Digital data projectors are now finally coming within reach of people with average incomes. For this you can thank technological advances in manufacturing as well as advances in projector technology.
When the invitation went out to manufacturers and vendors for this review, 14 companies responded instantly, with 25 projectors. This illustrates the competitiveness of the current projector market, and also highlights the huge amount of variety for individuals and businesses.
Space prevented us from including all 25 projectors in this review, so we chose one projector from every vendor. The most current release was selected from vendors with multiple entries, and from one vendor we chose two projectors; Mitsubishi supplied us with what seemed like the Godzilla of LCD projectors. You'll find this professional projector covered in a separate box (page 126), as a reminder that all the vendors appearing in this review have a multitude of products on the projector market. This gives us a field of 15 projectors in our review.
Things To Know
Most projectors are made using one of three different technologies. The first and oldest technology is cathode ray tube or CRT, which is responsible for the old-style, large, heavy projectors you see suspended from ceilings. Its greatest advantage is the ability to vary resolution far more than LCD and DLP projectors. Drawbacks are size and weight. There were no CRT projectors in this review.
Next is the more recent LCD style, based on three separate small LCD screens, one each for projecting red, green and blue. Such projectors are cheaper, smaller, lighter and more portable than CRT types. Its drawbacks are limitations in contrast and resolution and, therefore, picture quality. Eleven of the 15 projectors in this review are LCD types.
Last and most recent is the DLP (Digital Light Processing) projector. A huge electronics company called Texas Instruments developed this technology that incorporates special micro mirror devices (MMD) to output the picture. This has made the projectors even smaller and lighter. Four of the fifteen projectors reviewed used DLP technology, including the PLUS V-807, touted as the smallest data projector in the world.
One thing to keep in mind is that the projector lamp is not covered by the same warranty period as the rest of the projector.
Check out tech.files (page 20) for more on projector technology.
3M Multimedia Projector MP8749
Description: Ideal for larger audiences, this projector with 0.9in LCD panels boasts 2000lm of brightness combined with 1024x768 native resolution and can project up to a 5m diagonal picture. Dark grey in colour with power/standby and menu control buttons on top, along with stereo speakers. Main power switch and jug plug jack on left-hand side, air vent with dust filter found on right-hand side. Back panel ports include RGB, component video, S video, audio and USB.
Versatility: Multiple analog inputs and outputs means it will plug into almost anything, from PCs and notebooks to video cameras and DVD players. Boasts user-replaceable lamp and ships with cables galore for the different inputs. Included remote control (with laser pointer) duplicates on-projector controls to allow full control from a distance. Lamp is user-serviceable, has a stated life of 1500 hours and costs $745.
Conclusion: Excellent ease of use combines with versatile menu-driven controls to make this projector a great presentation tool capable of handling multiple inputs as well as performing well under poor lighting conditions. Lacks picture in picture feature.
Pros: Powerful and versatile with excellent ease of use
Cons: Price tag, no picture in picture
Canon LV-S1
Description: One of a dozen in Canon's range, this 2.8kg unit is rightfully portrayed as a micro-portable multimedia projector. Funky design incorporates what appears to be an artist's palette with the control buttons where colours would normally be.
Controls lights are also situated on top of the unit and include both a `temperature warning light' as well as a `lamp replace' light. Slim remote control affords full control over the comprehensive menu. It supports a native resolution of 800x600 but will display 1024x768 quite well to a small audience, who will appreciate the lO001m of brightness.
Versatility: An excellent tool for the professional presenter or home user. As well as working with PC and video, it is also DVD and HDTV compatible and incorporates multi-function remote control and digital zoom.
Conclusion: Although not a projector for rooms with a lot of ambient light, the LV-S1 displayed crisp images very clearly from all sources. Lacks picture in picture feature, which is understandable from a $5500 projector. Only real drawback is the asking price of $841 for the 2000-hour lamp.
Pros: Autonomous presentations, ease of use, multifunction remote
Cons: High lamp price
Epson EMP-715
Description: This compact unit weighs 2.7kg, is well styled and very portable, often being mistaken for a notebook when seen in its carry case.
It boasts up to 1200lm of brightness and supports a native resolution of 1024x768, though can resize anywhere from 640x480 to 1600x1200. Its most noticeable addition is the PCMCIA Card slot that allows the projector to be used as a stand alone presentation tool without the direct aid of a PC or notebook. An auto start function recognises JPEG and BITMAP files on the PCMCIA Card. Included software converts PowerPoint presentations to JPEG format.
Controls are situated on top of the unit and cover power, keystone and source. A unique inclusion is a dedicated help button that lends guidance via an on-screen display.
Versatility: An excellent tool for the professional presenter, incorporating multifunction remote control, digital zoom, picture in picture feature and support for PC-independent presentations. Compatible with HDTV, PC and video.
Conclusion: Very appealing package from Epson that's easy to set up and use while boasting many features, some unique in the review. Picture quality was good. Only drawback is stated lamp life of 1000 hours, although this is offset by the second-lowest lamp price in the review.
Pros: Autonomous presentations, ease of use, picture in picture, multifunction remote
Cons: Low stated lamp life
Fujitsu LPF4800
Description: Beneath the metallic blue and silver skin of the LPF4800 are three 0.9in LCD panels, offering a native resolution of 1024x768 scalable up to 1280x1024. Three control buttons are situated atop the projector and afford easy setup and use. Control lights are also situated on top of the unit and include a `temperature warning light' as well as a `lamp' light. Slim remote control affords full control over the comprehensive menu yet lacks the laser pointer found in other remotes.
Versatility: Ambient light and a larger audience should not be a problem, as there are 15001m of brightness on tap. Although a little hefty at 3.6kg, the LPF4800 is ideal for meeting rooms and/or the home user. As well as working with PC and video, it is DVD and HDTV compatible and incorporates multi-function remote control and digital zoom.
Conclusion: Good image reproduction. Lacks picture in picture feature, which is understandable from a $5500 projector.
Pros: Ease of use, low price
Cons: No picture in picture
Hitachi CP-S225W
Description: The entry level to Hitachi's range of multimedia projectors is this LCD-based, 2.4kg mobile unit. Distinguished by having the lowest asking price here.
It supports a native resolution of 800x600 but can display 1024x768 quite well. Brightness of 1100lm is more than adequate for a small audience in a room with little ambient light.
Four control buttons are situated at the top of the unit for navigation through the easy-to-use menu and cover power, source and keystone. Remote control affords full use of the menu. A variety of connectors is housed on the rear panel of the projector, and a Kensington Lock base is on the right-hand side next to the power jack and mains switch.
Versatility: Good connectivity to PC or video sources including DVD players from this wall/ceiling-mountable unit. Lamp is user serviceable, boasts 1500 hours of life and costs $765.
Conclusion: Although lacking HDTV compatibility and picture in picture function, this is a great entry-level projector for the home or office.
Pros: Low cost
Cons: Not HDTV ready
Mitsubishi Electric XD200U BEST BUY
Description: This DLP unit weighs 3kg, is well styled and fairly portable. It can be ceiling or wall mounted and contains all connectivity ports and jacks on its side, with controls atop the unit.
Globetrotters will appreciate the worldwide voltage-sensing feature, which means you don't have to remember to manually flip switches. Height adjustment is aided by the use of push button spring-loaded legs, and focusing and zooming can all be affected manually. Accommodated inputs include two S-video and two composite jacks, as well as two VGA ports.
Versatility: The XD200U is excellently suited to the professional user who wants to give bright and crisp presentations from either computer or video sources. The unit boasts up to 2000lm and supports a native resolution of 1024x768, but will go up to 1280x1024 with compression. Audiences will appreciate the low fan noise.
Conclusion: This unit features all the good stuff, including picture in picture, zooming, and remote control with laser pointer, plus it has a built-in line doubler. During testing we were very impressed by the XD200U's clarity when displaying data from a computer screen (or a movie from a DVD player) as well as its brightness -- even during the middle of the day with no windows covered, the screen was viewable with ease! The unit also displayed a swift cool-down period, which lasted only a few minutes.
Pros: Great performance, user friendly, low fan noise
Cons: Lacks a DVI interface
NEC LT-157G
Description: This compact professional projector weighs 2.2kg and comes under NEC's banner of micro- and ultra-portable projectors. Within its grey casing are three 0.9in LCD panels providing a native resolution of 1024x768 but it can display up to 1600x1200. Brightness can be cranked up to 1500lm, making it a usable projector in areas with some ambient light.
Comprehensive control buttons at the top of the unit allow navigation through the easy-to-use menu and give control over power, source, auto adjust and keystone. Remote control affords full control over the menu. A variety of connectors is housed on the left-hand side panel of the projector and includes a Kensington Lock.
Versatility: Good connectivity to PC or video sources including DVD players from this wall/ceiling mountable unit. Includes a PC Card slot that reads Compact Flash memory cards. Lamp is user serviceable, boasts 1000 to 2500 hours of life and costs $715.
Conclusion: Although lacking picture in picture function, this projector is still a functional and versatile tool.
Pros: PC Card slot, vivid picture quality
Cons: Lacks picture in picture
Optoma EzPro 735
Description: A compact, lightweight (1.5kg), silver-skinned projector using DLP technology. It boasts 1100lm of brightness combined with a native resolution …
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