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Ricoh PJ WX4130N - Image Quality

Posted on October 4, 2013 by Eric Pfoutz

Image Quality

The Ricoh PJ WX4310N DLP projector has a native resolution of 1280x800. This makes it a 16:10 aspect ratio projector. The image quality is pretty nice for a ultra-short-throw projector. 1280x800 is a standard resolution for most 16:10 aspect ratio projectors. 16:10 is also an aspect ratio that is becoming the most common. The old 4:3 aspect ratio projectors that typically had resolutions of 1024x768 pixels are starting to become obsolete, since most viewers expect a widescreen experience.

Small type in native mode was very satisfactory. 10pt type was very readable with a minimum distance of 10 feet and 8pt type was also readable. The projector is capable of supporting very high resolutions like 1600x1200. Because these higher resolutions are compressed, the image is not going to be as sharp as the native resolution, but the Ricoh did a very acceptable job compressing 1600x1200. It does not mean you should think that you can use this projector full time for large spreadsheets, but if you needed the screen real estate then you can bump the resolution up and get the work done. The images in the gallery begin with 1280x800 resolution, then the resolution is brought up to 1440x900 resolution, and the final image is the projector performing 1600x1200 resolution.

Color

Being that the Ricoh PJ WX4310N is a single chip DLP projector, it unfortunately did suffer from the typical color issues that DLP's struggle with. Most DLP projectors have trouble with primary colors like red and yellow. However, with a few adjustments you can sometimes get pretty accurate color. The PJ WX4310N was not as capable of achieving truly accurate color in the primary colors by adjustments in the menu systems color, but as is usually the case, these issues are only important if truly accurate color is necessary for how, and what, you present. It was determined that in running the projector in Standard Brightness Mode gave more accurate color reproduction in all the color corrected modes. Upping the brightness just seemed to bring out the muddy yellow color that is common with DLP projectors. The image gallery demonstrates this issue.

I should note that nearly every projector has a color mode selection. This mode is available so that you can automatically adjust the color the projector puts out based on what the manufacturer thinks is best for your presentation surface. In the case of the Ricoh PJ WX4310N it has a Standard Mode, a Whiteboard Mode, Beige Mode, Gray Mode and last but not least a Blackboard Mode. Surprisingly, this projector did not have a Cinema Mode or Movie Mode, which I usually see in almost all business class projectors.

This projector has an acceptable image, and although switching from different color modes did not change the image color enough to be very noticeable, it does overall still look very presentable.

Video Performance

This projector may have had the typical DLP issues in terms of color reproduction of primary colors, but like most DLP projectors it performs very well when displaying video. With its ability to accept HDMI, the PJ WX4310N performed very nicely when displaying HD content. The contrast ratio of 2500:1 doesn't make it a first choice for the home theater enthusiast, but this projector was never intended for that purpose. That is not to say it could not perform the roll very well for the weekend movie warrior. The fact that the projector can be placed near the screen also means it would be a good choice for impromptu movie nights.

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