Acer S1386WHN Short Throw Projector Review – Special Features

Acer S1386WHN Short Throw Projector Review – Special Features: Short Throw Projection, Sealed Light Path, Image Enhancing Options, PC-Free Presentations via USB and Network, Onboard File Browser and Media Player

The Acer S1386WHN is a short throw projector capable of displaying an image that measures 87 inches diagonally from a distance of just 38 inches from the screen.  This short throw projector doesn’t rely on mirrors or an upward facing lens, but an interestingly shaped bulbous lens that sticks out of the front of the projector.

This lens angles the image upward toward the screen, instead of straight out. The throw ratio is 0.52:1, and allows for an image up to 150 inches. Keystone correction is offered at plus/minus 15 degrees, both vertical and horizontal, as well as four corner adjustment.

Acer’s S1386WHN has a sealed light engine and light path, preventing the build-up of dust and debris that degrades image quality and brightness. The six segment color wheel and thermal sensors are protected from the wear that would otherwise decrease the lifespan of components. There are no filters to replace, which is not only convenient, but money saving as well.  A thick semi-transparent plastic lens cap, or Lens Shield, is tethered to the projector for safe keeping. This lens cap fits over the large lens completely, keeping dust off the glass.

The Acer S1386WHN is a projector geared toward business and educational uses, but that doesn’t mean color has to suffer! In addition to offering three user-configurable modes, this Acer offers LumiSense, BlueLight Shield, and ColorBoost. BlueLight shield tends to warm the image, reducing the amount of blue light up to 30 percent. LumiSense actively analyzes content frame by frame to adjust visibility to the optimum levels, revealing detail in darker scenes that would otherwise be lost. ColorBoost 3D reveals accurate colors for not only 3D content, but 2D as well via powerful image processing, advanced lamp illumination and a six-segment color wheel. ColorSafe II is integrated here, and prevents color decay that tends to happen to DLP projectors over time.

Need to present but can’t connect your mobile device to the company or school network? No problem! The S1386WHN is compatible with Android 5.0 or above smartphones and mobile devices, or a Windows or Mac OS PC. Android devices must have the free Acer eDisplayPro app installed. It is important to note, though, that the ability to tether a smartphone is limited to Android devices and is not compatible with iOS.

The Acer S1386WHN accepts network content over both LAN and WiFi. WiFi is optional and requires a wireless dongle, which plugs into a specifically marked USB-A port on the rear of the projector within the inputs and connectors panel. Like the USB tethering discussed above, presenters make use of the Acer eDisplayPro app. Follow the instructions conveniently displayed in the above image, and up to four presenters can collaborate on a split-screen at once. That’s a lot of information that can be displayed!

An important thing to keep in mind, though, is that the ability to accept content from a device connected via Acer’s eDisplayPro is intended for static content. That is to say, not video – you cannot stream YouTube from your phone directly to the projector using this method. Still images, charts and text are the content types accepted for this method of sharing.