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Projector Review: Panasonic PT-F300U

Since its initial release in 2009, the Panasonic PT-F300U has become a popular choice for presenters, in conference spaces and by governmental and military organizations. The reason: The F300 delivers a bright image and long-lasting durability. Plus, its ease of installation makes it easy to adapt the F300 to an existing mount, and thus, it’s commonly used to replace old worn-out machines.
Currently, the Panasonic F300U is out-of-production, but it available by a variety of resellers. You can find refurbished and used Panasonic F300Us available – which is why we wanted to review this set-up. Today, the F300 remains a reliable piece of hardware that delivers a bright, crisp image – there isn’t much more you’d need from a basic projector. Unfortunately, there are a few minor grievances regarding the F300U. It is an aging piece of hardware, and as such, some of the connections and networking capabilities are dated or nonexistent. Yet if you need a projector for basic multimedia presentation, a used or refurbished F300U has a lot of up-side, and you’ll likely save quite a bit of money.

Panasonic PT-F300U Projector
Panasonic PT-F300U Projector

Panasonic PT-F300U: Pros and Useful Features

Even though, the F300U is now about five years old, the projector provides many of the functionalities that you receive from today’s more-expensive projectors. It starts with a bright image that’s equipped with Panasonic’s daytime viewing technology. That means the F300U is suitable for environments with higher levels of ambient light. Advantages include:

  • Image Quality and Brightness: With a brightness rating up to 4,000 lumens, the F300U provides a lot of light for the price. Plus, the projector is equipped with Epson’s Daylight View 5 technology that boasts the image output based on the level of ambient light. The result is a crisp, clear image with tons of detail and vivid color display. Additionally, the projector supports a variety of inputs including Full HD and SD video. Plus, for the brightness, the Panasonic achieves an above-average lamp life of 5,000 hours.
  • Build Quality: Another reason the F300 remains a popular projector is its durability. The projector features a built-to-last optical block that includes high-quality LCD panels. The optical block is made for frequent use, without losing image quality. Plus, the projector is built with dust resistant technology and an auto-cleaning filter that make this a long-lasting, low-maintenance projector.
  • SetUp Flexibility: As mentioned, the F300 is a popular replacement projector, because it can easily be adjusted to fit an existing mount. The reason is that the F300 has an above-average zoom ratio of 2x, as well as vertical and horizontal lens shift. These features make it possible to reposition the image to fit the screen, without moving an existing mount.
    Panasonic PT-F300U - Rear Inputs
    Panasonic PT-F300U – Rear Inputs

Panasonic F300U: Some Aging Features

For an older projector, the F300 remains fairly competitive with today’s projectors. Yet, the F300 does have some dated technology that may limit some of its capabilities. These include:

  • Dated Connections: There are a range of connection ports built into the F300U, including LAN and ports for two computers. Thus, for basic presentations, the F300U is more than suitable. Yet, the F300 is missing an HDMI link and a USB port, which may limit options for connectivity. Today, these connections are much more common.
  • Low Contrast and Resolution: Although the F300’s image is vividly bright, it does fall short in the category of resolution. The F300 features a native XGA resolution and just a 600:1 contrast ratio. Image quality remains decent at lower screen sizes, but as you increase the size of the screen up to 300”, the lower resolution and contrast do become more apparent.
  • No WiFi or Cloud Connections: Presenters today pull video and content from the cloud, but that’s a bit more difficult with the F300. It’s not WiFi-ready or cloud-connected, which can limit some of the capabilities in displaying online content. This is only a minor grievance, as it does have a LAN connection, but yet, in today’s projectors, cloud connectivity is a much more common feature.

Overall, the F300U remains a competent piece of hardware, and as it’s only available via resellers, you’ll likely find it at a competitive price. It originally listed at $1,500+, but they often available now around $500. That low cost-of-ownership is one reason this is a great choice. Plus, the projector is an effective presentation tool for basic multimedia projections. If you’ll be mostly using these for presentations with occasional audio and video output, it’s a solid choice. But if you need more advanced features like 3D, WiFi and USB/HDMI connections, you’ll want to consider newer projectors.

Projector Review: Optoma S311

If you’re on the market for a budget-friendly presentation projector, the Optoma S311 is an intriguing solution. It’s extremely affordable, starting at £229.99. The price in GBP indicates that this projector was released into the UK markets in the beginning of the production run, however a few units have made their way into North America as well after its introduction. Plus, the S311 provides tons of great functionalities, excellent data image quality, and solid construction. In terms of the bad, there isn’t much to complain about. It’s a small-price projector that packs tons of big features.

OPtoma S311 Projector
OPtoma S311 Projector

Optoma S311: The Good
From its long-lasting lamp, to a long list of standard features, the Optoma S311 provides an ideal suite of tools for presentations. The S311 is well-suited for classroom or meeting room productions, and it’s light-weight and portable, making this even better for on-the-go business meetings. Here are a few of the best features:

  • Bright, Long-Lasting Lamp: The S311 is equipped with a 3,200-lumen rated lamp, which delivers vibrant images even in areas that suffer from higher levels of ambient light. What’s more, the lamp has an extremely long lamp life, especially compared to similarly priced projectors. The S311 achieves a 7,000-hour lamp life in Eco+ mode; even in the standard mode the lamp performs well and is able to withstand 5,000 hours of use. Plus, Optoma boasts a suite of energy-saving features that have the potential to increase lamp life to 10,000+ hours.
  • Image Data Quality: Not only is the projected image from the S311 relatively bright, it’s also well contrasted and integrates vivid colors. The SVGA native resolution image (800×600) projector is aided by Optoma BrilliantColor technology, which produces vibrant, saturated coloring, and the project’s high contrast, a 20,000:1 ratio, creates images that are crisp and clear. Similar image specs are a challenge to find in this price range.
  • Useful Presenter Features: The S311 is a presentation tool, through and through, and it has features that are designed just for presenters. There’s the AV Mute functionality, which dims the screen and sound, to eliminate classroom distractions, and the projector also features remote control functionalities, including a remote mouse. This frees up presenters, letting them move around the room more freely.
  • Full 3D Support: The Optoma S311 is capable of projecting vibrant 3D images from a range of in-put sources. It’s compatible with 3D Blu-Ray and 3D Broadcasting. Plus, the S311 features a higher-than-average refresh rate of 144HZ, which improves the overall 3D performance.
    Optoma S311 Projector - Inputs
    Optoma S311 Projector – Inputs

Optoma S311: The Bad
The S311 does include a lot of great functionality, but it is a fairly low-cost option. That means users don’t get the full suite of features that they can expect from higher-end projectors. Fortunately, the S311 doesn’t have many pitfalls. Here’s a look at what the projector doesn’t get right:

  • Inadequate Audio: The S311 is equipped with a small 2W speaker. That might perform well in small classrooms and meeting halls, but it’s just not adequate enough for noisy classrooms and larger conference spaces. In addition, the projector doesn’t have an audio-out port, so for louder audio, you’ll have to synch audio with an outside source.
  • Limited Set-Up Flexibility: The S311 has a limited zoom ratio, just 1.1X, which compared to a number of projectors, is below-average. Plus, there is only vertical capstone correction, and the minimum projection distance is 1.2 meters. That means there’s just not a lot of space to move with this projector, and for smaller rooms, this set-up probably isn’t suited for your space. A short-throw projector would be the better option.
  • No USB Connectivity: The S311 does have a USB-A power port, so if you need to charge 3D glasses or a USB-connect device, you can do that. But it doesn’t have a USB input port. Presenters often prefer to save their presentations to a USB drive, and plug that directly into the projector. But that’s not possible with this Optoma.

The Optoma S311 starts at £229.99. That’s a small price to pay for a solid piece of hardware. For spacious classrooms and meeting halls, the S311 is a great choice. It’s an effective presentation tool that displays bright, high-contrast images and offers the flexibility for a wide range of in-puts. The biggest set-back is the audio, which can be overcome, and the long-throw set-up. So this isn’t the best projector for small spaces, or spaces without an audio solution. If you do have the room, though, the Optoma S311 is an affordable, high-quality choice.

Projector Review: The Sharp XG-SV200X Presentation Projector

For business or conference hall presentations, the Sharp XG-SV200X boasts a long list of presenter-ready features and a powerful output. In other words, it’s suited for those large conferences with hundreds of attendees. Since it was released in 2013, technology has improved a bit, so it’s lagging in a few ways – there’s only one HDMI and USB port, for instance. Yet, for projecting high-quality, large-scale data images, the Sharp XG-SV200X is more than capable in reliability and performance. Plus, the price – mostly available now through resellers, starting around $2,000 – makes this a quality investment that can transform a conference space.

Sharp XG-SV200X Projector
Sharp XG-SV200X Projector

Sharp XG-SV200X: The Pros

What sets the SV200X apart from the competition? You can start with the ultra-powerful lamp, but there’s a lot of love about this piece of hardware. Here’s what you can expect from this “full-featured” presentation projector:

  • Brilliant Brightness: The SV200X is equipped with a 5,000-lumen bulb. That’s more than ideal for large conference spaces or lecture halls, providing substantial brightness and excellent image quality. The DLP-based projector has a native XGA resolution, and the SV200X is HD compatible with Sharp’s Brilliant Color technology. For presentations, that’s more than enough power to display clear and crisp images that are big enough for all attendees to see.
  • Projection Flexibility: Once the front-mounted SV200X is installed, there’s flexibility to fit the image to the screen. Horizontal and vertical lens shift are standard features. Plus, the projector is equipped with a 2X optical zoom lens. What makes this extra special, though, is the Sharp’s optional motorized swivel mount. That enables the SV200X to turn 360 degrees via a remote control.
  • Full List of Features: The SV200X does pull out most of the bells and whistles. Standard models are equipped with a 10-watt audio system, making high-turnover presentations easier. It’s 3D DLP ready, which is great for futuristic 3D presentations. And finally, the SV200X is also protected with Sharp’s signature anti-theft systems, which is an ideal feature for high-trafficked spaces.
    Sharp XG-SV200X Rear Inputs
    Sharp XG-SV200X Rear Inputs

Sharp XG-SV200X: The Cons

Although there are a lot of great features included with the SV200X, the projector does fall short in a few areas. Some of the cons include:

  • Short Lamp Life: With a 5,000-lumen bulb, the Sharp doesn’t have the greatest lamp performance. It’s rated at just 2,000 hours in eco mode, and 1,500 hours in standard mode. That’s, of course, in part to the system’s powerful output, but compared to newer DLP-based or LED projectors, it’s fairly limited and may add to the maintenance costs of owning this model. Fortunately, the Sharp XG-SV200X’s replacement lamps are affordable.
  • No WiFi Connectivity: Today, WiFi is becoming a standard feature in many of the higher-end projectors, and that’s one limitation of the SV200X. It doesn’t connect to the cloud, which can limit some of the flexibility for displaying web content.

So is this projector right for you? For a system that’s now a couple of years old, the Sharp XG-SV200X packs in a ton of useful features and projects a bright, high-contrast image. That alone is what most presenters are looking for, and the few cons for this system are mostly negligible. In other words, it’s an ideal set-up for mid-size to large conference spaces.

Projector Review: Dell 1220 Presentation Projector

For the price, the recently released Dell 1220 is a suitable piece of hardware for presenters, combining a useful suite of work-ready features and excellent lamp life. The price is pretty much unbeatable, and it might be one of the most cost-effective solutions on the market. The 1220 starts at just about $325 MSRP.
 
Even for such a budget-friendly projector, though, the Dell 1220 holds its own in a few areas. It’s compatible with a wide-range of devices, there are plenty of connectivity options and ports, the lamp is bright enough to handle its own in well-lit spaces, and the 1220’s lamp life is very long compared to other projectors in the class. The biggest downfalls though are its portability – it’s not the easiest projector to tote from presentation to presentation – and, as a low-cost set-up, the 1220 does have a no-frills feature list.
 

DELL 1220 Projector
DELL 1220 Projector

Dell 1220: Pros

 

  • Brightness: Rated at 2,700 ASNI lumens and aided by DLP technology, the Dell 1220 casts a brilliantly bright image. That’s an ideal option for a presenter, because it’s not always easy to control the lighting in a room. Compared to other projectors in the price range, the Dell 1220 is one of the better options, in this regard. Overall, the projector creates a crisp, detailed image – for the price – in the SVGA resolution and a 2,200:1 contrast ratio.
  • Lamp Life: The 1220’s lamp is long-lasting. Dell says the lamp-life, in standard mode, is 5,000 hours, and in the eco mode, lamp-life jumps to 6,000 hours. That’s above average for most projectors in the price range, and another reason this is a solid piece of hardware.
  • Connectivity: The 1220 was designed as a business and classroom presentation tool, and that’s evident in its many connection options. It’s designed to connect with laptops, notebooks and tablets through an HDMI or VGA connection. There are also RGA and audio-in ports. The one glaring omission is a USB port; the Dell 1220 is without, which diminishes its portability.

 

DELL 1220 Rear Inputs
DELL 1220 Rear Inputs

Dell 1220: Cons

 

  • Weak Audio: Built-in speakers are perfect for on-the-go presentation. Unfortunately, the Dell 1220 is a little underequipped in this regard, featuring just a 2W speaker. That might be fine in smaller spaces, but in larger, noisier presentation halls, that just won’t cut it. Plus, comparably priced set-ups generally feature more powerful built-in audio.
  • Portability: If you travel a lot, this probably isn’t your projector. In addition to the lack of reliable audio, the 1220 is a little too bulky to be considered portable, measuring 12.38 inches X 8.8 inches X 3.45 inches. Plus, the lack of a USB port for a thumb-drive presentation is another reason this isn’t the best portable projector.
  • Less Set-Up Flexibility: Finally, the Dell 1220 features a below-average zoom ratio – just 1.1X – and there are no lens shift capabilities. That limits set-up options, and can make it more difficult to fit in some spaces.

 

The Verdict: Is the Dell 1220 A Keeper?

 
For the business traveling set, the Dell 1220 isn’t the right option. It’s a little light on features, and it’d be fairly difficult to carry with you and set-up day in and day out. But the 1220 is a decent, low-cost option, especially for those considering a more permanent mount. And for the price, the data image quality is sufficient, the lamp is bright, and there are options for connecting your devices. If those sound like the features you want and your budget is tight, this is might be the projector for you.

Acer P5207B Review: Specifications, Pros and Cons

How does the Acer P5207b perform as a multimedia projector? On one hand, the two-year-old Acer provides satisfactory image quality in its native XGA resolution. Plus, the image is extremely bright, which makes this model perfect for large venues. The projector provides an estimated 4,000 ANSI lumens of brightness – powerful enough for spaces with modest levels of ambient light.
But the projector does have its shortcomings. For one, compared to similarly priced models from various manufacturers, the Acer P5207 is missing some features that have become fairly common in recent years, including WiFi connectivity. That might be problematic, especially for web-based business and classroom multimedia presentations.  Yet, overall, for the price, the Acer P5207b is a solid piece of hardware that delivers a crisp image and a number of functionalities. In other words, it competes well with similarly priced multimedia projectors. Here’s a look at some of the specs:

Acer P5207B Projector
Acer P5207B Projector


Pro: Image Quality and Performance

Rated at 4,000 ANSI lumens, the biggest advantage of the DLP 3D P5207b is its brightness. Other projectors in the price range generally hover around the 3,000-lumen mark. Plus, additional image specs, including its 10,000:1 contrast ratio and native XGA resolution, which deliver a data image that’s clear, even when projected on large screens. In terms of color performance, the Acer also delivers. Featuring Acer’s ColorBoost II+ technology, the colors are vibrant, and compare nicely to other DLP-based projectors.


Pro: Powerful Built-In Audio

The Acer P5207b is equipped with two built-in speakers, which gives the projector an advantage. Other similarly priced projectors have either or one or two, and some require external audio. They are dual 5-watt speakers, which is substantial enough for large venues, although for the largest rooms, the speakers may require amplification.

Pro: Optical and Digital Zoom

Another advantage: The Acer also has some advanced technologies that enable setup flexibility. For one, the Acer’s lens has a 1.6x optical zoom. This makes it easier to resize images to fit a screen. Plus, the projector has a superior 2x digital zoom, which enables users to zoom in on particular images.

ACER P5207B Projector - Rear Inputs
ACER P5207B Projector – Rear Inputs

Con: Average Lamp Life

On one hand, the Acer’s bulb is fairly bright, but it also has just an average lamp life. The bulb (Replacement Part No.: MC.JG211.001) is a 280-watt OSRAM bulb. There are three settings, the normal mode, eco mode and an advanced eco mode. Lamp life for the Acer ranges from 3,000 hours (about average) up to 7,000 in its advanced eco mode. In its eco mode, though, the Acer has a 4,000-hour lamp life, which is average compared to other projectors.

Con: Average Video Performance

For presentations with short video clips, the Acer is capable yet underwhelming. Video performance is average, at best, and leaves something to be desired. Plus, in its native resolution XGA, videos aren’t crisp and clear, and although it does support higher resolutions, often video image is lost.
 

The Verdict: Should You Buy the Acer P5207b?

Starting at roughly at about $738 US, the Acer P5207B is slightly higher in price than other two-year-old projectors with similar specs. But the projector leaves something to be desired. Although it produces fairly crisp and clear images, the limited number of ports, average video performance and limited lamp life are all factors that diminish its value. Simply put, you could find better projectors for the price, however, the Acer’s brightness might be the redeeming quality that makes you go out and buy one as it definitely fills the room.

BenQ MW721 Projector Review: Pros and Cons

In search of a presentation projector? The BenQ MW721 might just be your choice, as the manufacturer bills the MW721 as “just the projector you need to perfect your presentation.” That statement is mostly true. This BenQ model performs reasonably well in many categories, producing a bright, high-quality image and useable audio, while remaining portable.
 
The biggest disadvantage, though, is that the BenQ is missing some key features, including a USB thumb drive port and WiFi connectivity, which are often necessities for presenters. So what are the pros and cons of the BenQ MW721 and how does it stack up against the competition?

BenQ MW721 Projector
BenQ MW721 Projector

Key Features:

  • Bright bulb: 3,500 lumens
  • Long lamp life: Up to 6,500 hours
  • Loud audio: 10W built-in speaker
  • LAN control
  • Modes designed for teachers

 

Image Quality, Brightness

 
If there’s one reason to purchase the MW721, it’s the projector’s image quality. Let’s start with the specs: The DLP-based MW721 features WXGA resolution and a bright lamp. The projector receives a brightness rating of 3,500 lumens and a 13,000:1 contrast ratio.
 
In effect, that bulb (Part No.: 5J.J6P05.001) produces an image that’s crisp and bright enough to compensate for ambient light. That’s why this projector is perfect for business presentations, lectures and classrooms. It produces an image that’s clear in mid-sized conference spaces that receive substantial ambient light. Plus, with the projector, text slides are easy-to-read, although small sizes of white-on-black text can become blurred. The projector provides even, saturated colors in data images.
 
Overall, data image quality from the MW721 is comparable to other projectors in the price range, and in some respects, including brightness, the MW721 performs as well or better than more expensive projectors. If you’re after a projector that produces crisp images, the MW721 will provide that.
 

BenQ MW721 Rear View
BenQ MW721 Rear View

 

The BenQ MW721’s Video and Audio Features

Of course, the MW721 isn’t built as a video projector, but yet, for presentations that feature shorter video clips, the MW721 provides this functionality. That means that videos display reasonably well, with light rainbowing effects in some scenes, which is common for DLP-based projectors. For the untrained eye, though, this effect would be minimal, so conference audiences aren’t likely to notice.
In terms of audio, the MW721 features a built-in 10-watt speaker. That adds to the system’s portability, as a presenter can plug-and-play presentations that feature audio. As far as performance, the MW721’s speaker performs well, and it’s loud enough to provide clear audio for medium-sized event spaces. For larger venues, the audio may become garbled, especially for audience members sitting far from the speaker.
Plus, the projector is 3D ready, which may or may not be a feature that the business crowd is interested in. 3D clips can be displayed via HDMI and NVIDIA 3DTV Play, but require active-shutter glasses. Therefore, for larger audiences, it may be difficult to outfit everyone with glasses. This feature makes more sense for small business or classroom audiences.
 

Useful Connectivity Features

 
In addition to being 3D Ready, there are plenty of other useful and interesting features. First, there are a number of connectivity options for the MW721. There are 2 VGA ports, an HDMI port, as well as a mini-USB and Ethernet port. Plus, there are other connectivity options for audio, video and data entry.
The biggest downfall, as mentioned, is the lack of a USB thumb drive port. With this port, a presenter is able to access slides from a USB drive – that’s ideal for some classroom or business environments, and it eliminates some of the time required for set-up. Unfortunately, the feature isn’t even offered as an option.
 

The Verdict: Is the BenQ MW721 worth the investment?

If you can go without a USB drive and WiFi connectivity, the BenQ MW721 is a highly capable and portable presentation projector, and for the price, this model carries a lot of great features that are useful for business presentations, lectures and in classroom environments.
Yet, it falls firmly in the middle of the pack: More budget options like the BenQ MW663 features a similar set of functionalities at a lower price, while LCD-based projectors, although more expensive, often display higher quality images and video. That’s not to say the BenQ MW721 is a bad investment – it performs well in mid-sized and small conference spaces. At the same time, less expensive options exist and are comparable, and you may be able to save some dollars investing in other systems.
 
 
 
 

Head-to-Head: Epson 5030UB vs Panasonic PT-AE8000

When it comes to home theater projectors, there are hundreds of options in the mid-range budget category, from about $1,500 to $3,500. Yet, few are as popular and widely used as the Epson Home Cinema 5030UB and the Panasonic PT-AE8000. Both combine the best features to deliver stunning HD images, excellent 3D performance, and quick and flexible installation.
 

Panasonic PT-AE8000 Projector
Panasonic PT-AE8000 Projector

If you’ve narrowed your choices down to the Epson 5030UB and the Panasonic PT-AE8000, it can be a challenge to make that final selection. They’re just both such high-performing pieces of hardware. They’ll provide many of the features that you need, and they both deliver excellent image quality. But if you had to whittle it down to the best, which one would it be? How do the Epson 5030UB and Panasonic PT-AE8000 stack up against each other?
 
Epson Home Cinema 5030UB Projector
Epson Home Cinema 5030UB Projector

  • Image Quality: In terms of image quality, it’s an extremely close race. But ultimately, the Epson Home Cinema 5030UB slightly outperforms. Both projectors produce a pretty bright image rated at 2,400 lumens. But the Epson provides better contrast, thanks to the Epson Ultra Black technology. That makes dark colors even deeper, and greens, reds and blues more defined. The Panasonic, on the other hand, has a slightly lower contrast ratio, but it also uses the Pure Contrast Plates to produce dark black colors. Overall, though, the Epson produces colors that are brighter and images that are more defined, albeit slightly. Winner: Epson Home Cinema 5030UB
  • Standard Features: Both projectors are equipped with a long list of useful features, but in this regard, the Panasonic has a few added benefits. For instance, both projectors are 3D ready, but with the 3D Motion Remaster technology, the PT-AE8000 is a contender. Plus, the Panasonic features 3 HDMI ports, compared to 2, as well as lens memory. Both do share many similar features though, including vertical and horizontal lens shift, lens zoom and available sound. Winner: Panasonic PT-AE8000
  • Set-Up Flexibility: In terms of installation, both of these projectors have features that enable users tons of set-up flexibility. For instance, with horizontal and vertical lens shift, you can adjust picture size and shape without moving the projector. Those are features on both projectors. Plus, both are equipped with lens zoom, and they’re both considered long-throw projectors. So in terms of set-up flexibility, they’re practically even. Winner: Tie
  • Price: The price of Panasonic PT-AE8000 is slightly lower than the Epson. The Panasonic starts at $1,699, while the Epson comes in at $2,299. But the winner isn’t just the lower of the two – it’s more about value. What features are you getting for the price? Is the Epson a better value? Probably not. The features of the Epson are extensive and the image quality impressive, but there’s just too much overlap between the two. The Panasonic is the better value. Winner: Panasonic PT-AE8000

 
So what’s the bottom line? If you had to choose one of these projectors, which would it be? There’s just so much overlap; it’s really a touch decision to make. Yet, the Panasonic is a formidable opponent, and it comes out victorious. Here’s why: The Panasonic boasts impressive image quality that only slightly underperforms. In fact, to the untrained eye, the differences may only be negligible. Is that slight jump in image quality worth an extra $600? It’s not. Plus, you’ll find that there are no glaring features that the Epson has, that you don’t find in the Panasonic. Winner: Panasonic PT-AE8000

Best Home Theater Projectors of 2014

Last year, A/V enthusiasts had a lot to be excited about. Many of the biggest players in the projector game released updated versions of many of their best-selling models, like the BenQ HT1075, which replaced the ever-popular W1070. Plus, more and more 4K projectors are being released, and the prices, while still expensive, continue a slow march downward. We looked at some HD projectors that were released in 2014 (and one at the end of 2013) and picked 5 of my favorites, based on image quality, available features and more. These are a few of the best home theater projectors:
 

Epson Home Cinema 5030UB

 
Technically, the Epson 5030UB was released at the tail-end of 2013, but it made the most waves in 2014. The 5030UB is a higher-end projector from Epson, starting at $2299, but it’s worth the price. Rated at 2400 lumens, the projector is more than bright enough for light-controlled rooms, and can even deliver in moderately lit rooms.
Plus, the image quality is spectacular. The contrast ratio has been doubled from previous versions, up to 600,000:1, while color accuracy and shadow detail are impressive. Specs include:

•Full HD 1080p

•1x Zoom Ratio

•Classic Black-and-White Cinema Mode

3D ready with two pairs of 3D glasses

 

BenQ HT1075

 

Benq HT1075
Benq HT1075

If you’ve shopped for a budget home theater projector, you’re probably aware of the HT1075’s predecessor, the W1070. That’s been one of the most popular projectors in recent memory. The updated HT1075 doesn’t pack in a variety of new features, but, true to the W1070, it’s one of the best budget projectors released in 2014. Specs include:

•Full HD with 3D

•2,200 Lumens

•10,000:1 Contrast Ratio

•New Mobile Hi-Definition Link (MHL) Support

•A Redesigned Menu

 

Sony VPL HW600ES

 
The Sony VPL HW600ES takes an exciting step forward; it’s a native 4K Ultra HD projector, taking image quality to all new heights. Although, the Sony VPL is expensive, starting at more than $14,000, it’s one of the more reasonably priced 4K projectors. The biggest difference, of course, is resolution; 4K projectors pack in four times the pixels in each image. For non-4K content, the pixel rate is upgraded to 3840×2160; so even non-4K content benefits. That translates to some of the most impressive detail available, even as you move further from the screen. Specs include:

•200,000:1 Contrast Ratio

1700 Lumens

•Ultra HD, Full HD 3D

•Automatic calibration

Lens shift and zoom

 

Optoma HD26

 

Optoma HD26
Optoma HD26

For a sub-$1,000 projector, the Optoma HD26 is one of the brightest. It’s rated at 3,200 lumens, providing bright, saturated colors, and really, for the price, it’s a contender for best image quality. There aren’t many projectors this affordable that are as bright. One point: There is a slight rainbow effect on black-and-white images. But for the price, the image quality is pretty impressive. Specs include:

•3,200 lumens

•Full HD 3D

•5,000-hour lamp life

•MHL support

 

Epson PowerLite Home Cinema 3000

Epson Powerlite Home Cinema 3000
Epson Powerlite Home Cinema 3000

 
The Epson PowerLite Home Cinema 3000 is the long-awaited update to the Epson 8350, and for those who waited, there are new features to be excited about. This is an entry-level 3LCD projector, starting at roughly $1,200, and it offers advantages over less expensive projectors. For instance, Cinema Mode features a bright 1,700 lumen picture with impressive color accuracy and saturation. Specs include:

•Full HD 3D

•2 pairs of 3D glasses

•Vertical and horizontal lens shift

•3,500-hour lamp life

•60,000:1 contrast ratio

•2,300 lumens

Movie Review: HEAT

Hey readers, Joe again with another movie review. This time we’re gonna do Michael Mann’s crime saga, “Heat”. Here’s a rundown of the home theater in my dad’s house which I helped him set up.
Home Theater Setup:
Screen: InFocus Elite 120”
Projector: Fujitsu LPF4800
Blu-Ray Player: Samsung BD-H5100
Receiver: Onkyo TX-NR838
Speakers: Canton Audio Movie 90 5.1 Surround System
Robert De Niro and Al Pacino, veterans of so many great crime films, have by now spent more time playing cops and crooks than most actual cops and crooks have. Method actors like them are who real cops and crooks base themselves on at this point. They both carry these roles with absolute precision of effect here. In Michael Mann’s “Heat”, De Niro plays Neal McCauley, a criminal mastermind. Pacino plays LAPD Lt. Jack Hanna, the guy assigned to guess McCauley’s next move.

Los Angeles police detective, Jack Hanna (Al Pacino) is tracking a master thief named Neal McCauley (Robert De Niro). McCauley is “sharp” according to Hanna and he seems impossible to catch. The big on-screen showdown between these two legendary actors is on! In one scene, Hanna pulls over McCauley. Hanna approaches McCauley’s car and invites him to a cup of coffee. The two men sit across from each other at a diner: Middle-aged, hard-nosed, with too much experience in their respective occupations, they know exactly what they represent to each other, but for this moment of truce they drink their coffee in harmony. They are mortal enemies, but in a sense they are more involved with each other than with those who are supposed to be their friends like the ladies in their lives, for example.
McCauley’s own policy is never to get involved in anything that he can’t “walk away from in 30 seconds flat if he spots the heat around the corner”. One day in a restaurant he gets into a conversation with Edie, played by Amy Brenneman, who asks him a lot of questions. Hanna is on his third marriage because he’d “rather spend his time among the dead” according to his current drug-addled wife, Justice, played by Diane Venora. The men in his movie are addicted to their lives. There is a scene where the thieves essentially have all the money they need. They can retire. McCauley even has a place picked out in New Zealand. But another job presents itself, and they cannot resist it: “It’s the juice. It’s the action.” says fellow thief, Mike Cherrito played by Tom Sizemore. Other thieves on Neal’s crew are Val Kilmer as Chris Shiherlis, Danny Trejo as Trejo, Kevin Gage as the mysterious and hate-fueled Waingro, and Jon Voight as Nate, the guy who finds “jobs” for Neal and his crew.
The movie opens with a very complicated armored truck robbery involving stolen semis, an ambulance, and tow trucks. The action continues with a meticulously conceived bank robbery and a shootout in downtown Los Angeles (great for testing out your surround sound system). The cops keep Neal and his crew under 24-hour surveillance, and one day follow them to an isolated warehouse area, where the thieves stand in the middle of a vast space and McCauley outlines some plan to them. Later, the cops stand in the same place, trying to figure out what plan the thieves could possibly have had in mind. No target is anywhere in view. Suddenly Hanna gets it: “You know what they’re looking at? They’re looking at us – the LAPD. We just got made.” He is right. McCauley is now on a roof chuckling and looking at them through a lens, having outwitted the detectives.
In another very powerful scene, after the cops are onto Neal’s crew and stakes out each of their families to try to get them to come out of hiding. Chris (Val Kilmer) goes to see if his wife Charlene, played by Ashley Judd, can be saved from the closing dragnet. With one look, she tells him the heat is there and not to try to come up to see her. With the same look, she tells him that she loves him but they can no longer hold each other ever again. Michael Mann’s writing and direction elevate this scene to be a masterful display of emotionally charged acting.
Heat is not just an action movie, it isn’t just a crime story – it is a cinematic treasure. More than anything, the dialogue and characters are dynamically complex. This film is long, but it is an essential view for anyone who is a fan of the classic cops and robbers action, as well as anyone looking for a perfect case study on human emotion and interaction.
 
 

Active and Passive 3-D Projectors: What’s the Difference?

In the last decade, technological advances have greatly improved 3-D projection. Now, 3-D viewing is possible anywhere and anyone can set up a 3-D projector at home for a few hundred dollars.
But there are many different types of 3-D projectors. How can you determine which one is right for you?
First, you should know there are two main types of 3-D projectors: Active 3-D or Passive 3-D projectors. Both work in a similar way. They create the 3-D image by showing each eye a slightly different picture. By displaying these slightly different images – either via the projector or with special shuttering glasses – depth is created and the picture jumps off the screen.

3D Projectors
3D Movies of the 1950’s

Here are a few things you should know about passive and active 3-D projectors:

Active 3-D Projectors

Active 3-D, also known as powered 3-D, is most commonly used for home theater or gaming set-ups. The reason: It’s more affordable and it can be easier to set up. Plus, almost all of today’s active projectors have 2-D and 3-D capabilities, like the BenQ W1070, which make them great for home theaters.
Active 3-D projection relies on special glasses. The lenses of these glasses are designed to quickly alternate between opened and closed, so that each eye sees a slightly different picture. A high-speed projector capable of showing 60 or more frames per second is required in active 3-D projection. If not, the image begins to flicker.
There are several advantages to active 3-D projection. First, each eye sees a full HD image, which as I’ll explain later, isn’t possible with passive 3-D. Plus, any screen works, i.e. a wall or a bed sheet. Passive 3-D, on the other hand, requires a special screen.
The disadvantages? First, the glasses are more expensive. They also must be charged and they can fail. Although prices have come down, a pair of premium glasses can cost $100 or more. The lenses also are darker, and thus, the image can be darker.

Passive 3-D Projectors

If you’ve ever seen a 3-D movie at the theater, you’re familiar with passive 3-D projection. With this set-up, the projector creates two simultaneous images – either with light polarization or spectral decomposition – and the viewer’s glasses make these different images visible to each eye.
To create these two images, some set-ups include two different projectors to display the different images. But today’s movie theaters use a single projector that uses circular polarization to achieve the two images. That’s a main reason these set-ups are more expensive; they require advanced projectors to achieve the image.
Passive 3-D is also more expensive because it requires a specialized silver screen, although the most advanced projection systems don’t require the screen. Although the silver screen reflects more of image, in turn creating a brighter picture, it can add to start-up costs.
The main advantage is the cheaper glasses; they cost just a few dollars per pair or less. That’s one reason theaters opt for passive projectors. Plus, prices are coming down, which is making these more economical for home use. For instance, the Epson PowerLite W16SK 3D 3LCD costs just under $2,000, and while costly, it makes the set-up possible for home theaters.

Which 3-D Projector Is Best for Home Theaters?

High-speed active 3-D set-up makes the most sense for home theaters and gaming rooms. Why? First, the majority of today’s projectors are 3-D ready and they’re affordable: i.e. the 3-D ready Optoma HD131X costs about $600. Plus, active 3-D glasses don’t cost as much as they used to; there are budget, third-party glasses available in the $15 to $35 range.
That’s why active 3D projectors are ideal for home theaters: budget set-ups won’t break the bank, and technology has improved the image quality greatly. Today, you can truly achieve an immersive 3-D experience in your living room.