ACER K330 LED 1280x800 - Page 27

I do have the Acer K330 at 120 image size (16:9), 1.0 gain, and I enjoy it regularly. What swayed me to try one of these ~500 lumen LED HD DLPs was that I read that conventional UHP bulbs go down to near that level for much of their runtime anyway, so why not get something that doesn't require bulb replacement and runs much cooler.
From what I understand, these LED unit output a relatively consistent light level throughout the rated hours, and to me, the color quality of the LEDs are very noticeably better than UHP lamps.
The focus and overall image quality is more than enough for me enjoy. I can watch HD content indefinitely and be completely engaged in the experience of what's happening onscreen, without a thought of image problems, just distraction-free enjoyment.
The hardware is just a means to an end, and my Acer K330 has an outstandingly good price/performance ratio.
I have no regrets about it, in fact, I bought a second Acer K330 to take with me when I travel so I can leave the first one in place at home (thus the two boxes in the photo).
I'm attempting for the first time, to post photos I've taken of my screen image from the Acer K330, so if I get it right, there will be some photos here:

Do you run it in ECO or bright mode all the time? That sounds promising about you using it on a 1.0 gain screen. I was thinking of a DIY screen that'd punch up the gain to the ~1.3 to 1.4 range to get a little extra brightness, so I'd think it'd be reasonable in that instance.

What's your seating distance as well? Is the focus still good at that range?


The only other thing that's making me a bit nervous about the 500 lumen LED units is the CA that most units seem to have. It's hard to tell how badly that impacts the picture from a zoomed up white line picture.

I run my Acer K330 at the bright mode all the time, because I still don’t hear the fan noise when watching a movie, and the contrast is better on the bright mode.
My seating distance is 12 feet, and the focus is just fine at that distance; I watch and thoroughly enjoy HD content without problems.
Well, CA (chromatic aberration), was a real concern for me as well. When I get up close to the projected image, at two feet away, then yes, I can see some CA (even some projectors costing thousands of dollars have this).
The important thing is that I don’t watch content at two feet away, and I don’t notice any CA at my preferred viewing distance of 12 feet, so what’s the big deal?
At some point though, I couldn’t stand waiting and being so curious any longer, so I stopped being nervous about it, and I bought an Acer K330 from TigerDirect. Yes, the Acer K330 and the similar clones do have some issues up close, but nothing that prevents the total enjoyment of the projector from a real viewing distance. As you posted, the CA is apparent when viewed close-up on a zoomed-in white line, but well duh though . . . I don’t watch films zoomed in on a white line on my projector, no more often than I'd watch my flatscreen 52" 1080P 120Hz LCD Samsung zoomed in on a white line. Some posters on these forums are nit-picking these clone projectors to death, when actually they are awesome. These LED HD DLP clones put many $2,000 to $3,000 conventional projectors to shame, in my opinion; the Acer K330 is so worth the cost, I bought two units.

I just this evening, at home, watched the opening ceremonies of the London 2012 Summer Olympics in HD with a friend on my 120 inch, HD 16:9 projection screen, and both she and I, were so glad that we had such a truly large screen on which to watch this visually rich spectacle. We both together have viewed HD on even the latest Sharp 90 inch flatscreen at the local Best Buy, but really, 90 inches is still just small compared to 120 inches. As much as direct-view, flatscreen panels might measure better on the battle of certain specific specifications, they lose the whole war as regards visual impact, in my opinion, due to limited size.
What are manufacturers of flatscreens trying to do anyway? Looking at past history, over time, they are marketing larger and larger flatscreens incrementally, (50”, 60”, 70”, 80”, and now 90”), when all the while, projectors already easily surpass even the largest available flat screen panels by far.
Case in point; I just this past Wednesday, went to see “The Dark Knight Rises” at an IMAX theater. I waited several days after the film was released to avoid the long lines and crowds, so that I could easily get a seat at the center of screen in the auditorium on the seventh row back from the front, at the best “sweet spot” for my preference of viewing, and what a rewarding visual experience!
I thought this: “If flatscreens are “better” than projection technology, then why aren’t there public cinemas set up to have several rooms, each with at least a 90 inch flatscreen, so that people could pay money for a ticket to see a premiere film on a flatscreen? The reason is that inherently, people know that life in front of their eyes does not happen restricted to within a 90 inch (or similar) rectangular area, but rather, life experiences happen as big as possible, up to and including the entire area of a person’s field of vision.
Now, to the extent that I am aware of, movie-ticket purchasers in public cinemas are not complaining about having to sit in a dark environment to view the current blockbuster film, such as “The Dark Knight Rises”. If you are one of those persons who, for whatever reason, prefers having relatively bright lights on in the room when watching a film, then I sincerely wonder, why do you go to the theater? Notices in the public theater inform viewers to turn off cell phones, don’t they?
If having relatively bright lights on in the room while watching is essential to a person, then get a flatscreen, so you can read, text, or whatever else priority it is that you are wanting to do, while paying only partial attention to the film.
My projector’s 120 inch image is good enough to make me not care about watching the same programming on even the much smaller 90 inch flatscreens that I’ve seen for myself at a store. As good as the currently available 90 inch flatscreens are (and I’m thinking specifically of the recently released Sharp 90”), there are still no 120 inch 16:9 flatscreens available that I’m aware of (July 2012). I still regard 90 inch or smaller screens as comparatively ‘smaller screens”. Someone, please inform me when flatscreens are available at 120 inches or larger, and I’ll take them more seriously. In my opinion, the Acer K330 (and its clones: the Optoma ML500, and ViewSonic PLED-W500) absolutely crush any flatscreen tv for cinema sized experience.

Honzik1, my postings and screen shots here describe my own experience at home with my Acer K330 LED HD DLP projector, on a 120" 16:9 screen. I am absolutely blown away with my Acer K330 projector's image, but I have been monitoring both the Acer K330 and the LG PA70G LED HD DLP projectors' forums, because the LG PA70G is at least as good as the Acer K330, if not a step forward. I guess that I inadvertently posted on both the Acer K330 and LG PA70G threads together! Really though, certain posters who are critical of LED HD DLP projectors are just envious because their much more costly 50 inch to 90 inch (or more) LCD (or plasma) flatscreens are not capable of as large an image (120 inches+) as an LED HD DLP projector!

Do you try 3D with your K330?. Does it work with the 3D-XL (or other similar) and a 3D blue ray? In other threads i read that the Optoma ML500 can do. I want to buy one of this amazing projectors and I can decide which one. Any suggestion?

I have not yet tried any 3D with my Acer K330. You may already know that there are four models of these projectors, being called “clones” because they all are so nearly the same, just with different outer cases, on-screen menus, and other variations.
The four are the Acer K330, Optoma ML500, ViewSonic PLED-W500, and NEC L50W, and all LED DLPs, rated at ~500 lumens, 720P resolution native widescreen 16:10 (16:9 compatible). I chose the Acer K330 because to me, it has the most natural accurate colors, and there is an option on the menu to auto-calibrate the color.
From reading several posts on the topic of these ”clones”, the best one of the bunch for 3D is the ViewSonic PLED-W500 because it works with ViewSonics’ 3D HD Video Processor (VP3D1), so I've read. I just checked and the ViewSonic VP3D1 on Amazon is $354, and takes one to two months to ship. Apparently, all the others do 3D through the VGA port, if connected to compatible 3D capable computer, but no 3D over HDMI, or from a blu-ray player. This is a basic summary of what I’ve read, but many other posters have much more detailed information on 3D if you read through the posts.
It’s obvious from my previous posts that I’m amazed at what my Acer K330 can do, throwing a 120”, HD 16:9 image onto a home theater screen; I’m happy with it, but I were to get an LED HD DLP projector right now, it would be the newly released LG PA70G.
The LG PA70G is $200 more than the clones, but it looks like a step up in performance. Check out the LG PA70G thread if you’re interested.

I love watching movies or gaming in 3D on my PLED-W500 (Viewsonic). The biggest drawback with the PLED is the no audio out, which I get around by using a cheap HDMI to VGA converter that has an audio out on it. But this only comes into play when using my projector any where other than at home.

Posters have comfirmed getting the Optoma ML-500 to work with the Optoma 3D-XL converter by connecting it to the VGA input using a HDMI to VGA converter. Although you'd want to be sure tio find one that maintains HDCP during the signal conversion. This should also work for the Acer K330. They have also comfirmed it to work with the 3DFury.

Hello guys, this is my 1st post here but eventually following this thread since it was started. This question will be address to the Acer k330 owners ... Did anyone here will able to compare this Pj to the new LG PA70G LED 1280x800 700 Lumens? Can you share your thoughts? Cos I am a CRE x205 led projector owner, and wanted to upgrade this Acer K330, but found this LG PA70G LED 1280x800 700 Lumens which is more interesting to me.

Quote:
Originally Posted by Ronknox

"It’s obvious from my previous posts that I’m amazed at what my Acer K330 can do, throwing a 120”, HD 16:9 image onto a home theater screen; I’m happy with it, but I were to get an LED HD DLP projector right now, it would be the newly released LG PA70G.
The LG PA70G is $200 more than the clones, but it looks like a step up in performance. Check out the LG PA70G thread if you’re interested"

As reading from the LG PA70G LED 1280x800 700 Lumens projector thread, it is more interesting. I think its a step up from 500 lumens clone projectors.
Does anybody here owns that already? Please share your thoughts.

I will have one in a week or two and should be able to post comparative impressions since I will have both the K330 and the PA70 at the same time.

I am looking forward with your comparative impressions. Hope you can also post a side by side comparison picture too.

Your future side by side comparison between LG PA70G & Acer K330 will be a great help for me to decide to pull a trigger on LG PA70G.

So what is your impressions between the two led Projector that you have? ( K330 and the PA70 ). Please share your thoughts.....

I'm interested with Acer K330 PJ too, but how is the image clarity when the projected size is 120inch?

The best way i could describe the picture is to the screen shots I posted earlier in this thread, those are at 120 inches, which provides a huge experience at home.
I am happy with the clarity given the cost of the K330. In fact, because of the closeness of the DLP pixels, it seems to me to look less pixelated than a flat screen would at that size.
I saw a Sharp 90" LCD flatscreen playing HD at a retail store, and the pixels were much more noticeable on it at the viewing distance I would choose.
You must have a totally dark, or almost dark room to get the benefit of the projector though, but otherwise, what an experience, especially compared to the cost of a 90" flatscreen; it's all personal preference and opinion.

Henrydudley I see that video of the Acer K 330, I can even read the fonts even from here !
What's your opinion of the Smoothpicture technology diamond DMD chips in there projectors ? is it worth it ?
I see that the LG-PA-70-G 700 lumen projector has this DMD DLP chip in it.
Currently I have the LG-HX300 projector and never have been happy with it, yes, watching movies is, can I say ? OK with it ?
Forget about games, it looks like you running it with the old composite cable with it.
I don't know if you own any other older LED projectors before this one, but if you had ? is there any notice let's say from a LG-201 ? to this one ?
How about reading the fonts on the screen compared to the PC screen ? clear enough ?
I know when I run the HX-300 with the desk top screen it looks dull.
I am either waiting to see if the new Acer 750 Hybred/Laser LED 1080 P projector is released on the US market and see if the price drops under $ 2,000 or just go ahead and buy the LG-PA-70-G.
Or ? just hold onto the LG HX300 for another year and see what happens next year.
I don't have a lot of money to spend so whatever I do spend my money on, it has to be the right choice and last a long while.

The home made screen I have is around 90" to 110 " , good enough for me.
I don't have the proper room to set out a really nice home theater setup.

" I am happy with the clarity given the cost of the K330. "

Decisions, decisions... what to do...

To me ? that's what counts at this time, I am even happy if I can get a nice picture even at 80" to 90 " .

On those diamond pixels ? I read a article last night about it, it's called Smoothpicture technology by Texas Instruments.

Actually on those diamond DMD chips, you won't be able to see the gap in between the pixels as you do on the normal square pixels.

TI reduced the size of the DMD chip to cut production cost for the projection TVs, therefore , reduce the cost for the costumer.

Are they a left over product from the projection TV era ? used in these PICO projectors ?

The Acer 750 Hybrid/Laser might be released and out later this fall in the US, but with a hefty sticker price, we won't know what the street prices with be, but, from the EURO, it will be around $ 2,500

You may not simply convert EUR to USD. There is no VAT in US. I guess, the price will be below $2000.

That isn't exactly in the same price category as this projector though. Based on the price here I could get 10 k330s for that.

So when you write 720p 120hz 3d, do you really mean 1280x720 at 120hz in 3D ?
That would be great.
I can not decide between a viewsonic pled-w500 (that can do 1280x720 120hz 3d with some tricks according to forumer colmania on the w500 thread) and the K330.
But considering the K330 has audio out (not the w500) and is 100€ cheaper in my country, if you can confirm the 1280x720 120hz 3d on k330, I'll definitely choose this one .

Did you manage to get the image less blurred after some tweaking?

ps: for those who want to know how 1280x720 120hz 3D works on the other clone, the Viewsonic pled-w500, here is the link to colmania's post:
http://www.avsforum.com/t/1344151/viewsonic-pled-w500-led-1280x800/240#post_22020043

Update:
I just received a K330 two days ago.
I followed all the steps detailed in Colmania's post (link above) and managed to get 1280x720 at 120hz with both VGA and HDMI.
Image quality actually does change a bit and this seems to add a kind of blue tint to the image. (i have not tried yet to correct that in the projector menu).
I have got an NVIDIA 3dvision 2 kit (emitter + glasses). I managed to activate 3DVision and I played a bit of a 3DReady game (Just Cause 2).
The only problem is the fact that Left and Right eyes are inverted in 3DVision. I can see that 3D works when putting the 3Dvision glasses upside down but I'd like to find a better and more comfortable solution.
Using 3D DLP Link glasses may solve this inversion problem as they would synchronize directly with the projector (not the 3Dvision emitter) and the K330's menu contains an option to do the inversion.
Using another .inf file to do the EDID hack or not do any EDID hack may solve the problem as it could be related to bad timings in 3D between the PC and the K330.

Let me know if you had the same problems.
I'll update the post again once I have more info.
Edited by Tehen - 9/24/12 at 4:57am

Can you confirm that doing the EDID hack enable the K330 to do 1280x720@120hz using VGA?
Reading some of the other comments in the thread starts to make me think that VGA on the K330 is limited to 1024x768@120hz (like HDMI) even with EDID hack.

Update:
According to my own testing (see above post), the answer is YES !
But I should try with no EDID hack to check if it resolves Left/Right eyes inversion in 3D.
Edited by Tehen - 9/24/12 at 5:18am

Hi,
I purchased an Acer K330 PJ. I will use it with a 200x200 projection display mounted on the wall. Acer K330 does have many settings especially ones regarding the video. I will mostly use it for watching movies. The distance between the PJ and the wall is 2.6 meters. In order to get better image I need to calibrate it. The calibration values are all factory default values. Besides I can not find sharpness adjustment anywhere.

1- Could you please advice the best calibration values for this projector?

2- Is there any link for this on the net?

3- Where is the sharpness adjustment in the menu?

Do you speak about focus adjustement to adapt the picture to the distance between the screen and the projector?
It is really simple to do but I actually found myself looking for it in the menu for a couple of minutes before I realized it was not there .
If it is what you are looking for, just hold the proj with one hand and turn the front lens with the other hand ... and voilà !
If it not that, then I do not know the answer.

Well my K330 appears to have suffered an LED failure. The picture started flickering to teal like the red was dropping out. That went on for about 30 seconds or so (just long enough for me to get up to try to reconnect the video cables) and then it went solid teal for 5 seconds, then the unit beeped and shut down, and the LAMP light is on. Damn. So much for buying an LED projector to avoid lamp replacement.

I'm not sure how many hours I had, but I've been pretty busy with work so I expect less than 200. I've run almost exclusively on ECO mode and on a tripod, so ventilation was not an issue. Bummer is I'm at 116 days, so no 90 day warranty replacement for me.

I contacted Acer's support last week but haven't heard anything back yet, so I'll probably try replacing the module myself. Will let you all know how it goes!

That bites. Maybe Acer will cut you a break, since you are so close to the end of warranty. I am surprised the lamp is not warranted longer - is it considered a user replaceable item on the K330? I recall the LED lamp in my LG PA70G has a 2 year warranty just like the rest of the projector.

Hi,
I try to read as many postings as I can from the forum members with LED projectors. I have fortunate so far, to have over thousand hours on my LED projector. Before buying one, I was concerned about the longevity of LED projectors.

I have had LED lights in my house for years. Although none of them have died, several have loss a lot of output. My worse experience with LED lights was with LED USB desklamps. I bought quite a few. With two weeks of connection to my Dell 2408 monitor, all those connected had dropped to unusable levels (I, also tried a powered USB hub with the same results).

While the LED could be the culprit, did you rule out the LED driver circuitry?

What is the warranty of the K330? You mention a ninety day replacement; does that mean that after 90 days you're on your own or will they repair your unit at no cost?

I am talking about the sharpness adjustment in the menu which can allow further sharpness adjustment over manual focus adjustment.