ViewSonic X10-4KE Projector Review - Summary

Epson BrightLink Interactive Projector Review – Summary: Summary, Pros, Cons

The ViewSonic X10-4KE is a portable, 4K UHD resolution (3840 x 2160), short throw smart projector. It has a unique design, with a retro look, and a stylish handle. The projector is compatible with both Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant, and has a wide range of commands to make the projector all the more convenient.

It has Wi-Fi, which allows you to connect to the Aptoid Store, but I find it lacking. It only has Netflix – no Prime Video, Hulu, or Disney+ apps – and Netflix is a bust. The Netflix app can only output 480p resolution, which is DVD quality. I won’t even watch DVDs anymore because of the low resolution. I’m trying to convert my mom to Blu-Rays but she still has DVDs and watches them. I’ll never know why.

You can hook up an external source, like a PlayStation or 4K UHD streamer to get your Netflix fix, and you’ll be able to watch on all the other streaming platforms you like. The projector does have 16gb internal storage so you can store your favorite movies on the projector itself. I suppose this will have to be a suitable workaround for the Netflix fiasco.

Other features include screen mirroring of mobile devices – both iOS and Android, a built-in media player, CFI, 3D, Auto-Focus, Auto Keystone, and Bluetooth. The Bluetooth capability allows you to link a soundbar or other Bluetooth speaker system, and turn the projector itself into a Bluetooth speaker.

It is capable of pretty good color. Movie Mode is its best mode for movies, and TV – with some tweaking – is best for TV. The projector didn’t meet its brightness claim, but it appears to thanks to its LED light engine. The modes hover between 800 and 900 lumens, give or take. It is bright enough to handle a pretty good amount of ambient light during the day, though not on dark scenes. Close the curtains for those.

Input lag is far too high for gaming, even for the casual gamer. I would caution even families whose kids play Mario Kart to consider a different projector for gaming. 67ms is 17ms above our threshold for “just barely good enough.” No serious gamer could bear to play on this ViewSonic. Now, let’s take a look at its competition.

I see the real competition to this ViewSonic as being the LG CineBeam HU70LA smart projector, for just a few hundred dollars more, or the Optoma UHL55, which is equal in price, portability, and smart capabilities.

We’ll start with the LG. LG has long been a leader in smart TVs, and they apply the same interface and technology to their smart projectors. As a smart projector, the LG has several advantages over the ViewSonic X10-4KE.

First of all, LG’s app store is extensive. You can get Netflix, Prime Video, Disney+, and other popular streaming apps, whereas with the Aptoid Store, you only get Netflix, and it completely sucks. It’s unusable, and the HU70LA has no issues in that arena.

The color is also far more accurate. Phil rates the LG HU70LA has having very good color, and I would rate this ViewSonic as having pretty good color, capable of really good after adjusting with the CMS. See the hierarchy there?

No image noise to report on that LG, but there was enough of a problem with the image processing on film grain with the X10-4KE that I actually had to write about it and include it as a con. I recently edited two videos of that LG, and I can tell you that the sharpness and quality of its image are superior to this ViewSonic, as are its black level performance and dark shadow detail, even though that wasn’t a huge accolade of the LG.

The ViewSonic has more flexibility in which AI you can use, being compatible with both Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant. The LG HU70LA can only use the Google Assistant.

The two have a lot of similarities, and things that they’re equal in, such as 4K UHD resolution, a light engine with a 30,000 hour lifetime. But, where the ViewSonic beats this LG is price. The ViewSonic is $1,499, and the LG is $1,799. I think it’s worth the extra $300.

The direct competition to the ViewSonic X10-4KE is the Optoma UHL55. It is ultra-portable – even smaller than the X10-4KE, and can fit on a high rear shelf, giving it more placement flexibility. It also works with Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant, and has similar capabilities for voice control: power, volume, input selection, media player playback and image mode changes.

The UHL55 has better black level performance and dark shadow detail, a number of ways to fine-tune the color, detail, and black levels, and attempts the expanded BT.2020 color space. The X10-4KE is a tad better than REC709. It also has CFI, like the ViewSonic, 3D, and that media player.

Oh, and did I mention that the Optoma UHL55’s price has dropped to $999? That’s a $200 savings, and I consider that to give the UHL55 the advantage. If ViewSonic dropped its price to $999, that would equal them out. My advice? Read both reviews and see which one sparks the I-gotta-have-it feeling.

• Over-Saturated Colors – In some modes, and some content, the colors can tend to be over-saturated (especially pinks and greens)
• Mediocre Black Levels and Dark Shadow Detail – ViewSonic’s very own PX706HD has better black levels and dark shadow detail, and that projector is around $500 (I expected better on the X10-4KE for the price!)
• Iffy Image Processing on Films – Films that have the classic “film” look (ones with film grain) will have image noise, as the projector does not process film grain well
• Netflix App is a Bust – The Netflix App you can download from the Aptoid Store can only output 480p (DVD quality) which is hardly suitable for a 4K UHD projector
• Lots of Light Offshoot – The lens casts a large circle of dim light around the screen, which isn’t noticeable during the day but is at night in a fully darkened room
• Low Placement Flexibility – There’s no digital zoom so where you place it is what you get (I couldn’t fill my 92” screen because I couldn’t get the projector far enough back)
• High Input Lag – 67ms input lag is far too high for gaming, even for the casual gamer (families who play Nintendo Switch might find it suitable)