Lately the internet has been inundated with images promoting a new projector brand called Valerion highlighting the brand’s latest 4K triple-laser projector model called the VisionMaster Max that was launched late this year. With all the hubbub surrounding this new brand (at least to me), and as a professional AV calibrator with over 25 years with certifications from ISF, THX and CEDIA, among others, it’s only natural that my interests piqued.
With help from Robert Zohn, a friend of mine at Value Electronics in the United States, I was able to contact Florida-based Valerion and ask for their VisionMaster Max to do a detailed review. So, without further ado, here are my thoughts on this flagship lifestyle/home-theatre projector, that aims to blend advanced features, installation flexibility and cinematic image quality while also competing against the biggest brand names like JVC and Sony in the world of projectors.
Instead of padding this review with flowery words that really mean nothing, I’d like to start by highlighting the appearance of this projector. For a lifestyle projector, it is rather heavy and features a high gloss black finish that makes the projector look luxurious even when not being used. The added weight gives density and rigidity to the chassis and there is no play or creak when handling the unit. The VisionMaster Max has a highly fashionable appearance that looks gorgeous. Even the remote control is substantial with buttons that have a discernible “clicky” feel making my everyday projector’s remote feel a bit like junk in comparison.
Now, the projector itself: The VisionMaster Max is a 4K (via DLP/XPR) projector with a triple-laser RGB light source that gives strong colour capability and solid brightness and brightness control (read: HDR tone mapping) for both home environment and lifestyle usage, such as camping or a backyard session.
It adds high installation flexibility: zoom, scale & vertical lens shift, and even swappable lenses (for longer throw, shorter throw and anamorphic lens to accommodate different throw-distances and anamorphic presentation on scope (approximately 21:9) screens such as the one I use at home for this review using Stewart StudioTek 130 G4 screen. It is unfortunate that it won’t do horizontal lens shift. (Note: for best results, I highly recommend Screen Innovations Black Diamond 0.8 gain screen for improved black imaging).
The projector promises support for High Dynamic Range formats (Dolby Vision, HDR10+), IMAX Enhanced, 24/48 fps playback and gaming modes with low input-lag in ALLM/gaming mode (not tested, as I don’t game). As for HDR, the tone mapping (both scene-by-scene and inter-frame dynamic tone mapping) is one of the best I’ve ever encountered on pretty much all DLP projectors at any price.
The number one drawback of DLP projectors is that they don’t have impressive black levels. However, the VisionMaster Max projector’s very strong black-level/contrast promises giving the blackest black for a DLP projector regardless of price level. One can compare it with Barco Residential DLP projectors at ten-times the price and the VisionMaster Max still wins out.
Having a projector without having a decent colour accuracy is counterintuitive. Yes, you can have it professionally calibrated by someone like me, but these days it should not be a prerequisite for enjoying a projector out-of-the-box.
Based on my measurements, the rated 3,500 ISO lumens is very close to the 3,400 real life ISO lumens I measured. Please note, that ISO lumens are actually more difficult to approach than the more lax ANSI lumens. Furthermore, post professional calibration, the projector still reaches 3,000 ISO lumens which is highly impressive.
Colour gamut claims are very strong (e.g., > 100% of Rec.2020) which means very vivid in terms of colour volume, saturated colour playback when properly configured. Accuracy is measured at dE<6 on magenta which is acceptable for a lifestyle projector. After a full manual calibration, the dE is at less than three which is very ideal.
While I’m extremely sensitive to Rainbow Effect, defined as a brief flash of colors (red, green, blue) that some viewers can see around moving objects thus appearing like a colorful rainbow, I’m pleased to say that it is not easy for my eyes to detect any Rainbow Effect while watching movies. I find that after 20-30 minutes from the initial power up, any Rainbow Effect is essentially undetectable. Turning this RBE (Rainbow Effect Eliminator) function will yield a slight magenta push. Unless you know how to find it, you won’t notice the magenta push at all. And I suggest to not try to learn how do to this; because once you know how to detect this, you will never able to unlearn it!
Unfortunately, just like any products at any price level, nothing is perfect. The first “imperfections” is the MSRP at around US$ 5,000. It is not cheap, but then again, do you want good or do you want cheap? I’ll take good any day and all things being relative, the price for the VisionMaster Max is still relatively cheap for the spec and build quality that you receive.
Secondly, lens memory. The lack of lens memory saddened me a tad as there is no way for me to use Constant Image Height simply by pressing a button. Hopefully with new model roll outs or with second generation products this will be added as it will infinitely move the projector closer to being perfect for home theatre usage. After all, scope movies (21:9) are supposed to be shown wider than regular rectangular 16:9 movies. I hope Valerion reads this review and implements the lens memory function. After all, all they need is a few lines of coding to make the projector able to do so. And while they’re at it, please add enough memory slots (minimum of 3) so I can have lens memories for 16:9, 2:1 (Univisium), 21:9 (Scope); three of the currently most used aspect ratios.
Can I recommend this projector? Absolutely! For a mixed use / lifestyle projector, I have yet to find a projector better than the VisionMaster Max. Yes, there are outdoor projectors out there, yes there are gaming projectors out there, yes there are presentation projectors out there, and of course there are home theatre projectors; but none can do it all, like this projector. Is it perfect? So far, the VisionMaster Max is the best all-rounder I have yet to encounter. And even for me, this projector is beyond what I consider to be very good. Dare I say… excellent?