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November 15, 2001
The New Projectors
By Amy Poftak
Tools for bringing your classroom presentations into focus.
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| Toshiba's 7.1 pound TLP 250 costs $3,195 |
A common staple of boardrooms and trade shows, LCD projectors have also long been used in classrooms for displaying not just the venerable PowerPoint presentation, but video, Internet sites, and other multimedia as well. What are some key points you need to know before you buy?
Projectors are getting smaller and lighter, so expect to find a wide selection under 12 pounds. The projector industry likes to call units between six and 12 pounds "ultraportable," which are not to be confused with "microportable" models under six pounds.
You'll often see projectors described in terms of lumens, a fun word for the amount of light a projector emits. How many lumens you'll need will depend on the lighting conditions of the room: if the lights can be dimmed, a minimum of 500 lumens is necessary. With the lights on, 1000 or more is ideal.
Another feature to pay close attention to is image resolution, which is generally described in four ways: VGA (640 x 480 pixels), SVGA (800 x 600), XGA (1024 x 768), and SXGA (1280 x 1024). SVGA resolution is sufficient for most uses, including PowerPoint and graphics, while XGA delivers crisper images at slightly higher prices.
Always check out the vendor's service plan. Smart companies offer warranties (the average is two years) and technical assistance, as well as the use of a loaner projector when yours is in the shop.
The following list is only a starting point for your projector-buying odyssey. For more information, including a searchable product database, we suggest you investigate Projector Central and Presentations.com.
Boxlight has introduced the XP-60m, a 5.7-pound projector that features XGA resolution, 1100 lumens, and a manual zoom lens. Programmable options include freeze image and mute sound. Boxlight projectors come with a two-year warranty for parts and labor, a 120-day lamp guarantee, and 24-hour technical support. $3,899. Boxlight, (800) 884-6464.
The Canon LV-7345 XGA multimedia projector has two brightness modes: True Color, which projects 1800 lumens and is optimal for rooms where lighting can be controlled; and Turbo Bright, which at 2100 lumens is ideal for rooms with bright lighting. Other features of the 7.7-pound projector include a 1.3x optical zoom and 16x digital zoom, as well as component, s-video, and composite video inputs for compatibility with DVD, digital cameras, digital camcorders, and VCRs. $4,699. Canon, (800) OK-CANON.
Dukane now offers the ImagePro 8038, a 7.9-pound projector that has SVGA resolution (compressed XGA), 1000 lumens, a zoom lens, and an infrared remote. Compatible with VCRs, DVD players, PCs, and Macs, the projector package includes a five-year limited warranty, a two-year loaner program (in the event your projector requires any service), and 24-hour technical service. $3,395. Dukane Corporation, (800) 676-2486.
Epson has released a new series of PowerLite multimedia projectors. The 9.6-pound PowerLite 810p, 800p, and 600p units feature 2000, 1500, and 1700 lumens of brightness, respectively. The 810p and 800p models offer XGA resolution, while the 600p projects native SVGA resolution. All three models use newly designed high-aperture LCDs for improved color quality and contrast. Two-year limited warranty included. 810p: $5,225. 800p: $4,275. 600p: $3,799. Epson America, (800) GO-EPSON.
The CP-S225W, the latest in Hitachi's projector line, weighs five pounds and offers SVGA resolution, 1100 lumens of brightness, a "whisper mode" for reduced noise level, and an improved lamp cover. The HDTV-compatible projector also features RGB, component video, composite video, and s-video inputs, as well as automatic configuration. $4,495. Hitachi America, Ltd., (800) HITACHI.
InFocus has come out with two new projectors priced under $3,500. The 5.7-pound LP280 has native SVGA resolution, 1000 lumens of brightness, video capability, and a monitor loop-through, which allows images to be viewed on a computer monitor and projection screen simultaneously. The LP500, also offering SVGA resolution, features 2000 lumens (1600 lumens where lighting conditions allow). Both projectors have a two-year product warranty. LP280: $2,199. LP500: $3,499. InFocus, (800) 294-6400.
Lightware has expanded its projector line to include the XGA Legend LX-8 and the SVGA LS-8, three-pound projectors that come equipped with 800 lumens of brightness, digital zoom, digital keystone correction, and wireless remote control. Also of note: mobile presenters can connect the Legend to a Handspring Visor or AVerEPack digital slide presenter in addition to a laptop. Legend LX-8: $2,695. LS-8: $1,795. Lightware, (800) 211-9001.
NEC Technologies has introduced the VT45 portable projector, which weighs 5.6 pounds and features SVGA resolution, 1000 lumens, manual lens shift, a project/PC remote, monitor output, and compatibility with a range of signals, including s-video, video, component video, and HDTV. The VT45 comes with two-year repair coverage, and is part of the SMARTer Kids Foundation program. $1,998. NEC Technologies, (800) NEC-INFO.
Sharp has announced the PG-M15S, a 3.5-pound projector offering SVGA resolution (up to SXGA), 1100 lumens of brightness, a magnesium alloy frame, wireless remote capability, and inputs/outputs that include composite RCA, s-video, audio, and DVI-I. The PG-M15S is backed by a three-year parts and labor warranty, which includes two years of 24-hour turnaround repair service. $3,995. Sharp Electronics Corporation, (800) BE-SHARP.
Toshiba now offers the TLP 250 and TLP 251 projectors, which feature 1000 lumens of brightness, SVGA resolution, digital keystone correction, and freeze-frame capability. Both models accept NTSC, PAL, SECAM, and s-video signals, and come with a three-year parts and labor warranty. The TLP 251 also includes a free-arm document camera. TLP 250: $3,195. TLP 251: $3,995. Toshiba America, (800) 346-6672.
Amy Poftak is executive editor of T&L.
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