Dimensions
The VS-200 is a 3LCD projector. It measures 11.6 inches wide by 9.0 inches in diameter by 3.1 inches high when the feet are taken into consideration. Lowering the feet drops the height down to an even 3 inches, so it's considerably smaller than either of the MegaPlex projectors. Since it doesn't include an iPod dock, this isn't really surprising. The VS-200 weighs in at 5.1 pounds, making it lighter than the Epson MegaPlex models but still heavier and bulkier than the PowerLite 1775. (It's also a heck of a lot cheaper.)
This is a nice size for a full-sized projector, but if you really want portability, you should take a look at pico projectors.
Display Specs
The VS-200 has a native 4:3 aspect ratio, with a native SVGA (800 x 600) resolution. This is not an HD projector, and its low cost reflects this. The resolution can be resized to the following formats, depending on your needs:
- 640 x 480 (VGA)
- 1024 x 768 (XGA)
- 1152 x 864 (SXGA)
- 1280 x 800 (WXGA)
- 1440 x 900 (WSXGA)
- 1400 x 1050 (SXGA+)
The throw ratio range is listed as 1.45 - 1.96. It can project from a distance of 30 inches to 350 inches.
Light output is listed at 2,300 lumens for both color and white light, which is less than the PowerLite 1775 but slightly more than the MegaPlex MG-50. It uses a 175-watt UHE E-TORL lamp (Epson's own lamp technology), which has less wattage than the MegaPlex models. The company says it lasts up to 5,000 hours in ECO Mode and 4,000 hours in Normal Mode. It's important to know that lamp replacement can be expensive. A glimpse at several online shopping sites showed that the replacement lamp can cost anywhere from around $150 to $250.
Audio Specs
The VS-200 has a single 1-watt speaker, so it falls far short of the two thundering 10-watt MegaPlex speakers. Again, considering the price, you have to expect that Epson is going to drop some features, and audio is one of them. The good news is that you technically still have an audio source, so external speakers aren't absolutely required (plus it keeps the weight of the projector down). The bad news is that you may still need an external audio source if you plan to use the device in a large environment.
The fan noise is listed at 29 dB in Low Light Output Mode and 32 dB in High Light Output Mode.
Inputs
This projector comes with a variety of inputs: computer/component video: D-sub 15 pin; S-video: Mini DIN; composite video: RCA; a USB B; and an RCA audio-in. There are no slots for memory cards or USB sticks, so plan to use this projector with a computer.
Power
The power consumption for the VS-200 is listed at 224, which is lower than the in the MegaPlex models.
Security
It comes with password protection and Kensington's lock provision (a commonly found hole meant for use with Kensington's popular locking systems).
Lens
The lens for the VS-200 is similar to the MG-50's in that they both have manual focus with digital zooms. Check out this article for an explanation of the difference between optical and digital zooms.
The zoom ratio for the VS-200 is listed at 1.0 - 1.35.
Color Modes
There are no Color Modes listed for the VS-200. This is unfortunate because they can be extrememly helpful if you plan to use the projector in different lighting and background environments. However (unless Epson has neglected to mention them), it can be chalked up to another example of the company dropping features in favor of a lowered price point.
What You Get
Included in the box with the VS-200 is: power cord, VGA cable, a remote control with batteries, and the user's guide on a CD. This remote can also be used at a distance of up to 19.5 feet, according to the company, and it features the following functions: Source search selection, power, volume, e-zoom, A/V mute, freeze, menu, page up and down, help, auto and mouse functions.
Takeaway
The lack of any type of Color Modes is somewhat disappointing for this projector, but the price is so low that you might not even care. Although it doesn't have HD resolution, it does have a solid lumen count and is a practical portable size.
