Jordan O'BrienVivitek has become the latest AV manufacturer to debut a budget 4K projector, with the company’s new HK2288 model boasting a recommended retail price of £2,500.
Despite its low price point, the Vivitek HK2288 utilises brand-new technology in the form of Texas Instrument’s latest 4K DLP chip. Through clever science this chip is able to deliver a UHD resolution without being native 4K. That’s achieved through the use of 4.15 million (2716×1528) mirrors which are capable of switching over 9,000 times per second to deliver two discrete pixels for each mirror per frame. Vivitek says that this method is ‘indistinguishable from native 4K projection – unlike traditional pixel-shifting techniques’.
That’s a big claim to make considering this projector is a lot more affordable than one that boasts native 4K. They often command price tags in the tens of thousands of pounds, while this new model is just £2,500. Pair that with a contrast ratio of 1,000,000:1, an ANSI lumen rating of 2,000, and support for the HDR 10 format, then there’s a lot to like about this new model on paper.
Vivitek has also strived to make the HK2288 installer-friendly. It offers a 1.39-2.09 throw, a 1.5x zoom, and even boasts vertical lens shift. Three HDMI 2.0 inputs have also been thrown in for good measure, in addition to dual infrared sensors on the front and the back for easy control. Vivitek also promises a long-lasting lamp, with up to 4,000 hours available in Dynamic Economy Mode.
A slew of affordable 4K projectors have been trickling onto the market in recent months, with Optoma’s UHD65 and BenQ’s ultra-affordable W1700 being the most notable. Those two models use pixel-shifting technology, however, meaning this could be the first model to truly rival the ultra-expensive native 4K projectors. That could be ideal for installers working with clients on a budget, who still demand the very best quality on offer.
The new Vivitek HK228 home cinema projector has a recommended retail price of £2,499, and is available now. Karma AV is the distributor in the UK.