IOCHOW IO6 VIDEO PROJECTOR
I’m going to write here all my impressions of this projector, detailing all the pros and cons, because you have to cover all the facets of this product if you want to be completely objective. This review is based on five days of intensive use.
CONNECTIVITY:
To project a video, you need sources. For this, the iO6 integrates a whole range of sockets on the back. There are HDMI ports, a VGA port, USB sockets, and analog RCA. Enough to connect practically anything that generates an image.
The plus: 2 HDMI to connect a media center + a game console. No need to unplug/replug
The minus: A useless VGA socket; instead, I would have put a DVI.
IMAGE QUALITY:
We must distinguish between the following two resolutions: The maximum input resolution and the native output resolution. The first is the number of points that the projector accepts without displaying an error message, and the second is the resolution that will be displayed regardless of the source you have connected.
In input, the projector accepts up to full HD 1080P (1920×1080). But this is more of an informative secondary information than an absolute treatment. What matters is the output resolution. In the text, it is in HD, that is to say, 720P (1280×720 progressive scan).
Visually, the precision of the image is lower than this given resolution because of pixelation and a square effect of the points. We are paying here for the panel used in front of the lens. That said, the price/image ratio remains quite correct, and we will appreciate the possibility of redoing the settings manually to improve all that.
The keystone and sharpness adjustment is done on the side by the two wheels present. The adjustment is quite precise and reliable, even with an image size of 150 inches.
In the end, for the price, we are doing pretty well, and watching a film at this cinema remains a real pleasure.
The pluses: A 150-inch image is possible (instead of the 120 inches given), a nice quality even on this size, and precise settings
The minuses: a more significant pixelation than expected for a resolution normally in 720P.
BRIGHTNESS:
Perfect! Honestly perfect! It packs a punch, there’s no denying it.
Even with a lit room, you can still enjoy the projection with relative comfort. This is a real positive point.
In a dark room, you think you are in a movie theater, nothing more, nothing less. By making a few adjustments in user mode, you will be able to make a perfect contrast/brightness ratio. This is THE big advantage of this projector: you will project whatever the situation.
THE NOISE:
It is more important than the IOCHOW DLP projector that we tested some time ago. Well, indeed, the fan of a DLP is really very small, so I expected to have a clear increase in noise in operation anyway. Moreover, it is not the only LED projector to have this particularity; many brands have the same defect.
In absolute terms, if you have a large room to project in, it will not be a problem, but if the projector is in a small room, the fan will be audible. You will need to provide a good home theater amplifier to overcome it.
Once the sound is transferred to good speakers, and the volume is adjusted like a movie theater, the hiss is forgotten.
In my opinion, this is not a feature that will prevent you from buying the projector; it is easy to overlook.
SOME MISCELLANEOUS INFORMATION:
Note that the projector has built-in speakers that produce a rather powerful sound, which will allow you to take the projector in portable mode to plug it into a friend’s house, at a wedding, a birthday, etc. Of course, the best thing is to plug in an amp, because then you will have all the sound quality at your disposal.
The remote control is functional and rather well-designed.
There is no built-in screw underneath to put it on a tripod, for example. You have to place it on a flat support.
The zoom is done by moving the projector forward or backward. For the price, we suspect that there is no built-in zoom.
In summary, a good little projector that, for the price, will allow you to create your own little personal cinema room. The image quality is correct and the brightness is perfect. A product that should satisfy people who do not want to spend too much for a successful first cinema experience.
