> I am interested in buying an LCD panel or projector this spring. I was
> originally planning on buying an LCD panel because of the expense of the
> projectors, but I just found out about a co-op purchase offer by our
> Educational Service Unit. I was wondering if anyone has any knowledge
> and/or reviews of either of these projectors:
>
> Sharp XV-P15UP for $1795
> EiKi LC330 for $2631
Here is a summary of info that I have collected (storytelling and
opinions follow the facts)
Manufacturers: (won't sell direct to end user or institutions)
InFocus 800-294-6400
Proxima 800-447-7692
nView 800-736-8439
NEC 708-238-7766
Sharp & Canon make these as well - didn't contact them
Resellers: (sell to anyone, some sell multiple manufacturers)
Action Presentations (InFocus) 314-843-0427
Business Media (Proxima) 800-531-2166
ADTECH 800-419-0023
Boxlight 800-497-4008
St Louis AudioVideo 314-993-3388
Conference Technology 314-993-1400
I'm sure there are more. Note that Boxlight and Adtech (found both at
the back of PCWeek sell but don't manufacture, Boxlight won't tell you
this as they slap their part numbers and logo on everything, so you
may have to ask model & manufacturer to get an "apples to apples"
comparison on price)
Critical issues, (besides price) seem to be resolution and lumen
output. In a fully darkened room, a lower lumen output will work
fine, but in a room that is only going to dim, a higher lumen output
will be necessary.
I also found a big price difference between the
active matrix and passive matrix LCD devices. This is also related to
the lumen output, as the passive matrix (old "dead" technology) does
not allow as much light through.
The active matrix projection systems will allow full motion video,
while the passive matrix will not refresh the screen as fast.
The LitePro 760 is our first selection, because of price
considerations. Our desire was to have a resolution that matched the
resolution of all of the machines in our lab, which run at 1024x768
pixels on 15" monitors. The LitePro 760 was the only system at this
low price to meet this requirement. However, the LitePro 760 is
passive matrix LCD technology, as opposed to the newer active matrix
devices. The allows the LitePro 760 to put out only 150 ANSI lumens.
Other projection systems produce about 300 ANSI lumens. We are
arranging a demonstration of the LitePro 760 and the LitePro 570 for a
side-by-side comparison in the classroom where these will be used. If
we choose to go with the LitePro 570, for 300 lumens at 800 x 600
pixels, the price will be $300 less.
Many resellers or even manufacturers are happy to set up
demonstrations on-site to show off their technology. We haven't done
this yet, but I highly recommend it if you have the time.
The issue of projection unit or panel & projector combination did not
really arise for us, as most of the projection units would only do
640x480 (except the LitePro 760) while panels would do much higher
resolution (up to 1280x1024 for thenView Z350) but cost more and you
also need to buy a high lumen output projector (4000 lumens and up,
from Buhl or Dukane probably).
Rod Hauser
Technical Coordinator Voice: 314-479-7897 (afternoons)
Dunklin R-5 School District FAX: 314-479-6297 (anytime)
Herculaneum, MO 63048
ebz007@mail.connect.more.net