Epson VS315W Multimedia Projector

The Epson VS315W Multimedia Projector ($529.99 direct) is easy to set up and use, is inexpensive for its WXGA resolution, and its data image quality is solid. Its feature set and connection choices, on the other hand, are fairly sparse. The lack of a carrying case as well as a port enabling you to run a presentation off of a USB thumb drive hinders its use for road warriors, and it?s one of the few WXGA projectors we?ve seen recently that lacks an HDMI-in port.

The Epson VS315W is based on 3LCD technology, which was developed by Epson and employs three LCD panels, each of which processes light of a different primary color. This projector?s WXGA (1,280 by 800 pixel) native resolution is compatible with widescreen laptops with a 16:10 aspect ratio.

Its 2,600 lumens of rated brightness is on the low side for a WXGA projector, as most of today?s models run at least 3,000 lumens. The Optoma TW762 ($1,100 street, 3 stars) rates 4,000 lumens, and others are even brighter. ?However, the NEC NP-M260W ($850 street, 4 stars) WXGA projector, which matches the VS315W?s 2,600 lumens, earned a PCMag Editors? Choice in September, as its features and image quality made up for its relatively modest rated brightness. (Keep in mind, too, that brightness is measured on a logarithmic scale, so it takes a lot more than doubling the number of lumens to double the actual brightness of the projector.)

While the NEC MP-M260W provides an abundance of connection choices, the VS315W has a sparse assortment of ports: VGA-in; S-video; 3 RCA jacks for composite video; and a USB type B port for connecting to a computer to enable USB Plug ?n Play operation. The most notable absences are HDMI-in (which has become commonplace if not standard on WXGA projectors and is even appearing on lower-resolution projectors) and a USB type A port for running a presentation off of a USB thumb drive.

The VS315W, white and brown with rounded corners, is reasonably light at 5.1 pounds and measures 3 by 11.6 by 9 inches, so it?s easy enough to lug around, though as it lacks a port for a USB key you will have to bring your computer with you to run a presentation from. The VS315W lacks a carrying case, so you?ll either have to use it in one location, get a case, or handle the projector with extreme care.

The USB Plug ?n Play makes the VS315W easy to connect to a computer, and the unit provides vertical keystone correction. I was able to project a 60 inch diagonal image from about 7 feet away, and it was bright enough to hold up to ambient light in a small room.

Image and Video Testing

In testing using the DisplayMate software test suite, data image quality was reasonably solid. Some bright areas showed yellow fringing, and some hatched patterns displayed slight pixel jitter. Overall image quality was fine for typical business presentations.

Video quality, in our test scenes from Terminator 2 and The West Wing, wasn?t as good. Detail was frequently lost in bright areas, and colors in some scenes were on the pale side. Moving objects sometimes had a rough, almost jagged look. The projector?s single built-in 1-watt speaker provides audio of decent quality but low volume, good enough for a small room.

The VS315W is adequate for showing short video clips as part a presentation, but I?d hesitate in using it for longer clips, let alone movies.

The Epson VS315W Multimedia Projector is of fairly low price for a WXGA projector, but lacks features of its more expensive brethren such as the Epson EX7200 ($749.99 direct, 4 stars) or the NEC NP-M260W such as HDMI input, port for a USB thumb drive, and a carrying case.? If you don?t need them?if you don?t plan on lugging the projector to different locations, for one thing?the VS315W is a lower-priced alternative that is easily good enough to do justice to typical business presentations.

More Projector Reviews:

??? Epson VS315W Multimedia Projector
??? InFocus IN114
??? Epson PowerLite S9 Multimedia Projector
??? Dell 1410X
??? Dell 1210S
?? more

Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/ziffdavis/pcmag/~3/7p5R0Cmj4nE/0,2817,2397708,00.asp

black friday violence black friday violence il postino il postino online black friday deals radio shack nfl scores