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Gateway Projector 210
- cnet editors' rating 7.5/10 Very good Editorial policies >>
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The good: Bright; excellent image uniformity; quiet; runs cool; long warranty.
The bad: VGA module adds weight, bulk; long shutdown cycle; complicated remote control; mediocre contrast.
The bottom line: The Projector 210 is versatile, but Dell's 3200MP offers better overall performance for the same price.
Specs: Projector type: DLP projector; Resolution: 1024 x 768; Image brightness: 1200 ANSI lumens See full specs >>
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Design of Gateway Projector 210
![]() The main unit is extremely compact, measuring 9 by 7.6 by 2.7 inches. |
Once you've attached the video adapter to the main unit (using the adapter's built-in thumbscrews), setting up the Projector 210 is straightforward. The front leg is adjustable for projection angle, but unfortunately the rear legs are not. An optical zoom range of 1.15X makes it easy to fill a prepositioned screen, but the short, 6-foot AC cable will probably necessitate an extension cord. The lens is unobtrusive and well protected, safely recessed next to the front panel.
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| The Projector 210's video-adapter module adds an array of connectors. | The top control panel is minimalist but well marked. |
The Projector 210 spreads the rest of its connectors and controls along its top and sides. The top control panel is minimalist but well marked, with buttons for onscreen menu navigation and power, plus a power-indicator light and an infrared sensor. Adjust the zoom and the focus wheels from the top or left sides. The power connection and a lot of venting are located on the projector's right side.
Features of Gateway Projector 210
![]() The projector's remote control is very capable, but it's complicated. |
We liked the relatively large image size produced by the Projector 210's DLP engine. It projected our standard one-square-meter image (about 5 feet diagonally) from just 6.5 feet. If the projected image has a keystone shape, you can correct it via the projector's digital antikeystone feature, but this involves a tedious procedure on the remote control.
The projector's remote control is very capable, but it's complicated. Like many of the recent remotes we've seen, it tries to save space by doubling up the functions of many buttons and using a Mode button to switch between projector control and mouse emulation. Fortunately, the laser pointer works in either mode.
Performance of Gateway Projector 210
The Projector 210 offered generally impressive scores in CNET Labs tests. Its tested brightness of 1,221 ANSI lumens exceeded both the average for the group and the projector's own spec of 1,200 ANSI lumens. Image uniformity (the measure of how evenly brightness is distributed across the screen) was enviably high at 83 percent. The projector's measured color temperature of 5,600K is almost ideal. Its color accuracy was likewise impressive: the blues were shifted a bit to green, but the reds and greens were right on the money. The 210 was also quite good at divvying out grays, displaying 251 out of 255 grayscale levels in our DisplayMate tests.|
CNET Labs contrast ratio tests (Longer bars indicate better performance) |
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With all these great attributes, it's too bad the Projector 210 stumbled on a key metric: contrast ratio. The Projector 210's low 184:1 value means that richly colored images could look muddy rather than vibrant, a weakness that significantly dampens our recommendation for this product.
The Projector 210 is good at being seen and not heard. Its noise reading of 38.2dBA is among the quietest we've tested. It did even better in our temperature measurements; its exhaust-grill reading of 138 degrees Fahrenheit was the lowest of its peers. Unfortunately, the projector took its time shutting down--well over two minutes, making it the slowest of the bunch.
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CNET Labs brightness tests (Measured in ANSI lumens) |
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Service and support of Gateway Projector 210
In its standard configuration, the Gateway Projector 210 is covered by an excellent three-year service plan that includes parts, labor, mail-in service, and tech support; the lamp is warranted for 90 days. Enhancing this service plan with a three-year advance-exchange option for a speedy replacement projector costs an additional $99.Gateway provides lifetime technical support via both a 24-hour toll-free telephone number and its Web site (via e-mail). On the site, it's easy to find a 14MB, full-color, electronic version of the 210's thorough user guide, along with product info and short FAQs.
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Forums for Gateway Projector 210
by dwd3885 - December 30, 2004
Projector only has green component 2 comments
by patriotsfan92 - April 25, 2008
Gateway 3520GZ/M210 review 3 comments
by dwd3885 - December 31, 2004
Gateway CX210X 1 comment
by Sharon Anthony - August 08, 2006
by 2blackcats - May 19, 2005
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