ErkkoTheDwarf
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In the age of streaming and binge-watching, the battle for the best home theater setup has reached a fever pitch. Enter the ViewSonic LS820, a 1080p laser projector that promises to transform your living room into a cinematic oasis without the need for a massive space. But here's the kicker: can a projector really deliver a true theater experience when it's just inches from your wall?
With its ultra-short throw technology and impressive 3500 lumens, this device claims to offer a large image even in less-than-ideal lighting conditions. But does it really live up to that promise, or is it just another gadget trying to cash in on our quest for a big screen experience? In this review, we’ll dig deep into its performance, color accuracy, and the real-world practicality of having a projector that requires so little distance from the screen. Let's unpack whether the LS820 is a game-changer or just another addition to the pile of home theater disappointments.
There were definitely some positives to my experience. The clarity and brightness of the image were standout features that really made a difference in my projects. I found a way to make the IR control work for me, which was a small victory. When it was working properly, the projector performed well, and I could see why others might be enthusiastic about it. The fact that the projector was sold as used but still had zero hours on the laser light source was a nice surprise.
Cons:
However, the cons were hard to ignore. I faced repeated issues with the projector shutting down after a few minutes of use, which was incredibly disappointing. I went through three units, and each exhibited the same frustrating defect. I never thought I would be writing a negative review, but I felt compelled to warn others about my experience. Additionally, the inability to play DVDs without issues was another major letdown, as it seems to be a fundamental function that should work seamlessly.
Overall Evaluation:
Overall, my experience with this projector has been a rollercoaster. I started off feeling hopeful and impressed, but the technical issues and lack of support have left me feeling disheartened. Despite some great aspects, such as picture quality, the persistent problems made it hard to recommend the ViewSonic LS810. I really wanted to love this product, but I would advise potential buyers to be cautious and consider alternatives.
With its ultra-short throw technology and impressive 3500 lumens, this device claims to offer a large image even in less-than-ideal lighting conditions. But does it really live up to that promise, or is it just another gadget trying to cash in on our quest for a big screen experience? In this review, we’ll dig deep into its performance, color accuracy, and the real-world practicality of having a projector that requires so little distance from the screen. Let's unpack whether the LS820 is a game-changer or just another addition to the pile of home theater disappointments.
Spec
| Parameter | ViewSonic LS820 Projector |
|---|---|
Picture |  |
Reference Price | |
Recommended Uses | Home Cinema |
Built-In Media | LS820 Projector |
Highlight | BIG SCREEN HOME THEATER: Immersive theater-like experience in Full HD (1920x1080p) on a screen up to 150-inches in 3500 lumens CINEMATIC COLORS: Exclusive SuperColor technology offers a wide color gamut for beautiful image production in nearly any environment SHORT THROW: With an ultra-short throw lens, this projector can be placed just inches away from a wall or screen to give you a huge image LONG LAMP LIFE: Phosphor laser light source allows the lamp to shine bright for up to 20, 000 hours POWERFUL VERSATILITY: LASER TV integrates seamlessly with Roku, Fire TV stick and ChromeCast for effortless programming for education, entertainment or business environments |
Screen Size | N/A - 150 Inches |
Throw Distance | 15 Feet - 25 Feet |
Contrast Ratio | 100000:1 |
Maximum Resolution | 1080 Pixels |
Native Resolution | 1920 x 1080 |
Brightness | 3500 Lumen |
Display Type | DLP |
Video Encoding | AVC |
LightSource Life | 15000 Hours |
Controller Type | Remote Control |
Control Method | Remote |
Lamp Wattage | 390 Watts |
Wattage | 10 watts |
Connectivity Technology | USB, HDMI |
Hardware Connectivity | VGA, USB, HDMI |
Compatible Devices | Television, Gaming Console, Laptop, Smartphone, Tablet |
Other Features | Short Throw |
Item Weight | 22.1 Pounds |
System Experience
Setting up the projector was an interesting experience for me. I was excited about the ultra short throw feature, but it took some getting used to. I placed it on the floor, just a couple of feet away from the wall, and to my surprise, it filled the entire wall with a massive image. I had hoped to start from the floor, but that wasn’t possible. It was a bit frustrating at first, especially since I had a specific vision in mind for my setup, but I managed to work around it.Viewing Experience
The picture quality is genuinely impressive. The sharpness and clarity are spot on, and I could easily see the benefits of the 1080p resolution in my projections. While the brightness at 4500 lumens isn't quite what I would consider "production quality," it still performed admirably for my needs. I felt a sense of satisfaction as I watched my designs come to life on the wall, even if it wasn't exactly what I had envisioned initially.Other Experience
Unfortunately, my experience didn’t stay positive for long. I encountered several issues that made me feel a bit let down. The user guide was missing critical information, especially regarding LAN control, which I found incredibly frustrating. I had plans for rear projection, but without proper access to control the projector, it became a hassle. I had to go out of my way to get an IR transceiver just to make it work, which felt unfair given the product's promise. The support from ViewSonic was lackluster, and having to send the projector back for firmware updates was not a pleasant experience.Conclusion
Pros:There were definitely some positives to my experience. The clarity and brightness of the image were standout features that really made a difference in my projects. I found a way to make the IR control work for me, which was a small victory. When it was working properly, the projector performed well, and I could see why others might be enthusiastic about it. The fact that the projector was sold as used but still had zero hours on the laser light source was a nice surprise.
Cons:
However, the cons were hard to ignore. I faced repeated issues with the projector shutting down after a few minutes of use, which was incredibly disappointing. I went through three units, and each exhibited the same frustrating defect. I never thought I would be writing a negative review, but I felt compelled to warn others about my experience. Additionally, the inability to play DVDs without issues was another major letdown, as it seems to be a fundamental function that should work seamlessly.
Overall Evaluation:
Overall, my experience with this projector has been a rollercoaster. I started off feeling hopeful and impressed, but the technical issues and lack of support have left me feeling disheartened. Despite some great aspects, such as picture quality, the persistent problems made it hard to recommend the ViewSonic LS810. I really wanted to love this product, but I would advise potential buyers to be cautious and consider alternatives.
