Sharp PG-LX2000 Data Projector Review

September 04, 2015 · Sharp

The Sharp PG-LX2000 was released in the U.S. in 2012, and at the time, it received high marks for performance, image quality and price. It was a budget-friendly, sub-$1,000 projector that cast brilliant data images. Plus, it was equipped with an HDMI connection – which wasn’t as common then as it is today – and it was lightweight and super portable. [caption id="attachment_1236" align="aligncenter" width="355"]

Sharp PG-LX2000 Projector[/caption] Currently, the PG-LX2000 is out-of-production, having been so for about a year, but yet, it remains an intriguing, no-frills set-up that’s still available used and new from resellers. As a piece of hardware for the conference room or classroom, the PG-LX2000 holds its own. Backed up by DLP-chip technology and a 2,800-lumen brightness rating, the projector delivers detailed and striking data images in the native XGA resolution, with passable video. Bottom line: If you can find a new or lightly used PG-LX2000 at a great price, the projector is worth your consideration. Key Features and Specs: Sharp PG-LX2000

Data Image Quality: The PG-LX2000 does best as a data projector, and as such, the data images it creates are crisp, clear with nearly non-existent rainbow artifacts. In other words, if you need a projector for presentations, this one delivers great images. Plus, it’s 3D ready and does accommodate HD video, although the image quality from these sources suffers a bit. [caption id="attachment_1237" align="aligncenter" width="500"] Sharp PG-LX2000 Rear Inputs[/caption]
Useable Video: The Sharp PG-LX2000 displays video from a variety of sources, and the HDMI connection makes it possible to hook up a Bluray player. Yet, it is an XGA resolution (1024x768) projector, and as such, any HD video must be scaled to fit. In other words, this isn’t suitable for regular video use – a Full HD projector makes more sense – but video quality is OK for incorporating clips into presentations.
Long Lamp Life: In standard operating mode, the PG-LX2000’s lamp achieves 3,000 hours or life, and it jumps up to 5,000 hours in economy mode. What’s more: The PG-LX2000’s replacement lamp and module – Part No. AN-LX20P – costs about $200, keeping maintenance costs low.
Contrast Ratio, Brightness Rating: With a contrast ratio of 2,000:1 and 2,800 lumens of brightness, the PG-LX2000 is right in the middle of the pack for similarly priced projectors released in 2012. Yet, the image is bright enough to handle spaces with ambient light, like a boardroom or classroom, and the contrast provides great black-and-white clarity. Thus, for multimedia presentations and the occasional video, the projector is more than capable.
Low-Quality Audio: The projector is equipped with a 2-watt built-in mono-speaker. Unfortunately, that leaves a lot to be desired. The audio works nicely in quiet environments like the board room. But in noisier spaces, like a classroom full of kids, the audio just doesn’t cut it. Plus, the projector doesn’t have an external audio jack, so external audio must be synched with an external audio player.

Dated Design: The PG-LX2000 is boxy in shape. It’s a little clunky, and almost resembles an original Nintendo hardware system. Fortunately, the projector is lightweight at just 5 pounds, and is thus, extremely portable. That’s OK though, as the look of the projector isn’t often at the top of business’s and school’s list of priorities.

If you need a workhorse data projector for in-class or business presentations, the PG-LX2000 is a useful piece of hardware. What it lacks in advanced features, the projector makes up for in data image quality, lamp life and price. Compared to similarly priced projectors, the PG-LX2000 offers just a bit more in way of features – and even today, it’s worthy of consideration.