Home Theater Projector Review: Acer PH530 DLP Projector: Summary, Pros, Cons

Home Theater Projector Review: Acer PH530 DLP Projector: Summary, Pros, Cons

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It really comes down to this. The Acer PH530, is OK! It is probably currently (10/07) the least expensive, current model 720p home theater projector on the market, and that means plenty of folks will buy them.

And I'm quite sure, that give or take a little frustration with the limited user settings that I have mentioned elsewhere, almost everyone buying the Acer, will enjoy watching it.

Image above is from the DTS sample disc on Blu-Ray. For all my comments about this projector, this image still looks awfully good!

However, for those with just a little extra money - say $75 to $250, you can get more projector for not that much more money. The decision is yours, of course.

I think that the slightly more expensive Optoma HD70 and the Mitsubishi HC1500 are good examples of alternatives that don't cost that much more. The Optoma is a little brighter, a little better overall in image quality (and a touch sharper), and comes with a 2 year parts and labor warranty, compared to Acer's one year. Best I can tell, the Optoma can be had for something around $100 or so more, but that will vary over time. It would seem to me, that the Optoma is worth the difference.

Then there's the Mitsubishi HC1500, which is another $100 - $150 additional, but is much brighter than the Acer or Optoma, and has the best image quality of the three (not by that much) and is also sharper than the Acer. That would be my first choice of the three, if budget allowed, for it's worth the difference just for the brightness.

The lack of a second digital input, the non-backlit remote, the User memory issue. All can be minor, but they start adding up.

Still, the PH530 does put an enjoyable picture up on your screen that will impress your friends.

You are just going to have to figure this one out yourself.

Acer PH530 projector, Pros, Cons, and Typical Capabilities

Acer PH530 Projector: Pros

• Lowest cost 720p projector at the time of this review (10/07)
• Very compact size
• A touch quieter than the average DLP home projector
• Easy to adjust to get good color balance for movies - D65 (6500K)

Acer PH530 Home Theater Projector: Cons

• A slightly soft image (sharpness)
• No backlight on remote control, which seems to be an adapted business projector remote
• User memory - cannot support more than one setting, a real problem if you want (need) a custom setting for movies in the dark, another for TV in the dark, and more for movies, TV with some ambient light.
• Very limited placement flexibility (as is typical of DLP projectors)
• Limited color management controls
• Only one digital input
• Build quality - adjusting zoom causes image to go out of focus (not that unusual on a low cost projector)
• Documentation (not that bad really, but needs more explanation)
• One year warranty

Acer PH530 Projector: Typical Capabilities

• Pixel visibility (for a DLP projector)
• Noise levels for a DLP projector
• Menu layout
• Physical styling (or lack there of - it's a dark gray box)
• Lamp life, in full power mode (2000 hours)

Acer PH530 Summary