Projecting A Bright Future With DLP Technology
Mitsubishi XD80U
Traveling business professionals once dreaded the thought of having to lug along a projector that could weigh up to 30 pounds and would be carried in an armored case on wheels. Today, the situation is completely different. Many multimedia projectors weigh less than 5 pounds, and some of them, including Mitsubishi's MiniMits XD80U, weigh less than 3 pounds.
The XD80U weighs 2.9 pounds and measures 7.3 inches wide by 6.9 inches deep by 1.8 inches high. Small yet fierce, the XD80U outputs 1,500 ANSI lumens of brightness with a 2,000:1 contrast ratio. It has a native XGA resolution of 1,024 x 768, which is compatible with most notebook computers and high enough to produce a sharp projected image. It will enlarge a 640 x 480 input to fill the screen and compress inputs of 1,280 x 1,024 to fit the screen. To test for image quality, Test Center engineers used DisplayMate Technologies' DisplayMate for Windows Multimedia Edition version 2.10, a program containing images and test patterns that push displays, including projectors, to their limits. Mitusbishi's tiny projector produced a sharp, bright image with vivid colors. Overall, contrast was good except at the extreme bright end of a white scale where all shades looked the same.
Because miniaturization often adds to the cost of a product, the XD80U has a suggested retail price of $1,995. Mitubishi backs the unit with a three-year warranty on parts and labor and a 90-day warranty on the lamp.
Mitsubishi keeps most of the data surrounding its channel program confidential, so evaluation was difficult. The company declined to provide information on target levels for partners, margins or even company viability. Most of CRN's channel survey questions were answered with a generic "varies by VAR." Those solution providers looking to partner with Mitsubishi will need to investigate how to build a relationship and should cautiously approach the vendor's channel commitment.
ViewSonic PJ766D
Not as portable as the Mitsubishi, ViewSonic's PJ766D is better suited for use in conference rooms, lecture halls, classrooms and home theaters.
The larger and heavier PJ766D also has a brighter output, more inputs and a lower price than the Mitsubishi unit. The PJ766D DLP projector outputs 2,500 ANSI lumens, which is bright enough for use in conference rooms without having to turn off the lights. The projector has a native XGA resolution of 1,024 x 768 and a 2,000:1 contrast ratio. A VGA input (640 x 480) will be enlarged to fill the screen while inputs as high as SXGA (1,280 x 1,024) will be scaled to fit.
The PJ766D automatically detects an active input and configures itself accordingly. The manual zoom/manual focus makes it easy to adjust the image for size and sharpness. Digital keystone correction is used to make any perspective adjustments. The projector measures 12.9 inches wide by 9.4 inches deep by 3.5 inches high and it weighs about 8 pounds. It has an MSRP of $1,799, which includes a three-year warranty on parts and labor and a one-year warranty on the lamp.
The PJ766D produced a brighter image than the XD80U but was less vivid. Contrast was good except that most of the bright end of the white scale was washed out.
ViewSonic's single-tier PartnerView channel program covers all the basics. All partners receive pre- and post-sales support from ViewSonic's inside sales team. While the company did not disclose margins, partners can increase revenue by selling ViewSonic ViewMate Accessories (keyboards, mice and speakers). In addition, VARs also can sell options, such as extended warranties. Web-based training, demo units and zero signup costs help to round out the channel program. Free support, MDFs, rebates and other incentives are frequently offered to partners.
