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.


Sanyo PDG-DWL100

Sanyo PDG-DWL100

Features
Native Resolution: WXGA (1,280 x 800)
Brightness (Maximum): 2,600 lumens
Contrast Ratio: 1,750:1
Max Throw Ratio: 0.51
Image Size Range (Diagonal): 46" to 338"
Projection Distance: 20" to 146"
Display Technology: DLP (single chip, 0.65")
Weight: 8.4 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: 4,000 hours
Audible Noise: 34/29 dB (normal/eco mode)
Security: Integrated lock port

 

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BenQ MS612ST

BenQ MS612ST

 
Features
Native Resolution: SVGA (800 x 600)
Brightness (Maximum): 2,500 lumens
Contrast Ratio: 5,000:1
Max Throw Ratio: 0.9
Image Size Range (Diagonal): 27" to 300"
Projection Distance: 24" to 270"
Display Technology: DLP (single chip)
Weight: 5.5 lbs.
Dimensions (W x H x D): 12.2" x 4.1" x 9.6" without lens
Integrated Speakers: 10 watt stereo
AV Ports In: HDMI, one RGB/component (mini D-sub 15-pin) port, USB mini-B (display), S-video, composite video, stereo minijack, stereo RCA audio jacks
AV Ports Out: RGB (mini D-sub 15-pin) port, stereo minijack
Networking, Control & Peripheral Ports: USB, RS-232
Keystone Correction: ±40° vertical
Optical Zoom: 1.2x
Light Source: 190W
Max Lamp Life: 6,000 hours
Audible Noise: 29/26 dB (normal/eco mode)
Security: Password

 

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InFocus IN3916 Interactive Projector

InFocus IN3916 Interactive Projector

Features
Native Resolution: WXGA (1,280 x 800)
Brightness (Maximum): 2,700 lumens
Contrast Ratio: 3,200:1
Max Throw Ratio: 0.52
Image Size Range (Diagonal): 57" to 125"
Projection Distance: 29.52" to 64.8"
Display Technology: DLP (single chip)
Weight: 9.9 lbs.
Dimensions (W x H x D): 12.6" x 4.9" x 9.9"
Integrated Speakers: 10 watt stereo
AV Ports In: HDMI, two RGB/component (mini D-sub 15-pin) ports, USB mini-B (display), 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), USB, RS-232; optional: 802.11b/g WiFi
Keystone Correction: ±30° vertical
Light Source: 220W
Max Lamp Life: 4,000 hours
Audible Noise: 35/30 dB (normal/eco mode)
Security: Integrated Kensington lock slot
Additional Features: Interactive

 

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InFocus IN3914 Interactive Projector

InFocus IN3914 Interactive Projector

Features
Native Resolution: XGA (1,024 x 768)
Brightness (Maximum): 2,700 lumens
Contrast Ratio: 3,200:1
Max Throw Ratio: 0.61
Image Size Range (Diagonal): 48" to 106"
Projection Distance: 29.52" to 64.8"
Display Technology: DLP (single chip)
Weight: 9.9 lbs.
Dimensions (W x H x D): 12.6" x 4.9" x 9.9"
Integrated Speakers: 10 watt stereo
AV Ports In: 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: USB, RS-232
Keystone Correction: ±30° vertical
Light Source: 220W
Max Lamp Life: 4,000 hours
Audible Noise: 35/30 dB (normal/eco mode)
Security: Integrated Kensington lock slot
Additional Features: Interactive

 

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Hitachi CP-AW250N

Hitachi CP-AW250N

Features
Native Resolution: WXGA (1,280 x 800)
Brightness (Maximum): 2,500 lumens
Contrast Ratio: 2,000:1
Max Throw Ratio: 0.3
Image Size Range (Diagonal): 60" to 100" (screen size)
Projection Distance: 16.8" to 27.5"
Display Technology: LCD (three-panel, 0.59" polysilicon, active-matrix TFT
Weight: 8.6 lbs.
Dimensions (W x H x D): 13.6" x 3.4" x 11.9"
Integrated Speakers: Single 10 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 jack (stereo minijack)
AV Ports Out: RGB (mini D-sub 15-pin) port, stereo RCA audio ports
Networking, Control & Peripheral Ports: LAN (RJ-45), two USB ports, RS-232
Light Source: 210W
Max Lamp Life: 5,000 hours
Audible Noise: 35/29 dB (normal/eco mode)
Security: Integrated Kensington lock slot

 

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NEC NP-M300WS

NEC NP-M300WS

Features
Native Resolution: WXGA (1,280 x 800)
Brightness (Maximum): 3,000 lumens
Contrast Ratio: 2,000:1
Max Throw Ratio: 0.48
Image Size Range (Diagonal): 56" to 104" (screen size)
Projection Distance: 22" to 43"
Display Technology: LCD (three-panel, 0.59")
Weight: 8.8 lbs.
Dimensions (W x H x D): 15.7" x 5.5" x 12.2"
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, DDC/CI (via RGB port); optional: WiFi
Keystone Correction: ±20° vertical (auto and manual)
Optical Zoom: 1.2x
Light Source: 265W
Max Lamp Life: 3,500 hours
Audible Noise: 36/30 dB (normal/eco mode)
Security: Integrated Kensington lock slot

 

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Hitachi CP-A220N

Hitachi CP-A220N

Features
Native Resolution: XGA (1,024 x 768)
Brightness (Maximum): 2,200 lumens
Contrast Ratio: 2,000:1
Max Throw Ratio: 0.3
Image Size Range (Diagonal): 53" to 86" (estimated)
Projection Distance: 15.9" to 26" (from mirror)
Display Technology: LCD (three-panel, 0.63" polysilicon, active-matrix TFT
Weight: 8.6 lbs.
Dimensions (W x H x D): 13.6" x 3.3" x 11.9"
Integrated Speakers: Single 10 watt speaker
AV Ports In: HDMI, two RGB/component (mini D-sub 15-pin) ports, S-video, composite video, USB (display), stereo RCA audio jacks, stereo minijack. microphone jack (stereo minijack)
AV Ports Out: RGB (mini D-sub 15-pin) port, stereo RCA audio ports
Networking, Control & Peripheral Ports: LAN (RJ-45), USB (one type B, one shared with display), RS-232
Light Source: 210W
Max Lamp Life: 5,000 hours
Audible Noise: 35/29 dB (normal/eco mode)
Security: Integrated Kensington lock slot

 

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LG BX286 Short Throw Projector

LG BX286 Short Throw Projector

Features
Native Resolution: XGA (1,024 x 768)
Brightness (Maximum): 2,800 lumens
Contrast Ratio: 2,100:1
Max Throw Ratio: 0.626
Image Size Range (Diagonal): 31.4" to 786.1"
Projection Distance: 19.6" to 492" (estimated)
Display Technology: DLP (single chip, 0.55")
Weight: 6.83 lbs.
Dimensions (W x H x D): 12.1" x 3.9" x 8.8"
Integrated Speakers: Single 5 watt speaker
AV Ports In: HDMI, one RGB/component (mini D-sub 15-pin) port, 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
Light Source: 230W
Max Lamp Life: 4,000 hours
Audible Noise: 34/30 dB (normal/eco mode)
Security: Integrated Kensington lock slot

 

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