3 minute read
Colourist Blake Jones reviews the Asus ProArt A1 Projector.
The latest addition to the ProArt family from ASUS is its new A1 Projector. The projector sports the usual slick design that we see in all the ASUS products. It is the first Calman verified projector and has a beautiful bright LED light that delivers crisp pictures with rich colors. Inside the box contains everything you need to get started. In addition to the projector is also a carry case, remote control, Wi-Fi dongle, HDMI cable and power cables for all regions.
I tested the projector under all situations. I tried projecting on a wall which is far from ideal although ASUS does provide you with a control to compensate if the wall color is not completely white. Naturally the best way to achieve the true projection experience is to use a proper screen. I found a large selection of projection screens available and this certainly delivered excellent results. The projector also has a zoom control that is perfect for making sure your projected image fits correctly with the screen. The projector outputs a maximum resolution of 1920 X 1080 but can accept input media in resolutions up to 4K.
Setting up the projector was extremely simple as this could be done using the on screen display together with either the controls on the top of the projector or with the remote control. When connecting your computer to the projector, this can be done by either a VGA, HDMI or even a Wi-Fi connection. When utilizing the Wi-Fi connection, you need to plug in the Wi-Fi dongle supplied with the package and then search for the Wi-Fi connection using your computer or tablet.
Rear panel of the projector.
Of course, the projector has all the usual ProArt adjustments as we have seen in their line of monitors. There are adjustments for various parameters such as color temperature, saturation, contrast and brightness to name only a few. Using their remote control makes it very easy to navigate and adjust the various settings.
There are many ways to mount the projector. You can have it sitting on a table and project to the screen. The feet of the projector can be easily adjusted to ensure the angle to the screen is correct. It’s also possible to have the projector behind the screen for rear projection installations. The projector can also be ceiling mounted. This is perfect for a fixed installation in a home theatre or even a conference room.
I found that the color accuracy of the ProArt A1 is exceptional. I tested the device with everything from color bars to media files that I was very familiar with. All of the media tested gave me excellent results. The blacks looked great and the colors were true. As the projector comes pre-calibrated from the factory, there was really nothing to change.
The projector also has Audio Line in and Out connections. This is perfect for sending the audio to an external sound system. The unit also contains a small speaker that is ideal for checking your audio input. There is a RS-232C port that can be used for connecting the projector to a remote control terminal. The projector has a 5-volt power output that is perfect for utilizing the projector together with input devices such as a Google Chromecast or Amazon Fire Stick.
The ProArt A1 projector supports 3D display technology. In order to display 3D media, you will need to purchase separately a set of DLP Link 3D glasses. These are active shutter glasses which are compatible with most 3D projectors. Viewing the content is very simple as you only need to enable 3D support using the on-screen menu. When the Auto mode is selected in the on-screen display, the projector will switch to the best mode that is compatible with your media. You can of course project your 3D media using a standard screen although I usually recommend using a reflective screen. I prefer doing this as I find that the active glasses tend to cut down on the image brightness while viewing 3D media.
My final impressions of the ASUS ProArt A1 Projector is that it is very compact and easy to move around thanks to the carry case that’s included. The projector is extremely simple to set up and adjust. For example, when connecting by Wi-Fi, simply find the Wi-Fi connection using your computer and once connected, the projector will confirm this in the on-screen display. I found the on-screen menus to be very intuitive. I tried all different types of source media and they all looked great. The colors were crisp and clean. Object motion in the media also looked good when displayed. The projector is an excellent choice for business clients as well as consumers. As the projector is pre-calibrated and has exceptional color accuracy, from a colorist stand point an ideal application would be for post grading presentations.
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