This LCD projector from Viewsonic is aimed at home users, or those wishing to make an impact with business presentations.

The most attractive feature of the PJ551 is its portability. Weighing just 2.5kg, it can easily be carried from room to room. In terms of input options, the PJ551 has S-Video, RCA, RGB and component video connectors for HDTV support.

Setup was fast with the quickstart guide. By default, the PJ551 automatically detects a VGA signal, although we did have to reboot our test machine after setup. Once ready, it offered a crisp and stable output, even in a fully lit room. Manually adjustable focus and zoom controls allow you to fine-tune the display, and there is keystone adjustment for straightening edges when the projector and display surface are not in line.

When projecting standard Windows applications the PJ551 behaved very well, although its colours were not as vibrant as those displayed on our notebook PC. The overall effect was satisfactory, despite some colour-splitting and minor focus issues in certain areas of the projection.

More positive results were achieved when we tested the projector's suitability for home cinema use. Our test DVDs were well reproduced at a native 1,024 x 768dpi (dots per inch) and, because the PJ551 supports both 4:3 and 16:9 aspect ratios, widescreen films are well catered for.

A major selling point is the unit's 'whisper' mode, which reduces noise output by about 30 per cent. This has a negative impact though, since the brightness of the overall picture is also reduced by a similar measure.

However, despite its relatively low lumens specification, this is an excellent and versatile product with a strong output.

Contact: Viewsonic 01293 643 900
www.viewsonic.co.uk

Specifications:

• LCD
• 1,500 ANSI lumens
• 150w
• 1,024 x 768dpi
• 4:3, 16:9 aspect ratio
• S-video, RCA, RGB, component
• Remote control
• 2.5kg
• 289 x 210 x 84mm