Acer Predator GD711 review: plug and play 4K gaming

Acer’s Predator GD711 is the most recent within the firm’s lengthy line of strong gaming projectors. Not like a few of its H and X sequence siblings (all of that are extra designed for informal filmgoers) the Acer Predator, as its identify suggests, is tuned across the gaming market. It treads a superb line incorporating options you’d sometimes discover on a top-tier gaming monitor, with the most effective tech the projector market has to supply.

It would sound odd at first, (notably given the excessive refresh charge OLED displays and TVs which can be out there on the market at this time), however the most effective gaming projectors can sustain and supply a top-tier gaming expertise, throughout consoles and PC. It’s actually one thing price experiencing, notably for those who’re curious in regards to the medium.

In fact, it’s not going to be fairly as potent as these top-tier models, and there are only a few merchandise on the market able to hitting the heady body charges and response occasions of a few of the greatest gaming displays with out breaking into the four-figure value entrance, however for those who’re an informal gamer enjoying a little bit of the whole lot, and have the house, and never acting at a aggressive stage, then gaming projector is the place to be.

Now I’ve been testing displays, projectors, and panels from all walks of life for the final eight years or so, and have even labored behind the scenes offering suggestions on explicit models. So I can say surely that Acer’s Predator GD711 is a complicated unit.

Why? Effectively merely put, it’s the value tag and availability of this factor that offers probably the most pause for thought. With restricted availability within the US and a $1200-1400 price ticket (£1,200 within the UK), it’s a large funding to place down for the spec. Let me clarify why.

Specs

Design

The general design of the GD711 is a reasonably slimline affair, it’s actually a much more interesting providing than one thing like Benq’s X3100i, with its boxy type issue and ponderous weight. No, the GD711 is available in at simply 32 x 23 x 10 cm, in a slender rectangular field that you simply’re most likely used to seeing because the daybreak of the projector to be fairly trustworthy.

And at simply 3.2 KG it’s hardly a heavy unit both, so ceiling mounting it’s a simple affair. Acer features a full information within the consumer guide on simply how to try this, though it does require you to choose up an extra common projector ceiling mount.

If you happen to intend to make use of it simply on a desk, or a shelf the GD711 has adjustable ft to get the right angle you want too. The throw vary is fairly good as properly. Popping the unit 2.2M again will internet you a show equal to round 80 inches or so. Crank it again by 8.1 meters and theoretically you possibly can throw up a picture as massive as 300 inches.

Cooling is dealt with by an inside fan setup, each the rear and one facet of the unit (closest to the lens) home cool-air intakes, and the alternative facet acts as an exhaust. It’s working a constructive stress system right here to reduce mud build-up, however each intakes and exhaust are lined in mesh to assist scale back that regardless.

There are built-in OSD menu buttons, permitting you to actively change supply, re-sync the projector, and cycle via the quite a few menus, positioned on the very prime, together with a spotlight ring/dial simply above the lens, and an connected lens cowl as properly to maintain it protected throughout transportation.

For I/O you get two HDMI 2.0 ports, a USB A 2.0 port (for keyboard and mouse management) a USB A 5V DC service connector, analog audio out, and extra curiously a USB A Wi-fi Dongle. The GD711 additionally comes with its personal distant management, offering the identical choice of buttons as discovered on the projector itself as properly.

Options

On the floor, the GD711’s top-line stats learn like a want checklist for any gaming-enthused monitor junky. 3840×2160 4K decision, large distinction ratio (2,000,000:1) entry to an enormous 1.07 billion colours, 4000 Lumens max brightness, HDR10 assist, 30,000 hours life expectancy, variable refresh charge tech, and a max 240 Hz refresh charge, (though that’s pretty caveated that final one).

The actual confusion surrounds latency. There are a whole lot of opinions on the market suggesting the latency on this unit is extremely good, however most of that appears to be referring to the refresh charges out there as an alternative. When it comes to precise latency, It’s arduous to know for positive, outdoors of subjective really feel (we nonetheless don’t have unbelievable testing strategies for that simply but), as Acer hasn’t supplied any particulars regarding what the response charge of the GD711 is.

It does nevertheless have a considerably big selection of refresh charges depending on what decision you’re gaming at. If you happen to’re at 4K you’re restricted to simply 60 Hz, (a pure limitation of HDMI 2.0 anyway), 1080p then you possibly can faucet out at 240 Hz (so long as it’s on PC), and for console 1080p 120 Hz is the max.

The actual good trick is how Acer is dealing with the keystone. It’s very spectacular, in brief, to keep away from any type of twisted or trapezoidal distortion as a result of projector itself being angled incorrectly, it’ll auto-adjust the lens to compensate if the gadget will not be stage, or tilted incorrectly, eliminating any skew points by any means.

You after all get your typical guide 2D Keystone changes as properly alongside the horizontal and vertical axis, however having this additional step automated is a significantly clever design alternative.

Efficiency

I spent few days testing the GD711 throughout a number of completely different media varieties from movie and leisure to gaming and YouTube. I’ve received to say it’s fairly spectacular, notably at 4K 60 fps. The readability of the picture is great. Though I’m testing with a comparatively quick throw distance, making a 50-inch display screen, your mileage could fluctuate at larger throw distances. 

What’s much less nice was the colour replica. It doesn’t matter what I attempted, general shade accuracy with out HDR enabled in Home windows or on the PS5 felt considerably washed out in comparison with related opponents at this value level and barely larger. Don’t get me flawed, it’s not an terrible expertise by any means, however for those who’re used to the crisp shade readability of one thing like a 55-inch OLED LG TV or perhaps a fashionable IPS or VA monitor, the GD711 leaves loads to be desired.

You possibly can after all tweak the settings closely, switching between mode varieties, and color-correcting each aspect to try to get to that excellent replica, however that may be extremely difficult, and even my greatest dialed-in settings didn’t really feel fairly as competent as one thing like (admittedly rather more costly) BenQ’s X3100i.

General the responsiveness felt strong, nevertheless, and if there weren’t any main latency points between me and my less-than-competitive RPG and RTS mind, it was arduous to note. Whole Struggle Warhammer III and Star Wars: Jedi Survivor have been an absolute blast to play, and I noticed no discernable distinction in my dying charge in comparison with on a full-size show.

The issue I’ve is the value. If you happen to’re seeking to recreation on this at 4K, you’re going to be utilizing a PC. For half the fee you might decide up one thing like an AOC AGON Professional AG324UX, a full IPS, 144 Hz, 31.5-inch panel, with FreeSync Premium, 1ms G2G. If you need one thing a bit extra sizeable, the most effective 4K gaming displays embrace LG’s 48GQ900-B is a 48” 120 Hz 4K OLED show, for simply over $1000, and Gigabyte will even promote you a 54.6-inch 4K VA show for simply $700.

This places the Acer Predator GD711 in a little bit of a sticky place to be in. We knew that going into this after all, however you must a) have the house to make the most of its bigger display screen measurement, and b) be in that place, and in addition money restricted to the purpose of not having the ability to make investments an additional $600-700 into one thing with a bit extra punch. It’s nonetheless nice for gaming, and as an entry-point gaming projector, the function set is wealthy sufficient to maintain any passionate gamer completely satisfied, however if you would like a little bit extra versatility, you may wish to look elsewhere.

Ought to You Purchase It?

• Sure: If you need a strong entry-level gaming projector
• Sure: When you’ve got the house to assist a much bigger show measurement
• Sure: If you happen to’re an informal gamer, and don’t thoughts colours not being tremendous vibrant
• No: If you happen to’re searching for the most effective worth per $ show
• No: If you need the most effective shade accuracy

So far as gaming projectors go Acer’s Predator GD711 is an fascinating proposition. On the one hand, its huge function set and pretty low-level value level for a 4K projector make it a strong decide for these seeking to get into the scene or are after a giant occasion piece show to recreation with their buddies. On the opposite, its shade accuracy leaves loads to be desired.

Options

If you happen to’re after the most effective gaming projector you should buy, one thing like BenQ’s X3100i is a unbelievable decide. Though considerably chunky by comparability, and extra suited to a desk or a shelf attachment, there’s no denying simply how unimaginable its shade accuracy is, notably because it matches the GD711 in each gaming aspect.

The issue, nevertheless, lies not on the earth of projectors, however extra so within the type of devoted TVs and displays as properly. The previous, you possibly can sometimes discover at related costs with OLED panels and better refresh charges at 50 inches and above and comes with higher audio system, and the latter consists of even richer gaming specs (similar to 0.01 ms g2g, G-Sync premium), sooner refresh charges, and simply as many bells and whistles, for even much less funding.

If 4K gaming at excessive refresh charges is what you’re after, AOC’s AGON Professional AG324UX ticks all of the bins, at lower than half the value of the GD711, or for those who’re after one thing with a bit extra diagonal heft, then Gigabyte’s 54.6-inch S55U 4K 120 Hz VA show will match the invoice even higher than that. 

Verdict

Acer’s Predator GD711 Gaming Projector comes with some spectacular software program tech, and, on the value level supplies a significantly tempting proposition in comparison with a few of its competitors. Nonetheless, the dearth of shade accuracy hurts it long-term, notably in comparison with a few of the competitors from each OLED TVs and displays at across the identical RRP. It’s a strong unit, however a distinct segment projector for 4K gaming.