ViewSonic Projector Series Review 2017: Enhance Your View

Before delving into ViewSonic and their line-up of excellent products, it’s important to understand that televisions and projections serve two different purposes. There are pros and cons to each of those devices – things to do with brightness, quality, maintenance – and many times it is a judgement call.

Televisions work better in bright rooms because their displays are lit in back. They are bright enough to overcome any light-related obstacles. Televisions nowadays are smart, which means they have some very modern features built into them – something a projector does not have. If you’re looking for high-quality, HDR and 4K display are available for projectors and for televisions. When it comes to those, a TV may be better for the average user. I suppose it is more a question of price, but we’ll get to that soon.

That being said, projectors do possess some great advantages, which is why I have a projector – not a television – in my place. I have a short throw projector (think big picture in a tight space), and it has served me well for a good while now.

Why Are Projectors Better Than TV’s?

Are Projectors Superior To TV’s?

In my opinion, the main reason why projectors are better than televisions is that you have the option of getting some serious screen inches in a way which is usually less expensive. Buying a good projector and purchasing (or constructing) a screen will cost a lot less than a television of the same size. In my experience, budget projectors definitely outdo and outperform budget TVs.

Projectors also have that “OMG” factor. When you walk into a room, and there is a huge screen with a projector… what can I say? For me, there is a totally different vibe there. A different feeling. And when you hit that PLAY button on your DVD / BLU-RAY player… forget about it. The experience is something else. Another significant advantage which a projector has over a TV, is that it allows you to seriously immerse yourself in what is going on on that screen. A 4K television with a smaller screen cannot compare to a 2K projector with a massive screen. And that is what a projector could bring you. Now, obviously, you can also invest and buy a 4K projector. It is all on you and your budget.

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ViewSonic Projector Series Overview

ViewSonic Logo

So, who is ViewSonic, and what do their projectors offer?

ViewSonic Corporation was founded by James Chu, who immigrated to the U.S. from Taiwan in the mid-1980s. After holding a number of sales positions, Chu launched Keypoint Technology, a company which later introduced the ViewSonic computer monitor in 1990. ViewSonic’s projectors are primarily based on DLP technology, but LCoS, as well as 3LCD technology projectors are also available. Any technology (whether 1-chip or 3-chip) has its advantages and disadvantages.

This is a company which has been in business since the 1980’s. They’ve been around since televisions were these huge, bulky things. They know their customers, and they know what to do to keep them happy. This is a company which has a tradition of high-quality manufacturing, and which has earned itself many awards and positive citations over the years.

ViewSonic currently has offices in the United States, the United Kingdom, Russia, Ukraine, France, Germany, Finland, South Korea, Australia, Dubai, Hong Kong, China, Singapore, and obviously Taiwan. Now, let’s take a look at some of ViewSonic’s best sellers:

ViewSonic PJD5155 Projector Review

Viewsonic PJD5155 Projector

Tech Specs

  • Aspect ratio – 4:3.
  • Resolution -800X600.
  • Brightness – 3300 Lumens.
  • Display Size – 30-300 Inches.
  • Throw Distance – 3.3-32.8 Feet.
  • Lamp Life – Approx. 5000 Hours.
  • MSRP – $299.99.

This is a highly affordable projector, which is probably why it is so popular. Modestly priced though it may be, it does come with a set of well thought-out features and a smart design.

It has standard data and image quality capabilities, and is fitting for a school or business which needs to get a solid projector (or several of them!) on a budget. With 2 VGA connections, an HDMI input, an RCA jack, and an audio in/out – there is a lot that thing little device can do.

ViewSonic PJD7828HDL Projector Review

Viewsonic PJD7828HDL Projector

Tech Specs

  • Aspect ratio – 16:9.
  • Resolution – 1920X1080.
  • Brightness – 3200 Lumens.
  • Display Size – 30-300 Inches.
  • Throw Distance – 4.2-46.9 Feet.
  • Lamp Life – Approx. 4000 Hours.
  •  MSRP – $679.99.

This projector is more expensive than the other two models which are featured on this short list, but as the dealer said to Vincent Vega in Pulp Fiction: you will know where that extra money went.

Movies look really great with the help of this model. The clarity of picture and the colors are more than decent, even with some ambient light inside of the room. And to top it off, its operation is easy and its components are relatively quiet. What this amounts to is one of the best home movie theater experiences you could hope for, for this price. I have only tried it indoors, but at some point I am going to play it outdoors.

It comes with standard audio and video connections (Audio in-out / VGA / HDMI). Hook it up and enjoy the power and beauty of cinema, right in your own living room. Keep in mind that this is a single-chip projector, so you may not have all of the features of a 3-chip available to you. Things like optical zooming and vertical lens shifting cannot be done with the 7828. The main drawback, which has been brought to my attention via the internet (or in other words, I haven’t seen this yet), is that in very darkened conditions, there is a chance for some distortions in image. Like I said, this has not been my experience, but I have never owned this model for a long period of time. Buyer beware.

ViewSonic PJD5153 Projector Review

Viewsonic PJD5153 Projector

Tech Specs

  • Aspect Ratio – 4:3.
  • Resolution – 800X600.
  • Brightness – 3300 Lumens.
  • Display Size – 30-300 Inches.
  • Throw Distance – 3.3-32.8 Feet.
  • Lamp Life – Approx. 5000 Hours.
  • MSRP – $319.99.

This is another one of the cheaper ViewSonic models, but its lower price does not necessarily indicate lower quality. This is a projector which, like the 5155 I mentioned before, is also a model for those on a budget. This model features no HDMI hookup, and instead has a couple of SVGA connection. The picture is crisp and bright when you project properly, and it is worth taking a few minutes while you are setting up to be absolutely sure that you have your visuals optimized.

By the way, here is an item which will prove useful: The ViewSonic Replacement Lamp. The PJD5155 and PJD5153 use the same replacement lamp – the RLC-092 -, while the PJD7828HDL uses the RLC-100. These lamps will work for many other ViewSonic models, so make sure you check it out on their website, and pick up the proper replacement bulb. Sure, the lamps on these projectors last for thousands of hours, but you never know when it is going to up and quit. If you are interested in not being left out in the cold, get yourself a replacement lamp.

Conclusion

Televisions and projectors are still an ongoing debate, and rightly so! There are advantages to both units, and eventually it is all about what you are into, and what it is you are looking to get out of your home entertainment system. Some long-term thinking will definitely be in order, on your part. Do your research, hit the shops – the physical ones, too! – and make absolutely sure that you are happy with your purchase. ViewSonic has some really great products out there. The few I mentioned were just the tip of the cinematic iceberg. If your mind is wandering in that direction, and is flipping through the projector brochure, make sure you give ViewSonic models a try. Whether on a budget or unencumbered by financial limitations – quality is always a winning trait.

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