Which Projector?

[witch]

I have done a search but can find nothing specific enough for my request. I have been asked to source a projector for the IT suite - I had nothing to do with the install in the first place and I don't really know what it is that I am looking for!! :oops:

has anyone bought a decent, well priced projector lately?

Could someone please tell me what spec I need? :colors:

 

 

Thanks

[Halfmad]

All projectors that I'm currently buying are Hitachi CP-RS56's

 

They're small, light, well built but most of all cheap to buy and run. They also have both an optical and digital zoom, which is handy for ease of setting up, the RS55 model only has a digital zoom, so avoid it!

 

Lamps come in at about £115 each and the projector itself is £235 from our suppliers.

 

http://www.hitachi.ca/Apps/hitachicanada/content.jsp?page=forbus/products/lcdprojectors/details/CP-RS56.html&path=jsp/hcl/hcl/en/

 

We're using them for both smartboard installs and stand-alone work.

[witch]

That website is in Canada - do you get them from there?

[western]

They are SVGA tho, XGA is the way to go!

[steveg]

I've been buying a lot of mitsubishi projectors recently, used to be XL6U's, now been replaced with XL9U's - both come with a 3 year bulb warranty. Around £600 for the 9U and £500 for the 6U if you can still get them.

 

I would definately recomend going for an xga rather than svga projector.

 

Also if its to be installed on an exisiting mount / board in your IT room, check the distances from board to mount against the projector specs - these can vary between projectors, and may mean you have to move the mount.

[u8dmtm]

You could get the Hitachi CPRS55 from RM for £289 with a free spare lamp at the moment.

 

http://www.rm.com/Secondary/Products/Product.asp?cref=PD894857

 

They are SVGA tho, XGA is the way to go!

 

Doesn't that depend on what your using the for, especially if it is the difference between being able to afford one XGA projector or two SVGA projectors? For PowerPoint etc. SVGA is fine for computer resolutions up to 1024*768 (non native on projector).

[Halfmad]

That website is in Canada - do you get them from there?

 

We buy them from Scotsys, but no doubt you can get them more local to yourself. http://www.scotsys.co.uk

 

Equanet (Inmac) do them but only the older RS55 model:

http://www.equanet.com/catalogue/item/HITPR55W

 

They are SVGA tho, XGA is the way to go!

They're overpriced and as we run at 1024x768 on most smartboards it'd be pointless.

[western]

1024x768 is XGA 800x600 is SVGA (they down scale 1024x768) - i must admit tho that the projectors are very cheap!

[eastlondon]

We are now only using Epson emp-82/ 82e they are very reliable and if the bulb goes during the 3 year warranty Epson come & replace it normally next day.

I have had No problems with them or the Epson EMP-74.

 

In the past we have had Phillips projectors which all needed replacing after 3-4 years due to yellow blobs appearing on screen. Apart from that the others projectors we have had had no major problems but for the support I have to recommend Epson all the way.

 

And try Misco for a good price, I don’t think any of out others suppliers have even come close to beating them on price.

 

Hope that helps

[Halfmad]

1024x768 is XGA 800x600 is SVGA (they down scale 1024x768) - i must admit tho that the projectors are very cheap!

 

We haven't had any problems *yet* with running them at 1024x768, but that's possibly due to them being projected onto fairly large screens. For us it's the lamp cost that's a major factor, we did have Infocus and Epson projectors which were costing us just shy of £300/lamp until I replaced them (within a month of starting working here).

 

Oddly we've had only 1 lamp go in two years of using the Hitachi RS55/56 models and I know for a fact that it was down to non-cleaning of the filter.

[MyDejaVu]

the school where I work, 90% of the projectors ar hitachi CP-RS55, they are compact, cheap, although 1500 Lumens are somehow poor if your rooms are not dark, recently we have tried Sone VPL-ES3 they are cheap and are 2000 lumens, brighter, and they deliver a bigger projection within smaller spaces, but just recently somebody ordered a Sanyo PLC-XU74 this projector is 2500 lumens and I was very surprised for the quality and cristal clear picture, even that room had windows open but it did not affect the quality,

to resume, I would advice you to choose a projector at least 2000 lumens, price and design is up to You.

 

Greetings

[leon]

Hitachi converts here. Just finished getting rid of our other brands. However just seen the eVo v1.1 this afternoon...

 

http://www.lumenlab.com/store/

 

Tempting. Look at the lamp price (uses OHP type lamps I think, so might have a brightness problem)!

 

We use Roche AV for all our Hitachi needs. Can't fault them -they used to offer 4 year bulb warranties on the CPRS55s.

[witch]

Thanks

We cannot order on line so I could do with a few more places to buy stuff please - I wll look at the Epson, Hitachi and Mitsubishi

[Norphy]

The Epson EMP-X3 projectors are absolutely superb. NEC ones aren't bad either.

[plexer]

Witch: If you can;t order online most companies still have fax machines and will accept purchase orders from schools, if in doubt give them a ring.

 

Ben

[Andrew_C]

Somewhere on this board is a recommendation that classroom projectors are no brighter than 1500 lumens to protect the teachers' eyes. If this is not bright enough, then invest in blinds for the windows. If you had a huge screen, or a very long throw, you would need more.

 

I'll see if I can find the reference.

 

Here we go!

[zag]

We are using NEC VT570 projectors these days and they are excellent. Lamps are cheap and easy to get, they look awesome(shiny ipod white) and the image quality is very good.

 

http://img.shopping.com/cctool/PrdImg/images/pr/177X150/00/01/56/5c/db/22437083.JPG

[witch]

Further to my original post, the head has now said that shs is looking for the quietest projector she can get as we have a child with a cochlear implant and any ambient noise causes huge problems.

Are any of the projectors mentioned particularly quiet, or does anyone know one that is?

[western]

The Epson EX3 is not only bright and sharp but one of the selling points is the fast startup shutdown and how silent it is when running