Like a blast from the past, ViewSonic's PA504W is a projector that has all the attributes from classroom projectors of a decade ago with a lamp-based illumination system, Wide XGA resolution, and old-school analog video inputs. Looks can be deceiving because the PA504W not only has a modern design with built-in networking and HDMI video but is aimed at the most cost-conscious buyers at schools seeking the lowest price.

Its DLP imaging doesn't need a dust filter, and the metal halide lamp is rated to last 5,000 hours of use, but it will likely need to be changed every three years under typical school conditions. The economics of the situation means that after about six years and two lamp swaps the total cost of ownership (including new lamps) of the PA504W will just about equal a comparable laser projector that doesn't require lamp changes. In fact, the more you use the PA504W the less attractive its economics are.

Sure, the PA504W's 4,000-lumen brightness rating has the power to light up a classroom but it's only for those schools that require the absolute lowest cost projector. The question remains as to whether the price really is right.

Features

While the ViewSonic PA504W exists at the entry-level for education projectors where getting the lowest price is the main objective, several years ago it would have been considered a mid-range classroom projector that excelled at brightness. How times have changed with laser-based projectors that pump out sharp HD imaging dominating the scene but costing closer to $1,000, putting them out of reach for most K-12 schools.

That said, the $550 PA504W not only has the optical power to light up lessons but also conforms to a layout that seems simplistic compared to today's laser phosphor designs. Its metal halide lamp puts out a stream of white light that passes through a color wheel and on to the projector's 0.65-inch DLP imaging chip. The final 1280 x 800 Wide XGA (WXGA) image comes out the PA504W's lens and onto the screen.

While laser projectors are rated to run for upwards of 20,000 hours (or more than 10 years of hard use), the PA504W's replaceable lamps should last for 5,000 hours, according to ViewSonic. Under a normal school duty cycle, the projector might need a new lamp every three years—give or take. Ignoring the cost of keeping enough lamps on hand, the projector's downtime for the swap and the hassle of replacing them, at $180 each, the costs can add up quickly.

It might seem ironic, but somewhere near the sixth year after two lamp changes this type of projector can start costing more than a laser-based one. More to the point, because its lamps are consumable items, the more you use the PA504W, the quicker you'll get to the crossover point where the projector starts costing more than a comparable laser one. In other words, this type of projector is for those underfunded institutions that can't afford the upfront costs of a laser projector that will likely cost less in the long run.

There are three low-power modes that can lengthen the lamp's lifespan while cutting the projector's electricity costs. To start, the conventional Eco mode reduces the lamp voltage and fan speed to lower output by 20 percent and power use by 16 percent. The Super Eco mode goes several steps further, resulting in a very dim projector at a 74 percent loss of brightness and a power draw at about the level of a 100-watt light bulb (a 58 percent reduction.) ViewSonic engineers say it can make the lamp last for as much as 15,000 hours, putting it on par with a laser illumination engine.

Then, there's the Dynamic Eco setting, which examines the video stream to automatically lower the projector's output in low light and often raises the projector's contrast ratio. It doesn't help for presentations but could lower the PA504W's costs for videos and some class lessons.

At 11.6 x 4.3 x 8.6 (WHD) and 5.1 pounds, the PA504W is lightweight enough to be installed by one person. Its three mounting points and three feet make its set up quick and easy, although some might wish it had an extra attachment point.

It worked fine with my generic mounting gear, but ViewSonic's PJ-WMK-007 mounting hardware is a bargain at $90, allowing for horizontal and vertical positioning and including a 30-inch adjustable extension pipe.

The projector's native WXGA resolution imaging is a compromise between cost and sharpness. Unfortunately, its individual pixels are large, and the space between them produced a noticeable screen door effect on the projected image. It looks like a grid across the entire screen.

Able to downscale inputs of up to HD resolution, the PA504W can project in a variety of aspect ratios, including 4:3, 16:9, and 16:10. It, however, lacks the ability to use Microsoft's 21:9 Teams videoconferencing format becoming more common in office environments.

The PA504W's standard throw optics has a 1.1X zoom lens that's similar to the one on BenQ's EX605. Neither can touch the range that the Epson PowerLite 118's 1.2X optics. All three cost less than $600.

Able to create a sharp image from as close as 30 inches and as far as 33 feet, the PA504W can put up an 8-foot image from about 8.5 feet away. The projector tops out at a 25 feet image, although it starts to wash out closer to 15 feet. The Projector Central Throw Distance Calculator can let you know if the PA504W will work in your room.

None of the projectors in this class have image shifting for when there's no avoiding an off-center installation, although the PA504W's vertical keystone correction can compensate for up to a four-degree tilt up (front a table) or down (from a ceiling mount). It lacks horizontal keystone correction, something the Epson PowerLite 118 has.

The projector's connection panel straddles analog and digital worlds with a surprisingly generous assortment of ports that isn't matched on more expensive projectors. Its four video inputs include ports for VGA and Composite video as well as a pair of HDMI 1.4 sources. There's also a VGA video out connector for sending a cloned signal to a projector for an overflow room or a display on a teacher's lectern.

With a 10-watt speaker, the PA504W should be fine for up to a mid-sized classroom, but its audio-in and audio-out jacks can extend this by using an external sound system. It does without a microphone input that can help make sure everyone can hear the teacher in a larger classroom.

The projector's USB Type-A port can power a streaming adapter and update its firmware. Unfortunately, it can neither lift images off a flash drive nor work with a generic mouse for streamlining the use of its menu structure.

Conveniently, the PA504W is compatible with Creston and AMX remote control protocols. Plus, the projector's RS-232 serial port can be used to remotely operate the projector.

Its wired networking is a nice touch, but the PA504W lacks the built-in Wi-Fi that the PowerLite 118 and EX605 have. Instead, ViewSonic's $110 WPD-700 casting kit can allow students to sending their screens to the projector.

Still, it's easy to network the projector after a required password has been added. Once set up, I was able to check on its network settings, password, and Crestron control details but not turn the projector on and off or adjust any of its internal settings.

The control panel on top is oddly trapezoidal shaped with a slanting On/Off button. There are controls for selecting the video source, changing the volume, and selecting the Color Mode. Its three LEDs show power, overheating, and that the lamp is running.

Able to fit comfortably in the hand, the PA504W's remote control is powered by a pair of AAA batteries and has the expected keys for turning the projector on and off as well as opening the menu and navigating within it. In addition to choosing individual inputs, there are prominent keys for adjusting the volume and muting it. The device's 30-foot range cannot be extended by directly wiring it to the projector.

ViewSonic stands by the PA504W with a three-year warranty, which can be extended to five years.

Performance

Like other lamp-based projectors, the PA504W is slow to start, taking 28.4 seconds to put up an image and as long as 3 minutes to get to its full brightness. It took 14.3 seconds for it to cool down enough to stop its fan after being turned off, but it will not restart until it's cool enough.

All this points to the PA504W not being particularly suited to use in a shared room that has its projector turned on and off all day. It might be best to leave it on all day and turn it off after the last class.

Color Modes. The PA504W has five Color Modes that range from Brightest and Presentation to Standard, Photo, and Movie. It lacks a Dicom Sim mode for projecting medical scans, so it's not an appropriate choice for use in a hospital or nursing program.

That said, it's easy to create your own mode with two user settings that offer control of the individual primary colors as well as color temperature for 5,500K, 6,500K, and 8,000K. There are also Brightness, Tint, and Sharpness controls as well as six different gamma choices.

The projector's TV style test pattern is great for seeing the changes made.

Presentation Viewing. The projector's Brightest mode says it all: maximum output with little regard to color balance. The PA504W put up 3,414 ANSI lumens in this mode, which was about 15 percent off its 4,000-lumen spec. Still, that should be enough to leave the classroom lights on during class.

There's one other thing to consider in the Brightest mode: its heavy screen door effect with the imaging target's grid easily visible. This is particularly noticeable on white backgrounds and when students are 6 feet away or closer. It just about disappears on heavily colored images but can be prominent on many of the presentations and school lesson plans I used.

Using the Presentation mode, the PA504W's output dropped to 2,268 ANSI lumens, but its color balance was much warmer with some pink added in. It will do fine for showing websites that are a mix of text and images.

Moving to the Standard mode reduced the projector's brightness to 2,311 ANSI lumens and has the look and feel of sRGB settings. The more neutral view of the colors projected makes it the best all-around mode for a variety of uses.

There's also a Photo mode that reduced output to 1,915 ANSI lumens with an acceptable color balance for showing flesh tones, sky, and tree images. It's the one that should be used for an art history class for displaying paintings or for a student digital art contest.

Video Viewing. Finally, there's the Cinema mode that delivers 1,637 ANSI lumens to the screen—less than half its peak output. It will require a darkened room with the shades drawn shut to be effective.

No surprise, the PA504W lacks the ability to decode High Dynamic Range (HDR) programming to add highlights and color depth. Still, its video is acceptable for classroom and businesses despite often appearing dull and flat, regardless of mode.

The projector handled a variety of digital lessons well and conquered both John Green's YouTube world history videos and the University of Colorado pHET science and math simulations. The streams were smooth with no stuttering, dropped frames or unexplained pauses.

Conclusion

It may not be the brightest, quietest, or sharpest projector available, but the ViewSonic PA504W has something that schools want: a low price to outfit dozens or hundreds of classrooms. That's because rather than solid state lasers, the PA504W uses lamp-based illumination to save on upfront costs. It might catch up on schools that use the PA504W a lot because it will require several replacement lamps over its presumed lifetime that can overwhelm any initial cost savings.

Despite delivering WXGA resolution and 3,414 ANSI lumens, the PA504W levels up with a mix of analog and video inputs and a video output port. It, however, lacks horizontal keystone correction, a microphone input jack, and Wi-Fi.

Still, for many K-12 schools, it's upfront costs that count for everything, and the PA504W can be the best $550 they can spend on a classroom. Just plan on getting a few replacement lamps, as well.

For more detailed specifications and connections, check out our ViewSonic PA504W projector page.

To buy this projector, use Where to Buy online, or get a price quote by email direct from Projector Central authorized dealers using our E-Z Quote tool.