On test

DLP projector Approx price: 1,500

DLP projector

Acer PH730

Test Data

TEST Colour: Frequency response: READING Very good Excellent
For a full explanation of test data, please see page 98
HD Ready 1,280 x 768 pixels 2,500:1 contrast ratio 1080p compatible meanwhile, include one or two interesting features, such as white level adjustment, degamma tweaking, a Theatre preset and individual adjustments for the red, green and blue image components. Our only niggles are that the PH730 doesnt always detect HDMI/ DVI sources without rst switching them off and back on, and only supports RGB colour space through the DVI, leaving you with only the HDMI for attaching a (YUV colour space) Sky HD receiver.

Details

FEATURES
Type: DLP Panel shape: 16:10 Resolution (pixels): 1,280 x 768 HD Ready: Yes (incl 1080p) Quoted contrast ratio: 2,500:1 Quoted brightness: 1,200 ANSI Lumens Throw ratio: 100in image from 3.46-4.11m Supported formats: PAL/SECAM; 576i/576p; NTSC 480i/480p; HDTV (1080p, 1080i, 720p); resized UXGA 1,600 x 1,200 Dimensions: 350(w) x 119(h) x 282(d)mm Weight: 3.5kg OTHER FEATURES: 7-segment 4-colour wheel; 6 picture presets; 26dBA running noise; RGB colour adjust; digital zoom; BrilliantColour

SOCKETS

HDMI input; DVI input (RGB colour); USB input; VGA output; component input; PC input; S-video input; composite video input

CONTACT

1005 www.acer-euro.com
o date, affordable HD Ready DLP projectors have been few and far between. But now were starting to see one or two models breaking the critical, LCD-rivalling 1,500 price barrier. One reason the PH730 is so affordable may be that Acer didnt bother running it by the design department. It really is a breeze block by home projector standards, combining bulk with a dull grey, plasticky nish. Reassuring, though, are the two digital video connection options: one HDMI and one DVI. Theres also analogue PC support via a 15-pin D-Sub jack, phono-type component video inputs, the usual S-video and composite video fallbacks, plus a couple of unusual extras in the form of a VGA output and a USB port. Also unusual is the PH730s 1,280 x 768 native pixel count, giving a 16:10 aspect ratio where most HD Ready DLP projectors use 1,280 x 720 chipsets to give a movie-friendly, 16:9 widescreen aspect ratio. This sounds daft for a projector designed for the home theatre market, but many PC formats prefer the 16:10 ratio, making the PH730 potentially more of a multimedia all-rounder. Theres a decent, though uninspiring, claimed contrast ratio of 2,500:1, high brightness of 1,200 ANSI Lumens and, unexpectedly, the facility to play 1080p HD pictures as well as the more regular 720p and 1080i types. Attractive onscreen menus,

Also Consider >>

OPTOMA THEMESCENE HD72I This DLP model offers the same HD Ready spec, but delivers better quality pictures. Reviewed: Issue 311 HITACHI PJ-TX200 An HD Ready projector that uses LCD technology so the contrast isnt as consistent, but other aspects of its pictures are outstanding. Reviewed: Issue 303 rainbow effect is occasionally seriously noticeable and horizontal camera motion can judder a touch. The PH730, however, is still a respectable effort that falls only slightly short of its rival: Optomas stellar HD72i John Archer

performance

In action, the PH730 is really pretty good. Its particularly comfortable with high-denition sources, which help it demonstrate an unexpected crispness and eye for ne detail. Fast moving HD fodder, meanwhile, like a Premiership footie match, suffers less than many rivals with DLPs common zzing noise over horizontal motion. Colours are also likeable, combining plenty of brightness and vibrancy with a pleasingly natural tone that holds good across a wide spectrum. And the projector does a really very decent job of upscaling standard denition sources to its 1,280 x 768 resolution, provided those sources are of a decent quality to start with. Black levels could be better. While they contain good shadow detail and colour blend subtleties, dark picture areas can look somewhat greyed over. Also, the DLP

Ratings

WHATS GOOD
Sharpness; brightness; quiet; value

WHATS BAD

Occasional rainbow effect; DVI is RGB colour space only; digital input detection issues; black levels
Picture Features Ease of use Value

VERDICT

A perfectly credible HD Ready DLP effort that only suffers in comparison with the Optoma HD72i
058 I What Video and High-Denition TV I Issue 312

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Acer PH730 1,500 (approx) 1005 www.acer-euro.com
DLP takes a trip downtown
Acer injects more life into the budget DLP projector market with its affordable HD Ready PH730. John Archer gets hooked up
Ready models at prices that compete with their LCD counterparts. In a recent HD Ready grouptest, HCC found Optoma breaking new DLP price ground with its 1,500 ThemeScene H72i, and now its the turn of Acers PH730. Can this new entrant compete with its price rival in performance and design terms? The Acer loses out aesthetically.

Excellent

t may have taken longer than it should have, but DLP projector makers are nally introducing HD
black panels on each side and a bizarre curved metallic plate on the fascia next to the lens.

RATINGS

Highs: Brightness and clarity of HD pictures; quiet running; price Lows: Black level is limited; limited zoom range

Connections and features

Connectivity is excellent. There are not one but two digital options (one HDMI, one DVI), plus dedicated D-Sub PC and component inputs, S- and composite video inputs, a USB port, and even a VGA output. At the heart of the PH730s optical engine resides a 1280 x 768 native resolution DLP chipset with a 16:10 aspect ration, rather than the true 16:x 720 resolution silicon were used to seeing on home cinema projectors. But this may not necessarily be the disadvantage it rst appears, since the chip is actually a slightly newer Texas Instruments variant and so, argues TI, its mirrors and processing respond
Brightness Clarity Features OVERALL

LAB REPORT

Colour Black Level Contrast Resolution

Average

Its not full-on ugly, but its certainly. eccentric. For starters, its unusually large for a budget projector, with a dark plasticky nish exaggerating its chunkiness. It also looks like someones decided at the last minute to randomly liven things up by sticking glossy
feed from my resident Marantz DV9600 DVD player. Other key specs of the projector nd a maximum claimed contrast ratio of 2,500:1 (the rival Optoma claims 5000:1), and a claimed brightness of 1200 ANSI Lumens. The projector also runs impressively quietly (measured at just 26dBA), and can deliver 36-300in images from throw distances of 1.5m to 10m. Setting up this Acer is easy. The lens is a short-throw affair thats easily zoomed and focussed via a simple wheel adjustment around the lens, and theres both horizontal and vertical keystone adjustment. It should be noted that the level of zoom available is limited, meaning you really should check your rooms throwdistance/image size requirements before parting with any cash. Onscreen menus comprise house are a variety of presets for different sources (including a Theater mode); white

SPECIFICATIONS

ITEM HD Ready Progressive Scan Composite S-video Component Video HDMI/DVI PC input SUPPORT DETAILS All the key specs are catered for All progressive formats, inc 1080p! 1 phono input 1 input 1 input 1 HDMI, 1 DVI 1 D-Sub
slightly faster. Acer would doubtless argue, too, that the 16:10 ratio makes the PH730 more of a multimedia all-rounder than rival 16:9 machines, since the video outputs of many home entertainment PCs have a 1280 x 768 (i.e. widescreen XGA) display mode. Of course, whether any of this amounts to anything more than marketing spin remains to be seen. Much to my surprise, it transpires the PH730 can handle 1080p inputs. The projectors manual suggests its processing capabilities top out at 1080i, but it certainly displayed a 1080p
Resolution: 1280 x 768 Brightness: 1200ANSI lumens (max); Contrast: 2500:1 (claimed) Dimensions: 350(w) x 119(h) x 282(d)mm; Weight: 3.5kg Also featuring 7-segment 4x colour wheel, six picture presets, 26dBA running noise; Eco mode; BrilliantColour technology; 100in image from 3.46-4.11m throw-distance; digital zoom; R, G, B colour adjust; White segment adjust; degamma adjust; ceiling/floor/front/rear mounting supported

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Tried&Tested. AV Projector
segment adjustment; degamma setting adjustment; and separate adjustments for the red, green and blue image components.
The picture is very pleasing, betraying few if any signs of its budget construction
As for the projectors picture, it is very pleasing, betraying few if any signs of its budget construction. The picture is exceptionally bright. Even many mid-range (2,500 and above) DLP projectors fail to illuminate your screen quite so aggressively as this budget Acer. A consequence of this is that you can watch brighter footage in high ambient light something that can be said of hardly any affordable DLP rivals. Also unexpected is how crisp the PH730 looks with high-denition material. In terms of pixel detailing, clarity and image texture, showings of HD football are comparable with good projectors costing considerably more.The motion of the ball actually looked cleaner than Ive seen on some costlier PJs, possibly bearing out at least some of the faster response claims made for the 16:10 DLP chipset. More good news comes from the PH730s colour response, as ultra-vivid saturations join forces with reassuringly natural tones, while the image is reasonably free of most types of noise. This all adds up to an enjoyable HD performance. Standard-denition digital TV looks perfectly acceptable too.

Inevitably, though, Acers PH730 isnt the total package. Its most noteworthy weakness is the lack of black level compared to some DLP rivals including Optomas same-price H72i. Theres enough greyscale subtlety to leave dark scenes with a good sense of depth, but there is also denite evidence of the grey mist effect. Furthermore, I found myself distracted more often than Id like by DLPs characteristic rainbow effect, and camera pans looked a touch more juddery than they might, especially with NTSC sources.

Performance

Settling down to watch the PH730 immediately causes a problem or two, as the projector struggled to synchronise with my HDMI/DVI sources (a Sky HD box and a Marantz DV9600 DVD player). In fact, I had to switch both boxes into standby and back on again before the projector would detect them. It also turns out that the DVI jack will only accept the RGB colour space, making it incompatible with the YUV-outputting HDMI jack of Skys HD receiver. Still, none of this makes for great hardship and the PH730 is hardly alone in having the odd digital input detection issue.

Conclusion

Theres no doubt that this Acer is a competent HD Ready budget DLP projector. Its not the best in class from a home theatre perspective, but if you are looking for a projector as happy with PC sources as it is with AV, then it has a lot to offer
Stylish curves but theres no doubt that this is a big beast
A functional handset, but its not backlit
Rear connections on the PH730 include HDMI and DVI, plus component, D-Sub, composite and S-video

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