LCD Projectors & Reviews

The most important factor in choosing a projector is figuring out where and how you will use it. We'll look at how DLP and LCD compare in the areas of mobility, brightness, resolution, contrast and connectivity. Both DLP and LCD projectors have their strengths and weaknesses. We want to identify the type that is strongest in the areas that will matter to you. First you may want to plan ahead and know what your main purpose of your projector may be. There are hundreds of projecotrs varying from 300 to 50k dollars. Digital home theatres, portable projectors, educational, outdoor and confrence projectors all have thier strengths and weakness. Know your environment, seating position and amount of ambient light throught your space and that will be a good place to start.

Connectivity
Before you decide on a projector, you'll want to see how it connects to your favorite devices. DLP projectors connect to digital devices without having to convert the signal to analog–they work especially well with everything from cameras to gaming consoles. LCD projectors have the advantage of being able to connect directly to more types of devices. Either way, be sure to choose a model with RCA, S-video and component connections if you want the new projector to anchor your home theater.


Today's LCD (liquid crystal display) projectors usually contain three separate LCD panels. Light from a halogen projector lamp, which outputs an ideal color temperature and a broad spectrum of color passes through a prism to split light into Red, Green and Blue which is then passed through the transluscent LCD panels, combined and focused via optics onto a projection screen into the three component colors. These projector lamps also have the ability to produce an extremely large amount of light within a small area creatin 2,000-4,000 ANSI lumens with ease.

In 2004 and 2005, LCD front projection has been enjoying a come-back because of the addition of the dynamic iris which has improved perceived contrast up to the levels of DLP. All LCD projectors have one or more sponge or cloth intake filters. As a general rule of thumb, these filters must be cleaned or replaced after every 100-300 hours of projector use. Most LCD projectors use a metal halide source, which offers a very white light and a life of 750 - 4,000 hours or more. They typically do not burn out, but gradually grow dimmer, giving you plenty of warning that it’s time for a replacement. While LCD projectors may display a much brighter image than DLP in many cases - their transmissive design limits the amount of time they may be used in a set period.

Panasonic Widescreen LCD Home Theater Projector (PTAE1000U)

• 1920x1080 resolution
• 11000:1 contrast ratio
• 1100 ANSI Lumens
• Aspect Ratio: 16:9 native, Supports 4:3
• HDTV Compatibility: 480i, 480p, 576i, 576p, 720p, 1080i

Panasonic, the leader in HD home theater projection introduces the Panasonic PT-AE1000U - its first Full HD model! The Panasonic PT-AE1000U is a 1080p HD powerhouse and perfect for movies, for sports, for HDTV television, for video games, for the whole family! The Panasonic PT-AE1000U let's you feel like you are right in the movie with stunning images, deep blacks and vibrant colors only Panasonic can give you.Full HD-optomized Dynamic Iris with new algorithm.The projector offers a host of image optimizing features including a Dynamic Iris Optical system. The Dynamic Iris helps provide the deeper, richer blacks you need for true-to-life images. (retails for $5999)

Epson Powerlite 7900P LCD Projector

• 4000 Lumens Typical High Brightness Mode
• 700:1 Contrast
• 6.5 lbs
• Resolution: 1024 x 768 XGA
• lamp life of up to 2000 hours

The PowerLite 7900NL Multimedia Projector by Epson is ideal for handling presentations in large classrooms and conference rooms. With a brightness level of 4000 ANSI lumens and a true XGA (1024x768) resolution and contrast ratio of 700:1 you get incredible image quality. It delivers rich color saturation across the screen by employing the 3LCD technology. In addition it also provides 40 digital keystone correction, QuickCorner, WallShot which offers distortion-free images. EasyManagement technology facilitates convenient networking capability such as easy remote operation, centralized monitoring, maintenance and control over LAN. It also provides real-time information, via EMP Monitor software, SNMP, and E-mail notification, via SMTP. The PowerLite 7900NL also has theft-deterrent security features such as password protection and operation lock to assure your peace of mind. The Epson PowerLite 7900NL offers the ideal combination of power, versatility, incredible quality and performance.Aspect Ratio(s): 4:3; Supports 16:9
(retails for $4000)

InFocus ASK Proxima C160 LCD Projector

• 1700 ANSI Lumens
• 400 :1 Contrast
• 720p, 1080i, 576p Compatable
• Native: 1024x768 Pixels
• Aspect Ratio: 4:3 (XGA)

Whether you're on the road or in the office, with the C160 a powerful performance is guaranteed everywhere. Adapt it easily to meeting-rooms you never saw before. Integrate it with your office network without any hassle. This 1700-lumen projector will rise to the occasion in every environment, even if you decide to release it from all the cables with the optional LiteShow wireless solution. And with the user-friendly ProjectAbility design you only need a single fingertip to setup, use and expand this projector into one you can't be without. Lamp Life Cycle
2000 hour(s) Weight 7.5 lbs

Hitachi CP-X1200 LCD Projector

• 3500 Ansi Lumens
• 800:1 Contrast
• 2.0 lbs
• Native: 1024x768 Pixels -- Maximum: 1600x1200 Pixels
• Aspect Ratio: 4:3 (XGA)

The CP-X1200 LCD projector is designed for large-scale presentation venues such as auditoriums training centers and lecture halls an 80-seat classroom using dual projectors on two 12-foot screens. They are being used for laptop, document camera and video projection.The CP-X1200 and CP-X1250 series model projectors both offer XGA resolution (1024 x 768), exceptionally high brightness and a wide range of lens options for flexibility with any environment. The CP-X1250 series offers brilliant, crisp images at 4,500 ANSI lumens and an 800:1 contrast ratio, while the CP-X1200 series delivers 3,500 ANSI lumens and an 800:1 contrast ratio. Both projectors display images via a 1.5x zoom lens that can enable projection on screens up to 100 inches and are outfitted with a bayonet lens that can support up to four optional lenses for specific application needs based on the size and environment of a room.

Sanyo PLC-XW55 Projector

• 2000 Lumens
• 350:1 Contrast
• Native: 1024x768 Pixels -- Maximum: 1600x1200 Pixels
• Aspect Ratio: 4:3 (XGA)
• 6.4 lbs

weighs 6.4 pounds and delivers true XGA picture quality in a flexible go-anywhere system. Also, it may be ceiling or inverse mounted to meet numerous application needs. Short Through Lens with 1/2x to 16x Digital Zoom
Equipped with a short throw lens, PLC-XW55 can throw a crisp, bright 100-inch diagonal image from merely 11.0 feet away.

NEC NP2000 LCD Projector

• 4000 Lumens
• 800:1 Contrast
• Native: 1024x768 Pixels -- Maximum: 1600x1200 Pixels
• Aspect Ratio: 4:3 (XGA)

The NP2000 provides a suite of networking technologies and asset management features making it the perfect choice for any projector installation 3D reform and geometric software option for extreme projection solutions Five new optional lenses
Projection Distances 2.5ft to 68.5ft

Diagonal Image Size 25" to 500"
also supporst sxga and uxga but optomized for xga display features.

Sony VPL-CX86 LCD Projector

• 3000 Lumens
• 350:1 Contrast
• Native: 1024x768 Pixels -- Maximum: 1400x1050 Pixels
• Aspect Ratio: 4:3 (XGA)

Now with High Speed Wireless - Ideal for Meeting Room and Class Room Installations The VPL-CX86 incorporates Sony's enhanced Air Shot technology providing 802.11b/g wireless networking capability for even faster wireless presentation capability. The VPL-CX86 provides a brightness of 3000 ANSI lumens in a compact design suitable for almost any presentation application. The VPL-CX86 features Advanced Intelligent Auto Set-up functionality. The projector's extremely low fan noise (28dB) allows a speaker's points to be clearly nheard. This model is equipped with 2 RGB input connectors and 1 RGB monitor output connector for additional configuration flexibility. For example, educational presenters can simultaneously drive the projected image and their own computer monitor without requiring an external control system.