InfoComm Greatest Hits

Every year, everybody who has anything to do with monitors and projectors gets together for the InfoComm trade show. This year’s show is in Las Vegas and here are our favorites from the show floor.
• Sanyo’s PLC-XL51 sets the pace for short-throw projectors by being able to fill a 6-foot screen from as close as three inches, making it perfect for small rooms converted into classrooms. Capable of delivering 2,700 lumens and 600:1 contrast, the XL51 has networking built in and a unique alarm if someone tries to move the projector. The projector sells for $4,000
• For when brightness counts for everything, Viewsonic’s PJ1173 projector combines 5,000 lumens with a 1,000:1 contrast ratio. Perfect for a large room or auditorium, the PJ1173 has 7 screen modes for use with everything from a standard screen, a greenboard or a blackboard. The price of the PJ1173 is $3,799.
• At $550 Epson’s PowerLite S6 may be the quickest and least expensive way to fill a classroom screen. Its trio of high aperture LCD screens put out 2,200 lumens of brightness and is up and running in as little as 5 seconds.
• NEC’s NP905 can create an undistorted image, even in an odd shaped room because the 3,000 lumen projector can be adjusted vertically, horizontally and diagonally. The projector has network connections but has been designed to work with Windows Vista computers. The projector costs $2,000

Brighten up the Classroom

If your classroom projectors are getting washed by overhead lights or when the blinds are up, a new generation of super bright projectors is on the way. Planar’s PR5030 creates a WXGA (1,280 by 1,200 pixel) image with a DLP imaging chip that has a special five element color wheel. The $1,600 projector has three brightness modes, digital keystone correction and operates at a quiet 29 dBA.

The Clean Projectors

If going through the ritual of changing the filters of ceiling-mounted projectors even when it’s not needed seems like a waste of time, it is. Happily, the latest projectors either do without filters or need replacements less often. This can not only save lots of time and money for a school but keeps projectors available and doing what they’re supposed to: teach students.

Sanyo’s PLC-XC55 and XC50 projectors have the company’s Active Filter Management (AMF) system that incorporates a high efficiency filter with ten individual elements. As soon as the projector’s filter becomes clogged or obstructed, an internal sensor automatically inserts a new filter. The sensor also tells you when to change the filter pack.
Both projectors use small LCD screens, have a good assortment of input connections and weigh in at 8 pounds. They also have XGA resolution and a three year warranty, but the two go their own way on brightness and price. While the PLC-XC55 is rated at 3,100 lumens of brightness and will sell for $1,995 when it goes on sale in July, the PLC-XC50 delivers 2,600 lumens and will sell for $1,495.

By contrast Hitachi’s CP-X206 and X306 projectors not only have network connections for easy remote management, monitoring of device use and the ability to send still images to the projectors, but the company’s hybrid dust filter. Capable of going 2,000 hours between changes, the hybrid filter will likely only need changing when the bulb burns out. Although both projectors weigh 7.7 pounds and have a 500:1 contrast ratio, the XP_X206 can put 2,200 lumens of light on screen while the X306 delivers 2,600 lumens.

More Lumens per Dollar

While most projector purchasers look at resolution, weight or brightness as the key spec before buying, I think the most useful single number for schools on a tight budget to look at is lumens per dollar. You’ll probably have to do the math yourself, but this measure not only shows how useful the projector will be in classroom situation but how economical it is to purchase. Benq’s $850 MP622 projector excels in this measure with a rated output of 2,700 lumens or more than three lumens per dollar. At double the level of other projectors, it’s a bargain, although the MP622 doesn’t cut corners. With DLP technology and a six-color wheel, the projector delivers XGA resolution and rich color. The best part is that its part of a new generation of projectors that don’t need annoying and expensive filter changes.

Pair of Power Projectors

If your projector lessons get washed out by leaving the lights on or the shades up, Epson’s latest projectors are more than bright enough. While the Powerlite Pro G5350NL creates an XGA image and can blast a room with 5,000 lumens of light, the G5200WNL delivers 4,000 lumens and has a wide-screen WXGA resolution. That’s about double what the typical classroom projector provides. Both projectors use 3LCD screen technology and have network connections so administrators can centrally control them. The G5350NL costs $6,098 while the G5200WNL sells for $5,098.
Specs:
G5350NL—5,000 lumens, XGA resolution, LAN connections
G5200WNL—4,000 lumens, WXGA resolution, LAN connections
Bottom line: The latest projectors from Epson are bright enough for any classroom situation.

Projector All-in-One

Every so often a classroom device comes along that impresses me because it rethinks a standard way of teaching and running lesson. By combining a flat bed scanner with a high-power projector, Avio’s ip 60e is a breakthrough product that can help teachers teach and students learn. The projector’s three LCD panels deliver 3,500 lumens of light and its scanner produces sharp 4-megapixel images without fumbling for a document camera. Just put the sheet of paper you want projected onto the scan bed, and it's on screen for the whole class to see. At $8,500, it’s quite expensive.
Specs: 1,024 by 768 resolution, 3,500 lumens, can store 32 images internally
Bottom line: ditch the clumsy document camera with Avio’s ip 60e’s built-in scanner.

Free Stuff for Schools

On top of introducing the NP 100 and 200 pair of small projectors, NEC has figured out how to help schools get displays for free, or close to it. The company’s Star Student Rewards program now rebates 2 percent of all NEC projector and large display purchases to schools in the form of a debit card instead of points to buy more equipment. I love a bargain for schools, and this one works for me.
Specs:
NP100—800 by 600 resolution, 2,000 lumens, 1,300:1 contrast
NP200—1,024 by 768 resolution, 2,100 contrast, 1,300:1 contrast
Bottom line: NEC has the latest projectors and pays schools a 2 percent rebate on purchases.

Projector Two-For

We spend a lot of time here talking about classroom projectors, but what about projectors for an auditorium, lecture hall or large room? That's where the latest T series projectors from Sanyo come in becuase they set a new standard for brightness and resolution. The two look alike but the PLC-ET30L pumps out 4,200 lumens of light, has a super-sharp resolution of 1,400 by 1,050 and sells for $6,500. By contrast, the PLC-XT21/L delivers 4,000 lumens, has 1,024 by 768 resolution and sells for $5,000. Which you choose depends as much on how big the room is as how big your budget is.
Specs:
PLC-ET30L—4,200 lumens, 1,300:1 contrast, 1,400 by 1,050 resolution
PLCXT21/L—4,000 lumens, 1,000:1 contrast, 1,024 by 768 resolution
Bottom line: For a large room,Sanyo’s T series of projectors is a bright bunch.

Putting DVDs on Screen

One thing that really biugs me are the black strips above and below a wide-screen DVD movie that a traditional classroom projector produces. Hitachi’s CPX3 puts an end to this with its CPX3 projector, which delivers an aspect ratio of 16:10 rather than the traditional 4:3. Using a trio of LCD screens, the CPX3 is a short-throw projector that can put 2,000 lumens of brightness on screen and features an ultra-sharp 1,280 by 800 resolution.
Specs: 3.9-pounds, 3 LCD imaging engine, 1,280 by 800 resolution, 2,000 lumen brightness.
Bottom line: Hitachi’s CPX3 puts a sharp, bright, wide-screen image on screen.

PREVIEW: Promethean Activboard+2 Upgrade

Promethean will show off its upgraded Activboard+2 interactive projector system at the NECC conference this summer. The name might be the same, but the revamped AB+2 will have a new short-throw projector that puts 2,000 lumens on the screen, one-third more than the original projector.  Plus, the screen and projector are now mounted on a belt, making it easier for small hands to adjust the height up or down as much as 24-inches. Sarasota County Schools uses the AB+2 interactive projector in 3,300 classrooms.

Projector Two-For

Epson has introduced a pair of identical looking classroom projectors that put the emphasis on value. The PowerLite 83+ sells for $899 and produces 2,200 lumens of brightness while the 822+ model sells for $50 more but outshines its brother by pumping out 2,600 lumens. Both projectors pile on the features with wired networking, 10-watt speakers and are up and running in five seconds. To help cut expenses, the projectors have lamps that have been designed to last for 3,000 hours of use

Image Interactions

The Eiki XIP2000 interactive projector is more than a way to put an image on a classroom screen because with the included pen and pointer, a teacher can annotate and draw right on the screen. The 2,000-lumen projector uses 3 LCD panels to create a bright and vivid image up to 12-feet wide. It comes with everything needed, including software, but the system only works with Windows PCs.

Next Gen HD Projector

The pre-show buzz for next month’s CeBit tech fair in Germany is Acer’s ColorBoost H5350, which could quickly become the budget choice for high definition classroom projectors. Powered by a digital light processing chip that delivers a 1,280 by 720 pixel image, the H5350 is perfect for putting a lesson on screen or playing an HD movie in the cafeteria on a rainy day. The H5350 can pump out 2,000 lumens of brightness with a 2,000:1 contrast ratio, yet weighs just 5.1 pounds. No pricing available yet.

Epson Joins Short Throw Projector Party

Epson is the latest projector-maker to introduce a short-throw digital projector, and the PowerLite 400W can fill a 7-foot screen from only 3.5-feet away. It can not only work in small rooms, but reduce shadows for a teacher who works close to the screen. The wide-screen projector uses three LCD panels to produce 1,800 lumens of brightness, has a 10-watt speaker and can show high definition movies and TV. The projector has a 4,000 hour lamp and features network monitoring and control.

Up Close

With the ability to put 3,300 lumens of brightness on a classroom screen, Benq’s MP771 projector is not only one of the most powerful classroom projectors, but its short-throw lens means it can be set up close to the screen. Capable of filling a 6-foot screen from just 39-inches away, the MP771 uses a digital imaging chip with a 6-color wheel and Brilliant Color technology. The MP771 can put bright, vibrant images on a traditional screen, blackboard or plain old wall. The projector sells for $2,500 and doesn’t require the replacement or cleaning of air filters, which lowers maintenance costs.
More information about the projector can be found at the Benq site.

What Happens in Vegas, ...

Along with a slew of phones, gadgets and sore feet, this year’s Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas has yielded a pair of innovative school presentation systems that push current technology to the limit. While Samsung’s 2263DX combines two LCD screens for a variety of educational opportunities, Sanyo’s PDG DWT 50L could be the best digital projector for an auditorium or large room. As is the case with new technology, high flying specs and features come with high price tags, so you might want to reach for the closest slot machine handle.
• Samsung 2263DX does a two-for by attaching an auxiliary 7-inch screen alongside a 22-inch monitor, giving the class a tag-team display. With a pair of independent views, the 2263DX opens new possibilities, like showing a physics experiment on the big screen while monitoring the data on the small screen or allowing a teacher to face the class while watching the on-screen action. The key is that the small screen can be mounted on the main display’s bezel or on its own and gets its data and power from a USB cable. On top of a pair of speakers, the system has a 2-megapixel Web Cam and microphone. The monitor sells for $550.
Information, specs and features are on the Samsung Web site.
• By building the PDG-DWT50L projector around two lamps, Sanyo has created what might be the best large venue device for schools. It is not only able to fill a 42-foot screen but its dual-lamp system pumps out 4,500 lumens of brightness and has a 2,100:1 contrast ratio. Based on a Texas Instruments Digital BrilliantColor Light Processing imaging chip, the projector can use either a four-segment color wheel for peak brightness or a six-segment wheel for color accuracy. The projector has a list price of $7,000
More info is available at Sanyo’s Web site.

Widescreen Hits the Classroom

Widescreen projectors have traditionally been too high-end for most classrooms, but the new EIKI LC-WB40N widescreen classroom projector (premiering at FETC 2008) now comes in under $3,000. While still steep for many schools, this isn't an impossible price point, and since it weighs less than ten pounds, it’s easy enough to share between classrooms and auditoriums. Other bells and whistles include wired and wireless network connectivity, analog computer input and monitor output connections, and DVI with HDCP supporting both digital computer and video input. If you’re at FETC, you can see it in booth #1437, or visit Eiki’s site for more info.