Today one of the most prolific projection companies, ViewSonic Corp., a leading global provider of visual solutions with over 30 years of expertise in visual displays, announced that they were launching two very interesting looking, LED-based smart home theater projectors. Viewsonic has named these the X1 and X2. These two projectors are lamp-free, using what ViewSonic calls their next-generation LED technology. LEDs have traditionally been used in smaller portable projectors. They have offered increased output, higher brightness levels, and longer life in recent years through improved engineering and manufacturing techniques. In the case of the ViewSonic X1 and X2, the estimated light engine life is up to an impressive 30,000 hours of usage.
Mia Shen, Sr. Business Line Manager of Projectors at ViewSonic. -
"The X1 and X2 projectors are the next generations of ViewSonic smart projectors…We used the latest LED technology to ensure that we get higher brightness levels so these projectors can be used in various ambient light settings. The LED light source also makes them super convenient to power on/off, and calibration and modifications can simply be made with the unique sliding door design at the top of the projectors."
The ViewSonic X1 and X2 projectors are full high-definition, displaying a native 1080p resolution. While more higher-end displays offer 4K resolution, the majority of content produced in today's market is still produced in 1080p and will likely continue to be for a few more years. Resolution is only one part that goes into making a high-quality projected image.
Mia Shen, ViewSonic. -
"The X1 and X2 not only provide high brightness and a large viewing screen but offer better colors, a longer lifespan and smart features, and a great price compared to laser projectors."
If ViewSonic's most recent 1080p projector offerings are any indication, then the images that the X1 and X2 produce should be really good. I think it's reasonable to expect that these Full HD projectors from ViewSonic will be capable of displaying a very good-looking image. Ultimately we will have a better idea once we can put a review sample on the test bench.
ViewSonic Cinema Supercolor+
ViewSonic has a history of creating projectors that offer excellent color management. (Click here to see our review of the X100 4K) So it's no surprise that both projectors, according to ViewSonic, deliver true-to-life colors through the company's proprietary Cinema SuperColor+™ technology. Cinema SuperColor+ takes movie color schemes to offer a balance of aesthetic colors. The Complementary Color Scheme features two main opposing colors, creating high contrast while viewing. For example, the Analogous Color Scheme features similar colors next to each other, creating a serene and comfortable sensation, while Dynamic Black technology offers more image depth by automatically adjusting for brightness levels, allowing users to see more dark scene details. With 125% Rec.709 color coverage, the X1 and X2 provide vivid images with high-contrast performance. In addition, the dual built-in Harman Kardon speakers ensure a truly immersive experience.
Both the X1 and X2 offer Bluetooth and Wi-Fi for sharing entertainment from other devices.
Viewsonic Personal Entertainment
With the Bluetooth feature, the X1 and X2 can be used for personal entertainment, either doubling as a powerful Bluetooth speaker with music from a phone or tablet or with Bluetooth headphones for personal viewing and listening. I'm really curious about ViewSonic's implementation of this feature since many of the ViewSonic projectors I have used or reviewed tend to focus more on image quality than sound quality. Ultimately we will have to wait and see if the X1 and X2 are competitively equipped to meet or beat competitors' products with this same feature.
The built-in 5GHz Wi-Fi's superior bandwidth should likely allow for very smooth and glitch-free screen mirroring from smart devices to the big screen, making the streaming quality better and easier than ever. Users can also control the X1 and X2 from a smartphone through the Viewsonic vCastSender app's effortless navigation and touch control.
Designed to make installation and picture adjustments easier, the X1 can be quickly set up on a tabletop or mounted to a ceiling. Featuring a 0.69-0.83 short-throw ratio, the X2 can deliver a screen size up to 100" from only 1.53 meters away—that means scaled-up excitement larger than any TV screen.
Because of their sleek looks, both projectors can be set up in any location without interfering with existing interior designs. The X1 comes with a 1.3x optical zoom lens, and the X2 has a 1.2x optical zoom. Both feature auto keystone and 4-corner adjustment functions that ensure perfectly shaped images from above, below, front, or side and make set up an easier process.
4 Corner Adjustment
Below are the key features and specifications of the ViewSonic X1 and X2 Home Entertainment producers. The biggest differences between these two projectors are the $100 price, the X2 being upgraded to a short-throw from the standard-throw, and the zoom ratio difference. On paper, the X2 appears to be well worth the $100 difference.
X1 Projector
• Standard-throw home theater projector with 2nd generation LED technology and native 1080p (1920x1080) resolution
• 3,100 LED lumens of brightness and up to 30,000 hours of usage
• Connectors include: USB Type-C and A ports, HDMI 2.0/HDCP 2.2 (2x)
• 16GB local storage to save content directly onto the projector
• Easy and convenient firmware updates through FOTA/Wi-Fi connection
• Available: Apr 2022 with an estimated street price of $1,099*
For further news and information about ViewSonic, visit ViewSonic.com and follow them on Facebook, YouTube, and Twitter.
Also, be sure to check out our other projector reviews and news on all the major brands, including other ViewSonic projectors at www.projectorreivews.com. Check back for our full review when ViewSonic review samples are made available.
