The big talk before the release of the PH550, was that it would last a lifetime. Lamp Life is a major issue in the world of projection, as all lamp-based projectors will at some point have to be replaced when the lamp dies, so the longer the lamp life, the more bang buyers get for their bucks. This said, I think most buyers would prefer a really great projector, which has to be replaced every six or seven years, to an ok projector that lasts forever. So, this LG Electronics PH550 HD Projector review, while highlighting the longevity, will ultimately focus on how good it is in terms of projection capabilities. I’ll finish by advising buyers as to whether it’s a great projector that’s worth a purchase, or whether it’s one to pass on.
PROS
- HD 1280x720p
- 30,000 hours lamp-life
- Easy Set-up
- Very Portable
- Wireless Connection
- Built-in Battery
CONS
- 550 Lumens
- Screen-size 100 inches
Overall Impression
Size and Design
This is an amazing feat of portability, with the whole thing out of the box weighing only 1.4 pounds. So we’re not talking much more than a phone, in terms of weight. The measurements are 9.4 inches in length, by 4.3 inches of width, with a depth of 1.7 inches. I can’t fault the durable design or the size, and while some may consider 1.7 inches to be thin, there are thinner projectors there. The end result is a device you can pick up, and walk out of the door with very easily. It’ll fit into a small carry-on case, bag, or even a large pocket. This is a 100% portable device.
Performance
30,000 hours of lamp life is the top end of the spectrum, and you won’t find more than this on any projector in this price range. It means you’ll be able to use it every day for 4 hours over a 20 year period before it dies. But, while this was a key factor in the marketing, buyers will be more concerned about what visual splendor’s it could offer them upon delivery.
They’ll be pleased to find that as well as lasting 30,000 hours, it’s also 1280 by 720p HD. Don’t be confused by the ‘1280’ part; this is just the long-form version of saying the LG Electronics PH550 HD is 720p. So you’re getting a 720p HD projector, and while this is not as good as 1080p full HD, it’s still an excellent quality of the image. In fact, most non-experts won’t be able to tell the difference between 1080p and 720p.
Further adding to the impressive package is the connectivity. The LG Electronics PH550 HD can connect wirelessly to any Tablet or Phone so buyers can stream movies or play games on their big screen. The connection is fast too, so you won’t be spending hours trying to get the Wi-Fi to detect your device. I’ll leave it up to buyers to decide whether the 100-inch screen size is a problem or not. It’s not as large as that on other projectors, but the PH550 also doesn’t lose image clarity as the screen gets larger. It also comes with a battery life of 2.5 hours, so you can take it out into the garden to view a full movie before the battery runs out, and presentations can be done easily using the battery.
There’s an excellent feature on the PH550 which allows purchasers to wirelessly stream sound directly to a Bluetooth compatible sound system. So, if you have a Hi-Fi that is Bluetooth Compatible, you’re in for a greatly enhanced cinematic surround sound experience. If not, the sound on the LG Electronics PH550 HD is pretty good anyway.
Here’s the bad news. It’s only 550 lumens, so on a bright day, or even on a day when there’s a little light; you’re not going to be able to view with great clarity. Of course, this isn’t a problem at all if you love watching movies outside in the evening, or if you don’t mind drawing the curtains. So it’ll all come down to each person’s individual needs and requirements. If you want to view in any light, this isn’t the projector for you, but if you turn the lights down when you watch movies, then I’d strongly recommend the PH550.
Final Verdict
Extremely light and very portable, the HD 720p LG Electronics PH550 HD represents a great deal if you don’t mind drawing the curtains. With wonderful connectivity, great sound, excellent picture, and long lamp life, your looking at a very advanced product, that lasts a lifetime, and performs well. Definitely worth buying.
