Projectors: Not Just For Show

The latest digital projectors aren't just brighter and lighter. Now, they also come with their own set of peripherals to attach to networks and cameras. This is a double-edged sword: While the extras are nice, they tend to complicate matters and make setup difficult, particularly under the pressure of doing a presentation before a live audience waiting to see your show. An example of this conundrum is my review of the InFocus LiteShow, a wireless LAN attachment that removes the need for a video cable to connect the projector to a video source (see "Digital Projectors: Taking the Show On the Road," Dec. 1, page 46). While it sounds attractive, getting it to work proved vexing, so I don't recommend the LiteShow attachment.

Other examples of network connections can be found with Epson's PowerLite 7850p projector. It comes with a PC Card slot, which can be used to read digital images stored on memory cards or to connect to a LAN. Again, getting this to work may not be as simple as plugging in a video cable to a nearby computer and running a PowerPoint show. That's because you have to run special software to configure the unit to recognize the particular adapter card inserted into it. Epson isn't the only projector with PC Card slots, and many competitors have promised to include this feature in their higher-end models.

Finally, there is the Toshiba TLP-S41U, which comes with its own digital camera that is tethered to the projector and can be used to show live video and still feeds.

These three offerings are just the beginning of new ways to show your stuff.