NEC NP-UM330W Review – Special Features

Electronic Whiteboard - Optional Add-on

NEC offers an optional ($489) Interactive White Board Kit (model NPO2Wi) for use with the NP-UM330W projector.  The kit includes an interactive “eBeam” module with USB connection to a PC and wireless pen.  The eBeam module attaches directly to the front of the projector and uses IR to determine the pen’s position within the image for accurate control and annotation.  NEC says this technology gives users the ability to control their computers and annotate accurately at the electronic whiteboard.  A single wireless pen is included with the NP02Wi Kit to control and annotate at the screen surface.  The wireless electronic pen has a pressure sensitive tip and two buttons on the side.  Since the wireless Pen uses pressure against the “white board” to initiate its drawing mode, it is not suitable for use with conventional fabric projection screens.  Rather, it works best when using an rigid surface, such as an actual whiteboard, for the projection surface.  Several companies now offer white boards specifically designed to also serve as a projection screen, such as Elite’s new “WhiteBoardScreen Universal”.  Such products provide the ideal solution for the classroom or conference room where a an electronic white board, using a projector such as the NP-UM330W, in going to be used.  The NEC kit includes the necessary software to allow your MS Windows based PC (e.g., laptop) to work with the electronic white board.

Wired and Wireless Networking

The NP-UM330W has an Ethernet connector on the rear panel for wired network connections.  An optional wireless (Wi-Fi) adapter is available at extra cost.  “NaViSet Administrator” software in packaged with the projector.   This enables a MS Windows based PC equipped with this NEC software to manage one or multiple NEC projectors and displays that can be accessed on the local network..  This management function allows an administrator to not only control the projector’s settings but also monitor the health/status of the projector for scheduling/initiating projector maintenance and generating reports.

DICOM Simulation Mode

In addition to the usual Picture modes, NEC has included  DICOM Simulation mode intended to display images approximating the DICOM (Digital Imaging and Communication in Medicine) Part 14 Grayscale Standard Display Function used with B/W medical imaging (such as X-rays).  This mode optimizes black/gray/white detail with a custom gamma curve.  NEC notes that “The [DICOM SIM.] option is for training/reference only and should not be used for actual diagnosis.”  Thus the DICOM Simulation mode offered by the NP-UM330W is intended for medical educational training purposes, such as at medical schools.

Images and Slide Shows without a PC