robert j

Hi, my father is a salesman and rather than carrying samples around would like to tie a projector up to his laptop to show clients product. I know you guys are wizards in the projector field. Can you please help as to what might be appropriate, good, portable. What best to look for in a projector. Many thanx.

From me.

pcdoctor

www.projectorcentral.com
(Check projectorcentral.com to see if a projector has been discontinued)

www.pricegrabber.com
(use to find the lowest price for a projector)

http://www.boxlight.com/projectors/

http://www.infocus.com/

http://www.necvisualsystems.com/

If I were to purchase a new projector I would either get an NEC or Infocus dlp.
If dlp is too costly, lcd is fine.

http://www.projectorsuperstore.com/m...5&showDetail=1

http://www.projectorsuperstore.com/m...1&showDetail=1

http://www.projectorcentral.com/proj...m?part_id=1908

You might be able to borrow your Dad's projector and use it for home theater.
If this is the case, look for an lcd or dlp that can be ceiling mounted. (turned upside down)

robert j

Hi,

Thanks for the links. Don't think it will be used as a home theater tool. What are the things to look for. What's a respectable contrast ratio and why. Can you put different Lumens outputs into practical terms for me. How much better and truer is the DLP than the LCD. He's going to be displaying mostly photographs in the beginning. I'm sure as time goes on, he'll get interested in something more sophisticated.

Josh Z

All of your questions are dependant on what uses the projector is needed for. If just displaying photographs for a presentation, you can probably get away with a lot of slack in the visual area. Most of us here are interested in projectors for home theater purposes and have stricter requirements.

As a general rule, LCD projectors are better with colors but DLP is better with contrast (LCD projectors simply cannot produce anything resembling a true black). Of course, the budget you are planning to spend dictates the quality of image you'll get.

I second the recommendation for checking out the articles at Projector Central. That web site is very helpful. Also take a look at the projector forums at AVS Forum, as there are a lot more projector people hanging out there than here.

gotapex

What's his budget?

robert j

The LP130 sounds very very close to what we're looking for, but the Lumens output sounds low. He wants something nearly exactly like that but one that can display without shutting off the lights. I'm assuming the 1100 Lumens (rated an actual 800 by Pc Magazine) won't be enough.

The budget range is not set in stone. He thought it would be 3000-4000, I pointed out getting a very good projector for $2000 is not an unreasonable propposition.

gotapex

Hmm, that's a very good budget. I'd personally suggest a minimum of XGA native resolution and 1500 lumens for LCD or 1800 lumens for DLP (DLP's appear a tad dimmer at the same given ANSI lumen rating).

With his budget, the NEC LT260 (just over $3k) comes to mind.

NEC LT260



XGA native DLP with sealed optics.
12 degree single chip DMD w/2x colorwheel
2100 ANSI lumens
1300:1 on/off contrast
6.4 lbs
<32dB fan noise normal mode, <29dB in econo mode

Here's another choice, for $2600, the Sharp NoteVision PG-M20X:

Sharp NoteVision PG-M20X



XGA native DLP
12 degree single chip DMD w/3x colorwheel
1900 ANSI lumens
1000:1 on/off contrast, 800:1 ANSI contrast
5.8 lbs
37dB fan noise
DVI capabilities

If you need something smaller, there's the HP XB31 ($2700 or so):

HP XB31



XGA native DLP
12 degree single chip DMD w/2x colorwheel
1500 ANSI lumens
1800:1 on/off contrast, 450:1 ANSI contrast
3.5 lbs
?dB fan noise

Josh Z

The LT-240 is nearly the same projector with slightly less lumens and can be gotten for a little under $3k. It also has a shorter throw distance, which is helpful for small room applications.

This is what I have. I'm sure it would be great for business purposes, but it's also damn good for home theater. Robert, when your father's not using it you can sneak off with it and watch DVDs!