Though Ultra HD “4K” TVs have become commonplace, 4K projectors are still extremely rare. This is disappointing if you’re a PJ fan, since the huge images possible with projectors could actually take advantage of all that resolution (far more than TVs).
Up until recently Sony was the only game in town, slowly but steadily coming out with new models that were each slightly cheaper than the last. Last September their $5,000 VW-285ES was a sight to see, though still pricey.
ViewSonic, Optoma, and BenQ have all released far cheaper 4K PJs in the last year or so, undercutting Sony by thousands. Like this new PX727-4K: $1,500. Here are all the details.
Home Theater PJ
Not surprisingly, the PX727-4K is a single-chip DLP, using “XPR technology,” which is what the chip maker Texas Instruments calls their pixel-shifting technology. Essentially the chip is lower than 4K resolution, and using fast switching, each pixel on the chip creates multiple pixels on the screen. I haven’t seen this projector in action, but I’ve reviewed several displays with different versions of this technology and I’ve never had an issue with it. Though Sony’s SXRD/LCOS tech has higher resolution, that technology’s motion blur can offset this on-paper benefit. Which is to say, I’m sure that as far as detail goes, the DLP chip won’t be a limiting factor.
ViewSonic claims a 2200 lumen light output, which is good for this price range. A claimed 12,000:1 contrast ratio is doubtful, as contrast ratio has long been a DLP weakness.
They also claim HDR compatibility, but HDR is a bit of a challenge with projectors at the moment, even expensive ones, so this is likely just going to be that it reads the HDR data (HDR10 but not Dolby Vision). I wouldn’t expect much “HDR-ness.”
A six-segment RGBRGB colorwheel is always a good sign in a home theater projector, as is a claimed "DCI-P3 coverage for a wide color gamut."
A 1.2x optical zoom is pretty standard for this price range. Though not mentioned either way, I wouldn’t expect any lens shift, as that’s pretty much unheard of with inexpensive DLP projectors.
For video connectivity there’s an HDMI 2.0 input, an HDMI 1.4 input, and VGA. A “SmartEco” mode prolongs lamp life to a claimed 15,000 hours.
Thoughts
I’ve reviewed dozens of single-chip DLP projectors over the last 15 years, and over that same time, have had a projector as my main and sole “TV.” There has been remarkably little change in DLP technology over that time, especially in the last 5-7 years. Light output improves, contrast ratios get a tiny bit better, and the resolution goes up while the prices fall. My guess about the PX727-4K is that it will have excellent detail, excellent motion resolution, decent color, a mediocre contrast ratio, and be wonderfully bright.
Which is to say, I bet this will probably be a pretty good looking $1,500 projector.
The PX727-4K starts shipping this month.
PX727-4K: $1,500
