Classroom Projector Report: Optoma ZW210ST Commentary
The Optoma projector we considered in this years Classroom Projector Report (the ZX210ST - click for full review) is from the same family as the Optoma ZW210ST.
6/27/2012 - Art Feierman
The Optoma ZW210ST Projector - A Quick Look
| Optoma ZW210ST | Optoma ZX210ST (considered in this year's report) |
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What they have in common: DLP technology, 2000 lumens, 10000:1 contrast ratio, 9.4 lbs., maximum 1600x1200 resolution, HDMI, Monitor (VGA) output, 5W stereo speaker, closed captioning, network notification, network control, USB input, remote mousing, short-throw lens, 20000 hour lamp life, no filters, 3-year Optoma replacement service |
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Optoma ZW210ST
The Optoma ZW210ST (click for full specs) is identical to its sibling, the ZX210ST projector. They are both DLP projectors that weigh 9.4 lbs. with 2000 lumens of brightness, a 10000:1 contrast ratio. Both come with an HDMI input that will let you hook up to laptops, satellite/cable boxes, gaming consoles and more.
The ZW210ST and the ZX210ST also have a USB input that lets you play your presentation straight off of a thumbnail - no need to fuss with cables or laptops. They also both have 5W stereo speakers, which is enough to handle some sound in your presentation. However, if you're looking for a projector that can handle audio in a larger room with a larger audience, consider one of the other projectors considered that has, say 16W speakers.
They both also have a long lamp life of 20,000 hours and you don't have to bother with filters! Both come with Optoma's 3-year replacement service warranty.
The only major difference between the two projectors is apparent in their names - the ZW210ST is native WXGA resolution (1280x800, widescreen) while the ZX210ST is native XGA resolution (1024x768, non-widescreen). This difference accounts for the varied prices of the two projectors (the ZW210ST is $100 more expensive at $1499 than the cheaper XGA model).
The ZW210ST is a great option if you desire widecreen, like a good warranty (you can't beat 3 years), and want a nice picture. However, if you've got sound requirements and a larger/brighter presentation space, you may want to look into a projector with bigger speakers and higher brightness.