LM_NET: Library Media Networking
Dear LM_NET,
Many thanks to those who were able to offer me help with recommendations
for selecting a video projector. I hope that this information is helpful
to others of LM_NET!
Peter Milbury pmilbury@ericir.syr.edu
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From: MS_HERBERT <herbert@georgian.edu>
We have had multimedia projectors (also called voice/data projectors)
from both InFocus and Eike.
My first advice would be to avoid the InFocus (*any* InFocus product) like
the plague! They are *not* user-friendly at all!
On the other hand, the Eikes are great! Easy to operate, hooks up to any
computer (PC, Mac, portable) with no problem...plug in, turn on and fire
up the computer. We bought an LC4200 (which is designed for classroom
size, but will work well in an auditorium, cafeteria, etc.) last
semester; our educational price was $ 3885. The travel case was an
additional $ 129. It is heavier than you specified, but is a snap to
operate and has great clarity. There are other models which are designed
for larger audiences (and, therefore, brighter) but are also heavier and
more expensive.
If the weight is a problem, purchase a heavy duty luggage carrier for
those who need to take the projector off-campus.
Call your favorite AV equipment salesman or local Eike rep and ask for a
demo. (My salesman is great, but we're both in NJ, so that wouldn't do you
much good; but if you want his name and number, let me know and I'll send
it.) To appreciate the difference in operation and clarity, ask the sales
rep to bring a couple different machines from different manufacturers and
project side by side with both computers and video. That's what we did
with Eike and the newer InFocus model; it was like night and day. We also
had a couple of the Information Systems (read: Campus computer office)
people here as well; you may want to invite those traveling faculty who
will be using it to help with the evaluation. That way, they can't
complain that *you* bought the wrong equipment!
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From: Linda Kelso Hicks <lhicks@crown.net>
I think that's about what we paid for our Infocus projector, and it's great!
It comes in a carrying case with a single connector that can choose
either MAC or PC. It can also be used for videos, laserdisks, etc. I'm
not sure about the weight, but it's not bad!
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From: PHYLLIS A SIGMOND <PSIGMOND@LCS.K12.WI.US>
We have an "In Focus Lite Pro 580." We had been using S-video
connections which were easy, but this is great. Easy to use and all the
teachers who want to give computer/video presentations on a large screen,
vie for its use.
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From: "WALTERS, DONNA" <dwalters@imail.valpo.k12.in.us>
We just purchased a Sharp LCD model XG-E100U. The clarity is absolutely
wonderful! Teachers have been very impressed when utilizing it with an
IBM or a Mac and with a video imager. The only thing is that the cost of
the repl. bulbs are about $350. You can do it yourself, however--replace
the bulb. The machine cost $3200. The only problem is that it is not
10-12 lbs. I'd say more like 20. It's bulky if you have to put it in
your car to move from college to college or school to school. But this
video proj. is the best thing we've ever bought for teaching
teachers---now they can all see what screen they should be on while
they're at the computers and it makes instruction go much more easily.
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From: Judy Smith <jsmith@nwark.com>
Peter - We are very happy with our Sharp projector bought in 1995. We use
it daily in the lab but our district tech staff has used it for workshops
in other building. It's in your price range - I don't have a model number
here at home but can send it later. We use ours with PCs but I believe
that is is compatible with Mac as well.
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From: Lou Robertson <mroberts@access.k12.wv.us>
I bought an InFocus PanelBook and have been very happy with it. It is
certainly clear enough and light enough for my purposes. Of course, I
have only seen the Chilsom prior to this. (not impressed).
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From: "Gloria K. Barber" <gbarber@pen.k12.va.us>
Richard Schley, specialist for instructional technology-hardware recommends
InFocus LitePro 210 with cable wizard $4000.00
plug and play, Mac or DOS + a lot of other options
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LM_NET
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