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That NEC Display Solutions NP-M283X ($599), a DLP-based XGA (1,024-by-768) data projector designed for classrooms and conference rooms, provides good data-image quality and a thorough set of connection choices. A powerful zoom gives you versatility in its placement relative to the screen. It’s not a good choice if you plan to show much video because of the frequent rainbow artifacts seen in our testing; otherwise, it’s worth a close look.
The NP-M283X ($699.00 at Amazon)(Opens in a new window) , rated at 2,800 lumens, is a lower-end model in the same line as the NEC Display Solutions NP-M323W ($799.00 at Amazon)(Opens in a new window) . It has lower resolution and brightness than that WXGA (1,280-by 800) model, which has a rated brightness of 3,200 lumens, and sells at a lower price. But while it can save you money over the NP-M323W, with its lower resolution it can’t show quite as fine detail in data presentations or in video. The brightness difference between the projectors is noticeable, though not dramatic. (As perception of brightness is logarithmic, it would take a lot more than doubling the number of lumens to double a projector’s apparent brightness.) Still, it could make the difference between comfortable and uncomfortable viewing, depending on the size of the room and lighting conditions.
Design and Features
As they differ only in native resolution and brightness, the NP-M283X has the same basic design and features as the NEC NP-M323W. For detailed information on features, I would refer you to our review of that product, but I’ll touch on some of the highlights here. As DLP projectors, both are capable of projecting 3D content. At 4.3 by 14.5 by 10.5 inches (HWD) and a weight of 7 pounds 11 ounces, the NP-M283X is best suited for room-to-room use or permanent installation, but does include a soft carrying case. It has a generous 1.7x zoom, as well as a solid set of ports, the most notable of which are two (non-MHL-enabled) HDMI ports, an Ethernet port, a USB Type A port that fits a USB thumb drive, and a USB Type B port for connecting to a PC both for direct USB display and remote mouse control.
I tested the NP-M283X in theater-dark conditions, with the projector throwing an image about 52 inches (measured diagonally) when placed about 6 feet away from the screen. The image was able to withstand the introduction of ambient light without any signs of degradation.
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Data-Image Testing
In testing using the DisplayMate(Opens in a new window) suite, the NP-M283X showed overall good data-image quality, and should be suitable for typical classroom or business presentations. It did well in our text testing, as both black text on white and white text on black were easily readable at 9 points. I noticed a lot of pixel jitter in images with closely spaced lines when I was testing over a VGA connection, but it can be eliminated by adjusting the Phase setting using the remote, or by using an HDMI connection.
DLP projectors tend to have lower color brightness than white brightness, which can affect color quality. Indeed, the NP-M283X’s colors, especially reds, blues, and yellows, looked a bit dull in our tests. There was a mild color-balance issue in gray-scale images, with traces of yellow in light-gray and white backgrounds, and red in darker-gray backgrounds, in most color modes.
See How We Test Projectors
I noticed rainbow artifactslittle red-green-blue flashesduring testing, which are often visible with DLP projectors, typically in bright areas against dark backgrounds. LCD projectors, such as the Epson PowerLite 965H XGA 3LCD Projector ($899.00 at Adorama)(Opens in a new window) , our Editors’ Choice XGA data projector for a small to midsize room, don’t produce rainbow artifacts at all. The NP-M283X’s data-image quality couldn’t match that of the Epson 965H, its video quality fell well short, and it’s not as bright as that 3,500-lumen model.
Video and Audio
The rainbow effect is more problematic in the NP-M283X’s video than in its data images. I saw rainbow artifacts more frequently than usual with DLP projectors in our tests, and anyone who is at all sensitive to the effect could well be distracted by them. Also, colors were slightly off at times; some test scenes looked overly red. Video is best kept to short clips as part of a presentation. Audio from the 20-watt speaker is of decent quality, and loud enough to fill a midsize room. Should you need louder or better-quality audio, the projector has an audio-out jack to which you could attach a set of powered speakers.
Conclusion
The NEC Display Solutions NP-M283X has some appealing features for a low-cost data projector, including a potent 1.7x zoom and loud sound system. Its data-image quality was good in our testing, and it has an ample port selection. Although it includes a soft carrying case, it’s no one’s idea of a mobile projector, and it’s a poor choice if your presentations use video. The Editors’ Choice Epson 965H is brighter, provides better data-image quality, and much better video quality. Still, the NP-M283X comes in at a considerably lower price, and it’s a good choice as a projector strictly for data presentations for up to midsize conference rooms or classrooms.
3.5
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The DLP-based NEC Display Solutions NP-M283X offers good data-image quality, a 1.7x zoom, and loud audio as a data projector for up to midsize conference rooms or classrooms.
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Source link : https://www.pcmag.com/reviews/nec-display-solutions-np-m283x
