ViewSonic PJ758

ViewSonic is probably better known for its LCD monitors than its projectors, but after the performance of the PJ758 it may well move up the awareness charts.

That's because, despite not being the best in any particular area, it's right up there in every one, and as an all-round business projector that makes it difficult to beat.

Like the Epson EMP-822, it's a triple-panel polysilicon LCD projector rather than a DLP model. Its maximum screen size at a distance of 2m from the screen is a hugely impressive 68.5in, and colours are vibrant and bright.

It isn't as blindingly bright as some at 2,200 lumens, but it excels in virtually every other area of image quality. Focus across the screen is superb, while the advanced menu options allow the slightly yellow-biased colours evident in the video output to be adjusted to more accurately represent reality.

Only the black and grey levels disappoint. Blacks have to be tuned to a slightly over-grey level before dark greys can be seen against a dark background, but this doesn't seem to have an overly detrimental effect on video performance, which was among the smoothest and most watchable in this Labs.

And it's a small gripe when you consider the overall package. The warranty is an excellent three-year on-site with an equally good one-year return-to-base lamp policy. Connections are comprehensive and include two VGA inputs and RCA component video inputs (although there's no DVI), and the cost over 10,000 hours is the lowest in this Labs. That's because its replacement lamp, which needs to be changed every 2,000 hours, costs just £112 - half that of the Taxan's lamp and at least £67 cheaper than for the DLP projectors.

Overall, this ViewSonic is an outstanding choice. At 3.4kg, it may not be the most portable projector here, but if you intend to install it permanently, or semi-permanently, there's little that comes close to it.

Author: Jonathan Bray