Our Verdict
Acer’s Predator GD711 is a gaming-focused projector with a variable refresh price. With 4K decision and a few tremendous handy picture adjustment settings, it’s extra like a monitor than a projector. But, its washed-out colorscape leaves lots to be desired.
Tremendous straightforward configuration
4K decision
Expansive settings
Colours want some tweaking
Audio system are poor
Restricted availability
Acer’s Predator GD711 is the most recent within the firm’s lengthy line of stable 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 title suggests, is tuned across the gaming market. It treads a advantageous line incorporating options you’d sometimes discover on a top-tier gaming monitor, with one of the best tech the projector market has to supply.
It’d sound odd at first, (notably given the excessive refresh price OLED screens and TVs which can be obtainable on the market right now), however one of the best gaming projectors can sustain and supply a top-tier gaming expertise, throughout consoles and PC. It’s definitely one thing value experiencing, notably if you happen to’re curious concerning the medium.
After all, it’s not going to be fairly as potent as these top-tier items, and there are only a few merchandise on the market able to hitting the heady body charges and response instances of a few of the finest gaming screens with out breaking into the four-figure value entrance, however if you happen to’re an off-the-cuff gamer enjoying a little bit of all the things, and have the house, and never acting at a aggressive stage, then gaming projector is the place to be.
Now I’ve been testing screens, 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 items. So I can say surely that Acer’s Predator GD711 is a complicated unit.
Why? Nicely 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 huge funding to place down for the spec. Let me clarify why.
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Specs
Max decision
3840 x 2160
Max refresh price
240 Hz (PC), 120Hz (Console)
Distinction Ratio:
2,000,000:1
Colours
1.07 Billion
Life expectancy
As much as 30,000 Hours
Response Charge
Not Listed
Connectivity
Wi-fi Dongle, Distant solely, 2x HDMI 2.0, 1x USB 3.0
Dimensions
320 x 230 x 109 mm
Weight
3.2 kg
Design
The general design of the GD711 is a reasonably slimline affair, it’s definitely 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 in all probability used to seeing because the daybreak of the projector to be fairly sincere.
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 person guide on simply how to try this, though it does require you to select up a further common projector ceiling mount.
In the event you intend to make use of it simply on a desk, or a shelf the GD711 has adjustable ft to get the correct angle you want too. The throw vary is fairly good as effectively. Popping the unit 2.2M again will web you a show equal to round 80 inches or so. Crank it again by 8.1 meters and theoretically you’ll be able to throw up a picture as massive as 300 inches.
Cooling is dealt with by an inside fan setup, each the rear and one aspect of the unit (closest to the lens) home cool-air intakes, and the alternative aspect acts as an exhaust. It’s operating a optimistic stress system right here to attenuate mud build-up, however each intakes and exhaust are lined in mesh to assist cut back that regardless.
There are built-in OSD menu buttons, permitting you to actively change supply, re-sync the projector, and cycle by the quite a few menus, positioned on the very prime, together with a spotlight ring/dial simply above the lens, and an hooked up lens cowl as effectively to maintain it secure 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 number of buttons as discovered on the projector itself as effectively.
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, enormous 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 price tech, and a max 240 Hz refresh price, (though that’s pretty caveated that final one).
The actual confusion surrounds latency. There are numerous evaluations on the market suggesting the latency on this unit is extremely good, however most of that appears to be referring to the refresh charges obtainable as a substitute. When it comes to precise latency, It’s onerous 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 offered any particulars regarding what the response price of the GD711 is.
It does nevertheless have a considerably big range of refresh charges depending on what decision you’re gaming at. In the event you’re at 4K you’re restricted to only 60 Hz, (a pure limitation of HDMI 2.0 anyway), 1080p then you’ll be able to faucet out at 240 Hz (so long as it’s on PC), and for console 1080p 120 Hz is the max.
The actual sensible 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 system is just not stage, or tilted incorrectly, eliminating any skew points by any means.
You after all get your typical guide 2D Keystone changes as effectively alongside the horizontal and vertical axis, however having this further 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 differ 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 comparable opponents at this value level and barely larger. Don’t get me mistaken, it’s not an terrible expertise by any means, however if you happen to’re used to the crisp shade readability of one thing like a 55-inch OLED LG TV or perhaps a trendy IPS or VA monitor, the GD711 leaves lots to be desired.
You may after all tweak the settings closely, switching between mode varieties, and color-correcting each factor to try to get to that excellent replica, however that may be extremely difficult, and even my finest 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 stable, nevertheless, and if there weren’t any main latency points between me and my less-than-competitive RPG and RTS mind, it was onerous to note. Whole Conflict Warhammer III and Star Wars: Jedi Survivor have been an absolute blast to play, and I noticed no discernable distinction in my loss of life price in comparison with on a full-size show.
The issue I’ve is the value. In the event you’re seeking to recreation on this at 4K, you’re going to be utilizing a PC. For half the price you can 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, one of the best 4K gaming screens 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 it’s essential a) have the house to reap the benefits of its bigger display screen measurement, and b) be in that place, and likewise money restricted to the purpose of not with 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 characteristic set is wealthy sufficient to maintain any passionate gamer comfortable, however if you need a bit extra versatility, you would possibly wish to look elsewhere.
Ought to You Purchase It?
Sure: If you need a stable entry-level gaming projector
Sure: If in case you have the house to assist an even bigger show measurement
Sure: In the event you’re an off-the-cuff gamer, and don’t thoughts colours not being tremendous vibrant
No: In the event you’re on the lookout for one of the best worth per $ show
No: If you need one of the best shade accuracy
So far as gaming projectors go Acer’s Predator GD711 is an fascinating proposition. On the one hand, its huge characteristic set and pretty low-level value level for a 4K projector make it a stable decide for these seeking to get into the scene or are after a giant social gathering piece show to recreation with their pals. On the opposite, its shade accuracy leaves lots to be desired.
Options
In the event you’re after one of the best gaming projector you should purchase, 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 factor.
The issue, nevertheless, lies not on the earth of projectors, however extra so within the type of devoted TVs and screens as effectively. The previous, you’ll be able to sometimes discover at comparable costs with OLED panels and better refresh charges at 50 inches and above and comes with higher audio system, and the latter contains even richer gaming specs (comparable 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 containers, at lower than half the value of the GD711, or if you happen to’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 gives a significantly tempting proposition in comparison with a few of its competitors. Nonetheless, the shortage of shade accuracy hurts it long-term, notably in comparison with a few of the competitors from each OLED TVs and screens at across the similar RRP. It’s a stable unit, however a distinct segment projector for 4K gaming.