InFocus X3 DLP Video Projector Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)This projector met my expectations. For the price it was the best deal. I have a large living room but do to the shape and layout a 56 to 60 inch TV would hinder the movement in and out of the room because it would stick out 2 feet. By using this projector I not only keep the 2 feet but I can also move this unit at any time with very little effort. It also can project much wider than 60' and there are no bad seats in the room. I have had no problems with it as of yet, and do not forsee any problems in the future.

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The X3 makes projecting easier than it's ever been from setup, use, options, storage, and management. Impress your clients during the day and gather the family for an entertaining evening. Connect your laptop, PDA, DVD player, cable or satellite TV system, digital camera, or game console. And when you're ready to take advantage of wireless freedom, InFocus LiteShow lets you cut loose. With native XGA resolution, the X3 delivers. A powerful zoom lens fills your screen or wall with 1600 max ANSI lumens of brightness. Enjoy crisp images and full color, whether you're looking at sales trends or this year's best picture. InFocus provides the latest digital processing technology DLP from Texas Instruments to provide a stunning 2000:1 contrast ratio and automatic deinterlacing, for smooth, true-to-life images that jump off the screen and pull your audience in. A long 4000 hour lamp life, high performance and affordable price makes the X3 an easy decision.Image Size (diagonal) - 3.6' to greater than 22' (1.1 m to greater than 6.7 m)Native Resolution - XGA 1024 x 768Projection Lens - Zoom lens with manual focus and manual zoom adjust Projection Methods - Front, ceiling, rearThrow Ratio - 1.89 to 2.27 - 1 (D/W), 1.51 to 1.82 - 1 (D/D)Video Compatibility - SDTV (NTSC, PAL, SECAM), ED/HDTV (Component, RGBHV, and DVI for these signal formats -480p, 576p, 720p, 1080i) - external video sources required Lamp - 200W SHP/4000 hoursMinimum Projection Distance - 2 m (maximum distance 9.8 m)Zoom Ratio - 1.2 - 1Dimensions - 9.8 (W) x 12.9 (L) x 4.2(H) /24.9cm x 32.7cm x 10.6cm / Weight - 6.8 lbs/3.1 kgControl - Projector keypad; IR remote controlDigital Keystone Correction - +/- 10vertical correction; data/videoInput Sources - Computer (M1-DA); Video (S-Video 4-pin mini DIN and Composite RCA; Audio (Stereo RCA)

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D-Link AirPlus DWL-650+ Wireless 22 Mbps PC Card Review

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(More customer reviews)I've been running the D-Link AirPlus DI-614+ with a D-Link DWL-650+ wirless card for about 6 months.
The good:
Easy install (READ the instructions FIRST!)
Good connection quality and decent speed.
Worked great for sharing my cable modem for Internet access, file sharing across computers, printer sharing.
The utility that comes with the DWL-650+ card allows you to setup separate profiles for different wireless networks, a great convenience if you want to switch easily between home, work and Starbucks!
The bad:
The DWL 650+ PCMCIA failed after a few weeks.
Tech support was really bad, blamed everything but the card. After about a dozen e-mails & phone calls I finally got a tech to admit the card wasn't working since the indicator wouldn't even light up.
Replacement card required securing with my credit card and signing / faxing a 'cross shipment agreement' so they could ship immediately while my old card was being returned. Well they got my old card in a couple days but didn't ship the replacement for several weeks!
After finally getting the defective card resolved (2 months!!) everything worked again fun until ..
It wouldn't support my company's VPN connection through the wireless. (Wired connection does work though!) They're documentation says it supports PPTP VPN Pass through but after several more calls to their tech support, a bunch of configuration changes, the last tech finally said I 'had to understand that VPN requires too many packets for a wireless connection'. So why do my coworker's Linksys systems work fine then?!
Bottom Line:
It's fine for setting up a home network and sharing a broadband internet connection. But be wary if you need to do anything more sophisticated, especially if you ususally need support. Me? I'm buying a Linksys and selling the DLink stuff!

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The DWL-650+ is an enhanced 802.11b CardBus that is fully compatible with the IEEE 802.11b standard, making it interoperable with all existing 802.11b-compliant devices. Now you can transfer files or communicate up to 20 percent faster than with earlier 802.11b solutions, even when connected to a standard 802.11b network. When you're connected to other D-Link AirPlus products, the performance is even greater--up to 22 Mbps. The DWL-650+ also features 256-bit WEP encryption, giving you a higher level of security for your data and communications.
The D-Link AirPlus DWL-650+ also includes a configuration utility to discover available wireless networks and create and save detailed connectivity profiles for those networks accessed most often. The DWL-650+ is a powerful 32-bit CardBus adapter that installs quickly and easily on laptop PCs, and, when used with other D-Link AirPlus products, automatically connects to the network. And all D-Link wireless adapters can be used in ad hoc mode to connect directly with other cards, or in infrastructure mode to connect with a wireless access point for access to the Internet in an office or home network.

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Mitsubishi WD-73737 73-Inch 1080p 120Hz Home Theater DLP HDTV Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)When it comes to TVs in the living room, bigger is always better so, when time came to replace our 61" Samsung DLP I had no idea what my next TV was going to be, other than it was going to be bigger and that, of course, I was going to afford it. Mitsubishi's WD-73737 was the easy winner and this is why:
- SIZE - well, 73" is bigger than 61", right? As far as I know, there aren't too many LCD or plasma TVs this big, at least not anything that I can afford. Our living room is rather large - it's really most of our first floor (open style architecture) so it helps to have a big screen. Mitsubishi makes an 82" model but I had also to consider...
- PRICE - we have a clear winner here. When it comes to price/size ratio, DLP's are by far the least expensive option.
- ENERGY EFFICIENCY - according to my research, the WD-73737 burns about 265W when 'on' (this includes the 180W lamp). By comparison, a 70" LCD needs 540-630W to operate.
- 3D CAPABILITY - it's a potential plus. Mitsubishi does not guarantee that its TV will be compliant with whatever 3D standard is about to emerge but... it might.
Of course, not everything is perfect so, here are the potential 'minuses':
- LAMP - when it comes to 'cost of ownership', we must factor in the DLP's lamp. The Mitsubishi manual expects its lamp to last for about one year but our Samsung was still okay after 2 years with the original lamp so, we shall see. A replacement for this model, direct from Mitsubishi is $99 and I will get a free one under warranty if the original needs replacement before one year. Given the great energy savings when compared to an LCD TV, I am not too worried about having to replace the lamp from time to time.
- BULK - this set is over 90 lbs. heavy and over 12" at its thickest. Definitely, can't hang it on a wall. Therefore...
- STAND - you must have one. We are using the one that came with the old 61" and all is fine but if you don't have one it should set you back a few more hundred bucks.
- THE SCREEN - nothing wrong with it but, when compared with our old Samsung, this is just a little more reflective. It's not so to the point of being annoying at night if lights are on in the room but sometimes it is noticeable.
Since we already had a stand, didn't want to hang a 73" TV on the wall and the need to replace the lamp was compensated by its energy savings, we went for the WD-73737 without hesitation and we are happy we did.OUR SETUP
A TV this size would normally be used in a home theater setting and, it turns out, that's how we use it. We have a satellite TV box, a PS3, dedicated Blu-ray player a 7.1 surround receiver and a Harmony 900 remote. The TV comes with LOTS of inputs, including 3 HDMI but, in our case, the setup started with plugging the TV into the power outlet, connecting the HDMI cable into one of TV's HDMI ports and, since I had the Harmony 900 already configured to handle the TV, that was IT, we were watching TV within 5 minutes of it coming out of the box.
Later own, we did some fine tuning but, it turns out, very little had to be adjusted. We made sure that the frame rate was set to 120 fps and, for the rest, we took the recommended settings from the Tweak TV site and didn't have to change too much from what they recommended. We ended up with:
Picture Mode: Natural
Color Temperature: Low
Aspect Ratio: Standard
Contrast: 55
Brightness: 36
Color: 31
Tint: 31
Sharpness: 31
Deep Field Imager: Off
Super Resolution: Off
Sharp Edge: Off
Video Noise: Off
The end-result is as close to picture-prefect as they come.
I have nothing to say about the sound - it can simulate 'surround' with its own speakers - because we are not using it. Same when it comes to channel tuning or setting up 'activities'. These are fully handled by the satellite receiver and the Harmony remote but all the capabilities are there. Same when it comes to the remote which is quite small - a nice thing - but it may take some getting used to when it comes to the buttons size (small) and their layout.WARRANTY
On an object this size, this is an important concern so, here's what matters:
- The screen is only covered for 30 (THIRTY) days.
- The picture quality warranty states that Mitsubishi will fix it if you get less than 99.99% of the pixels right. In other words, you should have at least 9,999 out of 10,000 pixels right. On a 2-million pixel screen this means that if you have up to 199 bad pixels, Mitsubishi is not obligated to fix your TV.
- Everything else is covered for one year.
- The lamp will be replaced free of charge if it needs replacement within the first year.
- Service is provided 'in house' IF you are within the coverage of an authorized Mitsubishi center. If you're not, you will be responsible for taking your TV there so you better check you are inside a Mitsubishi service area.
__________________________________
[Note on warranty - Nov. 12, 2010]
I had to call Mitsubishi because the lamp had to be replaced. Within minutes, I was on the phone with a competent person who, after asking that I reset the TV and me confirming that the picture was still dim agreed to send me a replacement lamp under the warranty. I provided the TV's serial number and date of purchase, my address and my phone number. He promised that the replacement lamp will be shipped within 2-5 business days.
A few days later, the lamp arrived. I called Mitsubishi's warranty dept. about me returning the used lamp but they asked me not to bother. I trust and respect a company that trusts and respects its customers.
__________________________________MY RATING
This TV delivers exactly what I wanted and expected: a large, bright, crisp picture that, thanks to the 120 fps display has very little blur on fast moving objects. The drawbacks: need to replace the lamp, unorthodox layout on the remote, bulk are either counterbalanced by other features or did not matter much in my case. Not everyone could live with a TV that's not totally flat or that needs a stand but if the main concerns are picture quality, price, size and energy consumption, this TV is hard to beat.
I will grant the WD-73737 5 stars because I own it and I am very happy with it.

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With picture perfomance that outpaces todays smaller flat panels, Mitsubishi Home Theater TVs offer a larger than life, intensely vivid viewing experience. In screen sizes ranging from 60 inches to 82 inches, Mitsubishi Home Theater TVs define the large screeen entertainment category by offering incomparable value and stronger performance than smaller flat panel televisions!

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InFocus LP130 Portable LCD Projector Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)This little sucker is almost too good to be true. Specs don't do justice to the LP130's size; you have to see it in person to appreciate just how tiny it is. Until then, just trust me... it's so small, it's kinda ridiculous.
But you don't seem to sacrifice anything for the light weight. It's just as bright and sharp as the other InFocus projectors I've used (I believe LP435z is the model), which is to say, plenty good enough for anything but hard-core videophiles.
Alright, there is one thing; the LP130 isn't cheap. But it certainly isn't unreasonable compared to other native XGA, 1K lumen ultraportables. Sure, it has the same black-level limitations as all DLP projectors. And it runs pretty hot, almost too hot to touch sometimes.
Those are minor niggles. Overall, this is the best projector I've seen.

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Business travel just got easier, thanks to the sleekly designed InFocus LP130 portable LCD projector. It will lessen your burden while making you a more effective presenter. The 3-pound LP130 projector has 1,100 lumens of brightness, meaning you never have to dim the lights, and a long-life 2,000-hour bulb. It has 400:1 contrast, a throw distance of 5 to 30 feet, and it displays up to 1,280 x 1,024 SXGA resolution (1,024 x 768 XGA native resolution). InFocus provides a built-in manual zoom lens, so you can focus without moving the projector, and a remote control, so you can control your presentation from anywhere in the room.
The InFocus LP130 uses Texas Instruments technology to provide clear image quality, and compatibility with DVI and anaglog PC signals and with NTSC, NTSC 4.43, PAL, and SECAM video. The LP130 is exceptionally transportable, easy to set up, and adaptable to unfamiliar spaces and unpredictable situations. The InFocus LP130 is small enough to carry with your laptop, and it comes with a carrying case. InFocus provides a two-year standard warranty on parts and labor and one year of Priority Care.

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InFocus Screenplay DLP Front Projector - SP4805 Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)After a labor intensive literature search of tech-related website reviews of projectors, we settled on the SP 4805. After reading all the product reviews and comparisons, we narrowed our search down to only InFocus products -- the X1, SP 4800, and 4805. The X1a and X2 do not have the Faroudji processing, therefore eliminating them from our search (the X1a and X2 currently have manufacturers rebates, and without the special processing algorithms, I can see why they're on sale). The SP 4805 is a newer version of the X1 and SP4800; the SPs are "optimized" for home theater use versus business use.
If you're looking to buy near term, Costco has a deal right now where you can get the SP 4805 and a free screen (if I remember, it is a 72" screen) for $1224. This is the best price I've come across thus far. [...]
We paired the projector with a Yamaha receiver and Klipsch speaker system. We get an approx. 100" dia. image on our wall (you can set the projector to letterbox, 16:9, or 4:3) from about 15-20 ft away. I liked how easy the setup was and the companion instructions on use are straightforward. We hooked up our DVD player via component cables and the resolution is fantastic! (Of course, we had to test it with Lord of the Rings). If you're doing research on purchasing an overall home theater system without paying alot we were able to do it in under $2300 (projector, screen, speakers, receiver, and all cabling -- the cables are an additional cost that adds up).
I read alot about ghosting and other issues involving these type of projectors. I am not an expert in the subtle differences, though we do own an HDTV so I have become accustomed to the hi-res images. Given this caveat, I can say that the resolution and overall image quality is amazing. It is a true movie theater experience!

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With a screen size that can fill a wall, the InFocus ScreenPlay 4805 makes so called big-screen TV's seem tiny.

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Optoma EP728 Multifaceted XGA Digital DLP Data Projector- 4 LBS Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)I just tried out this EP728 in a multi-purpose hall which holds about 120 persons and has lots of windows. I closed a few of the blinds but left plenty of ambient light in the room to see how bright the movie would be. The picture was great on default settings both in sharpness and brilliance. I was very pleased with the ease of plugging this unit into a DVD home theater system using a S-video connection. I was thinking of getting a DVI - HDMI connector, but decided after viewing the movie that it wasn't necessary. A great machine at a reasonable price. I was able to get it when a sale was going on for $800.00.

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The Optoma EP728 is a multifaceted digital projector that is incomparable at its price point. The Optoma EP728 was developed to be user-friendly and to deliver superior performance offered as an excellent value. Features: 2700 lumens with 2000:1 contrast ratio, 4-pound XGA projector with 3000 hours of lamp life, Wide-range of connectivity options including: DVI w/HDCP, VGA-in, VGA-out, s-video, RS-232 and USB, Native 4:3 with support for 5:4, 16:9 and 1.78:1, Password protection available by inputting keys through remote control

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D-Link AirPlus DI-614+ Wireless 22 Mbps Broadband Router Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)1) 256-bit WEP with other D-Link adapter cards. (The other brands have 128-bit as the highest encryption). Plus enabling this level of WEP doesn't effect speed performance like other brands do.
2) MAC Filtering. I can restrict which actual adapters can connect to my network, wired or wireless. The advantage is clear for wireless, but the advantage for wired is in case someone brings a laptop with a wired adapter. They can't just sit down and plug in, they need permission first.
3) Setup/Configuration is a snap. You just login with your web browser and click on what you want. It is very clearly laid out and easy to navigate.
4) You can disable SSID broadcast, you have been able to for a long time. You can also turn off the wireless portion of this router so that when you aren't using it, or say are going on vacation you know you are safe from those pesky wardrivers. (eventhough the MAC filtering and 256-bit WEP should be enough)
5) The 802.11b+ speeds. a.k.a. 22Mbps - plus 4x mode. With these enabled and with your D-Link wireless adapter card (DWL-650+ and other + products) I can get 10Mbps raw data transfer speeds. Most 802.11b networks can only achieve 5Mbps if they are performing optimally.
6) The range on this router/AP is plenty adequate. In my 1500 sq ft home I get almost full coverage with my AP in a central location away from most electronic devices. There are only certain places where I don't get signal, but lets just say I get the signal where I need it. I can be outside on the porch, in the bathroom, in any of the bedrooms, kitchen, parts of the den, and so on.
7) The combination of this firewall, smart downloading, and windows updates keeps me virus free.
Overall I feel very safe, very comfortable and very free to roam the house with my laptop. Plus my other PCs are safe and work fine.
I've had this router for about a year with no problems and upgrading is always fun since D-Link is either fixing bugs, adding more speed, or more features with every upgrade.
Only you can decide for yourself which router you get, but for this price and you get all this I'd say your search is over.

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The AirPlus DI-614+ combines the latest advancements in 802.11b chip technology and robust firewall security features. The DI-614+ is ideal for those creating their first wireless network, as well as for more advanced users looking for additional management settings and policy-based content filtering. Filters can be set based on MAC address, IP address, URL, and domain name.
A simple yet intelligent Web-based setup wizard makes the DI-614+ easy for any user to quickly and securely connect computers to share a high-speed Internet connection, files, resources, games, or just communicate. An integrated four-port switch allows direct connection for up to four computers. Several wireless clients can also securely connect to the network using 64-, 128-, or 256-bit encryption.
Additional advanced features include pass-through of multiple concurrent IPSec and PPTP VPN sessions for telecommuters or for anyone who needs to transmit sensitive information more securely.
The D-Link AirPlus DI-614+ is the ideal networking solution for small offices, home offices, schools, dorm rooms, coffee shops, and other small businesses that cater to the public.

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D-Link 3-Port IEEE 1394 Firewire Adapter Card Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)The card installs quickly right out of the box and Windows 2000
recognized it without loading any other drivers.
Unfortunately, the TI chipset used in these cards seems to have
some issues identifying the iPod player. The exact error message
is that the device failed to start and I get a Code 10 error.
So, even though this may be a great card, I'm sending mine back

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The D-Link three-port FireWire adapter is an IEEE 1394-complianthigh-performance serial bus adapter card with a PCI 2.2 interface that provides threeexternal ports for easily connecting peripherals to your PC. Supplying power toany attached IEEE 1394 peripheral, device, or hub, this adapter allowsbus-powered devices to operate without the need of an external power adapter. Withserial bus data transfer rates of up to 400 Mbps, the adapter ensures flexible,high-speed support for scanners, hard drives, printers, and multimedia devicessuch as IEEE 1394-compatible TVs, VCRs, DVD players, and digital camcorders.Bundled with digital video-editing software, the adapter provides an out-of-the-boxsolution for home video editing. Simply upload digital information from acamcorder to your PC, edit it, and then download it to an IEEE 1394-enabled VCR.
With convenient plug-and-play installation, automatic driver location, andautomatic device configuration, this adapter card is easy to use and comes witha one-year warranty.

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D Link AirPlus DWL-520+ Wireless 22MBPS PCI Adapter Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)I'd like to contribute a positive review here, since the previous reviewers seemed to have problems with this card. I bought this card to go with my D-Link Wireless Router, and everything has worked fine since I bought this. I haven't had one issue since I've installed this card.
My signal strength has always been above 75%, but I don't expect it to change much since it is installed in a desktop PC. I am running Windows 2000 and I don't notice much of a difference if at all in my internet access speeds.
I used to have a wired network but wanted to expand to more than 2 computers and my hub was old and slow. So with this wireless upgrade to my network I was able to install everything in about 1 hour. I bought the D-Link router with 4 wired ports still use one wired PC connection, and another PC has this PCI card in it, my laptop has the PCMCIA version and they all network together quite nicely. I was impressed with the short time it took me to implement this change.
Thats my experience with D-Link and their wireless networking products. I hope your experience is as easy as mine.

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The D-Link AirPlus DWL-520+ PCI adapter is an enhanced 802.11b network adapter. The DWL-520+ is fully compatible with the IEEE 802.11b standard, making it interoperable with all existing 802.11b-compliant devices. Now you can transfer files or communicate up to 20 percent faster than with earlier 802.11b solutions, even when connected to a standard 802.11b network. When you're connected to other D-Link AirPlus products, the performance is even greater--up to 22 Mbps.
D-Link's PCI adapter also features 256-bit WEP encryption that gives you a higher level of security for your data and communication, and a configuration utility that can quickly and automatically discover available wireless networks and create and save detailed connectivity profiles for those networks accessed most often.
The DWL-520+ is a powerful 32-bit PCI adapter that installs quickly and easily on desktop PCs, and, when used with other D-Link AirPlus products, automatically connects to the network. And all D-Link wireless adapters can be used in ad hoc mode to connect directly with other cards, or in infrastructure mode to connect with a wireless access point for access to the Internet in your office or home network.

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Optoma EP727 XGA 2200-Lumens DLP Multimedia Data Projector Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)The Optoma EP727 projector was much smaller than we expected, and very lightweight, but it didn't feel flimsy at all, just solid and well-built.
We bought this to use for a theatre show. The set largely consisted of slides projected onto a backdrop, and we were worried about having the slides bright and sharp, despite the long throw and the bright stage lights illuminating the actors. No trouble - this was great! We fastened the projector up on the lighting bar, and strung a 50' VGA cable up, over, and down to the controlling computer (an old G3 Apple iBook). It worked flawlessly. We were not certain the remote would work from that distance (the projector was 20' in the air) but we had no problem turning the machine on and off remotely. The keystoning feature was very useful, since we were projecting from well above the stage.
The projector had no trouble with long 'on' times. It was on continuously for about 5 hours during the dress rehersal, and for about 2 hours for each performance. I was really impressed when it recovered without a hiccup when we triggered a circuit breaker and the power went out. That happened twice; once during rehersal and once during a performance.
In fact, the only complaint I have at all is that the projector boots while projecting the name "Optoma", then hunts for the computer signal. If it weren't for that, I'm sure the audience would not have noticed when the circuit blew during the performance (it was during a transition in the play, and a blackout might have been appropriate). As it was, it only took a minute or so to get fully operational again.
We did not use the DVI input for this show, but I tried it with my home computer (which has a DVI video out) and the projector image looked especially sharp.
Basically, I love it.

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The Optoma EP727 is a four pounds, 2200 lumen DLP data projector with XGA resolution and 2000:1 contrast ratio.It features a wide range of connectivity options including VGA in/out, S-Video, USB, and DVI with HDCP.Its native aspect ratio is 4:3 but it will also support 16:9, 5:4 and1.78:1. .The EP727 is covered by a one year parts and labor warranty.

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EX525ST DLP Proj XGA 6:1 2500 Lumens 9.5LBS Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)This Optoma projector is the best I have ever seen. The image quality is very bright with high resolution. I needed a projection system to display hi-res photographs. Professional photographers should know that the ability to use DVI input to play slideshows directly from the camera is a great feature. I paid less than $10 for an HDMI to DVI Adapter to expand usage capabilities.
I shoot with the Nikon D700 camera, then immediately present images within minutes of the shot. Think about weddings or other special events, where a room full of prospective buyers are able to see results immediately. The projector has a standard 1/4" threaded mounting hole for a standard camera tripod. I don't need to use a tabletop at all, and the projector can be placed very close to the screen.
The most important benefit of this particular Optoma model is the short throw distance from the projector onto the screen. I can display a 70" wide screen from a tabletop or tripod from less than 5 feet away screen. The wide angle glass lens is what you are really buying. If you have not considered this factor, you may want to rethink how valuable that can be. Most projectors must be placed over ten feet away to get the same screen size, and often that means a tiny screen when room size is small. Residental use is often limited to very tight spaces.
Also, the fan is very quiet, and I find very little heat buildup. Quiet and cool operations are a plus. The internal speaker is better than the laptops internal speaker, another plus - powerpoint presentations, or slide shows with audio.
The only downside is the projector size. But you can't get this kind of playback and features without any compromise.
I purchased this item in March 2009.

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Casio CFX-9850GC Plus Graphing Calculator (White) Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)I am a math teacher at a new private Bronx high school, and compared the TI-83 with the Casio in numerous regards before deciding which one our school would use. Hands down, the Casio wins, and it is cheaper as well. Note - I do not work for Casio or TI.
A) The calculator is more user friendly. The options are menu driven in a more intuitive way. What took me a minute or two to locate and figure out out the TI, took less than half the time on the Casio. Don't trust me- see for yourself.
B) The Casio is slightly faster than the TI
C)Features: The casio adds a dynamic graphing system (lets you change a coefficient and watch the graph change), which is very useful when teaching. I also like the EQUA feature, which lets my students calculate 2/3 equations, 2/3 unknowns, and solve quadratic or polynomial equations. Maybe the TI does this too, but I couln't figure it out.
D) The color thing I suppose is nice, but I use the CFX-9750, which is black and white and cheaper.
The only downside is that most colleges use the TI's, unfortunately. I liken it to most places using Microsoft when there are better alternatives out there (monopoly power). Anyway, a student who uses the Casio can do anything the TI-83 can do.
I'm a big fan, and my students seem to like it.


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For students in any field, but especially math and sciences, the Casio CFX-9850GC PLUS graphing calculator is a problem-solving tool with over 900 features for storing, graphing, and analysis. You can execute evaluation tables on a split screen (which allows you to trace the graph and scroll table values simultaneously) to display graphs and tables. With a long list of features, you can master list-based, one- and two-variable statistical calculations, a variety of regressions, statistics, hypothesis testing, and advanced financial calculations.
The large, readable display exhibits eight lines and 21 characters (15-digit, 10-plus-2 display) in three colors. Graphing functions include rectangular and polar coordinates, parametric, inequality, and vertical lines. Since graphing is animated, you can change the variables in a formula and watch the graph move accordingly.
It also performs statistical calculations such as scatter plots, histograms, box and whisker plots, and eight regression types. The dual screen shows two graphs: a graph and zoom or a graph and table on the same display. In statistical graphing you can use list-based matrix calculations of up to 26 matrices. The list editor manages up to 36 data lists and exchanges data with matrix and table modes. An instant-replay key recalls your previous entries.
The built-in communications port enables linkup to a personal computer. The CFX-9850GC PLUS stores up to 38 programs with 32 KB total memory. It is protected by a hard slide case and powered by four AAA alkaline batteries and a lithium battery for backup to preserve a constant memory even when the unit is turned off.
The Casio CFX-9850GC PLUS comes with a comprehensive guidebook and is supported by a one-year limited warranty. --Barbara Price

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HP HP48G PLUS Graphic Calculator Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)Every comment here is right.
1. This calculator can do everything but change the baby's Pampers.
2 It is S L O W E R [drawing a graph] than the class dunce.
3 It is the best graphing calculator for the money.
4 It is made really well and will be working for your heirs long after your in the graveyard [but do leave them the users guide]
5 It uses both RPN and/or algebraic input.
6 No-One whom I know uses all the functions of this calculator.
7 The review is almost scary nearly suggesting this is not a device for mere mortals. Hogwash, my grand nephew who is blessed with the same average intelligence as I has used this calculator in middle school
There is a grand debate: Texas Instruments calculators vs. H.P. Firstly, I am a H.P. user. No doubt, though, for most tasks the T.I. will be easier for most folks but for versatility, accuracy, durability and reliability, or if you are not IN a school which requires a T.I. you are better off with the Hewlett Packard .
To be honest this is not a 'take to class everyday'. if you are in high school unless one is doing some really advanced maths. Even for much collage maths this calculator is 'overkill'.
That written if you can use it, if it is not banned if you require a graphing calculator and have the time to learn how to use this one it is great, and one will find nothing as it for any price.
If you are new to HP or RPN buy a book from Amazon titlled 'jump start The HP 48G/GX by Adams and Potter ... [dont throw away the user guide for use later].
As an aside I loaned my 48G+ to my grand nephews 9th grade 'girl' and she likes it so much she has replaced her TI with it which suggests that I am in the 48G+ market, agan. [I triied the 49 but the keyboaard STINKS]

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HP 48G+ GRAPHING CALCULATOR

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Optoma HD72 720p DLP Home Theater Projector Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)(Update May 2008) - Still using this (and on my first lamp too) so this has been a very good projector for me. If 720p is adequate for you and you can live with the screen geometry limitations, this projector is better than ever at this price. But if I were buying today, I would be looking long and hard at what Optoma has in a 1080p system.
(original review follows)
This home theatre projector is going to make a lot of converts this year and turn the projector market on its ear. There is nothing out there (at present) with this quality of picture for this low a price.
The HD72 has seriously limited image geometry adjustment but if you can mount it to the ceiling on center with the screen at the correct distance (+/- 20%), then none of these limitations will matter a bit. If you can't you might want to consider remodeling - the picture is that good. Otherwise, knock off 2 stars and prepare to spend a lot more.
The HD72's 1300 lumens concerned me when I bought mine. My venerable InFocus LP350 was pretty dim at 1300 lumens but the HD72 seems to use them efficiently enough to allow low ambient light while projecting a very pleasing 80" image. If I owned a high-brite screen, it would likely be even better.
If this will be your first projector, remember to price lamps. They are expensive and need to be replaced every few thousand hours of viewing. They tend to lose brightness as they get older so you may not get the 3000 hours Optoma claims. Also, research screens; what you project on is as important as what your project with.


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Offering true 720p high-definition resolution, the Optoma HD72 DLP (digital light projection) home theater projector features new technologies to deliver brighter images and truer colors to the projected picture. With a proprietary 7-segment color wheel with BrilliantColor and TrueVivid color enhancement technologies, the Optoma HD72 produces superior color and deeper dark settings at the same time. With native HDTV and HD PC resolution at 1280 x 768 (16:9), the HD72 delivers a 5000:1 contrast ratio at 1300 lumens to deliver subtle color details. And with 10-bit color per channel color processing, the HD72 delivers great color saturation and subtle color details for optimized image quality. Featuring a new, unique design, the HD72 also lowers the noise level usually associated with typical home theater projectors. The patent-pending wind tunnel cooling system is designed for near-silent operation with minimal light leakage.
Features
True High Definition 720p home theater projector
Bright 1300 lumens with 5000:1 (ImageAI mode) contrast ratio
BrilliantColor technology by Texas Instruments delivers higher brightness and more vibrant colors
Native pixel-to-pixel matching for 720p HDTV and 4:3 XGA computer display
ImageAI - Auto Adjusting light intensity output delivers amazing contrast
7 segment color wheel for detailed color reproduction
Input connectors: DVI-I, HDMI, RCA component, Composite, S-Video
Light shield design and ultra-quiet 27 dB operation

What's in the Box Projector, composite video cable, S-video cable, remote control, batteries for remote control, lens cap, userÕs manual, Quick Start Guide, warranty card, power cord, printed operating instructions

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Adaptec FireConnect Kit AFW-4300 Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)I bought this card after trying another Adaptec card - the DuoConnect 3121 - which has Firewire and USB2.0 connectors.
My advise: if you run Windows 2000 - stick with the simpler 4300 Firewire card (this card). It is simple and easy to install. No drivers, and the extra software is only needed for cameras/DVDs (I use my card for my new scanner). I have had troublefree service from it so far.
The Adaptec DuoConnect 3121, on the other hand, looks very tempting on paper - but trying to install it on Windows 2000 is an absolute nightmare (if you already have other adapter cards). I had severe hardware conflicts - which caused operating system driver corruptions in the end - and lots of wasted hours.
This is where Adaptec support came in. They gave me really good support, and refunded my money when we couldn't get the DuoConnect 3121 working under Windows 2000. And I bought their AFW-4300 instead.

In summary: The 4300 is a good card. Adapter cards from other companies are cheaper than Adaptec brand down here, but the Adaptec support is worth the extra money.

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A 3-port, IEEE 1394 FireWire iLINK host adapter for desktop PCs and Macs / Up to 50MB per second data transfer The card is 32-bit PCI and provides 3 external 6-pin portsData Transfer Rate -up to 50 MB/secMacintosh Requirements -Mac OS 8.6 or later, running on Power Macintosh 8600/9600 or laterWindows Requirements -Microsoft Windows 98SE or later running on IBM 266MHz class processor or betterPackage includes 6-to-4 pin FireWire/1394 cable, Installation CD-ROM with Windows software and links to Macintosh FireWire software and driversWarranty -5 Years Parts and Labor

Get 36% OFF

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ViewSonic PJD5111 2500 Lumens Portable DLP Projector Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)This projector has been great for doing classroom presentations from my laptop. It's very bright (2500 lumens) and alot less expensive than other models. The three negitives are:
1. There's no HDMI input, so this wouldn't be the best projector for a home theater setup.
2. The resolution is limited to SVGA, perfect for business presentations but there are better options for watching movies.
3. The feet used for adjusting the height and tilt of the projector are cheaply made and hard to adjust.
But all of these are a small sacrifice for an affordable projector this bright. It's so bright I can leave the classroom lights on without washing out the image.

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BenQ W1000 1080p DLP Home Theater Projector, White Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)I've owned this projector for a month and a half. It has worked flawlessly with no issues to speak of.
It's quieter than my Optoma HD65 with a much brighter and vivid picture.
With a little or a lot of patience you can tweak the color and image to what ever floats your boat.
The W1000 has terrific color and depth, along with sharpness I've come to really appreciate. This unit does use a 2 times speed color wheel. Those sensitive to RBE may want to look at the HD20 or Vivitek. A LCD projector could be your best bet if you're very sensitive to RBE. The great thing about amazon is the satisfaction guarantee.
This is a VERY bright projector! At the present time it is the brightest 1080P projector available under 3 grand.
This gives you more leeway for ambient light to be present in the room. You can eat at the dinner table and still enjoy your movie or show without trying to eat in the dark because your image is washed out by the ambient light.
I like the fact this unit has its own speaker. My nephew loves to play Xbox. We just plug the Xbox directly to the projector and off we go! Nothing like playing video games on a large screen. The speaker is plenty loud enough without disturbing others in the home.
I've spent many hours tweaking and calibrating the picture. Here's a few settings that may or may not help you.
I've found it to give me the best balance of color, brightness and contrast so far.
These are settings with the projector 14 ft from the screen with lens wide, lamp hrs of 216 and 120 inch Favi matte white high gain screen. Black levels and contrast will deepen as lamp ages. 100 hrs of burn-in will make a difference for the better in skin tones and black levels.
User 2 settings with (cinema mode)
Color temperature fine tuning User settings: (normal)
Brilliant Color turned off
Lamp in Econo mode
Gamma: 2.0 or 2.2 (which ever looks best to you)
White peaking : 1
Brightness: 39
3D color management:
Cyan
Hue 0
saturation 110
Gain 90
Magenta
Hue 0
saturation 110
Gain 130
Yellow
Hue 0
saturation 110
Gain 110
Red
Hue 0
saturation 100
Gain 130
Green
Hue 0
saturation 140
Gain 140
Blue
Hue 0
saturation 100
Gain 140
Clarity control:
Default settings didn't change them at all.
Contrast, Color, Tint, Flesh tones and Sharpness all 0.
I hope this helps at least one person out there.
Peace

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Engineered with Texas Instruments' DLP technology, BenQ's W1000 projecter delivers outstanding HD cinematic enjoyment, with advanced BrilliantColor processing, high brightness, and high contrast ratios.
Outstanding HD cinematic enjoyment. Click here for a larger image

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