Maxell MP-JU4001 3LCD Laser WUXGA Business Projector Review - Hardware

Maxell MP-JU4001 Laser Business Projector – Hardware: Overview, Lens, Control Panel, Inputs and Connectors, Menus, Remote Control

The Maxell MP-JU4001 shares the same chassis as Maxell’s other J Series projectors. The MP-JU4001 is very compact and lightweight considering that the projector can deliver 4,000 lumens.

Dimensions are about: 13.0" x 10.6" x 2.7" (excluding protrusions) and the chassis weighs about 7.9 pounds.

On the top of the projector’s chassis is the lens adjustment and focus control. The top also includes the control panel. All inputs and connectors are located on the back side of the chassis along with a 16-watt mono speaker. You will find the exhaust vent on the right of the projector.

The Maxell MP-JU4001 features a 1.6X Manual Zoom and Focus lens. Controls for focus and zoom are wheels located on the top of the projector. The controls are recessed but easily accessible. The lens provides a 1.6x manual zoom and focus with a lens offset of about 37%.

The top control panel on the Maxell MP-JU4001 features a Standby/On button and an Input button along with two LEDs for Power/Status 1 and Status 2. The third control is for a combined menu and 4 direction navigation control. The menu toggle is indented in the center of the control square to provide some distinction from the navigation controls, around the four edges, for easy directional control. These navigation buttons are used to navigate the projector’s various menus.

The inputs and connectors panel is located on the back of the Maxell MP-JU4001 and contains a useful array of inputs and outputs. Like most current Maxell projectors, the built-in 16w mono speaker is found in the back of the projector.

Let's break down the connections in a little more detail below.

The Maxell MP-JU4001 has great connectivity. Starting from the left, there’s a LAN connector with a full size USB A port on top of it. On the right of these two ports is the second USB port, a USB Type B Mini. Continuing toward the right, we find two HDMI inputs side by side with a Computer In connector and next to that there is a second Computer In connector that doubles as a Monitor Out. Finally, on the right there is Audio In and a separate Audio Out, both are 3.5” connectors. The last input is a composite video (RCA) with a stereo left and right inputs (RCA).

The MP-JU4001 offers two menus. There is a Basic Menu that includes the commonly used adjustments as well as an Advanced Menu with more detailed settings. The images of the menu shown in this section represent only a small number of all the sub-menus available. I tried to show a couple more notable sections found in the most used sub-menus (image, setting, and networking, etc.).

The menu system is good – well organized and easy to navigate. The font size on the menus is a little on the small size compared to some, but very readable at a “normal” distance.