LCD panels/projectors

[jennifer fleming]

In response to Frances Roehm's question about projectors, I'm clipping a
bunch of recommendations from another listserv, NETTRAIN, which recently
discussed this.  Sorry for the lengthy message.  Hope it helps!

Jennifer Fleming
Boston Public Library


>With respect to portable projectors........we have a medium grade
>Proxima---worth around $3,000.  Does an excellent job--256 colors
>and great resolution.  I conduct training over a 96 county area and find
>this projector excellent.............You do NOT have to pay anywhere
>near $9,000 to get a quality projector........
>Kathy Austin <ODAUS at COBA2.TTU.EDU>

>Portable projectors run around $9,000US to $10,000US.  They weigh about 16-17
>lbs. and are very over-priced at the moment. Call your local computer rental
>shop.  They are probably renting them out and can tell which brand names they
>have had experience with.
>Deb Redman, Director of Training, EBS, webdeb at ebs.net

>I've received quite a few e-mails from people interested in getting a free
>subscription to Presentations with respect to following reviews/comparisons
>of LCD panels and projectors.  For those who are interested here is the
>information:
>Call 1-800-328-4329.  The publisher is Lakewood Magazine.  Ask for a free
>subscription to Presentations.  The January issue reviewed more than 50
>projectors (starting page 38).  Reprints can be had at 612-340-4758. 
>Guy Huntington <guy at cyberstore.ca>

>As businesses move from LCD panels to LCD projectors there are real
>savings on LCD panels from companies wanting to get rid of older stock.
>Saving can be as high as 50% e.g. $2-3000. for adequate to good panels.
>Check with your local distributor.
>Ian Gordon, Brock University Library, igordon at spartan.ac.brocku.ca

>There's no question that portable projectors are more convenient to
>transport than an LCD panel plus an overhead projector. They are also
>brighter (about 80 ANSI screen lumens for my LCD panel/overhead combo. vs.
100 lumens for low end projectors).
>But the criterion that seems to have been glossed over so far is price. The
>least expensive projectors I've seen cost about $5,000, while you can get
>an excellent color LCD panel for less than $2,000. That's a big difference.
>the LCD panels plus a bright overhead (I like the 3M units)
>may well be the way to go. I'm very happy with mine.
>-Adrian-  asegar at sover.net

>Having used both systems, I far prefer the projector units for the same
>reasons others have already mentioned, they tend to be much brighter and
>easier to use.
>An additional benefit I find invaluable is the ability of these units to
>display video's.  To my knowledge few if any LCD panels will accept a VCR
>input.
>John_Goldsmith <jgoldsmi at rainbow.fvrcs.gov.bc.ca>

>3-M makes a whole series of projectors. Their output is much better than LCD
>panels and the room does not need to be completely dark. On the down side
>they are very expensive ($5000 and up) and check the cost of changing a lamp
>on models you wish to purchase.
>Stew Bottorf    bottorfs at pinellas.k12.fl.us

>There was a review 2-4 months ago in PC mag on the 755cv by IBM.  They were
>very positive.  However I have recieved some less enthusiastic opionions.
>"David M. Webb" <davtutor at gate.net>

>A free magazine you should be getting is "Presentation Product News".  This
>contains regular reviews of most presentation products.
>I give presentations, workshops and speeches all over the world and can tell
>you from personal experience that LCD panels only work well in small rooms,
>with good lighting conditions and a strong lumen haolgen bulb in the
>overhead projector.  If you can't control these variables then the best bet
>is a proper projector such as a Proxima or LitePro.
>Guy Huntington <guy at cyberstore.ca>

>Infocus and Proxima both make excellent portable lcd projectors.  Proxima is
>in San Diego, Infocus is is Oregon or Washington.  A large AV supplier
>probably carries one or both.  I would use either over an lcd panel -- the
>brightness is better, they are very portable and quick to setup.  They come
>with built-in speakers hich is a plus if you're using any vcrs.
>Bob Pike <BOBPIKECTT at AOL.COM>
>The Creative Training Techniques Companies

>Portable projectors are advertised in a number
>of journals, including Windows Magazine,
>Internet World, etc.  There may be a category
>for them on Yahoo under Business Computers
>[type of hardware]  or similar entries.  They cost
>at least as much as a display panel of the same
>quality, but give better and brighter displays in a
>smaller and slightly less fragile package than a
>display panel and overhead.
> Dan Lester <DLESTER at bsu.idbsu.edu