Dell 1610HD Projector - Review Summary

Posted on October 1, 2010 by Art Feierman

A summary of the Dell 1610HD projector's pros, cons, and typical capabilities.

Dell 1610HD Projector: Bottom Line

The Dell 1610HD is a good choice for the presenter that needs high brightness on a budget. Few of the multimedia projectors we have reviewed put out 3500 lumens or more and nearly all of them cost substantially more than the Dell 1610HD or are nowhere near as portable. While the color fidelity suffers at high brightness, it is more than adequate for most PowerPoint or similar presentations. Since you can still get almost 2900 lumens with better color using Presentation mode, you still wind up with a brighter picture than much of the competition in their brightest mode.

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The HDMI input is a welcome addition to a projector in this price range. With more computers and video sources using HDMI, it makes for an easy connection that can deliver audio as well as video. Also welcome is the ability to adjust the projector height in both the front and the back, thus reducing the need to use keystone correction.

As far as negatives are concerned, lamp replacement will not be easy if the projector is ceiling mounted. The on-projector controls are difficult to see and use, but most people will be using the remote anyway. On the plus side, there are no dust filters to clean or replace.

The Dell 1610HD is one of three 3D-ready projectors we’ve reviewed recently. The other widescreen projector that retails for the same price as the Dell is the BenQ W600. In comparison, the BenQ really targets video use and has more adjustments to that end than the Dell. However, the BenQ W600 puts out just under 3000 lumens in its brightest mode, which is only slightly more than the Dell in its Presentation mode. At its brightest, The BenQ displays the same color issues as the Dell does in its brightest mode. So, if you need color fidelity, the Dell 1610HD gives it to you at the same output level as the BenQ at its brightest. Those with more light control and prone to doing video presentations will opt for the BenQ, while those needing brightness to punch through their daylight applications will certainly find that the Dell 1610HD fills the bill.