Office Workhorses: The Best Low-cost Projectors for the Office

The portfolio of the Japanese brand Epson includes more than one hundred projectors. For frequent use in the business sphere, the EB-E05 model, well sharpened for presentations, will fit with a bang.

The key person in the onboard equipment of the projector is a UHE lamp with a declared resource of 6,000 hours in standard operation mode and up to 10,000 hours in eco mode. At the peak of the glow, it produces a brightness of 3200 lm, both in white and in the rest of the color palette. The picture transmitted by the device retains excellent readability both in the twilight and in a well-lit room.

The projector is easy to install and set up for the first time. For projection from non-standard angles relative to the screen, it provides a number of compensatory functions: keystone correction, vertical and horizontal inclination, the Quick Corner option for adjusting the image shape by changing the arrangement of corner points. The model was loaded with support for playing 3D content.

External devices interface with the Epson EB-E05 via an analog VGA connector, a composite input, or a digital HDMI port. To “pump” the sound of a modest 2 W speaker, RCA “tulips” are called upon to connect an external audio system. Optionally, the projector can be equipped with a Wi-Fi module, after which the content can be broadcast directly from mobile gadgets using the iProjection application. Agree, a handy thing for the same business trips (no need to carry a laptop with you) or a quick display of YouTube videos using a smartphone(which is always at hand).

The Acer Essential series of projectors combines devices for work and leisure. Take, for example, the X-1326AWH model. During the day, you can “twist” presentations on it in front of potential business partners, and in the evening you can watch movies on a large diagonal screen (up to 300 inches).

At the heart of the device is a high-pressure mercury lamp manufactured by OSRAM. Its standard service life is about 6 thousand hours, and “survivability” in the ultra-economical ExtremeEco Life mode is up to 10 thousand hours in a row. The lamp provides a bright and clear image transmission even in well-lit rooms due to the high threshold of peak brightness (4000 lumens).

Acer X-1326AWH transmits the image to the projection screen in real resolution of 1280x800 pixels. The device operator can choose the aspect ratio of the frame 16:10, 4:3 and 16:9. Also, the model provides the user with a number of branded “improvers” of the image. In particular, Acer ColorBoost3D to increase the realism of color reproduction, Acer ColorSafe II to prevent color fading, Acer LumiSense to adjust brightness and saturation depending on the type of content, Acer BlueLightShield to protect the eyes.

The video signal is fed to the device via HDMI, VGA and composite input. Next to them on the rear panel are a USB 2.0 port and a 3.5mm mini-Jack for external speakers. The projector's own speaker outputs 3 watts of sound. The task of controlling the device is carried on the shoulders of a 9-key panel on the top end and a remote control. The icing on the cake is support for the display of 3D content, which provides a powerful effect of presence and a sense of immersion in what is happening.

In the segment of projection equipment, the Taiwanese company Optoma occupies by no means the last role. Under the sign of the brand, both projectors for deploying home theater systems and unpretentious office "workhorses" are produced. One of those is the DW318e model.

The device broadcasts an image in HD resolution (1280x800 pixels) at a distance of 1-12 m from the projection canvas. Diagonal picture size ranges from the standard TV 32 inches to an impressive 300 inches. The model is classified as a DLP projector, whose strong point is high contrast. In practice, this adds depth to the image and allows you to more clearly distinguish between texts (important when broadcasting presentations).

The lifetime of the projector lamp ranges from 6,000 hours at maximum brightness to 15,000 hours in economy mode. Moreover, the guarantee applies to it even when working “non-stop”, i.e. 24 hours a day and 7 days a week. Once a day, she only needs a half-hour rest for the benefit of extending her life. Such a feature will be useful for stores that play commercials on their screens all the time.

Like most peers, Optoma DW318e supports three-dimensional video playback (3D). However, glasses are not included as standard with the projector. The video signal is fed to the device via HDMI and VGA interfaces. Also, the model got hold of a USB port with power support and a 10-watt speaker. The projector is subject to permanent installation or relocation to the point of holding office events in the hands, for which you will need to buy a portable bag for it in a separate order.

Viewsonic PX701HD is a versatile projector for home and office. In a relaxed home atmosphere, you can use it to organize watching movies in FullHD, and in the meeting room - showing business presentations.

The device is equipped with a high-brightness lamp (3500 lumens at peak) with an extended life in SuperEco + mode (up to 20 thousand hours). The projector will automatically enter it when idle for 5 minutes. The image is transmitted to a screen adapted for this case in a size of 30 to 300 inches diagonally.

The software assets of the model include the proprietary color “improver” SuperColor, which guards the expansion of the color range. Mechanized lens shift provides the ability to adjust the shape of the image remotely using the remote control. Finally, users have the right to fine-tune the color profile thanks to the vColorTuner function.

The Viewsonic PX701HD interface shelf is equipped with a tandem of HDMI ports, a USB connector with a built-in 5 V / 1.5 A power output (for connecting wireless dongles), VGA input and output, and a 3.5mm mini-Jack for external speakers. The latter will come in handy, if the strength of a regular speaker with a power of 10 watts seems not enough. In general, there are no significant flaws in the device, which elevates the model to the rank of a tough nut to crack in the field of universal projectors.

The Japanese company NEC is very well known in the production of intelligent monitors and projectors. Of the last kind, the ME372W model deserves close attention from the business segment of users, sharpened for broadcasting lectures and business presentations.

With a standard 8-hour workday with two days off a week, the projector is capable of running smoothly for about 9 years. "Thank you" for this is worth saying to the increased lamp life at the level of 10 thousand hours. Its service life in economy mode can be extended by another 5,000 hours. The device forms a picture using 3LCD projection technology, i.e. using three translucent LCD matrices.

NEC ME372W projects a clear and bright image (up to 3700 lumens) at a maximum resolution of 1280x800 pixels. The wide optical zoom range of 1.7x gives you the freedom to position the projector. In addition, the work of the model in the rear projection mode is implemented and flexible correction of keystone distortions is available (in the range of 30 ° vertically and horizontally).

The projector has an extended set of connection interfaces: 2 HDMI ports, USB 2.0, RCA video input, Mini D-sub 15-pin analog connector. Service interfaces are COM-port (RS-232), USB (slave) and LAN (RJ-45). The soundtrack of the broadcast is provided by a powerful 16-watt speaker. The only complaint about the model lies in the maximum noise level at 37 dB (which is more than that of "classmates"). However, so that nothing interferes with presentations, the projector can be switched to economy mode. The noise will not exceed the threshold of 29 dB.