For most people, a projector is not the usual way to view content. TVs are still king when it comes to home entertainment. However, some brands like ViewSonic make really good projectors for home use. They also make some unique projectors like the X2-4K, which is aimed at gamers. Now, most gamers won’t even think about buying a projector for their gaming setup, as most projectors don’t offer high refresh rates, 4K resolution, etc.
The ViewSonic X2-4K, however, is a different story. The projector was built for Xbox and is backed by Microsoft’s warranty. It offers some unique features, like 1440p resolution at 120Hz, that you won’t find in regular projectors. So should a gamer consider this projector, a 65-inch TV, or a large curved monitor? What about PC or PS5 owners? Can they use this projector? I’ve been using the X2-4K for about a week now to try to answer all of these questions and more.
The X2-4K is quite compact for a 4K projector.
The ViewSonic X2-4K is expensive, there are no two ways about it. For the money you spend on the projector, you can buy a 65-inch 4K QLED TV that will be much more versatile. In India, the projector is currently available for around Rs 280,000.
It comes in a single black color with some Xbox green accents. The box contains a remote control with backlit buttons, a USB Type-C cable, and various types of power cables.
ViewSonic X2-4K Design, Features: Quite compact
When I received the X2-4K, I expected it to be large since it was a 4K projector. However, I was quite surprised when I opened the package. The device is about the size of a shoebox, but it weighs about 3.5 kg. ViewSonic uses durable plastic for the construction, and you get large vents on the front and sides. On the front is the lens, which is partially protected, and the IR sensor. The lens is prone to dust accumulation since there is no lens cover.
The X2-4K is equipped with a 2900 lumen LED.
Moving up, you’ll find a sliding door that hides the focus/zoom rings and a keypad that includes the projector controls. You’ll also find an LED indicator on the top.
On the X2-4K you get Instant On
There are four rubber feet on the bottom and one wide adjustable foot in the center that can be used to slightly prop up the projector.
You can use the adjustable foot to secure the projector at two different levels.
In terms of style, the projector has green corners on the front, which signifies an exclusive “Made for Xbox” design. However, I did not find the term Xbox anywhere on the projector. The projector has two 6W Cube speakers from Harman Kardon on either side. All the ports are found on the back, which has a slightly textured design compared to the rest of the product, which should make it easier to find the inputs in the dark.
The Harman Kardon speakers are loud and provide good immersion.
In terms of specs, the X2-4K is a short-throw projector with a 0.65-inch 4K projection system and a throw ratio of 0.69-0.83. It has a 2,900-lumen LED lamp that is rated for 60,000 hours of normal use. You can get a 60-120-inch projection from just 1.5-3 meters away at 4K resolution. However, ViewSonic recommends a throw distance of 0.92 to 2.2 meters. The projector also offers 1.2x optical zoom, so you can go even further than 120 inches, but it will affect the clarity.
ViewSonic X2-4K Connectivity, Features: Lots of Options
The ViewSonic X2-4K has all of its inputs located on the back, and you get plenty. There’s a 3.5mm audio out, an RS-232 port, a USB Type-A service input, dual HDMI 2.0 ports with HDCP 2.2 support, a USB Type-C port, and another standard USB Type-A port. A second IR sensor is also available on the back, as is a slot for the power input. In terms of wireless connectivity, the projector offers Bluetooth 4.2 for audio and Wi-Fi for screen mirroring.
X2-4K is equipped with IR sensors at the front and back.
Now, the main feature of this projector is not that it offers 4K HDR output. What’s interesting about the X2-4K is the ability to get a refresh rate of up to 240Hz when connected to a gaming console. The projector offers 4K at 60Hz, 1440p at 120Hz, and 1080p at 240Hz. ViewSonic also claims that at 240Hz, you can get an ultra-low input lag of 4.2ms. While the company says the projector is designed for Xbox, it will also work great with Sony’s PlayStation 5 and gaming PCs.
The projector also has 16GB of built-in storage, of which 12GB can be used for apps and more. The X2-4K user interface is easy to use, and you get a Bluetooth backlit remote control that you can use to switch modes or navigate the projector. You can also control the projector using your mobile phone by downloading the vCastSender app.
The projector can also be controlled via a smartphone app.
ViewSonic has included features like H/V keystone with auto V keystore and 4-angle adjustments that allow you to enjoy flat projection from different angles. The projector also has an Instant power feature that immediately turns on the device as a smart TV with a startup animation. It has even received TUV SUD certification for improved eye protection.
ViewSonic X2-4K Performance: You’ll Be Impressed
Okay, let’s talk about performance, and this is where the ViewSonic X2-4K will leave you very impressed. Although it is advertised as a projector designed for gaming, it is also great for viewing content. First, I will talk about gaming performance. As mentioned earlier, this is the only projector specifically designed for Xbox. However, this does not mean that you need an Xbox to enjoy the high refresh rate offered by the projector. You can connect the projector to a PS5 or a powerful gaming PC/laptop for high refresh rate output.
You can also game in 1080p resolution with a refresh rate of 240Hz.
I connected the X2-4K to my PlayStation 5 and played games like Horizon Forbidden West, Red Dead Redemption 2, and EA Sports WRC. I set the resolution to 1440p, which gave me a refresh rate of 120Hz. The games were smooth, and I enjoyed playing on the console more than on my 55-inch TV. The colors look great thanks to the HDR support, and you can also choose from the different color modes available. I chose the Game profile, which I found to be the best for gaming. You can also customize all of these color profiles to your liking. When watching movies or TV shows, I would switch to the Movie color mode, which provides good contrast, colors, and an overall smooth picture.
The visual quality of the projector is excellent thanks to the HDR output.
The projector also offered me a standard 4K HDR output at 60Hz, which worked great with the PS5. As for brightness, the projector can get very bright, and I was able to watch content even with a lamp on in the room.
In terms of sound, I was again impressed by how full the output is. The projector has two 6-watt Harman Kardon cube speakers on each side that deliver excellent sound. This is enough for a medium-sized living room, and it also delivers good bass. When placed in the center in front of you, you also get an immersive experience.
The projector also does a very good job of managing heat. Over long hours of use in a 94 degree ambient temperature, I never heard any fan noise.
ViewSonic X2-4K Review: Verdict
The ViewSonic X2-4K, although marketed as a gaming projector, can do much more than just make your gaming sessions interesting. It is on the pricier side at Rs 3,25,000, but you get what you pay for. The projector offers excellent 4K output, good color reproduction, high refresh rate, and full-fledged audio. Luckily, you can find the X2-4K for much less than Rs 2,80,000 on Amazon, making it an even better deal. I would recommend the ViewSonic X2-4K not only if you are looking for a gaming projector but also if you want to combine gaming and content streaming. It is an excellent short throw projector in every way.
Price (at the time of writing the review): Rs 2,80,000
Ratings:
Design: 9
Performance: 9
VFM: 8
General: 9
Pros:
- 4K HDR output
- 1440p at 120Hz is great for gaming
- Great sounding Harman Kardon speakers
- Bright LED 2900 lumens
- Easy to use user interface
Minuses:
- No lens protection
- No Ethernet connection
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