema 1985 delivers impressive brightness and enhanced resolution for larger screens. It’s an ideal projector for large-screen home entertainment, as well as many different commercial applications, but it’s not built for high-performance home theater use.

Acer H9500BD Home Theater Projector Review

January 19, 2016

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: 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.

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.

Optoma HD26 1080p Projector Review

January 18, 2016

This year, the Optoma HD26 earned high marks in the highly-competitive sub-$1,000 Full HD projector market. And it might be one of the most competitively priced models on the market, running right around $575. But even with such a great price, the projector does a number of things particularly well.

For starters, the Optoma HD26 is a capable all-around projector, delivering wonderful images in Cinema Mode for the home theater, while offering suitable brightness for the living room. Of course, as a budget option, the HD26 is a little light on features, but for the price, it’s an extremely useful option. It’s quickly become a favorite entry-level home theater/home entertainment projector. Here’s a look at the HD26’s spec sheet:
Optoma HD26: Best Features
It’s clear the HD26 is light on features, but it does include many features you’ll find in most budget projectors: HDMI connectivity, built-in audio, and Full HD 3D capabilities. Yet, there are two areas where the projector stands out compared to other sub-$1,000 projectors. These features include:

Adjustable Image Settings: One main feature that’s absent from many budget projectors is the ability to adjust image pre-sets. And that’s one thing that sets the Optoma HD26 apart. This feature enables users to calibrate and customize their own image settings, which is particularly useful for users who tend to project many different types of content. For example, the user can create his own image pre-sets for sporting events or live TV, while adjusting the Cinema Mode settings for his home theater. What’s more, the projector has several different modes that can be used, including a Bright mode and Cinema mode. The Bright mode is ideal for sporting events, gaming and live TV in the living room – it doesn’t provide the best color, but it’s perfect for the living room. And in Cinema mode, the color performance gets a bit of a boost.

Optoma HD26 Rear Inputs
Super Long Lamp Life: Lamp life in standard operating mode is off the charts for the HD26. The projector achieves up to 5,000 hours at full power, which is far above average of about 3,000 to 4,000. Yet, users can get a big jump by optimizing the machine in Eco mode, which results in 6,500 hours of lamp life. Fortunately, the HD26’s replacement lamp is very affordable, starting around $200. It is also known as part number SP.8VH01GC01. Plus, the 190-watt bulb is very powerful, rated at 3,200 lumens in Bright mode. The output is optimized in Cinema mode, with an output of about 1,200 lumens.

Other Features of the HD26
Aside from these two areas, the HD26 offers some pretty standard features for a budget projector. It’s rated up to 3,200 lumens of brightness, with a contrast ratio of 25,000:1. And it delivers Full HD video (1920×1080) in the 16:9 aspect ratio.
Some features that users will definitely like include its dual HDMI ports, one of which is MHL enabled. That means you can connect to a variety of sources, including a cable box, Blu-ray player or other HDMI device, as well as stream live video from Roku or Chromecast. Finally, the projector is super lightweight, weighing just 5.5 pounds, making it a super portable projector. But with limited zoom and no lens shift, it’s not always easy to calibrate the machine in new environments.
Overall, the HD26 does exactly what an entry-level projector should do. It provides above-average imaging with only the most useful features, including dual HDMI ports and MHL capabilities. And although it certainly doesn’t compare to higher-end projectors in terms of image quality or feature set, the HD26 is one of the best values in the 1080p home theater class.

5 Best Home Theater Projectors of 2015

December 19, 2015

This year was fairly quiet for new projectors. The majority of the major PJ brands kept new releases to a minimum, continuing to sell models that were released in 2014 and earlier. Even so, there were several new entries in the 2014-2015 projector season and many of them offered exciting new features and impressive performance.

So which home theater projectors, with Full HD or 4K resolution, were the best in 2015? It’s tough to pick from the field of those that have been released since fall 2014. But there are a few models that stick out from the pack. This year saw more affordable 4K projectors, as well as improvement on existing favorite PJ models. Here are a few of our favorites that were released in 2015:
Epson EH-LS10000
In terms of image quality and performance, the LS10000 is one of the best projectors that hit the market in 2015. The projector features a laser light engine – compared to a standard replaceable lamp – which lasts the entire life of the machine and delivers image quality that’s certainly right there at the top. Black levels are rich and saturated, and contrast provides an impressive range of detail. Of course, with this advanced technology like adaptable 4K resolution and the laser light engine, the LS10000 isn’t cheap; it starts around $8,000. But it’s certainly one of the best high-end projectors released this year. But what happens when the laser is kaput?
Optoma HD141X

The HD141X is at the opposite end of the spectrum in terms of price, starting just north of $1,000. But don’t let the price deceive you. The HD141X is an impressive little machine. It’s equipped with a powerful light source – a 3,000-lumen bulb – which is ideal for the living room. But in Cinema Mode, the HD141X provides 1,000 lumens of brightness and super vibrant images. Another great thing: The HD141X’s replacement lamp is cheap, which keeps cost of ownership to a minimum.
BenQ W1070+

The original BenQ 1070 has been a best-selling bargain HD projector, and its successor the 1070+ which was released in 2015 offers several improvements on the fan favorite. The Plus offers improved brightness, up to 2200 lumens, MHL capability, as well as wireless connectivity. Overall, the performance is above-par, especially for a sub-$1,000 projector. Images are crisp, clear and well-saturated. If you’re looking for an entry-level theater projector, the W1070+ — or the HD141X – are some of the best options available.
Sony VPL-HW40ES

The HW40ES was released last summer, and quickly became a favorite Sony projector. The reason: It’s the most affordable projector Sony had ever released. So what’s great about the projector? For starters, it includes Sony technology that’s only been available in more expensive models, including Reality Creation, MotionFlow, and a zoom lens capability. In effect, image quality is superb. Plus, it’s extremely low noise, offers great Cinema modes, and it’s backed by a 3-year warranty.
JVC DLA-X500R

The best feature of the X500R is the e-Shift technology, which enables the 1080p projector to shift pixels to display 4K. Overall, the image quality is right up there at the top. Black levels are ultra-dark, and the contrast 60,000:1 – which jumps to 600,000:1 when the auto iris enabled – creates a level of shadow detail that’s incredible. The system also includes a zoom lens with lens shift, delivers some of the best color performance available, and the impressive build quality.
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Sharp XV-Z30000 Home Theater Projector Review

December 11, 2015

Although the Z30000 is billed as a 3D projector, it performs exceptionally well as in standard 2D mode. Its prowess is particularly noticeable in the impressive shadow detail and stellar black level performance it provides. In other words, the image quality is well above average for a single-chip DLP projector.

What’s more, the Z30000 offers a robust feature set, including useful lens shift capabilities, a 2:1 zoom ratio, adjustable 3D specs and long-lasting lamp performance. Compared to 3D single-chip released today, the Z30000 holds its own, and certainly offers some unique specs that many home theater enthusiasts will appreciate.
Sharp XV-Z30000: What It Does Well
The Sharp Z30000 was designed with some useful image processing features that enable the projector to deliver stellar 2D and 3D images. 3D performance for the projector isn’t best-in-class, as the images aren’t quite bright enough to counter higher ambient lighting. But it performs well in 3D, particularly in darkened theater environments. Some of its image quality specs include:

High Contrast Ratio, Dual Irises: The Z30000’s high quality image performance is thanks to a range of technology. First, it’s built with dual irises that deliver some of the best black levels for the price. Secondly, the high contrast ratio of 50,000:1 maximizes shadow detail. In effect, the dark images are expressive, crisp and clear, and overall image sharpness, regardless of color, is very good.

Sharp XV-Z30000 Rear Inputs
Adjustable 3D Specs: The Z30000 entered the market when 3D was still nascent in 2012. As a 3D projector, it offers a robust list of 3D features, including 2 sets of 3D glasses, a 3D emitter and adjustable settings. For example, operators can turn off 3D for those who don’t want to watch in 3D, while leaving it on for others. Overall, the high frequency rates create powerful 3D images, but unfortunately, the images become too dim when the screen is above about 100 feet or in higher ambient lighting.
High-Speed Color Wheel: The Z30000 is equipped with a 6-segment, 5X color wheel. In general, home theater projectors tend to range from 4X to 6X speed color wheels. At 5X, the Z30000 projector greatly eliminates the rainbow effect, and it’s rarely visible. It’s certainly performs better in this regard compared to 4X projectors.

The year the Z30000 was released it was included on a number of Best Of lists, and it’s certainly a premium projector. But with a price of $3,199, it’s not cheap and might not deliver the image and 3D quality that demand that price point. Even so, the projector does offer a range of specs and features, including:

Lens Shift
1,600 Lumens
2,000 to 5,000 Hours Lamp Life
1080p Full HD Native Resolution
2 HDMI Inputs
2:1 Zoom Ratio

Overall, the Z30000 is ideal for home theater environments. Image quality is excellent, 3D images are rich in most environments, and the feature set is robust. Yet, it is three years old, and the specs aren’t as cutting-edge as they were when the projector was first released. With that said, it’s a powerful projector, but there are other options in the price range that might make sense for some buyers.
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Optoma EH341 Data Projector Review

December 4, 2015

This year, a range of data projectors have been released, but one of the best has to be the Optoma EH341. Whereas many data projectors are built in WXGA or XGA resolution, the EH341 delivers 1080p Full HD images. Compared to other similarly priced multimedia projectors, the EH341’s images are far superior, crisper and clearer.

But that’s not the only thing the EH341 gets right. It’s also extremely portable, weighing just 5.7 pounds and offers 3,500 lumens of brightness. That makes this a fierce portable projector, capable of delivering a brightness suited for small to mid-sized venues. A projector this lightweight and that delivers Full HD images and impressive brightness is certainly a step forward, and that’s precisely why this projector might be called the best budget friendly multimedia projector of the year.
A Quick Look at the EH341’s Specs
Brightness, image quality and portability: That’s what sets this projector apart from the competition. For example, comparatively priced machines released in 2015 like the BenQ MH630 doesn’t quite match the image quality or brightness of the EH341.

Image Quality: Compared to Full HD data projectors, the EH341 is one of the premier machines. Using BrilliantColor technology and high contrast, the projector delivers some of the most vibrant, razor sharp images in the class. The contrast ratio of 20,000:1 is double that of the MH630. In effect, the EH341 is one of the best projectors for data images that feature high levels of detail and crispness, like complex diagrams and long lists of data. Plus, because of its imaging, it’s probably one of the best – if not the best – for displaying 3D images.
Brightness and Portability: It’s nothing new for a projector to weigh about 5 pounds and measure about the size of a dictionary. In fact, many similarly priced data projectors have about the same size and weight. But thanks to its 3,500 lumen output and superior imaging capabilities, the EH341 is certainly one of the best for handling mid-sized venues, something lessor data projectors just can’t handle.

Optoma EH341 Rear Inputs

Of course, the projector packs in a range of other useful features that you’ll find from many 2015 releases. For example, the projector is equipped with 2 HDMI outlets, including one with MHL compatibility, and one VGA outlet. That enables a range of input devices to be connected, including tablets and smartphones.
Plus, the Eco+ technology increases standard lamp life up to 8,000 hours. That’s impressive, helping to reduce the overall cost of ownership. Additionally a built-in 10W speaker system delivers crisp audio for small to mid-sized venues.
Optoma EH341: The Final Verdict
Starting at just about $899, the EH341 is one of the best budget-friendly data projectors released in 2015. Its images are well above average and may just be the best-in-class. Plus, it carries all the capabilities that business presenters and educators need, including audio, useful connectivity, wireless options and manual zoom and focus. If you need a data projector capable for delivering finely detailed images, this is certainly the best option for you.

Optoma HD28DSE Home Theater Projector

November 25, 2015

What makes the HD28DSE different from other Optoma projectors released in 2015? For starters, the HD28 is the DARBEEVision Special Edition, hence the DSE suffix. DARBEEVision is an advanced image processing system that adds detail, clarity and saturation to images, and it’s rare for a projector of this price to be equipped with the technology.

What’s more: The HD28DSE is competitively priced for the entry-level home theater projector segment. It starts at $799, which seems middle-of-the-road in terms of pricing for feature-rich budget-friendly home theater projectors. For example, the Optoma GT1080 and the BenQ HT1085ST – both of which are best sellers in the category – cost $699 and $899 respectively and offer a similar set of features.
Finally, this Optoma delivers many of the features that are now common-place for entry-level home theater projectors: HDMI connectivity with MHL, Full HD 3D, a super long lamp life, 3,000 lumens of brightness, and a 30,000:1 contrast ratio. This long list of features makes the HD28 a favorite in this hotly contested category.
Why the Optoma HD28DSE Stands Out.
The Optoma HD28 does many things right, but there are a few areas in which the projector excels where others do not. This includes:

DARBEEVision: DARBEEVision technology is designed to completely enhance images, adding additional layers of depth. For example, when DARBEEVision is engaged, shadow detail, clarity and color saturation are all enhanced, and viewers can choose which level to set the feature from 0% to 120%. This feature is especially useful for video gaming and some animated movies, as it draws out the details and boosts contrast. Yet, when used at the largest settings, DARBEEVision has been known to cause a “soap opera” effect, meaning the image looks unnatural.
Portability: Although it’s not as unique, the HD28 is a super portable projector. For starters, it weighs just 5.7 pounds. Plus, it’s equipped with horizontal and vertical keystone correction, as well as a four corners adjustment system. This enables operators to quickly adjust the image to fit the screen.

Optoma HD28DSE Inputs

Other Deciding Factors
In addition, the standard specs for the HD28 make this an attractive piece of hardware. Specs include:

3,000 Lumens ASNI Brightness
30,000:1 Contrast Ratio
4,000-, 6,000-, 8,000-hour lamp life settings
Built-in 10W speakers

Bottom line, for a home theater projector priced at $799, the HD28 provides a range of features, powerful image and color performance, and it is super portable. It is an ideal projector for home entertainment and would be at home in any living room.

Epson Home Cinema 2040 Entertainment Projector Review

November 23, 2015

When the Epson Home Cinema 2040 was unveiled just a few short months ago, it instantly stood out in the budget-friendly 1080p projector class. The projector has all the usual features: 1920×1080 native resolution, 3D capabilities, and a bright-output lamp. Yet, the 3LCD Epson 2040 offered something that’s a rarity from sub-$1,000 HD projectors: Frame interpolation and detail enhancement technology.

Both features – which were borrowed from the Home Cinema 5030 – boost the image quality, smoothing out fine details and high-movement scenes. At this price point, you just don’t find many offering frame interpolation. That’s why the Home Cinema 2040 is such a unique projector: It’s extremely affordable and delivers stunning 2,200-lumen images, but the image quality is off the charts thanks to its advanced features.
A Closer Look at the Epson Home Cinema 2040
The Home Cinema line-up – including the 2040’s predecessor the 2030 – is well-known for delivering bright, crisp and clear images. But the 2040 advances the more budget-friendly Home Cinema models image quality specs a few steps forward. Here’s how:

Frame Interpolation: With standard technology, fast-moving pictures can create a noticeable blur effect. If you’ve ever watched an action-packed chase scene on a XGA or standard 1080p, you’ll very likely familiar with this. Frame interpolation – which has long been available in the more expensive Home Cinema projectors – improves and eliminates motion blur, by analyzing input images. The feature then adds additional frames between existing content to smooth out blurs.
Detail Enhancement: Another note-worthy feature, detail enhancement analyzes the images and smooths out the finer details in these images. The effect is subtle, but adds another layer of detail that often gets lost on lessor projectors.

Epson Home Cinema 2040 Rear Inputs

These two features accompany a range of already great features you’ll find the previous models like the 2030. For example, the Home Cinema 2040 is equipped with a range of ports including HDMI, USB, and it supports MHL-enabled devices like Chromecast or Roku. Additional features include Full HD resolution, 3D capabilities, and a built-in 5-watt mono-speaker.
But frame interpolation and detail enhancement wouldn’t make much difference if they weren’t backed up by the 2040’s powerful lamp. The 2040 is equipped with a UHE 200-watt bulb that delivers a maximum of 2,200 lumens of brightness. Plus, with a lamp life of 4,000 to 7,000 hours and with replacement lamps starting around $100, the cost of ownership is extremely low.
All of these reasons are why the Home Cinema 2040 is one of the best budget-friendly 3LCD Full HD projectors on the market. At $799, the Epson 2040 delivers extremely useful features and image quality that’s far above average for a similarly priced machine.
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BenQ HT3050 Full HD 1080p Projector Review

November 19, 2015

Earlier this year, BenQ launched a trio of Full HD 1080p projectors, the HT2050, HT3050, and HT4050. The HT3050 fell in the middle pricewise, starting at $999, and it offers a range of benefits compared to the low-end HT2050. In reality, the HT3050 is unique portable projector, especially for the price.

You get all the benefits you would from similarly priced 1080p projectors: Excellent image quality, high brightness, and long-lasting performance. But the HT3050 does two things especially well: It delivers impressive audio quality. Equipped with two 10W speakers, the HT3050 is one of the best – if not the best – projectors in terms of built-in audio for the price range. Secondly, the HT3050 is built with a range of 21^st Century connections including 2 HDMI ports, one of which is MHL-enabled. That makes the projector compatible with Chromecast, Roku and other streaming devices, as well as smartphones and tablets.
For the price, the BenQ HT3050 offers plenty of benefits: High-definition images, awesome color performance and great audio. Compared to similarly priced projectors, the HT3050 is certainly a leader in the class and it should warrant consideration from those shopping for a home entertainment projector.

BenQ HT3050: Key Features
Compared to other similarly priced projectors, the HT3050 does two things better than the competition: Audio performance and MHL connectivity. Here’s a more in-depth look at those two features:

Impressive Built-In Audio: Many sub-$1,000 projectors are equipped with built-in audio. But generally, the audio from these projectors has many limitations. Smaller 5W options, for example, aren’t great for noisy environments and the sound is scratchy at maximum output. Additionally, single 10W speakers aren’t great at reproducing sounds from video, live TV and video games. But the HT3050 offers a solution. With dual built-in 10W speakers, the projector’s audio performance is well above-average; audio is crisp and clear. The built-in speakers completely eliminate the need for external audio in home theaters, living rooms and small spaces – especially for TV, gaming and home entertainment. The performance isn’t quite on par with full surround sound, as it lacks the depth and bass of dedicated audio systems. But the dual speakers deliver audio performance that works well in most cases.
MHL Connectivity: One key difference between the HT2050 and the 3050 is the addition of an MHL-enabled HDMI port. The 3050 has two HDMI ports, and one offers compatibility with MHL-enabled devices. This makes it possible to stream live TV from Chromecast and Roku, as well as connectivity with other devices like smartphones and tablets. Although MHL compatibility is quickly becoming a must-have feature, many projectors priced below $1,000 do not have it yet. The HT3050 is an exception, making it ideal for cord cutters.

What Else the BenQ HT3050 Does Right
Aside from MHL and audio, the HT3050 delivers performance similar to what you can expect from budget-friendly Full HD projectors. For starters, BenQ is well-known for delivering high-quality imaging, and that’s certainly true of the HT3050. Compared to the HT2050, the 3050 has been calibrated in Cinema mode, providing more robust colors and details. But that’s just one of many standard features. Here’s a look at the quick specs:

Brightness: 2,000 lumens
Contrast: 15,000:1
Lamp Life: 3,500-6,000 hours
Connections: RS232, USB, 3-RCA, VGA, Composite Video, mini-USB, audio in/audio out
Other Features: Vertical lens shift, Full HD 3D, 1.3X manual zoom,

If you’re considering Full HD home entertainment projectors, you have a range of options to choose from. But the BenQ HT3050 is certainly well positioned in the class, especially with a starting price around $999. It delivers key connectivity, useable audio, plus all the features you’d expect from similarly priced HD projectors. In other words, this projector should be on your short list.
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ViewSonic PJ258D ViewDock Projector Review

November 10, 2015

The ViewSonic PJ258D was released in 2007, and at the time, it featured a novel tool that hadn’t been introduced in many projectors: An iPod docking station. Not an iPhone, but a port for an iPod! That’s how dated the projector sounds these days.

And that feature was the biggest selling point. The DLP-based projector was just average in other areas. For example, it offered 2,000 lumens, broadcast images in the XGA 1024×768 native resolution, and it originally retailed for $1,399 MSRP. Today, those aren’t very impressive specs, and in 2007, they weren’t that impressive either. Yet, with its iPod dock, the PJ258D did find buyers who were looking for a solution to play video from an MP3 source.
ViewSonic PJ258D: The Pros
The PJ258 did a few things right, and in some ways, it paved the way for more modern budget DLP-based projectors. Here are a few of the ViewSonic’s best features:

Lightweight Design: Weighing just 3.9 pounds, the PJ258D was a super portable projector. Even today, 4 pounds is considered light for a projector. Plus, the ViewSonic featured a sleek piano-key black case, which was before its time.
iPod Connectivity: The iPod dock, at the time, was a novel innovation. Now, we can see the limitation of the technology. Technology is constantly changing. The PJ258D wouldn’t support today’s iPhones. This feature, though, is built into a range of projectors today, and in many ways, the PJ258D was one of the first to popularize the idea.
Average Lamp Life: In 2007, the average lamp life for a single-chip DLP projector was about 2,000 hours. The PJ258D was rated for 2,000 hours, with a boost to 3,000 hours in economy mode. Today, many operators are looking for replacement lamps. Fortunately, a PJ258D replacement lamp starts at $239, a small price compared to the original MSRP. The lamp part number was also known as RLC-025.

Viewsonic PJ258D Rear Inputs

ViewSonic PJ258D: The Cons
Outside of the iPod dock and lightweight design, the PJ258D was limited in a few areas. Image quality left something to be desired, and its built-in speaker delivered barely useable audio.

Poor Audio Quality: The PJ258D was equipped with a 1-watt mono-speaker. In the quietest of places, that might suffice, but it still wouldn’t be great. The audio performance was sub-par. Fortunately, the projector had an audio-out connection, and external audio was a must for this projector.
Below-Average Image Performance: Early reviews noted a similar problem: The PJ258D was prone to the rainbow effect. Although it delivered 2,000 lumens of light with a 2,000:1 contrast ratio, the image was average at best with noticeable rainbow effect.
Limited Connections: For a projector released in 2007, the PJ258D had a decent range of connections: S-Video, Composite-Video, and VGA inputs. Today, that would be considered a below-average range.

The PJ258D offered a new feature in 2007, an iPod dock, but apart from that, it wasn’t a great projector. There were better similarly priced projectors that were released that year. Even so, the projector performed OK, and it was ideal for iPod early adopters. If you own this model, MyProjectorLamps offers the best price on a PJ258D replacement lamp.

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