In Focus, Compaq See The Light With New Portable Projectors

Multimedia projectors are never fun to travel with. They are generally much heavier than notebook computers. But Compaq Computer Corp.'s MP1600 and In Focus Systems Inc.'s LP330 are the most portable projectors that Test Center engineers have ever seen, weighing less than 5 pounds each.

Compaq MP1600 Microportable Projector PRODUCT: Compaq MP1600 Microportable Projector PRICE: $4,499 DISTRIBUTORS/INTEGRATORS: Inacom, Ingram Micro, Merisel, Tech Data

The Compaq MP1600 Microportable Projector weighs just 4.2 pounds. Based on a 120-watt high-pressure mercury-arc lamp, the MP1600 has a bright 600 ANSI lumen output. The MP1600 will interface with signals from VGA to SXGA, including Macs, as well as composite and S-Video. The projector's native resolution is 1,024 x 768.

The MP1600 has a unique tower form factor. It has a projection range from 3 feet to 30 feet, which yields an image from about 3.5 feet to 23 feet, measured diagonally.

The MP1600's magnesium alloy enclosure measures 8 inches tall x 9 inches deep x 3 inches wide. A carrying case is included.

An autosync button automatically selects the best image settings for a given input, and it scales inputs between 640 x 480 and 1,280 x 1,024 to fill the screen. An optional $249 Video Module snaps onto the back of the projector and provides composite and S-video inputs.

The only things missing are speakers and a remote control. But the computer that is driving the projector likely will have speakers, and a remote is not needed in small environments where this projector would likely be used. The lamp module should last 1,500 hours. Replacement lamps cost $349.

The MP1600 produced a fine image. Brightness was uniform across the screen. Geometric distortion, such as keystone effect, was practically nonexistent. The MP1600 is based on digital light processing (DLP) technology.

In Focus Systems LP330 PRODUCT: In Focus Systems LP330 PRICE: $6,999 DISTRIBUTORS/INTEGRATORS: GTI, Ingram Micro, Merisel, Pinacor, Tech Data

In Focus' new LP330 Dragonfly projector also is based on DLP technology, and it features a 120-watt high-pressure mercury-arc unit. In Focus claims to have an output of 650 ANSI lumens. The LP330 weighs just 4.8 pounds, but it is noticeably larger than Compaq's MP1600.

Like the MP1600, the LP330's native resolution is 1,024 x 768. It will scale lower resolutions (800 x 600 and 640 x 480), but it will not compress higher resolutions. Like the Compaq projector, the LP330 will automatically make all the necessary screen adjustments. Projected from 30 feet, diagonal image size is about 20 feet.

The LP330 has a zoom lens and elevator foot. It also has permanent inputs for composite and S-Video and comes with a remote control. The LP330 has built-in audio with a 1-watt speaker. A carrying case is included. The lamp module should last from 1,000 to 1,500 hours. Replacement units cost $419.

The LP330 produced an exceptional image, a bit sharper than the MP1600. But the apparent increase in sharpness could be due to the LP330 having a slightly, but noticeably, brighter output with a bit more contrast (the Compaq is rated at 600 lumens while the In Focus is rated at 650 lumens.) Because both units use a 120-watt mercury-arc lamp and DLP technology, Test Center engineers believe that Compaq is running less current through the lamp. That would explain why Compaq rates the lamp life at 1,500 hours while In Focus rates it at 1,000.

The LP330 exhibited more keystone distortion than the Compaq unit, but its zoom lens made sizing the projected image easier.

In a nutshell, the Compaq MP1600 is the slickest, smallest, lightest and easiest to use projector ever made. Its image quality is about as good as the In Focus unit's; it is not quite as bright but has less distortion. Although the In Focus LP330 has built-in audio and comes with a remote control, it costs about $2,500 more than the Compaq MP1600.

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