BIOS: Technology Means Business

Projectors are becoming more popular as they become more affordable and flexible in their use. Take Sony’s 3LCD-based VPL-ES3 for instance, with its six preset picture modes for use in different environment and an aspect ratio of 4:3 for data projection, which can be switched easily to 16:9 format for watching films and gaming.

The VPL-ES3 (31x25x99mm, 2.9kg), which is available in black or white, accepts a practical range of sources including high definition images while the short focal lens enables a maximum screen-size of up to 300 inches. The attractive (if a little bulky) projector also comes with a monitor-out connection, so the image to be displayed on a second screen. It can be even be integrated with other equipment - for example, the audio output connector can be linked up to an external speaker system.

The projector (Best Current Price: £537) delivers a range of different product features to help assure optimum user convenience. These include a front-facing exhaust, so that the audience is spared the discomfort of hot air blowing directly at them. A discreet fan ensures a low noise level of just 29dB, which helps to minimise distraction for the speaker and the other people in the room.

The credit-card style remote control uses infrared receivers located both at the front and back of the unit (selectable from the on-screen menu), which gives you the option of controlling the presentation from different sides of the room. Unfortunately there’s no automatic keystone correction, which displays a perfectly square image regardless of the angle you’re projecting from. Thankfully there is manual keystone correction, but it’s not as effective.

3LCD projectors work by passing light through LCD panels about the size of a postage stamp, and then use the projectors lens to expand the minute details within the images. Thus the projector is able to reproduce a wide gamut of colours to project clear, detailed images with ultra-smooth movement onto the viewing surface.

In business projectors, apart from the 3LCD projector system, the second most common type of projector is the 1-chip DLP projector system. These 1-chip DLP projectors reflect light by a DMD device where lamplight is switched alternately through red, green, blue and white parts of a rotating wheel. 3LCD projectors continue to be by far the most widely used projectors in the world. Many projector manufacturers adopt 3LCD due to its overwhelmingly solid reputation.

The VPL-ES3 is relatively well specified and offers a high maximum brightness of 2000 ANSI lumens (1500 ANSI lumens under normal use), native SVGA (800x600 pixels) resolution, fan noise of 29dB, and password authentication system. There’s even a digital zoom function (up to 4x), Freeze mode, Control Panel Key Lock, Smart APA (Auto Pixel Alignment), multi-language OSD, and a ceiling mountable design (kit not included).

Multiple inputs and controls comprise S-Video (Y/C) and composite video-out ports, analogue audio input and output, VGA input (15-pin D-sub), monitor output (enables the image to be displayed on a second screen), and RS-232C control. The downside is that there are no digital video or audio inputs (i.e. HDMI), nor any support for wireless networking. You can’t run a show from a memory card either, and LAN management for IT administrators is also lacking. Unusually, the focus and zoom rings are located on the side of the unit rather than the customary front.

The projector also has a range of security features, including password protection and control locking to block unauthorised access and a Kensington lock fitting to prevent physical removal of the projector from a work surface. In typical Sony style you get a slimline remote control, although we would have preferred the device to be black rather than beige to match the projector. The remote also lacks a laser pointer.

The VPL-ES3 corresponds with another key milestone for Sony business projectors. A brand new support package, from PrimeSupport offers customers free of charge, next-day delivery of a refurbished projector of the same specification, or the option of a repair. A telephone helpdesk (free-to-call number in most European countries) provides technical advice as well as product collection and delivery support anywhere in the EU, Norway or Switzerland.

In our tests the VPL-ES3 performed well and had adequate features, but failed to excel. The image quality proved to be very good, the autosync function worked flawlessly, and colour tracking was excellent. Grey performance was excellent at both the dark and light ends of the spectrum and convergence was very good - especially as the projector uses three LCD panels. The only noticeable flaws were soft focus in the upper right corner and slight banding in colour ramps. [6.5]

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