Our Verdict
Acer’s Predator GD711 is a gaming-focused projector with a variable refresh fee. 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 loads 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 newest within the firm’s lengthy line of stable gaming projectors. In contrast to a few of its H and X collection 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 effective line incorporating options you’d usually discover on a top-tier gaming monitor, with the most effective tech the projector market has to supply.
It would sound odd at first, (significantly given the excessive refresh fee OLED displays and TVs which can be out there on the market right now), however the most effective gaming projectors can sustain and supply a top-tier gaming expertise, throughout consoles and PC. It’s actually one thing value experiencing, significantly should you’re curious in regards to the medium.
In fact, 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 greatest gaming displays with out breaking into the four-figure value entrance, however should you’re an informal gamer enjoying a little bit of every thing, and have the area, and never acting at a aggressive stage, then a superb 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 specific items. So I can say no doubt that Acer’s Predator GD711 is a complicated unit.
Why? Nicely merely put, it’s the value tag and availability of this factor that provides 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 fee | 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 actually a much more interesting providing than one thing like Benq’s X3100i, with its boxy type issue and hulking 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 for the reason that 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 consumer handbook on simply how to try this, though it does require you to select up an extra 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 toes 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’ll be able to throw up a picture as giant 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 other aspect acts as an exhaust. It’s working a constructive strain system right here to attenuate 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 by 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 fee tech, and a max 240 Hz refresh fee, (though that’s pretty caveated that final one).
The actual confusion surrounds latency. There are numerous 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 laborious to know for positive, outdoors of subjective really feel (we nonetheless don’t have incredible testing strategies for that simply but), as Acer hasn’t supplied any particulars regarding what the response fee of the GD711 is.
It does nonetheless have a considerably big range of refresh charges depending on what decision you’re gaming at. In the event you’re at 4K you might be 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 good trick is how Acer is dealing with the keystone. It’s very spectacular, briefly, to keep away from any type of twisted or trapezoidal distortion because of the projector itself being angled incorrectly, it’ll auto-adjust the lens to compensate if the gadget shouldn’t be stage, or tilted incorrectly, eliminating any skew points by any means.
You in fact get your typical handbook 2D Keystone changes as properly alongside the horizontal and vertical axis, however having this further step automated is a severely clever design selection.
Efficiency
I spent a superb few days testing the GD711 throughout a number of totally different media sorts from movie and leisure to gaming and YouTube. I’ve bought to say it’s fairly spectacular, significantly 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 range at greater throw distances.
What’s much less nice was the colour copy. It doesn’t matter what I attempted, total coloration accuracy with out HDR enabled in Home windows or on the PS5 felt considerably washed out in comparison with related rivals at this value level and barely greater. Don’t get me unsuitable, it’s not an terrible expertise by any means, however should you’re used to the crisp coloration 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’ll be able to in fact tweak the settings closely, switching between mode sorts, and color-correcting each factor to try to get to that excellent copy, 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.
Total the responsiveness felt stable, nonetheless, and if there weren’t any main latency points between me and my less-than-competitive RPG and RTS mind, it was laborious 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 demise fee in comparison with on a full-size show.
The issue I’ve is the value. In the event you’re trying to recreation on this at 4K, you’re going to be utilizing a PC. For half the price you may choose 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 best 4K gaming monitors include LG’s 48GQ900-B is a 48” 120 Hz 4K OLED display, for just over $1000, and Gigabyte will even sell you a 54.6-inch 4K VA display for just $700.
This puts the Acer Predator GD711 in a bit of a sticky position to be in. We knew that going into this of course, but you need to a) have the space to take advantage of its larger screen size, and b) be in that position, and also cash limited to the point of not being able to invest an extra $600-700 into something with a bit more punch. It’s still great for gaming, and as an entry-point gaming projector, the feature set is rich enough to keep any passionate gamer happy, but if you want a little more versatility, you might want to look elsewhere.
Should You Buy It?
- Yes: If you want a solid entry-level gaming projector
- Yes: If you have the space to support a bigger display size
- Yes: If you’re a casual gamer, and don’t mind colors not being super vibrant
- No: If you’re looking for the best value per $ display
- No: If you want the best color accuracy
As far as gaming projectors go Acer’s Predator GD711 is an interesting proposition. On the one hand, its vast feature set and fairly low-level price point for a 4K projector make it a solid pick for those looking to get into the scene or are after a big party piece display to game with their friends. On the other, its color accuracy leaves a lot to be desired.
Alternatives
If you’re after the best gaming projector you can buy, something like BenQ’s X3100i is a fantastic pick. Although somewhat chunky by comparison, and more suited to a table or a shelf attachment, there’s no denying just how incredible its color accuracy is, particularly as it matches the GD711 in every gaming element.
The problem, however, lies not in the world of projectors, but more so in the form of dedicated TVs and monitors as well. The former, you can typically find at similar prices with OLED panels and higher refresh rates at 50 inches and above and comes with better speakers, and the latter includes even richer gaming specs (such as 0.01 ms g2g, G-Sync premium), faster refresh rates, and just as many bells and whistles, for even less investment.
If 4K gaming at high refresh rates is what you’re after, AOC’s AGON Pro AG324UX ticks all the boxes, at less than half the price of the GD711, or if you’re after something with a bit more diagonal heft, then Gigabyte’s 54.6-inch S55U 4K 120 Hz VA display will fit the bill even better than that.
Verdict
Acer’s Predator GD711 Gaming Projector comes with some impressive software tech, and, at the price point provides a seriously tempting proposition compared to some of its competition. However, the lack of color accuracy hurts it long-term, particularly compared to some of the competition from both OLED TVs and monitors at around the same RRP. It’s a solid unit, but a niche projector for 4K gaming.