Projector Reviews

Full-On/Full-Off Contrast Ratio: 752:1

The measurements here were made using CalMAN measurement software from Portrait Displays (www.portrait.com), together with a Photo Research PR-650 color meter, Minolta LS-100 luminance meter, and a Murideo/AVPro (Fresco Six-G) test pattern generator.

Pre-calibration measurements were made with the VA-LT002's Movie Image Parameter mode active. Post-calibration measurements were made in the Customized mode. All measurements were made with the projector positioned 14 feet from a 100-inch diagonal Screen Innovations Zero Edge screen with 0.6 gain Short Throw material.

The projector's maximum full-on/full-off SDR contrast ratio was measured with Customized Image Parameter and High Brightness modes active. With this combination, black measured 0.021 ft-L and peak white 15.8 ft-L for a contrast ratio of 752:1.

Before calibration, the default Warm color temperature preset in Movie and other Image Parameter modes displayed a pronounced blue bias, with the Delta E averaging out to 13. After calibration using the limited controls (RGB gain) available in the projector's Customized color temperature menu, that number was reduced to 4.4 with a high of 8.1 at 40 percent brightness. (Delta E is a figure of merit indicating how close the color comes to the standards, either D65 for the white point or the color coordinates for each of the primary and secondary colors that define the color gamut under test. Values below 3 are generally unnoticeable.)

With the default settings active in Movie picture mode, the Delta E of the VA-LT002's measured color points averaged out to 9.5. With no color management system controls available, it was necessary to use the projector's basic Saturation (color) and Tone (tint) adjustments to correct for red and green push. Coverage of the Rec. 709 color gamut topped out at 85 percent.

No gamma presets or adjustments are available on the VA-LT002. Before calibration, gamma tracked way off a 2.2 target, with a maximum Delta E of 14.5 at 100% white. Post-calibration with the Standard Brightness mode selected, the Delta E for both the 10-20% and 70-100% range measured below 3, but the middle brightness range was considerably higher, with a maximum Delta E of 8 at 40% white. In HDR10 mode with High Brightness selected, peak white output measured 53.7 nits +/- 2 nits regardless of the size of the measured white window.

Picture uniformity was excellent: white full-field test patterns showed minimal brightness drops between the center and edges of the screen, and no color shifts. Our suite of video processing tests revealed below-average performance, with the Vava tripping up on HD 2:2 pulldown patterns, along with several 2:3 pulldown cadences and mixed film/video tests.

The lowest measured input lag with a 1080p source was 98ms in Colorful mode, making the VA-LT002 a below-average projector option for high-def gaming.—A.G.