The popularity of the Valerion brand is still inferior to Epson, Optoma, BenQ, Hisense, etc, which have been on the list of industry leaders for several decades. For reference, it’s a subsidiary of the American AWOL Vision, founded in 2020 and located in Delray Beach, Florida. Its AWOL LTV 4K UST projectots have been included in many top lists for several years. In addition to projectors, Valerion also produces screens and accessories.
Today, it offers the Valerion VisionMaster series, which includes Plus, Plus 2, Pro 2 and Max models. The latest VisionMaster Pro 2 and VisionMaster Max were presented in the fall at IFA 2024 and became one of its sensations.
Valerion launched a Kickstarter campaign on October 10, 2024, which became the highest funded projector in crowdfunding history. Today, the price of the Pro 2 on the company’s website is $ 2,999, which corresponds to the premium segment of laser mid-focal 4K projectors.
Modern projectors
Several innovative breakthroughs have provided the evolutionary leap forward for projectors. This list includes:
– the ALPD (Advanced Laser Phosphor Display) – based light engine expanded the color gamut, increased brightness and reduced the projector size;
– mirroring and streaming eliminated the content problem on the projector;
– ALR (Ambient Light Rejection) and CLR (Ceiling Light Rejecting) screens have reduced the requirements for room darkening;
– pixel shift-based XPR (Xpanded Pixel Resolution) technology has increased resolution of DLP projectors up to 4K without significantly changing the price.
Its opration principle прост и элегантен. The projector divides 8 million pixels of 4K content into two or four parts (2 or 4 phase pixel shift). Then, the 2 million micromirrors of the relatively cheap 1080p chipset sequentially display two or four 1080p images, shifting them half a pixel relative to each other. Strictly speaking, the projector displays only one 1080p image at any given time. But due to the high frequency, the vision and brain perceive them as one picture with a higher resolution. The pixel shift is carried out by tilting the lense using four XPR module magnets.
– UST (ultra short throw) projectors have eliminated one of the main problems of mid-focal models with wires on the floor. Today it can only be solved with a complex ceiling mount. Using aspherical mirrors and a system of internal lenses, UST model forms a huge image of 100″ or more from a very short distance. Accordingly, their placement near the screen does not create a problem with the power supply cable on the floor. Today, this is their main advantage in the fierce competition with traditional TVs in the living room.
Projector contrast
Despite enormous progress, the image quality of projectors is still inferior to TVs due to lower contrast. As known, it directly affects the sharpness of the image and the saturation of colors. Of course, LCoS projectors also provide superb contrast due to the perfect black. In this technology, it’s achieved due to the tiny width of the gaps between the liquid crystals, which practically do not transmit light. Today, companies use several of their versions, including:
– JVC – D-ILA (Digital Direct-Drive Image Light Amplifier);
– Sony – SXRD (Silicon X-tal Reflective Display);
– Canon – AISYS (Aspectual Illumination System).
But they are much more expensive than DLP and 3LCD projectors. For reference, native FOFO (full on / full off) contrast for DLP and 3LCD models ranges from 500:1 to 3,000:1 vs 40,000:1 in the $ 6,000 JVC DLA NZ500 (2,000 ANSI Lumens brightness).
A few years ago, AWOL Vision significantly increased the DLP projector contrast with its new Enhanced Black Level (EBL) feature. Its subsidiary Valerion has successfully improved this technology, increasing the contrast to an unprecedented 15,000:1. To avoid a discourse on terms, the company calls it ‘Viewing Contrast’. In fact, EBL adjusts the gamma curve and is an advanced algorithm for dynamically controlling laser power and gamma / brightness / contrast in real time, scene-by-scene. Simply put, at low Average Picture Level (APL), the EBL reduces the laser power. As a result, blacks become deeper without compromising detail in the highlights.
Pro 2 Specs
The Pro 2 uses a TI 0.47-inch DMD DLP chipset with XPR support based on pixel-shifting, providing 4K or full UHD (3,840 x 2,180) resolution (8.29 million pixels). The RGB triple-laser light source with a lifespan of 25,000 hours provides brightness up to 3,000 ISO lumens and covers 110% in Rec. 2020 standard.
Moreover, testing demonstrated almost 3,400 ANSI lumens with the Brightness Enhancer mode. Unfortunately, this option traditionally adds a heavy green bias to the image. In addition, it defaults ‘Native’ color space, blocking the White Balance setting. To be fair, its activating makes sense only in bright ambient light. The brightest Standard picture mode without Brightness Enhancer shows 2,500 ANSI lumens. This deviation is within the allowable limits of ISO 21118 standard compared to specs.
In some modes, playback may sometimes be accompanied by a rainbow effect, which is typical for DLP technology.
However, Theater picture mode is practically free of this drawback.
Of course, the 0.9-1.5x optical zoom of lens is a significant bonus of the projector, simplifying its placement. Focusing also works flawlessly.
Of course, Enhanced Black Level (EBL) technology is a main key feature of the model. In fact, it увеличивает image depth, delivering superb clarity in high-contrast scenes. Unfortunately, its work is not yet perfect. In particular, it’s accompanied by color shift, reducing the color accuracy. Additionally, the transition from dark to bright scenes occurs with a slight delay before stabilizing. However, these small cons practically do not interfere with viewing.
Traditionally for an RGB triple-laser light source, the color gamut is specified in the specs up to 110% in the Rec. 2020 color space. Testing shows ~92% xy and almost 95% uv, which is an excellent result for a DLP projector.
Key Features
Dynamic Tone Mapping for HDR content is an added bonus of the Pro 2. Typically, projectors in this class do not support it. In fact, it eliminates the need for additional settings when viewing HDR content. The projector also supports HDR 10, HLG, HDR10+ and Dolby Vision formats. The 48 Hz refresh rate support completes this list. Thus, the projector supports the full list of professional movie formats, including Dolby Vision, IMAX Enhanced, HDR10+, Filmmaker, 24 fps and 48 fps.
The electroplated metal strips around its exterior add to the projector’s weight, which reaches 7 kg / 15.4 lbs.
Perhaps such design aesthetics are controversial, but its assessment depends on individual preferences.
In addition, the dimensions 10.2 x 7.3 x 8.5 inches / 26 x 18.5 x 21 cm (WHD) and included carrying case make the model compact and mobile. Besides tabletop placement, the projector has a ceiling mount. The optical zoom and 105% offset further simplify the choice of its placement.
The focusing range varies from 40-inch to 300-inch diagonally.
But as known, the projection size inversely affects colors saturation and detail. For example, an 80″ image with bright, saturated colors may become dull and washed out when enlarged to, say, 250″. In addition, ophthalmologists recommend the optimal viewing distance as the diagonal multiplied by 1.3. Accordingly, even a 130″ / 330 cm projection requires a viewing distance of ~170″ / 430 cm. This is unlikely to be a problem on the veranda of an oceanfront villa. But this aspect can create difficulties in the usual living room of a standard apartment.
Chipset, Audio and Gaming
Pro 2 uses the latest Mediatek Pentonic 700 (MT9618) with a powerful quad-core processor based on Arm’s Cortex-A73 architecture (clocked at 1.4 GHz) and an Arm-based Mali-G52 MC1 GPU.
4 GB of DDR4 RAM and 128 GB of internal memory ensure smooth performance and space for apps and media.
The MT9618 chipset with integrated MediaTek DLA AI processor provades:
– AI-Super Resolution 2.0 enhances images with edge smoothing and detail reconstruction;
– AI-Picture Quality Scene Recognition 2.0 optimizes settings based on scene analysis;
– AI-Picture Quality Object Recognition 2.5 introduces depth enhancement for more immersive visuals.
The chipset also supports MEMC (motion estimation and motion compensation or frame interpolation) at up to 4K@120Hz. But to be honest, DLP technology limits MEMC to only up to 4K@60Hz.
The built-in 2x12W DTS Virtual:X audio system with seven-band equalizer and support for DTS:X and Dolby Audio will allow most not to spend money on an external soundbar. However, for music lovers, the projector offers HDMI 2.0 port with eARC (Enhanced Audio Return Channel) for digital transmission of uncompressed audio to an external audio system.
4K@144Hz support, ALLM (Auto Low Latency Mode), Dolby Vision / HDR10+ gaming, superb 4ms for 1080p@240Hz and 15ms for 4K@60Hz input lag with High Refresh Rate Mode, DLP Turbo, and Instant Game Response will satisfy even professional gamers.
Of course, Google TV with Android TV OS 12 is also a bonus of model. Chromecast, AirPlay, screen mirroring and access to the Play Store completely solve the content problem for the projector.
Color Modes and Calibration
The VisionMaster Pro 2 offers seven picture modes for SDR, eight for HDR, three for Dolby Vision, and four for HDR10+. Of course, all modes have separate settings. This list includes:
– SDR – Vivid, Standard, Sports, PC/Game, Energy Saving, Theater and Filmmaker;
– HDR – HDR10, HDR10+ and Dolby Vision.
With the exception of the game mode (‘HDR Game’ instead of ‘PC/Game’), HDR10 and 10+ use identical mode names with an ‘HDR’ prefix. In addition, their list has has the additional ‘IMAX Enhanced’ mode. Dolby Vision offers Bright, Dark and Custom settings.
The independent memory settings for SDR and HDR10 / HDR10+/ Dolby Vision provide automatic correction of settings for this content.
Of course, the huge selection of modes and settings open up great opportunities for perfectionists, allowing them to get the optimal image for any content.
But frankly speaking, most users prefer one universal mode with preset settings that optimally match their favorite content and viewing conditions.
Сalibration controls.
The standard picture settings includes Contrast, Black Level, Color, Hue, and Sharpness. Advanced controls include Offset and Gain settings, 20-point White Balance adjustments, and Gamma controls. A full Color Management System (CMS) provides precise tuning of Hue, Saturation, and Luminance for primary and secondary colors. The gamma presets offer 2.0, 2.2, 2.4 and BT.1886 values.
After setting, all picture modes demonstrate almost the same high image quality. Theater or Filmmaker with Warm 1 provide max accurate image for OOTB viewing (Out-Of-The-Box). The measurements for SDR do not exceed dE of 3, which is practically not perceived by our vision. For HDR it‘s slightly higher than 5, which is also not critical.
Enhanced Black Level
Of course, Enhanced Black Level (EBL) performance is the focus for the VisionMaster Pro 2. Unfortunately, the transition between content and test images is accompanied by a green bias. However, this annoying nuance is unlikely to interfere when watching a movie or football. The delay in color stabilization after the projector returned to a brighter scene is a second drawback. At this moment, the reproduction of image colors can be accompanied by a green or red shift. To be fair, alternating very dark and light scenes is quite rare.
Of course, color shift to green can be reduced with lowering the Gain control for green. Finally, the problem can be solved by disabling the EBL function in case it’s very annoying for the viewer. Perhaps the developers will eliminate these small cons in future versions of EBL. Today, they deserve only a formal mention, since they have virtually no effect on viewing.
Theater or Filmmaker with Warm 1 provide max accurate image for OOTB viewing (Out-Of-The-Box).
Measured native contrast ratio reaches almost 1,750:1 FOFO (full-on, full-off). ‘Viewing Contrast’ with EBL exceeds 9,700:1 at Min throw and 14,850:1 at Max throw, which meets specs.
Conclusion
Pros
– 3,000 ISO Lumens, up to 15,000:1 ‘Viewing Contrast’ with EBL, and 110% Rec 2020 color gamut;
– 0.9-1.5:1 Optical Zoom;
– 24 and 48 fps;
– Full HD 3D;
– ISF (Certified Color Accuracy);
– Google TV;
– Dinamic Tone Mapping.
Cons
– high price for a mid-focal model;
– sometimes green shift with EBL.
Of course, competition in the mid-throw projector segment is very fierce. A very shortened list of great new models includes:
– Anker Nebula Cosmos 4K SE ~ $ 1,300;
– Dangbei X5 Ultra for ~ £ 1150, and Dangbei DBOX02 Mars Pro 2 for $ 1,900;
– BenQ TK710 ~ $ 1,800;
– XGIMI Horizon S Max ~ $ 1,900;
– JMGO N1S Ultimate ~ $ 2,300.
Compared to them, $ 3,000 VisionMaster Pro 2 seems too expensive. But it offers unprecedented contrast for this segment, providing a significant improvement in image quality for dark scenes. Therefore, the price difference seems quite adequate. Overall, superb contrast and great specs provide the model with a great price quality ratio, giving it cloudless marketing prospects.
This video demonstrates the Dynamic Tone Mapping performance in Valerion VisionMaster projectors.