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Ricoh is an established manufacturer of business and classroom class projectors and they offer models using DLP and LCD technology.

We wish to thank Epson America for sponsoring this year’s Best Classroom Projectors Report

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Ricoh PJ WXL4540 Specs

Price$2279
TechnologyDLP
Native Resolution1280x800
Brightness (Manufacturer Claim)3200
Contrast13000:1
Zoom Lens Ratio1:1
Lens ShiftNo
Lamp Lifeup to 20,000 hours
Weight12.2 lbs.
Warranty3 years

OVERVIEW

The Ricoh PJ WXL4540 projector reviewed here uses a single DLP micro-display panel and this projector features a short throw non-zoom lens and a laser light source rated at up to a 20,000 hour life.  This model offers WXGA resolution of 1280 x 800 with a 16 x 10 aspect ratio and is spec’ed for a reasonably bright 3200 lumens of light output.

Ricoh also offers a lower priced model PJ XL4540 that is similar but offering lower XGA resolution (i.e., 1024 x 768) with a 4 x 3 aspect ratio and 3000 lumen light output.

The PJ WXL4540 produces a sharp image that is rather bright, even with the recommended 100 inch max. screen size. The long life laser light engine is what sets this projector apart from the sub-$1000 projectors that offer similar resolution and brightness.  However, Ricoh has omitted a number of features that are frequently found on competing projectors and the potential buyer will need to decide if any of those omitted features are essential to their application.

The non-zoom short throw lens places very specific constraints on the placement of the projector relative to the screen or whiteboard.  While this short throw arrangement may be the ideal choice for certain specific installations, it may prove unsuitable for other cases.

Another notable missing feature is the lack of network support, either wired LAN or wireless.

HIGHLIGHTS

  • Short throw lens (i.e., non-zoom) with a throw ratio of 0.521:1 meaning a 80 inch wide image requires a projector-to-screen throw distance of about 42 inches
  • Laser light source rated at up to 20,000 hours life
  • Fast power up and shutdown
  • Low maintenance
  • Wall color setting for when projecting onto a non-white wall
  • 3D support including from a Blu-ray 3D source

The ZW300UST is 12.3 pounds and can be table-top, wall or ceiling mounted. Wall mounting is most likely your best bet, as it's less expensive typically than ceiling mounting in a conference room or classroom, (and if no drop ceiling in the room, a much simpler install). I would consider this projector to be mid-sized, for a UST, and not very heavy. If necessary, the projector could potentially be passed around classrooms or conference rooms, but it wouldn’t be considered a true “portable” projector. More likely, in that case, it would be put on a cart, with other gear (as is often typical for K-12).

Optoma’s UST line consists of just two projectors – the ZW300UST (reviewing here) and the ZW300USTi. Both are WXGA resolution, with the same technology and light engine, weight and overall feature set, with the ZW300USTi having interactive capabilities. If you’re looking for an interactive projector, consider the Optoma ZW300USTi. Though there are only two projectors in this line, that's not to say that Optoma won't expand the line, with projectors of different resolution or brightness.

This projector has an MSRP of $3,399 (the ZW300USTi is $400 more). The 3,200 claim is more than enough for handling quite a lot of ambient light, and – spoiler alert – this one measured over claim. In our 2017-2018 Best Education Projectors Report (published less than two weeks ago), the Optoma ZW300UST won the 2017-2018 Best In Classroom: Ultra Short Throw or Interactive Projector Award - Best Value, and the Hot Product Award. This is one of the two projectors that I worked with before the report but couldn't finish writing up in time. As a result, I passed my results and opinions of the ZW300UST on to Art so he could make the call on awards.

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Optoma ZW300UST Specs

Price$3399
TechnologyDLP
Native Resolution1280x800
Brightness (Manufacturer Claim)3200
Contrast22000:1
Zoom Lens RatioUltra-Short-throw
Lens ShiftNo
Lamp Life20,000 hours
Weight12.3
Warranty3 years

OPTOMA ZW300UST OVERVIEW

As mentioned in the above paragraph, the MSRP of the Optoma ZW300UST is $3,399 – but I found it online from a number of authorized dealers for $1,799, which I’ll take as the minimum advertised price (MAP).   That’s a huge difference! For this projector, $1,799 is a steal of a deal. A solid feature set, phenomenal color in best modes, and a great price all make this projector an excellent value proposition for educators and business people.

The ZW300UST has all the necessary inputs and connectors for business and education applications. Two HDMI inputs, a VGA In and Monitor Out, two types of Audio Ins and Outs, Wired LAN, and more. Its 10-watt mono speaker was better than I expected, and will be loud enough for mid-sized conference rooms and classrooms.

This projector as WXGA resolution (1280 x 800), which is essentially the 16:10 version of 720p. That is to say, it has more pixels than 720p HD – that’s 1280 x 720. I naturally prefer projectors that are the higher resolution 1080p HD or WUXGA, , but I found that I was not bothered by the WXGA resolution (the image is very crisp), and at one point I even had to double check to see if the projector was, in fact, WUXGA. It’s not, but it had me fooled for a minute. WXGA, of course, saves schools and businesses still rather significant money compared to those full HD resolutions, and that’s important to most buyers, if there isn’t an application calling for higher resolution.

That said, WXGA is great for conference rooms and classrooms, providing a good image for those in the front row to the back. Speaking of those closest to the screen, they’re likely the only ones who really would be able to differentiate between WXGA and higher resolutions.

ZW300UST HIGHLIGHTS

  • 3,200 Lumens
  • DLP Technology
  • Laser Solid-State Light Engine
  • Low Maintenance
  • WXGA (1280 x 800) Resolution
  • Phenomenal Color Accuracy
  • 10-Watt Mono Speaker
  • 20,000 Hour Rated Lamp Life
  • PC-Free USB Media Player supports video and audio file playback, as well as shared images and presentations
  • Connectivity – computers, smartphones, tablets, 3D Bluray/DVD players, camcorders, Apple TV and streaming sticks can all be connected, though some may require additional accessories
    • HDMI MHL port supports HDMI dongles such as the Optoma HDCast Pro, Chromecast, FireTV and more
  • Wireless Capability via the Optoma WHD200
  • 3D Capable
  • Crestron (networking) Ready
  • 5 Year/20,000 Hour Light Source Warranty/3 Year Optoma Express Advance Exchange Warranty
The Epson PowerLite 955WH is a higher-end model in Epson’s Powerlite 9xx series of classroom projectors. While Epson markets the PowerLite 955WH as a classroom projector, but it would also be suitable for use in many business/conference room applications. This model has a native 1280 x 800 (WXGA) resolution with a 16 x 10 aspect ratio.  With a list price of $899, and with discounts available for education institutions,  the PowerLite 955WH is a cost effective solution for schools, or businesses, needing a bright projector with good color accuracy. The PowerLite 955WH projects a sharp image that is bright, while providing good colors and offering a lot of performance for the money. Epson offers other models in the Powerlite series that feature similar WXGA resolution as well as models with lower XGA resolution. We previously reviewed the entry-level XGA resolution PowerLite 97H (HERE) as well as a previous generation WXGA resolution model Powerlite 99W (HERE).  Both of these projectors received out Hot Product award so it not too surprising that the PowerLite 955WH also proved to be an very good performer and also earned a Hot Product award. We wish to thank Epson America for sponsoring this year's Best Classroom Projectors report.

The EX7240 Pro in one of 5 models in Epson's EX-series of portable business/educational projectors.  The EX-series includes an entry-level model EX3240 with SVGA resolution, mid-level models EX5240 and EX5250 Pro with XGA resolution, the EX7240 Pro (reviewed here) with WXGA resolution and the top-tier model EX9200 Pro with WUXGA resolution.   The EX7240 Pro, reviewed here, has a MSRP of $649.99 while the other models in the EX-series range in price (MSRP) from $449.99 to $799.99.  Lower "street" prices may be available on these models.  The current street price on the EX7240 Pro is under $600 from many online vendors.

The Epson EX7240 Pro is a portable 3LCD projector intended for business or educational applications (e.g., conference room or lecture room presentations). While larger and heavier than the tiny pico and pocket projectors, the EX7240 Pro is a very capable portable model that puts out far more light than any pico or pocket model and provides a bright image even with large screen sizes as long as room lighting can be controlled. The EX7240 Pro has a native 16:10 aspect ratio and a resolution of 1280 x 800 (WXGA in computer terminology). With its very good focus and excellent LCD panel alignment (in the review unit) the image sharpness and text readability are limited only by the projector's native WXGA resolution. When projecting 16 x 9 HD video, such as from a Blu-ray Disc, the EX7240 Pro displays a 1280 x 720 image so this is basically a 720p resolution HD projector as far a video presentations are concerned.  When connected to a computer the full 1280 x 800 resolution of the 16 x 10 format can be used for Powerpoint or other graphic or text presentations.

The Epson EX7240 Pro received out Hot Product award for its winning combination of very good performance combined with a reasonable price.

The BenQ MX631ST is a short throw projector intended for use in classrooms or conference rooms.  It is a single chip DLP XGA projector that in its brightest mode is specified to produce 3200 lumens and its lamp is rated to have an unsually long life of up to 10,000 hours, in SmartEco mode.  Even when operated in the full power (i.e, "normal") mode, the lamp is rated at a fairly long 4,500 hours life.

This is a XGA resolution projector (i.e., 1024 x 768) with a 4 x 3 aspect ratio as is typical for many entry-level business and classroom projectors.  However, since many classrooms and conference rooms are already equipped with 4 x 3 aspect ratio projection screens, the MX631ST is certainly a viable choice when replacing an existing XGA projector.

Affordable Viewsonic PJD7822HDL Home Entertainment - Business Portable 1080p Projector - Replaces ground breaking predecessor.

This PJD7822HD has recently (Fall 2017) been replaced by a newer model, the PJD7828HDL.  Viewsonic is sending us the newer model in October 2017, so look for that review, once posted.  We expect the newer model to replace the PJD7822HD on our 15 Best Home Theater Projectors list.

NEC's M322W projector is a lightweight, full-featured powerhouse, with excellent performance at a reasonable price.Ask Proxima's portable WXGA projector is a no-frills, low-cost powerhouse.  It provides a terrific combination of high brightness and excellent color fidelity.

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