Small, Svelte Digital Projectors
These seven projectors truly live up to their portable billing. But how do they perform as presentation tools?
We found a wide variance in the size, shape, and design of ultraportable digital projectors. Hewlett-Packard's Mp3130 (left) is a rarity, with its upright design. Both the NEC LT10 (right) and InFocus LP120 (center) are supercompact, but the former's sleek, short-depth form is more eye-catching.
Know how many times we've seen the term "lightweight" applied to a laptop PC--even ones that weigh 12 pounds? About as often as we've seen the term "portable" attached to a data projector. A projector's portability really comes into question when you're carrying it (along with your laptop and luggage) through airport security, at which point you'll wonder, "Portable relative to what--a cinder block?"
However, we discovered seven digital projectors weighing 4 pounds or under (without cables and other connectors) that live up to their billing. The PC World Test Center examined models from Dell, Hewlett-Packard, InFocus, NEC, Optoma, Plus Vision, and Xerox to see how they stack up at displaying everything from PowerPoint presentations and Excel spreadsheets to DVD movies. We liked the 2.2-pound NEC LT10 the best, due to its combination of terrific overall image quality and easy portability (it's about the size of the latest Harry Potter book).
If we look at factors beyond size, however, our runner-up, the Dell 3300MP, provides the best value, and is a well-rounded alternative for budget-conscious buyers. The 3300 MP ties the HP model as the heftiest base unit, at 4 pounds, and with all of its accessories it's also the heaviest of this group, exceeding 8 pounds.
All seven of the models we tested employ Texas Instruments' Digital Light Processing technology to project images. TI's single-chip DLP engine requires less space than an LCD engine does, enabling the production of increasingly miniaturized projectors. For example, the smallest projector we reviewed was Plus Vision's 2-pound V3-131, which stands just 1.4 inches tall and measures 6.2 inches wide by 8.2 inches long.
The superslim Plus Vision V3-131 (left) achieves its small size thanks to its pop-up lens mechanism; by contrast, Dell's 3300MP is big and boxy.
The projectors we tested were rated at brightness levels from 1000 to 1800 ANSI lumens (an industry-standard measure). The InFocus LP120 and Plus V3-131 are rated at 1000 ANSI lumens, and the NEC LT10, Optoma EzPro 725, and Xerox DP 1011 are rated at 1100 lumens. Those brightness levels are sufficient for use in small conference rooms (typically ones that accommodate 10 to 15 people at the table), either in darkness or with moderate ambient light. But larger rooms, small auditoriums, and situations with a lot of ambient light call for a model with a higher lumens rating. The Dell 3300MP, at 1500 lumens, and the HP Digital Projector Mp3130, at 1800 lumens, both fared better than the other models in this review when viewed with the lights on.
Easy as Plug and Display
We evaluated the projectors at their native XGA (1024 by 768) resolution and default factory settings. We set the PCs used in our testing at a matching resolution. To connect the projectors to our test systems, we used an M1-A cable (which pairs both VGA and USB connectors with a single input on the projector) on the models that allow that connection, and a VGA cable on the ones that don't. (Only the Dell, HP, and InFocus projectors have an M1-A port.) Our battery of tests included several Word and Excel document screens; a variety of still graphics images; and a series of motion tests featuring a PowerPoint presentation, a DVD movie, and a video game.
On the whole, setting up the projectors was painless: Each included a VGA cable and a composite video cable, and all but the Optoma included an S-Video cable. In addition to an M1-A connection, the Dell, HP, and InFocus units also support an M1-DA connection, which combines a DVI connector with USB--the cable costs $25 to $50 extra. The Dell and InFocus models came with the most generous assortment of cables, including almost everything you could need (except for the M1-DA cable).
We found many commonalities among the seven projectors tested. All had easy-to-navigate graphical on-screen menus--except the InFocus, whose plain-gray text menu was frustrating to use (it required navigating multiple layers to complete some tasks). And all provided image adjustments to fine-tune such specifics as color temperature, brightness, and contrast, and to fix keystoned images.
Just three units have expansion options: HP's $600 module provides USB ports, an ethernet connection, and a CompactFlash slot for adding wireless connectivity (via an 802.11b CF card) or for displaying a presentation stored on a media card; InFocus's $500 LiteShow module supplies 802.11b connectivity; and Dell's $150 add-on has a six-in-one flash memory card reader.
Every one of the projectors tested includes a remote control so that you can adjust the projector from afar, but only the Dell, HP, and InFocus (via an optional cable) remotes could control a PC's mouse, and only the Dell and InFocus ones included laser pointers. We found the Dell and the NEC remote controls the most comfortable to hold, but HP's remote had the most responsive buttons. The worst examples were from Optoma and Xerox, whose identical, credit card-size remotes pack away easily but were a pain to use.
On the Big Screen
Fraternal twins: The Xerox (top) and Optoma appear similar and have the same remote, but their image quality differs.
Three of the models we tested--from NEC, Optoma, and Xerox--appear to share common DNA. Cosmetically, the most obvious difference among the three is the NEC's attractive navy blue grille covering the front-mounted fan. Otherwise, all three have the same physical design, right down to the ports on the back and the control panel.
Even so, the projectors showed differences in image quality when at the same settings--which suggests that each vendor made specific tweaks to the firmware and electronics of its product. In spite of these projectors' identical lumens rating, the Optoma displayed the brightest images of the three. This trait helped the Optoma earn the top score overall on our text tests: White text on a black background in a Microsoft Word document screen jumped right out at us. However, the higher brightness hindered the Optoma's display of colors in our graphics tests, where this unit came in fourth.
The NEC's text was nearly as sharp as the Optoma's, though white backgrounds seemed to have a warmer tinge. Plus, it topped our graphics tests, displaying rich colors in our test photo of fruit and good, accurate skin tones on a group photo.
Meanwhile, the Xerox model just barely missed our chart, due in part to its higher price. The Xerox topped the pack on our motion tests, and did nearly as well as the NEC on text, but it came in a distant fifth on our graphics tests (manual adjustments helped improve the image).
The Dell's physical design is unremarkable--and the most clunky-looking of the bunch. But this model proved a versatile performer: The 3300MP came in second in our text tests and third in our graphics tests, displaying crisp lettering, vibrant colors, and realistic skin tones. This unit's one weakness was on our motion tests, where it came in last among our field.
Innovative Designs
Our nod for most elegant design goes to the InFocus LP120, which measures just 2 inches deep. This model tied for top marks on our graphics and motion tests, and produced sharp text (though its text screens lacked the brightness and overall impact we saw from the Dell and the Optoma). Sadly, the lens's focus and zoom rings are so close that we found it hard to adjust one without accidentally affecting the other, and the left side of the unit (where the fan is located) becomes unusually hot during operation.
The HP Digital Projector Mp3130 sports an unusual upright design that allows it to throw the image from a higher point of origin than the horizontally oriented units can, an asset in presenting situations where you need to raise the image (for example, to clear an object on the conference table). The unit's vertical orientation works against it in very dark rooms, however, as light spills out through its taller-than-usual front fan grilles and distracts viewers seated near the projector. At default settings, this model was a mediocre performer in our lab tests. Video showed artifacts and appeared muddy, especially in special-effects sequences on our DVD movie.
The biggest disappointment was the Plus Vision V3-131, which didn't make the chart due to its poor performance on our text and graphics tests (all of its images were marred by a grayish pall). This noisy model did well on our motion tests, though, and will suffice for use with many PowerPoint presentations.
Most of the units we reviewed will serve you well should you need a presentation projector to take on the road. All of them live up to their promise of portability.
Melissa J. PerensonFive Projecting Tips for Presenting Pros
Try to make the projector throw a level image: Although all projectors offer keystone adjustments, using as little keystone correction as possible will help you achieve a "square" image. Using digital scaling to correct keystoned images results in a loss of resolution, and can degrade the image at extreme angles.
Verify that your PC or notebook's video settings match the native resolution of the projector: This way, you'll get the optimal image without the blurring effects of digital scaling. If you have to change your notebook's native resolution--for example, if you have a wide-screen notebook--we recommend disabling your notebook's display during the presentation and looking at the projected image of your video or slides. Images shown on the notebook's display might be cut off or fuzzy in their temporary resolution--an unnecessary distraction when you are giving a presentation.
Know your projector vendor's support policies: Some vendors--Dell, HP, and NEC, among the vendors represented in our chart--provide warranties with quicker repair turnarounds than others (some vendors even offer a replacement unit sent by overnight delivery). These policies could be lifesavers if your projector suddenly dies while you're in the middle of a three-week road show.
Connect a progressive-scan DVD player to your projector's PC VGA port for great DVD video playback: Unlike full-size and home theater projectors, the ultraportable models we reviewed lack good video processing. You can bypass the projector's video circuitry entirely by connecting a progressive-scan DVD player with a component-video-to-15-pin-VGA gender-changing cable (about a $25 investment). This connection takes advantage of the DVD player's internal video de-interlacing.
Bring a portable speaker system: If your presentation includes sound, don't rely on the puny, monaural speaker in your ultraportable projector (assuming it even has one--the NEC, Optoma, and Xerox units we saw all lack a speaker). We suggest getting a portable speaker system, such as RCA's $40 FSP200, which folds into the size of a paperback book.