NEC NP-PA653UL Projector Review – Special Features 3

Posted on September 27, 2017 by Nikki Zelinger

NEC NP-PA653UL Projector Review – Special Features 3: Motorized Lens Features, Advanced Networking, Warranty

Motorized Lens Features

The NEC NP-PA653UL has motorized lens features: focus, zoom, and lens shift. This proves to be helpful in situations where the projector is mounted to a high ceiling, such as is the case in a lecture hall. If it were manual zoom, you would have to climb a ladder every time the projector falls out of focus, and, like most projectors, this one does.

The change in focus is slight and won’t be noticeable unless sitting rather close to the screen. That’s not likely to be the case with the PA653UL. A large venue projector such as this will not be used in your typical classroom or conference room, but rather, in a large venue like an executive boardroom, lecture hall, church, or other large space.

The other two features give make projector a good value in terms of placement flexibility. Depending on which lens you go with, you will have a healthy amount of zoom. This means the projector will be able to be placed further back from, or closer to the screen if your setup calls for it. I discuss the lenses in the Interchangeable Lens Options section on the Hardware 1 page.

The PA653UL has a generous amount of vertical lens shift - 60%. Its horizontal lens shift is +30%. That gives a lot more flexibility when installing the projector. Good news – this projector has Lens Memory, so you can save the position of the zoom, focus, and lens shift to each input. I saved the Lens Memory to HDMI 1.

Advanced Networking

The NEC NP-PA653UL has an RJ-45 LAN connector on the rear panel for connecting to a wired network, as well as that optional wireless MultiPresenter Stick. Built-in HDBaseT enables simplified installations using a single cable for audio, video, and control signals via an Ethernet cable.

For those of you who don’t know, HDBaseT is a standard that appeared a few years back which allows HDMI signals to be run over extremely long lengths. This is done using low-cost CAT5e, CAT6, etc., cabling – the same stuff used for local area networking. Maximum distance over low cost CAT cable is 100 meters! Perfect for office buildings, large classrooms, etc.

There are a number of integrated software applications that allow for complete control. The PA653UL works with Crestron RoomView, AMX Beacon, Extron XTP, PJ Link (primitive, but still worth mentioning), DisplayNote and NaViSet Administrator 2 (NaViSet Administrator 2 is a free software solution that easy administration and management of large display device installations and multi-projector setups).

Depending on which one of these software applications you choose, you’ll enjoy a host of features. Push notifications, browser monitoring, command and control of the projector using a browser, and more. There are so many options you can choose from for advanced networking – this is an IT team’s dream.

Warranty

NEC provides an excellent warranty on the PA653UL – 5 years or 20,000 hours parts and labor including InstaCare next business day exchange. That basically means it’s a 5-year warranty because, for most applications, the projector’s light engine won’t reach 20,000 hours before the projector becomes obsolete and it’s time to replace it.

Fun fact - previously, InstaCare was only available for the first year. That they've extended it further – 5 years in the case of the PA653UL – makes the warranty an even better value than it already was.

NEC’s InstaCare Service is their replacement program. First, you call their Technical Support Hotline with the model and serial numbers, as well as the purchase date or original proof-of-purchase. They’ll attempt to correct the projector’s malfunction, but if they can’t, NEC sends out a replacement projector immediately. A credit card number is needed as security to cover the full value of the projector. If the damaged projector is received by NEC within 21 days, the card will not be charged. Good deal.

NEC NP-PA653UL Projector Review – Special Features 3: Motorized Lens Features, Advanced Networking, Warranty

Motorized Lens Features

The NEC NP-PA653UL has motorized lens features: focus, zoom, and lens shift. This proves to be helpful in situations where the projector is mounted to a high ceiling, such as is the case in a lecture hall. If it were manual zoom, you would have to climb a ladder every time the projector falls out of focus, and, like most projectors, this one does.

The change in focus is slight and won’t be noticeable unless sitting rather close to the screen. That’s not likely to be the case with the PA653UL. A large venue projector such as this will not be used in your typical classroom or conference room, but rather, in a large venue like an executive boardroom, lecture hall, church, or other large space.

The other two features give make projector a good value in terms of placement flexibility. Depending on which lens you go with, you will have a healthy amount of zoom. This means the projector will be able to be placed further back from, or closer to the screen if your setup calls for it. I discuss the lenses in the Interchangeable Lens Options section on the Hardware 1 page.

The PA653UL has a generous amount of vertical lens shift - 60%. Its horizontal lens shift is +30%. That gives a lot more flexibility when installing the projector. Good news – this projector has Lens Memory, so you can save the position of the zoom, focus, and lens shift to each input. I saved the Lens Memory to HDMI 1.

Advanced Networking

The NEC NP-PA653UL has an RJ-45 LAN connector on the rear panel for connecting to a wired network, as well as that optional wireless MultiPresenter Stick. Built-in HDBaseT enables simplified installations using a single cable for audio, video, and control signals via an Ethernet cable.

For those of you who don’t know, HDBaseT is a standard that appeared a few years back which allows HDMI signals to be run over extremely long lengths. This is done using low-cost CAT5e, CAT6, etc., cabling – the same stuff used for local area networking. Maximum distance over low cost CAT cable is 100 meters! Perfect for office buildings, large classrooms, etc.

There are a number of integrated software applications that allow for complete control. The PA653UL works with Crestron RoomView, AMX Beacon, Extron XTP, PJ Link (primitive, but still worth mentioning), DisplayNote and NaViSet Administrator 2 (NaViSet Administrator 2 is a free software solution that easy administration and management of large display device installations and multi-projector setups).

Depending on which one of these software applications you choose, you’ll enjoy a host of features. Push notifications, browser monitoring, command and control of the projector using a browser, and more. There are so many options you can choose from for advanced networking – this is an IT team’s dream.

Warranty

NEC provides an excellent warranty on the PA653UL – 5 years or 20,000 hours parts and labor including InstaCare next business day exchange. That basically means it’s a 5-year warranty because, for most applications, the projector’s light engine won’t reach 20,000 hours before the projector becomes obsolete and it’s time to replace it.

Fun fact - previously, InstaCare was only available for the first year. That they've extended it further – 5 years in the case of the PA653UL – makes the warranty an even better value than it already was.

NEC’s InstaCare Service is their replacement program. First, you call their Technical Support Hotline with the model and serial numbers, as well as the purchase date or original proof-of-purchase. They’ll attempt to correct the projector’s malfunction, but if they can’t, NEC sends out a replacement projector immediately. A credit card number is needed as security to cover the full value of the projector. If the damaged projector is received by NEC within 21 days, the card will not be charged. Good deal.