ViewSonic PA700W vs PA503X: What’s the Difference in USB Connectivity and Performance?

[Amanda Brown]

Introduce​

Parameter	ViewSonic PA700W​	ViewSonic PA503X​
Picture​	​	​
Price​	$429.99​	$362.11​
Recommended Uses​	Education, Business​	Business​
Highlight​	Brightness: 4500 Lumens Resolution: WXGA (1280x800p) Optical Zoom: 1.1x Vertical Keystone Adjustment: 40 degrees Lamp Life: Up to 12,000 hours in SuperEco Mode Connectivity: Dual HDMI, VGA, USB, compatible with media players, PCs, Macs, mobile devices​	Brightness: 4000 Lumens Resolution: XGA Zoom: 1.1x optical zoom Keystone Correction: 40 degree vertical Input Latency: 16ms Lamp Life: Up to 15,000 hours in SuperEco Mode Connectivity: HDMI, VGA, mini USB, compatible with media players, PCs, Macs, mobile devices​

Side-by-Side Comparison​

Display​

Parameter	ViewSonic PA700W​	ViewSonic PA503X​
Screen Size​	30 Inches - 300 Inches​	30 Inches - 300 Inches​
Throw Distance​	1.18 Meters - 13.17 Meters​	3.9 Feet - 43 Feet​
Contrast Ratio​	22000:1​	22000:1​
Display Resolution​	1280 x 800 Pixels​	768 Pixels​
Native Resolution​	1280 x 800​	1024 x 768​
Brightness​	4500 Lumen​	4000 Lumen​
Display Type​	DLP​	DLP​
Picture Enhancement​	-​	SuperColor​

Features​

Parameter	ViewSonic PA700W​	ViewSonic PA503X​
Lamp Wattage​	300 Watts​	190 Watts​
Light Source Life​	4000 Hours​	5000 Hours​
Controller Type​	Button Control​	Remote Control​
Control Method​	Remote​	Remote​
Mount Type​	Tabletop Mount​	Tabletop Mount​
Other Features​	UHP​	Ultra Short Throw​

Connectivity​

Parameter	ViewSonic PA700W​	ViewSonic PA503X​
Connectivity Technology​	USB, Ethernet, HDMI, 3.5mm Jack​	VGA, USB, HDMI​
Hardware Connectivity​	VGA, Ethernet, HDMI, USB 2.0 Type A, 3.5mm Audio​	USB, HDMI​
Compatible Devices​	Laptop, Tablet, Smartphone​	DVD players; Blu-ray players; Amazon FireTV; AppleTV; Google Chromecast; Mac Computers; Windows Computers​

Measurements​

Parameter	ViewSonic PA700W​	ViewSonic PA503X​
L x W x H​	9.2"L x 12.2"W x 4.5"H​	11.6"L x 8.6"W x 0.2"H​
Item Weight​	6 Pounds​	4.85 Pounds​

Conclusion​

Product	PROS AND CONS​
ViewSonic PA700W​	Pros: • Affordable price point • Bright image quality, suitable for well-lit environments • Sharp optics and reliable performance • Versatile mounting options (rightside up or upside down) • Keystone and white balance adjustments available • Good for large screen presentations (e.g., 180-inch screen) Cons: • Does not deliver the advertised 200" image at the specified distance • Potential quality concerns due to lightweight design • USB input not available for video/photo display • Reports of fan issues leading to shutdowns Overall Impression: The Viewsonic PA700W projector offers excellent value for its price, providing bright and sharp images that work well in brighter environments. However, potential buyers should be cautious about its limited projection capabilities and reported quality concerns, particularly regarding its lightweight construction and fan operation.
ViewSonic PA503X​	Pros: • Superior Brightness: The ViewSonic PA503S is significantly brighter than competitors, with a claim of 3600 lumens, allowing for earlier movie start times. • Image Quality: Clear, sharp image with no softness at the edges, providing a 'movie theater' quality experience. • User-Friendly Focus Adjustment: Easy to adjust focus for optimal viewing without the issues seen in other models. • Audio Compatibility: Works well with Netflix and has fewer audio issues compared to other projectors tested. • Durable Build Quality: Feels more robust compared to the plastic construction of lower-end models. Cons: • Long Throw Distance: Requires a longer projection distance (19 feet) to fill a large screen, which may not be suitable for all setups. • Initial Learning Curve: Buttons and menu options can be unintuitive, potentially making setup challenging for some users. • Overheating Issues: Reports of overheating and shutting off after two years of use. Overall Impression: The ViewSonic PA503S stands out as a high-quality projector, particularly for outdoor movie nights, thanks to its exceptional brightness and image clarity. While it has some drawbacks, such as the need for a longer throw distance and potential overheating, its performance and build quality make it a worthwhile investment for those seeking an enjoyable viewing experience.