[ This is a re-post from our September Projector People Post Business Edition Newsletter ]

We’ve been talking a lot about new $999 entry level home theater projectors lately. But projection innovation is not limited to the home theater frontier. Business projectors now include more brightness for less cash, broader feature sets on entry level projectors, and a big trend towards adding affordable widescreen technology. Wider aspect ratios have been making their way, slowly but surely, into the world of business presentations, churches, schools, and other large venue applications. But what are the advantages of widescreen technologies for business? Is it time to convert for business too?

Why Go Wide?

As home televisions have been stretched to 16:9 resolution, viewers are becoming more and more used to the widescreen image. Back at work, the 4:3 image is starting to look a little square. But there are more reasons than familiarity to change your perspective. Here are just a few :

• Meatier messages – More words and characters bullet point
• More image in tight spaces – Particularly offices with 8-foot ceilings and 3-foot tables
• Waste less image space when used with widescreen laptops
• 4:3 images still work nicely in the 16:10 frame so older tools don’t have to be replaced
• Widescreen weekend – Crossover projecting for weekend HDTV projection fun

If any of these benefits appeal to you, then you will also be happy to know that your selection of 16:10 (and 16:9) products has been increasing, slowly but surely, each year. Price points have also been reduced as competition increases in the widescreen space.

Some Well-Priced Widescreen Business Projectors

• NEC NP500WS – $849* [ WXGA (1280 x 800), 2100 lumens, short-throw lens, 7.3 lbs. ]
• Sanyo PLC-WXE45 – $1395 [ WXGA (1280 x 800) resolution, 2000 lumens, 7.5 lbs. ]
• NEC NP3151W – $3,499* [ WXGA (1280 x 800) resolution, 4000 lumens, wireless capable ]
• Mitsubishi WL6700U – $7995** [ WXGA (1366 x 800 pixels) resolution, 5000 lumens ]

* Prices are after rebate.
** Additional discounts may apply.

Find more here with our Projector Finder tool!

As always, if you have more questions about 16:10 projectors, or any projectors, call us today

[ Repost of our Projector People Post Business Edition Tech Newsletter ]

If you’ve been shopping on auction sites for a low priced projector, it’s time to wise up. Right now you can get a new projector for the price of a replacement lamp or a dim old clunker on an eBay. But how do you know if you’re getting a deal with your low priced projector? Here’s what you need to know..

Business Projectors Under $999

So what are your options now for under $999? You can expect to find a wide range of options under $999 these days. Just to give you an idea of how far your money can go, here are a few of the specification ranges you can expect for your business projector dollar. You can also do your own product filtering using our Projector Finder tool. It will help you search by resolution, brightness, price, and a number of features.

What You Get For $999 or Less

• Brightness : 1000 – 3000 lumens
• Weight : as light as 2.4 lbs. (typically in the 4-10 lbs. range)
• Contrast : Up to 2000:1 (for business projectors, 10000:1 or less in Home Theater under $999)
• Keystone Correction : Available on many models
• Short Throw Lens : Available on select models
• HDMI 1.3 connection : Not common
• Component video : Available on many models
• Widescreen Format : Available on many models

So that’s a quick look at features to expect in a $999 projector today. If we haven’t covered something of specific interest to you, call a Projector Expert for more information. We have over 100 options in sub $1000 projectors. In fact, our projector options at $999 were so vast, we created a Projectors Under $699 page for the serious bargain seeker.

Pico Projectors

These are a category of projector that did not exist until a year ago. These tiny low-priced projectors lack the brightness of a true presentation projector, but they may be the direction of presentations future. They range around $200-$350 and they are small enough to fit in your pocket, though they will be a touch bulky in your tight pants. Here’s a list of pico projectors we sell.

New Home Theater Projectors Under $999

And if you haven’t heard the news yet, there are some true HD (1080p) home theater projectors coming soon. These new $999 home theater projectors make front projection a more affordable option for restaurants, sports bars, and other entertainment facilities. There is also an opportunity for those who have slipped behind after the digital transition to get up to date for less.

Vintage Projector People Deals

Just for fun, let’s take a look back at what a similar projector would have cost you a few years ago. We’ve run a number of stories about how much brighter, cheaper, and better projectors are now compared to “just a few years ago” so here are some examples for you. Each of these examples below were (I promise) competitively priced projectors at the time of the deal.

October 1999

• Proxima DP6810 [ XGA, 900 lumens, 200:1 contrast ]
• $4,999.00

April 2001

• Sony VPL-VW10HT [ WXGA (1366 x 768), 1000 lumens, contrast not specified ]
• $5,199.00 (We actually had a very long waiting list for this projector at this price!)

June 2004

• NEC LT170 [ XGA, 1500 lumens, 3.9 lbs. ]
• $1,699.00

January 2007

• Panasonic PT-LB50U [ XGA, 2000 lumens, 400:1 contrast ]
• $1,299.00

August 2009

• Sony PLV-EX70 [ XGA, 2600 lumens, 900:1 contrast ]
• $749.00

The Good News

Will projectors cost $300 in 2 years? Moore’s Law would indicate “yes”. But “maybe” is always a safer guess. The tiny pocket projectors on the market today are very cool, but they are not even close the brightness and performance of today’s presentation projectors. New laser projection technology, or improved DLP and LCoS pico systems may make pocket projectors the wave of the future. But we won’t know how much they will cost until they are fully developed. So, barring the sudden emergence of a new technology, low-priced LCD and DLP projectors really can’t get much cheaper. And if you’re in the market for a projector, your dollar is going farther than ever before. And that’s good news.

As always, if you have more questions about our business and home theater projectors under $999, please contact a Projector Expert today!

Is DisplayLink the Missing Link (to an easy presentation)?

InFocus is on the move with some great new projector technology in their latest line of portable projectors. The IN3100 line (see short list below) includes one of the cooler new technologies to come to projectors in years – DisplayLink. You might also hear this referred to as “content over USB”. So why is this technology cool and how is it the Missing Link to easy presentations? Read on… or watch our video with Benjamin Joy from InFocus discussing DisplayLink.

Watch and learn about InFocus DisplayLink technology.

Travel Lighter

If you travel with your projector, you know that while cables are small, they can still add some bulk and weight to your carry bag. And the largest cable most Road Warriors have to travel with is the old standard VGA cable. It may not weigh a full pound, but it’s pretty bulky as cables go. With new DisplayLink technology, you can leave the big VGA cable at home and replace it with a much smaller and lighter USB 2.0 connector. It’s the same kind of USB cable you use for many digital cameras or PDAs with the smaller end connecting to the projector, and the larger end coming out of your computer.

Even More Pluggier and Player

Beyond traveling lighter, you also get some improved usability with DisplayLink products. When you plug in your USB cable into the computer and projector, the DisplayLink technology is smart enough to determine the best matching resolution automatically. It also magically determines how to mirror the content on laptop and projector when possible. That question alone, according to Ben Joy, InFocus Product Manager, accounts for about 80% of their tech support calls. And here at Projector People, we get that question all the time too. So, if you’re a projector rookie, this is a feature that will spare you some first-time frustration.

Is It Tricky to Set Up?

It doesn’t seem to be. The software for the DisplayLink technology is loaded on the projector, so all you do is plug in the cable and the software comes directly off the projector to your laptop. You can get the software on as many computers as you want, there is no limit as there sometimes is with wireless software. And, with multi-display capability, you can connect up to six projectors at once from one computer. This feature also allows users to present content from multiple sources during meetings, making it very handy for videoconferences and collaborative meetings where two or more inputs need to be shown simultaneously.

Now Mac Compatible!

In January of 2009, InFocus announced that their DisplayLink technology is now Mac compatible. That’s a good thing since many tech support teams don’t know how to troubleshoot for Apple computers.

[ See all InFocus Projectors here» and a selection of InFocus projectors with DisplayLink below ]

• InFocus IN3102
• InFocus IN1102
• InFocus IN3106
• InFocus IN1100

So, DisplayLink looks to be about as Plug and Play as you can get. And since it’s built-in to the new line of InFocus portable projectors, just about any new InFocus portable should have it. Ask your Projector Expert for details.

[ This is a reprint of our Business Edition Projector People Post Newsletter sent this month. We publish our tech stories here, but newsletter subscribers will get the messages sooner and will receive additional information including our Top Five best selling projectors, presentation tips, or customer home theater examples. Sign up here. ]

Writing inspiring copy about why you should buy a projector is no easy task this holiday season. With belts and wallets tightening and a challenging outlook for next year, we know your projection needs might not be at the top of your list. But for those of you who do have a little bit of budget left to invest in your business, or who are looking for a great excuse to stay in and save – we are now offering our deepest discounts ever on a wide selection of projectors in our Inventory Clearance Sale. And just to be sure you spend your hard-earned money on the right stuff, we have put together a quick and easy buyers guide for you.

Business Projection Savings Guide

Projectors for business are now more versatile then ever before. There are now network ready projectors available from just about every major manufacturer and most of the kinks and glitches from the first generation products have been smoothed out. Wireless projection has not come as far as we might have hoped, but is more than adequate for business presentations without video. Both wireless and network technology can save you money. Wireless, obviously saving you the cost of cables, and adding a projector to a network allows for more efficient management. And, of course, the best news is that both features have also become less expensive since their introduction. But wireless and network compatibility are extra features that can be elminated in the interest of savings. Here is a quick look at what can’t.

The Basics of Business Projection : Fast and Easy

Brightness

Room Size	Lumens Suggested
Small Conference Room	2000 lumens
Large Conference Room	3000 lumens
Auditorium / Classroom	3500 lumens

SAVINGS TIP : Don’t buy more lumens than you need unless you plan to use the projector in multiple locations. Darker rooms with controlled lighting may require less brightness than specified above. Ask a Projector Expert if you have a question about your environment.

Resolution

Resolution	Recommended Usage
SVGA	Only for use with older sources such as VCRs, older computers, etc.
XGA	A better choice for 4:3 sources such as NTSC DVD players, many laptop computers.
WXGA	Best for widescreen laptops
SXGA+	Best for applications that require high-detail

SAVINGS TIP : An SVGA projector might cost a hundred bucks less in the short run, but as technology progresses it may not be supported by newer sources (computers, etc.). If you have 4:3 sources, investing in XGA will be more “future-proof.”

Connectivity

Connection Type	Good to Have Because
Dual VGA / component	flexibility. Most common connection type.
HDMI	Playing video. Common on newer video sources – DVD players, etc.
S-Video	A back-up for older video sources. Particularly useful in school settings.

SAVINGS TIP : If you plan to sneak the projector home on weekends for some movies and gaming, an HDMI connection is a plus. However, a dual component / VGA connection will do the trick if your source (receiver, gaming system, DVD player) has component video out.

OUR CLEARANCE BUSINESS PROJECTORS

• ASK Proxima C445 [ XGA resolution, 3500 lumens ] save $200
• Hitachi CP-X807 [ XGA resoution, 5000 lumens ] save $50
• NEC VT700 [ XGA resolution, 3000 lumens ] save $150
• Sanyo PLC-XU56 [ XGA resolution, 2500 lumens ] save $400
• View full list here of deep discounted projectors

So there you have just a few of the basics of business projection. Still have questions? Call a Projector Expert for more advice and information. Now we’ll touch on cross over and home theater products. Watch for a more comprehensive Home Theater Guide on our blog next friday.

Cross Over Projector Guide

There are fewer manufacturer specifically targeting the cross over buyer these days. That is partially because most business projectors do a reasonable job producing video, particularly for those who are not picky about their image. And now with more widescreen business projector options, you can even get true widescreen (and even HD) images from a business projector. The video quality, however, is not (even close to) optimized. The greatest advantage of a cross over projector is probably the brightness. Home theater projectors are tweaked out to produce higher contrast ratios (deep blacks and rich colors) and sacrifice brightness to achieve them. Here’s the quick list of things to look for in a cross over projector.

What to Look for in a Cross Over Projector : Quick Look

• WXGA (720p) resolution
• HDMI connection
• Lens shift / zoom lens
• Better video scaling technology (promotional materials usually mention it if applicable)
• Contrast ratio of 2500:1 or better

Of course, for those who are not particular about the image, just about any projector will reproduce decent video and a very big image.

SAVINGS TIP : Manufactures who make both business and home theater projectors are more likely to have a good video processor in them, as are projectors with a widescreen native chip in them.

OUR CLEARANCE CROSS OVER PROJECTORS

• NEC NP901W [WXGA resolution, 2000 lumens ] save $100
• Panasonic PT-AX200U [WXGA-H resolution, 2000 lumens ] save $50
• Mitsubishi WL639U [WXGA resolution, 3500 lumens ] save $300
• View full list here of deep discounted projectors

HD Home Theater Guide

Here’s a quick look at what to look for in a home theater projector. We are just hitting on the basics, since we will be covering this more fully in the Home Theater version of our newsletter next week. Check our blog next Friday afternoon if you are interested in reading more about HDTV projectors. Until then, here is our quick take on what to look for in a home theater projector.

Resolution

Resolution	Good to Have Because
HD (1080p)	Offers the best readily available image for the money.
WXGA-H (720p)	720p native projectors can typically scale to 1080p, but with some artifacts. Many HD channels broadcast 720p native signals.
WVGA (480p)	Good for backyard theaters or kids rooms. Not HD.

SAVINGS TIP : If your primary source (receiver, cable box, DVD, gaming system) is not 1080p, you may do just as well with a less expensive 720p projector. However, if you are likely to upgrade in the future, 1080p provides a significantly better image.

Resolution

Room Type	Recommended Brightness
Small Theaters	1000 lumens (or more)
Large Theaters	1500 lumens (or more)
Outdoor Theaters	1500 lumens (or more)
Media Rooms	2000 lumens (or more)

SAVINGS TIP : Controlled lighting will make all the difference in the world in a home theater space. Lower lumen projectors can produce a great looking image in a dark room. However if you want to leave the lights on, more lumens are worth the investment.

OUR CLEARANCE HOME THEATER PROJECTORS

• Optoma DV11 [ WVGA resolution, 1500 lumens, built-in DVD ] save $100
• Panasonic PT-AX200U [ WXGA-H resolution, 2000 lumens ] save $50
• Panasonic PT-AE2000U [ HD 1080p resolution, 1500 lumens ] save $100
• Mitsubishi HC5500 [ HD 1080p resolution, 1200 lumens ] save $300 plus $500 rebate
• View full list here of deep discounted projectors

That’s all we will cover in this newsletter, but watch out our Projector People Blog for a more comprehensive Home Theater Guide next Friday. We’ll discuss the value of 1080p projectors beyond resolution, discuss screen sizes, and much more. Thanks for tuning in!

And if we don’t see you before, here’s wishing you a Happy Holiday and a Wonderous New Year!