Mitsubishi XD90U: Specs, Features and Limitations

Originally launched in 2009, the Mitsubishi XD90U was a powerful XGA projector, ideally suited for business and classroom environments. It was priced in the mid-range for XGA projectors, starting at $2995. And for the price, the XD90U didn’t deliver an impressive spec sheet or features: There was no built-in audio, connections were limited, and the brightness output was just acceptable.

Mitsubishi XD90U Projector
Mitsubishi XD90U Projector

The projector did a few things right. For one, it was extremely lightweight and portable, weighing just 3 pounds. That’s considered great even by today’s standards. Plus, the images it projected were above average, with only a few limitations. And finally, the XD90U’s lamp performed well, lasting well over 2,000 hours.
Today, the projector – and Mitsubishi – is no longer in production. Yet, a reasonably priced used or overseas model might be great for at-home entertainment or classroom and business presentations.
XD90U: Quick Specs

  • Lumens: 1,500 ASNI Lumens
  • Contrast Ratio: 2,000:1
  • Native Resolution: XGA (1024×768)
  • Aspect Ratio: 4:3
  • Video Compatibility: S-Video, Composite, Component

Best Features of the XD90U
The best features of the XD90U: Impressive portability, above-average image quality, decent lamp life, and acceptable brightness.

Mitsubishi XD90U Rear Inputs
Mitsubishi XD90U Rear Inputs

  • Portability: At 3 pounds, the XD90U was super lightweight, making it ideal for portable home entertainment and multi-classroom presentations. Additionally, it measured about the size of a hardcover book, upping its portability. One limitation: It didn’t have lens shift capabilities, making this more difficult to fit to a specific screen.
  • Image Quality: Overall, with an output of 1,500 lumens, the XD90U’s images were bright and for the untrained eye, they would look crisp and clear. But with larger images, and in environments with ambient light, the details started to wash out and small text wasn’t clear.
  • Lamp Life: For an XGA projector released in 2009, the XD90U received average lamp life. The projector’s bulb was rated at 2,000 hours, which, although it would be considered below average today, was about par for the course at the time. Fortunately, the cost of maintenance is affordable. A replacement lamp for the Mitsubishi XD90U which is also known as part number VLT-XD90LP starts around $300.

Mitsubishi XD90U: Limitations
So you see there were things to like about the XD90U, but what were the limitations?

  • Mitsubishi Is No More: For one, Mitsubishi has dropped out of the projector market. This doesn’t reflect on the projector, but rather, it can make finding replacement hardware more difficult to locate. Fortunately, XD90U replacement bulbs are easy to find; but switches, power cords and circuits can be a challenge to track down.
  • No Sound or 3D: The XD90U didn’t have built-in sound or 3D capabilities. The lack of sound limits its use as a portable projector. 3D though is more of a concern for home video viewers; it’s not usually an issue for business and classroom presentations.

 

  • Limited Connections: There is no HDMI or USB port on the XD90U. That severely limits its capabilities, especially for those looking to hook this projector up to a Blu-ray or DVD player.

 
Overall, the XD90U does provide a range of useful features. But today, some of the technology seems dated. On the used market, it might be an ideal solution as a secondary TV-only projector, or for business presentations on a budget. But the price must be right.

BenQ MX602 Business Projector Review

BenQ is known for developing high-quality, great-value projectors, and the BenQ MX602 is the perfect example. It delivers impeccable image quality, with high brightness and life-like color, it’s eco-friendly with long-lasting lamp performance, accommodates a range of connections, it’s low-noise and the MX602 is affordable. Put simply: For an XGA projector, the MX602 is a powerful A/V machine that will help transform your presentations.

BenQ MX602 Projector
BenQ MX602 Projector

BenQ MX602: Quick Specs

  • 3,500 ASNI Lumens
  • 13,000:1 Contrast Ratio
  • XGA Native Resolution
  • 4:3 Aspect Ratio
  • HDMI, USB and S-Video Connections

Most Impressive Features and Specs
For a budget-friendly XGA projector, the MX602 offers a ton of upside. For starters, the projector utilizes BenQ’s innovative DLP technology to produce vibrant, razor-sharp images. Plus, the projector delivers a range of features that aren’t commonly available in budget XGA projectors. Here’s a look at the MX602’s best features:

  • Image Quality: The MX602 utilizes a range of technologies to produce high-quality, high-clarity images. For starters, BrilliantColor produces extremely life-like, saturated color. Additionally, the images are extremely bright – 3,500 ASNI lumens – and highly contrasted with a ratio of 13,000:1. With black-on-white text, the MX602’s impressive contrast ratio is evident, as text is crisp and clear. This projector is also ideal for pairing with laptops with XGA native resolution and 4:3 aspect ratio.
  • Lamp Life: Even in standard operating mode, the MX602 performs impressively, with a lamp life of 3,000 hours. But BenQ’s advanced eco-friendly operating modes and energy-saving features provide a huge boost. There are two eco settings: The first improves lamp life to 4,000 hours and the most advanced maximizing lamp life to 7,500 hours. Fortunately, a replacement lamp for the BenQ MX602 is fairly affordable, starting at about $250. The part number is also known as 5J.JD105.001.
  • Portability: This projector is extremely useful for classroom and business applications in which the projector moves around frequently. For starters, it weighs just 6 pounds and it’s about the size of a large dictionary. Plus, with keystone correction, it’s easy to adjust the image to fit the screen. Unfortunately, the projector isn’t equipped with lens shift or a powerful zoom, which does limit its portability.
  • Connections: In general, budget-friendly projectors are equipped with a limited range of connections, but that’s not the case with the MX602. The projector supports HDMI and USB A and mini-B connections, as well as S-Video and Composite Video connections. That means the projector can support Full HD video.
    BenQ MX602 Rear Inputs
    BenQ MX602 Rear Inputs

Pitfalls of the BenQ MX602
The MX602 doesn’t disappoint in many ways, but there are some features – or lack of features – that make this a less-desirable projector. One downfall is the lack of useable audio. The projector is equipped with a 2-watt monospeaker. That’s certainly at the low-end of the audio spectrum. Plus, the projector isn’t built for wireless networking and even with wired connections the MX602 poses problems.
In spite of these pitfalls, the MX602 does nail the core functionality of a projector: Providing high-quality images. The XGA projector produces vibrant, highly contrasted images that are better than those produced by similarly priced projectors. The bottom line: This is a useful XGA projector that can accommodate Full HD video, and it would be well-suited for many classroom and business environments.

Panasonic PT-DX100LK XGA Projector Review

The Panasonic PT-DX100LK is billed as a “large venue” projector, and it has a range of features that back up that claim. For starters, its dual lamp system delivers powerful brightness: 10,000 lumens. That’s ideal for large conference spaces, lecture halls and boardrooms.

Panasonic PT-DX100 Projector
Panasonic PT-DX100 Projector

But it’s more than just a super bright projector. For instance, the image quality is stellar. The projector utilizes Panasonic’s Dynamic RGB and Detail Clarity Processor 3, which helps it deliver high-quality, detailed images. Even the largest of images are crisp and clear with impressive color quality. Wait, there’s more! A range of options, including wired networking, Full HD video compatibility, and a stable of lenses make this system easy to integrate into your A/V infrastructure.
The DX100 is the top-of-line projector in Panasonic’s DZ870 Series, and it’s one of best XGA projectors available. As such, the PT-DX100 will set you back north of $7,000, but it’s a worthy investment, especially for business applications that require high-quality images in large venues. The projector is ideal for universities, houses of worship, and business conference environments. Here are some of the most impressive features:
Panasonic PT-DX100: Quick Specs

  • Brightness: 10,000 ASNI lumens; 8,000 lumens in Eco mode
  • Aspect Ratio: 4:3, aligns to most computer and standard TV
  • Contrast Ratio: 10,000:1 for crisp, detailed images
  • Connections: HDMI, wired networking, RS-232
  • Lamp Life: 1,000 hours in dual-lamp operating mode
  • Key Features: DIGITAL LINK, edge-bending, PC 3D Ready, High-Brightness Imaging, Single-Chip DLP-based

Panasonic PT-DX100: Key Features
The DX-100 is a powerful multimedia presentation tool. It’s built for large venues, providing substantial brightness. And with its robust networking tools, the projector can link up with several units, making it ideal for venues that have multiple projectors. Here’s a look at its most useful features:

Panasonic PT-DX100 Rear Inputs
Panasonic PT-DX100 Rear Inputs

  • Flexible Installation: The projector is available with a range of lenses, including several zoom lenses, a fixed long-throw lens, and even specialized short-throw lenses. Many projectors this size aren’t available with a dedicated short-throw lens, which is perfect for installations closer to the screen. In addition, the projector has remote-controlled lens shift capabilities, as well as the ability to be rotated 360 degrees, enabling a range of installations.
  • DIGITAL LINK and Networking: DIGITAL LINK enables more cost-effective installations with minimal cabling. Essentially, the system allows all inputs to be wired to a digital interface box, and then linked to the projector with one cable. This greatly reduces the amount of cables needed to connect with the screen. In addition, the system is equipped with a wired network connection, allowing devices and PCs to communicate with the projector via a LAN network.
  • Image Quality: With a 10,000 brightness rating with 90-percent uniformity, the images produced by the PT-DX100 are extremely bright, especially in large, moderately light venues. Additionally, a range of Panasonic image quality technologies including Dynamic RGB deliver impressive color performance and solid detail imaging.
  • Dual-Lamp System: The projector features two dual lamps that can be configured in a few different ways. For one, they can both operate simultaneously, allowing impressive brightness, but if one lamp fails, the system is still functional, with one lamp continuing to operate. Additionally, the lamps can be set to a relay system, with both lamps alternating output. This feature greatly improves lamp life. The projector lamp is also know as part number ET-LAD120PW.

Overall, the Panasonic PT-DX100 is an extremely useful and user-friendly presentation tool. With its long list of features and impressive brightness, it’s not a surprise the projector is a popular machine for large venue multimedia presentations. Compared to similarly priced XGA projectors, the DX100 is a useful projector; it’s definitely worthy of your consideration.
Need a replacement lamp for the Panasonic PT-DX100LK? MyProjectorLamps.com has you covered. We offer an unbeatable selection of replacement projector lamps, the best pricing and fast, on-time shipping to anywhere in North America.

Mitsubishi XD50U XGA Projector Review

For a projector launched all the way back in 2003, the Mitsubishi XD50U did a lot of things well.  Originally designed as a relatively high end home theater projector that was ultral light and portable, the XD50U came equipped with high components and it is the main reason why buyers have held on to them so long. The lightweight (just 3.4 pounds) projector delivered sharp, bright images, useful long-life from its 150-watt lamp, and it had a decent set of features. Of course, more than a decade later, the technology is certainly dated: like its lack of USB input or HDMI, boxy housing and in-efficient cooling system.

Mitsubishi XD50U Projector
Mitsubishi XD50U Projector

The XD50U has been out-of-production for nearly a decade, but many still use the projector as a secondary set-up. That makes sense: it’s a lightweight, useful piece of A/V hardware that delivers crisp, clear images. Plus, a used XD50U – which is a bit of a rarity to find – starts in the sub-$400 range. In other words, this is a useful projector that would certainly complement your existing hardware.
Mitsubishi XD50U: Quick Specs

  • Lumens: 1,500 ASNI lumens
  • Native Resolution: XGA (1024×768)
  • Maximum Resolution: SXGA (1280×1024)
  • Contrast Ratio: 1,500:1
  • Connections: RGB, Stereo, S-Video and Composite RCA

Mitsubishi XD50U: Pros
For a projector released in 2003, the XD50U performs well in terms of image and video production. Colors are vibrant and crisp, and the video motion is smooth. Here are some of the finer details:

  • Portability and Install Flexibility: For starters, the projector weighs just about 4 pounds. This was designed to be used for mobile presentations, making it an ideal business projector. Plus, the projectors dimensions are just about the size of a dictionary. Plus, it has a decent digital zoom and vertical keystone correction, making it easier to fit the image to the screen.
  • Superior Image Quality: The XD50U’s best quality: It produced detailed, high-quality images. It did have issues with color accuracy, with was a common complaint of early-2000s DLP-based projectors. Yet, the projector also delivered smooth moving pictures and the color temperatures were right on the mark.
    Mitsubishi XD50U Projector Inputs
    Mitsubishi XD50U Projector Inputs

Mitsubishi XD50U: Cons
It’s a challenge to look at the specs of a projector that’s more than a decade old. At the time, the technology was useful and innovative. Today, though, many of the features look dated. Here are a few of the projectors shortcomings:

  • Weak Audio Output: The projector was equipped with just a half-watt mono-speaker that delivered weak audio. That output wouldn’t compete in a noisy environment.
  • Average Lamp Output: The XD50U’s 1,500-lumen output was decent, providing bright images that would ideal for rooms with even average ambient light. Yet, the projector’s output, today, would be considered below average. The lamp part number is known as VLT-XD50LP.
  • Limited Connections: In 2003, HMDI was still to be developed; it wasn’t sold until late 2003. USB wasn’t as ubiquitous either. Yet, even so, the XD50U features a fairly weak line of connections. One feature that was innovative at the time was its CompactFlash card reader, which today sounds a little dated.

Looking for a replacement lamp for the Mitsubishi XD50U? MyProjectorLamps.com has you covered. We offer the best prices on XD50U replacement lamps, guarantee fast shipping throughout North America, and we offer only OEM-quality original lamps.

InFocus IN116X WXGA Projector Review

Looking for a budget-friendly home entertainment projector? Well, the InFocus IN116X might just be an ideal fit for you. Starting at $399, the IN116X is priced competitively. Plus, it’s equipped with a range of features that make it ideal for a number of different applications, including home entertainment.

Infocus IN116X Projector
Infocus IN116X Projector

As a budget projector, the IN116X does have some limitations; it doesn’t have a built-in audio speaker, for example. But that’s to be expected from a sub-$500 projector. Yet, there’s a lot to like. The DLP-based projector is ultra-low maintenance, with an average lamp life of 4,500 hours. Plus, the image quality is perfect for watching TV or Blu-Ray content in the 1280×800 widescreen resolution. This isn’t a Full HD projector; but it works nicely in the living room for home video at a fraction of the price of Full HD set-ups.
InFocus IN116X Rear Inputs
InFocus IN116X Rear Inputs

InFocus IN116X: Pros
There are a number of applications that the IN116X does particularly well. The projector is 3D ready, has an HDMI input to connect with a Blu-Ray player and other digital devices, and the image quality is impressive. Here are a few highlights:

  • Quality Brightness: The IN116X is rated at 3,200 ASNI lumens, which drops to 2,900 in eco-mode. That’s perfect for living rooms, which can be fairly dark but still let in some ambient light.
  • Impressive Lamp Life: Cost of ownership is low for the IN116X, thanks in a large part to the long lamp life of 4,500 in standard mode and up to 10,000 in its best power-saving mode. That’s far above average. The good news: The IN116X’s replacement lamp is a low-cost investment starting at $248. The part number is known as SP-LAMP-093.
  • Awesome Color Performance: Aided by InFocus’s BrilliantColor technology and a 15,000:1 contrast ratio, the IN116X delivers supreme color performance. The blacks are dark, the whites are brilliant white, and there’s substantial detail in the shadows.
  • Useful Connection Options: The projector is equipped with a range of connections including HDMI, S-Video, Composite, and VGA. Plus, there’s a 3.5 mm audio-out jack for easy connection to external audio.

InFocus IN116X: Cons
Although there’s a lot to like, the projector does have its limitations. It’s not equipped with the feature set you’re likely to see from a more expensive home theater projector, but fortunately, the limitations are few.

  • Occasional Rainbow Effect: As with many DLP-based projectors, the rainbow effect is occasionally present. Yet, it’s kept to a minimum, and the majority of users aren’t likely to notice.
  • Limited Set-Up Flexibility: The IN116X weighs just about 5 pounds, which is great for portability. But it doesn’t have lens shift capabilities, and it’s a long-throw projector. So in very tight spaces, this might not be the best piece of hardware.
  • No Built-In Audio: Many projectors these days are equipped with built-in audio, but that’s not the case with the IN116X. Fortunately, the projector has easy connections to external sound; but if you’re looking for a plug-and-play option, this might not be what you’re after.

Bottom line, at just about $400 new, the InFocus IN116X delivers quality performance, at a microscopic price. It might not have the most robust features, but if you’ll just be using this for home entertainment, it might just be an ideal set-up.

Vivitek D554 SVGA Multimedia Projector Review

Launched nearly two years ago, the Vivitek D554 is one of the latest iterations in the manfacturers’ D5 series. It’s a powerful SVGA projector that shares similarities with other D5 projectors like the D548, D551 and the D557. For example, it’s a DLP-based machine that delivers 3,000 lumens of brightness. That’s similar to other D5 projectors.

Vivitek D554 Projector
Vivitek D554 Projector

Additionally, the D554 can broadcast 3D images, it’s equipped with BrilliantColor technology, and can accommodate input from a range of connections including HDMI sources. In other words, the D554 is a powerful multimedia projection tool that’s well-suited for business and classroom presentations. Plus, it’s super portable, weighing just five pounds and with average zoom and image correction specifications.
If you’re on the market for an SVGA projector, the Vivitek D554 is a viable option that combines a range of functionality and an unbeatable price. From third-party sellers, the D554 starts at about $400, and used machines can be got for half of that. Pricing for new, capable projectors doesn’t get much more attractive than that.
Vivitek D554 Projector - Rear Inputs
Vivitek D554 Projector – Rear Inputs

Vivitek D554: Specifications and Features
There are a number of points that stand out, when looking at the D554’s spec sheet. First, is the brightness and contrast ratio. Images delivered by the D554 are bright, crisp and clear. Plus, additional features like its weight, lamp life and speaker add to the appeal. Here’s a look at some D554 specifications:

  • Long Lamp Life: For a DLP-based projector, the D554 – and more broadly, the entire D5 Series – achieves long-lasting performance from its lamp. The D554’s lamp is rated at 5,000 hours in standard operating mode, which is boosted up to 6,000 hours in economy mode. That keeps maintenance costs at a minimum. Fortunately, the D554 – which shares a replacement bulb and lamp module with the D548, D551, D552, D553, D555, D557 – has a low-cost replacement lamp. The Vivitek D554’s replacement lamp (part number 5811118154-SVV) can still be purchased at a great price.
  • Brightness and Contrast: Vivitek continues to produce powerful DLP projectors, and the D554 is a prime example. It delivers a 3,000-lumen image in the standard operating mode, which is ideal for spaces that don’t have control over ambient light. Fortunately, the brightness is matched with a 15,000:1 contrast ratio and BrilliantColor technology. The result is images that are precise, clear and color saturated, which is especially important in the lower resolution SVGA.
  • Additional Features: Image quality and lamp performance are amazing with the D554, but there are a range of great features that back it up. These include a 2W mono speaker. The audio isn’t powerful enough for noisy classrooms and small conference spaces. In these cases, you’d likely need an external audio set-up. But for small classrooms and boardrooms, the speaker is an ideal plug-and-play option. Additionally, the projector is equipped with wired networking, HDMI input, and Full 3D.
  • Super Lightweight: The D554 is ideal for on-the-go presentations due to its size. The projector weighs just 5 pounds, and it measures 3.7×10.8×8.4 inches. Plus, the projector has a 1.1:1 zoom ratio – not great, but useful – and digital keystone correction, which makes it easy to adapt the image to the screen.

Overall, the D554 – and other projectors in the D5 Series like the D548 – is a great SVGA projector. It delivers amazing images, a suite of useful features, and the price is right. For $400, the projector is budget friendly, but you won’t be sacrificing functionality for price. This is an ideal option for businesses or classrooms that need a SVGA machine.

Optoma H111 WXGA Multimedia Projector Projector Review

The Optoma H111 WXGA was released a little over a year ago, primarily in European and UK markets. It’s a powerful multimedia projector, which plenty of useful features and image specifications. Overall, it delivers bright images – rated at 3,200 ANSI lumens with 85 percent brightness uniformity – in WXGA widescreen resolution (1280×800).

Optoma H111 WXGA Projector
Optoma H111 WXGA Projector

Yet, it remains a budget-friendly business/classroom piece of hardware, and as such, the projector is limited in a few areas. For portability – one of the most important factors for business and classroom projectors – the H111 offers limited options for zoom and vertical and horizontal image correction. Fortunately, though, it weighs just 5.5 pounds, making it lightweight enough to port around from classroom to classroom. Another limitation: Advanced features like Full HD projection and WiFi connectivity are not offered with the H111.
Overall, though, the Optoma H111 delivers a large enough suite of features to make this an extremely useful multimedia projector. Images are bright, it is 3D compatible and the range of connections supports source material from just about any device. It might be a bit limited in some areas, but for the most part, the H111 delivers exactly what you’ll need for basic to intermediate presentations.
Optoma H111 WXGA Projector - Inputs
Optoma H111 WXGA Projector – Inputs

A Closer Look at the Optoma H111
From image quality to maintenance costs, the H111 looks great on paper. And with a fairly reasonable price starting north of £500, users get a lot of bang for their buck. Here are a few of the most impressive features and specs:

  • Brightness and Contrast: At 3,200 lumens of brightness in standard mode, the H111 is certainly a bright and capable projector. That’s bright enough to counteract ambient light. Additionally, the projector has a dynamic contrast ratio of 25,000:1, providing crisp, clear images with fine details.
  • Lamp Life: In standard mode, the Optoma H111 lamp achieves 3,000+ hours of operation. The maximum in economy mode is 7,000 hours, which is much higher than average. Fortunately, the H111 has a low cost of ownership; replacement lamps for the Optoma H111 start at $254.  The lamp part number is also known as PAW84-2400.
  • Built-In Speakers: The H111 is equipped with dual speakers, which provide crisp and useable audio in small to mid-sized environments. Louder spaces, like noisy classrooms or conference halls, will likely need to connect to an external audio source.
  • Useful Connections: With two USB connections and an HDMI input, the Optoma H111 can handle input video and audio from a variety of devices. There are a series of PC cable inputs, as well as S-Video and RGA connections.
  • 3D Video Ready: In small business presentations, 3D video and imaging is possible with the HD111. The biggest caveat: 3D glasses are not included with the shipped H111.

One of the biggest downfalls of the H111, though, is its inability to display Full HD content. The H111 provides video up to 1080i, which is one level below Full HD. 1080i video, though, can show motion blur. In addition, the projector has limited installation flexibility, thanks to average zoom and lens shift capabilities, as well a bare-bones suite of networking tools.

Digital Projection's E-Vision WXGA 600 Projector Review

As the original Digital Projection International E-Vision projector, the WGXA 600 was the manufacturer’s successful attempt to market more cost-effective, yet powerful commercial projectors. A lot has changed since this projector was unveiled at InfoComm 2010. Yet, the current DPI E-Vision line-up shares a lot of the same technology with this original incarnation.
The E-Vision line-up and the WXGA 600 all share a dual-lamp, single-chip DLP design. The E-Vision projectors all have impressive lumen outputs suitable for large venues. They all have an impressive range of compatible lenses. And they’re all fairly cost-effective compared to similar commercial projectors.

Digital Projection E-Vision WXGA 600 Projector
Digital Projection E-Vision WXGA 600 Projector

Yet, when compared to the current line-up, the E-Vision WXGA 600 shows signs of aging. It has limited 3D capabilities, for instance, and the lumen output was upgraded in 2012, when the 600 was replaced by the E-Vision 7000. Even so, the 600 paved the way for DPI’s E-Vision line-up, and it remains a powerful projector still in use in many large venues, including houses of worship and corporate conference spaces. So what was so great about the WXGA 600?
Brightness, Color Options, Long Lamp Life and Lens Options

  • 6,000 ASNI Lumens: The brightness – for the price – was one thing that set this projector apart from the competition in 2010. At 6,000 lumens, the output was, and still is, perfect for large venues with ambient light. Today, the competition is catching up, but the DPI WXGA 600 was one of the first to make that level of brightness affordable.
  • Long Lamp Life: Even at 6,000 lumens, the E-Vision WXGA 600 achieved a fairly long lamp life. In standard mode, the projector was rated at 2,000 hours. In single-lamp eco mode, lamp life was extended out to 6,000 hours. That’s pretty impressive. Unfortunately, due to the dual-lamp construction, the E-Vision WXGA 600’s replacement lamp isn’t as cost-effective compared to single-lamp projectors. Yet, considering the initial investment, it’s a small price to pay to extend the life of the machine. The DPI replacement for this projector – Part No. 110-284 – starts at $484.99.
  • Color Wheel Options: There were two color wheel offerings for this projector: a 4-segment and 6-segment wheel. The former was the pre-installed version, and users could quickly interchange the wheels, based on their preferences. As you would suspect, the 4-segment wheel option provided a more pared-down color palate, while the 6-segment wheel added richness and depth (with a slight drop in brightness.) Not to mention, calibration for both was extremely user-friendly. Today, most E-Vision projectors are available with two different 6-segement wheels.
  • Lots of Lens Options: Thanks to a range of zoom lens as well as a fixed lens, the WXGA 600 had a massive throw ratio range of .77:1 to 8.3:1. This allowed venues to customize their installation to fit their particular space, which is important considering the 45-pound projector isn’t all that portable. Today’s line-up has an even more expanded lens collection, with similar zoom and fixed offerings.

Comparing the WXGA 600 to DPI’s Current E-Vision Line-Up
In 2012, the WXGA 600 was replaced by the E-Vision 7000, which added a few new specs. Lumen output was boosted up to 6500, and the 7000 added 3-D capabilities. Although the E-Vision 7000 was recently replaced by 7500, which added an optional WUXGA capability, HDMI connectivity and useful picture-in-picture options, the WXGA 600 shares a lot of similarities with the 7500 – including the two color-wheel functionality, similar lamp life, and lens options. In other words, even today, the WXGA 600 is very competitive with some current E-Vision projectors and it would be a cost-effective used or refurbished purchase for larger venues.

Epson PowerLite Pro Z9900WNL Projector Review

The PowerLite Pro Z9900 boasts some incredible specs thanks to its 3LCD technology: 9,200 lumens of brightness, 3x Brighter Colors, and surprisingly, a contrast ratio of 15,000:1. Due to its image quality specs, the Z9900 is one of the most impressive WXGA resolution projectors on the market, and there are a lot of reasons it’s a favorite in university classrooms, large venues and houses of worship.

Epson Powerlite Pro Z9900WNL Projector
Epson Powerlite Pro Z9900WNL Projector

For starters, the projector delivers professional-grade image quality and long-lasting reliability. Plus, the feature list goes on and one: Curved Edge Blending, an array of easy-install optical lenses, a wide range of connection options, etc. It’s one of the premier widescreen projector. As such, the price is steep. The Z9900 starts north of $14,000 MSRP. Yet, that makes sense; it’s a specialized machine that delivers unparalleled performance.
Epson PowerLite Pro Z9900WNL: Quick Specs

  • Brightness: 9,200 Lumens
  • Contrast Ratio: 15,000:1
  • Lamp Life: 1,000 – 4,000 hours
  • Optics: 3-chip LCD
  • Price: $14,299.99

A Powerful WXGA Projector: The PowerLite Pro Z9900WNL
The advantages of 3LCD technology include brighter images, more vibrant colors and increased reliability, as there are no moving parts within the optics system. The Z9900 delivers on all three. It’s a very bright WXGA projector, delivering 9,200 lumens of brightness with 90 percent uniformity. That’s one reason the Z9900WNL performs well in large spaces, even when ambient light is a concern.

Epson Powerlite Pro Z9900WNL - Inputs
Epson Powerlite Pro Z9900WNL – Inputs

In addition, color performance is also superior with 3LCD projectors. The PowerLite achieves 3X Brighter Color compared to single-chip DLP-based projectors, with a color brightness of 9,200 lumens as well. The colors are vibrant and saturated, and images jump off the screen. Other great features include:

  • Versatile Connections: The PowerLite Pro Z9900 accommodates a number of devices with a range of ports. Options included: HDMI, USB A and USB B, two PC inputs, HDBase-T, and DVI, among others. Additionally, the projector is equipped for wired or wireless networking.
  • Flexible Installation: Thanks to the array of available optical lenses, the Z9900 can be adjusted to fit into just about any space. There are seven available lenses, including ultra-zoom, long-throw, and wide-throw lenses. Plus, the projector is equipped with lens shift, enabling the image to be adjusted to fit the screen.
  • Portrait Mode: Portrait mode enables the projector to be turned 90-degrees for special projection designs. This is commonly used for digital signage displays, in performance spaces, and in museums and art galleries. Another useful feature, Edge Bending, allows multiple projectors to be used to overlap images, and the brightness of the overlapping images is adjusted so there are no bright spots.
  • Long-Lasting Performance: The dual-lamp Z9900WNL achieves average lamp life – 1,000 in normal mode and up to 4,000 hours in economy mode – lamp part number ELPLP81 . Although its shorter, on average, compared to DLP-based projectors, it’s to be expected considering the lumen output. One advantage, though, is that the Z9900 is a 3LCD projector. So there are no moving parts within the optical cage. This greatly reduces wear and tear over time. Finally, the projector is backed by a 3-year warranty and a 90-day bulb warranty – adding to its overall value.

Overall, the Z9900 delivers powerful performance in WXGA widescreen. It’s ideal for large-scale venues, and it’s versatile. The projector can be used for presentations and lectures, as well as innovative digital displays. The projector’s biggest downfall is the price. 3LCD projectors remain on the higher end of the budget spectrum. But if it’s in the budget, this would be a valuable consideration for any organization.
 

Hitachi CP-A352WN Multimedia Projector Review

As a 3LCD projector, the Hitachi CP-A352WN enjoys some advantages over business DLP-based machines. First, the CP-A352’s 3LCD lamp achieves a brightness rating of 3,500 lumens. That’s substantially brighter than similarly priced DLP projectors. The reason: 3LCD projectors typically perform better in brightness tests, thanks to their light creation technology. Secondly, the CP-A352 is immune to rainbow artifacts, which is a common video problem with budget single-chip DLP machines.

Hitachi CP-A352WN Projector
Hitachi CP-A352WN Projector

Overall, the CP-A352WN is a solid multimedia projector. It has built-in audio, provides a robust suite of wired networking options, achieves long-lasting lamp performance, has a range of connections, and is capable of PC-less presentations. Plus, it’s an ultra-short throw projector – capable of delivering an 80-inch image from about 1.5 feet from the screen – which is super important for small spaces like classrooms and boardrooms.
Even though the Hitachi CP-A352 has been out of production since September 2014, it remains a viable option for business and classroom presentations. Fortunately, new versions are still available online, starting at around $1,399, and that makes the CP-A352 even more attractive as a replacement multimedia projector.
Specs and Features: Hitachi CP-A352WN

  • Brightness: 3,500 lumens
  • Contrast Ratio: 4,000:1
  • Connections: HDMI, USB A x 2, USB B, S-Video, 2 PC connections, LAN, RCA, and more
  • Audio Output: Built-in 16-watt speaker
  • Weight: 4 lbs
  • Native Resolution: XGA (1024×768), Max Resolution (1600×1200)

The Hitachi CP-A352 is a utilitarian business tool, and the projector’s feature set highlights this no-frills design. For instance, wired networking, PC-less presentations and even wireless presentations (with an available adapter) are all possible. While image quality is about average, more advanced image features like PC 3D capabilities, optional lenses, and lens shift, aren’t available. In other words, if you’re looking for a machine for regular video and highly defined images, this might not be the best option for you.

Hitachi CP-A352WN - Inputs
Hitachi CP-A352WN – Inputs

Here are a few other things you can expect from the CP-A352:
Powerful Networking Features. There are a range of options when it comes to networking. First, the projector can be wired into a local network, enabling the projector to be controlled remotely. When networked, the CP-A352 can pull data and presentations from other computers on the network. Plus, an available USB adapter makes it possible for presenters to do wireless presentations, essentially drawing the slides from an office computer.
Lamp Performance. LCD lamps tend to outperform standard UHP lamps, lasting longer overall. But the Hitachi CP-A352 does not have an LCD lamp, instead it uses 3 LCD panels for light creation. The projector is powered by a UHP, 215-watt bulb that delivers 2,500 lumens of brightness in standard operating mode. In the energy-saving mode, the lamp life is extended to 4,000 hours. Fortunately, the Hitachi CP-A352 replacement lamp starts at $222 – part no. DT01411 – a small investment in improved performance.
Image Quality. Overall, image performance is solid for the CP-A352. 3LCD projectors tend to have lower contrast, compared to DLP-based units, but with a contrast ratio of 4,000:1, the Hitachi performs well. The images are crisp, and the colors are saturated. Video performance is also decent, but as a 3LCD projector, a slight motion blur can be noticeable during videos. If you’ll be showing lots of videos, you might consider a DLP alternative.
Portability. At just 8 pounds, the projector can be taken just about anywhere. Its body is slightly larger than DLP based projectors (3x13x12), but remains reasonably small. In addition, the ultra-short throw lens, makes it possible to fit this projector into even the tightest of spaces.
Bottom line, the Hitachi CP-A352 is a decent 3LCD projector that provides a ton of business flexibility. As a 3LCD set-up, it has its advantages and limitations – i.e. reduced quality video, less contrast. But in all, it performs extremely well and offers a range of features. For standard business or classroom presentations, there’s a lot of value in the CP-A352.