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The NEC Display Solutions NP-M323W ($799), a WXGA data projector geared to schools and businesses, is bright enough and has loud enough audio to be usable in a small to midsize room. In our testing, it showed good data-image quality, and should be fine for most business and classroom presentations. The MP-M323W ($799.00 at Amazon)(Opens in a new window) has a large zoom ratio, and a good set of connection choices. It’s worth considering as a WXGA data projector, provided that you don’t need easy portability and you don’t plan to show much video with it.
The NP-M323W has the same design and features as the NEC Display Solutions NP-M283X ($699.00 at Amazon)(Opens in a new window) , but with higher resolution and brightness than that XGA (1,024-by-768) model, which is rated at 2,800 lumens. While you can save a bit of money with the NP-M283X, the NP-M323W is the better choice if your presentations include fine details, or if you need to project in relatively large rooms or in varied light conditions.
Design and Features
The NP-M323W is a DLP-based projector with WXGA (1,280-by-800) resolution and a rated brightness of 3,200 lumens. It measures 4.3 by 14.5 by 10.5 inches (HWD) and weighs 7 pounds 11 ounces. At that size and weight, it is best suited for room-to-room use on a cart or for permanent installation, although it does come with a soft carrying case. It has manual focus, and a generous 1.7x zoom, which allows considerable flexibility in projector placement relative to the screen.
As is true of most DLP projectors, the NP-M323W is capable of showing 3D content. However, its overall video quality is not that great, and rainbow artifacts are visible in both 2D and 3D content. Also, switching between 2D and 3D requires close to a dozen button presses with the remote.
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While rated lamp life is a pretty typical 3,500 hours in Standard mode, it can be extended up to 8,000 hours in Eco mode. Replacement bulbs sell for a reasonable $99.
Connectivity options, all on the projector’s back panel, include two HDMI ports, one VGA-in (which doubles as component video) for connecting to a computer, and one VGA-out for connecting to a monitor. There are three RCA jacks for composite video/audio, one audio-in and one audio-out port, and an Ethernet port to let you control the projector over a network, as well as send images and audio. There’s also a USB Type A port for reading files from a USB thumb drive, and a USB Type B port for connecting to a PC both for direct USB display and for controlling the mouse from the projector remote.
Data-Image Testing
I tested the NP-M323W in theater-dark conditions with the projector throwing an image about 55 inches (measured diagonally) when placed 6 feet away from the screen. The image stood up well to the introduction of ambient light.
In testing using the DisplayMate(Opens in a new window) suite, the NP-M323W showed good overall data-image quality, and should be suitable for nearly any classroom or business presentation. It threw a bright image that stood up well to the introduction of ambient light. Black text on white is easily readable at 7.5 points, while white text on black is easily readable at 9 points.
See How We Test Projectors
While LCD-based projectors have the same color brightness as white brightness, DLP projectors such as the NP-M323W tend to have lower color brightness than white brightness, which can affect color quality. Colors tend to look a bit dull, especially reds, blues, and yellows, with yellows looking mustardy. Also, color balance seem slightly off in gray-scale images, with traces of yellow in light gray or white backgrounds, and a hint of red in darker gray backgrounds, across multiple color modes.
I noticed rainbow artifactslittle red-green-blue flashesin test images that tend to bring them out, mostly in bright areas against dark backgrounds. This so-called rainbow effect is seldom a serious issue in data presentations, and shouldn’t be with the NP-M323W.
Audio and Video
Audio from the 20-watt speaker is loud enough to fill a small to midsize room, and of decent quality. If you need louder, or better, audio, you could hook a set of powered external speakers to its audio-out port. Video is best kept to shorter clips as part of a presentation. I saw rainbow artifacts often enough in testing that anyone at all sensitive to the effect would likely be distracted by them. Also, colors were slightly off at times in our tests, and some scenes looked overly red. If you need to show much video, you should consider the Epson PowerLite 955WH WXGA 3LCD Projector ($921.00 at Amazon)(Opens in a new window) , our Editors’ Choice WXGA data projector for a small to midsize room. It has the same brightness as the NP-M323W and nearly as generous a zoom (1.6x). It also has a powerful, 16-watt sound system. Its data-image quality is nearly impeccable, and video is of a quality good enough for long sessions. It doesn’t project 3D content, however.
Conclusion
The NEC Display Solutions NP-M323W is a solid choice as a WXGA data projector for up to a midsize conference room or classroom, provided that you don’t need to show much video. (If you do need a projector for video, as well as data, you’re better off with an LCD model, such as the Epson 955WH.) Fortunately, the NP-M323W’s data-image quality is good enough for most business or school presentations. It packs a powerful sound system, a potent zoom, and is fairly priced for its abilities. Keep it in mind if you’re looking for a data projector for midsize rooms with a wide range of connection options.
3.5
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The NEC Display Solutions NP-M323W, a WXGA projector meant for use in up to midsize rooms, has good brightness and data-image quality, loud audio, and a powerful zoom.
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