NEC P525UL Laser Projector Review- Special Features

Posted on June 3, 2019 by Phil Jones

NEC P525UL Laser Projector Review – Special Features: Laser Light Engine, Network Control, USB Image Viewer, Image Manipulation, DICOM Simulation, Mounting Flexibility

LASER LIGHT ENGINE

The P525UL uses a laser light source along with a phosphor wheel instead of a conventional lamp. Perhaps the most obvious advantage that a laser light source has over a traditional lamp-based projector is the life of the light source – NEC claims 20,000 hours of laser life for the P525UL. As with a lamp-based system, the life rating is the point where 50% of the brightness has been lost. NEC says this model can be used for 24/7 operation and those 20,000 hours equate to about 2 1/2 years of continuous operation. While NEC rates the life of the laser light source at 20,000, it does not say if that’s when operating in normal or Eco power mode.

Another advantage is the image quality should be more stable over time than with lamp-based projectors. The P525UL uses a sealed light engine so there should be no worries about getting “dust blobs” which can impact the projected image.

As with all 3LCD projectors, a dichroic prism is used to re-assemble the three different colors into a single full color image. Like most 3LCD projectors, P525UL produces as many color lumens as it does white lumens, which ensures a bright, vibrant image.

There are three modes to adjust the brightness output of the laser light source:

Off - 100% brightness with maximum fan speed
ECO - Reduces brightness by 60% while reducing cooling fan speed. This setting reduces power consumption and audible noise
Long Life - Reduces brightness by 50% with maximum cooling fan speed. This setting prolongs the life of the light module

In addition, the laser engine brightness can be adjusted from 30 to 100% in 1% increments. Brightness usually decreases with usage, the constant brightness mode automatically controls the output from the light module according to the light module usage time to maintain constant brightness.

NETWORK CONTROL

PIN code for the projector is shown on the MultiPresenter menu screen

Enter target projector's PIN code into the start up page of the MultiPresenter app

Projector will indicate that it is awaiting content

MultiPresenter app will indicate that projector is awaiting content

In the app, choose if you want to mirror a document, image, webpage or even the mobile device camera

Search for the desired folder

Choose an image from a folder

App will indicate which image is being currently displayed on the projector

❮ ❯

MultiPresenter

This free software application enables you to display your device's screen (computer, smart phone, tablet) on the P525UL via wired or wireless LAN. Not only can you display images, PDFs, and webpages, you can even mirror the camera of your mobile device. The mobile app includes a marker so you can annotate the image or document being projected as well as a pointer. This features also enables multi-screen display by starting the application on multiple computers and mobiles devices Several split screen modes are supported that can display up to 16 thumbnail images in a 4 x 4 grid. The content from up to 16 sources, out of a maximum of 50 connected sources, can be displayed at any one time.

MultiPresenter can also control the connected projector. You can power the projector ON/OFF, switch inputs, and adjust picture and sound. MultiPresenter software is free and available for Windows, Mac, iOS, Android.

NaViSet Adminstrator 2

Once you have connected your projector to your network, NEC offers NaViSet Adminstrator2 software program which can be used to monitor and control the P525UL projector. This free software solution is designed to simplify the control, monitoring, and management of multi-display installations. Adjust almost any parameter or setting of a NEC projector or flat panel from a remote location. Monitor display status receives email alerts automatically if a diagnostic error is reported by a device or a setting has been changed.

The P525UL also supports Crestron Roomview, AMX Beacon, and PJ Link for compete interactive and control. The bottom line is the NEC P525UL has very good support for networking with good support for presentation and control applications/services.

USB IMAGE VIEWER

You can project images stored on a USB memory stick inserted into the USB-A port located at the rear of the P525UL. The images need to be either JPEG or PNG. By selecting the USB-A input the image cans be accessed directly from a simple menu. You can also project them continuously as a slideshow. This allows for presentations without the need to connect the projector to a PC.

IMAGE MANIPULATION

There are many classroom and meeting situations where it would be beneficial to project multiple images on a single screen or zoom in on an object. The NEC P525UL includes two features designed to make that easier.

PIP (Picture in Picture)
The P525UL offers support for displaying information from multiple users/sources during business meetings or in the classroom. The PiP (Picture in Picture) feature makes it possible to project two images with a single projector by displaying a small sub-display within the main display. The sub-display’s position can be moved and the main display and sub-display images can also be swapped. On the P525UL you can also use the PIP function to project the input signal of the MultiPresenter and image from a another input at the same time.

Digital Image Zoom
There are times in a classroom or meeting that you might want to zoom in on a specific area on a map or blueprint. This feature makes it simple to magnify a portion of the image on-screen of to four times. After pressing the D-Zoom button, you can use the arrows buttons on the remote to reposition of the area to be magnified.

DICOM SIMULATION

In addition to the usual Picture modes, NEC has included a 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. It should be noted that with such projectors as the P525UL, although the DICOM name is used, the projector is not a medical device and should not be used for purposes such as diagnosis of display images. Instead, the DICOM Simulation mode is intended for use in a classroom for teaching purposes.

MOUNTING FLEXIBILITY

The P525UL is suitable for commercial applications as digital signage and other applications requiring other than traditional landscape orientation of the image. The unit can be installed universally at any angle. Tilt-free, roll-free and portrait installations are supported. The projector can be rotated freely (360°) to point up or down depending on the installation requirements and can be rotated and installed on its side to create a portrait image.

NEC P525UL Laser Projector Review – Special Features: Laser Light Engine, Network Control, USB Image Viewer, Image Manipulation, DICOM Simulation, Mounting Flexibility

LASER LIGHT ENGINE

The P525UL uses a laser light source along with a phosphor wheel instead of a conventional lamp. Perhaps the most obvious advantage that a laser light source has over a traditional lamp-based projector is the life of the light source – NEC claims 20,000 hours of laser life for the P525UL. As with a lamp-based system, the life rating is the point where 50% of the brightness has been lost. NEC says this model can be used for 24/7 operation and those 20,000 hours equate to about 2 1/2 years of continuous operation. While NEC rates the life of the laser light source at 20,000, it does not say if that’s when operating in normal or Eco power mode.

Another advantage is the image quality should be more stable over time than with lamp-based projectors. The P525UL uses a sealed light engine so there should be no worries about getting “dust blobs” which can impact the projected image.

As with all 3LCD projectors, a dichroic prism is used to re-assemble the three different colors into a single full color image. Like most 3LCD projectors, P525UL produces as many color lumens as it does white lumens, which ensures a bright, vibrant image.

There are three modes to adjust the brightness output of the laser light source:

Off - 100% brightness with maximum fan speed
ECO - Reduces brightness by 60% while reducing cooling fan speed. This setting reduces power consumption and audible noise
Long Life - Reduces brightness by 50% with maximum cooling fan speed. This setting prolongs the life of the light module

In addition, the laser engine brightness can be adjusted from 30 to 100% in 1% increments. Brightness usually decreases with usage, the constant brightness mode automatically controls the output from the light module according to the light module usage time to maintain constant brightness.

NETWORK CONTROL

PIN code for the projector is shown on the MultiPresenter menu screen

Enter target projector's PIN code into the start up page of the MultiPresenter app

Projector will indicate that it is awaiting content

MultiPresenter app will indicate that projector is awaiting content

In the app, choose if you want to mirror a document, image, webpage or even the mobile device camera

Search for the desired folder

Choose an image from a folder

App will indicate which image is being currently displayed on the projector

❮ ❯

MultiPresenter

This free software application enables you to display your device's screen (computer, smart phone, tablet) on the P525UL via wired or wireless LAN. Not only can you display images, PDFs, and webpages, you can even mirror the camera of your mobile device. The mobile app includes a marker so you can annotate the image or document being projected as well as a pointer. This features also enables multi-screen display by starting the application on multiple computers and mobiles devices Several split screen modes are supported that can display up to 16 thumbnail images in a 4 x 4 grid. The content from up to 16 sources, out of a maximum of 50 connected sources, can be displayed at any one time.

MultiPresenter can also control the connected projector. You can power the projector ON/OFF, switch inputs, and adjust picture and sound. MultiPresenter software is free and available for Windows, Mac, iOS, Android.

NaViSet Adminstrator 2

Once you have connected your projector to your network, NEC offers NaViSet Adminstrator2 software program which can be used to monitor and control the P525UL projector. This free software solution is designed to simplify the control, monitoring, and management of multi-display installations. Adjust almost any parameter or setting of a NEC projector or flat panel from a remote location. Monitor display status receives email alerts automatically if a diagnostic error is reported by a device or a setting has been changed.

The P525UL also supports Crestron Roomview, AMX Beacon, and PJ Link for compete interactive and control. The bottom line is the NEC P525UL has very good support for networking with good support for presentation and control applications/services.

USB IMAGE VIEWER

You can project images stored on a USB memory stick inserted into the USB-A port located at the rear of the P525UL. The images need to be either JPEG or PNG. By selecting the USB-A input the image cans be accessed directly from a simple menu. You can also project them continuously as a slideshow. This allows for presentations without the need to connect the projector to a PC.

IMAGE MANIPULATION

There are many classroom and meeting situations where it would be beneficial to project multiple images on a single screen or zoom in on an object. The NEC P525UL includes two features designed to make that easier.

PIP (Picture in Picture)
The P525UL offers support for displaying information from multiple users/sources during business meetings or in the classroom. The PiP (Picture in Picture) feature makes it possible to project two images with a single projector by displaying a small sub-display within the main display. The sub-display’s position can be moved and the main display and sub-display images can also be swapped. On the P525UL you can also use the PIP function to project the input signal of the MultiPresenter and image from a another input at the same time.

Digital Image Zoom
There are times in a classroom or meeting that you might want to zoom in on a specific area on a map or blueprint. This feature makes it simple to magnify a portion of the image on-screen of to four times. After pressing the D-Zoom button, you can use the arrows buttons on the remote to reposition of the area to be magnified.

DICOM SIMULATION

In addition to the usual Picture modes, NEC has included a 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. It should be noted that with such projectors as the P525UL, although the DICOM name is used, the projector is not a medical device and should not be used for purposes such as diagnosis of display images. Instead, the DICOM Simulation mode is intended for use in a classroom for teaching purposes.

MOUNTING FLEXIBILITY

The P525UL is suitable for commercial applications as digital signage and other applications requiring other than traditional landscape orientation of the image. The unit can be installed universally at any angle. Tilt-free, roll-free and portrait installations are supported. The projector can be rotated freely (360°) to point up or down depending on the installation requirements and can be rotated and installed on its side to create a portrait image.