Projectors - Computer Peripherals

Optoma DW318 DLP Projector (widescreen, HD Ready and 3D Ready )

• The Optoma DW318 is an HD Ready 3D video projector with a brightness of 2500 ANSI Lumens and integrated 120 Hz technology. DLP technology makes for excellent 3D picture quality, no matter what the surrounding lighting conditions. It displays large-format HD images that are bursting with lifelike colour. With native WXGA resolution and 3000:1 contrast, the DW-318 will bring out the best in content from your DVD player, Blu-ray player, set-top box, games console or laptop. As well as its great
• range of connections, the Optoma DW 318 video projector has a RS232 port and comes with a handy remote control.

Epson EB-S72 LCD Projector

• USB Display
• Quick Start-up 5 sec / Instant Off function
• 5000 hours E-TORL long-life lamp
• -

Very good performance, 2010-02-20
I was torn between a basic DLP or LCD projector, but settled on this LCD model because of the competitive price and its robustness to being tilted upwards by up to 30 degrees (important for the use I have in mind). Similar DLP projectors I looked at said they would be damaged if tilted by more than 10 degrees.

I have put it side-by-side with a six-year-old DLP projector which cost five times as much when new, and this Epson is every bit as good. Colours are slightly richer (a result of the LCD technology) and it is just as bright. The pixels are slightly more defined on the LCD than the DLP, but this isn't very noticeable.

The Espon has a fairly wide angle of throw, which I find good. Lacking a zoom lens, you may have to take care how to position it for best results (it does have a digital zoom, but this works by compressing the image onto fewer pixels, resulting in a reduction in quality). The projector takes quite a few second to power on to full brightness, but shuts down almost instantaneously. The menu functions and user manual are fairly intuitive. I haven't tried the USB control, but the supplied VGA cable works well.

There aren't many downsides. It doesn't come with any carry case, which is a bit remiss for a portable projector. The fan is somewhat noisy (although not much more so than any other projectors in this range, I think) and it emits a stranged chattering sound in use. I eventually tracked the latter down to the automatic iris, which alters the brightness of light according to the image being displayed; during a DVD it changes for every scene with accompanying whirring, chattering noises. Fortunately, this function can be disabled in the menu settings, and I can't discern any appreciable difference without it on. The resolution is only 800x600, but this is fine for my purposes: it's about the same resolution as DVDs and it's more than adequate for reading words on powerpoint slides. Using the keystone adjustment reduces readability slightly, since it's another digital compression (like the zoom), but this is the case for all but the very high-end projectors (which use movable lenses instead).

Overall, I am happy to recommend it.

3M MPRO120 Pocket/Mini Projector

Handy mini projector..., 2009-10-21
I was pleasantly surprised this is a really great product, fantastic build quality and a leather carrying case with it to!
It is only a little larger than my phone which makes it really portable and nice and lightweight, I use it to watch movies mainly and works nicely with my laptop.
If you are looking for a portable mini projector then this is definitely a great choice though you will not experience the same image quality as a full size unit.

Sanyo PLC-XR201 ANSI LCD Projector (XGA 2200)

• Sanyo PLC-XR201 LCD Multimedia Projector
• LCD Panel System: 0.55 inch TFT Active Matrix t
• Number of Pixels: 2359296 (1024 x 768 x 3 panels)
• This projector is designed compact in size and w
• The projector has the Multi-scan system to confo

Value for money, 2010-01-19
The PLC-XR201 appears to be the same product as the PLC-XW200 (the downloadable manuals are the same), but is on sale for less as of January 2009.
I've only had mine a short time, but am satisfied that it offers good value for money for an XGA (1024 x 768) projector. Set-up was easy; the menu system is clear (used with my computer, the default contrast was a bit high, losing detail in darker areas, but this was very easily altered); the automatic adjustment for keyholing works well if the projector is standing on a level surface. The built-in speaker is a bit feeble, but this is to be expected. My only criticism is that the fan is rather noisy, particularly if the bulb is used on full power. However, I found that on a winter's day, even with the curtains open, the image was quite clear when projected onto a home size screen with the bulb in economy mode, which is noticeably quieter.
(If you're used to projecting photographic slides, you'll find XGA resolution isn't anything like as sharp, but projectors with higher resolution are significantly more expensive. I certainly wouldn't buy anything less than XGA.)

NEC NP115 DLP Projector

• NEC NP115 DLP Projector
• Contrast Ratio: 2000:1
• Brightness: 2500 ANSI Lumens
• Resolution: 800 x 600
• Audio: 1 x 7 Watts

Acer X110 Projector SVGA DLP 3D, ECO, CBII+, Zoom, 2.2Kg, 4000:1, 2500Lm

Epson EB-X7 LCD Projector (2200 ANSI XGA, USB Display)

• USB Display
• Quick Start-up 5 sec / Instant Off function
• 5000 hours E-TORL long-life lamp
• -

Optoma DS316 Mobile Projector (2500 ANSI SVGA 4:3/16:9)

• Easy to use with games consoles DVD players digi
• Bright projection ? 2500 ANSI Lumens
• Energy saving ? <1W standby mode
• BrilliantColor technology - vibrant life-like co
• Lamp Type and Life: 180W 4000/3000 hours (STD/B

K10, LED, 20000 Hour Lamp Life, 0.55 Kgs, 2000:1 Contrast, 100 ANSI, Max screen size 60"

• K10
• K10

Seems like an alright device, just beware two things, 2010-03-15
The spec looks fine for the price - resolution and contrast wise, etc, and it's certainly small and light - and if all goes well you'll make savings in excess of the purchase price on bulbs and electricity vs more conventional projectors; however!

1/ 100 lumens is quite dim. It's less than a third of the subjective brightness of a comparitive halogen lamp model (1500-2500 lumen). You'll definitely have to use this in a darkened room, and even then it might not seem particularly bright until your eyes adapt quite a lot.

2/ If the lightsource blows out, that's it. Normal bulbs are explicitly consumable items and typically come in quick-swap carriers that need less than a minute to change. Here, it's sealed-for-life. If/when it goes (and it might be long before the stated time, as this is still a bit experimental), it's either professional repair time or buying a whole new projector, which could nullify any saving and leave you without picture for quite a while.
(Still, if it does run for even half the stated time, it's still worth it!)

The question that can't be answered until someone actually buys and reviews one properly is what the picture quality is like besides the brightness...

Optoma HD200X 1080p Full HD Home Cinema Projector

• Enjoy high-definition entertainment in the comfort of your home with this HD200X video projector from Optoma. This ultra-quiet DLP processor has a contrast ratio of 350:1 and a brightness of 1,500 ANSI Lumens. When it comes to connections, you'll find two HDMI ports and a range of video entries for watching films, playing video games and more. In fact, no matter what you're watching, the HD 200X ensures excellent image quality for a totally immersive experience. Bring the cinema home with the O
• ptoma projector.

Brilliant, 2010-03-13
Having never had a projector before, I was skeptical about how well they would perform and equally worried about the quality in daylight. Fear not, I was blown away with how well the projector performed, excellent quality, vivid colours and without doubt the best purchase I have ever made. Playing PES 2010 with a load of mates and lots of beer on a 100" screen is amazing, and blue ray movies are outstanding. I can't see me needing to ever go to the cinema, or in fact leave the house ever again!