Product Focus: Short-throw Projectors for Under $1,500

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We've all seen it happen at AV presentations. Caught in the beam of the projector, the lecturer winces like a vampire, even as students make shadow puppets on the screen behind him. There is another way. Unlike traditional projectors, short-throw models can be positioned next to the screen, so the lecturer doesn't have to worry about where he stands. And he can actually see his audience.

We identified more than 60 short-throw and ultra-short-throw projectors on the market that can display full-size images on a screen just a few feet away. They are great for small- and medium-sized classrooms, and eliminate many of the issues of having a traditional projector at the rear of the room. With so many models available, though, the key is to find one that suits your needs.

For this survey, we focus on projectors under $1,500. Among those models priced above $1,500 are some with remarkable features--including 20-watt stereo speakers on the 3M SCP716 Interactive Multimedia Projector (with wall mount) and a projection distance of just four inches for the Dukane 8104HW Ultra-short-throw Projector--as well as the top-selling Epson BrightLink 455Wi Interactive Projector.

Note: All prices are the manufacturer's suggested retail price; the reseller price may be up to 50 percent lower. The lists are based on manufacturers' specifications compiled by GovConnection.com and from the manufacturers themselves; we have not done any product testing to verify manufacturers' claims.


NEC NP-510WS

NEC NP-510WS

Features
Native Resolution: WXGA (1,280 x 800)
Brightness (Maximum): 2,100 lumens
Contrast Ratio: 600:1
Max Throw Ratio: 0.74
Image Size Range (Diagonal): 57" to 104" (screen size)
Projection Distance: 35" to 68"
Display Technology: LCD (three-panel, 0.59")
Weight: 7.3 lbs.
Dimensions (W x H x D): 12.1" x 5.4" x 11.9"
Integrated Speakers: Single 7 watt speaker
AV Ports In: RGB/component (mini D-sub 15-pin) port, DVI-I, S-video, composite video, stereo minijack
AV Ports Out: RGB (mini D-sub 15-pin) port, stereo minijack
Networking, Control & Peripheral Ports: LAN (RJ-45), RS-232
Keystone Correction: ±20° vertical (auto and manual)
Optical Zoom: 1.2x
Light Source: 230W
Max Lamp Life: 5,000 hours
Audible Noise: 35/29 dB (normal/eco mode)
Security: Integrated Kensington lock slot

https://www.necdisplay.com/p/multimedia-projectors/np510ws


Dell S300

Dell S300 Short Throw Projector

 

Features
Native Resolution: WXGA (1,280 x 800)
Brightness (Maximum): 2,200 lumens
Contrast Ratio: 2,400:1
Max Throw Ratio: 0.521
Image Size Range (Diagonal): 44.6" to 294"
Projection Distance: 19" to 132"
Display Technology: DLP (single chip, 0.65")
Weight: 6.7 lbs.
Dimensions (W x H x D): 12" x 3.9" x 9.7"
Integrated Speakers: Single 8 watt speaker
AV Ports In: HDMI, two RGB/component (mini D-sub 15-pin) ports, S-video, composite video, stereo RCA audio jacks, stereo minijack, microphone port (minijack)
AV Ports Out: RGB (mini D-sub 15-pin) port, stereo minijack
Networking, Control & Peripheral Ports: LAN (RJ-45), three USB (type A, type B, mini), RS-232
Keystone Correction: +40°/-35° vertical
Light Source: 190W
Max Lamp Life: 5,000 hours
Audible Noise: 33 dB

https://www.dell.com/us/en/highered/peripherals/projector-dell-s300/pd.aspx?c=us&l=en&refid=projector-dell-s300&s=highered


Mitsubishi XD221U-ST(D)

Mitsubishi XD221U-ST(D)

Features
Native Resolution: XGA (1,024 x 768)
Brightness (Maximum): 2,000 lumens
Contrast Ratio: 2,500:1
Max Throw Ratio: 0.7
Image Size Range (Diagonal): 40" to 300"
Projection Distance: 22" to 167"
Display Technology: DLP (single chip, 0.55")
Weight: 7 lbs.
Dimensions (W x H x D): 12.6" x 4.1" x 9.3"
Integrated Speakers: Single 10 watt speaker
AV Ports In: Two RGB/component (mini D-sub 15-pin) ports, S-video, composite video, two stereo minijacks
AV Ports Out: RGB (mini D-sub 15-pin) port, stereo minijack
Networking, Control & Peripheral Ports: LAN (RJ-45), RS-232
Light Source: 180W
Max Lamp Life: 5,000 hours
Audible Noise: 29/26 dB (normal/eco mode)

 

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Sanyo PDG-DXL100

Sanyo PDG-DXL100

Features
Native Resolution: XGA (1,024 x 768)
Brightness (Maximum): 2,700 lumens
Contrast Ratio: 750:1
Max Throw Ratio: 0.61
Image Size Range (Diagonal): 40" to 300"
Projection Distance: 20" to 150"
Display Technology: DLP (single chip, 0.55")
Weight: 8.2 lbs.
Dimensions (W x H x D): 12.1" x 4.7" x 9.9"
Integrated Speakers: Single 8 watt speaker
AV Ports In: HDMI, two RGB/component (mini D-sub 15-pin) ports, S-video, composite video, stereo minijack
AV Ports Out: RGB (mini D-sub 15-pin) port, stereo minijack
Networking, Control & Peripheral Ports: LAN (RJ-45), RS-232
Keystone Correction: ±15° vertical
Light Source: 225W
Max Lamp Life: 3,000 hours
Audible Noise: 34/29 dB (normal/eco mode)
Security: Integrated lock port

 

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Mitsubishi EW230U-ST

Mitsubishi EW230U-ST

Features
Native Resolution: WXGA (1,280 x 800)
Brightness (Maximum): 2,400 lumens
Contrast Ratio: 2,000:1
Max Throw Ratio: 0.5
Image Size Range (Diagonal): 50" to 300"
Projection Distance: 21" to 124"
Display Technology: DLP (single chip, 0.65")
Weight: 6.2 lbs.
Dimensions (W x H x D): 11.1" x 3.7" x 9.0"
Integrated Speakers: Single 2 watt speaker
AV Ports In: HDMI, two RGB/component (mini D-sub 15-pin) ports, composite video, stereo RCA audio jacks, stereo minijack
AV Ports Out: RGB (mini D-sub 15-pin) port, stereo minijack
Networking, Control & Peripheral Ports: LAN (RJ-45), RS-232
Light Source: 185W
Max Lamp Life: 4,000 hours
Audible Noise: 34/29 dB (normal/eco mode)

 

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NEC NP-U310W

NEC NP-U310W

Features
Native Resolution: WXGA (1,280 x 800)
Brightness (Maximum): 3,100 lumens
Contrast Ratio: 2,000:1
Max Throw Ratio: 0.3
Image Size Range (Diagonal): 77" to 100" (screen size)
Projection Distance: 20" to 26"
Display Technology: DLP (single chip, 0.65")
Weight: 14.3 lbs.
Dimensions (W x H x D): 16.8" x 7.9" 16"
Integrated Speakers: Single 10 watt speaker
AV Ports In: HDMI, two RGB/component (mini D-sub 15-pin) ports, S-video, composite video, stereo minijack
AV Ports Out: RGB (mini D-sub 15-pin) port, stereo minijack
Networking, Control & Peripheral Ports: LAN (RJ-45), USB, RS-232
Keystone Correction: ±15° vertical (auto and manual)
Optical Zoom: 1.1x
Light Source: 280W
Max Lamp Life: 3,000 hours
Audible Noise: 36/32 dB (normal/eco mode)
Security: Integrated Kensington lock slot

 

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Dell S300w

Dell S300W Short Throw Projector

 

Features
Native Resolution: WXGA (1,280 x 800)
Brightness (Maximum): 2,200 lumens
Contrast Ratio: 2,400:1
Max Throw Ratio: 0.521
Image Size Range (Diagonal): 44.6" to 294"
Projection Distance: 19" to 132"
Display Technology: DLP (single chip, 0.65")
Weight: 6.8 lbs.
Dimensions (W x H x D): 12" x 3.9" x 9.7"
Integrated Speakers: Single 8 watt speaker
AV Ports In: HDMI, two RGB/component (mini D-sub 15-pin) ports, S-video, composite video, stereo RCA audio jacks, two stereo minijacks, microphone port (minijack)
AV Ports Out: RGB (mini D-sub 15-pin) port, stereo minijack
Networking, Control & Peripheral Ports: Wireless (802.11b/g), LAN (RJ-45), three USB (type A, type B, mini), RS-232
Keystone Correction: +40°/-35° vertical
Light Source: 190W
Max Lamp Life: 5,000 hours
Audible Noise: 33 dB

https://accessories.us.dell.com/sna/productdetail.aspx?c=us&l=en&s=hied&cs=RC956904&sku=S300W3Y&~ck=dellSearch&baynote_bnrank=0&baynote_irrank=4


ViewSonic PJD7383

ViewSonic PJD7383

Features
Native Resolution: XGA (1,024 x 768)
Brightness (Maximum): 3,000 lumens
Contrast Ratio: 2,000:1
Max Throw Ratio: 0.61
Image Size Range (Diagonal): 30" to 300"
Projection Distance: 14" to 145"
Display Technology: DLP (single chip, 0.55")
Weight: 7.7 lbs.
Dimensions (W x H x D): 11.4" x 5" x 10"
Integrated Speakers: Single 10 watt speaker
AV Ports In: Two RGB/component (mini D-sub 15-pin) ports, USB mini-B (display), S-video, composite video, stereo RCA audio jacks, stereo minijack, microphone jack (minijack)
AV Ports Out: RGB (mini D-sub 15-pin) port, stereo minijack
Networking, Control & Peripheral Ports: LAN (RJ-45), USB, RS-232
Keystone Correction: ±40° vertical
Light Source: 210W
Max Lamp Life: 6,000 hours
Audible Noise: 32/27 dB (normal/eco mode)
Security: Panel key lock

 

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