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The NEC NP-MC382W is a capable LCD projector, well suited for business and education environments. This WXGA (1280x800] resolution projector is compact and portable, making it easy to transfer between conference rooms, boardrooms, and classrooms. Feature-laden and versatile, this NEC is fit for a variety of applications in both the business and education environments, including exhibitions, K-12 classrooms, meeting rooms, conference rooms, and even retail spaces.

Its 3,800 claimed lumens combined with its LCD technology makes the NEC NP-MC382W is bright enough to tackle the ambient light seen in these types of environments, and is one to consider if it meets your needs in terms of specs and feature set. I will begin this review with an overview of the projector, followed by its highlights and special features, and a detailed discussion of the hardware. Then, we’ll dive deep into the projector’s capabilities, discussing picture quality and performance, before wrapping it all up for you and providing some insights into competition and its pros and cons.

2020-2021-Best-in-Classroom-Education-Projectors-Report_K-12-Price-Performance
NEC Specs
Price
Technology LCD
Native Resolution 1280x800
Brightness (Manufacturer Claim) 3800
Contrast 16000:1
Zoom Lens Ratio
Lens Shift
Lamp Life
Weight
Warranty

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

Overview

NEC is well known for their part in the business and education markets, manufacturing projectors ranging from entry level to high-end large venue. The first NEC I reviewed was a 4K capable WUXGA (1920x1200) pixel shifter with excellent picture quality. It won an award in the large venue projector class in our Classroom Projectors Report a couple years back, and since then, I have held high expectations for NEC projectors. So far, so good – I have yet to be disappointed.

This image from Journey to Space demonstrates the color performance of the NEC NP-MC382W.
This image from Journey to Space demonstrates the color performance of the NEC NP-MC382W.

Speaking of 4K, the 3,800 lumen MC382W has WXGA (1280x800) resolution – the business and education world’s 720p – but can accept 4K content, and NEC says the projector is “fully upgradable to 4K when available” on their sales page. This gives the projector longevity in a world where resolution and technology are quickly evolving. The NEC has LCD technology and a lamp life of up to 10,000 hours at full power, 15,000 in ECO Mode, which lowers the cost of ownership.

The MC382W is set up for command and control – a desirable feature for school districts and business environments that have a fleet of projectors. NEC has their own free proprietary software called NaViSet Administrator 2 to manage multiple projectors at a time, from a single location. The projector is also Crestron Roomview compatible, which allows for command and control of a projector fleet, even if the projectors included are of different manufacturer makes.

The NEC NP-MC382W does well when reproducing skin tones. This photo was taken with the projector in Video Mode.
The NEC NP-MC382W does well when reproducing skin tones. This photo was taken with the projector in Video Mode.

It has a host of features for presenting purposes, such as a multi-presenter function that allows up to 16 devices to be connected simultaneously, dual VGA inputs for connecting PCs, and PC-Free Presentation via USB. I have to say, I am a fan of the integrated media player, which I’ll talk about in detail on the next page. The NEC NP-MC382W also has a 16 watt speaker and two HDMI ports with HDCP. It also has wireless capabilities via an optional wireless dongle. We’ll save the rest for the Special Features Page – for now, let’s take a look at the projector’s highlights.

Highlights

  • $999 List Price – $549 Street Price
  • 3,800 Lumens
  • LCD Projection Technology
  • WXGA Resolution (1280x800)
  • 20:1 Zoom Ratio
  • Can Accept 4K Content
  • 16,000:1 Contrast Ratio
  • Excellent Lamp Life – 10,000 Hours at Full Power, 15,000 in ECO Mode
  • Geometric Correction – Keystone and Cornerstone
  • Virtual Remote
  • PC-Free Presenting via USB and On-Board Media Player
  • MultiPresenter Function – Connect up to 16 Devices Simultaneously via a Wired or Wireless Connection (Wireless Requires NP05LM1)
  • Screen Mirroring for iOS and Android
  • Integrated Software Applications – NaViSet Administrator 2 and Crestron Roomview
  • 16 Watt Mono Speaker
  • Star Student Education Program – Special Pricing for Schools
  • Excellent Warranty – 3-Year Parts and Labor, Including InstaCare Next Business Day Exchange, with One Year on Lamp

The Epson 990U projector is a powerful, feature packed classroom projector with impeccable color and brightness. The 990U weighs in at 7 pounds and includes a formidable 16 watt mono speaker that should stand on its own in a classroom or boardroom without any need for extra speakers, but there is the audio out option if you need it.  This WUXGA (1920x1200) Full HD resolution projector costs around (typical street price from authorized Epson dealers) of about $1080 and claims to deliver 3800 lumens.

The Epson 990U is part of Epson’s new PowerLite lineup that includes two other projectors built for the classroom, with quality image, brightness, and sound performance at affordable prices.  The new PowerLite series includes native WUXGA, WXGA, XGA resolutions among all the projectors.  The series comes with Epson’s remarkable color brightness and color gamut, three times higher than that of competitive single chip DLP projectors in similar price ranges.  In addition, Epson claims to get 12,000 hours of lamp life in Eco mode on each projector in the series.  All in all, it looks like a pretty solid series based on my experience with this top line 990U.

Epson PowerLite 990U Specs
Price $1079
Technology 3LCD
Native Resolution 1920x1200
Brightness (Manufacturer Claim) 3800
Contrast 15,000:1, 15000:1
Zoom Lens Ratio 1.60:1
Lens Shift No
Lamp Life 6000 hours
Weight 7.1
Warranty 2 years
Projector Reviews Hot Product Award
Our top award given for products we review. Additionally we have Best In Class Awards in our special reports.]
2018-2019 Best in Classroom Standard Projector Best Performance

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

Overview

The Epson 990U is most often ceiling mounted (but small business is also likely to use it as a portable).  Schools, on the other hand, will likely mount it, but if not, it may be destined for a rolling AV cart so it can be easily moved from room to room. The lamp can be changed while mounted if/when it does need to be replaced.  Since the projector’s lamp will last almost 6,000 hours even at full power, and far longer using various eco features, many users will never need a replacement lamp.

Designed primarily for the classroom and schools, the Epson 990U has the ability to connect up to 50 Chromebook, Mac, PC, iOS, and Android devices, and simultaneously display up to four screens, with Epson iProjection (wireless module sold separately for about $100).  That same ability, of course is valuable in business conference rooms, and huddle spaces.

Teachers can also push content from the projector to wireless connected devices using Epson’s iProjection software and control which device screens to display; meanwhile students can make notes and send their work back to the projector at the teacher’s discretion.  Lastly, for the school minded, you can utilize RJ-45 and optional wireless connectivity for remote projector management and presentations over the network, leaving you the ability to centralize school announcements among other things in all classrooms.

Bottom line, as you’ll soon read, this projector is an award winner, performing brilliantly in all facets, brightness, color accuracy, powerful speaker, interactive and wireless features, all packed into the Epson PowerLite 990U and making this projector perfectly suited for any classroom or school environment, and well up to the standards of any business professional on the go or in the boardroom.  Even better, if you join Epson’s Better Futures program, you can have this projector for $825, saving $254 per projector.  Plus you get all the benefits of the program including competitive pricing on all Epson projectors, 3 year limited warranty & 90 day lamp warranty, free next-business-day replacement with free shipping both ways, access to Epson’s PrivateLine toll-free tech support at no charge for the life of your warranty, and your own dedicated Epson account manager.

Highlights

  • 3 LCD technology bringing 3x Higher Color Brightness1 and up to 3x Wider Color Gamut5 with Epson over 1-chip DLP projectors
  • 3,800 lumens of equal color and white brightness
  • Widescreen native WUXGA (1920 x 1200) Full HD resolution; 16:10 format
  • 1.6x optical zoom provides a wide range of zoom flexibility and incredible, sharp images
  • Very low cost Epson replacement lamps that can get about 12,000 hours in Eco Mode
  • Enhanced wireless display technology — connect up to 50 Chromebook, Mac, PC, iOS and Android devices, and simultaneously display up to four screens, with Epson iProjection (wireless module sold separately)
  • Two-way content sharing — teachers can push content from the projector to wirelessly connected devices and control which device screens to display; students can make notes and send their work back to the projector
  • Advanced network control — RJ-45 and optional wireless connectivity for remote projector management, presentations over the network and more
  • 2x HDMI, multiple A/V devices; includes 1x MHL-enabled port
  • Built-in 16 W speaker and microphone input and audio out for utilizing external speakers

The Epson BrightLink 696Ui is an ultra-short throw, 3LCD, interactive projector claiming 3,800 lumens. With WUXGA resolution (1920 x 1200 pixels), Wired and Wireless Lan, and advanced interactivity, this is a serious projector to be considered when shopping for your business or education applications. Targeted toward the education market, the Epson BrightLink 696Ui is suitable for both higher education and K-12 classrooms, with an emphasis on higher education.

Priced at $2,799, this projector offers schools the opportunity to create interactive lessons for their students that can aid in retention of those lessons. The price may cause some to shy away from the 696Ui in favor of something more affordable – but, great news! Epson has an outstanding education program that significantly lowers the overall cost of the projector and its maintenance, such as lamp replacement. The Epson Brighter Futures Program makes this projector available for $2,099. It’s not cheap, but the Epson BrightLink 696Ui is worth it.

This projector is the “little brother” of the Epson BrightLink 697Ui. That one has more advanced features (such as Whiteboard sharing) and is priced at $3,299. It is also WUXGA resolution, but claims a wall-melting 4,400 lumens. That’s really bright! The Epson BrightLink 696Ui that is the subject of this review is bright at 3,800 lumens – so bright, in fact, that with the windows open at high noon, the projected image looked clearer and brighter than some of the other projectors I’ve reviewed while projecting those in a fully darkened room. This is one of my top (current) favorite business/education projectors, hands down.

The Epson BrightLink 696Ui was included in our 2017-2018 Classroom Projector Report, where it won an award for Best in Classroom - Best Performance Ultra Short Throw or Interactive.

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