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Viewsonic PJD7822HD Projector Review Summary 2

Posted on March 19, 2015 by Art Feierman
ViewSonic Specs
Price
Technology
Native Resolution
Brightness (Manufacturer Claim)
Contrast
Zoom Lens Ratio
Lens Shift No
Lamp Life
Weight
Warranty

PJD7822HDL Warranty

Awesome!  3 Years Parts and Labor warranty is provided by Viewsonic.  The competition is mostly one year, including direct competitors like Optoma and BenQ. In addition, Viewsonic also provides a 1 year Express Exchange service (replacement program). PJD7822HD_beauty-photo Their lamp warranty is 1 year parts and labor, longer than most (but could always be longer). How does that stack up to the primary competition:  (all are more expensive projectors), and these are definitely Viewsonic's major competitors (listed alphabetically): BenQ 1 year warranty, 1 year on lamp  (HT1075) Epson 2 years warranty (w/2 years replacement), 90 days lamp (HC2000) Optoma 1 year warranty, 90 days on lamp.  (HD161x)

The PJD7822HDL Competition

There are far too many business portable projectors to even begin a conversation here, so let's look at some of the best home oriented competitors. Vs. Optoma HD141X Optoma's HD141X is the only really current model DLP we've reviewed that typically sells for less than the 7822HD.   Neither of these projectors produces really accurate colors, but we didn't calibrate the HD141X.  That said, the Viewsonic's best modes definitely did better skin tones than the Optoma's.  It's likely therefore, that the Viewsonic would have better color post calibration.  Since few will calibrate low priced projectors - color favors the Viewsonic.  When it comes to placement flexibility the Viewsonic's 1.3:1 zoom trumps the Optoma's 1.1 zoom.  Also of note, the Viewsonic has a shorter throw lens, placing projector closer to the screen wall.  Gamers in particular seem to favor that. The Optoma can beat the 7822HD at black levels with it's Dynamic Black lamp dimming, but as that creates visible artifacts, I recommend that most not use it.  Without it, the Viewsonic should have the advantage - but, since these projectors will normally be used in a not fully dark room, it really shouldn't matter.  The Optoma does have bigger sound, in case you are forced to use internal speakers instead of a sound system or boom box. The Viewsonic has more maximum lumens and more better looking ones.  The Optoma though has some options - but they are pricy, they include wireless HDMI (but 3rd party ones are certainly no more expensive).  If you are into 3D, both use DLP-link glasses, but the Optoma can accept an optional RF emitter for using with the better RF glasses.  (An extra $100+).  At this price point though, if you have that extra $100+ to blow, I would consider putting it toward the projector, or screen, rather than the 3D. Vs. Epson HC2000 projector The Viewsonic is brighter than the more expensive Epson Home Cinema 2000, which is 3LCD.  Warranties are different, but fairly equal (2 years, with 2 year replacement on the Epson, vs 3 years, one year replacement on the 7822HD). The Viewsonic is definitely brighter.  The HC2000 can put more than 2000 good looking lumens on the screen but that isn't a match for the 3000 the Viewsonic can muster.  Both can go a lot brighter in their brightest - and ugliest - modes.  Black levels - again, not a big thing, the Epson though has less native contrast, but does sport a dynamic iris to help with the black levels.  The Epson's major strength compared to the PJD7822HDL is that it starts out with better color, and if calibrated, it calibrates producing excellent color.  In that regard (but not in regard to black levels), the HC2000 is more home theater like.  The Viewsonic has slightly more placement flexibility (1.3:1 vs 1.2:1 zoom), and is shorter throw. The Epson has bigger sound, which is definitely not a strength of the Viewsonic's single 2 watt speaker.  The Epson also has MHL.  Between these two, I'd say the Epson is more refined, more expensive, the Viewsonic more bang for the buck, and the longer warranty, better gaming projector, too.  It's also the faster game player, and the one that's small enough/light enough to backpack to your friends for some gaming. Vs. BenQ HT1075 Again this Viewsonic PJD7822HDL takes on a more expensive projector.  The BenQ's strength is color, as it has the advantage both out of the box, and calibrated.   Black levels between these two are pretty much a tie, and again, with ambient light present, pretty much a non-issue.  Feature wise the HT1075 has MHL for smart sticks, etc.  The Viewsonic isn't MHL but can support some of those Roku and other devices, thanks to a spare powered USB. The Viewsonic has  more maximum lumens and more lumens in modes that look pretty good, but are uncalibrated.  They are almost dead tie in brightness calibrated.  Still for normal use, the Viewsonic is the relative "light canon, for example, for sports viewing, where the most suitable modes would favor it by about 800 lumens.  At maximum the Viewsonic offered up over 1400 more lumens, and calibrated, it still beat the BenQ by   Warranty as noted above is "all Viewsonic."  Three years vs one is an important consideration for most of us, unless "do you feel lucky?  Well, do ya?". I find the BenQ to be the more home theater like of the two, while the Viewsonic has the classic home entertainment, bring on the tough room, mentality.  The BenQ also offers a small amount of lens shift, the Viewsonic does not.  BenQ used to offer longer warranties, but their one year is no match for the Viewsonic's 3 with first year replacement. That folks, touches on some of the key differences and similarities between three of the major competitors and the PJD7822HD.

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Value Proposition

I do like the PJD7822HDL's overall value proposition.  We're dealing with an entry level projector here (even if 1080p native resolution).  As a result of that, there are always going to be compromises, or all projectors would be under $1000. For those looking for dual usage, I especially like that the Viewsonic makes a very nice business portable projector, and at only 4.6 lbs. As a home entertainment projector it's got three things really going for it - the near rock bottom price for a 1080p projector, the huge amount of usable brightness compared to most of the competition, and a truly superior warranty that rivals what's found more typically on $2000 and $5,000 projectors.  I know most of you don't count a warranty too much in decisions, but I also figure if you are on a budget, so that you are shopping under $1000 projectors, then the last thing you need is a possible big time repair cost before you've gotten 3 full years of of your investment. Lamp life is pretty good, which reminds me of one caveat about the warranty.  Viewsonic cuts the warranty down to 1 year if you use the projector on average - 14 hours a day.  That's only going to happen in a business environment so won't affect you, unless you are buying it for Digital signage, but I thought I should mention it as long as I'm touting the warranty.

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Bottom line.  So, all considered, if I could have asked for one thing, it would be slightly better color, but then, I'm seriously spoiled in that regard.  The last projector I reviewed before this one was a $7999 home theater projector.  When it comes to the color, though, the pictures in this review tell that story, and its a pretty good story. Hot Product AwardAlthough this Viewsonic no longer has the huge pricing advantage that its predecessor had when launched, (compared to other 1080p resolution projectors), it still provides an excellent value proposition, or bang for your buck, or price performance ratio, whatever you want to call it. And that applies pretty well whether using for home, business or both.  And it is for that reason the PJD7822HDL earns one of our Hot Product Awards. Kudos to Viewsonic!

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