Multi-Media Projectors, Comparison of Models

A search of magazines and the web in late August 1996 turned up four models of multi-media projectors (from three manufacturers) which may meet SLAC's needs. Roughly twenty other models (from ten manufacturers) were considered then rejected as inappropriate for SLAC users (mostly either too dim or too heavy).

The Variables

A review of available projectors revealed sixteen variables, some of which were considered more important to SLAC users than others.

Most Important to SLAC Users:

Brightness - must work well in the Orange Room with the lights on
Interactivity - would like to be able to point and click on screen (Cyclops system or equivalent)
Quiet Fan - we need to hear the audience
Run from PC
Run from MAC
Zoom Lens - should work in both large rooms and small rooms
Size - should work as airline carry-on
Weight - keep it under 24 pounds

Of Medium Importance to SLAC Users:

Resolution - would like, 800 x 600, but don't require it
Color Quality - should not be washed out, but don't need perfect photo quality
Bulb Type - prefer halogen to metal halide. each cost the same per hour, but the former are cheaper (shorter lived) and hence it is less of a problem if the bulb is ruined by rough treatment

Not Important to SLAC Users:

Run from a VCR
Run from a PDF file on a Floppy - one of the manufacturers offers this (Media Express system). Our talks are not sufficiently canned to benefit from this
Sound
Backlit Controls - there will be some lights on in the room
Ergonomics of Controls - we will get interactivity by pointing at screen
Document Camera built in - there will be an overhead nearby

The Four Models that Seem Appropriate for SLAC

The four models that might be appropriate for us are summarized below:

Model	Street Price	Brightness (lumens)	Interactivity	Zoom (image diag feet)	Size (inches)	Weight (pounds)	Resolution
Proxima 2910	7,200	650	Cyclops	3 to 11	17x13x6	22	640x480
Proxima 5500	8,800 (7,100)	500	Cyclops	2 to 33	17x12x7	23	640x480
Litepro 620	10,800 (8,500)	450	Gyropoint	4 to 15	16x13x8	24	800x600
NEC MT600	8,800 (7,000)	400	Gyropoint	2 to 25	16x13x6	16	640x480

Prices shown include either the Cyclops ($500) or the Gyropoint ($300) system. These are prices I've found on the web. Given in parentheses are very low numbers I have so far seen only at a single reseller. They may or may not be real. The prices on these devices are changing fast, generally downwards.
Interactivity - the Proxima models use the Cyclops pointer system. A camera in the projector actually watches the position of the presenter's laser pointer. The other models might get away with using the Gyropoint mouse. This is just a mouse that works without being on a surface (uses gyroscopes to sense motion). It does not promise as good hand-eye coordination as the Cyclops.
Run from PC - all of the models listed below can run from a PC
Run from MAC - all of the models listed below can run from a MAC
Bulb Type - all of the models listed below use Metal Halide bulbs. We would prefer to use the less precious, Halogen bulbs, since the projector may be treated roughly. But this doesn't appear to be available for the brightness we want.
Quiet Fan - the only way to know about this is to try it
Color Quality - the only way to know about this is to try it

Thoughts on How to Proceed, Before we Had a Demo

The Proxima models seem the most attractive. They offer what appears to be a superior interactivity solution (the Cyclops pointer system) and advertise themselves as the brightest without being the most expensive.

If we prefer to have higher resolution, then we might consider the Litepro. But we may then sacrifice brightness and price.

Our next step should be to get someone to demo these models for us, at least the two by Proxima.

Thoughts on How to Proceed, After we Had a Demo

On 3 September, we had a demonstration of two of the models, the Proxima 5500 and the Litepro 620.

Learned that one of the other models we had been considering, the Proxima 2910, does not really exist. It has been plagued by production and testing problems and may never become generally available. That explains why Proxima would have two models which seemed to have so few differences in specifications.

Both the Proxima 5500 and the Litepro 620 passed our brightness tests. Their brightness levels were identical as far as we could tell.
Both models had excellent color quality.
Both models had acceptable weight and size. One could travel with them.
Setup was easy for both units, though slightly easier for the Litepro (it autoconfigured more completely).
The Litepro felt easier on the eyes than the Proxima. This was probably due to it having no discernable flicker and it having higher resolution. It any case, all present agreed that it felt better.
We did not actually see the Cyclops pointer system (exclusive to Proxima), but were told that it has not had great customer satisfaction. It has been found to be clumsy. The Gyropoint (works with either system), has been very popular.
Fan noise was the only negative factor for the Litepro. It was as noisy as our noisiest overhead projectors and was significantly noisier than the Proxima. But note that the user need not stand right next to the Litepro as she must with an overhead projector. Control will be via a wireless mouse. Therefore, the fan noise will not be right in the user's ear.

With the Proxima 2910 now known to be nonexistant, and the Cyclops pointer system not a major factor, the Litepro 620 seems to be our best bet. It had higher resolution, was generally easier on the eyes and was the easiest to set up.

The only negative factor for the Litepro was fan noise. It there existed a comparable unit (in terms of brightness, weight and resolution) that was quieter, we would consider it. But since there is no such comparable unit, we should go with the Litepro 620.

Joseph Perl
3 September 1996