I had to get a new training projector, so I did a bit of research.
If you need to use it for Powerpoint etc., you should get a 4:3 projector (they still do good 16:9), and you should get at least 1024x768 NATIVE resolution.
Anything less than that, you can expect the very ugly Screen Door Effect (from the pixels showing). You can still get SDE at 1024x768, but manufacturers have found ways to virtually eliminate the problem at that resolution.
Note that some projectors say "Resolution 1600x1200!!!!" and then in tiny print "native resolution 1024x768".
For presentations in brightly lit rooms, you need lots of lumens. This used to be very expensive, now it's available for a lot less.
If you are going to use it only for watching HD content, get a true 16:9 projector with native 1280x720 resolution.
A stunning example of this is Hitachi's PJTX1000, a 3-panel LCD projector that has exceptional ED optics and sells for $2800 street in the U.S. (and about 1450 euro elsewhere, grrrr). The projected image on this thing simply looks three-dimensional, totally blows away everything under $8K or so, and blows away a lot of projectors over that, too.
Why native 16:9? Let's start with SVGA, the most common resolution, it's 800x600 in 4:3. In 16:9, we get 800x432... That's 432 lines, not so hot.
With 1024x768, you get at least 1024x554, ie. 554 lines (progressive at least).
...and the 1280x720 gives you just that, no loss at all, a full 720 lines.
Btw, it still looks great when watching 1080i content on DirectTV etc.
Obsolescence comes quickly. Projectors that sold for $8,000 - $12,000 last year are now going unsold at a very SMALL fraction of those prices. For good reason, the technology has moved so quickly.
Prices can change weekly right now, and it's good to check if the model you are buying is still manufactured, this will affect the price curve.
Best 1024x768 projectors at around $1500-ish right now:
Optoma EP 739 (aka Ez Pro 739)
2300 lumens
2000:1 contrast ratio
DDR (Double Data Rate) DLP (DDR eliminates or reduces the rainbow effect that some people see)
5.3 lbs., comes with a high quality padded carrying case
DVI input (makes it possible to get an all-digital video connection from a HDTV tuner and/or DVD player
HDCP (may be important to access secure content as it becomes available)
RGB & YUV component inputs
5,000 hour lamp life in Eco-mode (which is plenty bright), else 3,000 hours.
27dB noise (about the SPL of a leaf thinking about rustling)
Zoom lens
and lots more good stuff...
Truly amazing picture for both PPT and video
2-year warranty (this is no joke, repairs are pricey for projectors)
Price $1499 at J&R if bought through Amazon.com (else $1599). Free screen via mail-in request that takes "up to 8 weeks."
Price $1519.99 at www.bestbuy.com (not available in stores), with a free decent quality six-foot screen shipped simultaneously.
Manufacturing started July 2004, still made as far as I can tell.
BenQ PB8220
2200 lumens
2000:1 contrast
2,000 hours lamp life (no Eco mode)
features similar to the Optoma, but no DVI input and hence no HDCP
limited inputs
6.8 lbs.
FCC Class A (commercial use only)
34 dB noise
$1495 on eBay BuyItNow!
various prices elsewhere, some including a spare lamp (worth $399.95)
Manufacturing stopped Dec. 2003.
Both of these are from good major manufacturers, and have received very very good reviews. They stand out for offering lots of light and high contrast ratio in a portable package, with a very very good video image also.
I couldn't find anything else that came even close at these prices.
If you need to use it for Powerpoint etc., you should get a 4:3 projector (they still do good 16:9), and you should get at least 1024x768 NATIVE resolution.
Anything less than that, you can expect the very ugly Screen Door Effect (from the pixels showing). You can still get SDE at 1024x768, but manufacturers have found ways to virtually eliminate the problem at that resolution.
Note that some projectors say "Resolution 1600x1200!!!!" and then in tiny print "native resolution 1024x768".
For presentations in brightly lit rooms, you need lots of lumens. This used to be very expensive, now it's available for a lot less.
If you are going to use it only for watching HD content, get a true 16:9 projector with native 1280x720 resolution.
A stunning example of this is Hitachi's PJTX1000, a 3-panel LCD projector that has exceptional ED optics and sells for $2800 street in the U.S. (and about 1450 euro elsewhere, grrrr). The projected image on this thing simply looks three-dimensional, totally blows away everything under $8K or so, and blows away a lot of projectors over that, too.
Why native 16:9? Let's start with SVGA, the most common resolution, it's 800x600 in 4:3. In 16:9, we get 800x432... That's 432 lines, not so hot.
With 1024x768, you get at least 1024x554, ie. 554 lines (progressive at least).
...and the 1280x720 gives you just that, no loss at all, a full 720 lines.
Btw, it still looks great when watching 1080i content on DirectTV etc.
Obsolescence comes quickly. Projectors that sold for $8,000 - $12,000 last year are now going unsold at a very SMALL fraction of those prices. For good reason, the technology has moved so quickly.
Prices can change weekly right now, and it's good to check if the model you are buying is still manufactured, this will affect the price curve.
Best 1024x768 projectors at around $1500-ish right now:
Optoma EP 739 (aka Ez Pro 739)
2300 lumens
2000:1 contrast ratio
DDR (Double Data Rate) DLP (DDR eliminates or reduces the rainbow effect that some people see)
5.3 lbs., comes with a high quality padded carrying case
DVI input (makes it possible to get an all-digital video connection from a HDTV tuner and/or DVD player
HDCP (may be important to access secure content as it becomes available)
RGB & YUV component inputs
5,000 hour lamp life in Eco-mode (which is plenty bright), else 3,000 hours.
27dB noise (about the SPL of a leaf thinking about rustling)
Zoom lens
and lots more good stuff...
Truly amazing picture for both PPT and video
2-year warranty (this is no joke, repairs are pricey for projectors)
Price $1499 at J&R if bought through Amazon.com (else $1599). Free screen via mail-in request that takes "up to 8 weeks."
Price $1519.99 at www.bestbuy.com (not available in stores), with a free decent quality six-foot screen shipped simultaneously.
Manufacturing started July 2004, still made as far as I can tell.
BenQ PB8220
2200 lumens
2000:1 contrast
2,000 hours lamp life (no Eco mode)
features similar to the Optoma, but no DVI input and hence no HDCP
limited inputs
6.8 lbs.
FCC Class A (commercial use only)
34 dB noise
$1495 on eBay BuyItNow!
various prices elsewhere, some including a spare lamp (worth $399.95)
Manufacturing stopped Dec. 2003.
Both of these are from good major manufacturers, and have received very very good reviews. They stand out for offering lots of light and high contrast ratio in a portable package, with a very very good video image also.
I couldn't find anything else that came even close at these prices.