Casio XJ-A257 Portable Laser Projector Review - Hardware

Posted on September 17, 2018 by Chris Kahl

Casio XJ-A257 Portable Laser Projector Review – Hardware: Overview, Inputs and Connectors, Lens

Overview

Casio XJ-A257 Portable Laser Projector Front - Lens Cap Off

Casio XJ-A257 Portable Laser Projector Front - Lens Cap On

Casio XJ-A257 Portable Laser Projector Inputs and Connectors

Casio XJ-A257 Portable Laser Projector Cool Air Intake Vents

Casio XJ-A257 Portable Laser Projector Logo and Serial Ports

Casio XJ-A257 Portable Laser Projector Control Panel

❮ ❯

The Casio XJ-A257 is a slim series portable laser projector, best suited for business and educational applications. It measures just 1.7 inches tall, 11.7 inches wide and 8.3 inches deep, and weighs 5 lbs; roughly the size and weight of a ream of copy paper. This portable projector is designed to be placed on a table top, but also has hardware built into the bottom to accept mounting bolts for use on a stand or from the ceiling, and supports front and rear projection. This projector comes equipped with automatic digital vertical keystone correction, which makes setup a breeze. For this review, I used the table top option, so descriptions will be written as this projector appeared when sitting on a table top.

The front of the Casio XJ-A257 portable projector houses the lens. Next to the lens, you will find the Front IR Receiver, which is the receiver for the projector’s wireless remote control. The front of the projector also features the hot air exhaust vents. When looking at the projector from the front, the cool air intake is on the left side. The top of the projector is where we find the control panel and indicator lights, and the Casio logo. The rear of the projector is where the connections are located, as well as an additional IR sensor. The right side is ventilated and has logo port and a serial connection, which allows the projector to be controlled for an attached computer.

Inputs and Connectors

The Casio XJ-A257 offers a very basic level of connectivity, with only five inputs plus a connection for the power cord. Beginning on the left, you’ll find a single AV port, which is used with the included RCA (Yellow, Red, and White, male connectors only) to Composite AV adapter cable. The next port is a standard VGA port, and the projector includes a standard RGB cable. Next is the HDMI, used for connecting to modern computers, laptops, and high definition sources such as Bluray and 3D Bluray players. To the immediate right is a USB and Micro USB port, which is used to connect to USB mass storage devices for use with the onboard media player.

The right side of the projector houses an additional two inputs. The logo port allows the user to display a logo at startup, and at any time there is no input signal. Secondly, there is a serial port available to allow connection between the projector and a computer; this allows the projector to be controlled via a computer using RS-232C commands. The special serial cable (YK-60) is not included.

The Casio XJ-A257 is equipped with built-in WiFi, and is configured and access point, allowing devices to connect directly with the projector over a wireless LAN connection. The projector can also be accessed and controlled via an existing wireless LAN access point. Both screen output and audio output are supported while a computer is connected.

Lens

The Casio XJ-A257 features a lens with 2X power zoom, and power focus. There is a lens cap included, which is tethered to the projector via a piece of black nylon string, helping to reduce the likelihood this small part would be misplaced. The lens cap is affixed to the lens and remains in place during transport via an internal magnet.

Casio XJ-A257 Portable Laser Projector Review – Hardware: Overview, Inputs and Connectors, Lens

Overview

Casio XJ-A257 Portable Laser Projector Front - Lens Cap Off

Casio XJ-A257 Portable Laser Projector Front - Lens Cap On

Casio XJ-A257 Portable Laser Projector Inputs and Connectors

Casio XJ-A257 Portable Laser Projector Cool Air Intake Vents

Casio XJ-A257 Portable Laser Projector Logo and Serial Ports

Casio XJ-A257 Portable Laser Projector Control Panel

❮ ❯

The Casio XJ-A257 is a slim series portable laser projector, best suited for business and educational applications. It measures just 1.7 inches tall, 11.7 inches wide and 8.3 inches deep, and weighs 5 lbs; roughly the size and weight of a ream of copy paper. This portable projector is designed to be placed on a table top, but also has hardware built into the bottom to accept mounting bolts for use on a stand or from the ceiling, and supports front and rear projection. This projector comes equipped with automatic digital vertical keystone correction, which makes setup a breeze. For this review, I used the table top option, so descriptions will be written as this projector appeared when sitting on a table top.

The front of the Casio XJ-A257 portable projector houses the lens. Next to the lens, you will find the Front IR Receiver, which is the receiver for the projector’s wireless remote control. The front of the projector also features the hot air exhaust vents. When looking at the projector from the front, the cool air intake is on the left side. The top of the projector is where we find the control panel and indicator lights, and the Casio logo. The rear of the projector is where the connections are located, as well as an additional IR sensor. The right side is ventilated and has logo port and a serial connection, which allows the projector to be controlled for an attached computer.

Inputs and Connectors

The Casio XJ-A257 offers a very basic level of connectivity, with only five inputs plus a connection for the power cord. Beginning on the left, you’ll find a single AV port, which is used with the included RCA (Yellow, Red, and White, male connectors only) to Composite AV adapter cable. The next port is a standard VGA port, and the projector includes a standard RGB cable. Next is the HDMI, used for connecting to modern computers, laptops, and high definition sources such as Bluray and 3D Bluray players. To the immediate right is a USB and Micro USB port, which is used to connect to USB mass storage devices for use with the onboard media player.

The right side of the projector houses an additional two inputs. The logo port allows the user to display a logo at startup, and at any time there is no input signal. Secondly, there is a serial port available to allow connection between the projector and a computer; this allows the projector to be controlled via a computer using RS-232C commands. The special serial cable (YK-60) is not included.

The Casio XJ-A257 is equipped with built-in WiFi, and is configured and access point, allowing devices to connect directly with the projector over a wireless LAN connection. The projector can also be accessed and controlled via an existing wireless LAN access point. Both screen output and audio output are supported while a computer is connected.

Lens

The Casio XJ-A257 features a lens with 2X power zoom, and power focus. There is a lens cap included, which is tethered to the projector via a piece of black nylon string, helping to reduce the likelihood this small part would be misplaced. The lens cap is affixed to the lens and remains in place during transport via an internal magnet.