Casio's slim XJ-A projectors repurposed for gaming, we take a gander

Casio's XJ-A series projectors wowed us in January with an ultra-slim 43mm design, but at E3 2010 we got the chance to see whether image quality was equally bright -- the watchmaker was there with some economical models to attract the portable gaming crowd. Sure enough, it's an interesting choice if you want to play Xbox 360 in the field. Though hefty, the projector's small enough to fit into a messenger bag, and can throw a pretty decent-sized screen; using the company's 2,500 lumen, XJ-A240 model ($1,000), we emulated a 70-something-inch, 720p HDTV. At that size and resolution, colors were a little washed out, but impressive nonetheless -- though we did note that when attempting to play 1080p content on the same projector, the result was quite fuzzy.

Casio claims that image's good for 20,000 hours, as the projector doesn't use a bulb, relying instead on a proprietary combo of laser and LED. The PJ accepts all standard TV resolutions through VGA or HDMI and has optional composite and component video breakout cables, though sadly no audio passthrough -- only a 1W integrated speaker. Starting at $800, the true bargain models sport only 2,000 lumens and a 1,024 x 768 resolution, but we could still see some snapping them up for split-screen Halo on a giant, portable TV.

Casio XJ-A series slim projectors eyes-on

[hammydbest Posted Jun 18th 2010 9:06AM]

but do you take a goosey goosey gander?

[hammydbest Posted Jun 18th 2010 9:06AM]

@hammydbest see http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Goosey_Goosey_Gander

[DefPoet Posted Jun 18th 2010 9:06AM]

720p spread across 70inches. Yuck

[Mightydh Posted Jun 18th 2010 9:56AM]

@DefPoet Before I upgraded to a 1080p projector, I owned a 720p for about 3 years. It was my main gaming screen for the xbox (and for streaming movies). I had it at 83" and was 10' away. It worked out just fine. When put side by side, the resolution is noticeable only when connected by a computer. The lack of AA on xbox defeats the need for 1080p gaming. Crysis on the projector = siiiiiiick.

[Ducman69 Posted Jun 18th 2010 3:44PM]

@DefPoet Thats what I'm using in my workout room right now. I should upload a video of it.

When you are running on the treadmill, you're a bit off center, but with the fan blowing towards you and the huge 72" screen filling your view its really something else and can feel like you're on a nice padded runway in a climate controlled environment except outdoors.

The best though is busting out the Wii (and Wii fit) since its only 480P anyway. I moved it now since I have three 24" monitors on the desk for wraparound, but used to play FSX on it, and its really not bad at all.

[Scrubs Posted Jun 18th 2010 9:08AM]

$800 for 780p, no thanks.

[mayhem121 Posted Jun 18th 2010 9:31AM]

@Scrubs

780p?

[Scrubs Posted Jun 18th 2010 11:54AM]

@mayhem121
Got 1080p and 720p mixed up

[whoamarcos Posted Jun 18th 2010 9:16AM]

Still waiting for the day a nice high res projector comes out, at which point I'll use the Kinect to pretend I'm in the movie Gamer.

[Smurf Posted Jun 18th 2010 11:06AM]

@whoamarcos Ooooooooooh... yes, I'll take three.

[glennS Posted Jun 18th 2010 1:35PM]

@whoamarcos

There are plenty of them out now. Panasonic ae4000 is a darned good choice. So is the Epson 8100 or 8500. Or even the Optoma HD20, which is under $1000. What are you waiting for?

[Ducman69 Posted Jun 18th 2010 3:46PM]

@glennS I'm not upgrading my 720P until I have a 1080P that is not only affordable, but also runs cooler and quieter.

Thats my main complaint, not so much the resolution.

For that it seems you have to go LED, and then the brightness and colors didn't seem that hot last I checked. *shrugs*

[Surfs2Much Posted Jun 18th 2010 9:19AM]

You could always turn it into a light saber:

http://www.wickedlasers.com/laser-tech/arctic_series.html

[Bryant Posted Jun 18th 2010 9:33AM]

@Surfs2Much

was just about to post this, too.

This is brutally dangerous. I know you probably didn't think about it this way, but a 1W laser (especially in blue frequencies. Reds and UV are more easily reflected) is about as dangerous to life as a handgun given how quickly it can literally set organic tissue on fire.

[sirmeili Posted Jun 18th 2010 9:52AM]

@Bryant So what you're saying is that we're very close to having laser guns? Awesome!!!! ;)

[meepmeep Posted Jun 18th 2010 10:39AM]

@Bryant For a university competition I'm doing, we get to play around with 8kW lasers...

[Baconbits Posted Jun 18th 2010 9:23AM]

What is this funny looking device, clearly it is too early in the morning for guessing games.

[joefresco Posted Jun 18th 2010 9:45AM]

I think it's important to keep in mind that if you use it 40 hours/week, it's supposed to last 10 years. That's pretty amazing for a projector if it works out. If you used a projector that much, you'd probably change the bulb every year.

[Zorat Posted Jun 18th 2010 9:46AM]

But it's got frickin Lasers!

[xler8r Posted Jun 18th 2010 9:56AM]

Its funny this comes up, I was just researching the XJ-A245U to buy as a replacement for our old LCD projectors in the department.

Apparently they have super one coming out in Q4, the ZJ-A255 with 3000 Lumens (XJ-A245U has 2500). I contacted a distributor (since would prefer to get this one instead) and he mentioned that unit had been pushed back till Q4

[TuxMeister Posted Jun 18th 2010 9:57AM]

I'm not gonna jump on the wagon until they make slick ones like this model but 1080p and for 5 benjies. Otherwise, I'll stick to my Bravia, thank you very much.

[MattWeiler Posted Jun 18th 2010 9:59AM]

FIX YOUR FUCKING SITE ENGADGET!!!

I'm sick of these fucking ad downloads whenever I view your site.
"adpage.html.gz"
Build your own site instead of leaching off of the efforts of others.

[Bryant Posted Jun 18th 2010 11:23AM]

@MattWeiler

erm, no repro...? I'm not seeing the problem, and given the lack of other commentators saying the same thing, I'm going to say that you should just leave rather than be as repulsively rude as you're being right now.

[bhtooefr Posted Jun 18th 2010 12:09PM]

@MattWeiler Upgrade from IE 5.5 to a browser that supports gzip compression of web pages.

[sethmo Posted Jun 18th 2010 10:03AM]

720p isn't impressive, but 20,000 hours is. Would = to buying 3-4 additional bulbs in a higher range 1080p projector.

[Frankenstein Black Posted Jun 18th 2010 1:08PM]

@sethmo - Wait, so what happens after the 20k hours? Is it tossed or does one have to purchase a replacement "proprietary combo of laser and LED" doodad? If yes, how much will that cost?

PS I smell printer model happening here (i.e. low-ball the hardware and charge an ass load for the proprietary replacement part ;^(...

[sethmo Posted Jun 18th 2010 1:30PM]

@Frankenstein Black
Honesty, I don't think this projector is made with serviceable parts. Think about it.

If you leave the projector on for 24hrs for 2 1/4 years, you would just be reaching the 20k "limit". It would take 6666.667 3hr movies to reach the same limit.

I am pretty sure the average amount of times people replace bulbs in normal projectors before replacing the projector itself is 2-3.

So ... for $1000-1500 for a 720p projectors with 20k hr "Laser/LED" life, that is quite a deal.

[Smurf Posted Jun 18th 2010 2:11PM]

@sethmo 4 x 720p = 1080p = $4,000 for 20,000 hours of 1080p projecting goodness.

Just add crazy.

[Creativity Posted Jun 18th 2010 11:56AM]

I don't know why, but I've never been a fan of projection. Maybe I just have held on to the fact that the more archaic ones have horrible color and has just turned me off to them in general.

[Luffy Posted Jun 18th 2010 2:30PM]

I've been waiting for laser/led projectors, but damn it, I need a 1080p one. My problem with my current projector is always knowing the near impending doom of the lamp, and that it slowly dims out over time as well. I usually replace it before the lamp dies because it just becomes too dim... Thankfully my friend gets me good deals on lamp but it's still pricey for about 1500 hours of GOOD use. When laser/LED projectors become good enough [1080p, more lumens] I'm in, so in.

[fastm3driver Posted Jun 18th 2010 5:46PM]

They only need to make two of these. 720p and 1080p
Maybe a 1024 for business. if you were a business would you mind buying a 720p instead? I doubt it.

[nikotttin Posted Jun 19th 2010 11:15AM]

Significant issues with colors were found with these models (either too much green or too much blue). There was also a higher than normal noise... The recommendation was to keep it for business, not for home theater.

I wouldn't thus use it for gaming!

[nikotttin Posted Jun 21st 2010 4:42AM]

@nikotttin
http://projectorcentral.com/casio_xj-a130_projector_review.htm