# Digital Projectors **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [February 28, 2007, 5:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/digital-projectors/393989 "2007-02-28T05:31:18Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 5\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![ChicanoRojo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/c6cbf5/32.png) [@ChicanoRojo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ChicanoRojo)\ **Post date:** [February 28, 2007, 5:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/digital-projectors/393989/1 "2007-02-28T05:31:18Z")
I work for a migrant educational program in a university here in the US. I’ve been asked to check for a good affordable digital projector costing no more than $800. The projector is to be used with a Dell Laptop using Windows XP OS. We will be using them for presentations at different schools and community meetings. So. With that in mind, Oh, Collective Dopers, in y’alls opinion what’s a good digital projector? 😕 This projector has to be available through Best Buy, Staples, Office Depot, or Circuit City. ---
**Author:** ![slortar](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/6bbea6/32.png) [@slortar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/slortar)\ **Post date:** [February 28, 2007, 2:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/digital-projectors/393989/2 "2007-02-28T14:02:09Z")
I recommend checking out Circuit City’s web site–they have a customer review section that’s pretty useful for gathering opinions. You don’t necessarily have to buy said projector there, but it’s a good place to start. For what it’s worth, I have a Toshiba at work that’s worked out pretty well for us, although I doubt they make that specific model any more. ---
**Author:** ![ChicanoRojo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/c6cbf5/32.png) [@ChicanoRojo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ChicanoRojo)\ **Post date:** [February 28, 2007, 3:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/digital-projectors/393989/3 "2007-02-28T15:56:28Z")
[QUOTE=slortar] For what it’s worth, I have a Toshiba at work that’s worked out pretty well for us, although I doubt they make that specific model any more. [/QUOTE] Do you happen to know which model? I saw they have three Toshiba models that seem w/i our budget. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![slortar](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/6bbea6/32.png) [@slortar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/slortar)\ **Post date:** [February 28, 2007, 5:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/digital-projectors/393989/4 "2007-02-28T17:38:45Z")
Double-checking…it’s a DLP-S30…they don’t carry it any more, it seems. I’d pay closer attention to the reviews and specifications than which brand, actually. Infocus is okay for the price range as well, or so I’ve heard. At the very least, make sure the projector you get outputs svga (800x600) or xga (1024x768) and is fairly bright (the higher the lumen rating, the better). Since you’re also travelling with it, having good keystone controls is a definite plus–you won’t always be able to count on being able to place the projector optimally so you’ll want to be able to adjust the picture’s dimensions easily. This should help narrow down your choices a bit, at least. 🙂 You’ll also want to check to see what kind of bulbs it uses and how much those typically cost. We’ve been using ours heavily for 3 or 4 years now and haven’t burnt a bulb (yet), but your mileage may vary. ---
**Author:** ![ChicanoRojo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/c6cbf5/32.png) [@ChicanoRojo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ChicanoRojo)\ **Post date:** [February 28, 2007, 10:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/digital-projectors/393989/5 "2007-02-28T22:27:55Z")
I found this projector with the following specs: > [@](#): > > Epson PowerLite 76C Digital LCD Projector > $750 > > LCD Technology > 2000 Lumens > 1024 X 768 XGA resolution > 500:1 contrast ratio > Up to 35.4’ projection distance > 5.9" to 60" image size > 1.2x manual optical zoom and focus > HDTV compatible > 5.7 lbs > Carry case included > Adjustable cooling fan speeds for high altitude usage > 7.2"H x 16.3"W x 14.6"D > 2 year mfr. limited warranty/ 90 day lamp replacement warranty Anyone have positive or negative experience with this machine?