VAVA 4K UHD Laser TV Home Theatre Projector | Bright 2500 Lumens | Ultra Short Throw | HDR10 | Built-in Harman Kardon Sound Bar | ALPD 3.0 | Smart Android System
VAVA 4K Ultra Short Throw Laser Projector is the latest entrant in the consumer projection device segment. Its release highlights the recent trend of buyers preferring laser projectors (also known as laser TVs) over large TVs for their homes. It is a relatively affordable product among the 4K projectors that use lasers as a light source. Let’s take a look at what this device offers and how it performs.
Design – Subdued Yet Elegant
Most manufacturers of 4K UST laser projectors pay special attention to the aesthetics of their offerings. VAVA is no different and has opted for a sleek and stylish design that will blend in with the décor of most rooms. The projector is 21” wide and 14.5” deep with a height of 4.2”. It being a UST projector is meant to be placed a few inches from the projection screen.
The topside of the VAVA 4K laser projector has a recess that houses the projection lens. A power button is provided near the center of the front edge and is illuminated. Its sides feature gray fabric with exhaust vents on the left and right sides and the I/O panel on the rear. Overall, the white-gray color design of the projector is neutral and appealing.
Hardware – Specifications And Connectivity
On the hardware side of things, the VAVA 4K UST laser projector is a decent offering. It is a DLP projector that uses a laser light source with ALPD 3.0 technology for projecting imagery. Its 2500 ANSI lumens brightness rating ensures excellent image quality even in moderate ambient light. The light source is industrial grade and rated for 25,000 hours of operation.
The projector has a throw ratio of 0.233:1 and can project a 100” image when placed at a distance of only 7.2” from the screen. You can use the projector to project 80” to 150” imagery. It has a resolution of 3840×2160 pixels and allows you to watch movies and videos in excellent quality. Although the resolution is not native 4K, you won’t notice any significant difference. There are Harman Kardon stereo speakers behind the gray fabric on the front side that provide decent audio quality. It supports a contrast ratio of 3,000:1 and produces vibrant images. The device comes with 2GB of RAM and an additional 32GB EMMC memory for storage.
Software – Interface And Navigation
VAVA 4K Ultra Short Throw laser projector is a smart device based on the Android 7.1 OS. It allows you to install applications from the Aptoide store, which is an alternative Android marketplace. The interface is nice and clean and easy to navigate. There are four primary menu panels – a preview window, a shortcut to the Aptoide store, a link to the file manager for browsing attached USB storage, and a menu item for connecting mobile devices via the VAVA Projector App.
You can download and install applications like Netflix and Prime Video from the Aptoide store. Shortcuts to the installed applications are also added on the interface home page for easy access. Installing the applications can be frustrating as the Aptoide store has multiple versions of the same application (even Netflix). It can be confusing for users to choose the right application version.
A remote controller is provided in the package for controlling the projector. It has a simple layout with slightly raised buttons and is easy to use.
Features
When it comes to features, VAVA 4K UST projector boasts of some great ones. The excellent lumens rating of the projector makes it suitable for environments with some ambient light in addition to dark rooms.
The projector supports an 8-point keystone correction feature for rectifying distorted imagery, although it is best to align the projector properly with respect to the screen. It also has an electric focus control that makes it easier to get crystal clear imagery. There is a pair of infrared sensors, one on each side of the lens, that reduce the brightness when they detect movement as a safety precaution.
It comes with built-in Harmon Kardon stereo speakers that provide decent sound quality. It is loud enough for living rooms, but the lack of a dedicated subwoofer makes the low’s less punchy. However, it is expected and you can consider an external surround system for the full home theatre experience.
The out-of-the-box color projection of the projector leans on the bluish side due to the oversaturated blues. A few tweaks may be necessary to correct the imagery. The company claims HDR10 support for its projector. However, like most of its competitors, the VAVA 4K laser projector doesn’t support a wide array of colors. It can project colors in the Rec.709 color gamut but not beyond.
This has been a major drawback in laser projectors or laser TVs as compared to standard LCD HDR TVs. A movie or video on an HDR10 TV from manufacturers like Samsung or LG will be more vibrant than the projectors with HDR10 rating. It is because the LCD TVs conform to the Rec.2020 color gamut specifications. It is not just an issue with the VAVA 4K UST projector, and most HDR10 laser projectors are equally poor when it comes to HDR10 content.
Pros – What is the VAVA 4K UST laser projector good at?
Here are a few highlights of the VAVA 4K laser projector.
- Relatively Affordable – VAVA 4K UST projector is one of the lowest-priced 4K laser projectors costing under $3,000 (USD).
- 2,500 ANSI Lumens – Its laser light source can emit up to 2,500 ANSI lumens of brightness.
- Decent Built-In Speakers – The built-in Harmon/Kardon speakers provide excellent sound quality.
- 4K Resolution – Its 4K resolution (although not native) makes it a great home theatre projector.
- Aptoide Store Access – VAVA 4K laser projector is a smart device that can connect to the Internet, allowing you to install applications.
- Easy To Install – It has an Ultra Short Throw Ratio (0.233:1) that makes the projector easy to install without the need for any mounting hardware.
Cons – Where the VAVA 4K UST laser projector is found wanting?
Here are some areas where the VAVA 4K laser projector falls behind its competitors.
- Lackluster HDR10 – Its HDR10 color range is lackluster which is a common case with projectors.
- High Input Lag – The projector has a very high input lag and is not suitable for FPS gaming.
Should You Buy the VAVA 4K Ultra Short Throw Laser Projector?
VAVA 4K Ultra Short Throw laser projector is the latest entrant in the recent laser TV segment. However, it aims to bring 4K laser experience at an affordable price, unlike the offerings from Hisense and LG that come at a premium. Also, the projector has a good brightness rating and plenty of features. Despite its oversaturated blues, it still performs well for movies and videos. Its relatively low price makes it a great value proposition. Buyers who want a 4K laser projector at an affordable price can consider the VAVA 4K Ultra Short Throw Laser Projector. It is a good substitute for large-sized 4K televisions that are expensive. However, if you want better color accuracy at the same price, then consider a lamp or LED 4K projector instead.
Comments
Post a Comment