Walter Shillington My second article covered the highly competent Leisure E30. This projector is fitted with 4-point keystone correction and exhibits the excellent contrast ratio and sharp overall focus necessary for a gaming projector. Today I am examining Vankyo’s inexpensive entry into the home theater category. I am also discussing changes to their packaging which reflect a commitment to green policies.
Description
The Vankyo Leisure 495W arrived securely protected by soft foam padding. This lightweight projector tips the scales at three pounds and is 3.5 inches high, 9 inches wide, and 8 inches deep. This rectangular-shaped device is composed of white plastic with black and gray accents. The top of the projector features a power indicator. An angled area separating the top and rear of the Leisure 495W includes four control buttons and a two-position switch. The infrared port, keystone adjustment, headphone jack, AV input, HDMI port, and two USB ports can be found below. The left side of this projector features the power input, focusing ring, and air intake. The intake filter cover can easily be removed for cleaning. A speaker grill is positioned alongside the vent, which expels warm air from the right side of the Leisure 495W. The height adjustment screw is fitted to the bottom. This device utilizes an LED to provide a projected LCD display boasting a brightness of 220 ANSI lumens and a contrast ratio of 1000:1. Native resolution is 1920x1080P. This projector is WiFi capable, equipped with Bluetooth 5.1, and includes Dolby audio support. The package contains an HDMI cable, remote control, AV cable, power cord, lens cover, cleaning cloth, and user manual.
Specifications
Manufacturer: Vankyo Name: Leisure 495W Dimensions: 9 x 22.8 x 20.3 centimeters (3.5 x 9 x 8 inches) Weight: 1.36 kilograms (3 pounds) Power Input: AC 100-240V, 50/60Hz Projection method: Front/desk/ceiling Display technology: LCD Light source: LED Brightness: 220 ANSI Lumens Native resolution: 1920 x 1080 pixels (Full HD) Supported resolutions: 1080p, 1080i, 720p, 576i Contrast: 1000:1 Bluetooth: 5.1 Dolby audio: Yes Speakers: One (3 watts) WiFi: 5G/2.4G dual-band WiFi technology Interfaces: HDMI, USB(2), audio out, and AV Correction: ±15° Keystone Correction Aspect ratio: 4:3/16:9/Auto
Brightness
The brightness of a projector is normally calculated in ANSI lumens. The Leisure 495W is capable of outputting 220 ANSI lumens which is sufficient for operations in low light conditions. Compared with traditional TVs, iPods, and mobile phones, projectors protect the eyes more effectively by utilizing diffused, no-flicker reflection while blocking the blue light.
Resolution
Native resolution denotes the projector’s fixed horizontal and vertical pixel count. The supported resolution indicates what input resolutions can be accepted. The Leisure 495W, which boasts a native resolution of 1920x1080P, is considered a Full-High-Definition projector. This device supports resolutions of 1080p, 1080i, 720p, and 576i.
Keystone Correction
The keystone effect is the apparent distortion of an image caused by projecting it onto an angled surface. The best method of eliminating this problem is to ensure the projector is pointed as directly at its screen as possible. Walter Shillington The Leisure 495W is equipped with a manual keystone correction system that can digitally adjust distortion vertically by ±15 degrees via the projector’s internal LCD panels.
Contrast
Contrast refers to the ratio of the light reflected from a completely white image and a completely black image. The greater the contrast ratio, the more detail can be determined on the screen. This projector’s contrast ratio is 1000:1, which means a projected white image is 1000 times as bright as a black image.
Environmentally Friendly Packaging
Vankyo is shifting toward environmentally friendly packaging. The thick foam padding normally used to protect their projectors has been replaced by a cardboard material much like what is used to package eggs. The plastic handles have been removed and the package’s colors are now printed using soybean-based ink. Walter Shillington In addition, Vankyo plans to donate a tree to environmental organizations for each projector purchased. This program begins in mid September.
Sound Quality
This device is equipped with a 3-watt speaker, which performs quite well. Usually, however, I take advantage of the projector’s Bluetooth capability, connecting it to either my 90W party speaker or a 300W soundbar. Whether I use the internal speaker or connect the Leisure 459W to an external speaker, this device can take advantage of Dolby’s enhanced audio.
Performance Test
In the middle of yet another depressing rainy day, I closed the drapes, switched off the dining room lights, and streamed an episode of Grimm. While the image was noticeably faded, the show could be enjoyably watched. I repeated the test a few minutes before sunset. The image proved to be much brighter. After sunset, I noticed that the projected image was as bright as I would expect if seated in a theater. The contrast of the Leisure 495W is reasonably good; however, it is sometimes difficult to differentiate between the shades of gray in dark scenes.
Useful Accessories
This projector functions well with either a Fire TV media device or my Roku stick attached. Once I turn on the projector and connect it to the proper input, I can use my Bluetooth Roku remote to select and stream a movie, music video, or TV show. Walter Shillington A ceiling mount can be used to mount the Leisure 495W in a stable position overhead. Once it is set up correctly, the projector’s focus and keystone correction should not require further adjustment. While not as useful as a media stick or a ceiling mount, a projector screen can be beneficial. Colors reflected against a white screen tend to be brighter and more accurate.
Overall Assessment
I like the Leisure 495W. While not appropriate for use in daylight, it projects a bright and colorful image in dark environments. The projector’s native resolution is excellent, and the contrast is fair. This device is equipped with WiFi, allowing it to mirror movies and games from a smartphone. More importantly, this projector can connect to a Bluetooth-enabled speaker system. It is also capable of decoding Dolby audio. The Vankyo Leisure 495W provides better than the expected value at a very reasonable price. This content is accurate and true to the best of the author’s knowledge and is not meant to substitute for formal and individualized advice from a qualified professional. © 2022 Walter Shillington
