Look into the ViewSonic PJ1173, and you might singe a cornea.

The new projector is a bright one, with 5,000 lumens to light up a lecture hall or other auditorium.

Aside from the brightness, this 15.8-pound unit also boasts a 1024x768 resolution and a 1,000:1 contrast ratio. It’s also got 4-watt built-in speakers and a bunch of inputs, including HDMI 1.3 and an RJ-45 jack.

Preset screen modes such as Blackboard, Whiteboard and Greenboard optomize colors and reduce surface glare. There are also easy-to-install lens options, which adjusts the image based on room size. Other highlights include manual zoom, horizontal and vertical keystone correction, as well as a remote that also functions as a mouse or laser pointer.

“With its picture quality and added features, the PJ1173 was developed to create an ‘experience’ for the user and audience at a competitive price,” said Jeff Volpe, VP of ViewSonic’s Global Brand and Emerging Technologies.

Competitive? Maybe. Cheap? Not so much. The PJ1173 is available now for $3,799.

Rachel Cericola - Contributing Writer

Over the past 15 years, Rachel Cericola has covered entertainment, web and technology trends. Check her out at www.rachelcericola.com.