Buying a projector

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I recently asked the NTEN Discuss list for advice buying a projector (the thread starts at http://groups.nten.org/message.htm?mode=view&hid=78520). I've compiled responses and information from some Web sites so that others looking for a projector can use it as a starting point.

I've ordered a Dell 2400 MP.

Reviews:

http://www.consumersearch.com/www/office/portable-digital-projectors/, Updated April 2007 — "Dell 2400MP Best digital projector overall."

http://www.projectorcentral.com/ makes it easy to compare projectors. A lot of the information in the table came from ProjectorCentral.

	Epson Powerlite S5	Dell 2400MP	Optoma EP719	InFocus IN35WEP
Cost	$550	$749 (on the Dell Web site)	$1499	$999
Lumens	2000	3000	2000	2500 or 1800 (eco mode)
Display	Native: 800x600 Pixels Maximum: 1400x1050 Pixels Aspect Ratio: 4:3 (SVGA)	Native: 1024x768 Pixels Maximum: 1600x1200 Pixels Aspect Ratio: 4:3 (XGA)	Native: 1024x768 Pixels Maximum: 1400x1050 Pixels Aspect Ratio: 4:3 (XGA)	Native: 1280x800 Pixels Maximum: 1600x1200 Pixels Aspect Ratio: 16:10
Weight	5.8 lbs	5.5 lbs	4.6 lbs	5.0 lbs
Size (inches)(HxWxD)	4.3 x 9.6 x 12.9	4.0 x 10.8 x 8.3	3.7 x 9.0 x 8.3	2.9 x 8.6 x 10.4
Lamp life	3000 hours or 4000 hours (eco mode)	2000 hours or 2500 hours (eco mode)	2000 hours or 3000 hours (eco mode)	2500 hours or 3500 hours (eco mode)
Warranty	2 yrs, lamp 90 days	2 yrs, lamp 90 days	1 yr, lamp 90 days	2 yrs, lamp 12 months
Replacement bulb	$200	$400	$380	$474
Keystone correction	Vertical	Horz & Vert	+/- 15 vertical	+/- 30 degrees both vertical and horizontal
Throw distance	6.0 - 25.0	3.9 - 39.4 ft	3.6 - 32.2 feet	4.9 - 32.8 ft
Speakers	1.0W Mono	2.0W Mono	2.0W Mono	3.0 W speaker
Noise	35.0 dB or 28.0 dB (eco mode)	36.0 dB or 33.0 dB (eco mode)	? or 28.0 dB (eco mode)	35.0 dB or 32.0 dB (eco mode)
Reference	http://www.projectorcentral.com/Epson-PowerLite_S5.htm http://www.epson.com/cmc_upload/0/000/095/444/S5-Catalog-Sheet_R2.pdf http://www.projectorreviews.com/epson/powerlite-s5/index.php	http://www.projectorcentral.com/Dell-2400MP.htm http://accessories.us.dell.com/sna/productdetail.aspx?c=us&cs=19&l=en&s=dhs&sku=222-1451&redirect=1	http://www.projectorcentral.com/Optoma-EP719.htm http://www.optomausa.com/product_detail.asp?product_id=219	http://www.projectorcentral.com/InFocus-Learn_Big_IN35WEP.htm http://store.infocus.com/Stores/Education/Product.aspx?ProductId={8E799345-A79F-4552-B36B-E0FF1D1A4269} http://www.infocus.com/Products/Projectors/IN35WEP.aspx
Comments	"... the S5 is entry level. As such most potential buyers out there should be looking to spend a bit more on a higher resolution projector, with XGA resolution..." -- http://www.projectorreviews.com/epson/powerlite-s5/index.php "If you are convinced that you can live without a higher resolution projector, have determined that the budget is tight, and you can live with a projector lacking a zoom lens, then stop right here." -- http://www.projectorreviews.com/epson/powerlite-s5/proscons.php “If you're going to do text-heavy presentations like software demos you will almost certainly want a higher resolution projector”	“Dell carries a great exchange warranty with their projectors.” “We have been happy with our Dell 3200MP for 3+ years now (newer models available). Reliable, bright enough for medium-sized rooms or better ("lumens"), light and portable (eg, great cushioned case) and definitely want that 1024 x 768 resolution if you are doing more than showing power points.” “Every once in a while, a projector comes along that sets a dramatic new price/performance benchmark. It is a 5.5lb XGA projector that puts out 3000 ANSI lumens” -- August 2, 2006, http://www.projectorcentral.com/dell_2400mp.htm	We bought an Optoma - EP719 about a year ago for $837 and couldn't be happier with it.	We have found that InFocus projectors are the best fit for our organization. Most of the InFocus projectors come with a standard 2 year warranty with option to purchase and additional 2 years. If you purchase thru their education site, you can get a projector with 3 years and purchase an extended 1 year. We recently purchased the InFocus IN35WEP : http://store.infocus.com/Stores/Education/Product.aspx?ProductId={8E799345-A79F-4552-B36B-E0FF1D1A4269} The things we look at when purchasing a projector are: 1) Lumens - the higher the number the better. This is the brightness of the lamp. And should give you more variety of lighting situations and locations. 2) Resolution - XGA or WXGA are best and are compatible with almost all laptops these days. 3) Color replication - this has recently become an issue with some of the previous models we are using. It is hard for a projector to show true colors or what you see on your screen. The above model seems to be able to handle that much better. We have many nature oriented presentations in which you really want your colors to be as accurate as possible. 4) Warranty - we keep our projectors for as long as we can, so the longer the warranty the better. The above model even warranty's the lamp for 1 year (most are 90 days). 5) Weight - ours are taken to schools, auditoriums and conference/meeting rooms so they should be portable. The above model is about 5 lbs...it's not too small and it's not too big. There are so many different brands and models out there, so it is hard to choose. I can say we've had pretty good experience with InFocus. And we've been using them for about 6+ years now.

Considerations:

“The other thing to check on projectors is lens throw distance. Make sure
you can get the image size you want at the distance between projector
and screen that works for your space.”

“I also recommend that you try to find a projector with Keystone Correction. It's pretty common these days, and the model you are looking at seems to have it. This is the feature that enables you make the image square when the projector's image is not positioned exactly straight-on with the screen -- as is common when a projector is set on a conference room table. This page has definitions of Keystone Correction and other common projector features: http://www.projectorcentral.com/buyers6.htm”

“This is another site with lots of projector reviews is here:
http://www.projectorcentral.com”

“As far as support and warranty, whatever you get, I would be clear on the bulb--is it covered? How much to replace? They tend to be expensive. We still are on the original one, but I went and got a spare (on Ebay, no less) to have just in case. The cables are another point of vulnerability.”

“Judge what you need by the main place you will use it for the 501 meetings, but then figure in other uses, since once it is there, demand will grow.”

“They mostly seem to have remote controls these days. We occasionally use ours, but I would not recommend spending extra for features in that department for the kind of use you anticipate.”

“http://www.consumersearch.com/www/office/portable-digital-projectors/
the review is a bit out-of-date (May 2007) and they recommend the S4 for best low-resolution projector), the Optoma EP719 for best budget XGA and the Dell 2400MP for best all-around. (In the case of somewhat out-of-date reviews, I look up the expert reviews on the current incarnation of the recommended models).”

Screen:

“see if you can pick up a
free screen somewhere before investing in one. Sometimes they're
available from schools, universities,”

“I would not get a separate screen unless you know you don't have a good wall to use. It increases the cost, adds to the set-up drama and often adds little to participant experience.”