Vivitek QUMI Projector - Performance

Posted on August 7, 2013 by Art Feierman

Vivitek QUMI Projector - Brightness

The QUMI is rated at 300 lumens. As there is no zooming ability, all measurements were taken with the projector displaying a 60” diagonal image with the projector set at a distance of about 7.5 feet from the screen. Consistent with other reviews, our measurements were taken at the brightest point of the image (in this case near the right center of the image).

Selecting the Bright picture mode (the brightest), we measured a high of only 169 lumens, quite a bit less than advertised. However, when the QUMI is connected via its Universal HD input to a computer VGA output, the lumen output increases to 198 lumens. This is because with this connection Brilliant Color is increased from 8 to 10 (the maximum). Using Presentation mode, the output dropped to 149 lumens. User, Game and Movie modes were identical to Presentation mode in lumen output at 149 lumens. sRGB mode (which like Bright mode has Brilliant Color set to 8) came in at 165 lumens. TV mode measured the lowest, at 145 lumens.

In addition to the above picture modes, the QUMI also has an Eco mode for its LED light source. In Presentation mode, using the Eco setting reduced the lumen output from 149 lumens to 59 lumens. Other than the power savings of Eco mode, there seems little reason to use it as the drop in output is so great.

Vivitek QUMI Projector - Audible Noise

As the Vivitek QUMI uses LEDs rather than a lamp, heat generation is kept to a minimum and the exhaust ports keep the QUMI relatively cool. Vivitek rates the noise levels (primarily of the exhaust fan) at 32 dB (when in “Boost” mode, which appears to occur in Bright mode) and 28 dB for normal modes. The higher level is noticeable, but not objectionably so. The normal level is barely audible. The QUMI has a built-in one-watt speaker that can overcome the higher noise level, but you’d probably want to use externally powered speakers for any presentation with sound.