Hitachi CP X445 LCD Projector
The Hitachi CP X445 LCD Projector is full of features and produces very bright images. Its very capable 3 LCD projector technology will keep demanding corporate or home theater users more than happy. The CP X445 has a quoted 3200 ANSI lumens, a wide variety of inputs, including network control, and an integrated sound system. This is a very solid projector with only a few minor negative points.
This is not a small LCD projector by todays standards, weighing in at over 8.5 pounds, but it has a solid, well made feel to it. It has a very easy to operate push button leveling system for the legs, so initial set up or adjustment is quick. The CP X445 comes with a quality remote that doesn’t have to be pointed directly at the projector to communicate. Control of the user-friendly menu system that makes set up a breeze is by a unique spring loaded toggle switch. Unusual and a little easier to use than standard remote buttons.
The dual personality of the Hitachi CP X445 LCD Projector is demonstrated by a couple of other features in the remote. There is a built-in laser pointer, not often seen on projectors. And there is a USB connection allowing you to plug in your computer and get cursor control on the remote. Moving the cursor with a joystick on the remote is not very easy, but this could be a valuable feature in some situations.
A Bright LCD Projector?
A claim of 3200 ANSI lumens for this projector is probably way wide of the mark. Measurements show the brightest spot of a standard test screen on a 60in image to be around the 2150 ANSI lumens level, with variations across the image down to 1600 ANSI lumens towards the top area. This variation is quite low compared to other projectors and is not something you would easily notice in use. Despite the rather lower measured level against the ambitious claims, the CP X445 produces a very bright image indeed, one of the brightest in its class.
Image quality and video reproduction on the Hitachi CP X445 LCD Projector are excellent. An XGA (1024×768 pixels) computer presentation produces a sharp picture with plenty of contrast. The only downside is the rather disappointing black level, which is actually more a dull grey. Although HDTV is not shown in its native resolution the CP X445 produces an outstanding bright, clear and crisp image that will literally dazzle your friends! Again the blacks are not really black enough, and the screen door effect is quite noticable in lighter scenes, but these are minor complaints about an otherwise excellent picture.
An unusual feature of the Hitachi CP X445 LCD Projector is its built in audio capability. Quite a few projectors have simple mono audio, but the CP X445 boasts 4 speaker stereo! Admittedly the speakers are rather small, but the sound quality is remarkably good given that audio is probably well down the designer’s priority list. You won’t want to use the sound system in a home theater, but it does make a lot of sense for classroom or boardroom preentations.
Conclusion
The Hitachi CP X445 is an extremely bright and well featured LCD Projector. It is a great choice for the boardroom, giving stunningly clear computer images even in bright rooms. The CP X445 is also great for home theater enthusiasts who want the sharpest and brightest HDTV images from an LCD projector in this price range. The somewhat grey blacks and a noticable screen door effect detract a little from what is otherwise an excellent and thoroughly capable LCD projector.