This month, we take a look at a variety of video projectors targeted at the middle high-end corporate market. These video projectors range in brightness from 3000 to 7000 ANSI lumens with resolutions from XGA (1024×768) through WUXGA (1920×1200) and are good selections for typical fixed installation corporate AV facilities, including conference rooms, boardrooms, and more.
The Present-P range of 1-chip DLP models is the most elaborate of Barco’s projector families for corporate AV. The PGWX-61B has a brightness level of 6200 ANSI lumens. The Present-P range contains a projection solution for a multitude of environments, including boardrooms, meeting rooms, auditoria, training rooms, and houses of worship. The projector is reported to excel in detail, contrast, and color management. The sleek white design allows the projector to blend into most modern enterprise environments.
With a 6500-lumen maximum capacity, this Boxlight’s Pro6501DP is suited for big-impact presentations in large venues, even when the space is fully lit. Featuring single- and dual-lamp modes, the unit cycles from one lamp to the other for balanced use and extended lamp life. Other features include 10 lens options for versatility in various size spaces; network capability to accommodate complex presentations; seamless integration with computers, printers, and other peripherals; remote monitoring and operation from a central location; discrete audio outputs for each video input; and password security to prevent unauthorized use.
Canon REALiS SX6000
The Canon REALiS SX6000 projector delivers full 16:10 aspect ratio native SXGA+ resolution (1400×1050) images from a laptop or desktop computer as well as from Blu-ray players and other HD sources connected via HDMI 1.3 or DVI-I connectors. Featuring 6000 lumens of brightness, the SX6000 is equipped with LCoS display panels with a pixel-spacing aperture ratio of 96 percent for seamless imagery and includes advanced imaging technologies such as superior white balance, improved reliability and durability, and first-in-class energy efficiency. A built-in six-axis Color-Correction IC and a 3D color look-up table (LUT) also provide high-color reproducibility and user control. The projector offers a choice of five optional Canon projection lenses to suit a variety of display environments.
Casio Pro XJ-H1750
Casio’s Pro XJ-H1750 projector is lamp free and mercury free, which reduces downtime and helps maintain productivity. The XJ-H1750 has increased I/O connectivity, is DLP 3D ready, and has auto-brightness adjustment to save power and reduce eye fatigue. It also includes RJ-45-wired LAN and can play back wireless presentations and MobiShow, WLAN presentations from smartphones and mobile devices, and presentations from a thumb drive.
Christie DWX555-GS
Using 1-chip DLP and a laser phosphor illumination system, the Christie DWX555-GS provides 20,000 hours of lamp-less operation and is recommended for fixed installations where high-resolution applications are required, such as boardrooms, higher education facilities, houses of worship, and smaller entertainment venues. Featuring WXGA resolution and 5400 ANSI lumens, the DWX555-GS has built-in color matching for a more uniform image in a multiple projector configuration, optional blending and warping capabilities for curved surfaces, and can be used 24/7.
The Digital Projection E-Vision WXGA 6500 is a new addition to the company’s popular E-Vision series. DPI’s existing high-brightness, high-value E-Vision projection line is well positioned within the corporate AV and house of worship communities, and the new 6500-lumen display further diversifies the options within. The E-Vision WXGA 6500 enlists the same wide array of lens options, user-swappable color wheels, and advanced color controls as the rest of the E-Vision series. With a chassis weight of less than 46lbs., the dual-lamp E-Vision 6500 uses Texas Instruments’ dark metal DLP technology, delivers core 3D functionality, and is housed in a sleek, streamlined and easi ly-instal led plastic cabinet. A variety of fixed and zoom lens options give the E-Vision WXGA 6500 a flexible throw ratio range of 0.8:1 to 8.74:1. Two swappable color wheels allow the integrator or the end-user to easily select and install the color wheel that provides the best balance of lumens and color depth to complement their application objectives and venue lighting conditions.
Epson PowerLite Pro G6900WU
With 6000 lumens of color brightness and white brightness, the Epson PowerLite Pro G6900WU delivers bright, crisp images and professional-grade reliability for large venues. The projector offers advanced connectivity options, including HDBaseT and 360-degree installation for diverse environments. The PowerLite Pro G6900WU also delivers advanced edge-blending technology for enhanced panoramic images as well as curved and corner displays.
Hitachi CP-X8170
The Hitachi CP-X8170 delivers 7000 ANSI lumens brightness with XGA resolution and features the company’s exclusive Accentualizer image processing with controls that enhance sharpness and improve contrast. Other highlights of the projector include picture-in-picture; a motorized lens that enables lens shift, zoom, and focus to be dialed in and increase installation flexibility; Perfect Fit 2 functionality that enables quick image adjustment; and iPhone and iPad-compatibility via Hitachi’s Projector Quick Connection feature that allows remote control to operate the projectors. Alternatively, images from the projectors can be displayed on an iPad or iPhone.
NEC’s NP-PA622U is a 6200-lumen installation projector equipped to take on a variety of integration projects. The PA622U provides installation flexibility with a complete line of optional bayonet-style lenses, tilt-free installation capabilities, and horizontal/vertical lens shift. Uncompressed high-definition video can be projected via integrated HDBaseT. There is also a very interesting feature called TileMatrix, which allows 4Kx2K resolution using four video projectors. The projector includes a direct software hook into Crestron RoomView.
Panasonic PT-EZ580
Panasonic’s new PT-EZ580 series of highbrightness LCD projectors are designed for midsize classrooms and corporate boardrooms. The PT-EZ580 provides 6200 lumens of brightness with WUXGA resolution and 5000:1 highcontrast ratio. Panasonic’s proprietary Daylight View function, DICOM simulation mode, and picture-in-picture boost the projector’s performance in classrooms and corporate settings. With a lamp replacement cycle of up to 4,000 hours and an eco filter that can run up to 17,000 hours, the PT-EZ580 provides stable operation for a long time. Furthermore, the Intelligent Lamp Control system regulates the amount of power drawn to the lamp depending on the projected image, ultimately decreasing the power consumption of the projector. The projector is easy to use, with Digital Link technology, as well as remote control capabilities for adjusting the image, such as powered lens shift, zoom, and focus, plus H/V and corner keystone correction.
Ricoh PJ WX4141N
Ricoh’s PJ WX4141N is a networking, 3300- lumen ultra-short-throw projector capable of displaying a 48in. diagonal image when placed less than 5in. from a wall or screen, and when only 9.6in. from a wall delivers a brilliant 80in. WXGA (1280×800) picture. Portable and weighing just 6.6lbs., the PJ WX4141N can be mounted below or above the screen and features several connection options, including HDMI input, VGA, and video and audio inputs. The PJ WX4141NI version transforms conventional screens into interactive whiteboards with Ricoh PJ Interactive software. Presenters can share screens remotely and add notes directly to presentations using the digital pen.
The DLP chip in the Sharp XG-PH80WN projector incorporates more than 1 million micromirrors, and the XG-PH80XN’s DLP chip contains close to 800,000 micromirrors. These silicon chips with their finely structured mirrors deliver high-quality images. The DLP chips in these projectors achieve an estimated lifetime of 20,000 hours. Contrast ratio is listed as up to 2100:1 with DynamicBlack engaged. This dramatically improves the black levels, providing incredible detail in dark scenes with virtually no noise or loss of brightness and a contrast ratio of up to 2100:1.
Sony VPL-FHZ700L
Sony’s laser projector technology continues to evolve with a new model, the VPL-FHZ700L. With 7000 lumens of color brightness, the new FHZ700L is designed for large-venue commercial spaces in education, corporate, theme park, and museum applications. It delivers WUXGA resolution (1920×1200), instant on/off, tilt-angle-free design, edge blending, wide-range vertical/ horizontal lens shift, advanced geometric correction, and up to 20,000 hours of maintenance- free operation. The FHZ700L also offers integration flexibility, with multiple interfaces and seven optional lenses. Using Sony’s new laser light source technology, the VPL-FHZ700L has the benefits of vivid color 3LCD technology with a long-life laser light source. The projector provides near instantaneous power on/off and a constant brightness mode for long-time constant projection—ideal for meeting rooms, classrooms, auditoriums, and large venues. Integrators who want to get creative can roll the projector 360 degrees clockwise or counterclockwise, including portrait or landscape orientation, and still get a stable, clear projected image.
Christopher Maione is a recognized leader and expert in the AV industry with more than 28 years of audiovisual expertise. His forward-thinking and progressive approach to business led him to found and become the managing partner of one of the world’s leading AV consulting firms, earning the company accolades as a leader in AV solutions and technologies. Maione now focuses his attention in two areas: representing the end-user on large-scale AV projects and helping companies grow their business within the AV market. He assists his clients on identify strategic ways of handling clients, products, services, and projects. Maione has a talent for forecasting trends and identifying emerging technologies that substantially impact the AV industry. Well versed in all aspects of AV, IT, integrated technologies, AV industry standards, green AV, and best practices and protocols, Maione is an adjunct InfoComm faculty member, an accredited CTS RU provider, and serves on a variety of key industry standard committees. For more info, contact info@chrismaione.com or see his website at www.chrismaione.com.
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