Wish List

1000$ Items

• Video Projector: 3000 Lumen 2000:1 contrast projector for around $K (e.g. Dell 2400MP).
• Camcorder: two options:
  • High-Definition Video camcorder (e.g.Sony HDR-HC1).
  • Regular camcorder that records directly in avi format onto DVD or Hard Drive (e.g. Sony Handycam DCR-SR100).
• More LCD monitors (2-3 depending on model).
• Gigabit ethernet upgrade for lab
  • A few 24-port switches (2 or 3 needed?) $335
  • Cards for any PCs that may not currently support gigabit ethernet
  • It may be enough just to run gigabit from the machines downstairs up to the lab (cheaper)
• Double-layer (external?) DVD burner that is accessible in the lab ($60-140) [example] [NOTE: We do have this connected to Vision-Video WinXP]
  • Back up datsets etc.

• Gaussian Processes for Machine Learning. Carl Edward Rasmussen and Christopher K. I. Williams. The MIT Press, 2006. ISBN 0-262-18253-X [1]. ($35)

Video Projector

I looked at projectorcentral.com for recommendations. Here is what I found:

• Mitsubishi HD1000U Projector - $1000 - 31.0 dB. 1280x720 Pixels. 1500 Lumens, 2500:1 Contrast, 6.5 lbs, 0.6" DLP Projector
• Panasonic PT-AX100U Projector - $2000 - 1280x720 Pixels, 2000 Lumens, 6000:1 Contrast, 10.8 lbs, 0.7" PolySi LCD Projector
• Sharp XR-10X Projector - $850 - 33.0 dB. 1024x768 Pixels. 2000 Lumens, 2000:1 Contrast, 8.6 lbs, 0.6" DLP Projector

This is the one we had selected earlier, somehow it is rated lower ... can anyone tell why?

• Dell 2400MP - $1150 - 36.0 dB. 1024x768 Pixels. 3000 Lumens, 2100:1 Contrast, 5.5 lbs, 0.7" DLP Projector

Projectors that seem to fit our needs (sort by resolution and ignore the low res ones)

Geometry calculator: Geometry calculator

Claudio's comments

NEC LT280 Projector - 2500 Lumens, 600:1 Contrast, 7.7 lbs, 0.7" PolySi LCD Projector

This one seems to have similar performance to those that we have considered, yet it adds support for Networking. It can show a presentation from a computer that is connected over the network. It could be a good feature to have. It also offers a fairly complete remote (with laser pointer built in), and 3 years warranty with 1 year or 500 hrs on the lamp (vs 90 days of most) which ever comes first. It also takes a card with pictures and show a slide-show and has a HTTP interface to configure birghtness/source etc...

The LT380 offers a bit more bightness but I don't think we'd need it.

Pierre's comments

I have experience with the LT265, I guess the predecessor of the LT280. It is a good projector. Good and sharp image, network support, reads images from a USB key, I think they advertise it as being able to display presentations without computer, so I don't know, maybe it has a .ppt reader ?? Not bright enough for daylight, but again, this is not a problem in the lab. In any case, I think it's significantly brighter than our current projector. The Mitsubishi sounds very inexpensive for a 1280x1024.