RCA 720P HD Roku Smart Home Theater Projector vs Vamvo L4200
Buy the RCA if you want Roku streaming built in and a brighter, simpler setup for a living room. Buy the Vamvo L4200 if you want a lighter, cheaper portable projector for outdoor movie nights and don't mind feeding it from a stick or laptop. The RCA is the more complete home theater unit; the Vamvo is the more portable one. Check current prices at each store before deciding, since neither listing gives a price here.
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RCA 720P HD Roku Smart Home Theater Projector
4.3Choose the RCA 720P HD Roku Smart Home Theater Projector if you want streaming apps built in, Bluetooth audio out, and a 30,000-hour lamp in a set-and-forget living room projector.
- Roku streaming built in, so no extra stick needed
- Bluetooth lets you send audio to a speaker or soundbar
- Two HDMI inputs plus USB
- 150 ANSI lumens is a rated brightness figure
- 30,000-hour LED lamp
- Heavier at about 4.65 lb
- Lower 1000:1 contrast ratio
- 720p native, so no true 1080p
What separates them
| RCA 720P HD Roku Smart Home Theater Projector | Vamvo L4200 | |
|---|---|---|
| Native resolution | 1280 x 720 (720p) | 720p, accepts 1080p input |
| Brightness | 150 ANSI lumens | Not rated in ANSI lumens |
| Contrast ratio | 1000:1 | 2000:1 |
| Lamp life | 30,000 hours | 50,000 hours |
| Streaming apps | Roku built in | None; needs a stick or HDMI source |
| Wireless | Bluetooth for audio | No wireless connectivity |
| Weight | 2.11 kg (about 4.65 lb) | 2.7 lb |
| Projection size | 30 to 180 inches |
Price history
- RCA 720P HD Roku Smart Home Theater Projector: lowest $39.99 on Nov 2 at Walmart.
- Vamvo L4200: lowest $89.99 on Nov 2 at Walmart.
Prices at every store
RCA 720P HD Roku Smart Home Theater Projector
- WalmartCheck price at Walmart
- AmazonCheck price at Amazon
- Best BuyCheck price at Best Buy
Vamvo L4200
- eBayCheck price at eBay
- MercariCheck price at Mercari
- WalmartCheck price at Walmart
Specs compared
| Spec | RCA 720P HD Roku Smart Home Theater Projector | Vamvo L4200 |
|---|---|---|
| Native Resolution | 1280 x 720 | 720P |
| Contrast Ratio | 1000:1 | 2000:1 |
| color | Black | — |
| Image Brightness | 150 ANSI Lumens | — |
| Connectivity | Bluetooth, HDMI Standard, USB | — |
| Aspect Ratio | 16:9 | — |
| Item Weight | 2.11 Kilograms | — |
| Projection Size | 30 to a cinematic 180 inches | — |
| HDMI Inputs | 2 HDMI inputs | — |
| USB Capacity | up to 32GB | — |
What reviewers say
RCA 720P HD Roku Smart Home Theater Projector
With 4.3 out of 5 from 438 ratings, owners generally see it as good value for a cheap big-screen setup. Most praise the built-in Roku and easy setup, while complaints center on brightness and picture sharpness in less than dark rooms.
- Easy setup and built-in Roku apps
- Good value for the price
- Large image size for the money
- Light and easy to move
- Dim picture in rooms with ambient light
- Soft 720p image at large sizes
- Weak built-in sound
- Fan noise audible in quiet scenes
Vamvo L4200
Owner feedback on budget 720p projectors like this is mixed. People like the low price, small size and easy setup for dark-room movie nights, but many complain about dim output, soft focus at large sizes and weak sound.
Questions and answers
- Which is better for outdoor movie nights?
- The Vamvo L4200. It weighs 2.7 lb, has keystone correction, and projects up to 200 inches, which suits a yard or patio setup. The RCA is heavier and better left in one room.
- Which has better picture quality?
- Close call. The Vamvo has the higher contrast ratio at 2000:1, but the RCA publishes a 150 ANSI lumen brightness figure, which the Vamvo does not. Both are 720p native.
- Do I need a streaming stick with the Vamvo?
- Yes. The Vamvo has no wireless connectivity and no apps, so you plug in a Fire Stick, Roku stick, or laptop over HDMI. The RCA has Roku built in.
- Which lasts longer?
- The Vamvo, on paper. Its LED light source is rated at 50,000 hours versus 30,000 hours for the RCA. Both figures are manufacturer ratings, not tested lifetimes.
- Is the RCA worth the extra if prices are close?
- Yes, if you want built-in Roku and Bluetooth audio and will keep it in one room. If you need portability, the Vamvo's lighter body and keystone correction matter more than the apps.
- Can either project a 100-inch image?
- Yes. The RCA covers 30 to 180 inches and the Vamvo covers 44 to 200 inches, so both handle 100 inches. Room light will wash out either at that size.