Launched in 2013 as the first in NEC PE series, the NP-PE401H is billed as an “entry-level” data projector. That means it’s fairly affordable, starting at $1,999, while delivering high-impact performance. For presenters, the PE401H is a solid projection tool. The projector provides a 4,000-lumen, Full HD image, in the 16:9 aspect ratio (compared to the typical 16:10 for data projectors). That alone is one reason the projector stands out, but there’s also a wide range of functionalities and features.
For instance, the NP-PE401H delivers up to 3,300 hours of lamp life – which is above average for Full HD projectors, and will save you on a replacement lamp – plus, it can accommodate data from almost any source. There are two HDMI ports, an S-Video port and composite video port, as well as a USB-B port. Schools, churches and mid-sized conference spaces looking for a projector – particularly those that rely on video – should consider this projector.
Features and Specs: NEC NP-PE401H
With its bright output, the NP-PE401H performs well in rooms with some ambient light. That makes it ideal venues like schools and boardrooms where it’s difficult to achieve dark lighting conditions. Of course, it won’t compete with direct sunlight, but also, you won’t need to draw the shades completely. In addition to brightness, though, there are a lot of great features available. These include:
- Great Image Quality: The NP-PE401H is all about image quality. Backed up by BrilliantColor technology, the color saturation is lush and vibrant. Plus, the image is crisp and detailed, with a 2,000:1 contrast ratio. The clarity of black-on-white text is near-perfection, and the technology delivers great detail in pictures, which is ideal for medical diagrams, architectural drawings or other images with fine detail.
- Full HD Video, 3D: Although it’s not built as a video projection tool, the NP-PE401H is very capable. It delivers Full HD 1080p video, so you can plug-and-play a Bluray player via an HDMI cable. Plus, it’s capable of providing basic 3D content. In other words, this isn’t a replacement for your home theater projector, but if you’ll be using video clips and short videos in your presentations, the NP-PE401H delivers. Unfortunately, 3D glasses are not included.
- Large Image Projection: The NP-PE401H is designed to project images up to 300 inches diagonal, which is more than sufficient for most classrooms. Even when projecting an image that large, quality keeps pace, with only slight issues visible. With a picture of about 150 inches, though, the image quality is stunning.
- Long Lamp Life: Full HD LCD projectors, in general, have long lasting light sources. That’s certainly true in the NP-PE401H. The projector’s 330-watt bulb achieves 2,500 hours of life in the standard mode – just above average for similar projectors – and it’s capable of up to 3,300 hours. Fortunately, the NEC NP-PE401H replacement lamp – part No. NP24LP – is a low-cost investment, helping to save on maintenance costs over the life of the projector.
NEC NP-PE401H Rear Inputs - Sufficient Sound Quality: The projector is equipped with a dual 8-watt speaker system, and that’s extremely useful for multimedia presentations. The speakers deliver decent audio, enabling presenters to plug-and-play without having to connect to an external audio source.
- Installation Flexibility, Portability: The projector weighs about 10 pounds, which isn’t exactly ideal for ceiling mounting, but it still remains portable. NEC labels this a tabletop-front or table-top back projector, meaning it performs well when sitting on the table of a boardroom or a classroom desk. Yet, it also performs well on a cart. Without lens shift, though, installations do need to be precise to achieve maximum results.
Bottom line: If you’re looking for a projector for a small or mid-sized venue, the NEC NP-PE401H is a reliable and powerful tool. The image quality is stunning, the features are on point with similarly priced projectors, and NEC has a reputation for building high-quality A/V tools. Plus, the price, although a bit higher than some budget projectors, is in reach for most organizations.