Projector advice

[Shibboleth-2020]

Hi all

 

I've been in post as ICT manager for a couple of months - weird time to start a new job and getting my head around the way this school / academy operates has been something else... (coming from a non-school IT background)

 

I've been asked to spec / price up new projectors for the classroom - will be a 50-50 split between short and long throw devices. Its been a good ten years since I last sourced projectors so was wondering if people could pass on their experience / advice with different models?

 

I'll be purchasing via the Crown Commercial Services framework so that limits choices somewhat - Acer / Optoma / Viewsonic / Benq for short throw

Additionally Epson, Sony, Panasonic for LCD projectors...

 

Looking to spend £370 - £450 per unit

 

Any advice / pointers appreciated.

 

M

[mavhc]

First question is why do they want new projectors? Brightness, colour, resolution, connectors, energy usage, bulb cost?

 

What size screens, what brightness rooms?

[VeryPC]

Good Afternoon @Shibboleth-2020

 

Keep an eye out on your inbox as I'm going to get Ross, our awesome AV expert to drop you a PM. We sell a range of projectors, predominately Epson. Whilst I get Ross to message you be sure to check out our Projector webpage.

 

Speak soon

 

- Ryan

[Shibboleth-2020]

Projectors are suffering from old age and multiple issues including energy usage, bulb replacement costs and 'dull' image. A number are actually 'dead'.

Screens are a variety of white(ish) boards, 76" diagonal

 

Rooms have retractable blinds which some teachers use - others don't... Its a little hard to judge that as there haven't been many real users around over the last 2 months.

[unixman_again]

Last summer we installed 30 Epson EB-710UI and matt finish whiteboards, and this summer we are hoping to do another 15. The ultimate goal is to have one type of projector college wide. We're found these to be very good. No lamps! We have a spare standby projector in case, but we have't even unpacked it. Teachers who want interactivity find the software and built-in stuff easy to use and those teachers that aren't interested in activity can write on the whiteboard with ordinary pens.

[DrBeaker]

Do you mind if I ask how have you found these?

 

We had a few Epson's with the laser unit above the whiteboard in one place, but the feedback was mixed and I didn't see if get used much as it needed a special pen which always got misplaced. The projector craze seems to have gone and it's the TV craze instead.

[unixman_again]

We haven't lost any of the pens yet. Some of the nibs are very dirty and squashed but they still work fine. Those teachers that use the interactive features love it, especially the bit that is built into the projector. The software that runs on the PC isn't used as much. You don't actually need a special pen; you can configure a finger as the third pen. We tried this but sausage fingered teachers didn't like it.

 

We have 6 interactive TVs but they never really worked all that well for us. We have installed those in one department and those teachers will contine with them. The plan is (well this week) to continue to fit the Epsons into the remaining classrooms, 1/2 this year and the remainder next.

[Shibboleth-2020]

Optoma HD143X - DLP projector - 3D - 3000 ANSI lumens - Full HD (1920 x 1080) - 16:9 - 1080p

 

seems to be well regarded - I've heard of the brand but not seen any in the flesh...