Acer PH530 Home Theater Projector: Physical Tour

Looking at the top from the rear, you’ll find the control panel toward the back left. The layout is a good one. There is the traditonal power button (once for on, twice for off), a source select button and resync. The rest of the control panel consists of the Menu button in the center, and the four arrow keys. There are also two indicator lights, labeled Temp and Lamp. The Power button lights up as well. OK, that takes us to the back of the PH530, which was a tad disappointing. With the latest generation of home theater projectors, almost everyone has two HDMI (or, less frequently, one HDMI and DVI) inputs. Not so, the PH530 with a single digital input. This is a negative if you lack an AV receiver with HDMI switching (or similarly, an HTPC). After all, ultimately, if not now, then soon, you’ll want a digital source for your hi-def DVD player and another for your cable/satellite feed. Yes, you can buy an outboard switchbox for $299 or so, complete with remote, but that sort of kills off the key feature of the PH530 – its low price. As to the rest of the inputs, there are the usual composite and S-video inputs, plus one component video input (three RCA jacks). There is also an HD15 connector for the classic computer input (analog). Lastly, there is a USB port. I should point out, that the Acer PH530 is one of the smallest and lightest home theater projectors out there, which may be important to some who plan to “take it with them” on vacations, etc. The remote control will be covered in the General Performance page. Time now, though, to consider image quality!