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Review: Acer brings HD home

Johannesburg, 11 Jun 2010

Home entertainment enthusiasts would probably never see the role of the projector taking the lead over the TV set, but the Acer H5360 might just change their minds.

The Acer H5360 projector brings high-definition (HD) video to any surface. The resulting image is pristine and clear even though it’s being projected against a wall, and the resulting image quality comparable to the ultra-fancy organic light emitting diode TVs.

The imaging technology is based on Texas Instruments’ light processing technology, which supports a native resolution of 720p (HD-ready), making the projector perfect for movie lovers, and even the games begin to look good projected against a wall.

An interesting feature is the ability to project against coloured surfaces, as the Acer ColourBoost II+ technology includes a wall-colour compensation technology. This allows the H5360 to be used in a variety of environments, both indoors and out, regardless of the single-colour surface you are projecting onto.

The projector is also certified as Nvidia 3D Vision ready, which allows the projection of 3D content. However, it requires the use of a computer with a Nvidia 3D Vision compatible graphics card and a pair of 3D viewing goggles, so I wasn’t able to test the 3D component of the H5360.

Acer says its EcoProjection technology will cut standby power of the device from 5W to 1W, saving energy when the device isn’t in use. It also says the lamp life will last up to 2 500 hours in standard mode, and up to 4 000 hours in economy mode.

I found the quick guide rather lacking in content, and the full manual is kept on a CD, so it makes troubleshooting issues for technophobes a hassle. But ultimately, setting up the projector is completely straightforward and intuitive. Plug it in, turn it on, connect it to your display technology of choice, perhaps adjust the resolution, and you're ready to view your content in full glory.

The only negative thing about the H5360 is the heat generated by the unit, which requires waiting some time for the device to cool down before it powers off completely. However, this is a customary issue that extends to all projectors.

In summary: Given the Acer H5360’s ability to connect to so many different devices, and its ability to project clear, high-definition images, the H5360 is ready to be integrated into any home or office environment.

I say: Ideal for the home or office environment.
Plus: HD-ready technologies with great power savings.
Minus: Poor zoom, runs hot, lacks printed manual.
Price: R10 499

Specifications:
Native: 720p (1280 x 720)
Maximum: UXGA (1600 x 1200)
Displayable colours: 1.07 billion
Dimensions: 341mm W x 120mm D x 261mm H
Weight: 4.1kg
Supply: 100V – 240V AC
Consumption: 224W (operation), < 1W (standby)

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