July 2015 - Projector Lamp Leaders - MyProjectorLamps USA

Acer X1140 SVGA Projector Review

July 30, 2015

Acer launched the line of X1 series projectors more than a half-decade ago, and in that time, we’ve seen a number of capable, durable and low-cost options. The X1 series is primarily Acer’s entry-level, ultra-budget set, with current iterations like the X113PH and X123PH starting at $299 and $399 respectively.
The Acer X1140 is now out-of-production. Yet, it shares a lot of commonalities with today’s X1 series projectors, including high contrast, powerful color technology and 3D capabilities. The biggest disadvantage to buying a used X1140 is price. With the similar X113PH starting at $299, it makes sense to buy new. If you can find it for right around $125, used or refurbished, it might be worth the investment, but if you’ve got the money, you might as well go with the newer X1 models.

Acer X1140: Specifications and Features

Although it started at about $300 when it was initially released, the X1140 has a surprisingly robust feature set and some powerful image specs. Acer really packs in the features in their budget-friendly models, and you can see that with the X1140. Here’s a run-down of the specs:

Bright Image, Low Resolution: Many Acer X1 series projectors have a native SVGA resolution (800×600). That makes them great for data images – i.e. PowerPoint presentations and classroom multimedia – but when projecting TV, films and most games, you’ll notice the lower quality image resolution. To be fair, the X1140 isn’t designed to do that, and for classroom video clips and film viewing, the output is sufficient. Fortunately, the DLP-based projector provides a bright 2,700-lumen image, which is suitable for classroom spaces, but may require the lights to be dimmed.
Super Long Lamp Life: Built with an OSRAM 190-watt lamp, the X1140 achieves long-lasting performance. In standard mode, lamp life is 5,000 hours. Yet, there are two economy modes, which push lamp life to 6,000 or 7,000 hours. That’s competitive, even compared to today’s DLP projectors. Fortunately, the Acer X1140’s replacement lamp is affordable. It is known as part number MC.40111.002
Great Contrast: With a contrast rating of 10,000:1, the X1140 delivers clear and crisp images. This is especially important in the classroom and for business presentations. White-on-black text is crisp and clear, and the X1140 provides rich, dark black levels, as well as great image quality for text-over-picture.
A Fair Amount of Connections: As primarily a presentation tool, the X1140 is somewhat limited in the number of devices that can be connected to it. There are a trio of VGA ports, a mini USB port for software updates, and S-video ports. Today, HDMI and USB connectivity are standards. The current Acer X113PH, for example, includes HDMI outlets and USB A and B ports.

Acer X1140 Rear Inputs
Basic Speaker System: Compared to other entry-level projectors, the X1140 is equipped with a pretty basic speaker system. It’s just a 2-watt set-up, which provides fairly limited output. For noisier environments, an external audio system would be the best option.
DLP 3D Capabilities: The X1140 can project 3D images from a laptop. This is useful for interactive multimedia presentations, and it’s not always a common feature for ultra-budget projectors.
Installation Flexibility: With Keystone correction, a lens zoom ratio of 1.1:1, and a top loading design, the X1140 provides a bit of flexibility in where it can be ceiling mounted. The top loading design is particularly useful, as it enables replacement lamps to be installed without removing the projector from its mount.

Overall, the X1140 is very similar to today’s Acer X1 series entry-level offerings. Yet, the X123PH does feature some updated and enhanced technology, including boosted contrast, a better array of connections, and an updated economy mode that delivers up to 10,000 hours of lamp life. Better yet, the price is extremely low at $299. Thus, it’s difficult to justify purchasing a used or refurbished X1140 – opt for the newer version instead.

Projector Review: The Cloud-Connected Barco iCon H600

July 28, 2015

When the Barco iCon H600 hit the market in 2005, it was one of the first truly cloud-connected projectors. The H600, since retired, could display up to four data images, video or streaming media from any device or website connected to the network. The Barco projector offered a glimpse into the future of cloud-connected A/V, and as such, it carried an eye-popping price tag of $34,999.
Flash forward to today, Barco is continuing to expand its advanced cloud-connected projectors, but it’s clear that the iCon H600 laid a strong foundation for Barco’s current line-up. For example, the iCon H600 enabled fast data sharing across the network. Images, video and streaming media could be pushed onto the display screen from the cloud, and any number of sources could be collected and added to the network. Remember, this was in 2005, before “cloud computing” had become a common tool for businesses.

Barco iCon H600 Projector

Plus, for a projector released more than a decade ago, the iCon H600 also boasted some impressive image stats, including a 6,000-lumen output, Full HD native resolution, and a maximum resolution of 2048×1536. In other words, the iCon H600 was a powerful piece of hardware designed for corporate presentations and collaboration. Even today, a decade later, there’s a lot to like about the H600.
Barco iCon H600: Lamp, Brightness, Image Quality, Cloud Connectivity

Advanced Networking: The iCon H600 was really one of Barco’s first steps into cloud computing, and it was a master at that. Essentially, the projector connects to the cloud via a device, and thus, data from millions of sources that were connected to the cloud could then be pushed to the projector. Plus, a range of devices could be connected to the network — from smartphones, to laptops, to desktops — enabling faster data visualization across organizations. For 2005, this feature was extremely advanced.
Impressive Picture-in-Picture: With the ability to project four images from different sources simultaneously, the H600 really pushed the envelope as a presentation tool. Plus, the four images could be a variety of media — for instance, two data images, a streaming video, and a video.
A Bulky Design: Barco projectors are, in general, heavier than projectors with similar specs. That’s certainly true of the iCon H600. At 11-inches, by 23-inches by 24-inches, and weighing 77 pounds, the iCon is a boulder of a projector. Therefore, this isn’t built for portability. It’s a permanent installation piece. However, this model comes with interchangeable lenses depending on your application, so it is more customizable than most projectors on the market.
Bright, Full HD Image, Average Lamp Life: Projecting a 6000-lumen image, the iCon H600 is powerful enough to handle mid- and large-sized venues, with moderate amounts of natural light. It also has a native resolution of 1920×1080, as well as vertical and horizontal lens shift. The only catch: At this brightness level, the iCon H600’s lamp life is average, if not slightly underwhelming. The Barco H600 bulb is a 300-watt UHP bulb otherwise known as R9841829, and as the iCon H600’s replacement lamp and housing module are on the higher end, the maintenance costs are a bit more expensive compared to more affordable projectors.

Barco iCon H600 Projector – Interchangeable Lens

The Bottom Line: The Barco iCon Line Was Ahead of Its Time
The entire Barco iCon series, which the H600 was the last iteration of, was a powerful cloud-connected tool, delivered at a time before cloud computing was so widely available. Really, it’s a relic of a nascent technology, and it really shows the starting point for Barco’s contemporary cloud-connected projectors.
Today, used Barco iCon H600 devices are available online, sold primarily by third parties. Would a used H600 be worth it today? It might be. If the price is right. The technology is still extremely useful today, but in general, the offering prices for used projectors in the Barco line can be quite expensive. Plus, today, technology has gotten cheaper. You can find a variety of Full HD projectors with multi-window capabilities, like the Panasonic PT line, however, depending on the components you require, your application and the price, the Barco might still suit your needs.

Projector Review: ViewSonic PJD7820HD

July 24, 2015

Released two years ago, the ViewSonic PJD7820HD is a solid performer in the budget data projector class. The projector’s Full HD resolution (1920×1080) delivers crisp, detailed data images. Text, both small and large, is clear, and it’s capable of handling multimedia. Yet, it’s not the most reliable cross-over projector – it’s an excellent data projector, but just OK with home entertainment.
Initial reviews of the ViewSonic PJD7820HD revealed that the projector’s video performance was average. Color performance is decent, with some rainbow artifacts present. It can handle video, gaming and 3D content, but it’s not perfect. This is more of an entry-level home entertainment projector, which makes sense considering the price. On the other hand, as a data projector, the ViewSonic performs well, and with a starting price of $599, it’s one of the most affordable Full HD presentation projectors on the market.

Projector Specs and Features: ViewSonic PJD7820HD

Extended Lamp Life: In standard mode, this single-chip DLP projector achieves 4,000 hours of lamp life – above-average in terms of performance. In smart economy mode, though, the lamp life is boosted to 7,000 hours. Plus, with the PJD7820HD replacement lamp and module – part no. RLC-079 – costing $274.99, maintenance costs for this projector remain low.
Image Brightness: When it was released, the PJD7820 was one of the brightest Full HD data projectors available. The lamp is rated at 3,000 lumens of brightness, which suits well to small- to mid-sized spaces and moderate levels of ambient light.
Native Resolution: Not only was the PJD7820 one of the first Full HD (1920×1080) data projectors, it was also one of the most affordable. With a Full HD resolution, it’s nearly double the WXGA format and nearly three times more resolute than XGA projectors. That makes it possible to draw out better contrast for small images. With XGA, smaller text becomes more difficult to read; that’s not the case with Full HD.
Portability: The projector weighs just about four pounds, and its dimensions (3.3×10.6×8.7) make this an extremely portable projector. Thus, it’s ideal for presentations on the go, as well as for moving between venues, i.e. office and home.
Color Performance: One disadvantage is the color performance. It performs about average, with some calibration, but yet, rainbow artifacts are present, particularly with video. This isn’t one of the better projectors for video, and that’s why, if you need only a home entertainment projector, you might want something that provides better color quality and saturation.

Connectivity: There are a range of ports, including an HDMI, USB Type B, S-Video, VGA monitor out, and two VGA-in ports. The HDMI, which supports HDMI 1.4a, enables the projector to connect directly to a Bluray player. One disadvantage, particularly for business presentations, is that it doesn’t have a Type A USB port, which make it possible for the projector to read data directly from the USB port. The Type B port only accommodates a wireless mouse and similar applications.
Audio Performance: The projector is equipped with a 2-watt speaker; that’s below average in terms of performance, with similarly priced projectors available with 10-watt speakers. Yet, the audio is capable, ideal for small rooms or if your audience will be sitting near the projector.

ViewSonic PJD7820HD Projector – Rear Inputs

The Bottom Line: Is the ViewSonic PJD7820HD Worth the Investment?
As a data projector, there’s a lot to like about the PJD7820 – most importantly though is the price. When it was released it was one of the – if not the most – affordable Full HD data projector available. These days, there are similarly priced options, but yet at $599, the PJD7820 is a very good value. Plus, data image quality is crisp, it can accommodate a number of different sources, and it’s lightweight and portable.
At that price, you can’t go wrong for data projection. WXGA projectors are similarly priced, but the images aren’t as resolute. So this is a suitable piece of hardware for the office. At home, video performance is just OK, so if you’ll be using this more for home entertainment, it might be wise to invest in a projector with a more robust video feature set.

Projector Review: Vivitek D910HD

July 22, 2015

Released in 2012, the Vivitek D910HD was dubbed a “cross-over” projector. That means it’s capable of high-quality business presentations, but with a Full HD native resolution and 3D functionality, it can hold its own for entertainment.
Currently, the D910HD is still shipping, and there’s a number of reasons why this projector is worthy of interest by both business presenters and those looking for a home entertainment upgrade. The DLP projector boasts impressive image quality stats: 3,000 lumens, BrilliantColor technology and a Full HD resolution. Plus, the price is just right – it’s available in the U.S. and Europe with prices starting at $849. That price point puts the D910HD firmly in “wallet-friendly” projector category.

The Vivitek D910HD: Specs and Features
There’s a lot to like about the Vivitek D910. It projects a bright image with decent color saturation. There’s a range of connection options available, including HDMI, USB and RS232 ports. Yet, for the home entertainment enthusiast, it doesn’t provide that specialized performance that other projectors do.
For instance, the Optoma GT1080 is designed for home entertainment, with rapid refresh rate and specialized gaming modes. Because the 910HD is a cross-over projector, it doesn’t excel as a presentation tool or as an entertainment system.

Image Quality, Brightness: The D910HD delivers a 3,000-lumen image with a 5,000:1 contrast ratio. That’s bright enough to perform in moderately lit spaces, but image quality might diminish in spaces with more ambient light. Plus, the DLP and BrilliantColor technology provide excellent color saturation, with crisp detail in black and clear contrast.
Long-Lasting Lamp Performance: The D910HD’s 190-watt lamp achieves 3,000 hours of lamp life in standard mode, and 5,000 hours in the economy setting. The D910HD’s replacement lamp is relatively affordable – replacement part No. 5811117901-SVV – but yet, with such long-lasting performance, maintenance costs for this projector won’t break the bank.
Lightweight, Sleek Design: At roughly 7 pounds, the D910HD is lightweight and ultra-portable. That’s one reason Vivitek calls this a cross-over projector; it can move seamlessly from office to home. Plus, the projector features an attractive, flowing design.
Built-In Speaker System: The 910HD is equipped with a built-in 10-watt mono speaker, which can serve as a basic audio system at the house or office. Although in noisier environments, operators will likely prefer connecting to an external speaker system.
Extended Warranty: Vivitek offers a three-year parts/labor warranty for the projector, as well as a one-year warranty on the lamp. Those are favorable warranty terms, and above-average compared to similarly priced projectors.
A Range of Connectivity Options: With two Audio In ports, an HDMI and USB port, and an RS232 port, the D910HD can handle tons of connectivity. Yet, the majority of entertainment projectors produced these days are equipped with at least 2 HDMI ports, which may be a turnoff for some buyers.
Limited Installation Flexibility: The D910HD does not have lens shift or horizontal keystone correction. With just a 1.2:1 zoom ratio and vertical keystone, fitting the projector to a smaller room may be more difficult.

The verdict? As an entry-level projector, the Vivitek D910HD does a lot of things right. If you need a projector for watching TV or movies, the D910HD will meet your needs. Or if you’re after a presentation set-up that can give a boost to multimedia presentations, the D910HD is more than capable.
Unfortunately, the D910HD is a jack of all trades, but a master of none. If you have specialized entertainment needs – like powerful gaming performance – or enhanced presentation needs – like cloud connectivity – you’ll likely be better off purchasing a projector that’s designed to fit your needs. It’s not to say that the D910HD isn’t worthy of an investment. There are a lot of reasons that it is. Yet, there are options that are more recent with a similar feature set and price.

Projector Review: SMART UF55W Interactive Projector

July 20, 2015

SMART has an interesting line-up of projectors. These aren’t stand-alone projectors, but instead, they’re built to be integrated with a SMART Board. Along with the board, SMART projectors enable interactivity, you can draw on the board, while an image is being projected, and that’s why they’re commonly used in classrooms and for business presentations.
The SMART UF55W was originally released in the mid-2000s, along with the SMART Board 600i3. The projector delivers crisp and clear images, and it’s compatible with a range of computers and video inputs. Therefore, it’s an ideal device for transforming and enhancing classroom multimedia projectors. What’s more: The UF55 is extremely user friendly. These days, the UF55W is out-of-production, having been replaced by the UF70. Yet, still, it is a highly capable piece of A/V hardware that will enhance classroom whiteboard presentations. A used or refurbished UF55W

remains a great, lower cost replacement, than buying a new set-up.
SMART UF55W Specifications: Image Quality, Brightness and Compatibilities
Compared to SMART’s lineup of projector’s today, the UF55W is equipped with a similar feature-set and image output and brightness. The UF70, the UF55W’s replacement, has some updated specs like a slightly brighter image, enhanced video capabilities, and greater networking functionalities. Yet, for standard SMART Board presentations the UF55W performs well. Here are a few specs to consider:
Brightness Range: The UF55W is equipped with a 2,000-lumen bulb, which delivers a bright image even in well-lit classrooms. The bulb has a long lamp life, rated at 3,000 hours in the standard 200-watt mode or 4,000 hours in economy mode. That’s an above-average lamp life for projectors released at the same time. Fortunately, the SMART UF55’s replacement bulb – Part No: 20-01032-20 – is affordable, keeping maintenance costs low.
Image Quality: When synched with the SMART Board, the UF55W enhances presentations with stellar images. For instance, most SMART Boards measure about 80 inches, and at this size, the projector delivers a crisp image. The UF55W has a contrast ratio of 2000:1, and it’s built in the WGXA resolution (1280×800) and 16:10 aspect ratio. In other words, images are clear, with text easy-to-read for the audience. In addition, the color production is vibrant and well-saturated.
Short Throw Ratio: The UF55W is designed to be mounted to the ceiling, and features a .51 throw ratio. That means it’s installed closer to the screen, and thus, presenters in the front of the classroom won’t get in front of the light source, which creates shadows on the screen. Plus, with a range of image shift capabilities, the UF55W is easy to install and set-up.
Ease of Use: The UF55W is built for entry-level users, and thus, perfect for education environments, where there isn’t a lot of extra time for drawn-out trainings. These projectors feature a user-friendly menu screen, and it’s essentially a plug-and-play set-up. Teachers and business people can quickly plug their computers into the device and start presentations, which is ideal in educational and business situations.
Overall, the SMART UF55W maintains its own in terms of performance, compared to similar SMART projectors today. Of course, it does show its age in a few ways, but yet, the core feature-set is ideal for classrooms. Educators can write and annotate images on the board, as well as erase what they’ve written. What’s more: The UF55 provides a range of functions, from displaying text and images to showing movies in class (up to 1080i), and for presentations, the image quality is spot-on. That’s why the UF55 remains a solid investment. Even though it’s out-of-production, a used or refurbished model is an ideal replacement that will save schools and business thousands.

Barco iQ G300 vs CRPN-52B: A Decade of Difference

July 13, 2015

Barco has a storied history of producing some of the most powerful and high-impact corporate A/V projectors on the market. One of their earliest forays was the iQ series, with the iQ G300 being the first available in 2003.

The Barco iQ G300 was one of the first projectors with advanced picture-in-picture, allowing four scalable images to be displayed simultaneously, or two data images alongside a video image. That functionality made this an ideal collaboration tool for businesses, as a range of data sets could be shared at the same time. Barco’s commitment to projector collaboration tools has continued, even as the original iQ line has been discontinued. In 2013, Barco launched the Collaborate line, featuring the CRPN-52B, a powerful panorama projector with an even great suite of advanced multi-window capabilities.
Comparing the iQ300 to Barco’s 52B offers a wonderful example of just how far the company’s small- to mid-sized venue collaboration tools have come. Released a decade apart, the two projectors share similarities, yet, it’s easy to see the decade of difference.

Comparing the iQ G300 and CRPN-52B: Specifications and Image Quality

Brightness and Contrast: When initially launched, the iQ G300 featured a brilliantly bright image. The projector was rated at 3,500 lumens but delivered a contrast ratio of just 400:1. In the last decade, the power of single-chip DLP technology has moved forward. The 52B, for example, although featuring a much larger native resolution, has an output of 5,000 lumens and a contrast ratio of 6,500:1, thanks in part to greater wattage lamps. The similarity is that both employ Barco’s signature dual-lamp configuration.
Image Quality: The iQ G300 has an XGA native resolution (1024×768) compared to the CRPN 52B’s panorama resolution of 2560×1080. Thus, the 52B boasts enables enhanced multi-window clarity compared to its predecessor. Both are capable of completely filling the screen, with sustained corner sharpness. Yet, in the lower resolution, some detail can be lost when using the advanced multi-screen modes.
Lamp Life: Both projectors use dual-lamp systems, which are designed to improve lamp life by switching between light sources after 100 hours of use. The iQ projector features two 200-watt UHP lamps, while the newer model uses two 300-watt UHP lamps. Yet, the 52B achieves longer lamp life due to improved efficiency. The 52B in standard mode achieves 2,000 hours, while the iQ is right at 1,500. Additionally, the 52B achieves a much longer life when using single-lamp mode: 5,000 hours compared to 3,000.
Collaboration Capabilities: In 2003, the iQ G300 was the first projector of its kind, allowing advanced picture-in-picture and the sharing of four pictures at the same time. With built-in source switching, the iQ was able to quickly toggle between sources. The CRPN-52B has transformed that original concept. Now it’s possible to have multiple windows open, quickly toggle between them, and display a greater range of windows on the same screen. Plus, the 52B’s panorama resolution enhances the picture quality in each window.
Pricing: Barco is a major player in the high-end projector market, and both of these pieces of hardware were offered with eye-popping price tags. In 2003, the iQ G300 carried an MSRP sticker price of $13,500. A decade later, the 52B started north of $24,000.

Comparing these high-end Barco projectors is a useful for seeing just how projectors have advanced in the last decade. What was possible in 2003, now seems underwhelming. At the time, the iQ G300 and the rest of the iQ series were powerful tools that set a new precedent in multi-window projection. Barco has continued to advance and innovate, and the current Collaborate line really highlights their commitment. We’ll just have to wait and see what’s next from Barco.

Projector Highlights from InfoComm 2015

July 6, 2015

The annual InfoComm Show was held last week in Orlando, Florida, and the MyProjectorLamps team was on hand. We had a great time, taking in all the demonstrations of the latest and greatest in cutting-edge A/V technology. Throughout the show, some of the most innovative, brightest and new 4K projectors were on display.

It seemed that the biggest news was generated by laser-based and 4K+ projectors. A number of manufacturers unveiled new 4K+ projectors, like Panasonic and DPI, and it appears that the higher resolution systems are a priority for most. We’re bound to see the cost of 4K projectors continue to decrease, as the technology becomes more affordable. In addition, extremely bright, laser projectors also made a big splash at InfoComm this year, like NEC’s 12,000-lumen PH1202HL and the DPI’s 12,000-lumen 4K setup. Here are a few highlights:

NEC unveiled the PH1202HL projector, which is a laser/phosphor light source, 1080p resolution projector. The most impressive spec: The PH1202HL casts a 12,000-lumen image with a 10,000:1 contrast ratio. Plus, the lamp-less projector has a 20,000-hour life on the laser light source.
Christie unveiled a small, ultra-short-throw projector, the Digital Captiva DUW350S, which utilizes a 1DLP imaging system. The projector’s output is 3,500 lumens and its ultra-short-throw ratio of .25:1 helped the project nab a “Best in Show” award, from Governmental Video. This was the first time Christie demonstrated their Captiva lens.
DPI released a new 4K projector, the INSIGHT 4K Laser, which earned a “Best in Show” award from AVNetwork. The projector casts a 12,000-lumen image in Full 4K resolution; both of these specs were cited as reasons for the award. During a demonstration, the INSIGHT created an incredibly color-saturated, high-def image.

Sony VPL-GTZ270

Sony used InfoComm to announce and show off a pair of new laser-based 4K projectors. Both get incredibly long lives from their light sources: 20,000 hours in standard mode and 40,000 hours in eco mode. These are powerful, professional setups. The VPL-GTZ270 is designed for “entertainment venues,” like theme parks and planetariums. And the VPL-GT280 is designed to be used for simulations. Both produced incredible images during two different demonstrations.

Another 4K projector released at InfoComm, the Panasonic PT-RQ13KU creates an image beyond 4K at a resolution of 5,120 X 3,200. Panasonic says the projector is “the most compact and lightweight 4K+ 3-chip DLP laser projector in the world.” Some specs: The brightness is rated at 10,000 lumens with a 20,000:1 contrast ratio. The projector also used horizontal and vertical pixel shift at a frame rate of 240 Hz, which boosts the overall image quality and quadruples pixel density.

MyProjectorLamps Booth at Infocomm 2015

These were just a few highlights from InfoComm 2015. It was an incredible show, with tons of great A/V technology. We’re already looking forward to attending next year.

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Monthly Archives: July 2015