Green A/V

Offering power savings, low emissions, and recycled materials, today's 'smart' classroom technology has an environmentally friendly edge.

• By Charlene O’Hanlon
• 04/01/09

Pocket Projector

The Acer K10 is a compact projector featuring PhlatLight LED technology, which is free from hazardous substances such as mercury or halogen gases, and consumes less power than traditional lamps. Weighing only about 1.2 pounds, the projector features SVGA (800 x 600) resolution, and its LED backlight boasts about 20,000 estimated life hours, delivering 100 ANSI lumens with a contrast ratio of 1,000:1. The K10 has both S-Video and VGA connections, as well as automatic and manual keystone correction, tripod mounting screw, and Kensington lock. It can be charged by connecting to a laptop via USB. Price: $443.

Power-Saving Surge Protector

APC's P8VNTG Power-Saving Audio/Video Surge Protector is designed to protect valuable audio A/V components such as flat-panel TVs and audio systems from damaging power transients like surges and spikes. The device features AC and video line surge protection while complying with UL1449 2nd Edition standards. The surge protector's illuminated outlets allow for easy component connection, and its "master/controlled" outlets automatically cut power to unused equipment, to save money and energy. Price: $34.9.

Widescreen Flat Panels

Dell's G2210 and G2410 widescreen LED flat panels (part of the company's G-series line of environmentally friendly monitors) consume less than half the power of comparable monitors, and use less than 0.15 watts of power in sleep mode. The design of the high-performance EPEAT Gold and Energy Star-compliant monitors combines energy efficiency, LED technology, recycled materials, and other environmentally preferable components. The G2210 has a 22-inch diagonal viewable image size with a maximum resolution of 1,680 x 1,050, while the G2410 features a 24-inch diagonal viewable image size with a high-definition resolution of 1,920 x 1,080. Both have VGA (analog) and DVI-D (digital) with HDCP connections. The built-in ambient light sensor responds to surrounding brightness, automatically adjusting levels (when enabled). The dynamic dimming function can automatically decrease the on-screen brightness when the image consists primarily of white and/or bright areas. Prices for the G2210 and G2410 start at $279 and $359, respectively.

Green Screens

Featured in the company's EcoVision range of earth-friendly products, Draper's Matt White, M1300, HiDef Grey, and High Contrast Grey front-projection viewing surfaces are Greenguard-certified (Greenguard is the strictest available standard for defining goods with low chemical and particle emissions for use in schools and other buildings). The Greenguard-certified surface materials are available on all Draper motorized, manual, and fixed front-projection screens. Prices range from $100 to $3,000, depending on screen model.

Interactive Whiteboard-- Anywhere

Luidia's eBeam Projection is a compact, portable, and easy-to-use device that, when paired with any digital projector, transforms any projection surface into an interactive whiteboard. Weighing less than a pound, the eBeam receiver can be added to existing classroom whiteboards, eliminating the need to rip out old boards or purchase new ones. The receiver's coverage area is customizable according to workspace needs, to a maximum of 8 x 4 feet. Users control the system via eBeam's interactive stylus, which behaves like a mouse, including left-click, right-click, and a special button for accessing the on-screen tool palettes. Price: Bluetooth-enabled, $1,09.95; USB-enabled, $749.95.

Energy-Efficient Projector

The Epson PowerLite 1735W multimedia projector boasts several environmentally friendly features, including energy-efficient E-TORL lamp technology that projects more lumens per watt and offers lower overall power consumption compared with competitive models. The 1735W features 3,000 lumens of brightness and WXGA resolution, and incorporates "instant on" and "instant off" capability, enabling presenters to be up and running in less than six seconds and to power down in less than four seconds, decreasing the length of time that the projector is on. Weighing less than 4 pounds, the device is Windows Vista Network Projector compatible, and features a plug-and-play USB connection for playing video and audio from a PC, or for PC-free presentations via USB memory device. Price: $1,649.

High-Performance Power Amplifiers

Extron's XTRA Series Power Amplifiers are the first commercial power amplifiers to be Energy Star-qualified. The XTRA Series includes the XPA 1002 (stereo) and the XPA 2001 (mono). Both models are professional-grade 200-watt RMS power amplifiers with low power consumption and low heat generation. The XPA 1002 and XPA 2001 consume just 10 watts when idle and less than 1 watt in standby mode (the devices enter into standby after one hour of inactivity, or when the standby port is triggered). Since the amplifiers draw so little power in standby mode, operating costs can be greatly reduced in campus environments where they are left on around the clock. Price (for the XPA 1002 or the XPA 2001): $590.

Longer Lamp Life

Designed for corporate, government, and education settings, NEC's NP62 DLP projector features the company's Eco Mode technology, which increases lamp life by up to 40 percent for a total of up to 3,500 hours. The NP62 includes USB connectivity for use with a USB thumb drive, eliminating the need to carry a laptop. An optional Bluetooth USB adapter allows for reception of wireless images from a PC, PDA, or mobile phone. The quick-start and quick-cooling features minimize setup and teardown times between meetings. Additional specs: 3,000 lumens of brightness; 1,600:1 contrast ratio; 1,024 x 768 XGA native resolution; 15-pin RGB, RCA, S-Video input connectors and audio input; and HD compatibility. Price: $1,39.

Eco-Friendly Monitors

The latest in Samsung's Touch of Color line of desktop displays, the P2070, P2270, and P2370 LCD monitors consume half the normal wattage of other monitors thanks to a design based on two-lamp power consumption. The manufacturing process eliminates harmful paints and sprays to enhance the recyclability of the entire monitor. The monitors boast an ultra-fast 2ms (GTG) video response time, a 16:9 aspect ratio, and 1,920 x 1,080 HD resolution. Contact vendor for pricing.

Modular Distance Learning Solution

The Tandberg Educator MXP is a modular distance learning and conferencing solution available in three configurations -- monitor, cabinet, and podium-- to best suit instructor and student needs in various distance learning environments. The system can join up to six video and five audio sites with optional embedded MultiSite functionality, so that students in several satellite locations, for instance, can attend classes without driving long distances to campus. The Educator is powered by Tandberg's 6000 MXP videoconferencing technology. Other features include: a 12-inch color video touchpanel that enables instructors to control video calls and multiple peripherals (including cameras, PCs, and DVDs); a high-definition or wide-angle view camera with extensive zoom, pan, and tilt; and protection against network interruptions in point-to-point and multipoint calls. Prices range from $35,000 to $80,000, depending on configuration.