Verdict
The Valerion VisionGrasp Pro2 is a really spectacular projector that is very best each for residence cinema use and as a quick refresh fee gaming projector setup. Its triple-laser system produces fantastically sharp, vibrant, and excessive distinction 4K picture high quality and has a decently fast response time, all with out the necessity to ever swap projector bulbs. It’s restricted to 60Hz at 4K however can ship as much as 240Hz at 1080p, permitting for quick, easy gameplay when required. It’s a correct funding, although, at properly over $2,000.
Pros
- Stunning picture high quality
- Superbly quick gaming efficiency
- Stylish, compact design
- Laser projection means no bulbs to vary
- Surprisingly good onboard audio system
Cons
- Expensive
- Middling zoom/focus vary
- Rear IO panel will get in the best way
- Limited to 1080p at above 60Hz
If you need a critical massive-display gaming expertise however haven’t got the price range or house for a large TV, otherwise you merely need the flexibility of a projector, the Valerion VisionGrasp Pro2 is a really wonderful choice. Thanks to its triple laser projection system, it delivers prime-tier sharpness, brightness, colours, distinction, and, crucially for gaming, response time, all whereas not needing to switch bulbs each few years.
This general prowess simply makes this our present choose for the perfect gaming projector out there proper now. To study precisely the place it does and does not excel, although, learn on beneath to search out out extra.
Specs
| Valerion VisionGrasp Pro2 specs | |
| Projection kind/mild supply | DLP / RGB triple laser |
| Suggested max display measurement | 300-inch |
| Throw ratio | 0.9-1.5:1 |
| Resolution | 3,840 x 2,160 |
| Refresh fee | 60Hz at 4K, 240Hz at 1080p |
| Input lag | 4ms at 1080p 240Hz, 8ms at 1080p 120Hz, 15ms at 4K 60Hz |
| Maximum brightness | 3,000 lumens |
| Contrast | 4,000:1 static, 15,000:1 dynamic utilizing EBL tech |
| Color house protection | 110% Rec 2020 |
| Keystone correction | Auto |
| Focus | Auto |
| Aspect ratios | 4:3, 16:9, 21:9, 32:9 |
| HDR codecs | HDR 10+, Dolby Vision, HDR 10, HLG |
| Film requirements | Dolby Vision, IMAX Enhanced, HDR10+, Filmmaker, 24 FPS, 48 FPS |
| Audio | 2 x 12W audio system with DTS Virtual:X help |
| Ports | 2 × HDMI 2.1, 1 × HDMI 2.0(eARC), 1 × USB 3.0, 1 × USB 2.0, Wi-Fi 6e, Bluetooth 5.2, 1 × S/PDIF, 1 × Audio Jack, Ethernet |
| Price | $2,999 / £2,599 |
Features
The core of the Valerion VisionGrasp Pro2 is its DLP laser projection system. Like a regular DLP projector, it makes use of an array of tiny mirrors to create its picture, versus the opposite commonest type of digital projection, which makes use of an LCD. However, as a substitute of a commonplace mild bulb/LED and a coloration wheel (or a trio of bulbs with fastened RGB coloration filters), it makes use of lasers as its mild supply.
This mixture of triple RGB lasers and DLP (which is understood for its quick response time and excessive brightness) means you get a very vibrant, quick-reacting picture. Valerion additionally takes benefit of the ability of those lasers to spice up distinction considerably in comparison with regular DLP projectors.
To do that, it has a expertise known as Enhanced Black Level (EBL), which successfully works a bit like a regular dynamic distinction setting, the place a projector/TV/monitor will alter the general brightness of the picture from body to border, as a way to increase the perceived general distinction. However, regular dynamic distinction may end up in noticeable adjustments in general brightness and in vibrant objects on an in any other case darkish picture wanting boring and darkish components of an in any other case vibrant picture showing vibrant/grey.
EBL will get round this by dynamically altering the laser brightness, however then additionally altering the gamma curve of the picture in order that typical peak brightness stays the identical, however black ranges are tremendously lowered. The internet impact is Valerion claims the VisionGrasp Pro2 can hit a huge 15,000:1 distinction stage with out having the apparent adjustments in general brightness or lack of brightness in vibrant highlights that may have an effect on typical dynamic distinction techniques.
Along with this spectacular brightness/distinction efficiency, the triple RGB laser setup used right here additionally permits for extremely broad coloration house protection, with a huge 110% Rec. 2020 protection score. For comparability, a typical non-HDR LCD monitor has lower than 50% Rec. 2020 coloration house protection. When mixed with that prime distinction, this implies HDR appears unimaginable on this projector.
Other key options embrace a motorized and automatic lens system that can robotically do keystone correction (the place the projector straightens the picture to suit your display – as per the picture above) and focus, plus it provides a throw ratio vary of 0.9-1.5:1. This signifies that, to mission a 100-inch display, the projector could be positioned between 90 inches and 150 inches from the display. If you might want to mission from nearer than this whereas nonetheless wanting a giant picture, you will want a specialised brief-throw projector, such because the vary provided right here by Valerion’s sister firm, AWOL Vision.
Talking of display sizes, Valerion claims this projector will address as much as 300-inch screens, with the main target system capable of stretch that far, and it having sufficient brightness to ship a watchable picture on such a huge display.
As for decision and refresh fee, regardless of discuss of 8K TVs now turning into an choice, this doubtlessly 300-inch display-creating projector is solely 4K, and tops out at 60Hz. It also can drop to 1080p and run at 240Hz or 120Hz, however there isn’t any choice to run, say, 1440p at 120Hz, which might have been a good compromise between refresh fee and determination.
For connections, you get a decently beneficiant number of three HDMI ports, with one providing eARC help (the system that lets your property theater gear talk when to activate, and many others). There are additionally two USB ports together with Ethernet, WiFi 6e, and Bluetooth connections, in addition to digital and analog audio outputs.
Inside, there may be additionally a 2 x 12W speaker system, which is a setup that feels like it will be a waste of time. However, due to its digital encompass functionality, it is truly actually good, relying on the place of the projector. Temporarily establishing the projector on the ground, in entrance of my couch, and projecting as much as the display, I frequently used the projector simply with these audio system, fortunately watching complete films on it. For a ‘correct’ setup, you will need some exterior audio system, however for non permanent/out of doors/social gathering use, they actually do maintain up.
The projector ships inside a very nice case that is comprised of robust foam with built-in locks and a hinge. Inside, there’s room for the projector, its energy cable, a spare HDMI cable, and its distant management.
The latter is a properly function-packed unit with devoted controls for good TV options, together with shortcuts for Disney+, Netflix, Prime Video, and YouTube, in addition to enter choice, quantity, and a d-pad for navigating menus. The distant additionally has a mic that can be utilized for good assistant voice enter.
Design
The Valerion VisionGrasp Pro2 is a severely slick-wanting unit. With its polished steel ribs operating down its prime and sides, it brings to thoughts outdated bellows cameras and different traditional imaging gear – it is a far cry from the plain white plastic construct of some fundamental projectors.
This projector is comparatively compact however very dense. It measures 260 x 185 x 216 mm (10.2 x 7.3 x 8.5 inches) however weighs in at 7kg (15.4 lbs), making it pretty difficult to manhandle, given its shiny, slippery, and straight exterior. Simply getting it out of its field is not any straightforward feat.
Inside this cuboid kind are all of the projector’s options, with no exterior extras. This makes for a modern look, however it does include a few downsides. The full lack of handbook controls for the lens means you do not have that choice to fall again on, whereas the connectivity is hidden behind a flap that then simply is completely left hanging open and resting on or underneath your cables, as soon as you have received the unit put in.
Valerion ships the projector both utterly by itself, or you should purchase it with one among three stands. There’s the gimbal-fashion stand I’ve examined right here, which screws into the mounting screw on the bottom of the projector, then provides 360° of pitch/vertical motion in addition to 360° of yaw/horizontal spin too. This superbly made, stable steel unit is a $139 additional. Valerion additionally provides a gorgeous-wanting walnut wooden tripod stand ($254) or a ceiling mount ($149).
In operation, this projector stays remarkably cool and quiet. From 20cm away, it registered simply 35dB on my decibel meter. This tremendously aids setups the place you are simply counting on the projector’s audio system.
Meanwhile, it stays cool to the contact even after hours of use. While testing with it on the ground in entrance of my couch, it even received barely lined by a blanket on a few events, and solely after an hour or so did the fan noticeably ramp up because it tried to take care of the lowered airflow via the unit. It’s a evening-and-day distinction from outdated lamp-based mostly projectors.
Screen choices
Valerion provides a vary of screens to make use of with its projectors. It has a number of fundamental white screens, from 100-inch to 220-inch, an outside display, a motorized anti-speckle one, a drop-down out of doors choice, and the Fresnel ambient mild-rejecting display I examined. The latter is accessible in 100-inch or 120-inch choices, and I examined the 100-inch variant.
This display caught me unexpectedly, as I did not realise it will be a fastened, inflexible body (I simply requested for their smallest display to be despatched with the projector for review). It additionally takes some intricate meeting requiring the usage of included white gloves, a number of nuts and bolts, and plastic sheets to be laid on the ground. Then, as soon as assembled, it is, properly, a 100-inch display, so it’s fairly a factor to deal with and maneuver, although it’s fairly mild.
This display makes use of 1000’s of tiny lenses on its floor to cut back the quantity of sunshine reflection from mild sources not dealing with instantly in direction of it, successfully boosting the black ranges and distinction of the setup when utilized in rooms that are not utterly darkish.
It labored very properly, noticeably decreasing the washout from mild coming in via a window and onto the display, for occasion, as demonstrated above when in comparison with the projector shining on two items of white foam core board. However, it is a expensive choice at $849. If you’ve got any kind of devoted residence theater house inside which you’ll be able to block most ambient mild, you may undoubtedly make some massive financial savings by opting for a less complicated display.
Software/interface
The VisionGrasp Pro2 can be utilized as a ‘easy’ projector, counting on exterior video inputs and the core picture high quality and audio controls of the unit. However, it’s also possible to simply hearth it up as a standalone gadget, as not solely does it have these constructed-in audio system, however it additionally has a GoogleTV interface.
This means you may simply join the projector to your Wi-Fi (or Ethernet), create or log into a Google account, and soar straight into the preinstalled apps for Netflix, and many others. The interface is absolutely quick, intuitive, and customarily straightforward to make use of, and ended up being what I most frequently used to casually browse and watch exhibits with this projector.
A few factors to notice, although, are that this interface did not appear to supply the identical vary of picture high quality settings as the conventional inputs. So, for watching films utilizing the perfect film modes, I might use the common HDMI inputs.
Depending in your setup, sound may not be routed correctly to your TV, both. When linked to my common AV receiver setup, audio from sources linked to the receiver would come via my common audio system, however audio from the GoogleTV interface would come via the projector’s audio system. This is to be anticipated however it’s value noting that there will likely be some additional setup/cable routing to get audio from the projector to your receiver.
Image high quality
The Valerion VisionGrasp Pro 2 produces a really spectacular picture. From the crispness of its 4K decision to the vividness of its colours and the punchiness of its EBL-assisted distinction, there’s not a lot it may well’t do, and do very impressively.
What’s extra, it delivers this picture high quality just about straight out of the field. It had a slight tendency to have a pink forged to the picture in its Standard mode, however swapping to its Cinema mode resolved this.
Contrast, in the meantime, is barely at its greatest when utilizing EBL, which does require the display to be set to 100% laser brightness. Some folks may discover this a bit too vibrant for some conditions, resembling utilizing the projector with a smaller display (100-inch or much less) and in a utterly darkish room. However, I did not discover it to be a problem.
Without EBL, the display hits round 1,600:1 distinction (Valerion’s claimed 4,000:1 nonetheless employs a diploma of dynamic brightness adjustment), which continues to be first rate and similar to a typical LCD TV or monitor, however EBL genuinely does lead to a picture that appears like at the very least a 10,000:1 distinction show.
One issue I did discover in regards to the picture of this projector is that it does undergo a little bit from the shimmering rainbow impact that DLP projectors are recognized for. For vibrant, stable blocks of coloration – notably white – you may nearly make out the person RGB pixels flickering away to create the general white coloration. It’s seldom a downside for films and video games, however in case you occur to wish to use this for a PowerPoint presentation or for working in any respect day, you may discover the shimmering a bit distracting.
Gaming
As you’d count on, gaming on this projector was most fascinating when operating it at 4K@60Hz and diving into a gorgeous, cinematic sport, resembling Indiana Jones and the Great Circle. The element and immersion are simply unimaginable, with the 60Hz of the display greater than sufficient for controller-based mostly video games resembling this. Note that the coloured banding proven beneath and in another photos is not seen in particular person.
Switching to 1080p@240Hz and firing up some quicker-paced titles, the drop in decision could be very noticeable, making me once more want that this show had a 1440p@120Hz mode. However, you may nonetheless really feel the advantage of 120Hz when utilizing a controller for extra aggressive titles, and 240Hz feels nice for keyboard and mouse setups.
Responsiveness is nice, too. Valerion does not state a response time, however DLP sometimes has a sub-millisecond response time, and Valerion claims an 8ms enter lag at 120Hz and 4ms at 240Hz, each of that are very spectacular numbers. Sure sufficient, in-sport, there was little or no proof of a feeling of latency or any seen proof of ghosting. You might want to change to the sport show mode to get the perfect response from the projector, although.
Price
The Valerion VisionGrasp Pro2 value is $2,999, although it is at present out there for $2,699. This makes it an costly choice that is clearly geared toward residence theater setups that may double as gaming areas, fairly than any kind of alternative for a standard gaming monitor or simply as a informal, occasional-use or journey projector. However, as such projectors go, it is very competitively priced for the picture high quality and options that it provides.
Verdict
The Valerion VisionGrasp Pro2 is likely to be from a comparatively new firm within the projector house, however it arrives with a critical splash. Its mixture of design, options, picture high quality, and worth actually makes it stand out from the gang and is a straightforward advice for a residence theater or giant-scale gaming setup.
It could be very best if it may provide 120Hz at 4K, or on the very least at 1440p, however the choice to run at 1080p at 240Hz means you will get some critical gaming carried out, in between being completely absorbed by this show’s 4K picture high quality.
The reality that you just get a very easy-to-use GoogleTV interface and first rate audio system can also be a main boon for anybody who can foresee themselves taking their projector exterior for sport evening or in any other case utilizing it in a extra advert hoc method than a absolutely everlasting residence theater/gaming house setup. That’s very true in case you choose for the beautiful walnut tripod stand.
The VisionGrasp Pro2 will not be a alternative for a 240Hz, 4K OLED gaming monitor or TV, however in order for you an extremely-sized show or the flexibility of a projector, I can strongly advocate this one.
