For gamers, picking the right monitor or projector is as important as selecting the right console or PC. As a casual gamer, my most immersive gaming experience comes from connecting my gaming laptop to my 55-inch smart TV. When Viewsonic approached me to review the world's first projector designed for Xbox, the Viewsonic X2-4K, I was more than thrilled. Here is my full review of the Viewsonic X2-4K on how it stacks up against gaming on a regular monitor or television. Design: Compact and Creative The Viewsonic X2-4K comes in black with green accents at the front, reminiscent of the Xbox Series X. It is one of the most compact 4K projectors I have tested, taking up minimal space. The Bluetooth-based remote offers better connectivity compared to conventional infrared-based remote controls. The projector features two full-sized HDMI ports, a VGA port, and a USB-C port. Additionally, there is a dedicated USB-A port, allowing users to directly plug storage devices into the Viewsonic X2-4K for seamless content streaming. When you place it alongside an Xbox Series X, it looks like they are made for each other, not just that, the rear-facing I/O also gives the whole setup a clean look. Setting up the projector is a fairly easy process, unlike most projectors, which have to be installed in a central position, the Viewsonic X2-4K comes with H/V keystone correction technology, where, the projector can be placed at any angle, and the image will automatically get formatted itself into a perfectly shaped (rectangular) image. Again, one has to make sure that the tablet or the surface is flat, otherwise, the image will be tilted. I placed the projector on an ironing table along with the Xbox, where, with just minor tuning, I got a perfectly focused image. Once set, the projector will save the settings and will continue to offer a similar projection from the next time. However, the projector does not include a lens cover, hence, it is a bit of a task to keep it clean and scratch-free, especially in the long run. The Viewsonic X2-4K comes with an Android-based OS with an app store that includes major OTT platforms like Netflix and Prime Video. However, the UI looks a bit dated, and I would suggest using an external device like Fire TV Stick for a more seamless user experience. Gaming Experience on Viewsonic X2-4K with Xbox Series X When I connected the Xbox Series X to the Viewsonic X2-4K, I was instantly transported to the gaming world. Everything looked larger than life, and I could project a 100-inch image from a short distance. The built-in speakers, which also suppress the fan sound, were a notable feature. I was initially unsure about the gaming experience, considering the controller has to send a signal to the console, which then projects the image on the wall. To my surprise, I did not notice any lag in this process, crucial for gaming, especially in competitive and first-person shooter (FPS) titles. The LED light source on the Viewsonic X2-4K can produce up to 2,900 Lumens of brightness, which makes it a fairly bright projector, which can be used under non-ideal lighting conditions, and it is definitely brighter than most smart TVs, especially in HDR mode. Regarding image quality, the Viewsonic X2-4K produces sharp images (4K resolution) with higher colour accuracy and a good contrast ratio. Playing games like ‘Asphalt 9: Legends’ and ‘Hitman’ showcased detailed graphics, realistic reflections, and shadows, despite the wall colour being light green and not white. The fan sound could be a bit distracting at times, however, it does not get as loud as some of the other projectors that I have tested. While gaming on the ViewSonic X2-4K projector, it is best to place it either in front or in the right or the left corner, as placing it in front of the player would interrupt the light source. The gaming experience was more than satisfactory on the ViewSonic X2-4K, with the projector's ability to scale up the screen size enhancing the overall immersion, which is not possible on a monitor or a television. Excellent viewing experience The excellent gaming experience on this projector extends to great media experience. The Xbox itself can act as a media box, offering an almost cinema-theatre-like experience. I rewatched a lot of movies like ‘Pushpa: The Rise’, ‘Jailer’, and the latest season of ‘Jack Reacher’. The projector offered a theatrical experience. The integrated 12W (6W Cube x2) speaker setup powered by Harman Kardon offers decent sound quality. However, movie enthusiasts may prefer pairing the projector with an external soundbar. A go-to projector for console gamers Viewsonic has excelled in creating a projector for console gamers, particularly for Xbox users. With features like 4K resolution with HDR and the ability to project up to a 100-plus-inch image from just 1.5 metres away, the X2-4K delivers a surreal gaming experience. The option to scale down the resolution to 1440p (2K) with a 144Hz refresh rate for a smoother gaming experience is a plus. Users can also enable the 4.2ms Ultra-Fast Input while playing FPS games. However, these projectors are not suitable for smaller spaces, and with a retail price tag of Rs 3,25,000, it is expensive. Nevertheless, if you've been seeking a projector primarily for gaming, the Viewsonic X2-4K is one to be considered in 2024.
