There's a lot to like about the ViewSonic PJD6544w ($839.99). It's bright, has good resolution, it is network ready with optional Wi-Fi, it has sharp text, it is light enough to be easily portable, and it's 3D compatible. The projector's overall image quality is so-so, but it's a good choice for presenters who use a lot of text.

The PJD6544w ($919.00 at Amazon) is rated at 3,500 lumens, has above-average brightness for a data projector, and provides WXGA (1,280-by-800) native resolution, at a 16:10 aspect ratio. It measures 4.5 by 11.6 by 8.6 inches (HWD), and is quite portable at 4.7 pounds, though it lacks a carrying case. The lens has a modest 1.2X zoom ratio.

This projector has a good set of connection ports: Two VGA ports (which double as component video); one monitor-out; audio-in and audio-out jacks; an S-video port; an RCA composite video jack; a USB Type B port for remote mouse control; a mini-USB port; a USB Type A port; an Ethernet port; and an HDMI port. The USB Type A port can either fit a USB thumb drive or an optional Wi-Fi adapter ($122.99). The included Crestron LAN controller and AMX Device Discovery programs let IT administrators remotely control and manage multiple projectors from a workstation in a school or corporation.

Testing
I tested the projector at a distance of about 8 feet away from the screen. The test image, measuring about 60 inches (diagonal), stood up well to a fair amount of ambient light.

In testing using the DisplayMate suite, the PJD6544w's data-image quality proved average for a DLP data projector, suitable for typical business and classroom presentations. Text quality was a strong point. With black text on white, text was readable at 6.8 points, and with white text on black, it was easy to read all but the smallest font size.

I noticed some tinting, with gray backgrounds looking slightly greenish. Colors—in particular, yellows and reds—were a bit on the dull side, which is not unusual in DLP projectors. (While LCD projectors have the same color brightness as white brightness, DLP projectors tend to have lower color brightness than their ratings.)

At default settings, there was considerable pixel jitter, which was greatly reduced by adjusting the phase setting. Switching from an analog (VGA) connection to HDMI eliminated the jitter, though it introduced mild reddish tinting in some lighter backgrounds.

I saw rainbow artifacts—little red-green-blue flashes, particularly in bright areas against dark backgrounds—in a few images. This rainbow effect, which is frequently seen in DLP-based projectors, is seldom a problem in data images, and that is the case with the PJD6544w.

Video and Audio
The rainbow effect is more of an issue in video. Rainbow artifacts were apparent enough that people who are sensitive to the effect will likely be distracted by it. I also noticed some posterization—sudden changes in brightness where they should be gradual—in scenes that tend to bring it out. Video with the PJD6544w is best kept to shorter video clips as part of presentations.

Audio from the PJD6544w 's single 16-watt speaker is strong, and of good quality. It can fill a small- to mid-sized room, and you shouldn't need to use powered external speakers with this projector.

As a DLP projector, the PJD6544w is 3D-ready, using the DLP-Link system, although you need to get your own active-shutter DLP-Link glasses. You can find ViewSonic's DLP-Link glasses for less than $100 a pair, and generic active-shutter glasses for less, but the cost can quickly add up if you plan to show 3D content to a group of people.

At 3,500 rated lumens, the PJD6544w is a bit brighter than the Editors' Choice NEC NP-M311W ($578.36 at Amazon) , which is rated at 3,100 lumens. The PJD6544w is also lighter than the NEC NP-M311, and it has 3D capabilities, which the NEC projector lacks. They have similar connection choices, and they both have strong audio. The NEC NP-M311 has better data-image quality and much better video than the PJD6544w, and a more generous zoom ratio (1.7x), allowing better flexibility as to where you place the projector in relation to the screen.

That said, the Viewsonic PJD6544w does have very good text quality, so it's a solid choice if you deal in a lot of text-heavy presentations. You can use it in a networked environment, and just as easily take it on a business trip. It's bright, light, and versatile, and that should be more than enough for many schools and businesses.

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