NEC VE281X DLP Multimedia Projector Review

See this projector in our annual Classroom Projector Report, sponsored by:

March 2013 - Anthony Arrigo

C o n t e n t s NEC VE281X Overview Highlights Specifications Physical Tour Image Quality Performance Warranty Summary --------------------------- NEC VE281X Review

NEC VE281X Projector Overview

NEC has produced quite the Road Warrior in it latest projector the NEC VE281X. Designed to be fairly compact and simple to operate, the NEC VE281X is a XGA (1024x768) resolution projector with a rated brightness of 2800 lumens. The projector is 3D ready, and capable of resolutions as high as 1600x1200. You will want to read the section about image quality, as it pertains to this projector. The image quality in higher resolutions was quite surprising.

All the inputs you might expect, and then some you might not from a portable projector are present. Although, it is a very stripped down projector, gone are most of the inputs you would never use, and instead, you have just what the average presenter needs to get the job done. The projector really was designed for multi-use in classrooms and universities where multiple users would be moving around and traveling with the projector.

Lamp life is also impressive, NEC rates the lamp life at 6000 hours when you project in ECO mode for the life of the projector. Their warranty really stands behind the claim, because as you will see in that section of this review, it is very generous. With a MSRP of $449, this is a projector to definitely take a closer look at.

^ Back to Top

NEC VE281X Projector Highlights

• 6000 hours of estimated lamp life
• No filter to replace or clean. Just vaccum air intake. Rated for 24/7 operation
• A fairly high contrast ratio of 3000:1
• 3D Ready for PC based content
• Support multiple resolutions like 4:3, 16:9
  

^ Back to Top

Specs for the NEC VE281X

Check out the full specifications for the NEC VE281X

• MSRP VE281X - $449
• Brightness Lumens: 2800 Bright Mode - Eco Mode is 70% of Bright Mode
• Resolution: Native 1024x768 XGA Resolution – Supports up to 1600x1200
• Zoom Ratio: 1:1.1
• Aspect Ratio: Native 4:3
• Audible Noise: 35 dB Bright Mode – 33 dB Eco Mode
• Weight: 5.1 lbs.
• Dimensions: 10.2 "W x 9.7"D x 3.5"H
  

NEC VE281X Projector Special Features

Lamp Life
Impressive is the projectors estimated lamp life of 6000 hours when you project using ECO mode. More impressive is the 2 year warranty, or 4000 hours on the lamp.

Image Quality
Although this is a native 1024x768 projector, the image quality was so nice in higher resolutions that I would find it very acceptable to permanently run this projector in 1280x1024 resolution, and in some cases even higher.

Carbon Savings Meter
Unique carbon savings meter. It calculates the positive effects of running the projector in Eco Mode.

Quick Start Cooling and Shutdown
No need to wait a long time for the projector to cool before starting up. Also, very little time to wait for the projector to turn on.

^ Back to Top

NEXT: Take a physical tour of the NEC VE281X